Study Puts Ultra-Processed Plant-Based Products Under Fire

A new study found that, for every 10% increase in calories from ultra-processed plant-based foods, there was a 5% increased risk of heart disease.

Circana: Consumers Increasingly Spending on Health and Wellness

The idea of health and wellness is evolving, as shown by a report that noted ways people are tapping into products to harmonize their lives.

Raising the Bar: How MadeGood and Bobo’s Snack Bars Became ‘Killer Products’

Two brands winning this back-to-school season are MadeGood and Bobo’s, according to a prominent CEO. The snacks’ allergen-free ingredients have won over Millennial parents.

Down Under Pressure: Outback Steakhouse Fighting to Win Back Diners

Outback Steakhouse has turned to value as its traffic dropped and it reduced locations. Industry experts are confident the 37-year-old chain can bounce back – provided it takes a few careful steps.

CEO of Chipotle Departs to Assume Leadership of Starbucks

Tuesday brought big business news, as Chipotle announced that its chairman and CEO, Brian Niccol, had accepted a similar post at Starbucks.

Down to the Bones: Juicy Marbles’ Primal Plant-Based Meat Experience

Alt-meat brand Juicy Marbles’ Baby Ribs aim to capture “the primal eating experience” ribs are known for, while delivering improved nutrition.

A for Effort: Parents, Administrators Improving School Lunches

As a new school year approaches, a survey shows parents are prioritizing nutrients and taste far more than cost when shopping for their kids’ school lunch items.

Recall Response 101: Strategies for Brands in Crisis

As recent product recalls show, the stakes are high when brands must respond to a recall. Experts share the necessary steps to keep a brand’s reputation intact during a recall.

Brazil Poised to Become Top World Food Exporter

The average Brazilian farmer was 46 in 2021, with the latest census putting the average age of U.S. farmers at 58 years old.

Lab-Engineered Potato Could Solve Age-Old Storage Issue

Researchers at Michigan State University have produced a breakthrough that promises better-tasting – and longer-lasting – potatoes.

Wawa, Red Robin Among Fastest Hirers in Tight U.S. Job Market

Indeed recently compiled a list the Top 15 companies hiring the fastest in the U.S., and the food industry was well-represented on the list.

Investors See Weak Earnings in Packaged Food as an Opportunity

The tough economic environment lately seems concentrated among lower-income consumers. Executives at Campbell and McCormick have pointed to particular weakness with that group.

Disease, Weather Devastating U.S. Citrus Industry

Citrus, once the dominant crop in Florida, has declined 92% in the past two decades, the victim of disease and extreme weather.

Cash or Credits? Walmart, McDonald’s Explore New Kind of Employee Compensation

New employee compensation initiatives at employers like McDonald’s and Walmart aim to make on-the-job experience count toward college credits.

5 Supply Chain Concerns to Watch in Late 2024

There are several global supply chain concerns for the second half of 2024. F&B executives are particularly concerned about geopolitical tensions and severe weather.

Pour It Over: New Bev50 Report Cites Rise of Impulse Purchases

Alpha-Diver’s latest Bev50 Report examines what’s currently driving consumer beverage purchases, leveraging their extensive U.S. database.

IFT FIRST 2024: Tackling Rising Commodity Costs with Innovation

Cost reduction was a central theme at the recent IFT FIRST industry event. Exhibitors offered a range of solutions to reduce costs in the short-term and future-proof supply chains in the long-term.

Are Collabs the Future of Marketing in F&B?

When brands collaborate, they tap into each other’s customer bases and brand equity. This synergy allows both businesses to reach a broader audience.

3 Key Takeaways from IFT FIRST 2024

From brain health to indulgent proteins, several evolving food industry trends were on display recently at the IFT FIRST 2024 expo. FI’s resident market researcher was on the scene, documenting the most intriguing innovations.

Dinner and a Movie: Can In-Theater Dining Save Struggling Cinemas?

The first half of 2024 featured a cold start for the domestic movie industry. Now, theaters across America are as focused as ever on making a “premium push” regarding their food and beverage offerings.

Flavors of Yucatán Fuel District Taco’s Growth

District Taco is more of a mission than a restaurant chain, bringing Yucatán cuisine and flavors to the masses.

Lanternflies and Pongamia Trees Yielding Unexpected Harvests

Florida’s shift from citrus groves to pongamia plantations is a move towards sustainability and resilience, offering new economic opportunities with biofuel and plant-based proteins.

Breakfast Chain Perkins Looks to Flip Script With Bold Rebrand

Perkins, the 66-year-old breakfast restaurant chain, is evolving. Long a fixture near interstate exits, the chain aims to give customers new offerings that will inspire frequent pitstops.

Chick-fil-A Knocked Off Perch as Best Fast-Food Chain

A new list of consumers’ favorite fast-food chains has a surprise winner. Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A is taking rare criticism of late.

Game the System: Gamification in Grocery & Retail

Gamification refers to the idea of point scoring and applying competitive techniques to encourage consumer engagement.

Case Study: Elevating the Grocery Checkout Experience

Customer engagement company Birdzi has partnered with retail solutions provider ECRS for tech that allows grocery shoppers to redeem digital coupons in real-time.

The Beanless Coffee Revolution Has Begun

Taking the caffeine out of coffee has been a familiar and useful development in the chemistry of coffee. But what about coffee without beans?

Avian Influenza Continues to Spread Across America

HPAI is spreading across dairy farms and, at last report, was present in 143 herds, with 53 new herd infections over the past month.

Snacking Survey: Products and Innovations Today’s Consumers Crave

Today’s consumers are snacking around the clock, according to a shopper survey that notes which new innovations shoppers are craving.

Analysis: Why Has Adoption of AI Been So Slow in F&B?

While restaurant chains like McDonald’s have had notable swings and misses regarding AI, business leaders insist the technology offers invaluable uses to food companies, aiding personalized offers, sales forecasting, and more.

Consumer Demand Reshaping Baby Food Market

Today’s consumers are reshaping the baby food market as a growing number of parents prioritize nutrition and hold the industry accountable for the quality of their products. With that, what are consumers looking for? And how are companies delivering?

Prime Numbers: Amazon and Competitors Heat Up Summer Sales

Amazon’s Prime Day sales, which began Tuesday, were expected to rake in $14 billion, up 10.5% from last year, Adobe Analytics projected. Such statistics have inspired competitors to join the July sales fray.

U.S. Turkey Producer Diestel Family Ranch Joins Regenerative Ag Pioneers

Diestel Family Ranch has become the first U.S.-based turkey producer to receive Regenified agriculture certification.

June’s Record Bankruptcy Wave Signals Tough Times Ahead for Businesses

In June there were 75 major U.S. business bankruptcies. Some financial experts predict the pace could accelerate over the second half of the year.

Turning Negative Reviews into Opportunities: A Restaurant’s Guide to Online Feedback

In 2024, online reviews can have an immeasurable impact on restaurants. The difference in public perception between a 4.5-star Google review and a 4.0 rating, for example, can be costly.

Dates with Destiny: Dates Gaining Momentum as Healthy Sweetener

Move over avocados, pomegranates, and acai; dates are the latest superfruit gaining momentum. Known for their natural sweetness and rich nutritional profile, dates are becoming the hero snack and a better-for-you sugar replacement.