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Mtn Dew releases its first new flavor in more than a decade: Major Melon

The watermelon-flavored soda is the newest permanent addition to the brand portfolio as PepsiCo leans on innovation to combat declining soda sales during the pandemic.

Budweiser Zero unites athletes to support Dry January

The AB InBev brand's first zero-alcohol beer seeks to motivate consumers who are abstaining from alcohol to start the year.

Coronavirus to weigh on Coke, Conagra and other CPGs in 2021, analysts say

The closure of away-from-home venues will impact the soda giant and competitor PepsiCo, while some food makers will struggle as consumers return to pre-pandemic meal preparation habits.

Impossible Foods slashes prices to foodservice distributors 15%

This is the second price cut in the last 12 months, and underscores the plant-based company's strategy to use both restaurants and stores to grab market share from traditional meat.

Deep Dive

5 trends fueling food and beverage innovation in 2021

Consumers will pick up their pursuit of immunity boosts, new plant-based options, global flavors and tech-enhanced foods after a tough year.  

Tyson Foods brings plant-based meats to its Jimmy Dean brand

The new breakfast sandwiches are the first faux meat offering from an existing brand at the Arkansas-based company, which entered the space two years ago. 

Tracking the plant-based protein movement

Impossible Foods is slashing prices to foodservice distributors by 15%, and Tyson is bringing plant-based meats to its Jimmy Dean brand.

UPDATED: Jan. 7, 2021 at 11:19 a.m.

FitVine aims to upend 'stuffy' wine dominated by big players with better-for-you offering

The company's low-sugar drinks have made the California startup one of the fastest-growing alcohol brands and the top-growing wine label in the U.S.

Mondelez buys premium chocolate and snack maker Hu for undisclosed amount

The snacking giant, which took a minority stake in the brand nearly two years ago, has been bulking up its portfolio through deals with brands focused on simpler ingredients.

Veganuary opens 2021 with a focus on plant-based eating

While most consumers are not making a long-term commitment to an animal-free diet, this sector grew exponentially in 2020 and is shaping Big Food portfolios.

McCormick buys natural flavorings company FONA International for $710M

The acquisition will expand the 132-year-old company's reach into growing categories, such as performance nutrition and health and wellness.

Tyson Foods not protected by executive order keeping plants open, judge rules

The federal court is sending an Iowa lawsuit about a worker's death back to the state level after rejecting the company's claim it was acting at the direction of the federal government.

Dietary Guidelines published without changes to added sugars or alcohol recommendations

The document from USDA and HHS is being criticized for not incorporating more recommendations from scientists, dietitians and medical professionals.

AB InBev to sell stake in US metal container plants for $3B

Private-equity firm Apollo and other investors will purchase 49.9% of the business, giving the beer giant much-needed cash to pay down debt from its 2016 SABMiller acquisition.

2020's 10 biggest M&A deals in the food and beverage industry

Despite the pandemic, companies found ways to streamline their operations as needed and expand their portfolios when opportunities arose. These are some of the largest moves this year.

Opinion

Earth to the meatpacking industry: 2021 is coming up, exit the time capsule

The manufacturing process must change, and not just for change's sake. Lives, not just reputations, are at stake, writes Phil Kafarakis, president emeritus of the Specialty Food Association.

Frozen food sales soar with homebound consumers during pandemic

Sales in the category jumped 17.4% between November 2020 and the same month a year earlier. The largest gains came in processed poultry, seafood, snacks and beverages.

Deep Dive

5 questions to ask before adopting a coronavirus vaccine policy

Vaccines are still one arrow in an employer's COVID-19 quiver, an attorney said. Incentives and education may also be preferable to mandates.

Eat Beyond aims to change the way people invest in protein alternatives

The investment fund — which is currently publicly traded on three exchanges — serves both those who want to support the future of food and smaller companies with big ideas.

Food workers should be among the next in line for the vaccine, CDC panel says

Roughly 30 million people fall into this group, including those in food production and manufacturing, but the recommendations still need to be approved by the agency's director and adopted by states.

Proposal would move GMO food animal regulation to USDA

Moving this approval from the FDA — which gives bioengineered food animals the same scrutiny as new drugs — is wanted by farm groups.

Zevia closes $200M funding round with Canadian investment firm

The stevia sweetened soda company is planning to use the money and partnership to fuel its global expansion strategy and better manage its assets. 

How cost and trends are impacting Christmas dinner

Rising prices for traditional dishes and a taste for plant-based meat may shift what's on tables this holiday season.

Untapped: How grocers are growing their private label alcohol assortment

Wine has long been the focus, but experts say booming sales this year make store-brand booze ripe for expanded selections and higher price points.

Coca-Cola to cut 2,200 jobs — most in the US — as part of restructuring

The staff reduction comes as the part of a broader overhaul accelerated by the pandemic, which has seen the beverage giant end production of brands including Tab and Odwalla.