Inside Ferrero’s push to become America’s next packaged food giant

Fresh off its acquisition of WK Kellogg, the sweets maker is investing over $100 million in marketing during the Super Bowl and World Cup to show it’s more than just Nutella and Ferrero Rocher.

PepsiCo names Walmart executive as CFO

The appointment comes as the maker of Mountain Dew and Doritos faces slowing soda sales and challenges to its snacks business as cash-strapped consumers cut back on snacks.

Leftovers: M&M’s launches freeze-dried candy | Marvel stars brew up beverage collab

Mars is building on the success of Skittles Pop’d with its latest innovation, while Ortega mixes up taco night with Cheez-It.

Coca-Cola to roll out single-serve minis in c-stores

The 7.5-ounce cans offer consumers a more affordable price point and play into growing demand for small indulgences.

Campbell’s taps Hershey finance vet for CFO chair

In a client note, J.P. Morgan said this is “the most active year since 2022” for CFO changes in the food industry. 

Magnum taps into better-for-you craze with Yasso frozen Greek yogurt pints

The fast-growing brand, which Unilever purchased in 2023, will be spun out next month when the CPG giant divests its ice cream division.

Molson Coors reshuffles leadership team under new CEO

The Miller Lite owner is removing its commercial officer role as it looks to tackle challenges in the beer industry.

SNAP restrictions may cost $1.6B for retailers to implement: report

New findings from three industry groups estimate the upfront as well as ongoing maintenance price tags tied to compliance with new regulations.

AI is set to transform the way consumers shop for food

Artificial intelligence offers a powerful way to automate grocery shopping and predict what people might buy next, according to PwC.

Tyson agrees to record $85M settlement in pork price-fixing lawsuit

Meatpacking giants have agreed to pay nearly $200 million to address allegations they illegally conspired to limit bacon, ham and sausage supply to boost profits.

Kraft Heinz CMO on being culturally nimble without losing brand equity

At Advertising Week, Todd Kaplan said marketers should think of brand building like pointillism and not rush to jump on every viral opportunity.

Fireball owner builds out vodka portfolio with purchase of Western Son

The Texas-based vodka and gin brand will give Sazerac expanded production capacity.

Hormel Foods ends bacon production at Georgia plant

The shift is one of roughly 90 projects the company executed in the third quarter as part of a multiyear transformation initiative.

JM Smucker to spend over $120M on Hostess plant expansion

The Twinkies owner was acquired two years ago for $5.6 billion, but has since seen demand wane amid inflation and an uptick in the use of GLP-1 drugs.

Leftovers: Nerds Gummy Clusters launches juicy new innovation | Hershey bites into KitKat Counts

Ferrara is building on the candy brand's unexpected success, while Sierra Nevada launches a European-sized pilsner in the U.S.

General Mills doubles down on snackable content with sketch series

“The Snacktime Sketch Show,” which parodies everything from “Love Island” to rogue artificial intelligence, promotes the “unsung heroes” of the snack aisle. 

Walmart to remove dozens of artificial ingredients from private label brands

The nation's largest retailer is eliminating synthetic dyes and 30 additional additives commonly associated with ultraprocessed foods.

Danone to pause litigation as part of truce with Lifeway Foods

The agreement, which also includes a board refresh, comes two weeks after the dairy giant abandoned plans to acquire the kefir maker.

General Mills to close 3 Missouri plants as part of supply chain restructuring

The food giant plans to shutter a pizza crust and two pet food facilities as part of a multiyear initiative to streamline its business.

Powerade enters hydration market with first new product in 5 years

The Coca-Cola-backed brand is stepping into the functional beverage market with Power Water, which bills itself as having more electrolytes than competitors.

Amazon streamlines private label grocery portfolio

The retailer has introduced Amazon Grocery, a new brand that encompasses more than 1,000 fresh foods, pantry staples and other goods and replaces the retailer’s Amazon Fresh and Happy Belly names.

Top food and beverage industry events in 2026

The coming year will be busy with conferences and conventions showcasing the latest trends and innovations in snacks, frozen foods and more.

Campbell’s says tariff mitigation strategies can only go so far

Limited domestic tinplate capacity makes it difficult to source materials for canned goods in the face of steel and aluminum tariffs, executives say.

Right direction or wrong track: Is RFK Jr.’s food policy really making America healthier?

Many of MAHA’s regulatory interventions come at great cost to companies and consumers with little or no health benefit, writes Sean McBride.

PepsiCo splashes into dirty soda with new Mountain Dew flavor

Dirty Mountain Dew Cream Soda, set for a nationwide rollout next year, is one of the first efforts to bring the trend from restaurants to retail stores.