‘It’s not going to be easy’: Food industry faces uphill growth battle in 2026

As CPG companies aim to improve their businesses amid a challenging environment, some firms are expected to cut jobs, lower prices and boost innovation to increase their competitiveness.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 21, 2026

Coke creates chief digital officer role to keep pace with tech demands

Sedef Salingan Sahin will lead digital transformation efforts, including in marketing, while CMO Manolo Arroyo’s remit will expand.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 20, 2026

If AI agents do the shopping, who wins the shelf?

When bots buy, what wins? Why stock accuracy matters for food brands' visibility.

Jan. 20, 2026

Why Dos Equis revived the Most Interesting Man amid category headwinds

Alison Payne, CMO for parent company Heineken USA, explains how the iconic character is being reimagined for the social-digital world.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 16, 2026

Leftovers: Lifeway churns up probiotic butter | Modelo goes nonalcoholic

The kefir maker is capitalizing on demand for premium butters, while Horizon Organic splashes into the fast-growing creamer category.

By Food Dive staff • Jan. 16, 2026

Energy drinks’ fortunes are still rising. Here’s how to ride the wave.

While the category is gaining market share with fresh flavors and ideas, competition from other beverages is cutting into sales.

By Christine Blank • Jan. 15, 2026

Beyond Meat enters beverage category with protein drinks

Sparkling beverages broaden the company’s ambitions to bring protein to new channels as the alternative meat category struggles.

By Laurel Deppen • Jan. 15, 2026

Danone invests $4M to expand Texas plant amid yogurt boom

The expansion comes as the food giant struggles to meet surging consumer demand for high-protein dairy products.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 13, 2026

Vita Coco flexes back into sports and fitness

The coconut water brand, with more than $500 million in annual sales, is going back to its roots to help boost revenue and attract younger consumers.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 13, 2026

Heineken CEO to step down as beer sales slump

Dolf van den Brink is leaving at the end of May as the company implements a reorganization plan.

By Laurel Deppen • Jan. 12, 2026

How Recess is rethinking Dry January as drinking trends toward moderation

The functional beverage brand is championing balance instead of abstinence, bucking a trend among nonalcoholic brands.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 12, 2026

Nutri-Grain goes crunchy | Premier Protein launches muffins

Mars-owned Nutri-Grain is tapping into consumer demand for healthier ingredients, while Stone Brewing partners with Hopwtr on an IPA-flavored sparkling water.

By Food Dive staff • Jan. 9, 2026

Brewers can use kosher certifications to win vegan, vegetarian consumers

Labeling items for kosher standards, such as avoiding shellfish and dairy, could also benefit those with dietary restrictions and allergies, writes Moshe Elefant, rabbi and chief operating officer of OU Kosher.

By Moshe Elefant • Jan. 8, 2026

The food and beverage trends to watch in 2026

Companies are leaning on innovation, M&A and healthier options to navigate sometimes contradictory consumer preferences.

By Food Dive staff • Jan. 8, 2026

AB InBev buys back $3B stake in US metal container plants

The Bud Light maker sold a minority stake in the business to investors in 2020.

By Laurel Deppen • Jan. 6, 2026

Coca-Cola begins corporate restructuring with 75 layoffs

Future cuts at the beverage giant are expected to occur in phases during the coming months.

By Laurel Deppen • Jan. 5, 2026

Food makers cut prices to reignite growth

PepsiCo and General Mills are among a handful of companies planning to boost affordability as shoppers tighten their spending.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 5, 2026

SNAP consumers outspend other grocery shoppers, data shows

Participants in the federal nutrition assistance program also overwhelmingly direct their benefits to name brands, according to a report from Circana.

By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 23, 2025

The biggest food and beverage M&A deals in 2025

While giants like Kraft Heinz and Keurig Dr Pepper announced plans to break up, others leaned on acquisitions to grow their presence in trendy categories like health and wellness.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 23, 2025

Jim Beam halts production at flagship Kentucky distillery

The bourbon maker is pausing operations for a year at its main manufacturing plant as it battles declining alcohol consumption and high barrel-aging taxes.

By Laurel Deppen • Dec. 22, 2025

Laird Superfood grows health and wellness portfolio with $39M acquisition

The purchase of Navitas’ organic offerings will give the functional coffee and creamer producer a deeper presence in nutritional products while increasing the company’s reach in retail.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 22, 2025

PepsiCo, Walmart accused of price fixing in class action lawsuit

The new complaint follows an unsealed FTC lawsuit against the soda company claiming that it unfairly gave the retailer preferred pricing.

By Laurel Deppen • Dec. 22, 2025

Leftovers: Ritz embraces sweet and salty | Stoli spices up vodka

The Mondelēz brand is introducing Drizzled Minis to “push the boundaries of what a cracker can be," while Laird Superfood rolls out new innovations for health-conscious consumers.

By Food Dive staff • Dec. 19, 2025

Athletic makes its own Dry January to boost nonalcoholic beer

The promotion includes a tie-up with OpenTable that includes a map spotlighting locations where the brand’s products are served.

By Jessica Hammers • Dec. 19, 2025

White Claw maker names first new CEO in 50 years

Mark Anthony Group founder Anthony Von Mandl will stay on as chairman while Phil Rosse takes on the top leadership role.

By Laurel Deppen • Dec. 18, 2025