Why natural colors are poised to pop in 2021

As consumers flock to natural ingredients, manufacturers of products such as energy drinks, condiments and dairy alternatives are turning to plants for their hues. 

By Jessi Devenyns • Dec. 10, 2020

Chobani doubles down on probiotics as consumers seek immunity-boosting products

The dairy giant is debuting a line of yogurt cups and drinks that spotlight the microorganisms, as well as an extension geared toward children.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 10, 2020

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Mergers and acquisitions

Declining sales and slowing consumption have more companies divesting brands, opening the door for smaller players and private equity firms to expand their portfolios.  

By Food Dive staff

PepsiCo remains 'exclusive distributor' of Bang Energy drinks, arbitrator rules

The interim order, which said Bang must honor the terms of the agreement, prevents social media posts without approval and the release of "disparaging statements" on the soda giant.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 8, 2020

Leftovers: General Mills brings Sesame Street to cereal; Wicked Weed brews donut-flavored beer

The boxes featuring characters from the 51-year-old educational TV show will arrive on shelves next month, and Borden Dairy is mixing it up with three varieties of creamy salsa.

By Food Dive staff • Dec. 4, 2020

Molson Coors boosts production capacity for seltzers, hit products by over 400%

The beer giant said the investments will allow it to keep up with demand for recent introductions such as Vizzy, Coors Seltzer and LightSky while preparing for new launches.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 2, 2020

Jones Soda promotes Mark Murray to CEO

The former Kraft Foods executive quickly made his mark on the small beverage maker since becoming its president in September. Sales during the company's third quarter rose 17% from 2019.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 2, 2020

Bang Energy sues PepsiCo, citing 'gross misconduct' and intimidation

The energy drinks maker said the beverage giant is "threatening lawsuits" against Walmart and other retailers who fail to purchase Bang from it. PepsiCo said it remains committed to honoring the distribution deal.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 1, 2020

Diageo pledges 100% recyclable packaging, 50% supply chain emissions reduction by 2030

After falling short on some 2020 goals, the maker of Guinness and Smirnoff laid out plans to reduce emissions and improve packaging recyclability.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 30, 2020

Ocean Spray expands better-for-you offerings with new functional waters

The cranberry co-op's product called B1U taps into the growing shopper demand for having more benefits in the products they consume. 

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 25, 2020

Diageo's growth plans: More premium brands and diversity in leadership

The alcohol maker's CEO told CNBC consumers are drinking "better, not more," and the company's 10-year plan focuses on promoting moderation in drinking and achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 24, 2020

4 reasons plant-based milk will keep growing after the pandemic

Dairy alternatives have gone from trendy to on fire in 2020, and analysts weigh in on what will keep the segment booming in the upcoming years. 

By Megan Poinski • Nov. 24, 2020

Danone to cut up to 2,000 jobs as it tries to save nearly $1.2B

CEO Emmanuel Faber says the company needs to "reinvent" itself as it gets hit hard by restaurant closures, a reduction of SKUs offered by retailers and a drop in birth rates that curtails formula consumption. 

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 23, 2020

Leftovers: Pepsi bottles apple pie; Busch literally goes to the dogs

The soda giant is introducing the limited-edition dessert flavored cola in a Thanksgiving sweepstakes, and Mondelez invites fans to personalize their Oreos.

By Food Dive staff • Nov. 20, 2020

SunOpta sells global ingredients division for $390M

The company plans to use the money it receives from the deal to expand its plant-based food and beverage offerings as well as to pay down debt.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 19, 2020

Cargill upstart predicts $1B in sales as demand for healthy ingredients surge

Cargill Health Technologies was launched by the agricultural giant to expand the understanding of gut and digestive health and their connection to the body's immune system.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 19, 2020

PepsiCo 'fired' from exclusive distribution deal with Bang Energy

The beverage giant says it will continue distributing the energy drink even after Bang's CEO cited "multiple issues and concerns regarding PepsiCo’s performance" since the two partnered in April. 

By Christopher Doering • Updated Nov. 17, 2020

How Oatly accelerated growth during the pandemic

In a year of adversity, oat milk is on top, with dollar sales up 212% above last year. The company's North America President Mike Messersmith explains why the beverage is booming and shares its expansion plans.

By Megan Poinski • Nov. 16, 2020

Once mocked, nonalcoholic beer creates a buzz as traditional brew sales stagnate

New offerings from brands like Guinness and Budweiser are flooding the space as the segment, which pulls in nearly $200 million in sales, suddenly heats up.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 12, 2020

How a Monster competitor plans to be the next $1B brand in energy drinks

Fast-growing Celsius Holdings has shaken the $14 billion beverage segment dominated by deeper-pocketed players like Red Bull by eschewing questionable ingredients and promising faster calorie burning during exercise.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 9, 2020

Shaken not stirred—imaginative plant-based cocktails

New creative tools and ingredients can elevate and balance the taste of cocktails with botanicals while also adding more transparency for labeling.  

Nov. 9, 2020

Behind PBR's cannabis seltzer launch is infusion company Vertosa

The technology company infuses more than 100 hemp and cannabis products, including two of the top three ready-to-drink brands in California.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 5, 2020

Cannabis company Aphria to acquire SweetWater Brewing for $300M

This deal, which is expected to close by the end of 2020, will give the Canadian company an established distribution network in the U.S., while also expanding the Georgia craft brewer's reach.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 5, 2020

Molson Coors considers scrapping some offerings amid can shortage

The decision to cut SKUs comes as the beer giant accelerates its expansion into nonalcoholic offerings, such as full-flavored seltzers and a plant-based diet soda.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 5, 2020

How PepsiCo plans to increase gender, racial diversity in management by 2025

The snack and beverage giant has set a goal to increase Black representation in managerial roles 30% and Hispanic representation 10%.

By Sheryl Estrada • Nov. 2, 2020

Keurig Dr Pepper restructures into coffee and cold drinks divisions

The company said the move allows leadership to focus on distinct marketing and innovation for consumers who are shifting their consumption habits.

By Jessi Devenyns • Oct. 30, 2020