Kerry rolls out clean-label citrus extracts for beverages

The ingredients company said the new flavors, which include lemon, orange and tangerine, can be used with water, energy drinks, hard seltzers and beer.

By Jessi Devenyns • Oct. 1, 2020

Oat milk surges to second most popular in plant-based dairy

The grain-based beverage likely rose in popularity through a combination of function, taste, nutritional attributes and hype. 

By Megan Poinski • Sept. 30, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

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

Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirit Co. closes $11.5M funding round

The Australian company says this investment is the largest ever made in the alcohol-free category.

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 29, 2020

Leftovers: Bazooka gets into gummies; Undressed redefines 'salad bar'

The bubble gum brand's new launch of dragon and unicorn candies is (literally) Totally Awesome, and WW brews up canned RTD coffee drinks.

By Food Dive staff • Sept. 25, 2020

Trade groups: Over 650K jobs tied to US beer industry will be lost due to COVID

The report from four organizations with ties to alcohol predict the pandemic will hamper retail sales of beer more than $22 billion by the end of 2020.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 23, 2020

AI upstart Brightseed raises $27M as demand for healthy offerings surges

CEO Jim Flatt said his business has more interest for its services than it can handle as consumers look to eat healthier and businesses search for ways to meet those needs. 

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 17, 2020

Canopy Growth's beverage head is 'bullish' on the future of the cannabis category

After a delayed launch and an ongoing turnaround effort for its earnings, the Constellation-backed company is No. 1 in dollar share in drinks in Canada and plans to launch into the U.S. in the near future. 

By Lillianna Byington • Sept. 17, 2020

Yuengling debuts in Texas as part of joint venture with Molson Coors

The move into the Lone Star State is the latest step to bring offerings from America’s oldest brewery to millions more drinkers beyond the East Coast.

By Christopher Doering • Updated Aug. 23, 2021

PepsiCo launches sleep-aid drink Driftwell

The enhanced water, which will be sold first online starting in December, is designed to help stressed consumers relax and unwind before bed.

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 15, 2020

Sam Adams joins crowded nonalcoholic beer space with planned 2021 launch

Boston Beer spent two years researching and brewing to create Just the Haze IPA, which the brewer says will taste like the real thing.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 11, 2020

Molson Coors launches nonalcoholic drinks in bid to expand beyond beer

The new products, which include a seltzer with added probiotics, is part of the company's goal to reach more consumers seeking better-for-you beverages.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 10, 2020

Partake Brewing taps $4M in funding to expand fast-growing nonalcoholic beer

The company, whose brews are sold in Total Wine & More and some Whole Foods outlets, is open to an investment or acquisition from a big beer company to expand its reach.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 9, 2020

Nestlé invests $30M in Closed Loop fund to expand sustainable packaging use

The deal provides the Switzerland company with access to food-grade recycled plastics it can use for packaging in products such as Coffee Mate and Stouffer's.

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 9, 2020

Oatly faces boycott backlash for its investment from Blackstone

Complaints about the firm's CEO's donations to Trump and ties to companies linked to deforestation are starting to surface after the equity group was the lead investor buying a $200 million stake in the oat milk giant. 

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 8, 2020

Beam Suntory buys cocktail company, hoping to lead RTD spirits

The spirits company has plans to expand the range of choices of premixed drinks consumers can enjoy.

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 8, 2020

AB InBev picks North America chief to take over as CEO as Carlos Brito departs

Michel Doukeris was touted for his expertise in innovation, building brands and consumer insight, which could help the brewing giant grow.

By Christopher Doering • Updated May 6, 2021

Leftovers: Reese's serves cake for breakfast; Jones Soda tries to get out the vote

Hershey is giving consumers permission to eat its soft-baked chocolate snack cake in the morning, and Runamok Maple is making its syrup sparkle. 

By Food Dive staff • Sept. 4, 2020

Consumer trends shifting toward health and wellness, ADM finds

The pandemic has made more people interested in foods that benefit their immunity, metabolism and mental state, as well as solidified the plant-based sector, according to research from the ingredients giant.

By Megan Poinski • Sept. 3, 2020

Snoop Dogg joins crowded celebrity gin space with Indoggo release

The alcohol sector has been popular with big-name investors such as Ryan Reynolds, Jay-Z, Post Malone and George Clooney.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 2, 2020

Plant-based food maker Laird Superfood files for $40M IPO

The company, which counts Danone Manifesto Ventures as its largest shareholder, posted $11.1 million in sales during the first six months of 2020.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 1, 2020

Big CPGs struggle to gain market share during COVID-19 despite sales boost

IRI data shows while large manufacturers grabbed shelf space at the height of the pandemic, upstarts are taking advantage of out-of-stocks and demand for variety to win it back. 

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 31, 2020

Coca-Cola to offer buyouts to 4,000 employees, with layoffs to follow

The beverage giant is streamlining its operations to avoid duplication, help with innovation and get products to market more quickly.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 28, 2020

Good Karma buys its majority stake back from bankrupt Dean Foods

The plant-based milk brand also raised new capital in a funding round from Valor Siren Ventures and existing investor 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners. 

By Lillianna Byington • Aug. 25, 2020

Game on: fueling the emerging market for esports

Welcome to the age of premium, high-performance energy drinks fueling the gaming industry.

By Brian Zapp - AFS • Aug. 25, 2020

Craft spirits revenue plunges $700M as pandemic curtails on-premise operations

With 40% of the country's craft distilleries generating half of their sales from tasting rooms that were or remain closed, many are looking for other sources of income to stay afloat. 

By Jessi Devenyns • Aug. 24, 2020