Sweet revolution: How cacao fruit is poised to change the food industry

Conventional chocolate production throws out 80% of the fruit that produces cocoa beans. Industry movers are finding ways to upcycle it, creating new confections, snacks and culinary dishes.

By Megan Poinski • Jan. 30, 2020

Nestlé backs amendment to bill mandating PCR for plastic bottles in Maine

Joining multiple environmental groups, Nestlé Waters North America is pushing requirements for plastic bottles to have 30% post-consumer recycled​ by 2030. The beverage giant is among many that needs much more material to hit sustainability goals.

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 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

Unilever exploring sale of tea business

The owner of Lipton and Tazo said a potential divestiture comes as more consumers abandon black tea in favor of herbal varieties.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 30, 2020

Adding aromas could help reduce the sugar content in beverages

Researchers found by adding a natural smell synthesized in apples during ripening, tasters thought the juice contained more sweetener than it really did.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 30, 2020

Keurig Dr Pepper acquires sparkling water brand Limitless

The deal could help grow the distribution of the beverages, which have 35 milligrams of caffeine, no sugar and zero calories. 

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 29, 2020

Dairy industry flexing to add CBD despite regulatory uncertainty

The head of the International Dairy Foods Association said an "insatiable appetite" for these products could prompt more companies to enter the space, even without FDA approval.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 28, 2020

Coca-Cola says it won't ban plastic bottles because consumers like them

Head of Sustainability Bea Perez said people like being able to reseal drinks in lightweight packaging, and alternatives could increase the company's carbon footprint and hurt sales.

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 27, 2020

Leftovers: Halo Top does keto; craft beer taps into the oat milk craze

The ice cream pint that revolutionized the category is at it again for dieters who want to indulge, and Silk whips the dairy alternative market with its new heavy cream offering.

By Food Dive staff • Jan. 24, 2020

Canopy Growth delays its Canadian cannabis beverage line

The company, in which Constellation Brands invested nearly $4 billion, initially planned for the drinks to hit shelves this month.

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 24, 2020

Molson Coors buys craft beer maker Atwater Brewery

The purchase of the Detroit company expands the beverage giant's portfolio while allowing the smaller brewer to gain the financial heft it needs to grow.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 23, 2020

Will Coca-Cola's zero-sugar Powerade sports drinks make a big splash?

The beverage giant said the two products are the first new ones from Powerade in more than 10 years and are aimed at different types of exercisers.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 21, 2020

Big Beer quickens pace of innovation as sales of iconic brews languish

With volumes of the popular alcohol dropping for the fourth straight year in 2019, hard coffee, kombucha, spiked seltzers and flavored versions of popular brews could be the future.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 21, 2020

AB InBev introduces 4 new low-alcohol craft beers

All of the new products will debut nationwide by spring, and the brewing giant plans to have 20% of its global volumes coming from this category by 2025.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 17, 2020

Leftovers: Jelly Belly flavors get fizzy; Nestlé brings the raw Fun(fetti)

The family behind the iconic candy started a company to bring their "stand-out flavors" to seltzer, and Siggi's puts kid-friendly skyr in pouches.

By Food Dive staff • Jan. 17, 2020

Califia Farms raises $225M to expand globally

The plant-based beverage company said the financing will help grow its oat platform and launch other lines, as well as increase production capacity and R&D.

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 16, 2020

PepsiCo to get all its US electricity from renewable sources

The maker of its namesake soda, Gatorade and Doritos plans to reach the target later this year. America accounts for nearly half of its total global electricity consumption.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 16, 2020

Danone US yogurt chief 'bullish' despite segment's broader struggles

The French company is unveiling products in 2020 that address demand for lower sugar or alternative sweetener options, different textures and more plant-based varieties.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 15, 2020

Wine consumption drops for the first time in 25 years

Industry tracker IWSR also said people have drank less beer annually since 2015, with 2019 volumes down 2.3%.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 14, 2020

PepsiCo unveils Mtn Dew Zero Sugar

The sugar-free signature soda brand will be sweetened with acesulfame potassium, aspartame and sucralose, FoodBev Media reported.

By Jessi Devenyns • Jan. 10, 2020

Alcohol companies may miss out on billions in e-commerce sales, report finds

Industry leaders need to look closer at how often younger generations use online shopping channels and how much that influences consumer behavior, a Rabobank analyst wrote.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 10, 2020

Canadian beer consumption drops 3% in 1st year of marijuana legalization

The category recorded its worst domestic volume decline in at least six years, dropping 3.9%. That was offset by imported beer volumes, which grew 1.4%.  

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 9, 2020

6 trends that will shape the food and beverage industry in 2020

What will this new year bring? We see the launch of meat substitutes that go beyond the burger, the elevation of alternative dairy products and smaller M&A deals. 

By Lillianna Byington , Megan Poinski , Christopher Doering • Jan. 8, 2020

Plant-based beverage maker OWYN raises $7.5M to expand, innovate

The funding also will be used to increase the company's sales and e-commerce teams as well as broaden its retail footprint in places such as Target and Walmart.

By Jessi Devenyns • Jan. 8, 2020

Coca-Cola acquires full ownership of dairy brand Fairlife

The soda giant previously owned a 42.5% minority stake and decided to buy​ the rest of the ultra-filtered dairy business as part of its push to become a more diversified beverage company.

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 7, 2020

Nesquik debuts chocolate oat milk GoodNes

The Nestlé brand's non-dairy option has 6 grams of the plant-based grain and pea protein per cup as well as 40% less sugar than chocolate almond milk.

By Jessi Devenyns • Jan. 7, 2020