Absolut pressure: Activist fund Elliott takes stake in Pernod Ricard

It said the French alcohol giant has "significant potential for improvement" after recently underperforming and losing market share. 

By Lillianna Byington • Dec. 13, 2018

Smokeless smoke to heat up as a flavor trend in 2019

Already popular in meats, seasonings, sauces, cheeses, honey and salt, the taste could soon make its way into dessert and beverage products.

By Cathy Siegner • Dec. 13, 2018

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

How the 'non-GMO' plague is shifting from the food to the beverage industry

The claim may sound buzzy, but dietitian and GMO Answers volunteer Neva Cochran writes that it makes little difference — and is often meaningless.

By Neva Cochran • Dec. 12, 2018

Hain Celestial settles SEC charges over lax internal controls

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said it did not fine the company following its "extensive cooperation." The food maker neither admitted nor denied the findings.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 12, 2018

Monster Energy drink didn't cause heart attack, jury finds

The 18-year-old plaintiff faulted the energy drink company for not disclosing the amount of caffeine in the beverage — or its potential consequences.

By Jessi Devenyns • Dec. 11, 2018

Constellation pours $100M into female-led alcohol brands

The company's first investments in this initiative are Austin Cocktails, which makes bottled craft cocktails and Vivify Beverages, which makes hard sodas. 

By Lillianna Byington • Dec. 7, 2018

Ethnic and better-for-you flavors dominate Comax's 2019 predictions

The company's four flavor collections for next year include ideas for beverages, meatless meals and multicultural and functional applications.

By Cathy Siegner • Dec. 6, 2018

Why gut-friendly foods are a top trend

Probiotics are likely to find their way into more foods as new strains are cultivated that can be added to shelf-stable food and drink, trendmakers say.

By Nina Sparling • Dec. 6, 2018

Disruptor of the Year: Constellation Brands

The alcohol giant's $3.9 billion investment in cannabis producer Canopy Growth has sparked a wave of marijuana innovation by U.S. beer brands, and could give it a first-mover advantage in the budding category. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 3, 2018

Maxwell House's labor-focused campaign drives purchase intent, ad awareness, analysis finds

Since the campaign launched around Labor Day, ad awareness for the coffee brand increased from 12% to 18%, and purchase consideration increased from 17% to 22%.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 30, 2018

Leftovers: Sour, sweet, cereal?

Sour Patch Kids is becoming a cereal, one lucky fan may be grateful for Cherry Garcia ice cream sales and Oreo launches a powdered drink mix for that just-dipped-cookies-in-it taste.

By Food Dive staff • Nov. 30, 2018

Mintel: Consumers want to eat and drink at the fountain of youth

The research firm calls functional foods and beverages that will forestall the aging process — which are nutritious, flavorful and easy to consume — one of its top trends for 2019.

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 29, 2018

Campbell Soup interim CEO focused on turnaround, but 'much more work lies ahead'

While the maker of namesake soups, V8 drinks and Emerald nuts has made progress implementing changes at the nearly 150-year old company, Keith McLoughlin told shareholders it's too early to declare victory.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 29, 2018

Campbell Soup reaches deal with Third Point, ending proxy fight

The soup and snacks maker will add two of the hedge fund's nominees to its board and give the activist the opportunity to provide input as the CPG giant searches for a new CEO.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 27, 2018

Beyond Meat's future has ties to a successful tea maker

Seth Goldman founded organic tea maker Honest two decades ago. Today, he has an executive role at the maker of plant-based products and notes the many similarities between the two companies.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 26, 2018

Campbell Soup Q1 profit slides as key shareholder vote looms

The company, which is engaged in a bitter proxy fight with hedge fund Third Point, said soup sales fell 6% during the quarter but are showing signs of improving.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 20, 2018

Leftovers: Squashing out gluten and dairy; beer and wine in a single bottle

A vegan veggie mac and cheese substitute is born, and there's a holiday-flavored way to get the energy to prepare that Thanksgiving feast. 

By Food Dive staff • Nov. 16, 2018

Why Coca-Cola shouldn't try to ride the CBD high

As more beverage companies buy into the cannabis industry, business student Maggie Chen writes that the soft drink company should duck out because of legal technicalities and potentially disastrous effects on its brand.

By Maggie Chen • Nov. 16, 2018

Post Holdings sees Q4 growth, plans IPO for nutrition segment

Post will sell about a fifth of the ownership of the new public company and expects to complete the spinoff in the second half of fiscal year 2019.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 16, 2018

Former Blue Moon brewmaster to release first THC-infused beer

Keith Villa's new venture is launching the beverage, which will include 5 grams of the cannabis ingredient, but skirts federal regulation by making it alcohol free. 

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 13, 2018

How 4 disruptive startups upended the status quo

Young companies often enter a market that was underserved or untapped, and with the right product and timing, can end up completely changing the game.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 12, 2018

Diageo sells 19 lower-end brands for $550M

Sazerac — one of the U.S.'s oldest family-owned distillers — will get a variety of labels including Seagram's whiskey, Romana Sambuca and Booth's gin. 

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 12, 2018

How food and beverage companies score celebrity investments

Endorsements are out, as big-name stars and athletes put money — and influence — behind their favorite products.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 12, 2018

Coca-Cola in fight with Monster over new energy drinks

The soda giant is planning to launch "Coca-Cola Energy" and "Coca-Cola Energy No Sugar" — positioning the company in competition with its business partner.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 9, 2018

Cold-pressed juice company Suja purchased by private equity firm

The sale comes after what the company called an "unprecedented year" for both its revenue and profit. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

By Cathy Siegner • Updated July 19, 2021