Danone introduces Oat Yeah as the grain becomes the next big milk alternative

Oat milk had 32.5% growth in the previous year,and manufacturers including PepsiCo, Elmhurst, Thrive Market, Pacific Foods and Happy Planet are getting into the space.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 2, 2019

Our best stories of 2018

From massive c-suite changes to huge deals, here are Food Dive's top stories from 2018, a quick tour of some of what made last year so exciting — and tumultuous. 

By Food Dive staff • Dec. 21, 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

Coke leads $15M investment round in Dirty Lemon maker

Iris Nova focuses on cashierless, text-to-pay consumer goods and has grown the popularity of its brands through platforms like Instagram.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 21, 2018

PepsiCo splits leadership roles for US snacks and beverages

The company said Vivek Sankaran will become CEO of Frito-Lay North America and Kirk Tanner will lead its North America Beverages unit, replacing Al Carey, who is retiring.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 21, 2018

Peet's snags majority stake in Revive kombucha

After investing $7.5 million last year, the coffee chain took a bigger bite out of the craft kombucha brewer, which has grown 168% in the past year.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 21, 2018

Now that hemp and CBD are legal, what comes next for food and beverage?

With the 2018 Farm Bill signed into law, the cannabis plant can be legally regulated by state and tribal governments and commercialized in foods and dietary supplements — unless the FDA objects.

By Cathy Siegner • Dec. 20, 2018

Conagra profit plunges 41% as it begins integration of Pinnacle

The maker of Banquet and Slim Jim raised prices during the quarter for some of its legacy brands as the Chicago company faced higher transportation, input and retailer marketing costs.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 20, 2018

AB InBev and Tilray plan to launch CBD-infused drinks in Canada

Their joint venture, Fluent Beverage Company, will sell the products as early as December and come after the companies spent $100 million last year to study cannabis beverages. 

By Christopher Doering • Updated Oct. 11, 2019

Why cannabis is more than just a buzzy investment for food and beverage companies

Changing attitudes, consumer acceptance and legalization have shifted the substance's domain from lazy stoners to big businesses.

By Megan Poinski • Updated June 17, 2019

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

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