Innovation

  • A Takis Blue Heat bag is seen on a table
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Takis to remove artificial colors

    The spicy rolled tortilla chip brand popular among children will phase out synthetic dyes and the preservative TBHQ by the end of the year. 

    By • June 29, 2026
  • A phone with Tik Tok Shop pulled up.
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    Photo illustration by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    How TikTok Shop is changing innovation for food and beverage brands

    Big companies, including PepsiCo and Mars, are using the app’s e-commerce feature to drive sales and inform new products, according to the platform’s head of food.

    By Michael Brady • June 29, 2026
  • Dolly Parton
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    Courtesy of Community Coffee
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    Column

    Leftovers: Dolly Parton pours into coffee | Eggo launches first zero-sugar waffle

    The country music icon is introducing Cup of Ambition with Community Coffee, while King's Hawaiian enters the single-serve market with pretzel bites.

    By Food Dive staff • June 26, 2026
  • An array of Ocean Spray products with new labels
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    Courtesy of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
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    Ocean Spray names Nestlé health exec as its CEO

    Abigail Buckwalter joins from Nestlé Health Science U.S. and is set to lead the cranberry giant as it benefits from demand for minimally processed and better-for-you foods. 

    By • June 25, 2026
  • Sazerac's three new ready-to-drink cocktail brands: Endless Afternoon Whiskey Lemonade, Buckhorn Whiskey Lemonade, and Lovebug Hard Cream Soda
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    Permission granted by Sazerac
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    Sazerac launches 3 canned cocktail brands to reach young drinkers

    The Fireball and BuzzBallz owner is introducing two whiskey lemonade brands and a hard cream soda to capitalize on demand for spirit-based cocktails with big flavors.

    By • June 24, 2026
  • Modelo chelada
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    Retrieved from Constellation Brands on June 22, 2026
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    Q&A

    How Modelo wants to win younger consumers

    After launching its first nonalcoholic drink, the beer brand's vice president of marketing says it is “no longer defined by a single segment.”

    By • June 23, 2026
  • Beef tallow ingredient sold at a Washington, D.C.. area grocery store
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    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
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    Beef tallow takeover? Big food companies begin to embrace MAHA ingredient

    Major food companies such as Conagra and Utz are making products with the rendered animal fat, which has seen its popularity soar under RFK Jr.’s recent dietary guideline changes.

    By • June 22, 2026
  • Young woman eating ice cream wearing sunglasses on pink background
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    Rohappy. Retrieved from Shutterstock.
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    Sponsored by Prova Inc.

    Vanilla profiles that drive ice cream experience: Where sensory meets market demand

    New sensory research identifies three vanilla flavor profiles & their connection to ice cream consumers.

    June 22, 2026
  • Young cheerful adorable female worker in sterile cloths using a tablet and smiling while standing near the salt sticks factory production line.
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    dusanpetkovic via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by ENTR Technologies

    From formula to label: Why connected product data matters more than ever

    Disconnected product data slows innovation. Here's why leading teams are connecting it.

    By ENTR Technologies • June 22, 2026
  • A box of Hershey bars sits in a store.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Better together: Hershey’s combined sweets and snacks business pays off for retailers, consumers

    The merging of the company’s sweet, salty and protein brands under one umbrella called “One Hershey” allows the Reese’s maker to boost sales and help stores plan for big events.

    By • June 18, 2026
  • Yogurt in a Virginia grocery store
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    Julie Littman/Food Dive
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    Chobani sued by Danone over high-protein yogurt claims

    The Oikos maker said its rival is engaging in “unfair competition and consumer deception” to make its product more appealing to shoppers.

    By • June 16, 2026
  • A can of Campbell’s and Banza's gluten-free condensed chicken noodle soup
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    Courtesy of The Campbell's Company
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    Campbell’s launches gluten-free chicken noodle soup in partnership with Banza

    The offering comes as big snack brands like Cheez-It and Oreo lean into the gluten-free market, which is forecast to reach $14 billion by 2032.

    By • June 16, 2026
  • Nestlé's new Nesquik ready-to-drink beverage with a recyclable shrink sleeve label.
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    Courtesy of Nestle
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    Nestlé USA removes artificial colors in all food and beverages

    The Nesquik maker joined other food manufacturers last year in pledging to eliminate synthetic dyes from the rest of its portfolio following pressure from the Trump administration.

    By • June 15, 2026
  • svedka vodka water
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    Courtesy of Sazerac
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    Column

    Leftovers: Svedka dips into vodka water | Magic Spoon expands with oatmeal

    The alcohol maker said it's introduced a "category-first innovation" with a transparent can, while Italian gelato brand Sammontana grows its U.S. presence with a slate of new desserts.

    By Food Dive staff • June 12, 2026
  • A bag of Jelly Belly candy on a pink background surrounding by whole fruit.
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    Courtesy of Jelly Belly
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    How Jelly Belly is repositioning its brand for ‘social epicureans’

    The new “Bean Appetit” campaign is meant to reintroduce the brand to consumers after its acquisition by confectioner Ferrara in 2023.

    By Aaron Baar • June 12, 2026
  • Keystone Light
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    Courtesy of Molson Coors
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    Why Molson Coors is betting on cheap beer

    The brewer is reviving Keystone Ice and expanding Miller High Life to reach younger drinkers and budget conscious consumers.

    By • Updated June 11, 2026
  • Packages of Goldfish crackers at a D.C.-area grocery store.
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    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
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    Campbell’s CEO: ‘Tough decisions’ loom for struggling snack business

    While the Goldfish maker is making progress to improve the operation, its top executive warned the turnaround will “take some time” amid a challenging environment.

    By • June 10, 2026
  • A Lavazza Tabli machine sits on a counter next to Tabli tablets.
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    Courtesy of Lavazza
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    Lavazza launches single-serve coffee pods without packaging

    Tablì brings a first-to-market product to the U.S. and is a key point of the Italian company’s growth strategy in North America.

    By • June 9, 2026
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    Ingredion strikes deal to buy Tate & Lyle for $3.6B

    The combined company will generate nearly $10 billion in annual revenue and have a broad portfolio to address more consumer needs such as clean label and lower sugar.

    By • June 8, 2026
  • Pineapples at a Washington, D.C., area grocery store
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    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
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    A $395 pineapple? How innovation is upending the popular tropical fruit

    Fresh Del Monte and Dole have spent years developing premium pineapples featuring different flavors and colors to drive growth and meet demand by consumers and retailers for variety.

    By • June 8, 2026
  • Food safety model
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    Permission granted by COMSOL, Inc.
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    Sponsored by COMSOL, Inc

    3 real-world examples of modeling and simulation for food safety

    See how simulation software has been used in optimizing food testing, drying and packaging.

    By Joseph Carew • June 8, 2026
  • A focus group for a Snickers ad
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    Courtesy of Snickers
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    Snickers wins praise from Reeses for bigger push behind peanut butter

    A spot digging at Reese’s shows a focus group composed of people named Reese who assess the flavor and texture of Snickers Peanut Butter.

    By Peter Adams • June 5, 2026
  • A box of Popeyes biscuits now being sold in retail
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    Courtesy of Popeyes
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    Column

    Leftovers: Popeyes launches at-home biscuits | Tom Holland’s Bero expands into shandies

    The fried chicken chain is making its first entry into the grocery aisle, while Cuervo Tequila cracks into ready-to-drink canned cocktails.

    By Food Dive staff • June 5, 2026
  • Barry Callebault’s ChoViva chocolate
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    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
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    Sunflower power: Inside Barry Callebault’s bid to win the chocolate alternatives race

    The world’s largest chocolate supplier is partnering with Planet A Foods to scale its cocoa-free substitute ChoViva, which has received “very strong” interest from U.S. food manufacturers.

    By • June 4, 2026
  • athletic brewing ceo at WSJ forum
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    Permission granted by Chris Dilts for WSJ
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    How 3 major food and beverage execs view the state of c-stores

    Leaders from brands like PepsiCo and Athletic Brewing discussed growth opportunities and key challenges in convenience retail at the Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum.

    By Brett Dworski • June 4, 2026