Innovation


  • Goldfish's gluten-free option is shown
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of The Campbell's Company
    Image attribution tooltip

    Goldfish debuts first gluten-free option

    The Campbell's Company said the innovation is one of the most requested by consumers in the brand's history.

    By Aug. 11, 2026
  • Four cans of the reformulated 7Up are placed together across a black background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Keurig Dr Pepper
    Image attribution tooltip

    7Up ups the lime in recipe overhaul

    The change, meant to differentiate 7Up from rival Sprite, marks the biggest innovation for the Keurig Dr Pepper-owned brand in more than 15 years.

    By Aug. 10, 2026
  • Three cans of C4's sparkling protein.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Nutrabolt
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    Leftovers: C4 splashes into sparkling protein | Minute Maid Spiked expands into hard iced tea

    The energy drink brand's launch is part of a move into non-caffeinated functional beverages, while Mexico juice giant Jumex enters protein shakes.

    By Food Dive staff • Aug. 7, 2026
  • Bottles of Kraft Heinz ketchup and mustard are displayed side by side. One bottle reads "Heinz Estd. 1869 Tomato Ketchup 57 Varieties." The other bottle's label is blurred.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Kraft Heinz pours nearly $100M more into innovation to drive turnaround

    Higher-impact media partnerships and stronger creative are leading to “green shoots” for its brands in the U.S., executives said.

    By Peter Adams • Aug. 7, 2026
  • Ortega brand refresh
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Ortega
    Image attribution tooltip

    B&G Foods replaces CEO after 5 years

    The Ortega and Crisco owner has named Tractor Supply executive Robert Mills to replace Casey Keller.

    By Updated Aug. 10, 2026
  • Kellogg cereal made with natural colors
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WK Kellogg
    Image attribution tooltip

    Froot Loops maker WK Kellogg will cut artificial colors a year ahead of schedule

    All of the cereal giant’s products will soon use dyes from natural sources, with shipments to retailers expected to begin by the end of 2026.

    By Aug. 6, 2026
  • Snacking brands made by PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division on a grocery store shelf in Washington, D.C.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Big Food fills up on DTC sales

    While sales directly from brands' digital platforms are unlikely to ever top brick-and-mortar, they allow food manufacturers to connect with consumers and test new products.

    By Aug. 5, 2026
  • Alvalle gazpacho
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from LinkedIn on August 04, 2026
    Image attribution tooltip

    PepsiCo expands presence in refrigerated meals with chilled soup

    The food giant is bringing its Alvalle gazpacho brand to the U.S. as it looks to expand in fresh snacks and meals.

    By Aug. 4, 2026
  • A person uses chopsticks to lift noodles out of a packaged cup that reads "Top Ramen Hot Pot Fusions Japanese Garlic Tonkotsu Pork" as chopped cabbage and onions and cloves of garlic lay nearby.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Nissin Foods
    Image attribution tooltip

    Cup Noodles maker taps AI to sharpen planning, reduce costs

    Nissin Foods expects to record increased fill rates and improved forecasting accuracy by using an AI-powered demand and supply planning tool.

    By Phil Neuffer • Aug. 4, 2026
  • Why cereal box toys are making a comeback

    Companies like WK Kellogg are looking to tap into the nostalgia that millennial and Gen X parents feel for the childhood ritual of scooping out the tiny treasures.

    By Michael Brady • Aug. 3, 2026
  • Plumbing pipes
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Bryan Fairbanks
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Burns & McDonnell

    How beverage manufacturers are turning water reuse into a growth strategy

    Water reuse is no longer just a sustainability initiative. For beverage manufacturers, it's a strategic investment driving growth and resilience.

    By Chris Knodel and Alex Garland, Burns & McDonnell • Aug. 3, 2026
  • AI generated image
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by TraceGains
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by TraceGains

    AI is becoming the co-agent for food scientists

    See how AI is accelerating R&D formulation—without replacing food scientists.

    Aug. 3, 2026
  • Chips Ahoy! Mystery Cookie
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Mondelez International
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    Leftovers: Chips Ahoy! launches first mystery flavor | Sam Adams goes booze-free for Octoberfest

    The Mondelēz-owned brand is inviting fans to submit guesses for the chance at a $25,000 prize, while Chef Boyardee rolls out high-protein innovation to the canned pasta aisle.

    By Food Dive staff • July 31, 2026
  • Three Capri Sun Hydrate juice pouches are seen outside with a baseball bat and mit.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Kraft Heinz
    Image attribution tooltip

    How 6 big beverage brands are embracing functional ingredients

    Established brands are looking to stand out in a crowded sector by identifying white spaces and introducing new-to-category innovations.

    By July 31, 2026
  • Froot Loops are on display
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How the shift away from artificial dyes is impacting food sales

    Sales of products with natural colors grew more than those using synthetic dyes, a report from the National Confectioners Association and RTI International found.

    By July 30, 2026
  • Cadbury chocolate made by Mondelez.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chocolate makers are defending themselves against cocoa price swings

    Despite a recent decline in prices, Mondelēz International and Hershey are rethinking their supply chains and relying on innovation to reduce their dependence on the commodity.

    By July 30, 2026
  • A neon Coca-Cola billboard sign.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Stock via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Coca-Cola’s namesake soda won big at the World Cup

    CEO Henrique Braun said the 5% volume increase, the brand’s largest in nearly 20 years, reflects how the beverage giant is using innovation and market insights to drive growth.

    By July 29, 2026
  • A bag of Jelly Belly candy on a pink background surrounding by whole fruit.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Jelly Belly
    Image attribution tooltip

    ‘Bean Appétit’: How Jelly Belly is positioning itself as a luxury candy

    Ferrara is framing the jelly bean as an alternative to high-end chocolate, which has become a thriving category as consumers flock to premium offerings.

    By July 29, 2026
  • Cans of Hormel chili
    Image attribution tooltip
    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Spam maker Hormel Foods elevates insider to CEO

    CPG veteran John Ghingo will assume the top role on Oct. 26, telling Food Dive he has plans to “accelerate” investments in critical areas such as data and artificial intelligence.

    By July 28, 2026
  • Boxes of Campbell's Chunky Frozen Bowls in a Washington, DC, grocery store
    Image attribution tooltip
    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    EXCLUSIVE

    Campbell’s Chunky Soup expands into frozen meals

    The offerings, which contain up to 28 grams of protein and feature some of the soup’s most popular flavors, bring the brand into a new part of the store.

    By July 27, 2026
  • A package of Philadelphia's new lactose-free cream cheese.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Kraft Heinz
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    Leftovers: Philadelphia rings in lactose-free cream cheese | Cheez-It launches first beer collab with Coors Light

    The Kraft Heinz brand is positioning the innovation as a cheaper alternative to other options on the market, while Pringles collaborates with Buffalo Wild Wings on sauce-inspired chips.

    By Food Dive staff • July 24, 2026
  • A person reaches into a freezer containing Jeni's frozen treats.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Jeni's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jeni’s exec says ‘intentional indulgence’ is sweetening ice cream sales

    Despite the gourmet ice cream brand’s high price tag, household penetration has accelerated as more consumers look to treat themselves with premium products.

    By July 23, 2026
  • A Spangler Candy Company display at a trade show
    Image attribution tooltip
    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Dum Dums owner Spangler created a candy empire built on nostalgia

    The sweets maker has carved out an enviable niche in the $55 billion candy space with a unique collection of brands with storied histories, such as Sweethearts and Bit-O-Honey.

    By July 20, 2026
  • a square strawberry
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Middlesex County
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Middlesex County

    Food innovation no longer happens in the lab alone

    Food innovation increasingly depends on ecosystems that can move concepts to shelf faster.

    July 20, 2026
  • Boxes of Welch's PB&J sandwiches
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Welch's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    Leftovers: Welch’s takes on Uncrustables | Campbell’s launches high-protein soups

    The juice and jelly brand is launching a refrigerated PB&J, while Cann removes THC for a new mood-boosting drink.

    By Food Dive staff • July 17, 2026