Innovation


  • A case and can of C4's All Hopped Up.
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    Courtesy of C4
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    C4 launches beer-flavored energy drink

    The Nutrabolt-owned brand is making a big bet to enter an emerging wellness niche within the nonalcoholic beer sector.

    By Sept. 21, 2026
  • Boxes of Pop Secret popcorn
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    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
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    Unloved brands offloaded by Big Food are a tasty snack for startups, PE firms

    Castoffs from Conagra, Campbell’s and other companies are thriving under private owners who can devote more energy to innovation and growth.

    By Sept. 21, 2026
  • Chocolate-topped peanut butter dessert bars on parchment.
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    Shutterstock/Bret Hofacker

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    Sponsored by PROVA Inc.

    Why functional nutrition calls for a closer look at flavor

    From energy to protein, fiber and beyond, targeted wellness calls for a more intentional approach to flavor.

    By PROVA Inc. • Sept. 21, 2026
  • Philadelphia Mike’s Hot Honey Whipped Cream Cheese
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    Courtesy of Kraft Heinz
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    Column

    Leftovers: Philadelphia, Mike’s Hot Honey spice up cream cheese | Old El Paso enters broths

    The Kraft Heinz-owned brand is releasing its first sweet heat flavor in the U.S., while craft beer brand Shock Top collaborates with Spirit Halloween on a candy corn-inspired brew.

    By Food Dive staff • Sept. 18, 2026
  • Ingredion
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    Permission granted by Ingredion
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    How Ingredion aims to capitalize on ‘reformulation boom’ with Tate & Lyle deal

    The acquisition positions Ingredion as the "go-to provider for texture and healthful solutions" within the food and beverage industries, according to its CEO.

    By Sept. 17, 2026
  • A close-up view of several flexible paper pouches.
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    Getty Images
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    Nestlé, PepsiCo join push to scale paper-based flexible packaging

    The food giants are among the founding members of a CPG consortium to accelerate innovation for plastic alternatives.

    By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 17, 2026
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    Courtesy of PepsiCo
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    GLP-1 drugs put $73B in global food value at risk, report finds

    PepsiCo’s Lay’s is the most exposed food brand, with Doritos, Hershey's, Cheetos, Kellogg's and Reese's also vulnerable, Brand Finance determined.

    By Sept. 17, 2026
  • Kraft Heinz ketchup
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    Courtesy of Kraft Heinz
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    Opinion

    Food packaging needs to evolve in the age of social media

    The most successful brands are creating “mini moments” through novel innovations that turn packaging into content, writes one industry expert.

    By Sean Bisceglia • Updated 19 hours ago
  • Four bags of Folgers functional coffee are lined up behind a cup of coffee.
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    Courtesy of Folgers
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    Folgers launches functional coffee line featuring protein, fiber

    The J.M. Smucker-owned brand is stepping into health trends by highlighting ingredients to boost energy, focus and digestion.

    By Sept. 16, 2026
  • Snickers bars are seen.
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    Matt Cardy via Getty Images
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    Mars zeroes in on gut health with startup partnerships

    The Snickers owner announced the latest cohort for its accelerator program, prioritizing firms advancing solutions in fiber, protein and nutrition.

    By Sept. 15, 2026
  • Nestle, hot chocolate
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    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
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    Nestlé ‘not happy’ with food giant’s performance in North America

    CFO Anna Manz said “more needs to be done” to improve execution in the region, particularly for creamers and its Gerber brand.

    By Sept. 15, 2026
  • Packages of Oreo Cookies on a grocery store shelf.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Mondelēz set to relaunch ‘star brand’ Oreo in 2027

    The snacking giant said the overhaul of the 100-year-old cookie brand, with nearly $5 billion in sales, will include new packaging, price points and formulas.

    By Sept. 15, 2026
  • The Oscar Mayer logo is displayed at a grocery store
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Kraft Heinz looks to ‘fix’ Oscar Mayer after sales losses

    A resealability issue in the product’s packaging was responsible for “the vast majority of the problem,” the company’s CEO said.

    By Sept. 14, 2026
  • Two bottles of Dirty Mountain Dew are pictured in front of a creamy background.
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    Courtesy of PepsiCo
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    Inside PepsiCo’s dirty soda playbook

    The beverage giant is putting a ready-to-drink twist on the buzzy drink trend, which an executive said has yet to reach its peak.

    By Sept. 14, 2026
  • Carbone Fine Food chili crisp
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    Courtesy of Carbone Fine Food
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    Column

    Leftovers: Carbone expands beyond sauce | Little Debbie flips for flapjacks

    The restaurant-inspired pasta sauce brand is debuting an Italian-inspired chili crisp, while protein powder maker Optimum Nutrition brews a functional non-alcoholic beer.

    By Food Dive staff • Sept. 11, 2026
  • People shop for groceries in a Target
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    The fastest-growing food and beverage brands of 2026

    Only 14% of brands saw growth in purchasing intent among consumers, with legacy players securing the biggest boost, according to Morning Consult. 

    By Sept. 10, 2026
  • Chips ahoy, cookies, mondelez
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    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
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    How Mondelēz wants to ‘shake up’ snacking with cookies

    The Oreo and Chips Ahoy! maker is turning to innovation and marketing to woo more consumers inundated with other choices, such as chips and candy.

    By Sept. 10, 2026
  • A marketing image of two Mr. Pibb cans.
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    Courtesy of Coca-Cola
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    Coca-Cola’s bet to relaunch Mr Pibb is paying off

    The recently revived brand was the fastest growing soda in 2026, according to Morning Consult.

    By Sept. 9, 2026
  • A collection of Beyond's newest product assortment, including protein powders, bars and drinks.
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    Courtesy of Beyond
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    Beyond adds protein bars, powders in portfolio expansion

    The plant-based meat company is entering adjacent categories to tap into more lucrative opportunities within protein.

    By Sept. 9, 2026
  • Bottles of Nestle's new Gerberlyte beverage.
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    Permission granted by Nestle
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    EXCLUSIVE

    Nestlé USA launches kids hydration drink Gerberlyte

    The CPG giant is looking beyond meals as part of a turnaround for its 100-year-old Gerber brand.

    By Sept. 8, 2026
  • Hershey's Creme Bars
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    Courtesy of Hershey
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    Column

    Leftovers: Hershey’s fills up on fillings | Red Baron brings new spark to microwave pizza

    The sweets giant is launching new chocolate bars with creamy fillings, while Monster's Flrt flirts with fall in its first flavor innovation.

    By Food Dive staff • Sept. 4, 2026
  • Whey protein powder is displayed
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    GLP-1s are pushing protein demand to new heights

    A new report from Circana found that protein is the second most sought after ingredient Americans want in their diets, behind vegetables.

    By Sept. 3, 2026
  • Tostitos guacamole dip
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    Permission granted by PepsiCo
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    PepsiCo puts fresh foods in focus as consumers move away from processed snacks

    The CPG giant is taking aim at the fast-growing $271 billion store perimeter with healthier fare such as guacamole, hummus and gazpacho.

    By Sept. 3, 2026
  • New Power Crunch packaging
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    Courtesy of Ferrero
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    Ferrero looks to turn around Power Crunch with relaunch

    The wafer-based protein bar, which the Nutella maker bought in 2025, is “rebalancing” its ingredients and touting a crispier texture.

    By Sept. 2, 2026
  • A flight of four craft beers.
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    Stock via Getty Images
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    Craft beer enters a new era

    Gone are the glory days of hazy IPAs, with brewers seeing a resurgence in classic beers and experience-driven options.

    By Aug. 31, 2026