Could food freshness sensors be the end of ‘best by’ dates?

Expiration and date labels on packaging can cause confusion and food waste. To change that, companies and researchers around the world are testing inks, pH sensors, hydrogels and other approaches.

By Danielle Beurteaux • Aug. 21, 2023

Product testing firm working with Nestlé, Kraft Heinz raises $18M to fuel growth

Highlight, which streamlines the product testing process for CPG companies, said the money will be used to expand its business and hire additional employees.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 21, 2023

What’s next for cultivated meat?

The industry will have to contend with three major hurdles — cost, taste and scale — before the product becomes a regular part of consumers’ grocery lists.

By Alexandra Frost • Aug. 17, 2023

Kraft Heinz appoints head of North American operations as CEO

Carlos Abrams-Rivera will take leadership control of the CPG giant starting in January 2024. Current CEO Miguel Patricio will move to a non-executive role on the company’s board.

By Chris Casey • Aug. 14, 2023

From the freezer to the kiosk: Nestlé testing a vending machine that makes DiGiorno pizza in 3 minutes

With more than $1 billion in sales, the world's largest food manufacturer is moving the brand beyond the grocery aisle to places such as airports and college dorms.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 14, 2023

Smithfield to close 35 hog farms in Missouri

Meat producers are taking cost-cutting measures as they grapple with unfavorable market conditions.

By Nathan Owens • Aug. 11, 2023

Food bankruptcies surging as companies struggle with shift in consumer habits, access to cash

Tattooed Chef and Do Good Foods are just two of the highest-profile firms to file in 2023, with analysts predicting further bankruptcies in plant based, sustainability and alternative agriculture.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 9, 2023

Tyson Foods to shutter 4 poultry plants

The closures are the latest announced by the company in 2023 as it faces headwinds caused by slowing sales of its products and higher operating costs.

By Chris Casey • Aug. 7, 2023

Danone’s 50-calorie label claim receives watchdog support after challenge by Chobani

The evidence offered by the Greek yogurt giant, which showed Dannon Light & Fit Zero Sugar has more calories than indicated, was deemed “not more persuasive” than what Danone provided.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 3, 2023

Beer controversy exacerbates 16% drag in Ardagh’s North American glass shipments

The company is progressing on a planned 15% net reduction in North American glass capacity amid market factors such as lower beer demand, including at customer AB InBev’s brand Bud Light.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 2, 2023

Lactalis brings dairy brand Président into whipped cream

The product is embracing premium ingredients while eschewing corn syrup to give it an edge against established offerings such as Conagra’s Reddi-wip and Kraft Heinz’s Cool Whip.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 2, 2023

Kraft Heinz looks to transform plastic packaging portfolio

The food and beverage giant is trying to cut virgin plastic use 20% by 2030. U.S. consumers can expect to buy certain mayo products in packaging made entirely from recycled content starting next year.

By Maria Rachal • July 31, 2023

How Mondelēz’s 60-year-old Chips Ahoy! brand is resonating with younger consumers

The chocolate chip cookie offering with $1 billion in sales is one of the snacking giant’s fastest-growing products, increasing by “double digits” annually.

By Christopher Doering • July 31, 2023

Kraft Heinz’s Maxwell House launches its first innovation in nearly a decade

The coffee brand’s Iced Latte with Foam, which is made by mixing together one of its packets with iced water, is aimed at consumers who want the premium beverage but also want to save time and money.

By Christopher Doering • July 26, 2023

Wild Planet launches ‘sustainably caught’ seafood products

The company said the new offerings — including a ready-to-eat Tuna Quinoa Salad —  were sourced ethically by small fishers that cause less damage to the environment.

By Chris Casey • July 20, 2023

Nestlé debuts ‘breakthrough’ technology that reduces sugars in key ingredients

The CPG giant said it developed an enzymatic process that cuts intrinsic levels of the sweetener in ingredients such as malt, milk and fruit juices by up to 30%, with a minimal impact on taste and texture. 

By Christopher Doering • July 20, 2023

How AI is driving supply chain advancements for food manufacturers

CPG companies can use the technology to see which investments are most effective — particularly with product development and sustainability.

By Chris Casey • July 19, 2023

Cargill aims to help beef producers curtail emissions

The meat giant said its new framework helps producers quantify, audit and verify methane emitted by cows, which could drive down production of the greenhouse gas.

By Chris Casey • July 18, 2023

Kraft Heinz to spend more than $400M to build Illinois distribution center, hire 150-plus workers

The 775,000-square-foot facility will allow the CPG giant to reduce its environmental footprint, boost supply chain efficiencies and ship its products to retail and food service customers faster.

By Christopher Doering • July 18, 2023

Coca-Cola, PepsiCo sales likely to withstand WHO aspartame cancer ruling

The beverage giants have large stakes in the sugar-free space with popular offerings such as Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Pepsi Zero Sugar and Diet Pepsi.

By Christopher Doering • July 17, 2023

DOJ fails to block US Sugar’s $315M purchase of Imperial Sugar

An appeals court in Philadelphia said the government failed to prove the purchase, first announced in 2021, would raise prices for U.S. consumers and businesses.

By Chris Casey • July 17, 2023

Nestlé to expand regenerative agriculture for wheat in DiGiorno Pizza

The investment will bring climate-smart practices to more than 100,000 acres of farmland as the food and beverage giant aims to increase sustainable sourcing of key ingredients.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 17, 2023

Best known for injera, the tiny teff grain aims to sow a big future

Proponents of the ingredient, which needs less water to grow and is gluten-free, are aiming to expand its use in crackers, chips, breakfast cereals and pasta.

By Christopher Doering • July 13, 2023

Coca-Cola, 8 bottlers form $137.7M venture capital fund focusing on sustainability investments

Each of the nine entities, including the beverage giant, contributed about $15 million to the initiative. It will focus on five areas, including packaging, distribution and supply chain.

By Christopher Doering • July 12, 2023

Meati’s wide scale retail launch is here with Dots distribution deal

The mushroom root meat being added to Dot Foods’ catalog is not just a big win for the mycelium maker, it’s also a sign that alternative proteins are moving into their next phase of ubiquity.

By Rose Palazzolo • July 12, 2023