What does Agile Innovation really mean?

Shifting and fragmenting consumer tastes is leading the food and beverage sector to use Agile principles to deliver products faster to consumers.

May 10, 2018

Ketel One botanical vodkas align with better-for-you demand

The Diageo-affiliated product caters to many of today's trends, including unique flavors, no added sugars or artificial flavors and 73 calories per serving.

By Caroline Macdonald • May 10, 2018

Health advocates sue FDA for failure to ban 7 artificial flavors

The lawsuit, led by Earthjustice, shows the strong and growing concern about synthetic substances being used in food when natural alternatives exist.

By Caroline Macdonald • May 10, 2018

Mist opportunity: A California distillery makes vodka out of San Francisco fog

Hangar 1's premium, limited-edition vodka sells for a whopping $134 per bottle online, but its niche production method and support for water conservation may lure adventurous drinkers. 

By Cathy Siegner • May 9, 2018

Hain Celestial misses targets as it drops smaller products

The natural and organic manufacturer's global net sales were up 7.5%, but the entire boost came from outside of the U.S. 

By Megan Poinski • May 8, 2018

Mondelēz buys cookie maker Tate's Bake Shop for $500M

The premium bakery will operate as a standalone business to preserve its authenticity, while giving the CPG giant a stronger foothold in real ingredients popular with consumers.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 7, 2018

Jose Cuervo preps partiers for Cinco de Mayo with James Van Der Beek workout series

Because the holiday falls on a Saturday this year — and won't do so again until 2029 — the tequila brand wants people primed for a 24-hour celebration. 

By Erica Sweeney • May 4, 2018

Post Holdings' Q2 net sales gain from refrigerated food, protein shakes

The manufacturer posted sales increases in all of its operating segments during the second quarter, including its RTE cereals.

By Cathy Siegner • May 4, 2018

Budweiser debuts limited-edition beer based on George Washington's recipe

Freedom Reserve Red Lager is brewed by company employees who are military veterans and is sold in both cans and vintage stubby bottles. 

By Cathy Siegner • May 4, 2018

B&G sales surge 4.7% behind strength in Cream of Wheat, Ortega brands

The manufacturer of Green Giant and Snackwells plans to increase prices and create more efficiencies in warehousing and shipping in an effort to offset higher distribution costs.

By Patti Zarling • May 4, 2018

Pecan producers aim to crack the snack food market

Researchers have found that many consumers think of these as baking ingredients for indulgent desserts rather than nuts, but a Federal Marketing Order could change that perception.  

By Caroline Macdonald • May 3, 2018

Popped lotus seeds target healthy snacking boom

Start-up snack maker Nuto says its new line is a healthier alternative to popcorn.

By Caroline Macdonald • May 3, 2018

FDA extends deadline for Nutrition Facts update by 18 months

A final rule published in the Federal Register on Friday resets deadlines to 2020 and 2021, and makes formatting changes to the new design.

By Megan Poinski • May 3, 2018

Kellogg's Q1 earnings top estimates, but morning foods are still stale

The RXBAR acquisition may be the prescription for continuing growth, as the cereal maker posted revenue of $3.4 billion for the quarter. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 3, 2018

Kraft Heinz squeezes past analyst expectations for Q1

The CPG giant reported net sales of $6.3 billion, down 0.3% from 2017's first quarter, largely because of higher product and distribution costs.

By Megan Poinski • May 3, 2018

TreeHouse Foods beats expectations, but struggles persist

The private label manufacturer reported revenue of $1.48 billion during the first quarter, and blamed high commodity and freight costs for weak segment sales. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 3, 2018

Let's get weird: How to differentiate in food and beverage

Weirdness acts as a sticky marketing channel by freely cementing your brand in your customer’s mind  — no costly, multi-touch digital marketing strategy necessary, says Ryan Williams of RISE Brewing Co. 

By Ryan Williams • May 2, 2018

Gatorade pits pro soccer teammates in fierce rivalry to promote new beverage

"Everything Changes" leverages the popularity of international stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez ahead of the World Cup. 

By Erica Sweeney • May 2, 2018

Mondelēz Q1 sales slip in North America, but climb elsewhere

A quarter of the snacking giant's revenues come from the United States, which saw challenging market dynamics and higher operating costs, Chairman and CEO Dirk Van de Put said. 

By Cathy Siegner • May 2, 2018

Oscar Mayer cashes in on crypto craze with bacon-backed Bacoin

Consumers are encouraged to tweet about their investments to drive up the value of the cryptocurrency and eventually trade them in for real packs of bacon. 

By Erica Sweeney • May 1, 2018

Kraft Heinz partners with Food Network on salad dressings, sauces and meal kits

The Kitchen Inspirations lineup could help bring the company out of its sales slump and plug it into the TV channel's fans. 

By Cathy Siegner • April 30, 2018

CrossFit and Strauss Foods muscle up with new protein partnership

A selection of grass-fed beef and free-range chicken with the exercise brand's seal of approval will be sold via subscription box and will eventually retail at more than 3,000 U.S. grocery stores.  

By Patti Zarling • April 27, 2018

Sustainable cocoa promises have been empty, report says

Chocolate companies’ efforts to improve the sector have had little impact over the past decade, with continuing high levels of child labor and low farmer incomes.

By Caroline Macdonald • April 26, 2018

Pepsi earnings fizz on strong snack sales, better beverage performance

North American beverage sales still slipped 1%, but the company's Frito-Lay division rose 3.4%.  

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 26, 2018

Hershey's Q1 sales sweetened by new products and Amplify acquisition

The chocolate company's North American net sales were up 4.4% to $1.75 billion, with investments in core brands including York, Payday and Almond Joy driving growth.

By Cathy Siegner • April 25, 2018