Corporate
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Hormel to acquire Sadler's Smokehouse for $270M
The pit-style barbecue brand from Texas is a family-owned business that has served the food giant for more than two decades.
By Lillianna Byington • Feb. 21, 2020 -
Why Smucker is discontinuing Jif Power Ups
CEO Mark Smucker said pulling the peanut butter-based snack bar was a "difficult decision," and plans more innovation for that space in the coming months.
By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 21, 2020 -
Equinom raises $10M to boost seed-breeding technology
The Israeli company said proceeds from the Series B funding round will expand its technology to produce non-GMO "smarter seeds" with higher nutritional profiles and crop yields.
By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 20, 2020 -
Has LaCroix found 'vindication' from the withdrawal of a consumer lawsuit over its 'natural' claim?
The plaintiff said she could not determine whether the beverage contained synthetic ingredients, but the sparkling water brand still faces other challenges.
By Lillianna Byington • Feb. 20, 2020 -
B&G buys Veggie Fries maker Farmwise Foods
Terms of the deal, funded with cash on hand, were not disclosed, but the serial acquirer plans to use some of the brand's innovation to bolster Green Giant products.
By Megan Poinski • Feb. 20, 2020 -
Diageo pays $5M fine to settle SEC investigation
The regulator said the global spirits giant pressured U.S. distributors to buy more than they needed in order to meet internal sales targets in 2014 and 2015.
By Megan Poinski • Feb. 20, 2020 -
Mondelez CEO touts first-mover advantage in snacking as competition swells
Dirk Van de Put said the Oreo maker is on the lookout for large and small companies to expand its already commanding presence in the popular segment.
By Christopher Doering • Feb. 20, 2020 -
Deep DiveFarm to pint: How Anheuser-Busch cultivates its ingredients amid a changing climate and consumer
In addition to stringent farming protocols, the company is investing millions to find the next rice, hops and barley varieties that can be grown using less water or are more resilient to diseases.
By Christopher Doering • Feb. 20, 2020 -
How PopCorners' growth made it an acquisition target
The company's CEO spoke about how it built momentum from its sustainability and transparency efforts during the past five years, which will help as it prepares to scale up under PepsiCo.
By Lillianna Byington • Feb. 19, 2020 -
OpinionHealthcare is food's next frontier
Consumers are beginning to seek non-medical, affordable solutions and food is emerging as one of the most potent tools to alleviate this pressure, says Mandy Saven of Stylus.
By Mandy Saven • Feb. 19, 2020 -
Dean Foods to sell assets to Dairy Farmers of America for $425M
If the deal goes through, the cooperative will acquire 44 of the company’s fluid and frozen facilities after the processor filed for bankruptcy in November.
By Lillianna Byington • Feb. 18, 2020 -
How Unilever can change CPG marketing by shifting Wall's ice cream ads away from kids
The company was prompted by the World Health Organization's declaration of childhood obesity as one of the most serious issues of this century.
By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 18, 2020 -
General Mills expands C-suite with new tech role
Jaime Montemayor will join the company this month as chief digital and technology officer, reporting directly to the CEO.
By Roberto Torres • Feb. 18, 2020 -
OpinionValentine's Day reminder: Together we can end child labor in cocoa
The chocolate industry wants to see children in school, not on farms. The efforts to change have had mixed results and a new approach is needed, writes World Cocoa Foundation's Richard Scobey.
By Richard Scobey • Feb. 14, 2020 -
Sprite Ginger debuts with streetwear line, wide-ranging marketing push
The Coca-Cola brand dropped hints on social media and outdoor ads to build excitement around the drink and clothes in the weeks leading up to the release.
By Dianna Christie • Feb. 14, 2020 -
Kellogg's Incogmeato unveils plant-based burger, bratwurst and Italian sausage
The MorningStar Farms brand is launching the products in retail in coming months to compete with traditional meats during grilling season.
By Lillianna Byington • Feb. 13, 2020 -
Kraft Heinz posts 6.6% earnings loss, but CEO says it's on the path to growth
Net sales in the U.S. were down $4.7 billion compared to a year ago, but Miguel Patricio said this was expected and is the beginning of the company's turn around.
By Megan Poinski • Feb. 13, 2020 -
Tyson Foods launches fats and oils joint venture
The partnership with Jacob Stern & Sons would build on its commitment to sustainability and "maximize the value of every animal" it handles, the Arkansas meat processor said.
By Christopher Doering • Feb. 12, 2020 -
Tyson sees double-digit inventory accuracy improvement from computer vision
The inventory tracking system reads SKU information and weight for chicken packed in trays, replacing what Tyson described as communication by hand gestures followed by manual inventory entry.
By Emma Cosgrove • Feb. 12, 2020 -
Tyson to cut 500 mostly corporate jobs
The meat and poultry processor said the layoffs at its offices in Chicago and Springdale, Arkansas, are part of a companywide restructuring announced at the start of its 2020 fiscal year.
By Christopher Doering • Feb. 12, 2020 -
Plant-based food maker Alpha Foods raises $28M to expand
The company plans to use the funding to launch new products, increase its distribution globally and expand its marketing efforts.
By Lillianna Byington • Feb. 11, 2020 -
Smithfield Foods to close San Jose plant, lay off 139 workers
The facility, which produces bacon and corned beef, is the latest to shutter for the Chinese-owned company that has been streamlining its operations.
By Christopher Doering • Feb. 11, 2020 -
Miyoko's Kitchen sues California over plant-based product labeling rules
The company said the state is violating its First Amendment rights by telling it to stop using dairy terms such as "butter" on its vegan product and to remove the image of a woman hugging a cow from its website.
By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 11, 2020 -
Nestlé discontinues lower-sugar Milkybar Wowsomes
The food giant didn't give a reason for pulling the candy containing 30% less of the sweetener, but sales reportedly had been disappointing.
By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 10, 2020 -
Molson Coors accused of trademark infringement for Vizzy seltzer
Future Proof Beverages, whose new hard seltzer Brizzy hit shelves late last year, said the brewing giant copied the branding and logo for its new drink.
By Megan Poinski • Feb. 10, 2020
