Beyond Meat acquires co-packer to tackle unit costs

The $14.5 million deal will provide the company opportunities to test new processes and more quickly scale up products, CEO Ethan Brown said.

By Emma Cosgrove • Nov. 12, 2020

Utz buys chips and salsa maker On The Border for $480M

The nearly 100-year-old snacking company's second acquisition since going public in August will help it enter new categories and grow its national footprint. 

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 12, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Food Dive

The food and beverage industry is changing rapidly and the actions companies take this year are likely to play a major role in defining their future. 

By Food Dive staff

Once mocked, nonalcoholic beer creates a buzz as traditional brew sales stagnate

New offerings from brands like Guinness and Budweiser are flooding the space as the segment, which pulls in nearly $200 million in sales, suddenly heats up.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 12, 2020

McDonald's plants its flag in the alternative meat space

The QSR giant will start testing its McPlant product line in 2021, but controversy has already arisen over which company is supplying the products.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 11, 2020

Mars Wrigley doubles down on digital to align with shifting c-store shopping behavior

E-commerce strategy and innovative new products help chart the confectioner's success this year in convenience stores and beyond, company officials said.

By Megan Poinski • Nov. 11, 2020

Consumers say snacking is a 'lifeline' during pandemic, with 88% doing it more or the same

A report from Oreo and Ritz maker Mondelez International also found 70% of millennials and 67% of those working from home prefer snacking over meals.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 11, 2020

What could Biden's win mean for the CPG industry?

The Consumer Brands Association outlined its expectations for the new administration, saying it could lead to policy shifts in regulation and the federal response to COVID-19, but uncertainty on the legislative front.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 10, 2020

Mondelez CEO touts growth after pandemic as CPG keeps tight focus on snacking

Dirk Van de Put said while he played a bigger role guiding the Oreo maker early during coronavirus, the company has shifted back to normal operations and expects sales hurt by the outbreak to recover.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 10, 2020

The food industry is not recognized for sustainability. How can we fix that?

Companies are making real progress with environmentally friendly policies, but rarely are recognized. Puris Holdings CEO Nicole Atchison looks at how that could be changed.

By Nicole Atchison • Nov. 9, 2020

How a Monster competitor plans to be the next $1B brand in energy drinks

Fast-growing Celsius Holdings has shaken the $14 billion beverage segment dominated by deeper-pocketed players like Red Bull by eschewing questionable ingredients and promising faster calorie burning during exercise.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 9, 2020

Smithfield Foods will pay $83M to settle pork price-fixing claims

The meat supplier told Reuters the settlement eliminates a "substantial portion" of its exposure in the litigation and that it denied liability in agreeing to settle.

By Jessi Devenyns • Updated June 30, 2021

Leftovers: Mtn Dew hot sauce is a fiery mashup; Godiva sparkles for the holidays

The PepsiCo soda brand partnered with iBurn and the NBA's Joel Embiid to launch the extremely limited bright green condiment, and Quest Nutrition makes peanut butter cups with less sugar. 

By Food Dive staff • Nov. 6, 2020

SweeGen debuts new stevia ingredient Reb I

This newest sweetener has less bitterness and a clean profile, the company says, putting it in line with current trends in the space.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 5, 2020

How Kellogg prepared for the e-commerce surge by boosting its tech and talent

The 114-year-old company's online sales have nearly doubled as it has spent the last two years investing in hiring specialized digital experts and building out its platform.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 5, 2020

Cannabis company Aphria to acquire SweetWater Brewing for $300M

This deal, which is expected to close by the end of 2020, will give the Canadian company an established distribution network in the U.S., while also expanding the Georgia craft brewer's reach.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 5, 2020

TreeHouse buys regional pasta brand maker for $242.5M

The majority purchase of Riviana Foods — the first acquisition for the private label manufacturer in years — brings brands including Prince, Creamette, American Beauty and San Giorgio into its portfolio.

By Megan Poinski • Nov. 5, 2020

Molson Coors considers scrapping some offerings amid can shortage

The decision to cut SKUs comes as the beer giant accelerates its expansion into nonalcoholic offerings, such as full-flavored seltzers and a plant-based diet soda.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 5, 2020

Lawmaker calls for probe into JBS' government subsidies

Rep. Rosa DeLauro​ sent a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue renewing her calls for an investigation after the meatpacker's parent company pleaded guilty to violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. 

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 4, 2020

Butter sales surge as consumers spend more time baking at home

Dairy producer Land O'Lakes, which is selling record amounts of the ingredient, expects sales to increase more than 20% in 2020.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 4, 2020

Hershey bets on product mashups by weaving licensing into marketing

As it expands into categories in which it doesn't have experience or distribution, the confections juggernaut sees unexpected partnerships as key to its success.

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 3, 2020

Meat processors expedite plans to implement robotics as pandemic increases pressure

The future of meat manufacturing could include 3D scanners and automated cutting. Tyson, Smithfield, Cargill and JBS are all looking at ways to incorporate more automation.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 2, 2020

How PepsiCo plans to increase gender, racial diversity in management by 2025

The snack and beverage giant has set a goal to increase Black representation in managerial roles 30% and Hispanic representation 10%.

By Sheryl Estrada • Nov. 2, 2020

Nestlé buys Freshly, valuing meal delivery firm at $950M

The world's largest food manufacturer, which purchased a stake in the upstart in 2017, can bring its deep knowledge of customer trends, R&D capability and portfolio of brands to the better-for-you delivery business.

By Christopher Doering • Oct. 30, 2020

Keurig Dr Pepper restructures into coffee and cold drinks divisions

The company said the move allows leadership to focus on distinct marketing and innovation for consumers who are shifting their consumption habits.

By Jessi Devenyns • Oct. 30, 2020

Leftovers: Popchips explode into grain-free snacks; Hormel cooks up bacon-scented masks

Air popped cassava and corn chips add another degree of health to the better-for-you brand, and Bel Group begins its plant-based cheese line with dairy-free Boursin.

By Food Dive staff • Oct. 30, 2020