Is LaCroix losing its fizz?

The CEO of National Beverage Corporation, which makes the sparkling water brand, blamed "injustice" for its disappointing third-quarter sales.

By Cathy Siegner • March 11, 2019

From CBD to plant based: 4 trends that dominated Expo West in 2019

The topics were among those prominent at the five-day conference in California that included thousands of exhibitors launching new products and panel discussions on what's next for food and beverages.

By Lillianna Byington • March 11, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Mergers and acquisitions

Declining sales and slowing consumption have more companies divesting brands, opening the door for smaller players and private equity firms to expand their portfolios.  

By Food Dive staff

Mondelez's SnackFutures innovation hub invests in prebiotic Uplift Food

Brigette Wolf said the snack company was drawn to the startup by its work to disrupt the industry through gut health. 

By Lillianna Byington • March 8, 2019

Leftovers: On (Mayo)cue, Kraft Heinz launches new sauces; Marathon-inspired beer goes the distance

The CPG giant does what it thinks it (Mayo)must with internal innovation, and Frito-Lay shoots Cheetos Flamin' Hot Asteroids back into the atmosphere.

By Food Dive staff • March 8, 2019

How Conagra uses M&A to stay ahead in the snacking sector

Following the successful purchase of smaller brands such as Angie's Boomchickapop and Duke’s meat snacks, a company executive said the CPG giant is looking for similar bolt-on deals.

By Lillianna Byington • March 7, 2019

RXBAR's prescription for the future: New name, new products, changes in leadership

Newly created umbrella company Insurgent Brands is debuting savory snacks this week at Expo West with the launch of RX Oats. The company's CEO is stepping down to focus on innovation.

By Cathy Siegner • March 7, 2019

Startup launches 'first food-based brain nutrition brand' for kids

Ingenuity Brands is debuting Brainiac Kids whole-milk yogurt containing a blend of omega-3s and choline.

By Cathy Siegner • March 7, 2019

Nestlé USA chief touts value in 'driving relevance' to its big-name brands

Last year, the world's largest food manufacturer posted 2.6% sales growth in the U.S., its biggest market, despite challenges in the Lean Cuisine and Stouffer's brands.

By Christopher Doering • March 7, 2019

Beyond Meat expands plant-based meat offerings with ground beef option

The company said Beyond Beef, which will be available in stores later this year, has a more neutral flavor and aroma than its popular hamburger.

By Cathy Siegner • March 6, 2019

Kraft Heinz launches second incubator class of disruptive brands

The startups receiving guidance in the CPG giant's Springboard program include makers of allergy-free snacks, cold-pressed almond juice and plant-based yogurts.

By Jessi Devenyns • March 6, 2019

Mars hopes to sow Seeds of Change through its new food-focused accelerator

The program will initially pick six U.S. and four Australian startups, with each receiving a grant of up to $50,000 and undertaking a four-month program to scale its operations.

By Cathy Siegner • March 6, 2019

Cereal sweetens the deal, adding indulgent varieties to attract consumers

Sour Patch Kids, Hostess Honey Buns, Churros, Nutter Butters and Peeps are now appearing in breakfast bowls.

By Lillianna Byington • March 5, 2019

Report: USDA to release new food safety guidelines for meat companies

Amid a rise in recalls, an official told Reuters that companies will be required to start internal investigations when consumers complain and notify the government within 24 hours. 

By Lillianna Byington • March 5, 2019

Budweiser teams up with Coleman Natural to launch beer-basted meat line

Following five years of volume declines of the alcoholic beverage, more partnerships and innovations are cropping up in the space to improve sales and withstand mounting competition.

By Jessi Devenyns • March 5, 2019

Farmstead partners with Kraft Heinz to expand inventory

The company is adding pantry staple classics including Jell-O and Kraft Mac & Cheese to provide one-stop online grocery shopping.

By Lauren Manning • March 5, 2019

Kellogg rolls out MorningStar Farms vegan Cheezeburger

The new burger will debut this week at Expo West and is part of the legacy plant-based line's plan to be completely animal product free by 2021.

By Cathy Siegner • March 4, 2019

Report: Ferrero and Mondelez seen as frontrunners to buy Campbell Soup's Arnott's

All official bids for the dominant player in Australia's biscuits segment — said to be worth about $3 billion — need to be received by March 20.

By Jessi Devenyns • March 4, 2019

Big Food turns to small deals as major M&A transactions likely to pause in 2019

After completing larger transformational buys in 2018, companies such as Campbell Soup, General Mills, Hershey and Conagra will focus on digesting the purchases and lowering their debt levels.

By Christopher Doering • March 4, 2019

Moringa superfood producer Kuli Kuli gets $5M in funding led by Kellogg

Founder Lisa Curtis said the investment will help her nascent company launch its new ingredient business while continuing to scale its powder, bar and shot offerings.

By Jessi Devenyns • March 1, 2019

How blockchain can protect reputations and attract committed customers

Amid the uptick in recent recalls, Anant Kadiyala of Oracle writes blockchain technology can help businesses regain and reinforce trust from the public.

By Anant Kadiyala • March 1, 2019

Leftovers: A (100th!) birthday CupCake, grain-free pretzels offer a new twist on classic snacks

Hostess celebrates its centennial with sprinkles, and everything about Martha Stewart's new partnership is pretty fishy.

By Food Dive staff • March 1, 2019

Brown-Forman taps into data analytics to launch rye whiskey brand

The maker of Jack Daniel's, Old Forester and Woodford Reserve used consumer, production and sales data to determine if the U.S. market had room for another beverage line.

By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 28, 2019

Good Culture raises $8M to expand cottage cheese distribution

The company, which has grown 500% in four years and is now in more than 11,000 stores nationwide, has received investments from General Mills' 301 Inc.

By Jessi Devenyns • Feb. 28, 2019

TreeHouse Foods CEO: Customers couldn't trust our 'ability to execute'

With CEO Steve Oakland at the helm, the private label food manufacturer has closed plants, reduced its SKUs and changed how it sells products in a bid to reverse a multi-year decline in sales.

By Christopher Doering • Feb. 28, 2019

Ingredion touts its 'tools in the toolbox' to address changing consumer trends, CEO says

Jim Zallie said on-the-go consumption as well as low sugar and plant-based options have created "tremendous growth opportunities" for his company.

By Christopher Doering • Feb. 28, 2019