Snacking takes a hit as consumer spending shifts to food staples

PepsiCo, Mondelēz and Campbell’s are among the companies noting a slowdown in chips, cookies and other treats as shoppers prioritize essentials such as meats and eggs.

By Christopher Doering • April 30, 2025

Coca-Cola sales slip following boycott among Hispanic consumers

The soda giant said a false viral video claiming the company reported Latino workers to ICE contributed to volume declines amid economic uncertainty.

By Chris Casey • April 30, 2025

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

Why 818 Tequila tapped a NASCAR driver to accelerate cultural marketing

CMO Kathleen Braine explains how partnering with trailblazing driver Toni Breidinger helps boost the reach of the Kendall Jenner-founded brand.

By Chris Kelly • April 30, 2025

Nestlé changes how it reports nutritional value of food after criticism

Investor coalition ShareAction has called on the DiGiorno and Nespresso manufacturer to improve the health content of its food and beverage portfolio.

By Christopher Doering • April 29, 2025

A ‘new chapter’ for Chips Ahoy!: How Mondelēz is innovating the iconic cookie brand

The food giant is bringing the $1 billion-plus treat deeper into other snacking categories such as cakes and pastries.

By Christopher Doering • April 29, 2025

Shoppers expect to spend 8% more on groceries due to tariffs, survey finds

A KPMG poll found a majority of participants believe Trump's trade war will push up prices for food more than any other category of goods.

By Sam Silverstein • April 28, 2025

The latest tariff challenge for businesses? Setting prices.

Deciding whether to pass on higher costs to already cash-strapped consumers has become “a really tough needle to thread,” one analyst said.

By Daphne Howland • April 28, 2025

Nestlé names company veteran to run its Americas region

Jeff Hamilton replaces Steve Presley who is retiring after nearly 30 years with the Lean Cuisine and Nespresso maker.

By Christopher Doering • April 25, 2025

Nestlé and Ofi combat cocoa deforestation with regenerative agriculture program

The chocolate giant and ingredients processor plan to plant nearly 3 million trees in growing regions and track its carbon footprint using AI tools.

By Chris Casey • April 24, 2025

Meat giant JBS gets SEC approval to list shares in US

Environmental groups and congressional lawmakers had pushed the agency to deny the company's request over its record on climate and corporate governance.

By Sarah Zimmerman • April 24, 2025

Hershey opens new chocolate plant as part of $1B supply chain upgrade

The facility, which took nearly three years to complete, will process the ingredient for brands such as Reese’s and Kit Kat.

By Christopher Doering • April 23, 2025

Constellation sued for allegedly misleading shareholders on wine sales

The suit claims the alcohol giant, which saw its sales in the category drop 7% last year, deceived investors and mishandled funds.

By Chris Casey • April 23, 2025

FDA asks food industry to phase out artificial dyes

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants companies to voluntarily remove or replace commonly used synthetic colors before the end of 2026.

By Sarah Zimmerman , Christopher Doering • April 22, 2025

Chobani to spend $1.2B on New York dairy processing plant

The 1.4 million-square-foot factory, which will create more than 1,000 jobs, is the largest facility investment in the yogurt giant’s history.

By Christopher Doering • April 22, 2025

4 candy trends to watch

While sales have declined thanks to price-sensitive shoppers, the confectionary category still has some bright spots, experts say. 

By Christine Blank • April 22, 2025

To win back consumers, food giants need to make better products

As traditional CPGs lose market share to smaller brands, they should worry more about quality and less about cutting costs, writes Tessa Weigand at Curion.

By Tessa Weigand • April 22, 2025

FDA budget cut proposal puts states in charge of routine food inspections

A draft spending document includes language eliminating FDA’s “direct role” in routine assessments of farms and food facilities, which is meant to prevent outbreaks of foodborne illness.

By Elise Reuter , Sarah Zimmerman • April 21, 2025

Utz replaces CFO with ex-Tropicana exec

The potato chips maker is eyeing further expansion outside the Northeast market.

By Chris Casey • April 18, 2025

How food giants are embracing AI to forecast recipes, regulatory hurdles

Executives from Kellanova, Ingredion and consumer insights platform Tastewise say innovative tech can help companies stay ahead of the latest trends and potential supply chain headwinds.

By Chris Casey • April 17, 2025

General Mills projects plastics decreases as product portfolio changes

Availability of food-grade PCR has remained a sticking point, the company suggested. However, it expects the divestiture of its North American yogurt business to decrease its use of flexible and rigid plastics going forward.

By Maria Rachal • April 17, 2025

PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz face off with shareholder activists on sustainable packaging

CPGs and foodservice companies are feeling the pressure to provide more accountability about their flexible packaging, reusables and recycling labels.

By Cole Rosengren • April 16, 2025

Aisle hopping: Why major food and beverage brands are entering new parts of the grocery store

Nestlé, Kraft Heinz and J.M. Smucker are among the CPG giants leveraging the brand equity of well-known products to expand into different categories, boost recognition and grow sales.

By Christopher Doering • April 16, 2025

Campbell’s promotes insiders to accelerate growth

The company elevated Elizabeth Duggan to oversee its snacks business while Janda Lukin has been named to the newly created role of chief growth officer.

By Christopher Doering • April 16, 2025

Kraft Heinz enters plant-based desserts with oat milk Jell-O pudding

The food giant has launched several foods that eschew plant-based ingredients including cheese, mayonnaise, hot dogs and mac and cheese.

By Christopher Doering • April 15, 2025

Consumer sentiment plummets amid trade war

Inflation expectations surged to the highest level since 1981 as anxiety mounts over escalating tariffs, the University of Michigan found in a survey.

By Jim Tyson • April 15, 2025