Nestlé brings plant-based meat to iconic brands

After launching its first beef-like offering under its Sweet Earth banner in October, the food giant is introducing DiGiorno Rising Crust Meatless Supreme and Stouffer's Meatless Lasagna.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 4, 2019

Constellation tosses Ballast Point to a Chicago-based craft brewer

In announcing the sale to Kings & Convicts Brewing Co., the alcohol giant's CEO Bill Newlands said trends have changed dramatically since the company bought the brand for $1 billion in 2015.

By Megan Poinski • Dec. 4, 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

Former Bumble Bee CEO sentenced to 40 months in prison

Chris Lischewski, who was convicted of conspiring to fix canned tuna prices after a four-week trial in December, was also ordered to pay a $100,000 fine.

By Lillianna Byington • Updated June 16, 2020

Noosa boosts protein content with launch of HiLo yogurt

The new brand, which features 12 grams of the essential nutrient and 12 grams of sugar per cup, is aimed at more health-conscious consumers.

By Jessi Devenyns • Dec. 3, 2019

PepsiCo buys PopCorners maker BFY Brands

After the deal is completed, the snacks, which include the popcorn crisps, Flourish Veggie Crisps and Flex Protein Crisps, will operate under the Frito-Lay North America umbrella.

By Megan Poinski • Dec. 3, 2019

How to have nearly 50 years of success in plant-based food: Follow Your Heart

With unflinching ethics and a commitment to sustainability, the company that practically started the animal-free segment grew from a vegetarian lunch counter to a grocery store CPG staple, selling Vegenaise, cheeses and yogurts.

By Megan Poinski • Dec. 3, 2019

Molson Coors moves beyond beer with hard coffee launch

As the popularity of core brews such as Coors Light and Miller Lite wanes, the beverage giant has been expanding into other alcoholic options to grow.

By Jessi Devenyns • Dec. 3, 2019

Hostess buys cookie maker Voortman for $320M

The purchase of the wafer and sugar-free cookie company expands the Twinkie manufacturer's reach in sweet baked goods.

By Christopher Doering • Updated Jan. 7, 2020

Halo Top plans Chicago plant closure and layoffs starting next month

The ice cream maker will permanently close the production facility and cut 28 workers between Dec. 28 and March 13, according to an Illinois WARN notice. 

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 27, 2019

Report: Goya Foods rejects sale to retain family leadership

The New York Post quoted sources saying The Carlyle Group, in talks to buy the company, had plans to take charge of the Latin American food giant and eventually take it public.

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 27, 2019

Impossible Foods aims for up to $5B valuation with latest funding round

The maker of plant-based meats is looking to raise between $300 million and $400 million, according to Reuters. This could more than double the $2 billion valuation the company had in May.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 26, 2019

Nestlé partners with college on microbiome research

The Swiss food giant said the goal of the partnership with the University of California San Diego is to develop nutritional offerings that promote health and well-being.

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 26, 2019

Flying Embers hard kombucha raises $25M, setting sights on disrupting the beer industry

The fermented beverage company also announced it closed deals with 70 distributors across 30 states to get its beverage on shelves.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 25, 2019

Meal kit maker Purple Carrot debuts plant-based incubator

Participating startups will get support for branding, marketing, e-commerce, operations and data analytics, and receive up to $250,000 in seed funding.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 25, 2019

Cannabis is hot, so why are investors wary?

The regulatory gray area for the substance in food and beverage has led to hesitation, causing some brands to struggle with fundraising.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 25, 2019

84% of food and beverage industry leaders expect sales growth in 2020

Mazars' annual survey of executives also found companies are looking to grow internally — through better-for-you products, cleaner labels and improved operations.

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 25, 2019

Leftovers: Hidden Valley Ranch stuffs stockings with dressing; Blue Diamond goes nuts for pickles

As the holidays grow nearer, the Clorox-owned brand made the perfect gift for lovers of the ubiquitous sauce, while Goya launches a campaign to bring coquito's Caribbean flavor to the season.

By Food Dive staff • Nov. 22, 2019

Bankrupt Bumble Bee sold for $928M

After filing for Chapter 11 last year, Taiwan-based FCF closed on its acquisition of the company's North American assets.

By Cathy Siegner • Updated Jan. 31, 2020

General Mills meets 20% sodium reduction goal across its portfolio

The CPG company achieved the target it set 10 years ago and boosted the nutrient density of its products by increasing whole grains, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 21, 2019

How Dean Foods' bankruptcy is a 'warning sign' to the milk industry

Struggling with debt and changing consumer demands, ​the largest dairy producer in the U.S. filed for Chapter 11. Food Dive looks at how the company got here and what's next for the sector.

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 21, 2019

Majority of US consumers prefer to cut sugar intake than switch to artificial sweeteners

A survey from Innova Market Insights said this shift is reflected in the fact that more people are choosing savory snacks over sweet ones and drinking reduced-sugar beverages.

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 21, 2019

Former Kraft Heinz exec named new CFO of Ocean Spray

Daniel Cunha also founded private equity firm Tangram Partners, which he has led since 2017.  

By Jane Thier • Nov. 20, 2019

Bud Light Seltzer hits shelves next year as AB InBev invests $100M in the segment

The new drink will join the mega-brewer's two other brands: Natural Light Seltzer and Bon & Viv.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 20, 2019

Behind the scenes: Data and technology bring food product R&D into the 21st century

With CPG companies under pressure to develop items faster and stretch their spending, Conagra, Mars Wrigley and Ferrara are rethinking the decades-old way of creating new things for consumers.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 20, 2019

Ben & Jerry's 'happy cows' labeling claim lawsuit dismissed

A Vermont man said last year that the Unilever-owned brand "breached consumer trust" by sourcing more than half its milk and cream from mass-production factory dairy farms.

By Cathy Siegner • Updated May 11, 2020