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

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

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

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

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

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

Molson Coors invests in L.A. Libations beverage incubator

The beer giant reportedly took a 49% stake in the company that has served as an accelerator for brands such as BodyArmor and Core Nutrition.

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 19, 2019

Marfrig Global Foods increases its stake in National Beef Packing

After purchasing a majority share last year, the Brazilian meat producer bought the rest of Jefferies Financial Group's stake for $860 million. It now owns 81.7% of the U.S. company.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 19, 2019

Why was Quaker Oat Beverage discontinued?

The PepsiCo brand may have failed because of its packaging, name, health claims — or its taste.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 18, 2019

Chobani goes all oat with new yogurt and milk launches

After disrupting the category 12 years ago with its Greek offering, the company is now using the cereal grain to strengthen its market dominance, while adding milk and a dairy creamer.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 18, 2019

China resumes US poultry imports after 4-year ban

The resumption of shipments to the communist country, which ended in 2015 following an avian flu outbreak in the U.S., could be worth more than $1 billion annually, according to the USTR.

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 15, 2019

Layn develops a sweeter variety of monk fruit

The company's Super V Fruit can help manufacturers with sugar reduction and limit the land, water and other resources needed for production.

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 14, 2019

Nextleaf Solutions secures US patents for CBD extraction and purification

In Canada, the company has gone a step further, partnering with BevCanna Enterprises​ to launch cannabis drinks.  

By Lillianna Byington • Nov. 14, 2019