3 growth areas for food packaging

Private label items and new launches are some of the main factors driving growth, according to Circana. 

By Maria Rachal • April 16, 2026

Boston Beer faces $175.5M fine in packaging dispute

A jury ruled in favor of Ardagh Metal Packaging, which accused the company of failing to purchase a contractual minimum of aluminum cans.

By Laurel Deppen • April 16, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Food Dive

Check out a selection of articles about some of the biggest trends and news — from McCormick’s reformulation strategy to the impact of GLP-1s  — shaping the food industry in 2026.

By Food Dive staff

How Chobani’s protein push is reshaping its dairy empire

The yogurt giant's head of commercial growth says the company could lean on innovation or M&A as it looks to expand further into dairy, noting it's still not in every category.

By Laurel Deppen • April 15, 2026

5 charts showing the changing energy drink landscape

While all of the major energy drink companies saw sales increases year over year, the rising tide is not lifting all boats, according to a Goldman Sachs report.

By Jessica Loder • April 15, 2026

Grocery price growth cools as overall inflation surges

Prices for meat, produce and coffee continued to accelerate, but overall food-at-home inflation was below 2% for the first time since November 2025.

By Sam Silverstein • April 14, 2026

Hershey wants a bigger bite of the functional foods market

CEO Kirk Tanner said the Reese’s maker sees the segment as an important growth driver and “has an aspiration for how big we can build that business.”

By Christopher Doering • April 14, 2026

Slice soda maker Suja Life files for IPO

The wellness shot and cold-press juice company hopes a public debut will position the brand as the “definitive leader in better-for-you beverages.”

By Laurel Deppen • April 13, 2026

How food manufacturers are rethinking product assortments

Brands are opting for fewer SKUs and being selective about restocking practices, experts said at the Food Manufacturing Summit.

By Kelly Stroh • April 13, 2026

Conagra Brands names JM Smucker executive as new CEO

John Brase will take over on June 1, replacing Sean Connolly who has run the Slim Jim maker since 2015.

By Christopher Doering • April 13, 2026

Why manual work persists in food and beverage and how connected data eliminates it

Manual work persists, but connected data is the fix. Here’s how food and beverage teams close the gap.

April 13, 2026

Lamb Weston warns of supply chain pressures amid Iran war

The french fry maker anticipates a rise in commodity volatility, including for packaging and fuel, if the conflict persists.

By Antone Gonsalves • April 10, 2026

Leftovers: Liquid IV turns Grillo’s pickle flavor prank into reality | Mike’s Hard Lemonade gives dirty soda a shot

The Unilever-owned hydration brand is launching a briny new variety, while PBR teams with Smithfield on a brat-infused sausage for grilling season.

By Food Dive staff • April 10, 2026

Breakfast food is breaking free of the morning routine

Changing eating habits, plus growing demand for protein and convenience, has opened new opportunities for food companies to bring the most important meal to other parts of the day.

By Christopher Doering • April 9, 2026

High gas prices are crimping grocery spending, research finds

More than a third of respondents to a survey conducted in March said they have cut back on their grocery spending by either trading down or buying less.

By Sam Silverstein • April 8, 2026

Kylie Jenner’s vodka soda brand Sprinter expands into hydration

The company is launching k2o, an electrolyte and collagen powder positioned to capitalize on growing demand for beauty-focused functional beverages. 

By Laurel Deppen • April 8, 2026

Diageo supplier to idle 2 Kentucky whiskey distilleries

MGP Ingredients will pause production as the market “continues to be structurally oversupplied” due to tariffs and declining alcohol consumption.

By Sarah Zimmerman • April 8, 2026

Tyson to close Hillshire Brands plant in Georgia

The meatpacker said recent changes “have made continued operations at the site no longer viable.”

By Sarah Zimmerman • April 7, 2026

Hershey’s CEO stays ‘hungry’ for growth as snack giant outpaces rivals

Strength in permissible snacks and iconic brands, such as Reese’s, has enabled Hershey to grow despite inflation, GLP-1 adoption and other headwinds.

By Christopher Doering • April 7, 2026

JBS workers to end strike at major US beef plant

The three-week long work stoppage had left the meat giant's plant in Greeley, Colorado, “almost completely idle,” according to the union.

By Sarah Zimmerman • April 6, 2026

Hormel modernizes supply chain with AI

The food company is using o9’s forecasting tools to model demand drivers, reduce manual overrides and sharpen seasonal forecast accuracy.

By Antone Gonsalves • April 6, 2026

Leftovers: Khloé Kardashian’s Khloud expands to protein chips | Sun Cruiser launches hard white teas

The celebrity-founded snack brand is growing beyond its breakout popcorn, while Marzetti introduces a protein-packed ranch dressing.

By Food Dive staff • April 3, 2026

Nestlé inks partnership to support labor rights in coffee supply chains

The project with the International Labour Organization to promote fair recruitment and labor rights in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

By Zoya Mirza • April 3, 2026

Shift to natural ingredients opens the door to food fraud

As companies race to replace artificial dyes, experts are seeing a surge in fake ingredients claiming to be clean label.

By Sarah Zimmerman • April 2, 2026

How AI is changing food supply chains

As consumer shopping habits evolve, experts say accurate and on-time deliveries have become more important than ever.

By Laurel Deppen • April 2, 2026

How Kraft Heinz’s NFL deal could help the marketer get back on track

The five-year partnership comes as the CPG giant recently paused plans to split its condiment and grocery businesses.

By Chris Kelly • April 2, 2026