Survey: 40% of Americans would try lab-grown meat

Vegans are the largest demographic willing to sample cell-cultured protein, but nearly 30% of meat eaters also are interested in the product. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 6, 2018

Better-for-you jerky takes a bigger bite of snacks market

Sales of the popular treat, which topped $1 billion last year, are poised for growth due to its slimmed-down ingredients list, portability and hip new flavors.

By Cathy Siegner • March 2, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Food Dive

The food and beverage industry is changing rapidly and the actions companies take this year are likely to play a major role in defining their future. 

By Food Dive staff

Gym-goers less likely to bug out over edible insects

A recent survey found nearly half of respondents who work out every day were willing to consume the alternative protein.

By Caroline Macdonald • March 1, 2018

Consumer enthusiasm for meat is still sizzling, survey finds

Interest in plant-based proteins and other alternatives may be growing, but that's not curbing shoppers' desire for the "real" thing.

By Erika Kincaid • Feb. 28, 2018

Hormel Foods CEO: 'We haven't stopped looking' for acquisitions

Jim Snee, whose firm spent $1.4 billion on three deals in 2017, said the company's M&A targets include businesses that are global, multi-cultural, on-the-go and focused on health.

By Christopher Doering • Feb. 28, 2018

Kraft Heinz enters breakfast space with Just Crack an Egg

The CPG giant is expanding its reach from the center of the store to appeal to consumer demand for fresh, convenient morning foods. 

By Erika Kincaid • Feb. 27, 2018

USDA officials talk SNAP box program with retailers

Secretary of agriculture Sonny Perdue raised the possibility of using retailers' home delivery programs to send the prepackaged food allotments to low-income consumers.

By Dan Alaimo • Feb. 23, 2018

Tyson Foods CEO hasn't ruled out acquiring Beyond Meat, other venture investments

While an outright purchase could eventually take place, Tyson is interested in helping nascent companies grow while gaining insight into new and emerging markets. 

By Christopher Doering • Feb. 23, 2018

Sanderson Farms' Q1 net income jumps from higher prices, tax cut

The poultry producer said results benefited from higher market prices for dark meat products from its deboning plants, but prices were lower for white meat.  

By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 22, 2018

Hormel reports Q1 earnings boost despite lagging turkey sales

The strongest performance during the most recent quarter was in the protein giant's Specialty Foods area — now merged with its Grocery Products segment — which reported an 8% profit rise. 

By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 22, 2018

Changes loom for USDA's market hog slaughter regulations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to amend federal rules to permit voluntary inspection, allow faster processing and require more pathogen sampling for all slaughter plants.

By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 21, 2018

Survey: 80% of shoppers prefer independent stores to online

The National Grocers Association, which held its annual trade show last week, also found that more than two thirds of consumers who do shop online supplement with in-store purchases. 

By Dan Alaimo • Feb. 20, 2018

Investors urge companies to cut reliance on animal proteins

A report named Nestle as one food company set to take advantage of the growing demand for meat alternatives. Costco was among the worst due to a "lack of discussion of livestock's environmental impacts."   

By Erika Kincaid • Feb. 16, 2018

Cattlemen's group has a beef with 'fake meat'

The trade association wants to bar any plant-based meat alternatives or cell-cultured products from being labeled as "meat" or "beef."  

By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 13, 2018

Sun Basket faces backlash over organic claims

Not all of the company's ingredients meet the standard, but according to consumers and a complaint filed with a federal agency last year, its marketing implied they did.

By Pamela DeLoatch • Feb. 12, 2018

Study: Our early ancestors ate insects and we can, too

Most living mammals can produce the stomach enzyme capable of breaking down insect exoskeletons, according to research from Rutgers and Kent State.

By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 8, 2018

USDA study: Breeding 'super chickens' could limit use of antibiotics

Researchers found roosters with higher levels of a pair of proteins had stronger immune systems and were more resistant to pathogens.

By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 6, 2018

Cargill takes stake in livestock-monitoring technology

The proprietary software from Cainthus, an Irish agricultural-technology startup, can recognize individual cows, track key metrics and monitor animal treatment.

By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 5, 2018

Sysco and US Foods allege chicken producers of price fixing

The product distributors are accusing Tyson Foods, Pilgrim's Pride and others of collusion going as far back as 2008.

By Erika Kincaid • Feb. 1, 2018

Tyson Food's CEO says the company is hunting for more deals

Tom Hayes told Bloomberg the meat processor wants acquisitions that will enhance both its brands and its reach.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 31, 2018

Tyson's VC arm buys into cell-cultured meat startup Memphis Meats

Tom Hayes, the protein giant's relatively new and growth-oriented CEO, said that investing in lab-grown protein in no way competes with his company's core businesses.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 30, 2018

Survey: Most consumers like meat, slaughterhouses not so much

Even though the vast majority of Americans eat meat at least once in a while, nearly half of them said they also supported a ban on slaughterhouses.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 25, 2018

Will Applegate's Whole30 partnership beef up sales?

The trendy elimination diet is giving its stamp of approval to 17 of the organic meat producer's offerings, but time will tell if consumers embrace the products.

By Erika Kincaid • Jan. 25, 2018

US poultry exporters await outcome of NAFTA talks

Sanderson Farms is concerned about losing business if the trade deal isn't renegotiated since 4.5% of its gross sales come from chicken parts exported to Mexico.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 25, 2018

Ikea latest retailer to announce chicken welfare standards

The Swedish food and home decor chain plans to gradually phase in the new program, with final compliance expected by 2025.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 18, 2018