Packaging / Labeling

Bacardi to use 100% biodegradable plastic bottles by 2023

The company said the new packages break down in 18 months and will eliminate 3,000 tons of plastic it currently uses each year.

By Jessi Devenyns • Oct. 23, 2020

Deep Dive

Less sugar, more problems: How reducing the popular sweetener causes reformulation challenges

Sugar helps with the texture, structure, color and shelf-life of products — all aspects that need to be replaced when manufacturers reduce the amount of the ingredient they use.

By Megan Poinski • Oct. 22, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Clean Label

In the world of clean labels, chemical-sounding names are out, while simple ingredients are in. Despite having no official definition, consumers are prioritizing these products in their shopping as manufacturers evolve to meet demand. 

By Food Dive staff

Opinion

Elections have consequences: How a Biden win could reshape the food policy agenda

If the former vice president wins the White House, there will be significant changes in regulatory priorities and a new focus on larger issues impacting the industry, writes Sean McBride of DSM Strategic Communications.

By Sean McBride • Oct. 19, 2020

FDA to examine labeling for some alternative sweeteners

The agency may be opening the door to additional reform with other sugar substitutes as it tries to figure out how they fit into the Nutrition Facts panel.

By Megan Poinski • Oct. 19, 2020

Lawsuit claims Steaz has too much added sugar to be 'lightly sweetened'

The class action case filed against parent company Healthy Beverage Co. argues the labels on its iced tea — with 30% of the recommended consumption amount of the sweetener — are misleading.

By Jessi Devenyns • Oct. 13, 2020

Driscoll's partners with Plenty to grow strawberries indoors

The affiliation with the vertical farming‌ ‌company‌ will allow the berry producer to grow a more reliable crop and expand into regions that have historically been difficult to serve.

By Christopher Doering • Oct. 13, 2020

Tofurky sues Louisiana over plant-based meat labeling law

Several states have passed similar labeling measures targeting the plant-based meat industry, but they have not held up well when challenged in court.

By Megan Poinski • Oct. 12, 2020

Sponsored by Fibre Box Association

News flash: Pizza boxes can be recycled!

Pizza and recycling are a deluxe combo! Pizza boxes are proven recyclable.

By Rachel Kenyon, Senior Vice President, Fibre Box Association • Oct. 08, 2020

AB InBev's new partnership could cut carbon emissions by 30% per beer can

The world's largest beer company is working with miner Rio Tinto to create packaging using low-carbon aluminum made with renewable hydropower. 

By Christopher Doering • Oct. 07, 2020

Eskimo Pie to become Edy's Pie in 2021

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream is renaming the original chocolate-coated frozen treat after one of the company's founders — making it the latest manufacturer to rebrand a product with a controversial name.

By Megan Poinski • Oct. 02, 2020

Front-of-pack labeling leads to improved nutritional quality, study says

Consumers typically make grocery decisions in less than 10 seconds, and researchers say this is a "cost-effective, high impact strategy to combat obesity."

By Lillianna Byington • Oct. 02, 2020

Column

Leftovers: Bazooka gets into gummies; Undressed redefines 'salad bar'

The bubble gum brand's new launch of dragon and unicorn candies is (literally) Totally Awesome, and WW brews up canned RTD coffee drinks.

By Food Dive staff • Sept. 25, 2020

Cream of Wheat chef will be removed from packaging, B&G says

Although the drawing that has been on hot cereal boxes for more than a century may be based on an actual person, the company says "it reminds some consumers of earlier depictions they find offensive."

By Megan Poinski • Sept. 25, 2020

Uncle Ben's becomes Ben's Original in 'brand evolution'

Mars Food is retiring the face and changing the product's name but retaining its orange background and bold navy blue letters recognized by consumers.

By Megan Poinski • Sept. 23, 2020

With '80s cereal formulations, General Mills goes back to the future

Cocoa Puffs, Golden Grahams, Cookie Crisp and Trix are returning to the ingredients and tastes of four decades ago as the manufacturer sponsors a Saturday morning cartoon marathon.

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 22, 2020

Coronavirus accelerates importance of packaging for consumers

A Shorr study found two-thirds of consumers who identified changes in their purchasing behaviors during the pandemic said they will pay more attention to food labels and packaging going forward.

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 21, 2020

Perdue Farms' secrets to a century in business

The poultry processor was at the forefront of removing antibiotics from chicken, introducing an organic line and giving some of its birds more space in response to changing consumer trends.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 21, 2020

Swiss Miss packaging is converted into recyclable cubes

The Conagra brand's redesign reduces the carbon footprint for manufacturing and transporting hot cocoa by 15% and is part of the company's effort to make 100% of its plastic sustainable by 2025.

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 18, 2020

General Mills launches its first keto-friendly line

The products, under the brand Ratio, include cultured yogurt dairy snacks and crunchy bars that contain 2 grams of net carbs and 1 gram of sugar per serving. 

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 17, 2020

Deep Dive

Innovation takes on a different meaning as pandemic forces CPGs to get creative

Conagra and Campbell Soup are among companies that have tried new development strategies during the coronavirus — from mailing products for at-home testing to a greater social media presence — or risk losing ground.

By Christopher Doering • Sept. 14, 2020

Nestlé invests $30M in Closed Loop fund to expand sustainable packaging use

The deal provides the Switzerland company with access to food-grade recycled plastics it can use for packaging in products such as Coffee Mate and Stouffer's.

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 09, 2020

Column

Leftovers: Reese's serves cake for breakfast; Jones Soda tries to get out the vote

Hershey is giving consumers permission to eat its soft-baked chocolate snack cake in the morning, and Runamok Maple is making its syrup sparkle. 

By Food Dive staff • Sept. 04, 2020

Nut butter maker Justin's expands into refrigerated bars

The Hormel brand is entering a fast-growing segment of the food space but will find itself going up against similar offerings from Kind and Perfect Snacks.

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 03, 2020

Deep Dive

Big CPGs struggle to gain market share during COVID-19 despite sales boost

IRI data shows while large manufacturers grabbed shelf space at the height of the pandemic, upstarts are taking advantage of out-of-stocks and demand for variety to win it back. 

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 31, 2020

Chocolate leads the way as candy purchases spike during pandemic

Premium chocolate outpaced the rest of the category with a 12.5% sales jump compared to 3.8% for all candy, according to data from the National Confectioners Association. 

By Jessi Devenyns • Aug. 28, 2020