MAHA calls processed food ‘poison’ but dodges regulatory responsibility. That should tell you everything.

The movement opts for public demonization over real action because it knows its ideas have no scientific or legal basis and won't survive court scrutiny, writes Sean McBride.

By Sean McBride • March 3, 2026

How McCormick is keeping up with food giants’ race to reformulate

More companies are looking to quickly add new flavors and boost nutritional content. The flavoring firm’s CEO said the recent “acceleration” is unlikely to abate anytime soon.

By Christopher Doering • Feb. 26, 2026

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

Candy and soda makers prepare to ‘play offense’ on SNAP restrictions

With more states limiting what consumers can buy with food assistance benefits, Hershey and Keurig Dr Pepper are closely monitoring the potential sales impact.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Feb. 26, 2026

Food makers warn GLP-1s will have ‘lasting influence’ on sector

Weight loss medications, such as Ozempic or Wegovy, are already impacting sales and prompting companies to roll out smaller portions and more offerings with protein and fiber.

By Christopher Doering • Feb. 25, 2026

Food, beverage companies lagging on addressing forced labor risks: report

Despite widespread commitments, companies rarely implement the transparency and labor practices needed to address the issue, a study backed by the Business and Human Rights Centre found.

By Lauren Schenkman • Feb. 24, 2026

The measurement gap: 4 costly myths hindering experiential and sampling ROI

Each year, food brands pour small fortunes into experiential marketing programs that leadership can’t confidently defend.

Feb. 23, 2026

FDA to review ultraprocessed ingredients, but regulation unlikely

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the agency would “act on” a high-profile petition to reassess safety of commonly used additives, including high fructose corn syrup.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Feb. 19, 2026

Texas law requiring warning labels on snack foods temporarily blocked

A judge sided with the food and beverage industry's arguments that the disclosures violated the First Amendment, a setback for the “Make America Healthy Again” movement.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Feb. 12, 2026

FDA to reassess safety of food preservative BHA

The agency is reevaluating the additive found in lunch meats and cereal as part of a larger review of ingredients that have caused concern among consumers.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Feb. 12, 2026

How grocers are taking charge of food traceability requirements

Walmart and Kroger are among the retailers setting stricter standards that go beyond the federal requirements.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Feb. 4, 2026

McCormick tackles $50M tariff hit through pricing, other measures

The spice maker will stick with its 2025 playbook to mitigate tariff impacts this year, including alternative sourcing and other supply chain initiatives.

By Antone Gonsalves • Feb. 3, 2026

ADM to pay $40M to settle SEC accounting fraud probe

The agency also sued the ingredient maker’s former CFO, claiming he inflated the performance of the company’s key nutrition business segment.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 30, 2026

Trump admin puts spotlight on sugar in 2026 food policy agenda

The FDA plans to encourage the industry to reduce added sugar this year to align with a major priority of the "Make America Healthy Again" movement.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 26, 2026

The countdown to Sunrise 2027: Why brands should act now

Exploring the potential opportunities for leveraging 2D barcodes beyond traceability.

Jan. 26, 2026

FDA moves toward tougher gluten labeling rules

The agency issued a request for more information that will shape new regulation on ingredient transparency.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 22, 2026

USDA outlines retailer compliance for state SNAP waivers

FMI has been pushing for clarified guidance for months, and said the new rules — which ban products like candy and soda — still lack clarity.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 9, 2026

US dietary guidelines tell Americans to avoid highly processed foods

The Trump administration is overhauling federal dietary advice to align with some MAHA priorities.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Updated Jan. 7, 2026

Can schools handle federal calls for fewer ultraprocessed foods?

Some 95% of school nutrition directors are concerned about the financial sustainability of their meal programs, School Nutrition Association data shows.

By Anna Merod • Jan. 6, 2026

West Virginia artificial dye ban temporarily blocked by court

The ruling is a setback for the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, which has pushed ingredient restrictions in states.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 6, 2026

How MAHA transformed the food industry in 2025

Lawmakers capitalized on anxieties around ultraprocessed ingredients to introduce new regulations, with companies choosing to reformulate or fight back.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 18, 2025

San Francisco’s move against ultraprocessed food could lead to wave of lawsuits

The litigation landscape surrounding packaged food may hinge on the ability of plaintiffs to prove that food addiction is real, writes Sean McBride.

By Sean McBride • Dec. 11, 2025

Jack Daniel’s owner sees Canada sales plunge 62% amid boycott of US booze

Brown-Forman said fallout from the Trump Administration’s trade policies has had a “significant impact” on earnings, with the majority of retailers in the country still refusing to stock alcohol from the United States.

By Laurel Deppen • Dec. 10, 2025

Food industry groups sue Texas to overturn ingredient warning labels

Groups representing major companies, including Kraft Heinz and Coca-Cola, argue the law misleads consumers and violates the First Amendment.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 10, 2025

JM Smucker cancels new coffee price hikes after tariffs lifted

The food and beverage maker expects a less volatile coffee market in the future after the Trump administration exempted the commodity from levies.

By Antone Gonsalves • Dec. 10, 2025

Trump orders investigation into food supply chains for possible price fixing

Under pressure to address rising grocery costs, the president directed new task forces to determine whether anticompetitive behavior exists, particularly among foreign-owned companies. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 8, 2025