General Mills, Mars sue sugar producers for alleged price-fixing

Food giants claim suppliers coordinated on sensitive pricing information and pushed costs for the sweetener to a record high.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 10, 2026

USDA takes new SNAP waiver approach following court ruling

After a federal district court judge vacated SNAP food purchasing restrictions in five states, the federal government wants public comments.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Sept. 9, 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

California approves first statewide non-ultraprocessed food label

The landmark measure establishes a voluntary certification system and requires large grocery stores to prominently display cleaner label food options. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 8, 2026

Why do new food products fail?

Recipe changes ripple through specs, claims and labels. Keep product data aligned to avoid recalls.

By Erika Redaelli, Global Head — Solution Management, Regulatory and Scientific, Trace One • Sept. 8, 2026

SNAP bans led to 12% decline in soda purchases

Recipients didn’t buy more sugary drinks with their own dollars, bucking a common theory held across the food industry, a new academic study found. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 1, 2026

Zero-sugar labels take center stage in more food class action lawsuits

Liquid Death and the maker of David protein bars are the latest to face consumer complaints after the FDA said natural sweetener allulose is a sugar.

By Laurel Deppen • Aug. 31, 2026

Trump pledges legal action to break ‘nasty monopoly’ in meat processing

A proposal to allow farmers and ranchers to process their own animals immediately drew criticism from agriculture groups over food safety concerns.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 28, 2026

Packaging industry braces for impacts from U.S.-Canada trade war

Trade groups for manufacturers of fiber, metal and glass packaging say higher costs could affect companies along both countries’ supply chains.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 27, 2026

Nearly 60 members of Congress call for aluminum pricing investigation

At issue is the Midwest Premium, a pricing structure that has led to increased costs for cans used by the U.S. beverage industry.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 24, 2026

FSMA 204 brings law and order to the retail range

Technology alone won't solve this. What early pilots reveal about the real work ahead.

Aug. 24, 2026

US to temporarily relieve ground beef tariffs in bid to lower prices

President Donald Trump said he will allow 300,000 metric tons of product to enter the country duty-free for the next 90 days.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 21, 2026

Trump admin’s dietary guidelines face lawsuit from doctors’ group

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine said recommendations were illegally shaped by beef and dairy industry insiders.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 20, 2026

Where SNAP participation has fallen the most

All but one state saw a year-over-year drop in the number of people enrolled in the food assistance program in April.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Aug. 19, 2026

Will Congress be left to define ultraprocessed foods?

As the FDA delays its proposed definition, lawmakers have stepped up to take action.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 13, 2026

FDA lays out plan to close ingredients ‘loophole’ targeted by RFK Jr

Food industry groups say the agency is limited in its authority to require more transparency under the controversial GRAS framework, pushing for Congress to approve a national standard.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Updated Aug. 11, 2026

More ultraprocessed foods could carry GMO labels after court ruling

The USDA will need to rewrite labeling standards for bioengineered foods by 2028 after a judge ruled against exemptions for highly refined ingredients.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 6, 2026

Chobani faces revived lawsuit claiming ‘zero sugar’ label deceived consumers

A judge ruled the complaint could continue after the FDA said allulose counted as a sugar despite past enforcement discretion guidance. 

By Laurel Deppen • Aug. 4, 2026

How the shift away from artificial dyes is impacting food sales

Sales of products with natural colors grew more than those using synthetic dyes, a report from the National Confectioners Association and RTI International found.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 30, 2026

US to lift Mexico cattle ban to combat high beef prices

The USDA will remove restrictions placed to contain the spread of a deadly livestock parasite as the Trump administration looks to tamp down grocery inflation.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 28, 2026

General Mills subpoenaed in Florida ingredients investigation

The state’s attorney general is requesting safety information and documentation from the Pillsbury owner connected to breadmaking additive potassium bromate.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 20, 2026

Defining ultraprocessed foods proves ‘challenging,’ FDA food head says

Donald Prater, acting deputy commissioner of food, said the Trump administration is still making the definition a “priority.”

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 15, 2026

General Mills plans supply chain revamp

The upgrade, part of a $3 billion cost cutting effort, is critical because the company’s current network was built for a lower-volume era, executives said.

By Antone Gonsalves • July 15, 2026

PepsiCo CFO says tariff refund will help offset inflation

“We do expect some more pressure on the business from a commodity standpoint,” CFO Steve Schmitt said on an earnings call.

By Alexei Alexis • July 14, 2026

For producers, for the planet: Why we need conservation on farmland

Conservation agriculture practices have short and long-term benefits, yet adoption lags.

By Melissa Willhouse-Chase • July 13, 2026

California standardizes date labeling, Virginia bans foam food containers

While 2026 has already seen multiple new packaging laws implemented, the year’s halfway mark brings a few more.

By Maria Rachal • July 10, 2026