Policy
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Catherine Douglas Moran/Food Dive
Q&AThe Non-GMO Project wants to set the standard for non-ultraprocessed foods
CEO Megan Westgate talks about the holistic approach in developing the Non-UPF Verified label and whether the certification can become a framework for reformulation across the industry.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 15, 2026 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
FDA paves the way for salt reduction in dozens of food categories
The department will allow salt substitutes in bread, milk, condiments and other staple foods as part of an effort to reduce Americans’ sodium consumption.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 14, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Courtesy of Instacart
TrendlineTop 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 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
US consumer trust in food safety falls to record low
A Cyclospora outbreak and a series of food recalls has shaken consumer confidence and led to a shift in buying habits, according to Gallup.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 13, 2026 -
Permission granted by WK Kellogg Co.
Deep DiveCan WK Kellogg save cereal?
After years of sales declines amid a shift in eating habits, executives at the Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes manufacturer have a plan to give the category a wake-up call.
By Christopher Doering • Oct. 13, 2026 -
Courtesy of Governor Gavin Newsom
California enacts non-ultraprocessed label despite food industry concerns
While the new seal is meant to provide a simple way for consumers to identify healthier options, some worry it could lead to more confusion.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 29, 2026 -
Tasos Katopodis via Getty Images
RFK Jr’s food policy priorities need more resources to implement, FDA nominee says
Heidi Overton said the agency requires more support to enact mandatory GRAS notifications while also remaining open to a federal standard on ingredient regulation.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 29, 2026 -
Getty Images
Non-GMO Project’s non-ultraprocessed label expands to over 300 products
Chomps, Simple Mills and Blue Diamond are among 23 brands that have received certification as the program sees growing demand.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 21, 2026 -
Luis Ascui via Getty Images
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 -
Scott Heins via Getty Images
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 -
Getty Images
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 -
findfootagehq via Getty Images
Sponsored by Trace OneWhy 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 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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 -
Alex Wong via Getty Images
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 -
Evelyn Hockstein via Getty Images
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 -
Getty Images
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 -
Permission granted by GS1 US
Sponsored by GS1 USFSMA 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 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
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 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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 -
Scott Heins via Getty Images
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 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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 -
Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
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 -
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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 -
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Chobani via Getty Images
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 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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
