Publix faces boycott for donating to NRA-backed candidate

The grocer contributed to Adam Putnam's gubernatorial campaign due to his "pro-business values," but the company said it will re-evaluate how it makes donations to politicians and political parties.

By Patti Zarling • May 25, 2018

British food companies fail to meet voluntary sugar reduction goals

Public Health England said it should have a clearer idea by next year about whether further action will be needed to compel companies to cut the sweetener.

By Caroline Macdonald • May 24, 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

FDA denies GMA's petition asking for limited use of PHOs

The agency decided the trade group hadn't shown the continued use of partially hydrogenated oils in food is safe, but it also gave manufacturers a longer time to phase them out.

By Cathy Siegner • May 21, 2018

Survey: 40% of Americans are willing to try lab-grown meat

As the process and cost for creating the futuristic protein is refined by companies such as Memphis Meats and JUST, the real question is whether people will buy it.

By Patti Zarling • May 16, 2018

USDA nixes organic checkoff program

The department said there wasn't enough support to move forward on a plan that would have larger producers pay about $30 million annually to fund a national research and marketing strategy.

By Cathy Siegner • May 15, 2018

Big Food's information gap

Startups make better use of consumer feedback than large food companies, and the bigger firms should take a page from their playbook, writes Ben Lewis of Little Spoon.

By Ben Lewis • May 15, 2018

Romaine-linked E. coli outbreak continues to spread, but its origins remain unknown

The FDA says the contamination — which has sickened 149 and killed one across 29 states — could have come at any point along the growing, harvesting, packaging and distribution chain.

By Cathy Siegner • May 11, 2018

Growing pains: Vertical agriculture stunted by rising real estate, energy and labor costs

Unless indoor farms can find a way to lower costs, the segment is likely to bottom out without more investment — or public subsidies.

By Cathy Siegner • May 11, 2018

Health advocates sue FDA for failure to ban 7 artificial flavors

The lawsuit, led by Earthjustice, shows the strong and growing concern about synthetic substances being used in food when natural alternatives exist.

By Caroline Macdonald • May 10, 2018

Should frozen and canned food be included in USDA's fresh school snacks program?

A Maine lawmaker's proposal would help some of his constituent farmers, who freeze much of their blueberry harvest.

By Cathy Siegner • May 10, 2018

Cold shipping is easier, but does it solve the food industry's challenges?

Refrigerated containers called "reefers" that can be adjusted for climate control are in demand and could make global trade easier.

By Cathy Siegner • May 10, 2018

USDA must release SNAP payment data, court rules

A federal appellate panel found releasing the information does not bring unfair competition or reveal confidential details about store finances or shoppers.

By Cathy Siegner • May 9, 2018

Report: End of NAFTA would raise prices, reduce variety at grocery stores

A.T. Kearney's study estimated that without the trade agreement, the cost of one basket of fresh foods could jump 13% in winter months.

By Patti Zarling • May 8, 2018

No more delays: Menu labeling goes into effect today

The law, which requires grocers and restaurants with 20 or more locations to list calories for each menu item, has been delayed three times since the final rule was first published in late 2014.

By Jeff Wells • May 7, 2018

GMO labeling moves one step closer to reality, but what will it look like?

Published in Friday's Federal Register, the USDA proposes using the term "bioengineered," providing on-pack directions for label scanning, and exempting some processed meats and soups from disclosure.

By Cathy Siegner • May 4, 2018

FDA extends deadline for Nutrition Facts update by 18 months

A final rule published in the Federal Register on Friday resets deadlines to 2020 and 2021, and makes formatting changes to the new design.

By Megan Poinski • May 3, 2018

Perdue: USDA may miss GMO labeling rule deadline

The agriculture secretary blamed the delay on federal budget reviews, although the department still has time to meet the July 29 target date to publish its final rule.

By Cathy Siegner • May 1, 2018

Does the new tax bill favor craft breweries over industry giants?

Supporters say the law put into place late last year will allow smaller makers of the beverage to improve equipment, distribution and to hire more workers.

By Patti Zarling • May 1, 2018

Bai Brands sued over lab-made malic acid

The class-action suit is the latest in a series of complaints demanding that manufacturers call the ingredient — which can occur naturally — an artificial flavor.

By Cathy Siegner • April 27, 2018

Cargill spends $150K to help develop antibiotic alternatives

With consumers looking for clean-label meat and concerned about human resistance to drugs, the protein industry is racing to develop other solutions.

By Cathy Siegner • April 27, 2018

Thought for food: How digital is changing the food supply chain

FSMA regulations are pushing food companies toward broader digital transformation, and as organizations turn to operational data to ensure compliance and optimize production, Jeff Van Pelt of OSIsoft writes, data could transform the industry.

By Jeffrey Van Pelt • April 24, 2018

Are cage-free egg facilities more prone to contamination?

A salmonella outbreak linked to Rose Acre Farms raises questions about whether shifting to cage-free facilities could impact food safety.

By Cathy Siegner • April 24, 2018

Prepared foods are hot, but inefficiency could cool the trend

Technologies that increase efficiency in perimeter departments are essential to maintaining margins, says Art Powell of Digimarc Corporation. 

By Art Powell • April 23, 2018

Enjoy Life Foods gets international palm oil-free certification

The allergy-friendly CPG company, which is debuting products without the controversial ingredient, is the first food manufacturer to earn it.

By Cathy Siegner • April 23, 2018

Big Food companies mark Earth Day by touting sustainability efforts

General Mills, Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms are emphasizing their environmental responsibility initiatives with reports tied to the annual event that took place Sunday.

By Cathy Siegner • April 23, 2018