Monsanto invests $125M in gene-editing startup Pairwise Plants

The new collaboration will use CRISPR to develop crops that are sweeter or more flavorful, have an extended shelf life, or are more tolerant to drought and floods.

By Cathy Siegner • March 28, 2018

App that cuts food waste in the supply chain gets $2M in funding

AgShift, a California startup, has developed a process to quickly inspect produce to gauge its freshness and make sure that it complies with industry and USDA specifications.

By Cathy Siegner • March 27, 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

Could dairy standards of identity make any difference for plant-based alternatives?

The $1.3-trillion omnibus spending bill has a paragraph giving the FDA 180 days to define these products and come up with ways to require enforcement. 

By Cathy Siegner • March 26, 2018

Would a UK-style soda tax reduce sugar in US beverages?

Coca-Cola and Nestle have already cut sweeteners in some of their drinks, even though the new assessment doesn't go into effect until April 6.

By Cathy Siegner • March 23, 2018

Pork, soybeans and fruit may be in the crosshairs of US-China trade war

China said it would put a 25% duty on U.S. meat imports after President Trump placed tariffs on its steel and aluminum products.

By Cathy Siegner • March 23, 2018

US trade reps: No new junk food warnings in NAFTA

Canada and Mexico are pushing the idea in negotiations following Chile's imposition of warning labels on fatty, salty and sugary products two years ago, The New York Times reports.

By Cathy Siegner • March 22, 2018

Survey: Millennials are the most likely to prefer 'ethical' snacks

U.S. consumers aged 18 to 34 are more concerned than other generations about issues such as sustainable farming, fair trade and zero waste in the products they consume.

By Cathy Siegner • March 19, 2018

Report: Amazon, Supervalu among retailers falling short in pesticide-reduction measures

Whole Foods earned an "A" and Amazon received an "F" in the second scorecard from environmental group Friends of the Earth.

By Cathy Siegner • March 19, 2018

The ongoing evolution of organic: Why it's popular and where it's heading

The food production method surged in the early 2000s as consumers began to see the connection between diet, health and the environment. Today, clean labels and fresher items are spurring growth.

By Cathy Siegner • March 19, 2018

Annie's embraces regenerative farming practices

Parent company General Mills, which will convert 34,000 acres of organic farmland to these standards, will sell limited edition mac and cheese and graham snacks made with soil-friendly wheat. 

By Caroline Macdonald • March 15, 2018

Organization pushes new regenerative organic certification program

The Regenerative Organic Alliance's standards include improving soil conditions, animal welfare and fairness for farmers. It plans to launch a pilot program this year.

By Cathy Siegner • March 15, 2018

USDA withdraws organic animal welfare standards rule

The department's decision to pull the measure drew the ire of the Organic Trade Association, which claimed the agency had "irresponsibly thwarted a fully vetted regulation" supported by the public.

By Cathy Siegner • March 14, 2018

Could robotics help to relieve the farm labor shortage?

Farmers are testing agricultural robots in California and Florida to harvest strawberries and other crops, but widespread adoption will hinge on the practicality and cost-effectiveness of the machines. 

By Cathy Siegner • March 12, 2018

Kellogg, PepsiCo's Frito Lay sued over 'naturally flavored' claims

A California couple says the packaging on Pringles and Lay's Salt and Vinegar chips leads consumers to believe they are buying a product that's free from artificial flavors.

By Alicia Kelso • March 12, 2018

Bug-based snacks boost protein and create better texture

The ingredients tend to be cheap to produce, require few agricultural inputs, produce very little in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and are bland in flavor — but their regulatory status remains a major obstacle.

By Caroline Macdonald • March 8, 2018

Oregon grocers back ballot measure to stop future taxes

Albertsons, Costco and Kroger, together with the Northwest Grocery Association, are spending $1.3 million to launch a ballot initiative to ban taxes on food and sugary drinks.

By Dan Alaimo • March 8, 2018

Food firms address sustainability, but need to pick up the pace, report says

Consumers are increasingly voting with their wallets when it comes to company pledges to take action on climate change.

By Cathy Siegner • March 7, 2018

FTC challenges Smucker's purchase of Wesson from Conagra

The agency said the purchase by the jam maker, which owns Crisco, would result in it controlling at least 70% of the market for branded canola and vegetables oils, potentially eliminating price competition.

By Cathy Siegner • March 6, 2018

FDA updates Nutrition Facts label changes, issues more guidance for industry

Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced draft and final guidance documents outlining how to meet the label requirements. He didn't address the compliance deadline.

By Cathy Siegner • March 5, 2018

Employees want Publix to 'free the beard'

The Southeastern U.S. grocer is testing out a change in its facial hair policy after an employee petition, which had more than 18,000 signatures Monday, urged it to relax its standards.

By Erika Kincaid • March 5, 2018

Amazon investors petition SEC to get answers on wasted food

Retailers such as Walmart and Costco are facing similar shareholder concerns.

By Erika Kincaid • March 5, 2018

USDA officials talk SNAP box program with retailers

Secretary of agriculture Sonny Perdue raised the possibility of using retailers' home delivery programs to send the prepackaged food allotments to low-income consumers.

By Dan Alaimo • Feb. 23, 2018

Researchers tattoo data into food's outer layer

New technology out of Rice University uses a laser to transform a food's skin into graphene, allowing manufacturers to create a label out of the product.

By Erika Kincaid • Feb. 21, 2018

Changes loom for USDA's market hog slaughter regulations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to amend federal rules to permit voluntary inspection, allow faster processing and require more pathogen sampling for all slaughter plants.

By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 21, 2018

Clemson researchers developing smart packaging to detect food spoilage earlier

University scientists say the sensors will improve current detection methods such as packaging labels or other materials that change color to indicate spoiled food.

By Cathy Siegner • Feb. 20, 2018