10 – Mars ready to offer much more than chocolate, candy
In one big transaction, Mars Inc. is set to transform its candy-based snack business into a diverse portfolio anchored in grain-based baked foods through its planned acquisition of Kellanova.
9 – FDA mandates labeling for added sugar
Mandatory front-of-pack labeling rules for added sugars, expected from the Food and Drug Administration in October (originally expected in June), are just the beginning of government efforts to reduce sugar consumption and prompt product reformulation away from sugar.
8 – Dairy products trending in social media spotlight
When it comes to food-centric videos on social media platforms, the sky is the limit. Some of these videos have racked up more than 4 billion views, bringing attention to every meal of the day, from breakfast to dinner, midnight snacks and everything in between.
7 – Private label brands gain momentum with consumers
Consumer packaged goods companies sizing up private label competition need only look at the nation’s largest retailers to see how the brands have become a food shopping staple, new research from Numerator shows.
6 – Laughing Cow formulates first limited-time flavor
The Laughing Cow’s snack-sized spreadable cheese wedges have a new twist. The Bel Brands USA snack brand revealed its debut limited-edition product, a new Everything Bagel Style flavor.
5 – DMI establishes dairy research hub
The dairy checkoff developed a site dedicated to product innovation with the help of the Dairy Management Inc. dairy products research and development team. DMI said the hub supports those who innovate with dairy to make products that “drive sales and trust across the industry.”
4 – Product mashups create consumer intrigue
The wave of co-branded, cross-category products hitting the food and beverage market in recent years has continued to surge, and consumer packaged goods industry observers don’t expect the trend to crest anytime soon.
3 – Sargento makes various leadership promotions
Cheese manufacturer Sargento announced several leadership promotions in its consumer products, and foodservice and ingredients business units.
2 – Idaho Milk Products to add facility for ice cream
Milk protein supplier and dairy processor Idaho Milk Products revealed it plans to enter the ice cream market as part of “a significant broadening of its business,” highlighted by a new $200 million dual ice cream and powder blending facility.
1 – Yogurt leads Danone's growth in North America
Effective pricing and volume/mix gains carried Danone SA to an earnings increase of 11.5% in the first half of the fiscal year, which saw headwinds in foreign exchange and the effects of deconsolidating its Essential Dairy and Plant-based business in Russia.
