FDA allergen threshold guidance could reduce liability for food brands
FDA guidance on allergen thresholds may help brands label products more consistently while reducing risk
Regulation, policy & food safety
EFSA refuses to confirm sucralose safety in biscuits and cookies
The food safety body has ruled that the sweetener is still safe, but not in bakery
Why governments across southern Africa keep bread prices on a tight leash
From subsidies to price caps, bread pricing remains politically charged across southern Africa, forcing governments to intervene to curb inflation and prevent unrest
Whole food now at the heart of US nutrition policy
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines focus on federal programs and procurement to drive whole-food consumption and reduce ultra-processed foods nationwide
From breakfast staple to cultural treat: The reframing of sugary cereals in a MAHA era
Sugary cereals are no longer breakfast staples, but they’re not disappearing either
Brand protection strategies in an evolving retail landscape
UK retail is operating in a challenging environment. Consumers are cautious, competition is global, and ‘dupe culture’ continues to blur the boundaries between inspiration and imitation, writes Michael Conway, partner in the intellectual property team at...
FDA to re-examine controversial BHA preservative, a move advocates say is overdue
The long-awaited re-evaluation of butylated hydroxyanisole could preview the agency’s future approach to food additives flagged under federal and state chemical safety proposals
Mike Tyson Super Bowl spot puts MAHA nonprofit – and its backers – in the spotlight
The PSA‑style commercial introduces MAHA Center Inc. to millions of viewers, raising questions about the nonprofit’s opaque funding and deep links to Skyhorse Publishing
Florida’s glyphosate bread test has bakers on edge
The US state’s decision to publish glyphosate residue results for supermarket bread has reopened questions around food safety, scientific context and how regulatory data is interpreted by consumers
Packaging under fire: Do legal risks trump production headaches?
As PFAS regulation tightens and litigation accelerates, brands are being forced to rethink packaging choices that once seemed low-risk and routine
FDA eases ‘no artificial colors’ labeling rules, paves way for natural color adoption
FDA eases ‘no artificial colors’ claims, but ambiguity over ‘petroleum-based dyes’ leaves manufacturers cautious
Food companies further limit advertising to children across digital media
Coca-Cola, Campbell’s, General Mills and other CPG and fast-food companies expanded voluntary advertising restrictions across digital platforms after research found most children encounter unhealthy food branding on YouTube
Inside Magnum and Ben & Jerry’s legal battle
A long‑running feud between B&J’s and its parent has escalated into a governance battle - here’s the latest
Are bread bags holding back recyclable packaging?
A new ultra-thin mono-material bread bag suggests the biggest barrier to recyclable packaging may no longer be technology but habit
What does clean label mean for bakery in 2026?
From synthetic color bans to rising scrutiny of processing, clean label is becoming less about claims and more about hard formulation and policy choices
Why salt reduction is getting harder for food makers
Governments may be returning to salt reduction targets, but manufacturers say the era of easy reformulation wins is long over
Why the FDA is revisiting gluten disclosure
FDA’s latest Request for Information (RFI) could reshape how gluten-containing ingredients are disclosed – raising new compliance questions for brands and offering clearer signals for consumers who rely on accurate labeling
When trust turns toxic: Mars exec jailed in $28m fraud case that exposed insider risk
Former Mars executive Paul Steed’s 63-month prison sentence for stealing more than $28m exposes how insider fraud can persist inside global food companies – and why scale can magnify risk
Bread merger puts consumer affordability under global regulatory spotlight
A UK competition probe into a proposed bread merger is expanding beyond market structure, with regulators explicitly weighing consumer affordability and staple food supply
The global bread labeling gap is catching up with bread marketing
From the US to the EU and Asia-Pacific, bread labeling rules haven’t kept pace with modern baking models, forcing bakers and retailers to rethink how they use terms like ‘wholegrain’, ‘sourdough’ and ‘freshly baked’
After GLP-1: Weight regain, food fear and the industry’s next reckoning
With a growing number of people ditching GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, producers are being drawn into a far more complex conversation about nutrition, psychology and long-term eating behavior
Danone and Lactalis embroiled in global infant formula crisis
Two dairy majors have pulled infant formula products as cereulide fears spread beyond Nestlé
The 3 nutrients quietly shaping mainstream snacks
Fiber, protein and whole grains aren’t new ideas but in 2026 they’re doing more than any superfood to reshape snack portfolios
US Dietary Guidelines sideline MyPlate in favor of inverted food pyramid
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans spotlight an inverted food pyramid, effectively sidelining MyPlate and sparking debate among nutrition experts and educators
Study finds dietary guidelines linked to forced labor risks in supply chain
Seafood, dairy and red meat carry a higher risk of forced labor, according to a new Tufts and University of Nottingham study that maps labor exploitation across popular US diets
How regulation will reshape the UK food and drink sector in 2026
Legal expert, Andrew Walker, partner in the MMT team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts, highlights the top three regulatory changes set to impact the UK food and beverage industry this year.
Nestlé’s F1 deal signals industry shift
KitKat’s Formula 1 move is more than a gimmick – it marks a potential new trend in confectionery
News Bites
From dietary guidelines to cocoa shortages, pressure mounts on CPG brands
This week’s top stories show how nutrition policy debates, shifting views on processing and cocoa supply disruptions are reshaping formulation and sourcing decisions for CPG brands
Slack-fill suit puts cereal packaging practices in the legal spotlight
A class action filed in California in December accuses General Mills of selling air-heavy cereal boxes, dragging a familiar packaging gripe back into court
‘Highly-processed’ or ‘ultra-processed’? New dietary guidelines reignite a definitional food fight
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans avoid the term “ultra-processed foods,” prompting both praise and criticism
Nestlé’s infant formula recall: What’s next for the industry?
We look at the supply, safety and quality control implications for infant formula manufacturers and ingredient suppliers
Chocolate is front-running US-Canada trade breakdown
As US-Canada tariffs grind on with no obvious exit, chocolate makers are quietly redrawing supply chains and exposing a deeper fault line running through food
USDA ‘two-strikes’ rule on sweets sales threatens retailers accepting food assistance payments
Industry groups seek further guidance following a 90-day grace period on SNAP snacks ban
Cyber attacks spike worldwide: 7 ways food and drink can fight back
Cyber crime is hitting food and drink hard, exposing just how quickly supply chains can break. What can industry do to protect itself?
EU-Mercosur: 6 takeaways for F&B
The landmark trade deal with the Latin American bloc will have long-lasting impacts on the food sector
Nestlé’s reputation in danger over global infant formula recall
The CPG major faces the biggest product recall in its history - and investors want answers
Can Kingsmill and Hovis really share a loaf?
A fast-tracked CMA investigation has thrown Associated British Foods’ planned takeover of Hovis into deep regulatory water and exposed how brittle the UK bread market has become
Albertsons weathers tough quarter with pharmacy and loyalty gains
The retailer faced hits from reduced drug prices and a government shutdown
Canada joins global movement on front-of-package food labels
New regulation mandates symbols on foods high in sodium, sugar or saturated fat, in effort to combat chronic disease
Sugar, stocks and scrutiny: Mondelez, Kraft and General Mills caught in Trump’s nutrition reset
The market reaction to Donald Trump’s dietary overhaul isn’t about kale versus cookies – it’s about whether Washington has finally decided the packaged food sector needs firmer rules, not friendlier guidance
Opinion: The snackdown
UPFs enter a new phase of scrutiny in 2026
Ultra-processed foods have been debated endlessly. In 2026, they’re being regulated anyway and food makers are discovering that definitions matter far less once policy gets involved
The Big Shift: Five trends transforming food and beverage
Discover the breakthrough ideas redefining how food is created, regulated and trusted
Better-for-you claims in the crosshairs: Advertising watchdog scrutinizes health claims
National Advertising Division cases shine light on marketing missteps, making the case for food and beverage brands to rethink health-focused advertising
Italian-made pasta dodges crushing US tariffs – for now
The Commerce Department sharply reduced proposed anti-dumping duties on 13 Italian pasta brands, easing fears of product pullouts by major brands including Garofalo and La Molisana ahead of a final ruling in March
How to rethink visibility as HFSS advertising bans take effect
The UK’s HFSS ad restrictions are now live – forcing many producers to rethink how they stay visible, relevant and competitive
The snackdown: Peanuts are the humble ingredient we’re too trend-obsessed to notice
A lifesaving therapeutic food made of peanuts should be a wake-up call to every snack developer still chasing novelty over impact
USDA policy update: “Product of USA” labeling rules, SNAP waiver expansions and nutrition-focused purchases
Recent policy moves reflect USDA’s broader direction toward nutrition-focused food assistance, domestic sourcing transparency and support of American agriculture
Opinion
The EU is making a mistake by choosing not to boost novel foods
By explicitly cutting off novel foods from use in regulatory sandboxes, the EU is stifling innovation
Gluten‑free: Trends reshaping a booming market
Gluten‑free growth is shifting. Discover the sectors surging ahead and the trends transforming the market
Texas’ ingredient label law sparks a major food fight
A sweeping Texas bill that reshapes ingredient labels has triggered one of the biggest courtroom clashes yet between lawmakers and the food industry