News & Analysis on the Bakery and Snacks Industries
ESG’s under political fire in Washington, but the snack giants keep flexing. From Oreos to Doritos, their reports show that in today’s food industry, trust’s as valuable as profit.
Gluten-free cookies, sugar-free chocolate and GLP-1 diets are colliding. The world’s biggest food makers are scrambling to stay relevant
The food giant will split into two focused companies - one global, one domestic - in a bid to simplify operations and unlock brand potential
A US judge tossed the first big UPF lawsuit, but with mounting science and regulators circling, bakery, snack and cereal brands shouldn’t breathe easy just yet
The snackdown
As scrutiny mounts over Bimbo’s stalled bid for Wickbold, Mars’ frozen takeover of Kellanova and Smucker’s costly Hostess misfire, the M&A playbook in bakery and snacks is under serious pressure - from regulators, consumers and the market itself
Kraft Heinz eyes $20bn split as demerger trend spreads across food and beverage
Major food companies like General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Conagra and Smucker are leading a sweeping shift away from synthetic colours. Here’s where the US food industry stands right now
Big flavours are landing in sync with summer’s biggest moments, from Centre Court drama to fireworks and French flair
The US food industry is under significant pressure from federal regulators, state legislators and an outspoken and active subset of consumers to remove artificial dyes from products, although FDA has yet to take official action banning petroleum-based colors
Gold’s been baked, vanilla’s booming and snack tech is getting a long-overdue upgrade. From bold packaging pivots to flour with a lighter footprint, here’s what’s rising across the bakery and snack world
Before we even take a bite, colour tells our brain what to crave. And it’s not just the frosting that’s doing the talking – it’s psychology, marketing and a bit of regulatory drama
Across categories from crackers to cookies, these limited edition launches show why urgency, nostalgia and innovation are a winning recipe
The Trump Administration’s crackdown on artificial colours has manufacturers split: some gearing up for reformulation; others pushing back hard. Will industry cooperation or confrontation shape the future of food colour?
This season’s snack drops aren’t playing it safe: think bold, indulgent and packed with personality. Ready to turn up the flavour for the warmer months ahead?
PepsiCo, Kellogg, General Mills, Smucker’s and Kraft Heinz saw their stock prices tumble as Robert F Kennedy Jr delivered his anticipated ultimatum. Now, these food giants face a stark choice: remove artificial dyes or risk financial and regulatory fallout
The latest instalment of the Innovation Challenge series sees a collaboration with Kraft Heinz to scale up the stand-out submissions from forward-thinking startups.
Joywell Foods closed a $6.9m funding round led by Kraft Heinz’s investment arm Evolv Ventures, bringing the company’s total funding to $13.2m.
Mondelēz and Kraft Heinz have been handed a win – ‘in part’ – in their battle with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over a $16m fine they had agreed to pay in August last year to settle a wheat manipulation case dating back to 2015.
Carlos Abrams-Rivera is rejoining the FMCG giant that launched his career in the F&B arena more than two decades ago, this time as the new president for Kraft Heinz’ US division.
As kids head back to the classroom, we scoured the snack-o-sphere for a sneak peek into what they’ll be enjoying in the cafeteria. From raisins to fruit cups, green cereal to customizable bags of chips, this school year has lots to offer in the way of...
The civil decision wraps four years of litigation, after the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) charged the two CPG companies with noncompetitive trading and inflating wheat futures.
Campbell Soup has agreed to sell Australia’s biggest biscuits company to voracious US private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) - which purchased RJR Nabisco in 1988 - finally ending an auction process that lasted almost a year.
Miguel Patricio’s appointment comes two months after the company took a $15bn write-down on two of its biggest brands, Kraft and Oscar Meyer.
This week’s roundup of delectable goodies ranges from healthy oat and granola options with added functionalities, new breakfast formats, a nod to spring that allows consumers to express their ‘peepsonalities’ and an edible salute to the new emperor of Japan.
Here, we reveal the stories from the US that have most engaged our readers this year to date.
Kraft Heinz’s platform to foster the next generation of F&B players has announced its second class of participants it believes will shape the future of food.
Shares in the heavily indebted company have plunged following the revelation of a trifecta of issues, including a $15.4bn write-down, a Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) probe into its accounting practices and a tepid 2019 outlook that means...
According to Snac International, Americans purchase more than 80 million pounds of savory snacks in the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, which would need more than 1,000 18-wheel trucks to transport. Likewise, it’s a show winner for big food to punt...
PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz, Pret a Manger and Cargill are among the raft of global companies that Clearly is calling on to provide eye tests for their employees in the developing world.
Veolia Water Technologies has installed a wastewater treatment plant for Kraft Heinz China for its soy sauce plant in Guangdong, China.
Mondelēz has built its latest technical center in Asia in Thane, India, to develop new snack products and improve consumer science, packaging and productivity.
The Oreo maker will launch an innovation hub ‘SnackFutures’ next month that will invest in snack startups through partnering with early-stage entrepreneurs.
Mondelēz’s Enjoy Life Foods has obtained FODMAP Friendly certification for 19 of its products to capitalize on the growing dietary trend is expected take off in the US.
The NACS Show 2018
The NACS Show 2018 has released the hottest confectionery and snack products across US c-stores in Las Vegas.
Mondelēz’s CEO Dirk Van de Put has outlined his long-term strategic plans to drive the company’s top-line growth, including a new tagline ‘Snacking Made Right,’ which reflects its consumer-centric priority.
Mondelēz has cut the saturated fat in its Ritz original crackers by 70% in the UK to target consumers who are becoming more aware of what they consume.
Mondelēz has launched two new Oreo flavors – spicy chicken wing and wasabi – in China to squash the misconception that ‘Oreos must be sweet,’ according to Yue Fu, VP of corporate and government affairs.
Private Equity firm Brynwood Partners has announced the new management team to lead its newly formed subsidiary, Hometown Food.
Hydrox vs. Oreo
Hydrox cookies maker Leaf Brands is seeking $800m in damages, alleging Mondelēz sabotaged its sales by using a direct store delivery (DSD) model.
The Federal Court of Australia has ordered H.J. Heinz Company Australia Ltd (Heinz) to pay an AU$2.25m (US$1.65m) penalty for misleading health claim that its Little Kids Shredz products were beneficial to the health of young children.
Mealtime Stores – the joint venture between Kraft Heinz and Oprah Winfrey – is extending its O, That’s Good brand with premium frozen pizzas featuring a cauliflower crust.
Mondelēz has said it is on target to achieve its 2020 goals in healthy snacking and sustainability.
Breakfast cereals are back on the menu as Kantar Worldpanel data reveals the breakfast category is showing healthy growth in the UK.
Kraft Heinz reported second quarter earnings that topped Wall Street’s forecasts amid persistent rumors of a Campbell Soup acquisition.
Australia's consumer watchdog is urging the court to rule Kraft-Heinz pay a hefty fine for misleading customers to act as a deterrent against similar conduct by others.
Results
Mondelēz has reported growth across all regions in Q2 ending June 30, although its topline was negatively impacted by the recent truckers' strike in Brazil.
Product recall
Mondelēz has recalled certain Ritz Cracker Sandwiches and Ritz Bits products in the US due to the potential presence of salmonella in the whey powder.
M&A
Kraft Heinz has allegedly expressed an interest in acquiring Campbell Soup, but analysts believe the Goldfish crackers maker will retain some of its fast-growing businesses, including its recently acquired Snyder’s-Lance.
Deutsche Bank Global Consumer Conference
Mondelēz plans to invest in Central and Eastern Europe by acquiring local brands in high-growth categories as these regions are showing a healthy growth trajectory, especially in the snacking space.
Market investment
Kraft Heinz has invested in Ayoba-Yo jerky and Quevos egg white chips for an undisclosed sum through its venture arm Springboard as it believes these brands represent the future of snacking.