The snackdown: The great UPF witch hunt
When the food industry finds itself smeared as guilty by association – it’s not just the definition of ‘processing’ that’s under fire – it’s the entire business model
Kraft Foods
Kraft Heinz fights weak demand with marketing blitz
The food manufacturing giant plans to divide into two companies by the second half of 2026
Press start to snack: Inside the $200 billion gaming boom brands can’t ignore
Ahead of FoodNavigator-USA’s free webinar ‘Fueling Fun: Connecting with Esports Enthusiasts and Everyday Gamers FTW’ (October 15), we look at how brands from Doritos to Heinz are stepping inside the $200bn gaming economy
Opinion
The snackdown: Trump calls ESG a scam – why snack giants call it survival
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.
From Oreos to Ozempic: Inside the $100bn Free From race
Gluten-free cookies, sugar-free chocolate and GLP-1 diets are colliding. The world’s biggest food makers are scrambling to stay relevant
Kraft Heinz split confirmed
The food giant will split into two focused companies - one global, one domestic - in a bid to simplify operations and unlock brand potential
The UPF lawsuit that fizzled – and why the next one might not
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
Snacklash: Why Big Food’s boldest deals are being rethought
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 reportedly preparing to split
Kraft Heinz eyes $20bn split as demerger trend spreads across food and beverage
Synthetic dyes are out. Here’s who’s in and how they’re achieving it
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
Wimbledon bakes, Bastille bites & Fourth of July fuel: This summer’s snack calendar
Big flavours are landing in sync with summer’s biggest moments, from Centre Court drama to fireworks and French flair
General Mills and Kraft Heinz plan to remove artificial dyes from US products by end of 2027
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
News snacks: Baking gold, greener plates & snack tech shifts
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
Hue got it: The colour psychology behind top snacks
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
Bite into summer: The LTOs turning heads
Across categories from crackers to cookies, these limited edition launches show why urgency, nostalgia and innovation are a winning recipe
The dye is cast: Industry reacts to FDA’s food colour ban
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?
Crave-worthy & unapologetic: 9 new snacks that bring the flavour
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?
The meeting that shook the industry: RFK Jr vs Big Food sends shares plummeting
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
Future Food-Tech’s next Innovation Challenge puts beans and pulses in the spotlight
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.
Better-for-you indulgences: Sweet protein producer secures $6.9m funding from Kraft Heinz
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, Kraft granted partial win against CFTC in wheat manipulation settlement
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.
Campbell Snacks chief returns to his roots
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.
What’s new on the shelf – Back to School Edition: spoonable smoothies, sour raisins and handwritten notes on chips
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...
Mondelēz and Kraft ordered to pay $16m penalty for alleged wheat futures manipulation
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.
Global buyout bigwig wins bidding war for Arnott's
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.
Kraft Heinz names new CEO, as Bernardo Hees steps down
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.
What’s new on shelf: Lunchable Brunchables, gold-dusted potato chips and Protein Oat Cups with collagen
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.
Next generation innovators, playful taunts and Friday fun: A brief roundup of happenings in the US bakery and snack sectors
Here, we reveal the stories from the US that have most engaged our readers this year to date.
Meet Kraft Heinz’s second Springboard Incubator Program class
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.
Kraft Heinz shaken to the core with a trifecta of financial blows
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...
Super Bowl Sunday: The snacks that are snapping up the sales and the airwaves
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...
Global eye-care campaign calls on bakery and snack producers, among other sectors, to end poor vision for 20 million workers
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 wins Kraft Heinz China contract
Veolia Water Technologies has installed a wastewater treatment plant for Kraft Heinz China for its soy sauce plant in Guangdong, China.
Mondelēz opens technical center in India
Mondelēz has built its latest technical center in Asia in Thane, India, to develop new snack products and improve consumer science, packaging and productivity.
Mondelēz to invest in snack startups through newly launched SnackFutures
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 specialty diet brand gains FODMAP Friendly certification
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
2018's hottest sweets and snacks in US convenience stores: Kellogg, Hershey, Mars, Conagra, Jack Links, and more
The NACS Show 2018 has released the hottest confectionery and snack products across US c-stores in Las Vegas.
Mondelēz CEO sketches out snack growth strategy and financial targets
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 cuts saturated fat in Ritz crackers by 70%; launches new flavor and pack size
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 China shatters ‘Oreo must be sweet’ stereotype by launching hot chicken and wasabi flavors
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.
New Pillsbury company appoints Kraft exec as CEO
Private Equity firm Brynwood Partners has announced the new management team to lead its newly formed subsidiary, Hometown Food.
Hydrox vs. Oreo
Hydrox producer seeks $800m from Mondelēz for damaging its cookie sales
Hydrox cookies maker Leaf Brands is seeking $800m in damages, alleging Mondelēz sabotaged its sales by using a direct store delivery (DSD) model.
Heinz fined $1.65m over misleading health claim
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.
Yum, that’s good: Oprah and Kraft Heinz JV launch ‘better-for-you’ pizza line
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 on track to achieve 2020 sustainability and healthy snacking goals
Mondelēz has said it is on target to achieve its 2020 goals in healthy snacking and sustainability.
Cereal treats: The British breakfast is on the rise but ditch the sugar
Breakfast cereals are back on the menu as Kantar Worldpanel data reveals the breakfast category is showing healthy growth in the UK.
Kraft Heinz reports higher-than-expected Q2 sales, but can’t expunge Campbell Soup speculation
Kraft Heinz reported second quarter earnings that topped Wall Street’s forecasts amid persistent rumors of a Campbell Soup acquisition.
ACCC wants AU$10m penalty imposed on Kraft-Heinz for distorted claims on toddler snacks
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
Truckers' strike in Brazil takes a toll on Mondelēz’s Q2 topline sales
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 recalls Ritz Cracker Sandwiches and Ritz Bits over salmonella fears
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.