News & Analysis on the Bakery and Snacks Industries
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a landmark bill yesterday requiring the state to define UPF and eliminate the ‘most harmful’ ones from school meals over the next 10 years – a decisive action in sharp contrast to national efforts and political MAHA rhetoric
A new lawsuit claims the citric acid in Frito-Lay’s Poppables isn’t natural but brewed from black mold and that PepsiCo misled consumers with its ‘no artificial flavors’ promise
Las Vegas became a proving ground for AI, automation and sustainability. ABA and BEMA argue the industry’s future depends on marrying technology with tradition
The White House’s plan to make America healthy takes a swipe at gluten. And what looks like a win for consumers could leave food companies tangled in costly compliance and spark a new political fight over what belongs on a label
Opinion
Joe Wicks is launching a “Killer” protein bar to expose ultra-processed foods – but his rhetoric risks misleading consumers more than the ingredients ever could
Fair Trade leaders discuss challenges and wins in ethical, organic, sustainable sourcing
ADM’s Kelsey Cambruzzi insists regen ag isn’t about soft sustainability claims but building a resilient supply chain, linking farm-level practices to consumer trust
A new study shows more than a quarter of biscuits on sale blow past EU safety benchmarks for acrylamide – a probable carcinogen that’s testing regulators’ patience and shaking consumer trust
Letter from the editor
Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again campaign and rising consumer demand for “free from” claims are reshaping retailer assortments and opening doors for emerging brands
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.
While USDA says the update would double food choices and close loopholes, advocates warn it won’t meaningfully expand healthy options and could strain small, independent retailers
Brussels has kicked the can down the road on its flagship deforestation law again – blaming IT problems while forests fall and compliant companies foot the bill.
Forget bland gluten-free loaves and chalky sugar-free chocolate. For Gen Z, Free From is culture, not compromise and it’s rewriting what health and indulgence look like
More consumers understand food safety than ever before, according to EFSA
The Environment Commissioner hopes lawmakers will agree to postpone the deforestation regulation yet another year
Bayer’s latest push for legal immunity puts the future of ‘clean’ bread and cereal under the spotlight
US continues negotiations with trade partners while awaiting Supreme Court to overturn blocked tariffs
Sustainable September
Snack giant Mondelez wants more time before the EU’s landmark deforestation law kicks in – but campaigners say the clock has already run out
Sustainable September
Innovations in compostable packaging are moving towards a commercial reality, and CPG brands that engage early with PHA solutions will be better positioned to meet sustainability and compliance demands
Americans often say bread in Europe feels lighter on the stomach. Differences in wheat, fermentation and regulation suggest they may be onto something
With just months to go before promotional deals are banned on products classed as high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), what does Labour’s pledge to repeal the rules mean for food manufacturers?
Once the pride of America’s breakfast table, Kellogg’s now finds itself in the crosshairs of Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again crusade. The fight over Froot Loops isn’t just about dyes – it’s a test of whether Big Food can survive a...
Forget sugar for a moment. A new analysis shows kids’ cereals are steadily losing the very nutrients that once made them worth eating at all
A consultation on the proposed authorisation process for cannabidiol (CBD) food products has been launched by the Food Standards Agency.
GLP-1 drugs are gutting demand for cookies, chips and bread – threatening billions in sales but opening the door to a new wave of protein- and fiber-driven snacking
Be ready: What every CPG brand and retailer should know about immigration audits, raids and compliance
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 EU has agreed US commodities pose ‘negligible risk to global deforestation’
With baby food guidelines launched and HFSS rules proving effective in the UK, pressure is building for broader action on ultra-processed cereals and snacks.
The findings of the first independent evaluation of HFSS legislation show a marked reduction in purchases since the rules were put in place.
After years of negotiations, no global regulations to tackle plastic pollution have been agreed
For CPG manufacturers and foodservice operators, California’s sweeping reforms signal an era of tighter scrutiny on ingredients, marketing and supply chains
The uncertainty and volatility of the US tariff environment are pushing CPG brands to navigate higher input costs while waiting for potential relief on essential commodities
A University of Leeds study found baby cereals and snacks dominated by UPFs (ultra-processed foods), with sugar-laden puffs and bars misled as ‘healthy’, leaving parents duped and kids primed for poor health
By formulating a dairy drink that specifically caters for weight loss medication users, Danone has set a new standard with Oikos Fusion
Critics warn the Trump administration’s deregulatory approach and preference for voluntary change, reflected in the second draft of t Make America Healthy Again report, could make America ‘sicker, hungrier and more at risk from unsafe food
Almond shortages are pushing bakers to rethink classics like the Cherry Bakewell, swapping in clever flavor and texture alternatives to keep heritage bakes on the menu
WK Kellogg Co.’s binding deal to drop petroleum-based dyes marks a turning point for a $10bn US category, raising the bar on trust, regulation and corporate accountability
As brands face mounting pressure to cut sodium and sugar without compromising taste, reformulation is no longer a niche concern – it’s driving real commercial gains. Kerry’s behind-the-scenes tech is helping reshape everyday foods and quietly lifting margins
US dairy has long sought to ban alt dairy from using words like ‘milk’ on-pack. Is the industry set to get its way?
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
The UK wants to increase the scope of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy: and small businesses are worried
Gluten-free is no longer niche. With the market growing fast, brands are racing to overcome production hurdles for new product development
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins signed waivers to prohibit SNAP purchases of ‘unhealthy’ foods in West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas in 2026
The program launches just as HHS seeks to define UPFs
Whether or not UPFs can lead to genuine addiction has long been the subject of fierce debate
Food recalls have hit record highs - costing billions, shaking consumer trust, and exposing cracks in global supply chains
Scotland and Wales are putting real support behind healthier food, with government-backed grants and technical expertise now available to help producers cut salt, sugar and fat, without cutting corners
As demand for natural sweeteners grows, stevia’s health potential could be a game-changer
With 99% of its portfolio now additive-free and a strategy built for a world turning against ultra-processed foods, the Mexican company is quietly reshaping the global food game