Adrianne DeLuca

Colorado governor Jared Polis has signed a bill that requires packaging producers and printed paper manufacturers to help operate and fund a new statewide recycling program that aims to increase recycling rates and create a circular economy for all recyclable materials, primarily plastic bottles, paper-based packaging and cans.

In this week’s Checkout: The Very Good Food Company secures capital to keep its doors open; Hormel reports double digit sales increase despite bird flu outbreak and inflationary pressures; and Danone North America commits to Zero Waste to Landfills by 2025.

Despite multiple rejected attempts, Virginia-based alt-sweetener startup Bonumose will keep working to “compel and convince” the FDA to reconsider a regulation that mandates that its proprietary alt-sweetener, tagatose, be labeled under ​​total or added sugar counts on Nutrition Facts Panels (NFPs), said the company’s CEO Ed Rogers.

The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs released a statement today recommending that the supplement maker remove messaging from labels and advertising materials that claim or imply its Mixed Berry-flavored ashwagandha gummies will improve sexual function, weight loss and physical performance.

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pocket Latte co-founder and CEO Chris Young took to LinkedIn to open up about the “prejudicial hurdles and preconceived notions,” his founding team has faced as “perceived foreigners” in the chocolate category.

In this week’s Checkout: Motif Foodworks rolls out products and secures new investment partner, KIND announces progress toward almond sourcing goals, BOOMCHICKAPOP launches its most expensive product and Abbott Nutrition reaches an agreement with the FDA to resume infant formula production

In this People Moves: Keely Golden joins Haven’s Kitchen as Head of Ops, Brendan Foley promoted to McCormick & Company President and COO, Lucy Brady takes over Conagra’s Grocery & Snacks segment and Sarah Lowery joins Om Mushroom Superfood.

Following nearly two years of on-and-off experimentation and various product iterations, the chilled oat filled bar brand recently launched at a group of about 40 independent Southern California retailers. The brand aims to clean up the granola bar category with a product made from oats, dried fruits, and nut butters, covered in chocolate and sweetened with agave.

In this week’s Checkout: Gopuff launches pizza brand The Mean Tomato through Kitchens platform, Evo Foods and Gingko Bioworks Team Up on Animal-free Egg, Ben & Jerry’s announce ‘Mootopia’ pilot project, FDA looks into improving infant formula supply, and Kraft Heinz works to develop paper-based ketchup bottle.

South American retailer Cencosud has acquired a majority stake in natural grocery chain The Fresh Market in a $676 million transaction as it looks to expand its business into the U.S.