CPG Week Podcast

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss the acquisition of organic candy maker YumEarth, a trademark case brewing between ready-to-drink coffee brand Rise and PepsiCo, fresh funding for protein ice cream startup Frozen One and a licensing deal that brings Four Loko into the intoxicating hemp beverage set. The hosts also chat about trends and new products at the recent Summer Fancy Food Show.

In this episode:This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss Algae Cooking Club’s funding round and BRĒZ’s strategic pivot, plus SmartSweets founder Tara Bosch’s second entrepreneurial act and a legal battle between two electrolyte beverage makers.Show Highlights:0:20 – Chef-grade cooking oil brand Algae Cooking Club has secured $11.6 million in fresh funding. Monica shares the startup’s plans for the new capital.2:05 – BRĒZ is trying to reposition itself for long-term growth and adjust its strategy to shifting regulatory demands after a challenging 2025. Lukas shares highlights.4:40 – Six years after selling better-for-you candy business SmartSweets, Tara Bosch has set her sights on another snack aisle staple: potato chips. Monica digs into the details.7:25 – A trade dress lawsuit filed by the makers of Pedialyte has backfired after a U.S. district judge ruled that the brand’s trade dress “lacks distinctiveness” and is not protectable. Lukas outlines the case.About CPG WeekCPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage.New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected] on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss how Nestlé USA nixed synthetic dyes across its food and beverage portfolio and why hydration brand LMNT is suing Oasis, a product ratings app. The hosts also break down new funding for collagen protein bar brand Stars + Honey and aguas frescas maker Bawi. Show Highlights: 0:20 – Nestlé USA has completed the removal of artificial colors from its U.S. food and beverage portfolio. Monica outlines the changes. 3:20 – LMNT is suing product ratings app Oasis over claims its electrolyte powders contain “over seven times the legal amount of lead.” Lukas unpacks the case. 6:25 – VMG Partners has taken a minority stake in collagen protein bar brand Stars + Honey. Monica shares details of the $24 million growth equity investment. 7:40 – Bawi, a better-for-you agua fresca brand, has closed a $6 million seed round. Lukas highlights the beverage maker’s plans for the cash. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Avery dig into Whole Foods Market’s annual trends forecast and DayDayCook’s shift away from its recent brand acquisitions to focus on bitcoin. The podcasters also discuss the potential of a new food processing technology and the legal battle brewing between Liquid Death and Death Wish Coffee. Show Highlights: 0:15 – What trends are on tap for the year ahead? Whole Foods Market forecasts fiber, beef tallow and fine dining in the frozen aisle. 1:30 – DDC Enterprise Limited, which does business as DayDayCook, has raised a whopping $124 million in equity financing – but it doesn’t seem likely that much, if any, of it will be put into the Hong Kong-based company’s recent CPG acquisitions. 3:15 – The startup formerly known as Tender Food is expanding beyond plant-based meat alternatives into additional categories following a new $6.5 million funding round. Monica explains what’s next for the company now known as Lasso. 5:55 – Why is Death Wish Coffee suing Liquid Death? Brad breaks it down. 7:40 – Pop-Tarts jumps on the protein trend, and “Saturday Night Life” spoofs near beer. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: In this episode of CPG Week, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery dig into an acquisition, an acquisition attempt and an acquisition target, as well as an artificial intelligence mishap. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Daring Foods has been acquired by v2food with backing by Ajinomoto. Monica details why the plant-based poultry producer is a sizzling target in a fizzling category. 2:20 – Is the third time the charm? Danone has made yet another attempt to acquire kefir maker Lifeway Foods. Brad explains why this effort may be different. 5:05 – Is Bachan’s on the block? The Japanese barbecue sauce brand is reportedly testing the market for a sale. Monica shares insights on the business and category. 6:10 – Bang Energy founder Jack Owoc is in hot water with a Florida federal judge after submitting court paperwork generated by artificial intelligence and featuring imaginary legal citations. 8:45 – Graza is getting into glass, and the New York State Fair is getting into butter. Also, the hosts shout out beverage entrepreneur Kayla Castaneda for helping to create the canned aguas frescas category in the U.S. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: In this episode of CPG Week, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard talk through two legal battles facing Chobani’s La Colombe brand and Uncle Nearest Whiskey. The team also examines Doughlicious’ new investment round and Beyond’s decision to rebrand itself away from the “meat” alternatives. The duo wrap up with a discussion of this year’s Nosh Notables list released this week. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Doughlicious announced a $5 million investment round this week. The money will go towards helping build out a U.S.-based manufacturing system as tariffs have prevented the U.K. brand from becoming profitable. 1:15 – Amid Danone’s third attempt to acquire Lifeway, the French dairy company is also suing Chobani again. This time, Danone is claiming La Colombe has committed trademark infringement of one of the Stok Cold Brew brand’s SKUs. 2:30 – Beyond Meat is changing its name to refocus the brand away from being an animal protein alternative. The move is part of the company’s larger plan to bring consumers back to the brand after years of slumping sales. 4:00 – Uncle Nearest Whiskey is under fire as one of its creditors is calling for the distillery to be placed under the leadership of a receiver. 5:30 – On a lighter note, Monica and Lukas discuss breast milk ice cream, a High Noon and Celsius mix-up, and this year’s Nosh Notables. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: On the CPG Week podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss Keurig Dr Pepper’s acquisition of Dyla Brands, the legal drama surrounding veteran-owned Black Rifle Coffee Company, and formation of a new collective advocating for higher standards across the food system, and the challenges and triumphs of dehydrated fruit company BranchOut Food. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Keurig Dr Pepper has acquired drink mix maker Dyla Brands. Monica shares details of the deal. 1:45 – Black Rifle Coffee Company has become a magnet for lawsuits, with at least seven cases involving the company filed between 2022 and 2024. Lukas digs into the legal drama surrounding this veteran-owned beverage company. 3:15 – GoodPop, LesserEvil and other better-for-you brands have banded together to establish the Good Food Collective to advocate for more transparency and higher standards in the industry. The podcasters discuss why that especially matters now. 4:25 – Dehydrated fruit and vegetable maker BranchOut Food recently shared details about the challenges it has faced in the past few years. Lukas offers highlights and insights from a recent interview with the company’s top executive. 6:20 – A Dr. Seuss classic comes to the canned meat aisle, a Frito-Lay snack brand inspires a line of savory cupcakes, and a whipped topping maker collaborates with a personal care brand. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts