CPG Week Podcast

On this episode of the CPG Week Podcast, co-hosts Brad Avery and Lukas Southard cover how Recess is adding more industry know-how to its leadership ranks, the impact of elevated pricing in grocery and convenience retail and rumors about a popular oil brand seeking a buyer.

Renato68 – stock.adobe.com In this episode: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is already making his mark on the food system just days after his confirmation as secretary of Health and Human Services. The CPG Week team discusses the big industry issues to watch during his tenure and some of the fallout already underway at the FDA. While some of his ideas have pulled bipartisan support – like eliminating ultraprocessed foods and chemical additives from the food supply – these positions will put Kennedy in direct opposition with the interests of industry leaders and even that of the administration that selected him for the role. Show Highlights: 0:30 – Could buying in Bitcoin protect chocolate makers amid the cocoa pricing chaos? BevNET and Nosh senior reporter Brad Avery explains why Mid-Day Squares is dabbling in cryptocurrency to secure its supply. 3:15 – BevNET and Nosh assistant managing editor Adrianne DeLuca shares why the head of FDA’s Human Foods program abandoned his post after just 18 months. 4:30 – Ultraprocessed foods are a hot button issue with Kennedy at the helm of the health department. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous ponders how removing additives from the food supply could worsen already sky-high grocery prices. 7:30 – Raw milk has entered the chat. The group debates its origins and concerns about its safety. 10:30 – How are industry trade groups and leaders reacting to Kennedy’s appointment? It’s a bit mixed. 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 CPG Week, the podcast team talks about the PepsiCo acquisition of Siete Foods, uncertainty about the future of a low-carbohydrate baking company and some high-profile beverage industry leadership changes. The podcast hosts jump into the biggest deal of the last couple of weeks: Pepsi announcing its intent to acquire Mexican American, grain-free food maker Siete. After discussing how Siete’s new potential owners might grow and change the brand, the CPG Week team tries to unravel rumors circulating around better-for-you baking company BetterBrand. Finishing up the podcast, senior reporter Brad Avery goes through the latest leadership changes at enhanced water brand Lemon Perfect and canned water maker Liquid Death. Show Highlights: 0:30 – The group discusses one of the stranger Halloween-themed marketing stunts: an Airheads candy scented foot spray. 2:00 – Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous goes through what we know so far about the proposed acquisition of Siete Foods by snack and beverage strategic PepsiCo. The team walks through what this could mean for the brand and what it has come to represent to consumers. 7:30 – Senior reporter Lukas Southard explains the rumors surrounding BetterBrand and the conflicting signals Nosh has been hearing about its delays in deliveries. 12:20 – Turning to beverages, Brad walks the team through some leadership moves at insurgent drink makers Lemon Perfect and Liquid Death. About the 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

NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg, BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman and reporter Lukas Southard debate what is considered what food products should truly be called food technology, while others are perhaps just innovation. Jeff explains why the recent news of Oatly’s decision to move into a hybrid manufacturing structure with co-packer Ya YA foods is driving a discussion on social media over the merits of vertically- integrated production models. Later, Lukas interviewed Elohi Strategic Advisors founder Stephanie Lind to discuss the successes and failures of plant-based brands in foodservice. In this episode: 1:00 – The NOSH team talks about their weekends and then unpacks what the term “food tech” actually means these days. They debate if the food tech industry is over-promising and under-delivering on innovation or if there is a need to set realistic expectations for its role in the greater CPG food space. 14:20 – Jeff discusses how Oatly’s move into a hybrid production model is creating a stir among industry leaders over vertically integrated versus horizontally integrated manufacturing. 17:35 – In this week’s interview, Lukas talks to Stephanie Lind about how foodservice could be a big winner (or pitfall) for emerging plant-based brands. About the NOSH Podcast The staff of NOSH.com takes listeners inside the business of natural, organic, sustainable and healthy food during the NOSH Podcast. Using interviews and discussion, the team illuminates the news, brands, people, trends, and money affecting the world of packaged food. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts