Food Industry News, Insights, and Education for the CPG Community

In this roundup: Grocers embrace new technology to streamline online and in-store shopping; Mondelez opens application process for CoLab Class 2023 program; New clean label emulsifier launches amid sunflower lecithin shortages; and Guacamole pioneer Don Bowden dies at age 90.

Next week, natural and organic product companies and manufacturers will convene at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA for Natural Products Expo East 2022. To help our audience of retailers, investors and brands find our BevNET and NOSH Insiders that are exhibiting, we’ve produced a special pre-show Expo East 2022 Booth Guide featuring the company names and booth numbers of our Insiders.

Jupiter, a “creator-first” recipe and grocery shopping platform launching this week, believes it can serve as the catalyst for social media food influencers to turn their content into shoppable recipes for at-home cooks nationwide.

Following a successful first year, Oatly is brewing up a second edition of its Big Idea Grant initiative to help small coffee businesses pursue their strategies, projects and innovative ideas.

In this roundup: KIND is cleared in ‘All-Natural” class action suit, Kashi sued for misleading consumers with pear-filled, strawberry-flavored bars, Kellogg’s served for not putting enough whole grains in crackers and Sabra sued to remove its Kosher mark.

Caliper Holdings co-founder Jeremy Goldstein is stepping down as COO as the company moves into licensing agreement-based business model.

In the latest episode of Elevator Talk, we feature leaders from Spicewell, Aunt Ethel’s Pot Pies, Khalsa Salsa and Toasty. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week’s special co-host is Adam Spriggs, a partner with Thirsty Craft and a founding member of The Angel Group, who shared his thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants.

Alternative protein company Beyond Meat suspended COO Doug Ramsey after the executive was arrested last weekend for allegedly biting another man’s nose.

South African meat snack manufacturer Stormberg Foods has acquired Ayoba Foods in an effort to directly compete against U.S. biltong category leader Stryve.

A California district court judge ruled last week that food manufacturers cannot rely exclusively on QR codes to disclose if their products contain bioengineered ingredients.

Junea Rocha, the co-founder of pioneering Latin food brand Brazi Bites, explained why her advisory network was critical to the company’s formative years, the pros and cons of appearing on “Shark Tank,” why innovative brands need to scale quickly or risk being left behind and why she describes herself as “the opposite” of entrepreneurs that are great at raising money.

Wellness brand and vitamin gummy maker Goli named former Church & Dwight, Kraft Foods and Coca-Cola executive Bruce Weiss as its new CEO earlier this month.

The Plant Based Food Association has created a new nonprofit arm, dubbed the Plant Based Food Institute, to address industry-related policies and effect change along every step in the industry’s value chain.

This week’s smattering of notable new products brings autumn-inspired ice cream sandwiches, a better-for-you iteration of classic Mexican candies and breakfast sausage innovations.