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

The Food and Drug Association has extended the comment period for use of the term “Natural.” by 90 days. Originally comments were due February 10th, but now have been moved to May 10th.

It’s that time of the year when marketing companies, flavor houses and research firms dust off their crystal balls, peer deeply into the future, analyze some data, and issue their predictions for what the next year will hold. We combed through the lists to bring readers what we think are some of the most unique, well thought out, and creative trends for 2016.

According to the website Pinterest, among the top food trends of the year, and what they’ll be watching in 2016, was “avocado oil.” Here are some of the avocado influenced products from 2015 that we’ll be watching.

Responsibility for the firm will now lie with Debbie Wildrick and Craig Fortin, currently MetaBrand’s chief strategy officer and President and chief operating officer, respectively.

As the year winds to a close, the wallets remain open, with a spate of high-profile distributor and supplier acquisitions announced in the past two weeks. Many of the companies acquired have a focus on “better-for-you,” fresh, and specialty, underscoring the ongoing importance of consumer interest in natural and unique products.

Last week, PepsiCo Inc. and the German dairy company Theo Müller Group announced the termination of their U.S. joint venture. Yet, as consumers have begun to favor smaller product lines, large strategic CPG companies have put more innovative brands on the market. So what should be instructive about the joint venture for other large strategics, like Hershey’s, Mars, and Heinz and French’s and where do smaller brands have the upper hand?

At this year’s BevNET Live, Scott LaPorta, the president of Campbell-owned Bolthouse Farms described the C-Fresh mission and growth strategy.

Not able to make it to Project NOSH LA? We’re pleased to announce that every speaker presentation, panel and discussion from our one day conference for food entrepreneurs is now available for viewing on YouTube.

Just three years after its launch, neat foods, which markets plant-based, meat-alternative foods, has been acquired by Atlantic Natural Foods, a subsidiary of AFT Holdings. In an interview with Project NOSH, Phil Lapp, neat’s co-founder and CEO, spoke with Project NOSH about the deal.

Health Warrior CEO Shane Emmett discusses how he has built a robust company culture at the packaged food company.

An ingredient company made a meal out of candy yesterday when Wholesome Sweeteners Inc. announced the purchase of confectioner TruSweets. Financial terms of the deal were not revealed.

At Project NOSH LA, Michael Sands of B&G Foods compared the process of finding a strategic partner to dating and went over what steps are required to ensure that the relationship ends in a happy “marriage.”

Pinnacle Foods Inc. announced today that it would purchase Boulder Brands for approximately $710 million dollars. While Pinnacle has a large stable of classic American brands, including Birds Eye, Aunt Jemima, Duncan Hines and Vlasic, the acquisition will add a slate of “better-for-you” products popular with the growing segment of LOHAS shoppers.

In recent weeks several brands operating in the natural, organic, sustainable and healthy food space have announced new relationships with restaurants and other foodservice providers across the U.S., offering each exposure and awareness beyond a traditional retail setting.