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

Swiss food group FoodYoung Labs has acquired California-based food tech company MeliBio, seeking to expand its plant-based honey technology. The transaction includes MeliBio’s consumer brand, Mellody, and its “Generation 1” technology, along with related IP.

Uncertainty and pessimism are rising major among U.S. retailers as labor challenges and inflation have dampened future outlook, according to a report by Progressive Grocer last week.

Regionally-sourced frozen fruit producer Seal The Seasons is off to a hot start ahead of summer with three key team members promoted across the organization alongside a new strategic partnership with its longtime packaging supplier, Canada-based Farnell Packaging.

While the natural products industry has been advocating for better-for-you, more nutrient-dense food and beverages since its inception, the federal government’s recent spotlight on longstanding issues has brought complexity and confusion to how these challenges came to be and how they can be reasonably and effectively addressed by industry.

FreshDirect is going IRL. The Tristate-focused online grocer is opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Southampton, N.Y., this weekend, called FreshDirect on Main.

In this week’s new products roundup, British-born cookie dough brand Doughlicious goes mini, CLIF Builders builds up its collection of protein bars, and Dolly Parton expands her retail food line collaboration with Conagra Brands.

The Make American Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s highly-anticipated report outlined the prevalence of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs), food dyes and environmental toxins such as PFAS, microplastics and pesticides, among other factors, as the root causes of rising chronic illness in children.

Michigan-based manufacturer Birmingham Chocolate announced it has acquired one of its customers – sugar-free, dark chocolate brand Macalat.

Longtime CPG investor Emil Capital Partners is now ECP Growth, as the private equity firm used the $100 million closing of its Fund IV yesterday to reveal its new name and strategy.

Food coloring, flavoring and extract producer Sensient published a notice warning the industry that current regulatory pressure to phase out synthetic food colors could result in supply shortages.

Fermented foods slinger Cleveland Kitchen has raised $2.9 million in equity funding, according to a filing last week with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The brand is on track to hit $52 million this year, supported by new distribution and investments in marketing and operations.

The CPG Week podcast dives into Chobani’s acquisition of Daily Harvest, Kettle & Fire’s new manufacturing plant and the surge of protein beverages.

Incredifulls (f.k.a. The Pizza Cupcake) has landed its first breakfast item, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Cups, in Target stores nationwide. The launch marks the official rollout of the brand’s broader-reaching new moniker.

Direct-to-consumer snack company Nuts.com is debuting its first-ever retail-ready brand, Pop & Sol. Initial offerings include four sweet nut and fruit blends launching at select ShopRite and The Fresh Market stores and four savory mixes exclusively on Target shelves.