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

In this week’s notable new products roundup, Perfect Snacks introduces its first oat-based protein bar, Barnana co-founder Matt Clifford returns with a new clean-label cereal brand and Firehook teams up with Grillo’s Pickles.

There’s no guarantee that you can manufacture a viral moment, but there are plenty of fruitful paths to seed, stretch and support your brand’s momentum on social media.

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard unpack Kroger’s $1.65 billion deal to acquire Giant Eagle, Nutrabolt’s reported initial public offering plans and two legal developments that could have ripple effects across the food industry: a proposed class action over protein labeling and the dismissal of a closely watched ultraprocessed foods lawsuit.

The food and beverage giant rode gains outside the U.S. that pushed organic revenue up 2.4% in the quarter, with net revenue up 6.4%. But PepsiCo chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta acknowledged that the ongoing conflict in Iran and its subsequent effects on global gas prices have accelerated a change in consumer behavior.

Regenerative pantry staple producer SIMPLi announced it has secured investment from Chipotle Mexican Grill’s Cultivate Next Fund.

For years, packaged food companies have largely competed on product innovation, promotional support, and brand equity. But a new report suggests those strategies alone may no longer be enough.

As Americana becomes increasingly popular, brands face a key challenge: How do they create something that feels real and resonant rather than simply wrapping a product in red, white and blue?

While testing new categories, Junkless has expanded its footprint in the last year, eyeing new opportunities in c-stores, mass and club.

WILDE has built its reputation by proving chicken breast belongs in the snack aisle. FoodStory Brands is stepping into the protein bar ring with a brand created in partnership with global mixed martial arts organization UFC.

U.S.-based LIVEKINDLY Collective continues to grow its suite of plant-based manufacturing power, recently announcing the acquisition of Greenforce Future Food.

McCormick & Co. received $28 million in tariff refunds during its second quarter and expects an additional $3 million in the back half of the year, offering some relief as the company contends with mounting inflationary pressures.

Saigon Bonbon is among the newest entrants in the gummy candy space, pairing Vietnamese-inspired flavors with lower-sugar formulations and a brand story rooted in culture, community and representation.

Tara Bosch helped transform the candy aisle. Now she’s setting her sights on salty snacks. As the founder of SmartSweets and, more recently, Snackish, Bosch has built a career around challenging legacy categories. At Nosh Live 2026, she’ll share the hard-earned lessons from scaling a breakout brand, navigating a successful exit and applying those insights as she embarks on her second act.

A lack of provable causation between the consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) and dietary illness led a Pennsylvania court to dismiss a lawsuit targeting 11 major food and beverage manufacturers this week, on grounds that the plaintiff has failed to establish that their products contributed to his pediatric diabetes.