Food & Beverage News

North America’s bee populations are in trouble, but don’t blame honey bees. North America’s bee populations are in trouble, but don’t blame the honey bees. While some people argue that an overabundance of managed honey bees – those raised to help pollinate crops and produce honey – is causing native bees to disappear, the evidence…

Other issues include low prices and perceived “price gouging” by suppliers. WAHOO, Neb. (AP) — Strong winds whipped around Doug Bartek, a fifth-generation farmer, as he headed into a grain bin to shovel soybeans onto a conveyor chute. The 60-year-old was anxious at the onset of the spring planting season, rattling off the long list…

The launch has been years in the making. McDonald’s full dive into crafted drinks will start next month, according to the Wall Street Journal. The upcoming menu will feature items like a Dirty Dr Pepper and Mango Pineapple Refresher, and will be priced lower than beverage chains such as Starbucks and Dutch Bros. Additionally, a…

SAN FRANCISCO — “Reformulate now or react later” was how Lu Ann Willams, co-founder and president of Innova Market Insights, summed up the future impact of GLP-1 medications on food and beverage. Williams was participating in a panel at the Future FoodTech conference that took place March 19-20 that was discussing food regulations and MAHA.…

The company said the move would expand its presence in a “new and fast-growing” market. French dairy and food products company Danone announced Monday that it has reached an agreement to acquire Huel, a U.K.-based maker of protein powders, meal replacement solutions and other plant-based “functional nutrition” products. Danone officials said the deal would bolster…

Americans are obsessed with caffeine and energy, and c-stores are answering the call for more options. From energy shots to caffeinated waters to the ability to juice fountain drinks with energy shots, c-stores are one of the top places consumers look for energy on the go. “Caffeine fits c stores’ core strength: urgency, portability, and…

Restaurants once again have a choice about how they approach diners. For decades, restaurants have been able to react to diet trends with visible signals and callouts. Menus at Applebee’s carried Weight Watchers logos. Brands tied emotions to the calorie counts, such as Chili’s Guitless Grill. “Under 500 calories” badges appeared next to entrées. These…

Global chocolate makers, meanwhile, are scrambling for supplies. KONA, Ghana (AP) — Manu Yaw Fofie was born into the cocoa farming business, but the land bequeathed to him has become more of a burden than a blessing. A sharp fall in cocoa prices over the past year has left beans rotting in some West African…

The company has introduced a protein drink and plans to release a protein bar this summer. Beyond Meat is dropping “meat” from its name as it moves beyond the struggling market for plant-based burgers, sausages and tenders and expands into new categories like protein drinks. The company, rebranded as Beyond The Plant Protein Co. —…

Crazy Mountain will debut in select U.S. markets this year. The trio that co-founded tequila brand Casamigos more than a decade ago this week launched a new beverage brand targeting the alcohol-free segment. Crazy Mountain non-alcoholic beer, founded by actor George Clooney and entrepreneurs Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman, is a “premium non-alc lager-style brew”…