Timothy Inklebarger

Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariff policy The Supreme Court has overturned Trump’s IEEPA tariffs in a 6–3 ruling, opening the door to refund fights and new lawsuits from food and beverage companies and other importers.

BREAKING: SCOTUS struck down the Trump administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose global tariffs, ruling 6–3 that the move exceeded presidential authority. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social
www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

FDA greenlights plant-based egg protein as industry rebuilds after bird flu FDA grants Plantible Foods a “no questions” letter for its Lemna-derived Rubi protein, clearing the RuBisCO ingredient for food use and large-scale production.

The FDA issued a “No Questions” letter to Plantible Foods for its flagship Lemna-derived egg alternative, Rubi Protein, acknowledging that the ingredient is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and greenlighting isolated RuBisCO for use in food applications.

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Why CPGs need to design for AI discovery now As OpenAI, Perplexity and Google roll out agentic shopping tools, IBM, McKinsey and FMI say CPGs need structured data and API-ready systems to stay visible.

More than 1/4 consumers use AI to shop, & agentic AI is fast becoming retail’s new power shopper.
CPG brands need to:
* Treat product data as the new packaging
* Build API-first infrastructure
* Optimize for AI (GEO), not just SEO
Is your catalogue ready?
www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Hershey deploys AI decision-making to solve supply chain disruptions before they happen Hershey’s partnership with Aera Technology highlights how agentic AI is helping major food manufacturers predict problems, act faster and rethink enterprise decision-making.

As AI transforms how companies operate, food and beverage giants like Hershey, Mars, Kraft Heinz & Unilever are increasingly relying on Aera Technology – a pioneer in autonomous decision-making – to guide some of their biggest strategic moves.
www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

JM Smucker resets strategy with leadership shake-up, sharper brand focus Smucker focuses on margin growth and efficiency after corporate restructuring, boosting coffee and snack portfolios for sustainable shareholder value.

Smucker has lauded the success of its Café Bustelo line in past earnings calls, but on Wednesday CEO Mark Smucker detailed that the brand is expected to surpass $500M in net sales – a YoY increase of more than $100M – this fiscal year. - FoodNavigator

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Your next cashier might be on food stamps With one in ten grocery workers on food stamps, the US is subsidizing low wages at mega-retailers. A Senate probe asks whether it’s time to end corporate welfare in the grocery aisle.

OPINION: Forcing taxpayers to subsidize mega-corporations is unconscionable, and while Bernie Sanders’ investigation mainly aims to raise awareness, it’s a topic we should be discussing as a nation. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Mondelēz charts next growth wave across North America, Europe and emerging markets At CAGNY, Mondelēz details region‑specific plans to court frugal US shoppers, navigate Europe’s cocoa crisis and drive double‑digit growth in China, India, Brazil and Mexico.

Mondelēz International, a global powerhouse in biscuits, chocolate, snack bars and cakes, is tailoring its playbook market by market. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Major ice cream players like Ben & Jerry's, Häagen-Dazs & Mars kicked off 2026 with a fresh scoop of new flavors. Even Novel Ice Cream is catching attention through a collaboration with waste removal company Waste Management. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Cottage cheese disruptor Good Culture lands $55M investment underscoring shift to healthier dairy SEMCAP’s $55m investment in Good Culture, following L Catterton’s majority stake, highlights private equity’s growing appetite for better-for-you, high-protein cottage cheese and modern dairy brands.

Good Culture’s recent majority-stake investment from private-equity firm L Catterton is just the beginning of a big year for the cottage cheese brand. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Trump purge at FDA and USDA triggers food safety ‘brain drain’ Nearly 250,000 federal jobs have been cut under Trump, stripping staff from FDA, USDA and HHS and raising concerns about food safety, inspections and oversight.

Since the start of Trump 2.0, nearly 250K govt employees have been cut, many in entities connected to the food supply. Experts warn it leaves the nation’s regulatory infrastructure weakened & puts CPG at risk. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Oh no, why can’t you read the article?

Europe embraces blended proteins faster than the US, report finds Seventy‑five percent of consumers say they’d try hybrid protein foods, but adoption remains uneven as Europe surges ahead of the US market.

Europe is embracing hybrid proteins – blending animal and non‑animal ingredients – more quickly than the US, though the trend is gaining traction in both markets, according to Food System Innovations (FSI). - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Cheap virgin plastic and imports squeeze US PET recyclers A glut of inexpensive virgin PET containers and a surge of cheap imports from Asia are undermining US recycling programs and depressing prices, industry leaders warned during a Recycling Partnership p...

The one-two punch of cheap virgin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers on the market and a flood of imports that undercut US prices is wreaking havoc on the US recycling industry. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

UK private equity firm buys largest US private-label manufacturer for $2.9B – could it spark a wave of M&A? Investindustrial has acquired TreeHouse Foods, the largest US private-label manufacturer, in a $2.9B take-private deal, raising questions about a new wave of CPG M&A.

UK-based PE firm Investindustrial is taking private-label giant TreeHouse Foods private in a $2.9B deal, sparking speculation about a new wave of CPG M&A. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

From Godiva to Sweethearts, candy makers unwrap playful, premium and budget-friendly Valentine’s Day offerings New Valentine’s Day collections spotlight evolving tastes as chocolatiers modernize classics to appeal to playful, value-driven consumers.

While known as a holiday for couples, many consumers plan to engage in a little self-love this year. The National Confectioners Association noted that nearly half of Americans surveyed said they’re getting a box of chocolates for themselves. - FoodNavigator

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

FDA to re-examine controversial BHA preservative, a move advocates say is overdue The FDA will review the safety of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a chemical preservative long linked to cancer concerns, as part of a wider food additive review.

“A request for information that follows decades of inaction is not leadership; it’s a paper exercise. Americans deserve timely, decisive food safety regulation, not another slow-walked process that treats urgency as optional.” - Melanie Benesh, EWG

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Mike Tyson Super Bowl spot puts MAHA nonprofit – and its backers – in the spotlight MAHA Center’s $8 million Super Bowl ad starring Mike Tyson slams processed foods, spotlights obesity and introduces a new health nonprofit with political and publishing ties.

The Super Bowl is a prime CPG marketing stage, but this year an ad with Mike Tyson warning about UPFs stood out. It’s the first by MAHA Center, a nonprofit led by Tony Lyons, head of Skyhorse Publishing, which released 2 of RFK Jr.’s books & gave $150K to his presidential bid.
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Protein, probiotics and clean-label products top targets in new wave of CPG lawsuits Protein, probiotics and clean-label brands face heightened legal risk as MAHA, Prop 65 and state AGs intensify oversight of claims and ingredients.

Food and beverage manufacturers face an ever-challenging legal and regulatory landscape defined by #MAHA initiatives, a patchwork of new state laws and a surge of lawsuits targeting trending products like #protein and probiotics. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social
www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

New FDA tool for navigating food contaminants gets its first test Built for researchers and manufacturers, the FDA’s TDSi tool enables analysis of food contaminant and nutrient trends, supporting safety, compliance, and product development.

The US Food and Drug Administration’s Total Diet Study Interface (TDSi), a web-based tool used to navigate FDA’s Total Diet Study (TDS), has been out for a little over a week, and it’s already making the news. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Godiva, A-Sha and Loacker gallop into the Year of the Horse Discover new Lunar New Year 2026 treats from A-Sha Foods, Godiva, Loacker and DOU by Uncle Chen, from gift boxes to pantry staples for festive celebrations.

Out with the old, in with the new. The spirit of the Lunar New Year rings true not just for those celebrating, but for food manufacturers eager to spotlight their latest products. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

PepsiCo cuts prices on Lay’s, Cheetos and Tostitos ahead of Super Bowl PepsiCo softens pricing on key snacks while integrating Siete Foods, Poppi and Celsius, ramping single-serve formats and better-for-you innovation across its portfolio.

#PepsiCo is rolling out major changes to stay ahead of mounting pressures ranging from inflation and new regulations to the rise of #GLP-1 drugs and consumers’ growing appetite for healthier options. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Mars, Danone and Mondelēz roll out star-studded Super Bowl ads Super Bowl 2026 is a feast for CPGs and fans alike as chicken wings soar and brands like Mondelēz, Perdue and Danone roll out big-game campaigns.

TV and social media videos, sweepstakes, new product launches and Super Bowl sales are flooding the internet, but one clear winner has emerged even before kickoff: chicken wings. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Kroger, Hy-Vee and UNFI make better-for-you private-label plays in 2026 Store brands nearly triple national brand growth as Kroger, Hy-Vee and UNFI roll out high-protein, clean-label, plant-based products to win wellness-focused shoppers.

Kroger, Hy-Vee & UNFI launched dozens of wellness products in 2026 that offer high-protein, clean-label and plant-based options. Store brand sales are now growing at nearly 3 times the rate of their name-brand competitors. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social
www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Hellmann’s, Heinz and McCormick dominate the mayo market – but for how long? The global mayonnaise market is evolving as Hellmann’s, Duke’s, Heinz, McCormick and emerging brands like Graza and Chosen Foods battle with bold flavors and better-for-you mayo.

The mayonnaise market already is making headlines in 2026, with multimillion-dollar marketing campaigns, new products and a $750 million deal that could change the mayo business in Latin America. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Millennials and Gen Z scrap formal diets for functional and high-protein foods SPINS 2026 report finds younger consumers combining technology, wearable data and functional foods to create personalized approaches to health and wellness.

Millennial and Gen Z consumers are moving away from rules-based diets and prioritizing holistic, personalized eating habits that focus on real foods with functional attributes, according to experts at data analytics firm SPINS. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social
www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Amazon retreats in grocery with Fresh and Go closures across the US and UK Amazon is shutting down its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go grocery stores in the US and UK as it retools its physical retail strategy around Whole Foods Market.

Online mega-retailer Amazon once again is retooling its plan to disrupt the brick-and-mortar grocery industry with the announcement that it will close all of its Amazon Fresh grocery stores and Amazon Go convenience stores. @foodnavigator.bsky.social
www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

What happens after GLP-1s and why food will matter more than ever A University of Oxford study published in The BMJ finds users of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic regain weight and reverse heart health improvements within two years of stopping treatment.

GLP-1s have been hailed as miracle drugs for their effectiveness in weight loss, but users are likely to experience rapid weight regain once they stop taking them, according to a new study. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

PepsiCo, Del Monte and Mars tap global street food for inspiration Street food is driving the next wave of CPG innovation as brands like PepsiCo, Del Monte, Mars and Unilever turn globally inspired, spicy flavors into scalable packaged foods.

Street food is no longer just a local, on-the-go meal – it is setting the pace of innovation for the biggest names in CPG, from Pepsi and Del Monte to Mars, and reshaping how brands approach spicy, globally-inspired flavors. @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Freeze-dried candy craze grows – but not everyone’s winning As freeze-dried candy sales climb, not every brand is winning. Get the story behind Mars’ and Ferrara’s launches and Sow Good’s high-stakes pivot.

The freeze-dried candy market is growing and some of the biggest candymakers are jumping in the game, but the burgeoning market has been a challenge for some. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...

Study finds dietary guidelines linked to forced labor risks in supply chain A new Tufts and University of Nottingham study finds meat, dairy and produce drive most forced labor risk in US and global diet recommendations, raising concerns for food systems, supply chains and po...

What consumers put on their plates can carry a hidden human toll, and some diets are far more entangled in forced labor than others, according to a new study by Tufts University and the University of Nottingham. - @foodnavigator.bsky.social

www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2026...