Food industry

Chipotle shares jumped after a Bloomberg report that Starbucks has explored a takeover of the burrito chain. The report of potential interest from the coffee giant in the fast-casual restaurant operator sent Chipotle's stock higher, with investors weighing what a combination of the two US food-and-drink brands would mean for the industry.

Archer-Daniels-Midland has announced it will showcase its nutrition and reformulation solutions at Fi Europe 2026. The food ingredients company plans to use the trade show to highlight products aimed at helping manufacturers reformulate foods with improved nutritional profiles. Details of specific product launches or partnerships have not yet been disclosed, and the announcement is drawing attention from food and health industry watchers ahead of the event.

Snack brands Cheetos, Hostess and Chips Ahoy! are expanding their Halloween offerings, moving beyond traditional sweets with themed products aimed at the holiday market. The trend, reported by food industry outlet BakeryAndSnacks, points to growing competition among snack makers for a share of seasonal Halloween spending as consumers look for novelty treats beyond classic candy.

Ahold Delhaize, the Dutch-Belgian grocery giant that operates brands including Food Lion, Stop & Shop and Albert Heijn, has reported what it describes as a 'security issue', according to trade outlet Progressive Grocer. The company has not yet detailed the nature or scope of the problem, and it remains unclear whether customer data or store operations have been affected.

Russian statistics agency Rosstat reports potato prices fell 13.1% in September, a notable drop amid ongoing food price concerns. At the same time, proposals are being discussed to shield the domestic vegetable market from imports by expanding Russian greenhouse production. The combination of falling prices and import-protection debate has put vegetables in focus for Russian consumers and the agricultural industry.

A report highlighted by the Telegraph says modern vegetables contain roughly half the nutrients of those grown in the 1960s. Commenters are attributing the decline to industrial farming practices, soil depletion and breeding for yield over nutrition. The claim is prompting debate about food quality, intensive agriculture and whether modern diets can compensate for the drop in vitamins and minerals.

Goodles, the better-for-you boxed pasta brand, is prompting a wave of new packaged food startups trying to replicate its disruptive approach to shelf-stable staples. Industry coverage highlights how newer brands are borrowing its recipe of playful branding, nutritional upgrades and celebrity involvement to shake up traditionally stale grocery categories.

A Financial Times feature examines how protein has become the dominant marketing force in the food and drink industry, moving from gym supplements into everyday products like snacks, bread and coffee. The piece traces how health-conscious consumers turned protein into a selling point that manufacturers now attach to almost everything on supermarket shelves.

The Financial Times has published a feature examining how protein became the dominant obsession of the modern food industry, with protein-fortified products now marketed across supermarkets, fitness culture and wellness trends. The piece traces how a basic nutrient turned into a selling point attached to everything from snacks to coffee, and readers are sharing and debating the article's account of the protein boom.

The European Commission has granted authorisation for seven genetically engineered crops to be used in food and feed products across the EU. The decision, reported by Oils & Fats International, adds to the list of approved GMOs permitted on the European market. Such authorisations typically follow safety assessments by the European Food Safety Authority and often draw debate among member states, industry and consumer groups over genetic modification in the food supply.

As demand for natural dyes grows, companies in the food and ingredient sector are adopting environmental reporting metrics already common for mainstream ingredients. Firms are investing in measurement and disclosure tools to track the sustainability of dye supply chains. Industry observers say the shift reflects consumer pressure for transparency and the need to demonstrate environmental credentials as natural colorants move from niche to mainstream use.

Starbucks has confirmed it is not acquiring Chipotle, putting an end to speculation about a potential deal between the two major US food and beverage chains. The denial came via Yahoo Finance. Markets and consumers had been weighing what a merger would mean for the restaurant sector, making the clarification a talking point among investors and industry watchers.

Fi Europe 2026, the major food ingredients exhibition, will place a focus on pet nutrition. The trade show's decision signals how pet food has become a growing priority within the European ingredients industry. Coverage so far comes from trade press serving pet food processors, with the programme details and exhibitor response not yet fully clear.

US supermarket chain Giant Eagle has announced a partnership with a celebrity chef to launch a new line of refrigerated meals. The collaboration will bring chef-developed ready-to-eat dishes to Giant Eagle stores, aiming to tap into growing demand for convenient, higher-quality prepared foods. Details on which chef is involved and when the meals will hit shelves have not yet been fully disclosed.

Food industry coverage is turning a spotlight on Japan, examining how health trends and innovation are shaping the country's food and drink sector. The reporting looks at the forces driving product development and consumer behaviour in one of the world's most influential food markets.

Industry publication Nutritional Outlook is examining how food companies are managing consumer perceptions of 'ultraprocessed' foods, a label increasingly linked in public debate to poor health outcomes. The discussion centers on how the category is defined, how messaging shapes shopper attitudes, and what it means for food makers responding to mounting scrutiny of processed products.

New industry figures show overall food sales falling in the convenience store channel, but energy drinks and nutrition shakes are bucking the trend with standout growth. Analysts link the resilience to shoppers seeking functional beverages that offer energy or protein on the go, even as they cut back on other snack and food purchases.

Organizers of Petfood Forum have reminded prospective speakers that the call for papers for the 2027 edition closes on October 16. Industry professionals in pet nutrition and food science are being encouraged to submit presentation proposals before the deadline. The conference is a major annual gathering for the global pet food industry, so submissions typically draw wide interest.

The rising use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications such as Ozempic is changing what consumers eat, and ProVeg International is calling for nutrition support to keep pace with these shifting dietary habits. The food awareness organisation says appetite-suppressing drugs are altering demand and that guidance is needed to ensure people still get adequate nutrition while eating less.

A new study finds that millions of chefs and other restaurant workers are exposed to unsafe levels of pollution and heat from gas appliances in commercial kitchens. Gas stoves and ovens used in busy kitchens release pollutants that can build up in poorly ventilated spaces, putting staff at long-term health risk. The findings are drawing attention to workplace safety standards in the US food industry.

Industry analysts say protein's growth as a nutritional category has not yet reached its limit, with demand still rising across sports nutrition, functional foods and everyday products. Commentators note that manufacturers continue to launch new protein-fortified offerings, suggesting the ingredient's expansion into new markets and formats is far from over.

Sugar reduction is gaining momentum across Europe, with food manufacturers reformulating products to contain less sugar and more nutrition. Fibre is emerging as a key replacement ingredient, helping brands improve nutritional profiles while responding to consumer demand for healthier food and regulatory pressure on sugar content.

Researchers have engineered bacterial promoters that substantially increase gene expression in Lactococcus cremoris, a bacterium widely used in dairy fermentation and industrial food production. The work points to stronger, more controllable tools for designing microbial strains, with potential applications in cheesemaking, probiotics and biomanufacturing. Details of the method and performance figures remain limited in early coverage.

Starbucks is considering acquiring Mexican grill chain Chipotle, Japanese media report, in what would be one of the largest deals in the restaurant industry. Chipotle's market capitalisation is estimated at about 6.5 trillion yen, meaning the takeover would be among the biggest in food service if it proceeds. The reports have drawn wide attention in Japan.

California has become the first US state to mandate standardized food date labels, requiring manufacturers to use consistent language for quality and safety dates on packaged foods. The move aims to reduce consumer confusion over 'best by' and 'use by' wording, which contributes to significant food waste. Food industry publications are examining the implications for manufacturers and whether other states will follow.

Ingredient maker DolCas is extending its Curcugen brand, a curcumin-based nutraceutical ingredient, into two new application areas: functional honey products and cognitive health beverages. The move signals growing demand for turmeric-derived ingredients beyond traditional supplements. Industry watchers note the functional food and drink category continues to attract established ingredient suppliers looking for new product formats.