food industry

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation creating a label for foods that are not ultra-processed, part of a broader package of health bills that his office describes as advancing the state's nation-leading healthcare strategy. The move makes California the first US state to adopt such a labeling standard, and comes as lawmakers and health advocates nationwide push for greater transparency around ultra-processed foods and their links to chronic disease.

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued draft guidance for surgical robots, outlining its thinking for developers and manufacturers of robotic surgical systems. The document is expected to shape regulatory expectations in a growing medtech field, and industry stakeholders will likely be able to comment before a final version is adopted.

First-year food science students at Penn State have taken part in a competition focused on developing new food products. The challenge gives incoming students early, hands-on experience in product development, a core part of the food industry. No further details about the winning products or participants have been reported.

The gluten-free food sector is under the spotlight as consumer demand for gluten-free products continues to grow while regulators move to tighten standards around labeling and claims. Industry coverage highlights the tension between market growth driven by health-conscious shoppers and the need for clearer, more enforceable definitions of what qualifies as gluten-free, with manufacturers watching closely for compliance requirements.

Reports highlight efforts to combat an outbreak of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae infest the wounds of warm-blooded animals, threatening livestock and wildlife. Beyond the reporting of ongoing containment efforts, no further details about locations, response measures or impacts are provided in the available evidence.

Nutrition experts at Pennsylvania State University are breaking down what counts as an ultra-processed food, a category now central to debates about diet and health. The explainer addresses how these industrially formulated products are defined, why they are linked to health concerns, and how shoppers can identify them, amid growing public and scientific attention to their role in modern diets.

Investors are asking whether Itochu's American depositary shares (ITOCY) have outperformed other retail-wholesale stocks this year. The Japanese trading house, one of the major sogo shosha with operations spanning textiles, machinery, food and finance, is being weighed against sector peers in year-to-date performance comparisons. Market watchers appear interested in whether the stock's gains hold up against its industry group.

Ultra-processed foods are industrially manufactured products typically high in sugar, salt, fat and additives, made with little or no whole food. A Q&A explainer outlines what qualifies as ultra-processed, how the classification works, and why these foods are increasingly linked in research to obesity, heart disease and other health problems, as scientists and health agencies debate how to define and regulate them.

McDonald's is outlining an ambitious modernization push covering its menu, digital technology, and restaurant experience. Reported by Restaurant Dive, the plans point to renewed investment in innovation across the fast-food giant's operations worldwide. The scope of the changes and timelines remain broadly framed, and the company's specific priorities within the upgrade program are not yet fully detailed.

GNT will present snack concepts combining creatine with EXBERRY colours derived from edible plants at SupplySide Global. The company aims to show how plant-based colouring can support functional foods as creatine moves beyond sports nutrition into mainstream snacking. Industry watchers see it as a sign of converging health, performance and clean-label trends in food formulation.

The Briad Group is set to launch a multi-brand Circle K travel center in New York, combining the convenience retailer's fuel and store offering with additional food and beverage brands at one location. The development points to continued growth of larger, multi-tenant travel centers along US highways, though details on timing, exact location and which brands will be included were not provided.