Headlines

Panel: Economic Crunch Hits CPG Financing, Investment

Industry leaders and investors warned CPG entrepreneurs that brands need to plan for a tighter investment market if they hope to survive in the rapidly changing economic climate at a Wednesday panel discussion hosted by the Naturally Network.

Flow: Reichenbach Comments On Return to CEO Position

Reichenbach noted that in his role as executive chairman he was still active in the brand’s daily operations, responsible for running capital markets and shareholder relations. While he worked closely with Patarnello on key decisions, Patarnello was primarily responsible for managing the executive team.

IRI: Convenience Channel Growth Slowed in Q1 Amid Inflation Woes

Convenience channel growth decelerated to 1.7% in the first quarter of the year, underperforming all other retail channels, according to market research firm IRI’s “The Convenience Store Landscape Q1 2022” report released this week.

AriZona Expands Red Tea Line As Portfolio Diversifies

After the pandemic put some of its new product plans on hold, New York-based iced tea manufacturer AriZona Beverages is beginning to reload its innovation pipeline, beginning with an expansion of its Red Tea line this summer.

Bonumose Challenges FDA On Tagatose Labeling, CEO says ‘This is Not Over’

Despite multiple rejected attempts, Virginia-based alt-sweetener startup Bonumose will keep working to “compel and convince” the FDA to reconsider a regulation that mandates that its proprietary alt-sweetener, tagatose, be labeled under ​​total or added sugar counts on Nutrition Facts Panels (NFPs), said the company’s CEO Ed Rogers.

Crook & Marker Eliminates Some Sales Roles

Ready-to-drink canned cocktail maker Crook & Marker has confirmed the elimination of positions in its sales force, according to a company spokesperson. The spokesperson declined to share the specific number of jobs that were eliminated.

Innovation Is Critical. But How Far Do You Step Outside The Box? It’s An Empirical Decision.

Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen, the co-founders of experimental distillery and food company Empirical spoke about how they identify and sustainably source high quality – and often unusual – ingredients and turn them into delicious experiences. They also discussed flavor innovation as a means of stimulating memories and why transparency is the priority in marketing.

Guest Insights: Want Investors? Here Are the Attributes That Inspire in CPG

Investments in packaged food and beverage companies have been focused on the same areas for the past few years, with perhaps an increasing focus on alternative protein sources as well as social impact (excluding the impact of the pandemic on dining at home and home delivery).

Honest Tea’s Demise Leaves Brand’s Builders Mourning

Heartbreak and Confusion. Those were the feelings that hit the builders of Honest Tea – hard – on Monday after the Coca-Cola Company announced its intention to discontinue the organic beverage brand by the end of the year.