Food News

A Fresh Take on Texture and Taste (Image Credits: Pexels) New York – Plant-based snack innovator Mezcla secured $9.5 million in Series B funding to fuel its expansion in the competitive protein bar market.[1][2] A Fresh Take on Texture and Taste Mezcla disrupted the protein bar category with its puff-crispy bars that mimic the lightness of rice crispy treats while delivering solid nutrition. Founders Griffin Spolansky and Coco Sotelo developed the concept after meeting in a social entrepreneurship class at the University of Virginia.[2] Each 40-gram bar packs 10 grams of plant-based protein from pea protein puffs, along with 170 … Read more

$80 Million Brand Fuels Morinaga’s Frozen Ambitions (Image Credits: Pexels) Irvine, California — Morinaga & Co., Ltd. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire My/Mochi Ice Cream, the top mochi ice cream brand in the United States, bolstering its push into the frozen snacks arena.[1][2] $80 Million Brand Fuels Morinaga’s Frozen Ambitions My/Mochi posted $80 million in sales over the 52 weeks ending January 25, 2026, according to SPINS MULO data. This performance solidified its dominance in the mochi ice cream niche. The acquisition positions Morinaga to tap directly into this momentum.[1] Executives highlighted the union’s potential right away. Teruhiro … Read more

Dirty Soda’s Meteoric Rise (Image Credits: Unsplash) Hershey, Pa. – The Twizzlers brand announced a limited-edition flavor for its Straws candy, channeling the popular Dirty Soda phenomenon into an edible innovation.[1] Dirty Soda’s Meteoric Rise Viral on social media, Dirty Soda has exploded as a customizable nonalcoholic drink. Fans mix fountain sodas with flavored syrups, creams, and fruit add-ins over nugget ice, creating personalized beverages that appeal especially to younger crowds.[1][2] This trend originated in Utah shops in the mid-2010s and spread nationwide through TikTok. It offers a playful alternative to traditional sodas, turning simple pours into ritualistic creations. Twizzlers … Read more

$130 Million Deal Ushers in New Era (Image Credits: Pexels) Japanese food group Morinaga & Co completed a significant deal to acquire My/Mochi Ice Cream, establishing a strong foothold in the American frozen dessert industry.[1] $130 Million Deal Ushers in New Era Morinaga & Co agreed to purchase all shares of MyMo Holdco, the entity that controls My/Mochi, for $130 million. The company released a statement about the transaction on March 9.[1] This move represents Morinaga’s full-scale entry into the US frozen dessert market. The acquisition aligns with broader efforts to expand in a region the company views as a … Read more

A Strategic Upgrade at the York Facility (Image Credits: Upload.wikimedia.org) York, Pennsylvania – Meiji Holdings committed Y10 billion ($63.4 million) to enhance its local manufacturing facility for the popular Hello Panda caramel-flavored biscuits.[1] A Strategic Upgrade at the York Facility The York plant already handles production of Stauffer’s-branded biscuits, including the well-known Animal Crackers. This latest investment marks a pivotal step to introduce Hello Panda manufacturing there. Company officials highlighted the move as essential for broadening operations across the United States. The facility will see comprehensive upgrades that extend beyond the new product line.[1] Overall manufacturing capacity at the site … Read more

A Strategic Minority Investment (Image Credits: Pexels) Sweden – Finnish food group Atria strengthened its position in the Nordic convenience sector by acquiring a 25% stake in Cookin Food Sweden AB.[1][2] A Strategic Minority Investment Atria’s Swedish subsidiary purchased the shares from Bite Delight, the parent company of Cookin Food Sweden, for an undisclosed amount. The transaction includes an option for Atria to acquire the remaining shares after 2028. Company officials described the move as a calculated step toward expanding in high-potential areas. This deal fits seamlessly into Atria’s broader ambitions. The Helsinki-listed firm operates across Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and … Read more

Half of Europeans Seek Dietary Improvements (Image Credits: Pexels) Europe – A comprehensive survey of nearly 20,000 consumers across 18 countries highlighted a clear gap between the desire for better diets and the realities holding many back.[1] Half of Europeans Seek Dietary Improvements Health emerged as the leading motivator for change in the EIT Food study. More than half of respondents, precisely 51%, indicated they wanted to eat more healthily.[1] This priority surpassed concerns over affordability and sustainability. Respondents acknowledged the downsides of salty, fatty, sugary, and processed foods, yet about a third still avoided them only partially. Self-assessments revealed … Read more

Volumes Tumble Amid Unprecedented Price Rises (Image Credits: Pexels) Lindt & Sprüngli delivered impressive financial results for 2025, yet company leaders highlighted mounting pressures on chocolate sales volumes extending into the new year.[1][2] Volumes Tumble Amid Unprecedented Price Rises Last year marked the first time Lindt & Sprüngli experienced a negative impact on volumes from aggressive pricing, with volume/mix falling 6.6% even as organic sales growth reached 12.4%.[1] CEO Adalbert Lechner noted that prices rose more than 40% over the past four years, a level unseen before, and only began affecting volumes in 2025. The company achieved sales of SFr5.92 … Read more

Cluster of Illnesses Sparks Recall (Image Credits: Flickr) Washington – Federal authorities issued an alert on March 9, 2026, directing restaurants, retailers, and consumers to discard specific raw oysters and Manila clams from Drayton Harbor due to possible norovirus contamination.[1][2] Cluster of Illnesses Sparks Recall A norovirus-like illness outbreak linked to raw oyster consumption prompted the Washington Department of Health to notify the FDA on March 4. Officials traced potential contamination to shellfish harvested over a three-week period. The FDA quickly amplified the recall to protect public health across multiple states. Commercial and recreational harvesting in Drayton Harbor, located in … Read more

Consumer Reports Ignite the Recall (Image Credits: Unsplash) Portland, Oregon – Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc. broadened its recall of frozen chicken and pork entrees to 36,987,575 pounds following consumer reports of glass fragments in products.[1][2] Consumer Reports Ignite the Recall The process began when the company received four complaints about glass in frozen not-ready-to-eat chicken fried rice. FSIS learned of the issue after the establishment reported these incidents. Officials classified the problem as adulteration due to possible foreign material. On February 19, 2026, Ajinomoto initiated a recall of about 3.37 million pounds of two specific items. The affected products … Read more