July 18, 2025

Please see below for a listing of what the North Point Food & Beverage Team has been tracking this week. We hope that you find the content insightful and a nice way to summarize the most noteworthy Food & Beverage events of the week.

Have a nice weekend!

Glen Clarke

Head of Food & Beverage

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Dessert Holdings acquires Willamette Valley Pie.

• Dessert Holdings®, North America’s premium dessert company, today announced that it has acquired Willamette Valley Pie Company®. (“Willamette” or the “Company”), a manufacturer of high-quality, premium pie and dessert products.

Source: Mergermarket

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J.R. Simplot acquires Clarebout Potatoes (translated).

• Belgium-based Clarebout Potatoes is being acquired by US-based J.R. Simplot, De Tijd reported, citing a press release.

Source: Mergermarket

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Kraft Heinz may split, Will Kenvue’s review of strategic alternatives invite takeover interest? – NorthAm Morning Flash.

• Kraft Heinz is looking to slim down, reversing its megamerger from a decade ago. According to a Wall Street Journal report on Friday, the consumer goods giant may spin off a large piece of its grocery business, including many Kraft products.

Source: Mergermarket

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The Simply Good Foods Company to use surplus cash for M&A – CFO.

• The Simply Good Foods Company, a Denver-based consumer packaged food and beverage firm, will mainly use surplus cash for M&A, according to new CFO Chris Bealer.

Source: Mergermarket

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CREO Capital Partners portfolio firm Insignia International eyes acquisitions – report.

• CREO Capital Partners-backed Insignia International is keen to acquire to help drive growth but hasn't specified what it aims to purchase, the Denver Business Journal reported.

Source: Mergermarket

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New ‘Guide to Meat Processing’ underscores meat and poultry as safe, nutritious.

• The Meat Institute and Meat Foundation released an updated guide to clarify meat processing definitions amid growing debate over ultra-processed foods (UPFs), emphasizing that both minimally processed (e.g., steaks, grinds) and further processed meats (e.g., hot dogs, bacon) can be part of a nutritious diet.
• The guide argues that meat provides essential nutrients — including high-quality protein, vitamins, and bioavailable minerals — especially important for children, adolescent girls, and the elderly, countering misconceptions around health risks like cancer and obesity.
• It also explains regulatory oversight by USDA’s FSIS, outlines labeling requirements, and includes easy-reference tables detailing ingredients and processing methods to improve transparency and public understanding.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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USDA opens new food safety lab as part of comprehensive plan for a safer food system.

• The USDA opened a new Midwestern Food Safety Laboratory in Normandy, MO as part of a broader plan to strengthen food safety oversight, focusing on faster Listeria testing, improved inspector training, and enhanced in-person food safety assessments.
• The initiative includes five pillars: (1) upgraded microbiological testing, (2) enhanced inspector training and data collection, (3) a revised Salmonella reduction strategy, (4) stronger partnerships with state agencies, and (5) increased enforcement to address systemic compliance issues.
• Industry groups like the Meat Institute and National Chicken Council praised the initiative, supporting the USDA’s science-based, collaborative approach and pledging to work with the agency on reducing foodborne illness and promoting public health.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Conagra Brands to ‘double down’ on fried chicken production.

• Conagra is increasing investment in fried chicken production following strong consumer demand for its Banquet Mega Chicken Filets, a product modeled after Chick-fil-A that far exceeded sales expectations and maxed out existing capacity.
• Due to processing constraints, the company will temporarily outsource production to a third-party in FY 2026, while building internal capacity to resume in-house processing by FY 2027.
• Capital expenditures are expected to increase by 16% to $450 million in FY 2026, driven by expanded frozen food infrastructure and fried chicken manufacturing investments.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Tillamook Country Smoker ‘swices’ up its partnership with Mike’s Hot Honey.

• Tillamook Country Smoker has expanded its partnership with Mike’s Hot Honey to launch a new line of beef jerky featuring the “swicy” (sweet + spicy) flavor trend, following the earlier launch of beef sticks with the same flavor profile.
• The collaboration highlights both brands’ commitment to clean-label, high-quality products, with jerky made from 100% premium beef and no artificial ingredients.
• New products will be available in various pack sizes online (Amazon, Tillamook's site) and in select 7-Eleven stores this summer.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Is the tide shifting for grocery private brands?

• While consumer enthusiasm for private label grocery brands has slightly softened since its 2023 peak, they remain a key growth driver for retailers, with private labels still growing faster than national brands.
• The shift reflects declining price sensitivity and stabilized consumer budgets, though quality perceptions of store brands continue to improve—especially among households with children.
• Experts recommend grocers develop clear brand tiers (value, national-brand equivalent, premium) and streamline brand portfolios to strengthen positioning and drive long-term sales and loyalty.

Source: Food Dive

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Trump admin to revoke dozens of food product standards.

• The FDA announced plans to revoke 52 food product standards—primarily in dairy, baked goods, and canned fruits/vegetables—calling them outdated and a barrier to innovation.
• These “standards of identity” were initially introduced in 1939 to prevent ingredient skimping during the Great Depression but are now largely redundant due to modern labeling requirements.
• The move, which disproportionately affects cheese products, is part of a broader review of 250+ standards, with the FDA stating the goal is to streamline regulation without compromising consumer protection.

Source: Food Dive

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FDA approves natural blue color, urges accelerated phaseout of synthetic red dye.

• The FDA approved a new natural blue food color derived from gardenia fruit and urged manufacturers to accelerate the removal of synthetic Red No. 3, a dye linked to cancer in animal studies.
• Red No. 3 is widely used in foods like candy, cereal, and baked goods; despite a federal ban by 2027, the FDA is pushing for earlier phase-outs as part of a broader initiative to eliminate petroleum-based dyes.
• Roughly 40% of the food industry has already committed to transitioning away from artificial colors, with growing regulatory and consumer pressure at both federal and state levels driving reformulation.

Source: Food Dive

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Trump administration sues California over egg prices.

• The Trump administration’s Department of Justice sued California, arguing the state’s animal welfare laws—particularly those impacting egg-laying hens—are unconstitutional and have raised egg prices nationwide.
• The lawsuit challenges Proposition 2, Proposition 12, and a 2010 law, claiming they conflict with federal regulations under the Egg Products Inspection Act and violate the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.
• California officials pushed back, blaming federal economic policies for price hikes, while USDA data shows egg prices remain volatile—down from earlier highs but still up 41% year-over-year as of May 2025.

Source: Food Dive

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Inside the private equity firm giving new life to Chef Boyardee, Pillsbury.

• Brynwood Partners, a private equity firm known for revitalizing legacy food brands, recently acquired Chef Boyardee from Conagra for $600M, following the $1.5B sale of SunnyD, and plans further M&A activity.
• The firm targets underinvested, mainstream brands that large CPGs have deprioritized, aiming to reignite growth through innovation, brand repositioning, and expanded product formats.
• CEO Henk Hartong says macroeconomic pressures and strategic shifts at large companies are creating more divestiture opportunities, especially for brands with strong nostalgic equity but declining growth.

Source: Food Dive

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Meat prices, tariffs to drive inflation, Conagra CFO says.

• Conagra expects total cost of goods sold (COGS) inflation to reach about 7% in fiscal 2026, driven by 4% core inflation—primarily from double-digit increases in meat and egg costs—and 3% from new tariffs.
• Tariff-related costs, including on imported steel, aluminum, and certain goods from China, are projected to add over $200 million annually to COGS; the company is exploring sourcing and supplier negotiations to mitigate impact.
• Despite declining FY 2025 sales, Conagra plans to restore volume and margin performance by focusing on innovation, optimizing its canned food portfolio, and continuing supply chain investments.

Source: Food Dive

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Kraft Heinz, NotCo heat up plant-based mayo with spicy offering.

• Kraft Heinz and NotCo have launched a spicy plant-based mayonnaise and a new portable cup version of their Kraft NotMac & Cheese, targeting demand for convenience and bold flavors.
• Despite a broader slowdown in plant-based food sales, the companies are leaning into top-performing SKUs and consumer insights to drive innovation, especially among flexitarians and younger shoppers.
• The partnership, formed in 2022, continues to expand its portfolio with plant-based versions of familiar Kraft products to reinvigorate category interest and address shifting consumer preferences.

Source: Food Dive

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US ice cream makers commit to artificial dye phase-out by 2028.

• Over 90% of U.S. ice cream manufacturers, led by the International Dairy Foods Association, have pledged to remove artificial colors from their products by 2028.
• This marks the first coordinated, industry-wide commitment to eliminate synthetic dyes, applying to both retail and parlor-supplied ice cream (excluding non-dairy and small-batch products).
• The move comes amid growing pressure from federal and state regulators and consumer health advocates, despite the FDA still permitting artificial colors as safe for use.

Source: Food Dive

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Trump says Coca-Cola to use cane sugar in namesake beverage.

• Former President Donald Trump claimed Coca-Cola agreed to start using real cane sugar in its U.S. formula, but the company did not confirm, only stating that new product innovations will be announced soon.
• Coca-Cola currently uses high-fructose corn syrup in the U.S., while cane sugar versions are sold in countries like Mexico and imported for niche U.S. consumers.
• The Corn Refiners Association criticized the potential switch, citing negative impacts on U.S. agriculture and jobs, while health advocates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. support reducing high-fructose corn syrup in foods.

Source: Food Dive

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Unilever names new CEO for Ben & Jerry’s amid board dispute.

• Unilever appointed Jochanan Senf as CEO of Ben & Jerry’s amid an ongoing legal battle with the brand’s independent board, which claims Unilever overstepped by firing former CEO Dave Stever due to his support for the brand’s social mission.
• The dispute highlights tensions over Ben & Jerry’s right to maintain its activism, including criticism of former President Trump and calls for a Gaza ceasefire, as outlined in its 2000 acquisition agreement with Unilever.
• The leadership change comes as Unilever prepares to spin off its ice cream division—including Ben & Jerry’s—into a separate entity called The Magnum Ice Cream Company later in 2025.

Source: Food Dive

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Texas investigating Skittles maker Mars for failing to remove artificial food dyes.

• Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating Mars, maker of Skittles and M&M’s, for allegedly failing to follow through on a 2016 pledge to remove artificial dyes from its U.S. products.
• While Mars has eliminated synthetic dyes in Europe, it continues to use them in the U.S., prompting scrutiny over possible deceptive trade practices and consumer rights violations.
• Mars stated it complies with FDA regulations and is exploring natural alternatives, but pressure is mounting from officials and the “Make America Healthy Again” movement for industry-wide reform.

Source: Food Dive

JUST FOR FUN

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Leftovers: Mochi maker scoops up ice cream sandwiches | General Mills mixes up cereal aisle with NFL wide receivers – Food Dive

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