Opinion
San Francisco’s move against ultraprocessed food could lead to wave of lawsuits
San Francisco's lawsuit against packaged food companies should not be taken lightly. Although courts have previously dismissed related lawsuits multiple times, the rise of the 'ultra-processed food' concept and the upcoming official FDA definition may provide new grounds for legal actions against the food industry. If 'food addiction' is not proven, this litigation strategy may collapse.
Lessons learned from 5 years of food tech investing
After approximately $8 billion in investments, valuation bubbles, and numerous bankruptcies, the era of 'easy money' in food tech investing has ended. Drawing on over 20 years of industry experience and reviews of more than 50 deals, the author analyzes failure patterns in vertical farming and insect protein, identifies sustainable paths through specialty ingredients, data applications, and evidence-based nutrition, and argues that the climate crisis and regulatory shifts are bringing structural opportunities to the industry.
Right direction or wrong track: Is RFK Jr.’s food policy really making America healthier?
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) and his 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) campaign identify packaged foods as a major driver of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, and are pushing a series of regulatory measures. However, former food industry executive Sean McBride argues that these policies lack scientific basis and could impose high costs on businesses and consumers with minimal results. Citing recent polls, he notes that 35% of Americans blame the food industry for chronic health issues, but the food supply has undergone dramatic changes over the past 25 years, with healthier choices more abundant than ever. The article questions the effectiveness of government intervention and calls for attention to the real drivers behind consumer behavior.
Snacks from childhood memories are facing removal crisis: some have quietly disappeared
From Fruit Stripe gum to Choco Taco, many classic snacks that have accompanied consumers for years have been discontinued or seen quality decline due to consumption trends, inflation, and regulatory pressure. This article dissects the three major threats facing brands and proposes response strategies.