Vita-Pakt Citrus Products Co., a global manufacturer of specialty citrus products for the juice, baking, dairy, retail, nutraceutical and food service industries, appointed Mark Reed as president and chief operating officer, effective May 1, 2020.

The food manufacturing world is watching an unprecedented reality unfold during the COVID-19 pandemic. Major shifts in demand, distribution, sales and supply chain have some companies scrambling to respond to significant disruptions to the status quo.

The Global Prebiotic Association (GPA), the international trade association representing prebiotic manufacturers, brands and allied partners, announced that FrieslandCampina Ingredients has joined the organization at the Member level.

As an industry we’ve read lots of published research on consumer attitudes and purchase behavior during the COVID-19 crisis. Those who manage existing food and beverage brands have been in the thick of it, dealing with huge swings in demand, closures, new operating procedures, and the like.

Kentucky Fried Chicken ("KFC") China, operated by Yum China Holdings, Inc., became one of the first national Western QSR (quick service restaurant) brands to introduce a plant-based meat product to China. For a limited test period between April 28-30, KFC Plant-Based Chicken Nuggets will debut at three participating stores in three Tier 1 cities across China.

Base Food, a Tokyo-based food tech company that creates nutritionally complete pantry staples, launched a new product called Base Bread. In some ways, this direct-to-consumer product is launched at a perfect time - given the grocery store shortages due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and consumers’ need for flexible, healthy WFH meal options.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold around the world, food and beverage manufacturers have maintained sound economic footing due to acute consumer demand for a broad range of food and beverage products.

Laird Superfood announced closing a $10 million financing round, funded entirely by Danone Manifesto Ventures (DMV) to support its growth initiatives.

Technomic released the Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report, which ranks each top chain by sales performance for the previous year. This year's report includes insight into what to expect for 2020.

The CPG industry has never been under more pressure as it faces a global pandemic, an impending recession, soaring unemployment, ubiquitous social distancing and unparalleled consumer fear across the US.