Articles by Tom Vierhile

An update on the latest developments in genetically modified organisms

GMO Update

One doesn’t have to be a political or legal expert to understand the latest developments in genetically modified organisms, but it could help

Tom Vierhile

May 13, 2015

Although more than 60 countries require disclosure of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on product labels—including all countries in the EU—the US currently does not.

Top Snack Food Trends in 2015

Snack, candy manufacturers use fun new flavors, forms to tempt tastebuds.

Tom Vierhile

March 12, 2015

Change and challenge describe the state of affairs in the 2014 confectionery market. It was a year when candy makers placed big bets on new products to drive growth.

Top Sauce Trends in 2015

Sauces, dressings and marinades speak volumes about changing tastes.

Tom Vierhile

March 10, 2015

Sauces, dressings and marinades may not be the most exciting product categories in the food industry, but they collectively speak volumes about changing tastes; the continued evolution of the American diet; and consumers’ efforts to save time and money.

Top Baked Good Trends in 2015

New bakery products target all the trends—from health to full-flavor indulgence

Tom Vierhile

March 9, 2015

The bakery foods market couldn’t make up its mind about what direction it wanted to go in 2014.

A Healthy Start with Cereals and Bars

Granola grew in cereal introductions over the course of the year, as did sales for the cereal category as a whole.

Tom Vierhile

March 14, 2014

The fog that has enveloped the ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast cereal category in recent years lifted somewhat in 2013, as breakfast cereal makers saw glimpses of something that had merely been a mirage in recent years: growth.

Bakery Bonanza

The bakery foods market provided plenty of headlines in 2013, but not in the usual way and not from the usual sources.

Tom Vierhile

March 14, 2014

The year 2013 will go down in history as the year the “Cronut” was born.

Soups and Sides Get Creative

Growth has been elusive in packaged soups in recent years, but 2013 saw soup makers willing to embrace unconventional approaches to jump-start sales.

Tom Vierhile

March 14, 2014

Growth has been elusive in packaged soups in recent years, but 2013 saw soup makers willing to embrace unconventional approaches to jump-start sales.

2013 New Products Annual: Baked

Burgeoning Baked Goods

Ancient grains proved a big story in the modern bakery aisle.

Tom Vierhile

March 26, 2013

When the highlight of the year is the bankruptcy of a major player, as was the case of Hostess Brands in 2012, it is going to be a rough year.

2013 New Products Annual: Cereals & Breakfast Bars

Cereals and Bars Expand and Diversify

Fueled by growth in gluten- and other allergen-free items, breakfast cereals and bars saw a resurgence in 2012.

Tom Vierhile

March 22, 2013

Ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal makers channeled their inner Mark Twain in 2012, as in “the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated,” with the category celebrating a comeback year on the new products front.

2013 New Products Annual: Soups & Side Dishes

Changing Times in Soups and Sides

An examination of soups and sides introduced in 2012 finds a market expanding to include Millennials and a wider, more diverse palate.

Tom Vierhile

March 22, 2013

When historians look back at 2012 for the soup category, they may come to the conclusion that this was the year soup makers “turned the page” on Baby Boomers and went into a full embrace of Millennial consumers.