The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

From today (12 August 2026), new measures under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation apply across the European Union, aiming to promote a circular economy and strengthen the Single Market for packaging.

The US Senate has released a continuing resolution that, if passed, would extend the federal hemp THC ban from 12 November to 11 December.

The US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) has advanced legislation that would require ‘warning’ labels on ‘ultra-processed’ packaged foods (UPFs) in a bid to improve children’s health across the nation.

Lactalis Australia has been fined AUD $59,400 (approx. $41,000) in penalties by the country’s competition regulator, after allegedly making misleading claims in the labelling of two of its milk products.

More than 300 companies across Germany’s beverage sector have signed a joint open letter opposing the German government’s planned introduction of a sugar tax on drinks.

A new report from the Food and Drink Federation highlights how confidence among UK food and beverage manufacturers has plummeted amid conflict in the Middle East, currently at its lowest level seen since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The European Union and Australia have finalised a long-anticipated free trade agreement (FTA), marking a significant shift in food and beverage trade flows.

EU negotiators have agreed to go ahead with a ban on the use of animal-associated names for plant-based products, restricting 31 words in total including ‘chicken’ and ‘steak’.

US President Donald Trump has signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 into law, enabling whole and 2% milk to be offered in schools as part of the federal National School Lunch Program.