India's consumer protection authority fined two food companies Rs 1 lakh each for misleading '100% natural' claims. Separately, VPN downloads in India surged after a temporary ban on Telegram, with users seeking access to the app and alternative messaging services.
US food and beverage giants face a new hurdle as 23 states now have waivers restricting SNAP benefits for certain processed and sugary products. This could reduce sales by $830 million this year, forcing companies to monitor shopper behavior and potentially reformulate product lines.
Korean retailers and food companies are launching World Cup marketing campaigns, shifting focus from late-night snacks to convenient morning-after options and 'home viewing' packages due to weekday morning game times. Marketing highlights 'soccer games,' 'cheering,' and the color 'red,' leveraging star player Son Heung-min.
Food manufacturers are labeling products as 'GLP-1 friendly,' highlighting protein and fiber, to capitalize on the popularity of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. Experts are skeptical, calling the label unregulated marketing and a 'money-grab.'
Select Indian food companies like PepsiCo, ITC, Nestle, and iD Fresh Food have started voluntarily adding limited health information (sugar, salt, fat content) to front-of-pack labels, citing consumer demand for transparency. However, health experts argue that without standardized, mandatory labels across all products, these efforts will not effectively reduce unhealthy food consumption. The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has pending regulations on the matter, with guidelines still undecided after over eight years of discussion.
Korean food companies like Ottogi, Samlip, Pulmuone Food & Culture, Hollys, and The Venti have launched new summer menu items, including various types of cold noodles, bibim guksu, and cup bingsu, with some brands also focusing on plant-based options and environmental conservation.
Guzman y Gomez is shutting down its US business after failing to gain traction in a competitive market. The Mexican-themed chain cited unacceptable store performance and will incur up to US$40m in closure costs.
Guzman y Gomez is shutting down its US operations after failing to gain traction in a competitive Mexican food market. The closures are expected to cost up to $40 million and highlight the US as a difficult market for Australian fast-food companies.
