Food for thought: how policy, planet, and technology are redefining the industry

Article by Reuters 

A federal judge dismissed a proposed class action lawsuit accusing Mondelez International (MDLZ.O), opens new tab of deceiving consumers into overpaying for Clif bars that were labeled "climate neutral certified."

U.S. District Judge Manish Shah in Chicago found nothing wrong with labels for Clif Kid Zbar and Zbar Protein products that reflected a certification from the Change Climate Project, opens new tab, a nonprofit that helps companies reduce emissions.

Article by The Guardian

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is directing states to “immediately undo” any steps that have been taken to send out full food aid benefits to low-income Americans, following a supreme court order on Friday that temporarily halted a lower court order requiring those payments.

Article by Food and Drink Technology

The European Snacks Association (ESA) is placing biodiversity and sustainable sourcing at the heart of its environmental strategy, emphasising the industry’s critical role in securing resilient food supply chains. Detailed in the newly released 2024-2025 Sustainability Report, the ESA highlights its deep commitment to minimising environmental impact and safeguarding the ecosystems essential for key raw materials. 
Recognising that savoury snacks rely heavily on crops like potatoes, corn, and oilseeds, the ESA is intensifying its focus on sustainable sourcing practices. The strategy involves rigorous efforts to eliminate deforestation from supply chains and protect existing forests, which are vital carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots. 

Article by the European Union

In September 2025, the volume index of retail trade in food, drinks and tobacco increased by 0.5% in the EU compared with the same month of 2024. In the euro area, the volume increased by 1.0%. Out of 25 EU countries with available data, 15 recorded an annual increase in the volume of food, drinks and tobacco sales in September 2025. Cyprus recorded the highest increase with 10.4%, followed by Spain (4.5%) and Malta (4.4%). In contrast, Estonia registered a 4.8% decline, while Romania and Belgium recorded decreases of 4.5% and 3.4%, respectively.

Artificial intelligence is quietly revolutionising the food and beverage industry – from spotting defects faster than human inspectors to discovering novel ingredients at lightning speed. Yannick Verry, brand director at FI Europe, explains how companies are harnessing artificial intelligence to boost efficiency, reduce waste and innovate smarter, showing that the future of food isn’t just digital...it’s intelligent.