Food Processing & Ingredients

Bad Rothenfelde – September 11, 2026 -- Seventy-four percent of Germans believe their diet has a major impact on their health, while 75 percent say they now pay closer attention to nutrition than a few years ago, according to a new Kantar survey of 2,000 people commissioned by heristo aktiengesellschaft.

The study, titled "Health on the Plate - Proteins, Longevity and the New Expectations of Food," was conducted in May 2026 among German residents aged 16 to 69 and is the third in heristo's generational barometer series, following editions on food (2024) and pet food (2025).

Hyderabad, India – September 11, 2026 -- The global snack bars market is projected to grow from $21.94 billion in 2026 to $32.66 billion by 2031, a compound annual growth rate of 8.28%, according to Mordor Intelligence.

Convenience demand broadens consumption occasions across demographics

Portability is driving snack bars into new use cases beyond traditional snacking, including commuting, school routines, and pre- or post-workout nutrition. Manufacturers are diversifying portfolios across cereal and granola bars, protein and energy bars, and fruit, nut or seed bars to capture more frequent purchases.

Bensalem, Pa. – September 10, 2026 -- Investors who lost money on Simply Good Foods Company (SMPL) stock have until October 13, 2026 to seek lead plaintiff status in a securities fraud class action, the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announced.

Lawsuit targets 17-month period of alleged misstatements tied to OWYN acquisition

The class action covers statements made between October 24, 2024 and April 8, 2026. The complaint alleges Simply Good Foods failed to disclose that it lost key managerial personnel following its acquisition of protein brand OWYN, undermining integration of the acquired assets.

Frankfurt – September 10, 2026 -- Danone has appointed Jean-Yves Krummenacher as General Manager for Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH), effective November 2026, succeeding Richard Trechman, who is leaving the company for an external role.

Krummenacher brings 25 years of internal Danone experience to the DACH post

The Swiss and French national most recently served as Global Chief Procurement Officer, overseeing Danone's worldwide procurement strategy while also managing the company's global trading and sourcing business as its chief executive. Earlier in his career he held leadership roles across Europe, Asia and Latin America spanning sales, procurement and sustainability functions.

Jiaxing, China – September 10, 2026 -- The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York has invalidated two patent claims Kaneka Corporation asserted against Cocrystal Technology (Jiaxing) Co., Ltd., ending a nearly three-year dispute and clearing the way for unrestricted U.S. sales of Cocrystal Tech's ubiquinol ingredient, now branded CrysQnolTM.

Guangzhou – September 09, 2026 -- More than 1,500 food and beverage exhibitors from China and abroad gathered at the 2026 SIAL West Asia International Food Exhibition, which opened September 3 at the Guangzhou Poly World Trade Center Expo and spans 60,000 square meters.

Exhibition positions Guangzhou as gateway between China and ASEAN markets

Co-organized by Comexposium, Beijing Aibo SIAL Exhibition Co., Ltd., Guangzhou International Convention & Exhibition Group, and Beijing SIAL Exhibition Co., Ltd., the event is branded the "First Stop for Entering the Bay Area and Going Global." It operates as a flagship event under Guangdong province's "Trade Nationwide" and "Trade Global" initiatives, running through September 5 across 14 specialized zones covering imported foods, snacks, dairy, beverages, seasonings, and fresh products.

Miami – September 09, 2026 -- Happy Soul, a Florida-based functional gummy supplement brand, will exhibit at Booth 773 during the Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference, running September 14-16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The event marks its 30th anniversary this year.

Company runs its own 300kg automated production line rather than outsourcing manufacturing

Happy Soul launched in 2026 as the in-house brand of a gummy manufacturer that has produced for other companies since 2019. The company owns and operates a cGMP-compliant facility in Lexington, North Carolina, capable of producing up to 2.5 million gummies per week on a 300kg automated line. All products are manufactured under 21 CFR Part 111 and undergo third-party testing for potency and heavy metals.

Momence, Illinois – September 08, 2026 -- FutureCeuticals, Inc. and Aura Scientific have settled a patent and trademark lawsuit centered on Aura's NeuroRush® ingredient and FutureCeuticals' whole coffee fruit extract sold as CognatiQ® and NeuroFactor®.

Settlement terminates Aura's NeuroRush ingredient and validates FutureCeuticals' IP

The resolution ends production of NeuroRush® and confirms the enforceability of FutureCeuticals' intellectual property covering its whole coffee fruit extract. J. Randal Wexler, Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at FutureCeuticals, said Aura's acknowledgment of the IP's validity reinforces its market value and supports continued investment in clinical research.

Momence, Ill. – September 08, 2026 -- FutureCeuticals, Inc. and Aura Scientific have resolved a patent and trademark lawsuit centered on Aura's NeuroRush ingredient, with Aura agreeing to discontinue NeuroRush and transition to FutureCeuticals' CognatiQ whole coffee fruit extract.

Legal dispute ends with Aura exiting NeuroRush ingredient line

The lawsuit involved FutureCeuticals' cognitive health intellectual property tied to its whole coffee fruit extract, sold under the tradenames CognatiQ and NeuroFactor. J. Randal Wexler, FutureCeuticals' Vice President & General Counsel, said Aura's acknowledgment of the IP's validity reinforces its market strength. Wexler noted the company's IP enforcement protects continued investment in clinical research while safeguarding customer and partner interests.

Momence, Illinois – September 08, 2026 -- FutureCeuticals, Inc. and Aura Scientific have settled a patent and trademark dispute over Aura's cognitive-health ingredient "NeuroRush," ending the product and replacing it with a new distribution partnership for FutureCeuticals' whole coffee cherry extract, sold as "CognatiQ" and "NeuroFactor."

Settlement terminates NeuroRush, validates FutureCeuticals' IP portfolio

The resolution confirms the validity of FutureCeuticals' intellectual property in the cognitive health ingredient category, according to J. Randal Wexler, the company's Vice President and General Counsel. Aura's NeuroRush ingredient will be discontinued as part of the agreement.