Our features and comment coverage that grabbed your attention took in ESG, the bumps in plant-based and vertical farming, and changes at two of the world’s largest food groups.
Are ‘carbon neutral’ claims dead?
Carbon neutral claims are under the cosh, so will the world’s major food brands continue to use them, asked David Burrows in June.
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Nestlé inflicts yet more wounds on limping plant-based protein category
Nestlé’s plan to withdraw its Garden Gourmet meat-free and Wunda pea-milk brands in the UK and Ireland in March caused unease among proponents of plant-based alternatives.
Welcome to the new era of private-label brands in the US
US retailers are doing three big things they haven’t done in the past, which is putting pressure on manufacturer CPG brands, Just Food’s US columnist Victor Martino argued in April.
China’s food industry enters uncertain 2023 amid end to zero-Covid policy
Back in January, Jens Kastner spoke to industry observers in China to see how they thought the end of Covid-19 restrictions could boost the country’s economy, although there were fears a surge in infections could affect demand and hit supply chains.
How vertical farms are weathering the climate of closure
In June, Jessica Broadbent looked at the prospects for vertical farms as soaring energy prices contributed to a number of them shutting up shop.
Why the Kroger-Albertsons-C&S deal is unlikely to win over the FTC
Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan has expressed scepticism about some past grocery mega-mergers, which could put the Kroger-Albertsons deal in jeopardy, Just Food’s Victor Martino wrote in September.
Monde Nissin’s Quorn takes impairment bruising on meat-free “rationalisation trend”
In April, Monde Nissin took an impairment charge of more than $350m on its meat-alternatives business, further evidence the category is under pressure globally.
Will Unilever’s new CEO Hein Schumacher get the big calls right?
When newly-appointed Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher takes up the role in July, he will have some big decisions to make, Andy Coyne wrote in the early weeks of the year.
The multiple issues putting the UK’s salad days at risk
Weather problems affected UK salad supplies in the opening quarter but, as Andy explored, there are more structural issues at play.
Outgoing CEO Miguel Patricio patched up Kraft Heinz
In August, Miguel Patricio said he would step down from his role as Kraft Heinz CEO. At the time, Dean Best argued Patricio had put the US food giant on more of an even keel in his four years at the helm.
