PepsiCo has unveiled its first new global brand identity in nearly 25 years as part of a move to a "branded house" model, with a new logo that features a "P" emerging from a smile, a leaf and a water droplet, symbolizing customer-centricity, snacks and beverages, respectively. The rebranding, which includes the new logo, a refreshed color palette and a custom typeface to highlight the company's commitment to sustainability and innovation, aims to improve brand recall and will debut on packaging, corporate spaces and social media next year.

Category management is evolving as food retailers and manufacturers adapt to rapidly changing shopping trends and the use of AI. Hormel is enhancing its category management by intensifying collaboration across teams and leveraging advanced data analysis, using AI and synthetic consumer panels to convert large volumes of data into meaningful insights that guide category decisions. Kellanova is leveraging demographic data to personalize assortments and is exploring the potential of data cleanrooms for predictive modeling.

The popularity of perfumes and soaps with gourmand scents like vanilla and pistachio has surged, reflecting a broader trend toward food-inspired fragrances. This shift is partly attributed to changing consumer preferences, with some noting that these edible scents have become especially desirable.

Better Process Control School programs are a valuable educational opportunity easily accessible anytime and anywhere for operators, mid-level managers and employees of food processing plants that use thermal processing. Stay up to date on FDA and USDA compliance through Consumer Brands' Partner School Program. Find the certifications here.

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Consumer Brands is among food and agriculture groups opposing the Trump administration's attempt to define "ultraprocessed" foods, arguing that such a definition lacks scientific consensus and could misclassify healthy products like yogurt, whole grain bread and even salad dressings as harmful. The organizations also argue that the degree of processing is not a reliable indicator of nutritional value and that the proposed definitions could discourage innovation and the consumption of nutrient-rich foods.

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Ferrero's 2025 holiday lineup features a mix of new and returning products, including advent calendars, limited-edition treats and gift-ready assortments. Highlights for the season include the debut of Kinder Schoko Bons and the Kinder Chocolate Holiday Lay Down Bag, as well as the Raffaello Holiday Gift Box. Fan favorites such as Keebler Ready Pie Crusts, Nutellino Ornament Jars and Butterfinger Minis return for the holidays. The highlight of this year's lineup? A Santa-shaped Ferrero Rocher.

New Belgium Brewing, Heineken and Guinness are among breweries testing or using heat pump technology to achieve their net-zero goals by supplementing or replacing traditional gas boilers, which can help reduce operational and maintenance costs as well as emissions. Diageo's St. James's Gate Guinness site and Heineken's Manchester facility are using heat pump systems in their deca