August’s biggest stories reflect the industry’s innovation strategies set against a backdrop of greater regulatory scrutiny and increasingly evolving consumer expectations around health
Whether through legal challenges to federal nutrition guidance, new oversight of food ingredients or companies reformulating products to deliver multiple wellness benefits, the underlying theme is a growing demand for transparency, accountability and meaningful health value
A lawsuit filed by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) against USDA and HHS over the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans claims that the report was altered by industry insiders who were unknown to the public
The alleged secret panel changed the DGA released in January due to dissatisfaction to the original report’s guidance framed around a health equity lens, according to the lawsuit. The updated report emphasized daily intake of fats, meat and dairy products which increase the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and other health conditions The organization historically advocates for plant-based diets to reduce dietary illness and other conditions linked to food
The lawsuit claims that eight of the nine members of the secret panel were tied to various food industry associations, including National Cattleman’s Beef Association, The National Dairy Council, The American Egg Board, The National Pork Board and USDA’s Checkoff Program which promotes food commodities
The Dietary Guidance for Americans Committee (DGAC), which determines the dietary recommendations for DGA, has been criticized for its conflicts of interest in the past. PCRM sued USDA and HHS in 2016 for removing limits on dietary cholesterol recommended by egg-industry-funded research results
Read the full story here:Physicians group sues USDA and HHS over Dietary Guidelines for Americans
PepsiCo offered a glimpse into how large food companies are adapting to changing consumer demands, balancing culinary innovation with health-focused products
On one hand, the company is expanding beyond traditional snacks and beverages in the US through globally inspired foods. The company debuted its Spanish brand Alvalle gazpacho in the US earlier this summer, extending beyond its European retail presence to meet more eating occasions. The US launch reflects the company’s focus on global flavors for its Fresh Experiences refrigerated food portfolio, which also includes Sabra and Tostitos Guacamole
At the same time, PepsiCo is modernizing its legacy brands rather than relying solely on new product launches. The company highlighted efforts in its ESG report to reduce sodium, sugar and saturated fat while adding nutrients such as protein and fiber across familiar brands, including Pepsi and Gatorade
These efforts align with another important industry theme highlighted this month: benefit stacking. Rather than relying on a single functional ingredient or health claim, food companies increasingly are developing products that deliver multiple benefits at once (e.g. protein, fiber, satiety, hydration and convenience) rather than promoting a single hero ingredient
Read full story here:PepsiCo bets on global flavors to grow beyond snacks
HHS’ proposed changes to the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) framework adds another layer of regulatory oversight and future investments for food ingredients
The proposal would enforce a mandatory GRAS notification versus its current voluntary framework. The effort is part of a broader push to strengthen federal supervision of food ingredients and coincides with the agency’s pending work to establish a formal definition for ultra-processed foods
However, critics of the proposal warn that mandatory notification requirements could add new hurdles for companies creating novel ingredients and potentially hinder innovation and impact investment in emerging food technologies
At the same time, FDA is evaluating petitions for new natural food colors as the industry phases out synthetic colors. These natural colors include options for blue and yellow, which comes at a time when FDA stated last year it would fast track the review and approval of new natural colors
Read the full story here: HHS proposes new GRAS rules and addresses UPF definition
