AGP Executive Report

Energy Drink Crackdown (India): FSSAI issued notices to Red Bull, PepsiCo India (Adrenaline Rush), Campa, Sting and Monster over “energy drink” labeling and claims, saying no standard exists for such products and that functional/therapeutic promises aren’t allowed. Beverage Finance (India): Coca-Cola invited banks for a planned IPO of its Hindustan Coca-Cola bottling unit, targeting about $1bn and roughly a $10bn valuation. Wine & Climate Premiums: A Cornell study finds shoppers will pay more for climate-resilient wines when producers clearly communicate adaptation steps. Supply Chain Strategy (China): DP World’s survey of 292 executives says 58% plan supplier diversification in 2026, alongside AI adoption and new-market moves. Organic Oversight (US): A bipartisan bill would shift USDA organic inspections toward a risk-based model to cut red tape for small compliant farms. Cocoa Alternatives: Major confectionery players are pushing cocoa-free and cultivated cocoa options as record cocoa prices and resilience concerns rise. Local Food & Drink (US): Crave NW expands to downtown Spokane (July 16-18), spotlighting independent restaurants, wineries, breweries and artisan producers.

Halal Food Oversight: Kuwait’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs and its Public Authority for Food and Nutrition signed an MoU to strengthen partnerships and upgrade its halal food system, targeting food security, quality control, and compliance with Sharia and technical standards. CBD/Beer Regulation: Nashville’s Metro Beer Permit Board reminded businesses that Tennessee’s new hemp-derived cannabinoid law took effect Jan. 1, 2026, shifting oversight to the TABC and adding licensing, testing, labeling, and age rules. FDA Food Labeling Push: The U.S. FDA outlined year-end priorities for the Human Food Program, including clearer caffeine labeling guidance, tighter “healthy” claim rules, and more attention to how foods are marketed online. World Cup Boost for F&B: Square data shows World Cup group-stage lift for bars and breweries (+8%), with late-night transactions up sharply and non-alcoholic drinks/mocks gaining more than beer. Red Lobster Legal Fight: Red Lobster creditors sued former CEO Paul Kenny and Thai Union, alleging a disastrous “Endless Shrimp” push with inflated shrimp prices and underpricing that hurt restaurants. US Manufacturing Watch: ISM’s June manufacturing PMI eased to 53.3, with input prices still elevated—an economic backdrop that can ripple into food and beverage costs.

Packaging & Circular Economy: Australia’s Pact Group urged a Senate inquiry to make packaging EPR mandatory, arguing only 16% of its plastic packaging uses recycled content and voluntary targets aren’t driving investment. Food & Beverage Business Moves: HMPS Propac completed its Enmin acquisition to deliver end-to-end, locally engineered packaging line solutions for the food industry. Alcohol Policy & Enforcement: Camden (UK) introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order targeting anti-social public drinking, with police able to order people to stop and confiscate alcohol, backed by £100 fixed penalties. Beverage Recycling Rollout: Türkiye launched a nationwide Deposit Return System from July 1, paying 1 lira per returned beverage container via e-wallet credits. Industry Watch: Constellation Brands reported beer growth but sharp declines in wine and spirits, with tequila leading the mix. Local Hospitality: Delaware set a July 9 hearing on Revelation Craft Brewing’s proposed patio and variances, while Golden Corral in Davenport announced it will permanently close July 6. Food Supply Disruption: Kashmir’s mutton shortage is forcing restaurants and hotels to cut back menus after dealers’ strike and disputes over livestock transport charges. Public Health Push: A Malaysian health think tank called for free drinking water at all licensed eateries to make plain water the easiest option.

Clean-Label Push: Nestlé says it will remove artificial food colorings from products worldwide by end-2026, responding to consumer and investor pressure for simpler recipes. Funding for Local Food Innovation: New York’s Grown & Certified R&D grant opens with $1.36m to help producers launch or expand value-added products. Beverage Business Expansion: Constellation Brands posts first-quarter fiscal 2027 results as it continues to build in beer, wine and spirits. Retail & Beverage Culture: 7-Eleven marks Slurpee’s 60th birthday with free Slurpee Day (July 11) and a limited-time Mountain Dew Confetti Chill flavor. Restaurant Growth: El Pollo Loco opens its first Idaho location, aiming to accelerate new-market expansion in 2026. Food Safety Oversight: Hawai‘i DOH shuts four food establishments, then reopens three after follow-up checks. Regional Agriculture Pressure: India’s Totapuri mango export potential is hit by low prices tied to weak processing and value addition. Event-Driven F&B: Avolta and Air Canada extend loyalty benefits that will later include HMSHost dining purchases.

Heat & Safety: Illinois braces for a severe heat wave with heat indices topping 110°F in parts of the state, bringing reminders on heat-stroke and heat-exhaustion symptoms and first-aid steps. Retail & Alcohol Rules: Forsyth County, Georgia is weighing a new zoning category that could let liquor be served at cigar lounges, defined by cigar sales and on-site smoking. Ingredients & Deals: Ingredion’s proposed $1.8bn acquisition of Tate & Lyle spotlights how ingredient suppliers are shifting from commodity scale to innovation partners for reformulation and nutrition-focused product development. Energy Costs & Inflation: RaboResearch warns European food inflation could re-accelerate in late 2026–2027 as energy pressures linger after Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Brand & Service Shake-Up: KFC is rolling out a new “Open House” restaurant concept with table service, boneless options and new dipping sauces, starting with a Texas prototype. Food Culture: New Zealand celebrates its first Michelin Guide Oceania awards, with 15 restaurants earning stars. Packaging Push: Bag-in-box packaging is forecast to grow on sustainability demand, while container deposit schemes expand to cut waste.

Clean-Label Reality Check: Innova Market Insights says 1 in 3 new food and beverage launches globally now carries a clean-label claim, pushing brands to win on bold flavor and “natural” processing techniques like fermentation and roasting. Flavor Innovation: A spotlight on brands using fermentation, enzymatic processing, smoking and roasting to deliver punchy, multisensory taste without relying on “processed” positioning. Marine Cleanup & Waste: The Philippines and Korea will inaugurate the MV Nilad on June 30 to expand Manila Bay litter removal under an $8.2M, five-year partnership. Retail Snack Strategy: Convenience-store operators are leaning into more intentional snack merchandising to drive both impulse and planned buys as e-commerce and mass retailers intensify competition. Private Label Growth: G&S Foods appoints Matthew Lebo as VP of Sales, bringing 23 years from Hershey to support co-manufacturing and commercial partnerships. Premium Cheese Expansion: Parmigiano Reggiano outlines a next phase of U.S. growth focused on making the PDO part of everyday American culture. China Alcohol Shift: IWSR says China’s beverage alcohol market is moving from gifting and obligation toward younger, casual drinking, home consumption and on-demand delivery. On-the-Ground Hospitality: Sprouts expands Klatch Coffee in-store cafes to more Southern California locations, betting on better in-store experiences.

Sustainable Farming Push: Nestlé says it’s backing the Regenerating Together Programme to scale regenerative agriculture, aiming for 50% of key ingredients from regenerative farms and common tracking metrics. Functional Drinks Shake-Up: Tropicana launches Hydrate+ in the UK, pairing coconut water with real fruit juice to deliver electrolytes and vitamins in two flavors. Food Safety & Supply Pressure: Britain braces for another early-July heatwave that could stress poultry production and logistics, echoing 2022 disruptions. Packaging & Compliance Spotlight: A wave of supplier messaging highlights demand for high-barrier, food-safe disposable containers and printed plastic packaging as delivery and shelf-life needs grow. Market Signals: New reports project strong growth in food intolerance products and organic chicken, driven by health and clean-label preferences. Local Food Culture: Nepal’s National Paddy Day/Asar 15 is expected to drive about 7.5 million liters of yogurt consumption, worth nearly 1 billion rupees. Labor Watch: Australia’s Smith’s Snackfood workers face proposed changes to permanent protections and more labour-hire use at its Brisbane plant.

Food Safety & Water Alerts: A new boil-water notice was issued for multiple Covington, Virginia neighborhoods after a main line water leak caused a complete loss of water pressure, with residents told to boil tap water before drinking or cooking. Sustainable Packaging & Recycling: Ontario’s $150M WM Canada recycling facility officially opened in North Dumfries, set to process up to 160,000 metric tonnes annually for over a million households. Beverage Innovation: A Comox Valley winery unveiled “Coastal Resonance,” a sparkling wine intentionally aged underwater to test how the marine environment shapes maturation. Food Tech & Transparency: WISEcode brought its FoodTruth™ platform to the Summer Fancy Food Show, arguing AI and better food data will shift competition from marketing to product performance. Drink Industry Regulation: North Carolina’s HB198 would loosen liquor rules, including allowing liquor tastings at ABC stores and changing limits on mixed drinks at bars and restaurants. Health & Lifestyle: Experts warn some “healthy” herbal teas can trigger IBS symptoms due to high-FODMAP ingredients like chamomile and fennel. Hospitality & Consumer Trends: IHG and Revolut launched co-branded Essential and Elite debit cards in the UK starting June 30, with a launch offer running to Aug. 25. Climate Watch: An Extreme Heat Watch was issued for Lapeer County through Thursday evening, with heat index values potentially reaching 110°F.

World Cup Boost for F&B: Malaysia could see a RM1.2bn–RM2.1bn lift in food and beverage spending during FIFA World Cup 2026 as fans pack “mamak” outlets, cafes and restaurants for live match viewing, with an economist calling it a short-term “mini-consumption festival” effect. Cooling vs Refreshment Demand: In India’s June quarter, air-conditioner sales slowed as unseasonal weather and higher prices pushed consumers toward cheaper cooling options, while beverages, ice cream and dairy stayed resilient on affordability and immediate consumption. Food Label Crackdown: India’s consumer watchdog fined Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities ₹1 lakh over “100% atta/whole wheat” claims after the bread was found to contain only 87% whole wheat flour. Travel Retail Spotlight: Ricola is leaning into travel retail with its Swiss Alpine herb heritage, expanding distribution and exclusives across airports and duty-free. On-Premise Spirits Recognition: Cheers Group won 11 medals at the Bartender Spirits Awards in Chicago, highlighting mixability and value for U.S. bar and restaurant buyers. Hospitality Training with Impact: SM Hotels’ Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA launched a basic food and beverage operations training program with Quezon City’s jail male dormitory to support reintegration through practical skills. Pop-Up Dining Meets Gaming: Koreatown’s Boba Bear opened the “Invincible VS Experience” with themed drinks, photo sets and playable game demos running through Sept. 13.

Food & Drink Policy: Nigeria’s NAFDAC kicked off a nationwide “Read the Food Label” push in Abuja, urging consumers to understand nutrition and safety info to help cut diet-related disease risk. Alcohol & Alternatives: A new report says U.S. alcohol use is shifting as more adults drink less or choose zero-proof options, with non-alcoholic searches rising alongside new product launches. Beverage Business Moves: Casey’s General Stores unveiled a three-year plan to add at least 400 stores, with prepared foods and nonalcoholic beverages central to growth. Local Food Culture: Boise’s Hyde Park Street Fair returns Sept. 12–14 with food and drink vendors, plus beer and wine tents. Global Trade: Ghana’s GEPA opened a Ghana Trade House in Philadelphia to boost non-traditional exports to the U.S. On the Menu: North Italia opened in Meridian, Idaho, bringing scratch-made pasta and craft cocktails to the region.

Export Push: Sri Lanka’s president says the country will shift toward an export-oriented manufacturing economy, targeting a combined US$3B in coconut plus food-and-beverage exports in two years. Internship Pipeline: Coca-Cola Beverages Africa opened applications for a 3-month 2026 internship for diploma and degree students, aiming to place interns on real projects across departments. Legal Fight Over Food Aid: A U.S. judge blocked SNAP waivers that would have restricted sugary drinks and candy purchases, arguing the approvals exceeded authority. Dairy Spotlight: Pennsylvania commissioners proclaimed June as Dairy Month, citing dairy’s job and economic impact and reaffirming milk as the state’s official beverage. Snack Innovation Goes Retail: Ireland’s Mushrooms & Love says its Mushroom Crisps are rolling into all 167 Aldi stores nationwide via Aldi’s Grow with Aldi program. Local Food & Drink Culture: Boise’s Oddbox Breakfast Project launched a walk-up burrito window, while Faribault opened Sawmill Bar & Grill as a new downtown dining stop.

Trademark & Packaging: The TTAB ruled Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices can’t trademark its blue-and-white vertical stripe pattern, calling it too common across frozen desserts, beverages and restaurants. Recycling Rules: California’s SB 343 update says food and beverage cartons are now sorted for recycling by facilities serving 62% of counties, so “recyclable” claims can continue after the Oct. 4, 2026 threshold change. Corporate Moves: The Hershey Co. named PepsiCo Away From Home beverage leader Heather Hoytink as U.S. president, effective July 8. Beverage Exec Shake-up: Coca-Cola’s North America chief Jennifer Mann will step down Aug. 1, with CFO John Murphy leading the segment while a replacement is sought. RTD & Mixers Growth: Tilaknagar Industries increased its stake in Bartisans to 41.45% via a ₹2 crore follow-on investment, while AABL launched KULTUR hard seltzer in Madhya Pradesh. Food Safety & Compliance: Abilene restaurant inspections listed multiple high scores and flagged low scores tied to sanitation/handling issues. Consumer Health Messaging: Nigeria’s NAFDAC launched a nationwide push urging shoppers to read food labels to cut diet-related disease risk.

Foodservice Ops & Tech: Chef’s Deal rolls out a Priority Equipment Support initiative for Tennessee operators ahead of peak event seasons, aiming to cut downtime with local replacement inventory. Hospitality Retail Hardware: Emdoor Info launches the lightweight rugged Windows tablet EM-IS19J for mobile ordering, payments, membership and e-signatures in retail and hospitality. Beverage Science & Health: A new study links higher childhood sugar-sweetened drinks and fruit juice intake to greater later-life hypertension risk, while suggesting healthier swaps. Processing Debate: Industry voices argue processing tech should be judged by outcomes, citing advances that can reduce oil uptake and acrylamide without changing recipes. Alcohol Policy & Governance: California supervisors split on a bill affecting air district control tied to beverage container recycling changes; in India, CPM leaders dispute Bacardi’s low-alcohol beverage proposal history. Global Food Culture: Hungary crowns its top pálinka at a national competition; Singapore’s chilli crab lands 9th in a global crab-dish ranking. Travel & Consumer Demand: India’s domestic tourism keeps growing, with organized group travel (pilgrimages, incentives, conventions) driving demand for end-to-end management.

Plant-Based Protein Watch: The global soy protein market is forecast to grow from US$8.6B in 2026 to US$13.7B by 2033, driven by plant-based diets and functional food demand. Fair Food Update: Saskatoon Ex has dropped spudnuts from its 2026 lineup, citing operational and staffing needs, while promising other new fair eats. Cooking Oil Policy: Malaysia says the move to biodiesel blend B15 won’t disrupt cooking oil supply, estimating extra palm oil use at about 1.5% of total supply. Beverage & Retail Deals: Mars is removing two M&M colors (blue and brown) from some bags as it transitions toward synthetic-dye-free products. Hospitality & Dining: Michelin’s 2026 California Guide lifts San Francisco’s Californios to three stars, with Enclos also upgraded. Local Alcohol Rules: California’s ABC suspended Bill’s Market after an underage alcohol sale was linked to a crash. Foodservice Innovation: Turpone Foods expands Martha Stewart frozen pizza and pantry offerings for Summer Fancy Food Show 2026. Community & Safety: Anheuser-Busch and Eagle Distributing donated 14,000 cans of emergency drinking water to volunteer fire departments ahead of wildfire season.

UK Supply Chain Investment: Suntory is putting £14.5m into a new blackcurrant processing facility in the UK, aiming to boost efficiency, traceability and consistency for Ribena and future British fruit supply. Halal Dining Niche: Malaysia’s Sixty9 Islamic Steakhouse is built around fully halal preparation, drawing customers from across the country and highlighting how “halal” expectations are getting more specific. Hospitality & Food Safety Ops: In Iraq, authorities ramped up Ashura logistics in Karbala, including dedicated food-and-beverage safety inspections as millions of pilgrims arrive. Retail & Promotions: Sainsbury’s shoppers have ranked their top “picky bits” for World Cup parties, with multi-buys and themed deals pushing deli favorites. Customer Loyalty Pressure: Australia’s loyalty research shows consumers want better offers and service while budgets tighten, with AI research use rising—forcing brands to rethink rewards. Packaging & Waste Culture: China’s youth are reusing takeout bags as journals, pouches and décor, reflecting a shift toward upcycling branded packaging. Food Industry Hiring Watch: The US restaurant sector expects fewer seasonal jobs this summer, citing economic uncertainty and softer traffic despite World Cup travel. Trade & Exports: Pakistan’s basmati push continues in Europe as the Pakistan Rice Festival in the Netherlands draws 100+ importers and chefs to expand market access. Hotel Openings: The Hari brand is set to debut in Singapore in spring 2027 after Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre’s transformation, with new dining and beverage-led guest experiences.

Bourbon Spotlight: Lost Lantern launched “The United States of Bourbon,” a first-of-its-kind straight bourbon blend built from one distillery in every U.S. state, hand-selected over five years. Community & Hospitality: Smack Dab’s third annual Juneteenth Liberation Brunch drew 400+ guests and gave away $6,500 in free food and beverage. Food Safety & Traceability: India’s SWIFT 2.0 push aims to streamline cross-border trade while strengthening real-time food safety oversight, traceability, and regulator coordination. 4th of July Drinks: Dunkin rolled out a patriotic Independence Day menu of limited-time beverages and treats, including Refreshers, Dunkin’ Zero options, and coffee drinks. Local Innovation: UniSZA students in Malaysia created 10 new pumpkin and chilli-based food products, including frozen yoghurt and snack items. Circular Economy Push: Malaysia’s National Recycling Campaign targets 53% waste diversion by 2035, with stronger enforcement of waste segregation. Corporate Moves in Snacking: Hershey named PepsiCo veteran Heather Hoytink president of its U.S. business, as it reorganizes around its ONE Hershey structure. Packaging Compliance Tech: SMX says new state recycling and producer-responsibility rules are shifting demand toward proof and verification of recycled materials. Sustainable Beverage Supply Chain: A forecast warns Panama Canal shipping could face delays from a potential super El Nino, raising global supply chain risk.