Articles by Prepared Foods Editorial Staff

SunOpta has opened an expanded fruit snack production line at its Omak, Wash., facility following an investment of more than $25 million. The expansion increases production capacity by 25% and supports growing demand for fruit-based snacks made without artificial colors, high-fructose corn syrup or major allergens.

Om Mushrooms expanded its functional latte lineup with the launch of a Vanilla Chai Latte Blend, available at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide and online. The beverage delivers 2,000mg of organic whole food mushrooms per serving, along with beta-glucans and 35mg of caffeine to support focus, calm and daily wellness.

OIKOS is expanding its ready-to-drink protein shake portfolio with the introduction of Strawberry and Mocha Latte varieties. The new flavors reflect growing consumer interest in fruit-forward protein beverages and coffee-inspired formats, while providing 30g of complete protein, prebiotic fiber and no artificial sweeteners or flavors.

As keynote speaker at NJ FoodTech 2026, BlueNalu Founder, President & CEO Lou Cooperhouse will explore how food companies can build durable value propositions in an increasingly competitive marketplace. In an interview with Prepared Foods, Cooperhouse said today's investors prioritize operational discipline, scalability and profitability, while long-term success depends on treating the company—not just the product—as the value proposition.

Muscle Milk has reformulated its ready-to-drink protein shake lineup with ultra-filtered milk and a simplified ingredient list containing half the ingredients of the previous formula. The shakes deliver 26-42g of complete protein per serving and are made without artificial sweeteners, flavors or added colors, reflecting growing demand for cleaner-label protein products.

General Mills is rolling out 79 limited-edition products across brands including Cheerios, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker and Fruit Roll-Ups to mark America’s 250th birthday. The lineup features nostalgic flavors, red, white and blue-themed offerings and seasonal packaging designed for summer gatherings and celebrations.

Idaho Milk Products has opened a new ice cream and powder blending facility in Jerome, Idaho, expanding its capabilities in value-added dairy ingredients. The integrated operation combines high-volume ice cream production with advanced dry blending technology, supporting retail, foodservice and custom formulation needs.

Hot Pockets is expanding beyond handheld sandwiches with the launch of Snack Breaks, a new line of bite-sized frozen snacks featuring sweet and savory flavor combinations. The launch highlights continued innovation around portable snacking, texture-driven formulations and crossover flavor inspiration from across the snack aisle.

Gelatys has opened a new 30,000sq-ft production facility in Fort Myers, Fla., aimed at scaling manufacturing capacity for its premium frozen novelties portfolio. The investment highlights continued growth in the frozen dessert category, with brands expanding operations to support national retail distribution and accelerate product innovation.

Popeyes is bringing its signature buttery biscuits into home kitchens with new easy-to-make biscuit mixes. The launch reflects continued growth in restaurant brands expanding into consumer-packaged goods and at-home meal occasions.