Food Tech & Compliance: AKA Foods launched AKA Label Studio, a free tool that generates FDA and EU/UK-compliant food labels, aiming to cut the cost of nutrition/regulatory labeling for developers and QA teams. AI in Hospitality: A UK survey found 1 in 3 younger adults use AI to choose pubs and restaurants, pushing venues to improve online discovery. Packaging Industry: London Packaging Week revealed its first 2026 speaker lineup, spotlighting how packaging is shifting toward sustainability and regulatory readiness. Plant-Based Growth: Pulmuone reported US tofu sales up 16.8% year-on-year through May, driven by rising demand for plant-based protein and expanded retail distribution. Health & Food Safety: A large study linked eight common food preservatives to higher risks of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Fast-Food Shake-Up: Jersey Mike’s Subs dethroned Chick-fil-A as America’s top fast-food chain in customer satisfaction rankings. New Beverage Moves: Asahi partnered with Varun Beverages to franchise CALPIS in India, targeting a non-alcohol, non-carbonated dairy-based RTD launch in 2H 2026. Food Innovation & Trends: Chamoy is tipped as the UK’s next big sweet-spicy condiment trend, moving from Mexican street food into mainstream menus.