The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

365 Retail Markets’ acquisition of Cantaloupe merges telemetry and payments with smart-store software, scaling its infrastructure for 40,000+ new customers in the $86B vending and micro market sector.

Aurora Innovation and McLane Company have transitioned their autonomous trucking partnership into full driverless operations in Texas, utilising SAE Level 4 technology to move perishable food and restaurant supplies across the "middle mile" with 100 per cent on-time performance.

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has announced a comprehensive artificial intelligence programming track for its upcoming IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo, focusing on how AI can accelerate product development, strengthen food safety, and support global food security.

KitKat Panama has launched a limited-edition "Break Mode" wrapper that functions as a functional Faraday cage, temporarily blocking smartphone signals when a device is placed inside to promote true digital disconnection.

Elite Robots has launched RoboBarista, a fully autonomous, cobot-powered coffee station designed to deliver up to 60 cups per hour while offering professional-grade latte art and remote management for high-traffic commercial operators.

Prodalim has acquired food-tech company Better Juice to integrate its proprietary enzymatic sugar reduction technology, marking a strategic expansion into the $1.8 billion global taste modulation market.

Chef Robotics has unveiled a new physical AI application for automated tray assembly in the bakery sector, utilising computer vision to precisely handle and package high-mix products like cookies and granola bars across North America and Europe.

Restaurant365 has strengthened its executive leadership team with the appointments of Steve Demchuk as Chief Product Officer and Mark Grilli as Chief Marketing Officer to accelerate the growth of its AI-powered back-office platform.