Five stories are moving the CPG industry right now. Hain Celestial weighs bankruptcy. Hemp beverages face a November deadline. A Denver courtroom hosts a fight over Modelo. Whole Foods calls its 2027 trends. And Sprouts loses its first ever CTO. Here is what happened.
Hain Celestial is considering a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, Bloomberg reported on October 15. Shares fell more than 50 percent in New York trading that day.
The company had planned to sell its international business to private equity firm Aurelius for $323 million in cash. That deal required Hain and its lenders to amend the company's credit agreement by October 12. An SEC filing made October 15 says that condition was not satisfied. People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg a filing could come as soon as next month, though a final decision has not been reached.
President and CEO Alison Lewis began a portfolio review last year. Hain sold its North American snacks business to Snackruptors earlier this year. Its remaining brands include Celestial Seasonings, Earth's Best, The Greek Gods, Spectrum, MaraNatha, and Imagine. A spokesperson said the board and management continue to evaluate strategic and financial alternatives.
Hemp Beverage Alliance president and CEO Christopher Lackner told the NBWA conference last week that he is optimistic the hemp beverage category will prevail as a federally regulated category. He also warned that a miniature prohibition remains possible.
Congress enacted the federal restrictions on November 12, 2025 as part of the spending package that reopened the government. The law takes full effect one year from enactment. It caps finished products at 0.4 milligrams of total THC per package. Most hemp beverages sold at retail today exceed that limit.
Sources: BevNET, Saul Ewing
Arguments began last week in district court in Denver over Colorado's distributor termination dispute. Coors Distributing Company argued that Constellation's termination presents a substantial threat to its business. Constellation countered that the dispute is a classic money damages case.
CDC filed two suits in late September to block termination notices from Constellation Brands and Mark Anthony Group. Its filing says the company stands to lose distribution rights it has held for 30 years, including Modelo, Corona, and Pacifico. The case turns on Colorado's beer franchise law and whether a supplier can move brands to another wholesaler on 90 days notice. CDC alleges Mark Anthony Group has already selected Reyes as its replacement.
Sources: Brewbound, BusinessDen
Whole Foods Market released its annual trends forecast on October 14. The report, built by the retailer's Trends Council, names eight food and beverage trends for 2027.
The list: Beautrition, foods with collagen and antioxidants marketed for skin health; Bitter Done Better, amari, bitter greens, and nonalcoholic aperitifs; The Yoshoku Effect, Japanese comfort foods like katsu and omurice moving into grocery aisles; Dish Reinvention, familiar dishes in new forms; Ingredient Minimalism, short ingredient lists and scrutiny of ultra processed foods; Terroir's New Territory, origin and provenance beyond wine; Zero Waste 2.0, upcycled and circular products; and The Bean Boom, beans as a center of plate protein.
Brands cited include Ghia, Rancho Gordo, Graza, Simple Mills, and Vital Proteins. Chief merchandising and marketing officer Sonya Gafsi Oblisk said the company plans to bring more innovation to shelves in the coming year.
Sources: BevNET, Whole Foods Market
Sprouts Farmers Market chief technology officer Jim Bahrenburg resigned, according to an SEC filing. He was the first person to hold the role at the grocer. He will stay on as an advisor through March 31, 2027.
The departure is the first confirmed C-suite change since Sprouts announced its CEO succession plan. Chief operating officer Nick Konat becomes CEO on January 4, 2027, succeeding Jack Sinclair.
Sources: Grocery Dive