Several large beverage companies, seeing losses in their wine operations, have turned to premium offerings to cater to a more niche audience willing to pay more.

The Salted Caramel bar, which debuts in April, is the first limited-time offering for the century-old brand under the Nutella owner. Similar changes are expected for Crunch and Baby Ruth.

In other beverage news, cannabis drink brands launched a trade group this week with Washington, D.C. lobbyists in order to influence federal legislation.

New product formulations and technological advancements in food processing are leading to an increase in confectionery product consumption.

The latest innovation from the candy giant is a freeze-dried variety, and Pepperidge Farm unveiled its holiday lineup with a new peppermint cookie.

Hershey and other big chocolate producers are turning to gummies and other candy to offset supply issues with the crop.

The changes come as the world's largest food company cut its growth outlook for the full year and warned of sluggish consumer demand.

Marina Bellini, previously COO at Brazil's Itaú Unibanco, will join candymaker Mars as president of the company's Global Business Services organization.

The agreement between Hershey and nine cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire seeks to partner with growers as a way to standardize cocoa cultivation and improve profits.

Blake’s Hard Cider, which has grown to be a multi-million dollar national business, developed out of a 77 year-old apple farm in Michigan.

The food manufacturer is appealing to a large audience with an abundance of the popular nutrient, natural ingredients and no added sugar.

The ketchup and Mac & Cheese maker said its foodservice unit is “an integral strategic building block” to growing its business and raising brand awareness.