President Donald Trump doubled steel and aluminum tariffs to 50% on Wednesday, a move packaging manufacturers warns will have ripple effects for the food industry.

Trump’s tariffs, which are not affected by last week’s court ruling blocking many levies, are intended to further protect the U.S. steel industry, Trump said Friday during a visit to a Pittsburgh steel factory to recognize Japan-based Nippon Steel’s pending acquisition of U.S. Steel.

But some groups say other U.S. businesses in metals supply chains will be harmed, with these businesses — and consumers — likely suffering consequences such as increased costs.

Association members “strongly oppose any action” that would raise steel and aluminum tariffs to 50%, said Can Manufacturers Institute President Robert Budway, in a statement. “Doubling the steel tariff will further increase the cost of canned goods at the grocery store. This cost is levied upon millions of American families relying on canned foods picked and packed by U.S. farmers, food producers, and can makers.” 

Following the 25% tariff announcement earlier this year, several metal packaging manufacturers, including Ball and Crown, expressed concern about increased costs from the duties and passing the hikes down to already price-stressed consumers. The duties also affect other metal packaging manufacturers, such as for caps and closures, foils and industrial steel drums.

The Aluminum Association said in an emailed statement Monday that it appreciates Trump’s “continued focus on strengthening the U.S. aluminum industry,” but these tariffs could have unintended consequences. Association members will continue working with the Trump administration to increase domestic production, said Matt Meenan, vice president of external affairs at the Aluminum Association. “However, aluminum and steel are different.”

“Tariffs alone will not increase U.S. primary aluminum production nor support the $10 billion invested by the mid-and-downstream industry over the past decade,” Meenan said. “We need significant new sources of reliable, low-cost electricity and an all-of-the-above policy approach to keep and collect more domestic aluminum scrap.” 

AA is in touch with the Trump administration to better understand the details of the levies, Meenan said. “We urge the administration to take a tailored approach that reserves high tariffs for bad actors — such as China — that flood the market and includes carve outs for proven partners — such as Canada. Doing so will ensure the U.S. economy has the access to the aluminum it needs to grow while we work with the administration to increase domestic production.”

CMI similarly seeks a more tailored approach, with Budway saying the stated plan “plays into the hands of China and other foreign canned food producers, which are more than happy to undercut American farmers and food producers.” This risks U.S. food security, Budway said. “We are asking President Trump for targeted tariff relief, on tin mill steel and aluminum produced by our allies and used in the production of cans that are made in America.”

Budway further explained that domestic tin mill steel producers made a “series of unfortunate decisions over the past eight years” that resulted in “dramatic cuts that have decreased U.S. production of the specialized steel used in can making by 75%.” Therefore, domestic can makers and canned food producers now import nearly 80% of tin mill steel from foreign trade partners, he said.

Meanwhile, foreign leaders are examining whether to implement countertariffs or other measures.

The European Commission “strongly” regrets the surprise doubling of tariffs, BBC reported. The commission said Monday that it will make a case this week for the United States to reduce or eliminate all announced tariffs, including those on steel and aluminum, Reuters reports. The EU previously imposed, and then suspended, countertariffs on $24 billion of U.S. imports due to the earlier metal duties.

Sarah Zimmerman contributed to this story.

Red Hot Chili Peppers leader enters coffee

The crowded coffee category has a new entrant from a prominent rockstar, with an aim to grow a following through sales at live music venues.

Anthony Kieidis, lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and friend Shane Powers have launched the ready-to-drink coffee brand Jolene. Initially, the brand will offer two varieties of its canned coffee: black cold brew and white oat milk latte.

Investors in the brand include touring giant Live Nation, Global Brand Equities and the H.Wood Group. The beverages will be sold at Live Nation’s theaters in 23 states along with music festivals. Russell Wallach, global president of the touring company, said the products will fulfill the growing demand for cold brew at concerts, as it fits “the pace and energy of live music.”

Jolene touted its sourcing as a selling point, announcing that the brand is buying coffee beans from an all-female co-op in Peru.

“Shane shouted at me down the sidewalk ‘Let’s do something!’” Kiedis said in the press release. “I shouted back ‘how ‘bout coffee’? He said ‘done’. And so began the adventure of putting a high-quality spin on a can of coffee.”

In addition to concert venues, the coffee products are available on the brand’s website.

Beverages like coffee have provided fertile ground for celebrities looking for a side hustle to generate cash and grow their brand recognition outside entertainment. Last year, actor Robert Downey Jr. launched Happy, a line of coffee in ground and canned RTD formats.

Bottled water maker hopes sales will sparkle with new seltzer

Crystal Geyser is hoping to translate its bottled water dominance into the seltzer category with a new sparkling water line.

CG Roxane, the brand’s owner, announced the launch of Crystal Geyser Sparkling Alpine Spring Water. The line arrives in five flavors: natural, cherry, lime, orange and lemon.

Charlotte de La Porte, vice president of marketing at CG Roxane, said in a statement that the drink is meant to “not only meet the evolving needs of our loyal customers but also attract new consumers who seek natural, quality beverage choices.”

The sparkling water is made with the spring water sourced from its facility in the mountains of New Hampshire. The brand also is promoting the sparkling water packaging as more sustainable than standard bottles of water, as it is made with 50% recycled PET plastic.

The sparkling water category, while still a popular alternative to sugary sodas, has slowed in recent years. Volumes of sparkling water dropped 4.9% and 3% in 2022 and 2023, according to the Beverage Marketing Corporation. 

Newer launches have struggled to keep up with established brands, such as La Croix and Polar. In 2023, Coca-Cola stopped distributing its Aha sparkling water after a sharp decline in sales.

Crystal Geyser’s sparkling water, however, could benefit from the brand’s wide reach. According to the company, its flagship still water is the #1 domestic nationally distributed bottled spring water in the U.S., citing Circana data.

Campari pours nonalcoholic Italian spritzes for summer

Campari America, owner of Aperol, is capitalizing on the growing demand for spritz cocktails and nonalcoholic offerings as the weather gets warmer.

The beverage producer has launched Crodino, a nonalcoholic sparkling cocktail that was first launched in Italy in 1965. The drink has an “unmistakably bittersweet, bubbly flavor,” according to a release, and its ingredient profile includes clove, cardamom, nutmeg and coriander along with 10 additional spices and herbs.

Crodino is sold in four pack 5.95 fluid-ounce glass bottles. It will launch in select states, including California, Texas, Illinois and Maryland, before expanding into more markets.

“What’s been particularly exciting is how both consumers and our on-premise partners have embraced iconic Italian brands creating vibrant social experiences centered around the Spritz,” said Allison Varone, head of marketing for Campari America, in a statement.

Campari pointed to the growing popularity of alcohol-free drinks as a driving force behind the launch, referencing IWSR data in the press release that projected the category will be $5 billion by 2028.

Dave’s Killer Bread slides into summer with sandwich rolls

Ahead of Memorial Day and Fourth of July, Dave’s Killer Bread is unveiling new rolls to bring to the barbecue.

The brand introduced two sandwich roll varieties to its portfolio: Sandwich Rolls Done Right and 21 Whole Grains and Seeds. Both rolls contain 11 grams of protein per serving; the products also contain 10 and 16 grams of whole grains, respectively.

The products can be used in a variety of applications including hot dogs and sub sandwiches, according to Dave’s.

“This addition to our product family presents a unique opportunity to attract new consumers and energize existing fans for DKB,” Cristina Watson, senior brand manager at Dave’s, said in a statement.

Dave’s Killer Bread emerged in the 2010s as a healthier alternative to shelf stable breads. Its products do not contain corn syrup or artificial preservatives or flavors. The company is also known for hiring workers who were once incarcerated as part of its Second Chance Employment program.

Outside of bread, Dave’s is also working to grow its presence in the snacking category, including protein bars and snack bites.

—Chris Casey

Warheads bursts into sour fizz candy

Impact Confections is blowing up the sour candy sector with its latest variation of Warheads, which contains a fizzy explosion in the center.

Warheads Atomic Fizz is a hard candy that dissolves into a fizz thanks to a combination of sodium bicarbonate mixed with acid. The candy comes in five flavors and is available in a reclosable plastic container at retailers nationwide. 

Even as consumers begin to shy away from sweets in favor of healthier snacks, the sour candy segment is seeing growing sales thanks to a combination of nostalgia and demand among younger consumers for more extreme taste experiences, according to the National Confectioners Association. Parents who grew up eating sour candy are making purchasing decisions for the next generation, giving the segment new life among Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

The Warheads launch is decidedly geared towards the younger generation, and includes an explosive digital marketing campaign. The brand will “blow up” its mascot, Wally, in “increasingly bigger and more entertaining ways” on TikTok and Instagram when it reaches key sales milestones, according to a release. 

“Eating Warheads Atomic Fizz takes you on a journey from the Extreme Sour coating, through the sweet fruity candy, ending with a fizzy explosion in the center,”Lindsay Karlin, vice president of marketing and development, said in a statement. “And we’re launching the product with a bang.”

Sara Lee slices the bread loaf in half

Bread maker Sara Lee is shrinking the venerable loaf of bread with its latest innovation.

The Bimbo Bakeries-owned brand is rolling out its new Sara Lee Half Loaf line aimed at consumers with smaller households, emphasizing portion control for individuals who want fresh bread without the waste. The offering comes in three flavors: White, Honey Butter and 9 Grain.

“At Sara Lee Bread, we understand that many customers in smaller households want to enjoy fresh, delicious bread without worrying about the waste,” Nick Pitone, senior brand manager at Sara Lee Bread, said in a statement. “With our new Half Loaves, we’re delivering just that – delicious, high-quality bread in a smaller, more convenient size.” 

The Sara Lee Bread Half Loaves are now available in major food retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2.49.

As many consumers are looking to cut down on how much they eat, smaller portions have grown in popularity in categories such as soda, chips, candy and cookies. 

Increasingly, however, inflation has made smaller pack sizes attractive to shoppers who are looking to reduce their spending.

—Christopher Doering

Dive Brief:

• Pabst Brewing debuted a light beer it hopes will fulfill consumer demand for lower-calorie brews with less alcohol. 
• Pabst Light contains 96 calories and 4.2% alcohol by volume per can.
• Kim Oakley, Pabst’s director, said in an interview the beer was created with a new formula compared to past light options the brand has introduced. The new Pabst Light provides a lighter alternative in the standard beer category with fewer calories, she said.

Dive Insight:

Pabst is typically associated with its classic Blue Ribbon, a staple of the lower-priced beer category at college parties and cookouts. Its latest offering signals a shift in this consumer group toward moderation.

Pabst chose to introduce a new formulation in the light beer category by using El Dorado hops, typically only found in craft beers, to offer a more robust taste profile, according to Oakley.

The company found through internal research that its consumers felt “boxed in” by stereotypes featured in the marketing of competing light beers.

“They’re basically saying, ‘Hey if you’re a suburban, goofy dad, then drink this beer. If you’re an athlete or runner, drink this beer,’” she said. “We don’t want to put the consumer in a box. We need a beer that somebody will be proud to be themselves while holding.”

The Pabst executive said the company believes its tradition and ethos revolves around being solely a beer brand. It has no desire to step into flavored beverages or RTD cocktails.

“The consumer is a little confused in terms of all these products now proliferating in what used to be just the beer aisle,” Oakley said. “Beer is still the most popular alcoholic beverage in the country, and we believe as a company that there are still ways to win within the beer category itself.”

Pabst is taking advantage of consumer trends at a pivotal moment for the beer category as people curb their alcohol intake and rein in spending. Major beer makers are leaning into their “mega brands” with high distribution and name identification to drive sales growth. Pabst also is leveraging a new supply chain agreement with Anheuser-Busch, announced earlier this year, to get its products to more retailers.

Other brewers have debuted lighter beer alternatives to keep up with category trends. Last fall, Molson Coors relaunched Miller High Life Light after previously discontinuing the offering in 2021.

Dive Brief:

• Mondelēz International and Biscoff maker Lotus Bakeries are expanding their partnership into ice cream. The companies are working with Froneri, which manufactures ice cream under license for Mondelēz and other companies, to produce Biscoff-branded frozen novelties.
• Biscoff ice cream was launched in 2019 and today is sold in the U.S., U.K., and E.U. Working with Mondelēz partner Froneri will enable Lotus to expand Biscoff’s presence around the globe. Froneri will produce, market and sell Biscoff ice cream in several European countries starting in 2026, before gradually expanding into other areas. 
• Mondelēz and Lotus announced last year they were partnering to develop chocolate products that combine the taste and texture of Biscoff with Mondelēz’s Cadbury, Milka and other chocolate brands. They’ve already launched a Cadbury chocolate bar with small pieces of Biscoff inside, and a Milka product is expected to follow later this year.

Dive Insight:

Mondelēz has moved aggressively in recent years to bring its cookie and chocolate brands into other categories such as cakes, pastries and ice cream. Froneri has had a license to manufacture ice cream products using several of Mondelēz’s brands, including Oreo, Milka and Toblerone, since 2011. 

The move into ice cream allows Mondelēz and Lotus to deepen their nascent partnership and have more products at their disposal to drive innovation. Lotus noted that the “success of Biscoff ice cream over the past years has strengthened our confidence in the potential to expand our ice-cream portfolio to a global scale.”

Dirk Van de Put, Mondelēz’s CEO, said in an interview when the deal was announced last June that Biscoff provided the Oreo maker exposure to a “unique” asset it didn’t already own. “It’s going to play a unique role in our portfolio. That’s why we were interested in doing this [partnership.]”

He noted at the time that the two companies planned to come up with other products “that will use the Biscoff brand in more creative ways than just having the filling in our chocolate.” 

Biscoff, for example, already sells ice cream bars coated in chocolate. Mondelēz and Lotus could easily introduce a version where the chocolate is replaced with Milka or Cadbury. The innovation would further premiumize the ice cream offering while providing additional exposure to the chocolate brands in the frozen section. 

“This collaboration will strengthen our position in the ice cream sector, enabling Biscoff to grow into a global ice-cream brand,” Jan Boone, CEO of Lotus Bakeries, said in a statement. “Moreover, introducing the Biscoff taste to ice cream consumers worldwide will further boost our brand awareness and the ability of our own organization to focus on Biscoff cookies and spread globally.”