Category: Food & Drink

  • Danone Recalls So Delicious Frozen Dessert Over Hard Objects in Cashew Inclusions

    Danone Recalls So Delicious Frozen Dessert Over Hard Objects in Cashew Inclusions

    Danone USA has voluntarily recalled select pints of its So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster frozen dessert after consumers reported finding small stones and other hard objects in the cashew inclusions. The recall, announced September 15, affects products sold nationwide, including at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Kroger.

    Affected Products and Codes

    The recall covers Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert pints with SKU 136603 and UPC 744473476138. Only pints with best-by dates on or before April 3, 2028 are included. No other So Delicious flavors, codes, or products are part of this recall.

    Why the Recall Was Issued

    Danone stated that consumer complaints prompted the company to investigate. After identifying the issue, it notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and began working with retailers to remove the affected pints from shelves. The company says the problem has been corrected, and new shipments are not affected.

    Retailers Affected

    The recalled dessert was carried by several major retailers across the country:

    • Walmart included the product in its September 15 recall notice, listing select stores in numerous states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
    • Target also listed the same UPC (744473476138) in its grocery recalls on that date.
    • Kroger and its affiliated supermarket banners sold the dessert in certain regions.

    Shoppers are urged to check the UPC and best-by date on each pint to see if their purchase is affected.

    What Consumers Should Do

    Do not consume any pint that matches the recalled codes. Customers who purchased the affected product can contact So Delicious Consumer Care at 1-833-367-8975 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET) to request a refund or replacement coupon. Have the SKU, UPC, and best-by date ready when calling.

    Second Recall for This Flavor

    This is the second recall involving the same Salted Caramel Cluster flavor. In December 2025, Danone recalled pints due to possible small stones and hard material in the cashew inclusions, affecting best-by dates before August 8, 2027. The latest action expands coverage through April 3, 2028. Other So Delicious Dairy Free products remain unaffected and are still available in stores.

    For the latest recall updates, always check the FDA website or your retailer’s recall page.

  • ITC Targets ₹20,000 Crore in Aashirvaad Consumer Spending Within Five Years

    ITC Targets ₹20,000 Crore in Aashirvaad Consumer Spending Within Five Years

    ITC expects consumer spending on its Aashirvaad brand to double from over ₹10,000 crore to ₹20,000 crore within the next five years. The company plans to grow its core atta business while expanding into ready-to-cook, frozen, and other food categories.

    Hemant Malik, Chief Executive Officer of ITC’s Foods Division and Executive Director at ITC Ltd, said the brand is on track to reach the new spending target by 2031. “We will double in the next five years,” Malik stated.

    ITC Expands Aashirvaad Beyond Atta

    Aashirvaad entered the Indian market in May 2002 as a whole wheat atta brand. Since then, ITC has expanded it into staples, spices, fresh foods, and frozen products. The brand now has more than 200 stock-keeping units across different food categories.

    ITC currently manufactures Aashirvaad products at 66 facilities across India. This network allows the company to serve consumers in different regions and support wider distribution, while also enabling shorter delivery times.

    In FY26, ITC’s entire FMCG portfolio reached around 28 crore households and recorded nearly ₹37,000 crore in consumer spending. Consumer spending includes net sales, channel margins, and applicable taxes paid by buyers.

    ITC sees more room for growth in the atta market. The company introduced multigrain, high-protein, organic, and millet-based atta variants as consumers increasingly look for products linked to nutrition, wellness, and regional food preferences.

    Aashirvaad Expands Food Portfolio

    Along with atta, ITC is using the Aashirvaad brand to enter more convenience food categories. The company introduced ready-to-cook chapatis aimed at younger households and consumers with limited cooking time. Each pack contains 10 chapatis with no added preservatives and a shelf life of five to six days.

    The wider range also includes besan, vermicelli, rava, soya chunks, frozen naans, frozen parathas, fresh chutneys, and sambar. ITC wants these products to increase the number of meals and cooking occasions in which consumers use Aashirvaad products.

    Malik said consumers increasingly look beyond price when selecting packaged food products. “Premiumisation is not merely about a higher price point. Consumers today are willing to spend on products that offer tangible value, whether through superior quality, convenience, health and nutritional benefits built through meaningful innovation,” he said.

    He also said ITC plans to enter categories where it can address specific consumer needs. “The objective is to be present in categories where ITC can meaningfully address consumer pain points through innovation and differentiation,” Malik added.

    ITC Expands Sattu Push

    ITC also added sattu to the Aashirvaad portfolio as it expands into protein-rich traditional foods. The company launched Aashirvaad Chana Sattu in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. It also introduced Sattu Masala under Sunrise, the spice brand ITC acquired in 2020.

    The company makes Aashirvaad Chana Sattu using a traditional sand-roasting process. It sells Chana Sattu with Jeera in Bihar and Plain Chana Sattu in West Bengal and Jharkhand. ITC also introduced a ₹10 pack that provides 10 grams of protein.

    Malik said ITC wants to expand the product outside eastern India. “While we have initially launched it in the eastern markets, we see significant potential in the product. Our ambition is to scale it nationally and make ‘sattu’ a widely accessible and affordable protein option for consumers,” he said.

    The expansion of sattu, ready-to-cook foods, frozen products, and premium atta variants forms part of ITC’s plan to widen Aashirvaad’s presence across India while working toward the ₹20,000 crore consumer spending target.

  • ITC Targets ₹20,000 Crore in Aashirvaad Consumer Spend Over Five Years as Brand Expands Beyond Atta

    ITC Targets ₹20,000 Crore in Aashirvaad Consumer Spend Over Five Years as Brand Expands Beyond Atta

    ITC Ltd expects consumer spending on its flagship Aashirvaad brand to double from over ₹10,000 crore to ₹20,000 crore within five years, driven by expansion into ready-to-cook meals, frozen foods, and other kitchen categories.

    The company plans to grow its core atta business while adding products such as ready-to-cook chapatis, frozen naans and parathas, besan, vermicelli, rava, soya chunks, fresh chutneys, and sambar. Hemant Malik, Chief Executive Officer of ITC’s Foods Division and Executive Director at ITC Ltd, confirmed the brand would reach the new spending target in half a decade.

    “We will double in the next five years,” Malik said.

    Aashirvaad’s Journey from Atta to Full Portfolio

    Launched in May 2002 as a whole wheat atta brand, Aashirvaad has since expanded into staples, spices, fresh foods, and frozen products. The brand now carries more than 200 stock-keeping units across diverse food categories. ITC manufactures Aashirvaad products at 66 facilities across India, enabling shorter delivery times and broader distribution.

    In FY26, ITC’s entire FMCG portfolio reached around 28 crore households and recorded nearly ₹37,000 crore in consumer spending, which includes net sales, channel margins, and applicable taxes.

    Premiumisation and Convenience

    Malik noted that consumers increasingly look beyond price when selecting packaged foods. “Premiumisation is not merely about a higher price point. Consumers today are willing to spend on products that offer tangible value, whether through superior quality, convenience, health and nutritional benefits built through meaningful innovation,” he said.

    ITC is entering categories where it can address specific consumer pain points through innovation and differentiation. For example, its ready-to-cook chapatis, with no added preservatives and a shelf life of five to six days, target younger households with limited cooking time.

    Sattu Expansion

    ITC has also added Aashirvaad Chana Sattu to its portfolio, focusing on protein-rich traditional foods. The product, made using a traditional sand-roasting process, is initially available in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. ITC also introduced Sattu Masala under the Sunrise spice brand acquired in 2020.

    “While we have initially launched it in the eastern markets, we see significant potential in the product. Our ambition is to scale it nationally and make ‘sattu’ a widely accessible and affordable protein option for consumers,” Malik said.

    The expansion into sattu, ready-to-cook foods, frozen products, and premium atta variants forms part of ITC’s broader strategy to widen Aashirvaad’s presence across India and achieve the ₹20,000 crore consumer spending goal.

  • Flipkart Gears Up to Challenge Zomato and Swiggy with Low-Cost Food Delivery

    Flipkart Gears Up to Challenge Zomato and Swiggy with Low-Cost Food Delivery

    Flipkart, the Walmart-owned e-commerce giant, is preparing to enter India’s competitive food delivery market with a disruptive low-commission model. The company is set to launch its service in Bengaluru around August 15, with initial reports indicating that restaurants across the city are already being onboarded onto the platform.

    One of the most striking aspects of Flipkart’s entry is its proposed 10% commission rate for restaurant partners, significantly lower than the 16% to 30% typically charged by established players like Zomato and Swiggy. This aggressive pricing strategy could attract restaurants looking to reduce operational costs and pass on savings to customers.

    Flipkart’s foray into food delivery is expected to shake up a market that has long been dominated by Zomato and Swiggy. Reports suggest that Flipkart is taking a different approach than its competitors, exploring the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) as part of its long-term strategy to scale its food delivery business. This move aligns with the Indian government’s push for open, interoperable e-commerce.

    Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy has confirmed that the rollout will be phased. The company will first test the service with a limited set of users, gather feedback, refine the offering, and then scale it up. This cautious approach indicates Flipkart aims to deliver a polished experience from the outset.

    Flipkart brings several advantages to the table, including a vast existing customer base, one of the country’s largest delivery networks, and the financial backing of Walmart. These strengths could help the company gain significant traction soon after its launch.

    However, food delivery is a challenging business. Low commissions alone will not guarantee success. Fast and reliable delivery partners, efficient logistics, and excellent customer service are equally crucial. Zomato and Swiggy have spent years building these capabilities. If Flipkart wants to be a serious contender, it must match their operational excellence.

    Flipkart’s entry could inject much-needed competition into India’s food delivery market. If it can deliver both great service and lower costs, it could become a strong alternative for both restaurants and consumers. The coming months will reveal whether this new player can carve out a significant share of the market.

  • Starbucks App Review: Streamlined Mobile Ordering and Rewards Program

    Starbucks App Review: Streamlined Mobile Ordering and Rewards Program

    The Starbucks mobile app simplifies coffee and food ordering, letting users pre-order, customize drinks, pay contactlessly, and manage Starbucks Rewards. With a user-friendly interface and personalized offers, the app enhances the overall Starbucks experience. Here’s our full review.

    General Information

    • Founded: 1971
    • Platform Support: Web, Android, iOS
    • Category: Food & Drink
    • Download: Available on official app stores

    Main Features of Starbucks App

    • Pre-order coffee, drinks, and food for fast pickup
    • Personalize drinks with preferred preparation choices
    • Collect and redeem Starbucks Rewards with a free membership
    • Make secure payments without cash using the app
    • Find nearest Starbucks locations and store details
    • Receive special offers tailored to your membership activity

    Benefits of Starbucks App

    • Save time with mobile order and pickup services
    • Easily track and redeem reward points
    • Personalized offers based on your activity
    • Secure and contactless payments
    • Locate nearest Starbucks stores quickly
    • Hassle-free ordering process

    Challenges of Starbucks App

    • Menu options vary by store location
    • Extended wait times during peak hours
    • Specialized beverages may take longer to prepare
    • Higher prices compared to many other coffee shops
    • Some benefits differ by country or region

    Subscription Information

    The Starbucks mobile app is free to download with no subscription charges. Users can purchase food and drinks through the app. The Starbucks Rewards program offers free membership, providing Stars and rewards on purchases.

    Support Options

    • Help Center and Learning Resources: FAQs, Starbucks Rewards info, account management, store details, and ordering assistance.
    • Customer Support: Assistance with orders, payments, Starbucks Rewards, gift cards, account issues, and general service.

    Conclusion

    The Starbucks app delivers a fast, convenient way to order, collect rewards, and pay without cash. Its intuitive interface, mobile ordering, customized rewards, and store locator make it an excellent tool for regular Starbucks customers. While availability and wait times vary by location, the app remains highly effective overall.

    Rating: 4 / 5