Beyond Compliance: What Food and Beverage Brands Need to Communicate About in the Next Year

For packaged food and beverage companies, the next year will be defined not only by regulatory change, but by how effectively organizations communicate those changes. While supply chains and R&D teams work to adapt to evolving requirements, communications leaders will face a parallel challenge: translating increasingly technical, and often highly scrutinized, issues into clear messaging for consumers, customers, investors, and employees.

In the U.S., food dyes, ultra-processed foods, packaging materials, and pesticide-related concerns are all moving higher on the public policy agenda. Similar conversations are taking place across Canada, Mexico, and Western Europe, where regulators and consumers continue to push for greater transparency around ingredients and sustainability.

Is your company committed to – and prepared to communicate on – your positions when these topics become front-page news?

Food Dyes: Preparing for Reformulation Conversations

Few issues have captured public attention as wholly as synthetic food colorings. In 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA announced plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes and encourage transitioning to natural alternatives.

Expectedly, consumers are asking why ingredients are changing, whether previous formulations were safe, and how these new ingredients may affect things like taste and cost.

Companies that proactively develop clear, science-based messaging can help prevent confusion and maintain trust. Those that remain silent may find others shaping the narrative on their behalf.

Ultra-Processed Foods Enter the Mainstream Discussion

Another issue rapidly gaining momentum is the debate around ultra-processed foods (UPFs). In 2025, the FDA and USDA requested information to support the development of a uniform federal definition for ultra-processed foods, implying that policymakers are actively evaluating how these products may be classified and treated in future policy initiatives.

The outcome could influence labeling discussions, nutritional guidance, public health campaigns, and eventually product marketing.

For communications teams, this presents a unique challenge. There is still significant debate about what constitutes “ultra-processed food,” and experts and regulators have not yet agreed unanimously on how UPF should be defined.

Brands should prepare now for stakeholder questions by developing messaging that explains the facts – such as product formulation, ingredient functionality, manufacturing processes, and nutritional value – in plain language. Your ability to simplify complex food science topics will become increasingly important as media coverage grows.

Packaging Under Continued Scrutiny

Food packaging concerns aren’t new. And recently public attention to these concerns is accelerating.

Globally, regulators – especially across Europe and North America – continue to evaluate packaging sustainability and chemical safety standards. As a result, food and beverage companies should anticipate increased scrutiny regarding packaging choices, with stakeholders and media likely to ask questions such as:

• Why was a material selected?
• How does it meet safety requirements?
• What sustainability goals support the decision?
• What changes can consumers expect in the future?

Companies that can connect technical compliance efforts to broader consumer benefits often find greater success in maintaining stakeholder confidence.

Pesticides and Agricultural Issues Are at the Forefront of Food Safety Concerns

While pesticide regulation has long been part of the food industry landscape, public awareness continues to grow. Changes to residue tolerances, reviews of agricultural chemicals, and increased scrutiny of environmental impacts can all create challenges for food brands.

Importantly, consumers often encounter these issues through headlines rather than scientific studies. As a result, communications teams frequently need to bridge the gap between regulatory terminology and everyday understanding.

The brands best positioned to navigate these conversations are those that collaborate closely across regulatory, scientific, legal, and communications functions before issues emerge.

Why Communication Readiness Matters More Than Ever

In today’s environment, regulatory developments rarely remain confined to regulatory affairs departments. Policy announcements can quickly become front-page news or viral social media debates.

This reality requires organizations to think beyond compliance alone. Communications preparedness is a key business consideration.

At Buchanan, we work with companies operating in highly technical and scientific industries to transform complex regulations and policy developments into clear, audience-focused content. Whether developing executive thought leadership, media strategies, stakeholder communications, or educational content, our goal is to make sophisticated topics accessible without sacrificing accuracy.

For packaged food and beverage brands, the next 6-12 months will bring more frequent discussion around ingredients, food processing, packaging, and agricultural practices. Companies that invest now in strong communications will be better positioned not only to navigate change, but to build trust through it.