The publicly-traded grocery-brand conglomerate is buying Pirate Brands, maker of Pirate’s Booty white-cheddar-cheese rice and corn puffs, for $195 million.

Tyson Foods is expanding beyond its familiar beef, pork and chicken products into the prepared foods arena by taking over Circle Foods, which produces enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, tacos and more at a 159,000-sq.ft. plant in San Diego.

More than 100 years old, the famous Cracker Jack brand from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division has evolved for today's consumers with modern prizes, more peanuts and exciting new flavors joining the fold.

Food makers are hoping to meet U.S. consumers’ desire for snacking healthy with nutritious options, with items like veggie chips, better-for-you bars and cereal-snack introductions.

With the rise of obesity and other health issues among U.S. children, the Minneapolis-based company announced an initiative to help food manufacturers and foodservice operators find formulation solutions to address challenges associated with improving childhood nutrition.

The Battle Creek, Mich.-based company says it made progress on delivering health and wellness to the marketplace in 2012, executives noted in its fifth global corporate responsibility report released April 22.

PepsiCo Inc., the world’s largest snack-food maker, reports profits that topped analysts’ estimates, helped by global snack sales.

Marketers are prompting something nicknamed "hand-to-mouth" snacking with packaging that encourages such behavior. Such packaging includes resealable bags that eliminate the chore of unwrapping products inside, single-serve trays, cups, bottles and more.