Anheuser-Busch InBev has laid out a five-year path to sustainability.

Analyst Insight: Food and beverage companies lag consumer packaged goods companies in corporate performance. With rising raw materials costs and volatility, coupled with increased compliance for food safety, they are facing greater change and increased risk. As they move into 2014, their supply chains are not as mature and their challenges are greater. - Lora Cecere, CEO and Founder, Supply Chain Insights

America's chain restaurants this year plan to ask customers to dig a bit deeper into their pockets, hoping to offset higher food costs and put a bit more cash in their wallets, according the latest national menu price survey conducted by restaurant supply chain co-op SpenDifference.

Just as KFC's China sales began to improve, the spread of bird flu is once again threatening the chicken restaurant's recovery, this time ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday, typically a busy period for the chain. The New Year begins on Friday, Jan. 31.

Governments and businesses should make efforts to reduce supply chain inefficiencies, which among others significantly contributes to loss of as much as 1.3 billion tonnes of food every year, says a report.

Last year's horse meat scandal in the UK illustrated the ease with which criminals could target the food industry and make huge profits as they did so.