The big 5: Confectionery flavours to watch in 2026
From nostalgic favourites with a modern twist to wellness-driven indulgence, the flavour revolution is here
Diet & health
Chemical warnings issued on produce: What it means for manufacturers
New research reveals fruits and vegetables carry high pesticide risk
What F&B trends are on their way out in 2026?
Not all of 2025’s trends will continue to capture consumers’ interest
Functional non-alcoholic drinks: Innovation, opportunity and growth
As alcohol consumption declines and wellness trends surge, functional non-alcoholic drinks present a lucrative opportunity
Poultry sector on high alert as bird flu spikes in Europe
Cases of avian influenza are now four times what they were a year ago
Top 5 F&B ingredients trends driving market growth towards $560bn
The global food and beverage ingredients market is booming. But what are the trends powering industry growth?
Emulsifiers in food and beverage: Market growth and health risks
New research linking omnipresent emulsifiers to gut damage and obesity is raising tough questions for manufacturers
Ultra-processed foods: Reformulation ‘not effective’ in preventing harm
Taking out harmful ingredients and putting in beneficial ones cannot alone counteract negative effects of UPFs, says Lancet study
Up the food chain
EFSA’s new boss: Why faster risk assessments are my guiding light
The newly appointed Dr Nikolaus Kriz has ambitions to optimise European food safety
Top 5 F&B retail trends for 2026
Discover the five trends that will define 2026, and why agility, authenticity, and technology will determine who succeeds and who fails
Ultra-processed foods: 5 biggest implications from Lancet study
The landmark study series is the biggest blow yet to UPFs
UPFs linked to harm in nearly all organs
A wide-ranging study from The Lancet is the most damning blow to ultra-processed foods yet
Gluten-free gets festive: Why Christmas is the category’s biggest opportunity yet
Manufacturers and retailers are rethinking gluten-free as festive sales soar
Protein and fibre ‘maxxing’ trend over? How consumers will diversify their diets
Consumers will begin to put greater emphasis on dietary diversity
Top 5 functional F&B ingredients trends for 2026
From gut-friendly gummies to protein-packed snacks, functional ingredients are transforming everyday food and drink into wellness powerhouses
The truth about gluten sensitivity - and what it means for industry
Gluten sensitivity is widespread, but it may not be directly caused by gluten
Consumers want better sleep: 5 ingredients for nighttime nutrition
Sleep is a key health goal among consumers globally. The food industry now has an opportunity to meet consumer demands
Transparency demanded as trust in food system declines
Consumers want specific kinds of information about their food
The four pillars of gut health - and how they’re shaping F&B innovation
From probiotics to sleep-supporting snacks, discover how the four pillars of gut health are reshaping food and beverage innovation
Sweeteners linked to hair growth in latest study
New research suggests natural sweetener stevioside may help boost hair growth
How food can promote healthy ageing
Industry must better understand how healthy ageing works
NAD⁺: The longevity molecule transforming functional food and drink
NAD⁺ is emerging as a key ingredient in the longevity space. Discover the science, product potential, and formulation challenges shaping this fast-growing category
How big is the GLP-1 wave going to get, really?
As usage of weight loss medications surges and new therapies emerge, food businesses face a once-in-a-generation opportunity – or risk being left behind
Protein transition a priority for EU investment
Utilising plant-based proteins is vital for Europe’s autonomy as the world becomes more unstable, suggests innovation council head
GLP-1 food boom: Market growth, big brands, and key challenges
GLP-1 fuels rapid food and beverage sector growth - but risks and costs mount
Both sugary and sweetened drinks increase liver disease risk
Sweetened drinks are linked to an even greater risk of liver disease than their sugary counterparts
Why are dairy prices declining?
From cream to butterfat, prices have lowered across the board
Confectionery market to hit $278bn by 2032 as candy sales surge
The confectionery market is entering a new growth phase, driven by evolving consumer preferences, seasonal demand, and innovation in non-chocolate formats
PepsiCo to invest in functional health and appoint new CFO following Q3 earnings
In its third quarter results, the multinational has beaten expectations in several key areas, but problems remain
Top 5 foods fuelling the brain health boom
Brain food is booming. As consumers seek sharper focus and long-term cognitive health, the food industry is responding with powerful ingredients and smarter nutrition
Nutritional dark matter: The next frontier in food science
The discovery of ‘nutritional dark matter’ is unlocking new paths for smarter food innovation, targeted health benefits, and precision nutrition
Opinion
Fitness guru Joe Wicks’ anti-UPF rhetoric hurts more than his Killer bar
Joe Wicks is launching a “Killer” protein bar to expose ultra-processed foods – but his rhetoric risks misleading consumers more than the ingredients ever could
Functional beverage market to hit $250bn by 2030: Key trends driving growth
The functional drinks market is booming, with health and wellness powering growth
Top confectionery trends for 2026
Top trends driving innovation in confectionery include personalisation, premiumisation, and ultra-limited editions
5 tips to achieve regulatory approval for novel foods
How can applicants prepare for the all-important approval process?
The health trend: Functionality and clean label in 2025
Consumers are paying more attention to health than ever
UPFs are not the devil to clean-label’s angel
Are ultra-processed foods really the enemy?
Consumers prioritise food safety in purchases
More consumers understand food safety than ever before, according to EFSA
The big UPF myth: Why consumers say one thing and eat another
Do manufacturers really need to navigate out of the ‘dirty’ UPF world? Perhaps not, as exclusive research shows consumers’ perception of UPF is very different to their reality
Functional gummy mania sends confectionery sales soaring
Functional gummies are exploding in popularity - blending indulgence with wellness, and appealing to everyone from Gen Z to Boomers
Sustainable September
Nanoplastics in vegetables threaten consumers
The dangerous, microscopic plastic particles can accumulate in the edible parts of veg, study suggests
Cocoa crisis: Production threatened by black pod disease
Black pod disease is the latest infection to impact production of the beloved bean
Unilever, Mars, Ferrero & Kraft Heinz: A story of spin-offs, splits, mergers & acquisitions
From Kraft Heinz’s split to Mars and Kellanova’s mega-merger, the world’s biggest food brands are reshaping the industry
Opinion
Health is the next frontier for meat alternatives
Companies are aiming to give consumers what they want
Keto’s collapse: The end of a diet era
Once a weight-loss juggernaut, the high-fat, low-carb keto diet is losing consumer interest
GLP-1s may pose risk to athletes
By limiting food intake, athletes could lose out on essential nutrients they need for peak performance
How do GLP-1 drugs impact gut health?
As GLP-1 weight loss drugs skyrocket in popularity, their impact on gut health is raising questions
Top confectionery trends driving sales in 2025
From timeless favourites to viral treats, discover how price, innovation, and better-for-you options are reshaping the confectionery aisle
Calls for EU allergen regulation to expand
Goat’s and sheep’s milk, buckwheat, peas and lentils, and pine nuts are in the spotlight
Common UPF ingredients linked to death
Some ingredients frequently found in ultra-processed foods are linked to all-cause mortality