Inside the $330bn functional food frenzy fuelled by PepsiCo, Coke & Nestlé
From PepsiCo to Nestlé, global giants are racing to cash in on the booming functional food craze, but with trends shifting fast, the stakes have never been higher
Healthy foods
Why food giants are pivoting to beauty
FMCGs and ingredients suppliers see the beauty market as an attractive alternative
Fibremaxxing out, diversity in: Why fibre sources matter
The type of fibre consumed, rather than just the amount, is important for consumers to take into account
EFSA refuses to confirm sucralose safety in biscuits and cookies
The food safety body has ruled that the sweetener is still safe, but not in bakery
5 big food trends in Italy
What do Italian consumers want from food?
Yuka drives reformulation but leaves brands in the dark
In a world of pervasive confusion and growing mistrust over the contents of our food, the Yuka app is one claiming to sow a few seeds of clarity and transparency
Food makers must listen to ageing populations - or be left behind
As the population changes, food will have to reshape itself around the needs and preferences of its demographics
Green by default? The silent food revolution no one’s talking about
We’ve heard of ‘health by stealth’. But what about ‘sustainability by stealth’?
Why the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines need a ‘mulligan’ – and how to fix them
This isn’t a food fight, it’s a structural failure, according to experts who say the new US Dietary Guidelines need a reset, not another round of compromises
Clean label vs. functional foods: Can the two trends coexist?
Functional foods are often ultra-processed – but can they be clean label?
GLP-1s: Acute pancreatitis warning added to product info
Reports around GLP-1 drugs’ potential links to the illness have spurred regulators into action
GLP‑1 shake‑up: How food makers are reshaping NPD for smaller appetites
The GLP‑1 boom is rewriting consumer behaviour at speed and forcing food makers to rethink everything from portion size to product strategy
TikTok’s influence on food: How online trends blow up
The social media platform can drive food trends to the point where they move markets
Are GLP-1 ranges healthy? What food brands must know
Top food brands are embracing GLP-1-friendly ranges. But are these products nutritionally-sound?
GLP-1 ranges: Should you launch one?
We round up the challenges and opportunities of entering the ‘GLP-1 friendly’ meals arena
A new ‘superfood’ ingredient? The world’s fastest growing plant shows big promise
Fresh research into the world’s fastest growing plant reveals significant health benefits - if it’s prepared the right way
After GLP-1s, food steps in: Why weight maintenance is the next big opportunity
Former GLP-1 users looking to keep the weight off are a potentially underserved consumer base looking for foods and beverages that will help the feel full longer, manage portions and meet their health goals
What is the ‘GLP-1 halo effect’?
The GLP-1 craze could end up changing more diets than expected - even those of non-GLP-1 users.
GLP-1s: Winners and losers in food and drink
The GLP-1 revolution will benefit some sectors and harm others
Longevity vs healthy ageing: What’s the difference in food?
Consumers are often attracted to the same diets for different reasons
5 ingredient trends driving the next wave of GLP-1 innovation
Manufacturers get the spotlight for launching GLP-1-friendly food and drink, but it’s ingredient suppliers behind the scenes often spotting the trends that make it possible
Should ultra-processed foods be defined by what they’re not?
Foods that do not meet the definition of ‘non-ultra-processed’ are UPFs by default
GLP-1s, tariffs and health: Why food brands are reformulating
Sometimes recipe reformulation is a choice, sometimes it’s an order
Top 5 longevity trends shaping food and drink
Longevity is redefining consumer behaviour. Here are the top five nutrition trends every food and beverage brand needs to know
The Big Shift: Five trends transforming food and beverage
Discover the breakthrough ideas redefining how food is created, regulated and trusted
France bans imports of foods containing EU-prohibited pesticides
The measure aims to protect French farmers from ‘unfair competition’
Performance nutrition booms as ‘everyday athletes’ take over
How the ‘everyday athlete’ is powering up performance nutrition
Will GLP-1s go big in Europe in 2026?
The use of weight-loss drugs could become more widespread in the continent, shaping the food and beverage market
What are consumers giving up in 2026?
January is the time for restraint. What foods and beverages are consumers giving up?
Battle of the F&B Trends 2026: Contenders Announced
Three major food and beverage trend battles are set to define 2026, but which will triumph, and which will be left behind?
Meet the futuristic functional ingredients reshaping human health
From the mental health crisis to keeping an ageing population active, state-of-the art ingredients promise to help humanity bio-hack its way to peak performance. Here’s how
Sports nutrition 2026: Six game-changing trends
Discover the trends shaping performance, recovery, and longevity in the next generation of sports nutrition
Chemical warnings issued on produce: What it means for manufacturers
New research reveals fruits and vegetables carry high pesticide risk
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?
Ingredients in flux: Beneo’s CEO on what’s changing and what’s next
The ingredients sector is weathering some of its toughest headwinds yet - but beneath the turbulence lie clear, compelling opportunities for growth
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
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
SVZ sees health craze as opportunity, not threat
The ingredients company suggests that its focus on fruit and veg puts it in a prime position to benefit from consumer obsessions with health
5 ways algae could transform the future of food and drink
Consumers are warming to algae. Are we onto the next big thing in sustainable food and drink?
Functional food craze: What are the next breakout ingredients?
After a year of protein and fibre dominance, what’s the next big thing?
Protein and fibre ‘maxxing’ trend over? How consumers will diversify their diets
Consumers will begin to put greater emphasis on dietary diversity
Top food tech trends for 2026
When sustainability wanes, other food tech comes to the fore
Nestlé bets on start-ups for GLP-1 innovation
The multinational hopes external innovation can help support consumers through weight loss and maintenance phases
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
How functional food claims are regulated
What do companies need to do to ensure their claims are compliant in the EU?
Nestlé, Mars, Unilever, Ferrero & Kraft Heinz: The big CPG shake-up continues
From Nestlé’s mass layoffs to Kraft Heinz mega demerger, global CPGs are making bold moves to survive shifting consumer demands and financial pressure
Majority of consumers think supplements can extend healthspan, what’s holding them back?
There is a clear appetite for longevity supporting solutions from consumers across the globe, but uptake of supplements is yet to make pace with awareness, so what is holding back potential shoppers?
How food can promote healthy ageing
Industry must better understand how healthy ageing works