Our top 10 most-read F&B industry news from Oct 2026

Asian consumer choosing product at supermarket store (Wiphop Sathawirawong/Image: Getty Images / Wiphop Sathawirawong)

What drives flavour discovery in Asia? 3 trends food firms must know

Asian consumers are well-known for incredibly demanding palates, so pushing new flavours into this market needs careful strategising. Here’s what food brands need to know.

APAC Global Food Tech Awards 2026 spotlights food waste, compliance and functional foods

South Korea’s FutureSense has won the 2026 APAC Global Food Tech Awards for its food waste-tracking platform

Agentic AI is expected to automate purchases of household staples, increasing the importance of discovery-driven retail experiences as brands compete to surface products, trends and personalized recommendations, according to a new report from Mars. (peshkov/Image: Getty/Peshkov)

Mars predicts a future of automated and immersive retail

Agentic technology is increasingly shaping what consumers expect from their shopping experience as household staples are relegated to automated replenishment while immersive spaces are designed to drive discovery and spotlight viral trends.

Protein powder in a scoop. Food supplements. Dark background. Bodybuilding, fitness, gym — Hydrolyzed whey protein after lactic acid modification had more peptides compared with whey protein, which led to better absorption. (Gingagi/Getty Images)

Can plant proteins help ease the whey squeeze?

Surging protein demand and tight whey supplies are driving interest in hybrid formulations, with ADM and other suppliers developing plant-based ingredients to help manufacturers balance nutrition, functionality and texture.

Lautan Natural Krimerindo is promoting FiberCreme as a way to add fibre and creaminess to instant noodles and other everyday foods. (Image: Lautan Natural Krimerindo)

Fibre on fire: Next-gen functional yet convenient instant noodles and snacks

A savvy Indonesian firm is taking advantage of the rising fibre trend creamer to pursue export growth with added-fibre instant noodles, beverages and snacks

Processed food diet could worsen vaccine side effects

Changes in the microbiome due to diet may have increased fever symptoms following the Covid-19 vaccine

From Tailgates to Group Chats, Coca‑Cola® is Celebrating Football Fans Everywhere This Season — Coca‑Cola is celebrating football fans everything this season. (Image: Coca-Cola)

Coca-Cola Co’s growth strategy delivered in Q3, but can it last?

Strong volume and organic revenue gains underscore the potential of Coca-Cola’s pricing, marketing and innovation strategies, but rising costs and shifting consumer priorities could challenge its momentum next year

Our top food and beverage trends news from the past month (J Studios/Image: Getty / J Studios)

Trend Tracker: GLP-1, protein and flavour trends

GLP-1, protein and flavour trends feature in this edition of Trend Tracker

Private label portfolios have become more than just a vehicle for value – these days, they’re driving profit for the store and building brand loyalty, and that trend is projected to grow in the coming years. (JuSun/Image: Getty/JuSun)