Why is private equity interested in food?
Segments of the industry are being snapped up by private capital, and for good reason
Brands
Ferrero advances certified sourcing and supplier compliance
Confection giant reports 99% certified cocoa, certified palm oil and growing supplier code adoption in its latest sustainability update
OSK makes caffeine-free tea play as it eyes US, Middle East
Japanese tea brand OSK is expanding its caffeine-free range to tap health trends and capture international growth
PepsiCo embraces dirty soda trend with Dirty Mountain Dew and Mug Root Beer Floats
As consumer interest in indulgent, creamy sodas surges, major beverage brands are ditching the DIY approach for convenient, ready-to-drink formats
Mondelēz crystal Toblerone marks confectionery marketing shift
Mondelēz and Swarovski’s crystal Toblerone offers glimpse into confectionery’s new marketing style
Barry Callebaut’s strategic reset under Hein Schumacher
Six months in, Hein Schumacher is focused on profitability, discipline and execution, but can he turn stabilisation into sustainable growth?
Summer Fancy Food Show 2026
Bone broth breaks out of the soup bowl
Bone broth’s versatility across beverage formats reveals there’s more to it than a functional, savory drink
General Mills embraces protein innovation and launches $3 billion savings initiative
The company outlines a four-year productivity push as it navigates inflation and invests in product innovation
Sweets & Snacks Expo
Mars rethinks seasonality to drive bigger sales with smaller moments
The confectionery maker says future growth depends less on recruiting new snackers and more on creating more consumption occasions through micro-seasons, cultural moments and holiday extensions
Mondelez State of Snacking: The impossible innovation brief
Manufacturers have spent years responding to one consumer trend after another, but today’s snack has to satisfy every expectation at once
Inside Big Chocolate’s Cocoa Plan B
Confectionery’s biggest names are no longer just watching the alternative cocoa space – they’re shaping it
Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever’s court battle enters a decisive phase
The long-running governance dispute in the US is at an inflection point
Summer Fancy Food Show 2026
What brands need to know before pitching retailers
Winning at retail requires balancing data, storytelling and relationships to reinforce each other
Private-equity firm acquires $1.6 billion Irca as Dubai chocolate trend fuels growth
The Italian baking, chocolate and ice cream ingredients maker will focus on M&A, supply chain optimization and international expansion
Consumers stock up on GLP-1-coded protein shakes on Amazon Prime Day
Shopper satisfaction dips nine percentage points, as consumers reduce spending year over year
Nestlé to axe artificial colours worldwide in industry first
Nestlé to remove artificial food colourings from all products globally by the end of the year
Mars invests €1.5m in the future of science
Confectionery giant invests €1.5m in young scientists through Mars Impact Fund
Why the smartest food marketing begins when everything goes wrong
From stolen chocolate to monochrome packaging, some of the food industry’s most effective marketing campaigns have grown out of operational problems rather than creative briefs
5 food trends driven by lifestyle shifts around the world
Convenience, wellness and cultural identity are reshaping what people eat, driving five global food trends influencing brands today
Growth Asia Summit 2026: Retailers JD Health, Guardian, Alpro Pharmacy join major brands next week
There is still a week left until the Growth Asia Summit 2026 and we can confirm the attendance of retailers active in the region’s health and nutrition space, including Alpro Pharmacy, China’s JD Health and Guardian Singapore.
Kraft Heinz hits 100% renewable electricity across European factories
The FMCG giant continues its commitment to decarbonisation
Ferrara accelerates growth with global expansion strategy
From innovation to international expansion, Ferrara targets growth
Whey boom fuels surge in protein processing expansion
From WPC80 to lactoferrin, dairy companies globally are investing in premium protein capacity to capture growth in the high-end sports nutrition and functional food space
BuzzBallz surges into UK Top 100 alcohol brands with record £73m growth amid RTD boom
BuzzBallz, the RTD (ready-to-drink) cocktail, has been described as the “new darling” of the UK alcohol category as it has rocketed into the Top 100
EU clearance unlocks €18m boost for novel mycoprotein
Significant investment signals a breakthrough moment for biomass fermentation in the EU
Tate & Lyle, Ingredion and the new ingredients land grab
The Ingredion-Tate & Lyle deal signals a shift in the ingredients industry, where technical expertise is becoming as valuable as the ingredients themselves
Nestlé combines confectionery and coffee to boost growth
Nestlé brings together confectionery and coffee in latest bid to drive growth
China beverage alcohol market driven by younger consumers and on-demand drinking trends
China’s alcohol beverage market is in a “structural reset” with younger consumers, casual social events and at home drinking replacing the business occasion as a key driver.
How Danone is repositioning itself in APAC
Made Group’s acquisition is Danone’s first major EDP move in APAC in more than a decade. It’s a sign of things to come
Nestle’s race to scale sustainable coffee
Nescafé sustainability strategy making progress, but scaling across global supply chains remains critical challenge
Are investors still interested in precision fermentation?
Products derived from this method still face significant barriers
GLP‑1 use is fueling trends already in motion
GLP‑1 adoption is scaling rapidly and the brands that win are focusing on delivering nutrition for broader appeal rather than a niche segment
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Can regenerative agriculture become food’s next big growth story?
Kiss the Ground CEO Evan Harrison and FOND Regenerative founder Alysa Seeland explain why rising consumer awareness is attracting retailers and what must happen before regenerative products can scale
Big Food falling short on regen ag commitments
FMCGs are setting big targets but they’re not always credible, says new report
Nestlé accelerates shift to regenerative agriculture
Nestlé steps up efforts to transform farming practices as pressure mounts to decarbonise global supply chains.
Agthia’s ‘world-first dates energy drink’ targets category shake-up
United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Agthia has entered the energy drink category with a world-first invention, attempting to appeal to a modern audience with a major regional ingredient: dates
Danone’s Chobani lawsuit proves why protein claims are high stakes
Chobani and Danone’s court face-off demonstrates how fierce the battle in the ultra-high protein category has become
News Bites
How CPGS are rewriting ‘better-for-you’
Cleaning up labels is no longer enough – value-driven consumers are forcing the industry to rethink the balance of price, health and convenience
Private equity tightens hold on Big Food
Private equity is reshaping food and beverage, but rising costs raise questions over just how far it can go
Why food scientists still can’t crack the perfect natural red
Creating a heat-stable natural red remains one of food science’s toughest colour challenges
Misinformation circulates around new EU Listeria rules
New EU Listeria regulations are set to come into force next month – as misinformation circulates, we speak to the European Chilled Food Federation Rapporteur on Listeria and FSA to offer a clear and accurate outline.
Brand New: Mondelez, Thai Union, and World Cup sponsorships
Mondelez, Thai Union, and World Cup sponsorships feature in this edition of Brand New
Former Nestlé CEO in legal dispute with Swiss food giant following sacking
Former Nestlé chief executive officer, Laurent Freixe, is challenging his dismissal in a dispute over lost bonuses and shares
Function beats fame: why big food brands are losing their edge
Consumers want their problems solved and that’s how brands can grow
Sweets & Snacks Expo
Hershey’s ‘yes, and’ innovation strategy blends better-for-you and indulgence
The confection giant is leveraging protein, zero-sugar products and cross-category brand extensions to reach new consumers and help retailers merchandise a changing snacking landscape
Nestlé combines comms and ESG in strategic leadership shift
Nestlé promotes Antonia Wanner to chief communications and sustainability officer, signalling sharper focus on credibility and long-term growth
Hershey appoints PepsiCo veteran to drive next phase of growth
Hershey names Heather Hoytink US president, highlighting renewed focus on growth
Walmart and Amazon’s rapid-delivery war raises consumer expectations
Rapid and same-day delivery are accelerating the shift to online grocery, with omnichannel shoppers spending more and delivery outpacing pickup