Is MSG still controversial?
The scientific consensus around the additive does not reflect common attitudes
Flavours & colours
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
What are the 7 flavour trends set to impact US beverages in 2027?
Beverage flavour trends are changing fast and consumer demands are shaping innovation.
How the industry’s biggest player is securing cocoa’s future
Cargill fights to futureproof cocoa as supply threats intensify
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
What it takes to earn a place in today’s snack cart
Economic pressure, growing health awareness and AI-powered product evaluation are making shoppers more selective, forcing snack brands to prove their value beyond price, says NielisenIQ’s Chris Costagli
Mondelēz crystal Toblerone marks confectionery marketing shift
Mondelēz and Swarovski’s crystal Toblerone offers glimpse into confectionery’s new marketing style
12 brands that have nailed the ‘fricy’ trend
Beverages, snack, sauces and even ice cream are turning up the heat with ‘fricy’ offerings
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?
Nestlé turns KitKat Heist into Cannes glory
Nestlé transformed one of the confectionery industry’s biggest cargo thefts into an award-winning marketing triumph
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
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
Plastic-free confectionery packaging? It’s complicated
Confectionery’s plastic addiction is under scrutiny, but there are no easy solutions
Inside Big Chocolate’s Cocoa Plan B
Confectionery’s biggest names are no longer just watching the alternative cocoa space – they’re shaping it
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
Ferrara accelerates growth with global expansion strategy
From innovation to international expansion, Ferrara targets growth
Nestlé combines confectionery and coffee to boost growth
Nestlé brings together confectionery and coffee in latest bid to drive growth
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
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
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
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
Hershey appoints PepsiCo veteran to drive next phase of growth
Hershey names Heather Hoytink US president, highlighting renewed focus on growth
Kellanova’s latest launches reveal a new innovation strategy
As consumers become more selective about calories and spending, Kellanova is building snacks around specific occasions and need states—using protein-packed RXBAR launches and sensory-driven Cheez-It Crunch as examples of a broader innovation strategy
GLP-1 drugs aren’t killing confectionery – they’re reinventing it
GLP-1 drugs are changing how consumers snack, but confectionery sales remain strong and new opportunities are opening up
Fermentation turns up the heat in snacks
As consumers demand hotter, more complex flavours alongside cleaner labels and lower sodium, fermentation is emerging as an increasingly valuable tool for snack formulators
Mars’ artificial-dye-free push hits major reformulation hurdles
Mars to introduce artificial-colour-free M&M’s but reformulation challenges leave two colours out in the cold
Clean protein shakes up RTD beverages
Elmhurst 1925 extends clean-label portfolio with RTD plant protein shakes
How a better-for-you chip brand is raising the stakes in the category
Former better-for-you candy disruptor moves to the savory aisle with a healthier take on the classic potato chip
Letter from the editor
Alternative agriculture’s next chapter: fermentation and cultivation
From precision fermentation and cultivated proteins to next-generation ingredients, food-tech innovators are advancing sustainable production despite funding pressures, scale-up challenges and evolving consumer demand
How are Nestlé, Danone and Muscle Milk rethinking reformulation?
Additives and artificial colors and flavors continue to be axed from formulas as the industry balances a meeting consumers’ health goals with nutrition policy
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
From barn to breakthrough: How Danone is rethinking food innovation
Danone argues tomorrow’s nutrient-dense foods will be shaped first by healthier soils, smarter farming and stronger supply chains, creating new opportunities for protein- and fiber-rich products with lasting consumer appeal
Red, white and chew: The limited edition treats marking America’s 250th birthday
America’s biggest birthday party is inspiring a summer of patriotic flavours, nostalgic treats and celebratory packaging
聚焦中国：功能性食品创新、KitKat 本土化战略、中国品牌在东南亚的崛起等
本期探讨本土化、功能创新与高端化如何助力品牌赢得亚洲各地消费者
China Focus: Functional food innovations, KitKat’s localisation strategy, and the rise of Chinese brands in SEA
This edition examines how localisation, functional innovation and premiumisation are helping brands win consumers across Asia
The next tobacco fight? Marketing to children enters UPF debate
Campaigners warn that food companies are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to build brand loyalty from childhood
Danone deepens consumer trust in Danimals with reformulation and education strategy
As parents seek foods with multiple health benefits, Danone is updating its iconic kids yogurt brand with a reformulated recipe, refreshed identity and educational summer campaign
Döhler commits to cocoa‑free future with Nukoko acquisition
Döhler’s acquisition of Nukoko highlights cocoa-free chocolate’s move into the mainstream
Lindt hits 100% cocoa milestone amid Big Confectionery sustainability drive
Lindt hits 100% certified cocoa as Big Confectionery shifts focus to responsible sourcing
Mars goes all in on renewables as emissions fall and growth climbs
Mars hits energy milestone, while maintaining growth and stepping up global investment
Flavor and format are fueling specialty coffee
Specialty coffee is more than a caffeine fix for younger consumers as the category is driven by flavor, format and customization
Neapolitan reigns: Dessert experts highlight classic flavours for growth
Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice creams continue to outperform flavour and health trends
Mondelēz appoints new EVP and CFO in leadership reshuffle
Mondelēz names Amit Banati EVP and CFO, signalling continuity and a sharper focus on execution, as competition in snacking intensifies
Walmart’s Aloha reset highlights how snack bars are overtaking center store
The move reflects a broader industry shift as protein bars – and better-for-you snacking – continue to move into the mainstream
Mars names new digital executive as growth strategy ramps up
Mars hires new CDIO to power growth and fast-track Kellanova integration
Nestlé USA eliminates artificial colors as part of broader reformulation overhaul
While Nestlé has reached this particular milestone ahead of schedule, it positions the achievement as one step in a longer-term strategy focused on cleaner labels, product innovation and greater consumer trust
Fed Up! campaign takes aim at UPFs, but the science debate persists
A new campaign on ultra processed food education highlights systemic nutrition barriers, while food science experts stress the need to define the polarizing term before linking it to health outcomes
Chewy, gooey, crunchy or creamy: do consumers value texture?
Texture is being prioritised in much product innovation, especially in confectionery