Flavours & colours

Is MSG still controversial?

The scientific consensus around the additive does not reflect common attitudes

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

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

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

Neapolitan reigns: Dessert experts highlight classic flavours for growth

Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice creams continue to outperform flavour and health trends

Japan Focus: KitKat’s localisation strategy, food security, Glico at Growth Asia Summit, and FFC trends

This edition explores how KitKat became a Japanese icon, efforts to strengthen food security, Glico in Growth Asia Summit, and FFC consumption trends

Can Ebola disrupt coffee prices and stocks?

The border closure between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has raised concerns over potential disruption to coffee trade - but is there a risk to global coffee prices?

Global Food Tech Awards

Global Food Tech Awards EMEA heat opens: Why startups should apply and how to stand out

Calling all EMEA food and beverage startups - applications are now open and entry is free

General Mills sees soft demand ahead, but also pockets of opportunity

Executives expect consumers to remain value-conscious, but believe investments in “remarkability” can boost growth across key categories

Energy drink trends: US startup PHX blends hydration and energy

Florida-based functional drinks firm PHX has launched a hydration-energy drink designed to meet growing demand for multifunctional beverages

Middle East Focus: Turkish meat consumption, Iran conflict and K-Food

Turkish meat consumption, Iran conflict and K-Food feature in this edition of Middle East Focus

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Is the Magnum Ice Cream Company ready to thrive?

Recent chatter about private equity interest has brought the company’s performance into focus

FBIF 2026

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Not Just a Flavour Strategy: How KitKat Embedded Itself in Japanese Culture

From ‘Japanisation’ to deep cultural alignment, Nestlé KitKat is one of the few foreign brands to have thoroughly cracked Japan’s competitive chocolate market

Why thinking like an AI agent matters to marketing

Generative engine optimization is reshaping how brands get discovered

聚焦中国：WALOVI 全球布局、健康中国 2030、老年营养等议题

本期内容涵盖凉茶品牌 WALOVI 的全球扩张、“健康中国 2030”战略驱动下的食品创新、针对患有吞咽障碍的老年人的营养解决方案等

Keep it simple: Why functional beverages are in danger of overwhelming consumers

With so many choices, could consumers be put off the category entirely?

Iran conflict drains the colour from snack packs

Calbee’s decision to strip colour from its packaging amid naphtha shortages is an early warning that the Iran conflict is beginning to fracture the petrochemical supply chains underpinning the global food industry

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Mars, Mondelēz, Ferrero, Nestlé and Hershey: Rethinking confectionery innovation

From viral chocolates to cultural collaborations, confectionery innovation is entering a new experience‑led era

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Japan Focus: Glico on snack trends, amazake jelly sticks, tea innovation and more

In this edition of Japan Focus, we dive into Glico’s strategy for growth in the snack category, modernising amazake for consumers, tea innovations, and more

From protein to prebiotics: 11 launches tapping into longevity nutrition

Brands are reformulating everyday foods with more protein, fibre and functional ingredients as consumers look to support strength, digestion and long-term wellbeing through daily eating habits

Tea among the stars: Space sakura and decaf drive Japan firm exports

Space sakura tea and decaffeinated teas are part of Japan GreenTea’s export push, combining novelty, aesthetics and healthier beverage options

The world’s oldest food and drink brands and how they’ve survived

Is there a recipe for long-term food and drink brand success? Let’s explore…

Food Ingredients China 2026

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Healthy China 2030 spurs wellness-driven food additive innovation

Food companies pivot to plant-based additives and health-forward messaging to meet consumer demand and align with the Healthy China 2030 Blueprint

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How Coca-Cola is winning in a K-shaped economy

Coca-Cola enjoyed a strong start to the year with net revenues up 12% in Q1. What is the beverage giant doing right?

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5 food and drink innovations shaping the industry’s next growth wave

Smart insight is driving innovation to the next level, whether it’s how to better tap into GLP-1 nutrition or the rise of frozen snacks, manufacturers are getting clever

The ‘warming’ buzz for alcohol-free booze is finally cracked

Industry players, academics and researchers have cracked the code for better tasting alcohol-free drinks - in different ways

Functional drinks shift focus from body to mind

Functional drinks have traditionally concentrated on the body. The next frontier is exploring brain health, cognition, focus, stress-relief and mental wellbeing

China Focus: TaoKaeNoi x Chen Zheyuan collab, processed foods debate, gut health trends in China, and more

This edition features TaoKaeNoi’s new brand ambassador Chen Zheyuan, a rethink of processed food additives, rising demand for natural gut health products in China and more

FIC 2026

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Flashy and sweet: Brands tap health trends in artificial sweetener push

Leveraging weight loss, gut and dental health trends, Chinese firms are increasingly creative in reframing artificial sweeteners as a health aligned choice

Food Ingredients China 2026

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Gut health, clean label foods surge in China market

Chinese consumers are driving demand for natural, gut-friendly and plant-based ingredients, mirroring global trends and boosting innovation in functional products

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PepsiCo proves new playbook works as price cuts and innovation drive sales

Price cuts, cleaner ingredients and bold flavors drove Q1 gains for PepsiCo as consumers seek affordability, function and comfort

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Nestlé backs filtered brews as next major coffee trend

Nestlé predicts filtered coffee will see a surge that reflects rising consumer demand for cleaner flavours and innovative brews, especially in APAC

FIC 2026

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‘There are no bad additives, only bad humans’: Experts urge fairer view of processed foods

Top Chinese food science leaders have urged consumers and industry to make fairer judgements of processed foods and additives, calling the sector badly misunderstood

Protein soda: Why the new craze is going from strength to strength

Gone are the days where protein drinks meant serious whey shakes at the gym. Protein soda is making the category much more fun

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Unilever and McCormick defend food tie-up after investor jitters

Executives from both companies reframe planned combination of food businesses as a ‘flavor-led’ growth strategy, despite sharp share price declines following the announcement

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6 key food innovation trends driven by feel good indulgence

Consumer demand for indulgence — and feeling good about it — is increasingly driving food innovation strategies. Here are six key drivers powering this change.

Opinion

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Nestlé’s alt chocolate bet is make-or-break for cocoa-free

This is no ordinary product launch. The stakes are high for cocoa-free chocolate

Gulfood 2026

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Açai leader SAMBAZON eyes Japan, Middle East to drive next growth phase

World’s largest açaí brand SAMBAZON is building on rapid growth in Japan and the Middle East to establish açaí as a lifestyle in the region

The Big 5: Power players defining confectionery’s future

Five giants dominate confectionery. What gives them the edge, and keeps them on top?

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Iran at war: What food and beverage needs to know

Israel and US attacks on Iran have long-lasting implications for global food and drink industries. Here’s the latest

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Inside the functional beverage craze: What benefits are consumers really looking for?

From gut health to energy, there’s a huge range of choice in the functional beverage category. What do consumers actually want?

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Is Asia the next GLP‑1 boom market and what it means for F&B?

After a slow start, Asia’s GLP‑1 weight‑loss market is poised for explosive growth as China and India tackle obesity and food and drink brands race to become essential GLP‑1 companions

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Confectionery sector braced for shortages as Iran conflict escalates

As conflict disrupts key trade routes and energy supplies, the confectionery sector is among the first to feel the strain. How vulnerable are manufacturers, and what can be done to protect the industry?

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Flavour feature: Scallion in the spotlight for ‘modern savoury’ appeal

Ingredients giant Kerry has spotlighted scallion as a ‘hero’ flavour amid strong focus on wellness and tradition in its 2026 Taste Charts

Nestlé’s new power play: Four Pillars, one direction

Swiss food and beverage giant unveils bold new strategy for the future

Crunch appeal: Japanese snack brand revamps karinto for overseas growth

Heritage snack firm Asahi Seika reimagines traditional karinto with longer shelf life and trending flavours while retaining its signature crunch and sweetness

Mars, Mondelēz, Nestlé, Hershey, and Lindt team up to transform future of cocoa

The world’s biggest chocolate makers are working together to futureproof cocoa and support growers

Gulfood 2026

Hunter Foods’ spicy chips bring extra heat to Middle East chilli lovers

Snacking giant Hunter Foods has launched a range of new snacks meant for ‘true chilli lovers’ in the Middle East, bringing more bold heat and flavour to the region

Fancy Faire

6 trends redefining spicy beyond extreme heat to reach new consumers

From sweet-heat pairings and clean-label innovation to global flavor exploration and softer packaging cues, brands are transforming spicy into an everyday, elevated experience