Markets
PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Hershey & more drop into the spirit of Halloween with FOMO-inducing launches
From Fanta’s Haunted Universe and Mountain Dew’s Trolli collaboration to Alani Nu and Reese’s, brands are borrowing scarcity, exclusivity and collectibles to turn seasonal beverages into coveted releases
Why food products live or die on shelf: A retailer’s perspective
Winning supermarket shelf space is difficult but keeping it can be considerably harder
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Instant without compromise: 3 startups reimagine convenience food for more than speed
From chef-inspired pasta sauces to protein-packed power bowls and nutrient-dense children’s meals, a new wave of food startups is proving that convenience doesn’t have to mean compromising on flavor, nutrition or quality
Consumers redefine beverage premiumisation as experience overtakes price
Consumers are redefining the meaning of beverage premiumisation by focusing on connection and occasion, new research has revealed.
Grocery volume declines deepen as SNAP cuts reshape shopper behavior
As tighter SNAP eligibility reduces food-assistance participation, shoppers are shifting toward staples, value brands and lower-priced retailers, which is putting new pressure on grocery sales
Health awareness reshapes drinking habits as Americans cut back on alcohol
Alcohol consumption in the US remains at a record low, with growing health concerns driving more Americans to cut back and explore non-alcoholic alternatives, a new Gallup survey has showed
Avo oil under pressure: Science and lawsuits challenge the premium halo
A major authenticity study and proposed class actions against Utz and Campbell’s are exposing the risks behind snacks’ costly avocado oil makeover
Matcha made easy: Startups turn ritual into routine with convenient formats
As matcha’s popularity grows, Chuh, Shinzo and other emerging brands are using convenience, flavor innovation and new formats to turn a café favorite into a packaged beverage category
Why are European food companies shopping for growth in America?
From snacking to specialty dairy, European buyers are paying a premium for hard-to-build capabilities and immediate entry into the American market
From collectibles to drop culture: The trends transforming beverages
Innovation is central for any drink brand looking to meet the evolving expectations of consumers
The frugal shopper paradigm: How food brands must adapt to the post-inflation consumer
As grocery purchasing power begins to stabilize, Acosta Group data indicates consumers are not abandoning the value-seeking behaviors they developed during peak inflation
Oreo, Pringles and Pepperidge Farm turn scarcity into snack theatre
From chicken-and-waffle cookies to huckleberry potato gummies, brands are using limited runs to make seasonal launches feel unmissable
Louis Dreyfus Company targets pea protein off-notes with new isolate
As demand for plant-based dairy and protein sodas surges, a new large-scale Canadian facility is producing purified pea protein isolates to eliminate sensory off-notes and support emerging dietary needs
The frozen dessert aisle’s next growth driver isn’t protein – it’s discovery
Frozen treats thrive on convenience, value and discovery, while nutrition remains a secondary consideration
New Trump tariffs ‘like deja vu’ according to food industry panel
As the administration replaces IEEPA duties with section 301 forced labor tariffs, food and beverage importers face renewed legal battles and supply chain uncertainty
And so it begins: Pumpkin spice season kicks off with a flurry of products
As the $1.25 billion pumpkin spice market eyes massive growth, top brands are rolling out fresh, better-for-you seasonal snacks to satisfy early consumer cravings
Can processed food exports ease Egypt’s currency crisis?
After weakening by over 82% against the US dollar over the past decade, the Egyptian pound is finally seeing some stability and even significant growth in its food exports
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
The future of impulse shopping
Inflation, GLP-1 use and shifting shopping habits are reshaping spontaneous purchases, but not eliminating them, according to NielsenIQ’s Jack O’Leary who explains why digital merchandising, AI, social commerce and faster fulfillment are creating new...
US dairy farm numbers set to fall below 20,000 amid industry consolidation
The US dairy sector is heading towards having fewer than 20,000 dairy farms by the end of the decade driven by consolidation and economies of scale.
Kraft Heinz adds $100m to marketing push as breakup plan remains paused
Kraft Heinz is spending to rebuild US retail share, splitting Taste Elevation from Away From Home and consolidating supply chain and procurement
GLP-1 for weight loss exceeds use for diabetes management
Numerator and Kantar data show weight loss has become the dominant reason for GLP-1 use in the US and globally
Letter from the editor
Science, trust and the next era of food innovation
From combating food misinformation to redefining healthy eating and scaling AI-enabled innovation, IFT FIRST 2026 underscored how evidence-based science is reshaping the future of food
Hollywood snack collabs: Why movie tie-ins keep winning for CPG brands
Snacks are the biggest beneficiary of Hollywood-powered marketing, with 60% of consumers noticing brand collabs “often or always” and 68% saying they’ve purchased a co-branded or special edition product
From Mars to Intersnack: Are family dynasties becoming food’s new dealmakers?
As public markets keep discounting listed food companies, family-controlled giants are stepping in with the patience – and the premiums – to buy them
Cyclospora outbreak reshapes grocery shopping and restaurant traffic beyond recalled lettuce
Fear and uncertainty surrounding the growing Cyclospora outbreak are driving consumers away from fresh produce and toward frozen foods, creating ripple effects for grocers, restaurants and produce suppliers
From Nestlé to Mars: Why Big Food is embracing contract manufacturing
Outsourcing becomes a priority as CPGs seek greater flexibility, speed and resilience
Tyson Foods says value-added chicken playbook shields profits from commodity price swings
The company’s years-long shift toward branded, retail-ready chicken products and strategic customer partnerships helped insulate its poultry business from falling commodity chicken prices, offering a potential roadmap for other processors
Can Uber Eats help regional grocers compete online?
Uber Eats expands regional grocery network to challenge retail giants
How Mondelēz achieved its mid-year wins
The snacking multinational has seen a strong second quarter, returning to volume growth and succeeding in emerging markets
Sprouts Farmers Market rethinks pricing playbook after cuts delivers mixed results
The retailer says lower prices moved products but had less impact on traffic than expected, leading it to double down on personalization and targeted promotions
IFT FIRST
Can dairy retain its bioactive benefits without sacrificing food safety?
By preserving naturally occurring milk exosomes that conventional processing often destroys, biotech startup Exosomm says it can help manufacturers deliver clinically relevant bioactive benefits without compromising food safety, shelf life or scalability
The new beverage battleground is in AI recommendations vs. shelf space
AI is recognizing brands that solve a problem, according to new data
How are better-for-you snacks outpacing conventional offerings?
High protein is here to stay while consumers seek fresh, whole foods as part of their healthier snack routine
Grupo Bimbo: The bread giant that isn’t afraid of the store brand
Grupo Bimbo says it’s thriving alongside private label’s rise across the US grocery aisle, even as store brands outsell it in parts of its own core bread category
As AI carts enter stores, brands face a new battle for visibility
Are AI carts helping brands sell more products, or are they helping shoppers become smarter, more value conscious buyers?
IFT FIRST
American Egg Board builds next generation of egg-based CPG
The AEB’s Eggcelerator Lab and Founder Cohort program aim to incubate food companies that incorporate eggs into their formulations
Retailers rethink SNAP strategy as enrollment and spending decline
As SNAP enrollment shrinks, retailers rethink value, convenience and e-commerce
Letter from the editor
Letter from the editor: The next chapter for specialty food
From gut health and protein to olive oil, pantry staples and retail strategy, this special edition explores how brands are transforming specialty foods into everyday essentials
Energy drinks face growing global scrutiny over health concerns and youth consumption
Energy drinks and caffeine-based beverages are facing growing scrutiny worldwide, with regulators introducing tighter restrictions amid concerns over their health impacts and increasing consumption among younger people.
Creatine, GLP-1s, gut health and sleep: How storytelling opens new opportunities in sports nutrition
As the lines blur between sports nutrition and wellness, demand for traditional performance ingredients is booming. But sports nutrition brands are increasingly challenged by niche specialists that excel at emotive storytelling and lifestyle positioning.
Over the Moo, Oreo and Dippin’ Dots chill out with summer’s coolest launches
This summer’s frozen launches are answering an industry-wide call for convenience that doesn’t compromise on quality