The Gen Z Effect: Rewriting the rules of confectionery
From TikTok-fuelled product discovery to the rise of wellness, sustainability and authenticity, Gen Z is redefining what it means to indulge
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.
Middle East Focus: UAE healthier system, OSK growth and Iran food casualties
UAE healthier food system, OSK eyes regional growth and Iran war food casualties feature in this edition of Middle East Focus
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
Europeans finally care about GLP-1s
Europe’s GLP-1 conversation is taking off. While uptake still trails the US, interest is surging across the continent
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
Our top 10 most-read F&B industry news from July 2026
Check out our top 10 most-read F&B industry stories from July 2026, including chicken breast smoothies, MSG and East Asia food-tech
Beyond calories: Why food brands must rethink ‘eating well’ for kids
Food brands can drive growth by helping children develop positive eating habits. Learn where the biggest opportunities are in this next frontier of kids’ nutrition
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
‘Worth it’ replaces ‘more is more’ as indulgence evolves
Confectionery indulgence is shifting from ‘more is more’ to ‘worth it’ as consumers prioritise quality, experience, wellness and sustainability
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
ANZ Focus: Premium cereals, GLP-1 and global trade
Premium cereals, GLP-1 and global trade feature in this edition of ANZ Focus
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
One brand, two companies: Who has control when a brand is licensed?
A licencing agreement can give a certain level of control of a brand to the licensee
Functional drinks boom, but can brands prove they actually work?
Demand for drinks promising everything from gut health to better sleep is soaring, but brands face growing pressure to back up their claims with robust science and regulatory compliance
Japan Focus: Asahi’s growth plans, Calbee on personalised nutrition, food tech investment, and more
This edition features Asahi’s focus on its beer adjacent categories and East Africa expansion, Calbee’s personalised granola, government investment into food technology, and more
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.
Celsius rocked by earnings miss as Pepsi shift backfires
The energy drink maker cited SKU rationalization and a pause in innovation during its Alani Nu and Rockstar integration for the shortfall, countering investor anxiety with a $300 million stock buyback plan
Trend Tracker: Clean label, GLP-1 and cultivated meat
Clean label, GLP-1 and cultivated meat feature in this edition of Trend Tracker
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
Ferrara gives away Trolli-inspired trainers in bold new launch
Ferrara is turning up the heat with its latest Trolli launch, giving away Jeff Cole-designed trainers inspired by its new gummies
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
