Our top 10 most-read F&B industry news from Oct 2026
Check out our top 10 most-read F&B industry stories from Oct 2026, including flavour discovery, GFTAs APAC and Mars automated retail
Markets
General Mills restructures into three segments
The restructuring, which also includes leadership promotions, follows the company naming a new CEO in October
Grocery prices jump in October as food affordability remains political flashpoint
Rising energy costs and continued pressure across food categories pushed grocery inflation higher, adding to consumer affordability concerns as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress
Hain Celestial’s portfolio reset faces test as sales continue to slide
The better-for-you food and beverage company is shifting its focus from restructuring to innovation and brand renovation, but falling sales, volume pressures and debt uncertainty continue to cloud its turnaround
Consumers spend more for fewer groceries, raising the stakes for brands
Consumers want more than discounts, creating opportunities for brands that solve real needs through convenience, quality, health benefits and trust
Just Ice Tea takes on energy drink segment with high-caffeine tea
CEO Seth Goldman aims to pull struggling ready-to-drink tea segment out of its slump with Awaken
7 confectionery trends set to dominate 2027
From multisensory textures to sustainability, discover the trends shaping the future of confectionery
US midterms: Should European bakers build or ship?
European bakers weighing US expansion must decide whether producing closer to customers will pay off if tariffs change
Can the US midterms break the US-Canada alcohol trade deadlock?
A change in Washington could offer a route towards resolving the US-Canada trade dispute. But after losing export sales and retail listings, American drinks producers face a challenge in winning back Canadian consumers
ABP agrees to buy Pilgrim’s Europe’s lamb operations
Meat processor ABP has announced the proposed acquisition of Pilgrim’s Europe’s lamb business.
Pringles prices: Who’s paying through the tube?
A new index comparing Pringles across 30 markets reveals hefty price gaps
Once Upon A Farm recall raises wider questions about toddler snack safety
The children’s nutrition company faces financial exposure and scrutiny of its growth strategy, while the recall of Tractor Wheels raises safety questions beyond the affected range
Can Diageo’s price cuts and restructure get it back on track?
Efforts to make its brands more competitive on price have helped drive volume growth across several markets. But with North America still struggling, can CEO Dave Lewis deliver a lasting recovery?
Affordability, health and trust: What the midterms signal for food manufacturers
As Democrats take Congress, food companies face a new competitive advantage: trust
Diageo’s drastic cuts lead to unexpected growth
Diageo’s drastic cuts to both staff and prices appear to have paid short-term dividends after posting an unexpected rise in Q1 sales.
Democrats face grocery affordability test as one-third of shoppers cut meals
As Democrats prepare to take control of Congress, new dunnhumby research shows mounting financial pressure is changing how Americans eat and shop
Are mystery flavours just a one-pack wonder?
Brands are asking shoppers to pay for a secret, but the real test is whether the product still sells once the answer’s out
Catastrophe trends: How companies and consumers are protecting themselves from supply-chain shocks
With supply chain instability rampant, consumers and companies alike are aiming to reduce their exposure
General Mills taps Dunkin’ and Ziploc to refresh cereal mainstays
Coffee-inspired flavors and resealable Cheerios bags bring the company’s push for product and packaging innovation to the cereal aisle
Cheese and yoghurt drive UK dairy growth as health and protein trends gain momentum
Health credentials, protein content and convenience are proving a winning combination for UK consumers of cow dairy, according to the AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board).
How major F&B firms are applying healthy longevity in product innovation
From building gut microbiome databases to designing personalized nutrition, major food and beverage companies Nestle, Charoen Pokphand Foods and Calbee are innovating with healthy longevity in mind.
New cocoa powder alternative targets GLP-1 trends and supply risks
Planet A Foods’ Cocoa Booster can replace up to 100% of cocoa powder in select applications, as manufacturers face cocoa price volatility and changing consumer demand amid rising GLP-1 use
Beyond candy: Halloween displays expand across store aisles
From Summerween to Día de Muertos, retailers are using longer Halloween selling windows to build cross-category displays and diversify treat assortments adding a layer of convenience for shoppers
New Hope taps Norwegian Red genetics for China’s premium milk market
China’s New Hope Dairy is using Norwegian Red cattle genetics to differentiate its premium milk range, in a partnership with Norwegian breeding company Geno
Dairy Farmers of America closes in on Nestlé in global dairy rankings
The US dairy cooperative could take the No. 2 spot with a small acquisition, RaboResearch says, as M&A reshapes the world’s largest dairy companies
Danone delivers a strong Q3 performance
All three business divisions are up, boosted by the protein boom and price increases
Debunking snacking as we know it
Europe’s snack market expands from €187bn to €302bn in sales value when products beyond the traditional snack aisle are included, challenging manufacturers to rethink where growth will come from
APAC Agri-Food Innovation Summit 2026
Japan-Singapore MOU: Targeting climate-resilient food supplies
Japan and Singapore will expand food-tech cooperation to address climate change and food-supply challenges, with an MOU announcement scheduled for October 29
Kinder catches Halloween fever in Ferrero first
Chocolate maker launches first-ever Kinder Halloween range as children and adults embrace spooky season
Dairy farmers press Congress on Milk from Family Dairies Act
The bill would link dairy production to domestic demand to stabilize farmer income; opponents say it would restrict growth and raise grocery costs
WK Kellogg bets on nutrition and schools to revitalize cereal
As cereal sales come under pressure, the company is reformulating iconic brands with more protein and fiber and less sugar while introducing school-focused products designed to win over the next generation of eaters
Seafood industry backs Trump seafood strategy but raises questions on ‘US-Caught’ label
FDA tackles seafood origin labeling amid push to boost US fishing industry
The psychology of making snacks worth buying
Anticipation, ritual and a sense of reward give manufacturers ways to build demand beyond launching another flavour
Lindt chairman rules out resignation following shock CEO exit
Ernst Tanner on Adalbert Lechner’s ousting, Lindt’s long-term strategy, and his own future plans
Soup-To-Nuts podcast
Are CPG founders of color being undervalued?
New data from :INCLUDED shows 61% of reporting member brands generate more annual revenue than the total capital they have raised, highlighting the capital efficiency of entrepreneurs of color — and the persistent funding and networking gaps that limit...
Middle East Focus: Gluten-free, local soft drinks and halal rules
Gluten-free, local soft drinks and halal rules feature in this edition of Middle East Focus
Chocolake targets APAC markets as Dubai chocolate trend endures
Jordan’s Chocolake is targeting APAC expansion as the Dubai chocolate trend continues to drive interest in premium chocolate