Ingredients

UK nutrient profiling models miss half of unhealthy ultra-processed foods

A new study finds huge misalignment with current dietary guidance

Letter From The Editor

FN+Beyond the ballot: How US politics will reshape food and beverage

From grocery affordability and corporate pricing scrutiny to consumer trust, food policy and international trade, the US midterm elections could have far-reaching consequences for food and beverage businesses at home and abroad

GLP-1 in APAC: What food firms need to watch as adoption grows

GLP-1 adoption in APAC may be slow, but significant opportunities are emerging for food manufacturers in protein, functional nutrition and nutrient-dense foods

When food trade crosses cultures: US Eggs in Asia

We feature eggs as the first of this mini series, exploring what global trade reveals about the different cultural meanings and expectations attached to food

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

FN+7 confectionery trends set to dominate 2027

From multisensory textures to sustainability, discover the trends shaping the future of confectionery

What ingredient innovators are betting on next

The future of food and beverage innovation is taking shape, as new ingredients, technologies and consumer trends reshape the industry

FN+Fermentation’s regulatory roadblock: When can next-gen functional foods be unlocked?

Fermentation is opening new possibilities for functional foods, but regulatory uncertainty is proving more challenging than developing the products themselves.

FN+How clear protein boosted the functional drinks category

The ingredient has added significant value to high-protein drinks

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast

FN+Biomanufacturing promises to transform food production, but when will it deliver?

From cultivated meat and plant cell culture to precision fermentation, food innovators are rethinking how ingredients are made. But scaling production, lowering costs, securing regulatory approval and winning customers will determine whether...

FN+Saffron squeeze: How the war in Iran is hitting ‘red gold’

The commodity is facing significant strain due to conflict

FN+The future of food: Welcome to 2036

With AI automation, the rise of personalised nutrition and a looming climate crisis, food could look radically different in 2036

FN+5 ingredients that could become food’s next supply-chain headache

Climate change, disease and demand surges are creating new ingredient vulnerabilities

FN+How are GLP-1 users redefining indulgence?

As use of weight-loss medications grows, research points to changing consumer preferences and spending patterns, creating opportunities for food brands to rethink indulgence with healthier ingredients, new formats and better-for-you benefits

Can science keep up with chocolate’s ambitions?

From controlled fermentation to cocoa-free coatings, ingredient developers are finding new ways to deliver the flavours and textures behind chocolate’s creative appeal

The psychology of protein I: What is driving this megatrend?

The demand for protein is climbing worldwide, but what are the mental triggers driving this?

The psychology of protein II: Are consumers blinded to the negatives?

Protein is granting ‘permissible indulgence’ to consumers, and this could have long-lasting impacts

FN+Barry Callebaut plots comeback after profits tumble

Falling profits and shifting customer relationships raise concerns for the world’s biggest cocoa and chocolate supplier. But signs of recovery are starting to emerge

FN+The race to replace artificial colours intensifies

From Nestlé to Mars, manufacturers are reformulating to remove artificial colours. The challenge? Delivering the same vibrant appeal consumers expect without synthetic dyes

FN+Inside food and beverage’s AI-powered future

Artificial intelligence has already transformed how food and beverages are made, marketed and developed. Industry experts say that’s just the beginning

News Bites

What comes next for reformulation, UPFs and retail?

This month’s stories highlighted food policy that may provide more flexibility for manufacturers, the UPF debate and how digital commerce is shaping one of the biggest CPG brands

APAC Agri-food Innovation Summit 2026

FN+From cultivated beef to fermented soy: Bezos-backed protein innovators target cost and scale

Cultivated beef pioneer Aleph Farms and Singapore’s Mottainai Food Tech have each secured funding through the 2026 Sustainable Protein Growth Stage Grant, as the alternative protein sector shifts its attention from technological possibility to scale

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

FN+No cows, no questions: FDA greenlights animal-free casein

A no-questions letter from the agency moves Those Vegan Cowboys Margaret’s Finest product toward US commercialization of precision-fermented casein for cheese, chocolate and nutrition products

Global milk protein market forecast to reach $24.1bn by 2033

The global milk protein market is set to grow by 6.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during 2026 to 2033.

Forget flavour, texture’s transforming confectionery

From melt and mouthfeel to crunch and chew, texture takes centre stage in confectionery innovation

FN+Why açaí has gone global

The Brazilian berry has achieved worldwide popularity, despite its locally concentrated production

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

FN+3 food ingredients with surprising hidden benefits that consumers want

With consumers increasingly demanding more from their purchases, manufacturers could benefit from these food ingredients to add value and align with growing consumer demands

FN+Kraft Heinz, Gerber, Once Upon a Farm are pouring into kids’ hydration

While experts say water is enough to hydrate healthy kids, brands are capturing caregivers’ preferences for better-for-you hydration products that deliver on function, flavor and natural ingredients

FN+Beyond cocoa: The race to futureproof chocolate

The future of chocolate depends on manufacturers having more options

FN+What diets are consumers following?

Diets can have significant influence on food trends, shaping which foods and ingredients thrive and which do not

Fi Indo 2026

Rethinking snacks: APAC foods for weight management

The Asia-Pacific region’s protein- and fibre-rich ingredients could help manufacturers develop snacks that promote fullness and support weight management

FN+UPF labeling could cost $14.2bn annually, study estimates

A University of Chicago-affiliated analysis estimates mandatory ultra-processed food labeling could affect 72% of packaged food products, while the Consumer Brands Association warns of additional costs, potential litigation and uncertain public-health...

Opinion

FN+High protein won’t last forever

The trend is now dominant, but this will likely change

Healthy or ultra-processed? Why snack ratings disagree

Competing nutrition and ultra-processed food (UPF) standards are complicating reformulation and dividing opinion on what makes a healthier snack

FN+Chocolate has a new problem. And it’s not cocoa prices

Rising temperatures are hitting chocolate demand, forcing manufacturers to rethink products, formats and sales strategies

Global dairy blends market forecast to reach $15.4bn by 2035

The dairy blends market is set to grow as the food manufacturing sector and price-sensitive households look for affordable and convenient products.

What neuroscience reveals about functional bread

Measuring brain activity during tasting could help bakers understand consumers’ reactions to texture, aftertaste and functional messaging

Exposing the mistakes that sink healthier snacks

Health messages that put shoppers off, recipes pushed too far and unreliable suppliers can derail even the most promising better-for-you snacks

FN+UPF classification doesn’t tell the whole story about nutrition, study reveals

Analysis by IFIC and NIQ of more than 40,000 US grocery products finds nutrient density varies widely among ultra-processed foods, raising questions about the relationship between processing, nutritional quality and affordability

FN+10 big ingredients concentrated in a single region

Regional concentration can put ingredients at serious risk

FN+4 strategies Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Spindrift and others are using to revitalize RTD tea

As US bottled and canned tea sales struggle, Coca-Cola’s reformulated Gold Peak Zero Sugar tea and new launches from PepsiCo, Ryl Tea, Spindrift and others show how brands are reigniting demand for ready-to-drink tea

FN+Forget breakfast: The battle for the morning snack is on

Consumers are increasingly turning to morning snacks for energy, focus and satiety, creating a fast-growing opportunity for food and beverage brands

Letter From The Editor

Dairy’s fight for growth and shelf space

From high-protein products and café-inspired creamers to AI-powered market insights, dairy brands are finding new ways to meet consumer demand and win shelf space

Dairy Innovation

Creamers move beyond coffee with flavors, cold foams and café-inspired experiences

The rise of coffeehouse culture, viral beverage trends and cold coffee is fueling demand for creamers that offer more than just a splash of dairy

Dairy Innovations

Can plant proteins help ease the whey squeeze?

Surging protein demand and tight whey supplies are driving interest in hybrid formulations, with ADM and other suppliers developing plant-based ingredients to help manufacturers balance nutrition, functionality and texture

Dairy Innovations

New data platform reveals opportunities for dairy milk to win back shelf space

MilkPEP’s free, AI-powered market intelligence platform Milkscape gives milk processors and retailers access to consumer trends, sales data and insights to identify growth opportunities, drive innovation and boost milk sales

Dairy Innovations

As consumers rethink fat, whole milk gets a second look

Protein, satiety and whole foods drive renewed interest in full-fat dairy

CAA International Cocoa Conference

FN+APAC cocoa trends: ‘Worst is past’, but risks remain

Cocoa giant Barry Callebaut says the worst of the cocoa crisis is likely over, but the APAC cocoa industry continues to navigate major market shifts and challenges