Inside Big Chocolate’s Cocoa Plan B
Confectionery’s biggest names are no longer just watching the alternative cocoa space – they’re shaping it
Bakery
Private-equity firm acquires $1.6 billion Irca as Dubai chocolate trend fuels growth
The Italian baking, chocolate and ice cream ingredients maker will focus on M&A, supply chain optimization and international expansion
Nestlé to axe artificial colours worldwide in industry first
Nestlé to remove artificial food colourings from all products globally by the end of the year
Mars invests €1.5m in the future of science
Confectionery giant invests €1.5m in young scientists through Mars Impact Fund
Big Food falling short on regen ag commitments
FMCGs are setting big targets but they’re not always credible, says new report
Nestlé accelerates shift to regenerative agriculture
Nestlé steps up efforts to transform farming practices as pressure mounts to decarbonise global supply chains.
Private equity tightens hold on Big Food
Private equity is reshaping food and beverage, but rising costs raise questions over just how far it can go
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
Function beats fame: why big food brands are losing their edge
Consumers want their problems solved and that’s how brands can grow
Nestlé combines comms and ESG in strategic leadership shift
Nestlé promotes Antonia Wanner to chief communications and sustainability officer, signalling sharper focus on credibility and long-term growth
GLP-1 drugs aren’t killing confectionery – they’re reinventing it
GLP-1 drugs are changing how consumers snack, but confectionery sales remain strong and new opportunities are opening up
Nestlé’s KitKat move signals industry shift to regenerative sourcing
Nestlé makes regenerative agriculture mainstream in sustainability shift that could reshape standards across confectionery
EU’s new gene-editing rules open the door for CRISPR
Under a new two-tier system, some gene-edited crops will face simplified regulation
Döhler commits to cocoa‑free future with Nukoko acquisition
Döhler’s acquisition of Nukoko highlights cocoa-free chocolate’s move into the mainstream
Lindt hits 100% cocoa milestone amid Big Confectionery sustainability drive
Lindt hits 100% certified cocoa as Big Confectionery shifts focus to responsible sourcing
Iran-US peace deal: What it means for food
The deal includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
Deepfake food fraud threatens global brands
Fake contamination claims, AI-generated complaint letters and manipulated food images are creating a new fraud risk that regulators, delivery platforms and food businesses are struggling to contain
Unilever CEO defends $40bn McCormick megamerger
Unilever stands by $40bn McCormick deal as scrutiny grows over whether streamlining will strengthen the group or weaken it
Opinion
Hershey’s next move: Rebuilding trust after cocoa cuts controversy
Hershey cut cocoa and stirred up a crisis. A viral takedown from the Reese heir has exposed a deeper clash over taste, trust and the cost of cheapening chocolate
Kraft Heinz ploughs investment into major brands as split remains paused
The company is putting money into pricing and reinvesting in its biggest names
Nestlé doubles down on growth in bold strategy shift
Nestlé resets growth strategy with shift away from price hikes and back towards volumes, brands and execution
Barry Callebaut sharpens strategy amid cocoa volatility
Barry Callebaut shifts strategy with new Focus for Growth plan
Unleashing nutrient potential: Why the food matrix matters for bioavailability
The food sector must understand how nutrients are absorbed if it is to produce products that fulfil their health potential
Is hojicha the next flavour megatrend?
Is hojicha quietly positioning itself as matcha’s successor? From drinks to desserts, this green tea is gaining momentum and the industry is taking notice
Unilever McCormick deal under pressure as backlash builds
Unilever’s $40bn Foods deal with McCormick is facing mounting backlash as questions over strategy and valuation put the deal under pressure
Where brands should focus their AI strategy now
AI’s real value may lie in helping consumers choose – not discover
EUDR: How does the simplification impact compliance?
The regulatory burden has been significantly reduced
Mondelēz, Unilever, FrieslandCampina and others commit to regenerative agriculture acceleration
Forty major food companies pledge to accelerate regenerative methods across their supply chains
Sweeteners back in the spotlight as scientists probe liver disease risks
Once hailed as a reformulation fix, sweeteners are now facing growing scientific scrutiny
Mars powers production growth with $253.6m smart factory investment
Mars bets on smart manufacturing, using £190m UK factory upgrade to boost output and strengthen grip on global confectionery and snacking market
Big Food’s leadership crisis: Why CEOs are falling faster than ever
C-suite exits are mounting across Big Food, but behind the scandals lies a deeper performance and innovation problem
Less sugar, more pressure: Scotland’s HFSS rules force a food industry rethink
With Scotland’s HFSS restrictions arriving in October, food manufacturers are under mounting pressure to reformulate products without sacrificing taste, texture or brand identity
Unilever shaken by investor exit as McCormick deal unsettles shareholders
Unilever’s $40bn Foods merger with McCormick is facing mounting backlash, as shares slide and investors divest
Kraft Heinz split in doubt as weak performance blunts break-up case
With performance still lagging, Kraft Heinz’s paused split looks increasingly uncertain
5 ingredients for upcycling in food production
Side streams and waste streams are often versatile and multi-purpose
Opinion
Despite fears, the EUDR has retained its force
The simplification kept much of the regulation in place, not compromising as much as feared
Big Food splits: Smart move or strategic misstep?
Big Food’s biggest names are betting on splits, but market reactions show investors aren’t convinced. So when does breaking up actually make sense?
Do UPFs pose greater risk of plastic packaging harms?
Chemicals from single-use plastics may increase health risk to consumers
Excess sells - so why are manufacturers holding back?
From freakshakes to functional chocolate, ‘more is more’ is supercharging foodservice sales, but manufacturers continue to play it safe
Biofuel use pushes up food prices: Is demand here to stay?
As the price of crude oil is buoyed by the Iran war, the world’s energy markets are scrambling for alternatives
Nestlé returns to growth but recovery remains fragile
Nestlé’s Q1 results reassured investors, but uneven volumes urge caution
Mars accelerates net zero ambitions with landmark energy deal
Mars doubles down on renewables with major wind power deal, signalling how major CPGs are reshaping the food industry’s path to net zero
Nestlé slashes 450 jobs sparking union backlash
Nestlé’s set to cut more than 450 UK jobs as global restructuring begins
The next matcha? Ube surges in popularity
Health, clean-label status and recognisability have made the ingredient stand out
Nestlé weathers formula crisis to deliver strong Q1 growth
Nestlé overcomes infant formula recall to deliver solid Q1 growth, powered by Coffee and Confectionery
As EUDR looms, is the world’s most controversial ingredient ready?
Despite significant progress in the sector, barriers to compliance remain for palm oil
Why Unilever’s $40bn food merger is raising red flags
Unilever’s $40bn food deal is supposed to sharpen focus. Instead it’s unsettled stakeholders, raising questions over the success of Big Food consolidation
5 big food trends in Denmark
What do Danish consumers want?
Amazonian cocoa’s untapped health benefits revealed
Could cocoa fermentation be doing more than shaping flavour? New research hints at untapped nutritional potential in Amazonian beans
The 7 nutrition trends redefining food and drink
From emerging ingredients to protein power, discover the nutrition trends shaping the future of food and beverage