Beverage

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

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+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

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 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

FN+Nestlé commits $1bn to North America expansion strategy

Swiss food and beverage giant unveils $1bn investment aimed at boosting manufacturing, supporting agriculture and accelerating growth across North America

Beyond Meat launches energy drink

The plant-based company’s diversification continues

Autumn flavours: How drinks brands are reimagining seasonal favourites

Sour-apple wine, marshmallow stout and peach-finished whiskey are among the launches putting a fresh spin on autumn, as brands experiment with fruit-led profiles, dessert-inspired drinks and seasonal packaging

FN+What is next for food and beverage cargo thefts after the surge in 2025?

After a sharp rise in 2025, reported thefts have declined in 2026, but shifting product trends, freight hotspots and evolving fraud tactics continue to challenge CPG supply chains

Why Coke and Pepsi are using soda to win sports fans

While sports drinks and water are more closely tied to athletic performance, soda brands such as Pepsi, Sprite and Mountain Dew are using sports partnerships to connect with fans rather than athletes

FN+What do GLP-1 users want to eat and drink when they’re out?

From snacks to cocktails, GLP-1 users are changing consumption habits outside the home and the industry needs to adapt fast

FN+Nestlé backs landmark effort to improve cancer care

Food and beverage giant partners with the WSSO to make nutrition a standard part of cancer surgery care worldwide

FN+Are food and beverage brands stuck on repeat?

Another flavour. Another collaboration. Another limited edition. Line extensions are booming, but are brands delivering genuine innovation or simply more of the same?

Processed food diet could worsen vaccine side effects

Changes in the microbiome due to diet may have increased fever symptoms following the Covid-19 vaccine

As Thanksgiving budgets tighten, brands must justify their price

Thanksgiving shoppers still want abundance, but every purchase must earn its place

Creatine as a food ingredient remains popular with steady stream of new products

The ingredient once known as a sports nutrition supplement is increasingly making its way into food and beverage

Could conflict in Ethiopia threaten coffee?

Ethiopia, one of the world’s largest coffee producers, is once again in conflict

FN+Big Food’s C-suite shake-up signals new era

From Nestlé to Ferrero, Big Food’s leadership structure is changing, as boards search for executives who can do more than just manage a business

Drinking beauty: Mashiro taps trend with collagen, GABA, and placenta

Japan’s Mashiro is expanding its beauty-from-within portfolio in South East Asia, targeting demand for collagen, sleep, and wellness products

FN+Growth drivers in Japan’s food and drink landscape

Affordability, health, product safety, and convenience as important considerations shaping Japanese consumers’ purchasing decisions

What is the best way to talk to organic shoppers?

New Organic Trade Association research explores how Gen Z and millennial shoppers respond to organic messaging and what marketers may be overlooking as the category looks to its next phase of growth

Meal replacements may satisfy demand for satiety as well as convenience

‘Nutritionally complete’ drinks aim to provide consumers with all the nutrients they need. But they can do much more

Could PepsiCo’s snack turnaround offer a blueprint for its struggling beverage business?

As pricing changes, portfolio innovation and renewed investment help revive North American snack volumes, CEO Ramon Laguarta is looking to improve soft-drink performance through increased marketing, focused innovation and stronger execution

Barry Callebaut’s move beyond chocolate fails to convince investors

Chocolate producer’s transition into complete product solutions is designed to unlock growth, but investors remain unconvinced

FN+The GLP-1 effect: How weight-loss drugs are changing food and drink

Weight-loss drugs are reshaping the food and beverage landscape, driving demand for nutrient-dense, portion-controlled products and opening up new opportunities for innovation across the industry

FN+Mars’ vision for 2036: The trends set to transform food and nutrition

Food and beverage giant bets on fibre, AI and personalised nutrition as solo eating reshapes food’s future

Nestlé signs biggest-ever global brand deal with NBA

World’s biggest CPG bets on basketball to reach the next generation, signing 21-market NBA deal

The future of cocoa: Why volatility’s here to stay

Climate change, ageing plantations and fragile supply chains are putting cocoa under unprecedented pressure. The industry’s response could determine the future of chocolate itself

Coca-Cola Co’s new Topo Chico Colección signals a new era for sparkling water

From premium provenance and adventurous flavors to functional benefits and kids’ beverages, a wave of new launches is expanding what sparkling water can be, and the occasions it can own

How airports are driving trial for beverage brands

For many travelers, the airport has become a destination for beverage discovery

From Kyoho grape to pickle: Why beverage brands are taking more risks with flavour

Step aside, orange and cola – global fruits, unusual botanicals and unexpected combinations are pushing beverage innovation beyond the familiar

FN+California’s UPF label raises a bigger question: What is a UPF?

A harmonized UPF definition requires more than a list of ingredients or processing methods

FN+Creatine moves into weight management

New research suggests creatine could support weight loss, creating significant new opportunities for food and beverage

Chocolate without cocoa? Why the industry’s taking alternatives seriously

Can alt cocoa secure chocolate’s future? As supply pressures mount, manufacturers are increasingly turning to cocoa-free and hybrid alternatives

FN+Dr Megan Rossi on the evolution of gut health

Rossi talks about how trends such as GLP-1s can influence the gut

Nestlé’s Coffee mate doubles down on flavor and texture with brand refresh

As coffee customization rises, Coffee mate refreshes its look and launches a new campaign centered around creative expression

Opinion

Beyond sugar reduction: The next challenge for food manufacturers

Low-sugar formulations no longer satisfy increasingly health-conscious consumers

FN+Huel ad banned by UK advertising body

The advert was seen as implying Huel could replace an entire human diet

Does Europe’s CBD market have a future?

A positive opinion from EFSA is the beginning of a regulatory shift, but it may not be enough

FN+California signs voluntary non-UPF label into law

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signing of AB 2244 into law creates the first state-backed, voluntary label for non-UPF qualifying products, amid a pending federal UPF definition

Coca-Cola names former Monster Energy executive Rob Gehring as North America president

The Coca-Cola Company has appointed Rob Gehring as president of North America.

FN+Barry Callebaut moves beyond chocolate to drive growth

World’s biggest chocolate maker sharpens focus on gourmet chocolate, specialty ingredients and solutions-led partnerships as CEO

Saudi’s Kinza on why localisation is key to ASEAN Success

Saudi soft drinks brand Kinza is entering ASEAN for the first time, using deep localisation across products, supply chains and retail to drive growth

5 clues to the future of grocery in Whole Foods’ latest LEAP Cohort

From culturally specific flavors to functional foods that don’t look like supplements, the 10 brands selected for Whole Foods’ 2026 accelerator offer a window into where the retailer sees opportunity

Why Oatly is going big on fibre

Unlike protein, fibre plays more naturally to oatmilk’s strengths

Nestlé takes Starbucks home as cold caffeine craze heats up

Nestlé capitalises on demand for cold caffeinated drinks with Starbucks Refreshers Concentrates

FN+Growth by acquisition: 5 megadeals transforming food and drink

From Mars’ blockbuster buyout of Kellanova to Danone’s move into functional nutrition, Big Food is using M&A to accelerate growth

FN+Big Food warns growing scrutiny of ultra-processed foods could hit sales and costs

Campbell’s, PepsiCo, Conagra, Kraft Heinz and JM Smucker flag regulatory, consumer and litigation risks as debate over UPFs intensifies

Protein, coffee and convenience drive Chobani’s next phase of expansion

Health and wellness trends have galvanised demand for nutrient-rich foods, supporting sales expansion across key dairy categories. US Greek yogurt major Chobani is taking note