Mars at 115: Shaping the future of confectionery
From a small-town America to the world’s biggest confectionery company, Mars mark 115 years of family ownership and industry influence
Beverage
Natural colors are creating a new supply chain reality
Natural dyes require more than reformulation because supply chains must evolve too
Olipop unveils new leadership to support next growth phase
Olipop, the US gut health soda brand, has unveiled a leadership change as it prepares for its next stage of its growth.
Can frozen serve as the next frontier for functional beverages?
As consumers seek wellness products tailored to specific occasions, Roxii Supercube is using functional ice cubes to expand personalized wellness in the frozen section
Celsius Holdings announces leadership changes
Celsius Holdings, the US-based energy drinks company, has unveiled a new leadership team as part of an “organisational realignment” of the business.
From Nestlé to Mars: Why Big Food is embracing contract manufacturing
Outsourcing becomes a priority as CPGs seek greater flexibility, speed and resilience
The new beverage battleground is in AI recommendations vs. shelf space
AI is recognizing brands that solve a problem, according to new data
As AI carts enter stores, brands face a new battle for visibility
Are AI carts helping brands sell more products, or are they helping shoppers become smarter, more value conscious buyers?
Retailers rethink SNAP strategy as enrollment and spending decline
As SNAP enrollment shrinks, retailers rethink value, convenience and e-commerce
Nestlé’s turnaround gains momentum despite profit drop
Nestlé delivers stronger organic growth and improving volumes in H1 2026, but net profit falls 31.4%
Summer Fancy Food Show
Can women’s hydration escape the sachet?
As women’s wellness beverages center around powdered formats, Greater Than is positioning itself to fill what it sees as an untapped white space: RTD hydration for women
Letter from the editor
Letter from the editor: The next chapter for specialty food
From gut health and protein to olive oil, pantry staples and retail strategy, this special edition explores how brands are transforming specialty foods into everyday essentials
Energy drinks face growing global scrutiny over health concerns and youth consumption
Energy drinks and caffeine-based beverages are facing growing scrutiny worldwide, with regulators introducing tighter restrictions amid concerns over their health impacts and increasing consumption among younger people.
Barry Callebaut assesses cocoa threat as El Niño intensifies
World’s biggest chocolate producer weighs in on cocoa market concerns as UN issues El Niño warning
The next grocery battle isn’t price – it’s relevance
A new phase of grocery shopping is emerging, one that will push brands to compete on relevance rather than rely on inflation-driven dollar growth, private-label gains or consumers trading down
Summer Fancy Food Show
Can flavor beat function in the crowded soda aisle?
Tropical soda startup is not rejecting function in its beverages, but it is eschewing the idea that a beverage should be function first
PepsiCo doubles down on turnaround strategy as gas prices pressure consumers
Executives say higher gas prices, not flaws in the company’s affordability, innovation and away-from-home strategy, constrained volumes
PepsiCo embraces dirty soda trend with Dirty Mountain Dew and Mug Root Beer Floats
As consumer interest in indulgent, creamy sodas surges, major beverage brands are ditching the DIY approach for convenient, ready-to-drink formats
US reclassification of cannabis opens new opportunities for beverage innovation
The US’s reclassification of cannabis under a “less dangerous” drug schedule is part of a broader trend towards legitimising cannabis production.
Summer Fancy Food Show 2026
Bone broth breaks out of the soup bowl
Bone broth’s versatility across beverage formats reveals there’s more to it than a functional, savory drink
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
News Bites
How CPGS are rewriting ‘better-for-you’
Cleaning up labels is no longer enough – value-driven consumers are forcing the industry to rethink the balance of price, health and convenience
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
Federal court blocks food benefits ban on soda and candy
The decision in Aragon v. Rollins vacates USDA waivers in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia and sets up a likely appeal
Agentic commerce could crack personalization but only for data-ready brands
Will agentic commerce deliver on the personalization food and beverage has been trying to achieve?
US beverage giants roll out QR codes to boost ingredient transparency
America’s leading beverage companies have made a commitment to integrate global ingredient safety data directly into QR codes on cans and bottles
Mars’ artificial-dye-free push hits major reformulation hurdles
Mars to introduce artificial-colour-free M&M’s but reformulation challenges leave two colours out in the cold
Clean protein shakes up RTD beverages
Elmhurst 1925 extends clean-label portfolio with RTD plant protein shakes
The state of fermentation and cultivated ingredients: Where are we now?
Precision fermentation reshapes how sweetness is made
The future of sweetness may not be about replacing sugar with a single ingredient, but about redesigning how sweetness itself is built
How are Nestlé, Danone and Muscle Milk rethinking reformulation?
Additives and artificial colors and flavors continue to be axed from formulas as the industry balances a meeting consumers’ health goals with nutrition policy
PepsiCo, Danone & Nestlé: how AI is powering F&B growth
AI is transforming how F&B giants cut costs, boost efficiency and innovate faster — turning data into a powerful competitive edge
Ashwagandha and mushrooms fuel rise of relaxation beverages
Data shows mood drinks gaining ground as consumers seek calm, sleep and alcohol-free social options
Flavor and format are fueling specialty coffee
Specialty coffee is more than a caffeine fix for younger consumers as the category is driven by flavor, format and customization
Is ‘healthy enough’ the new ‘better for you?’
Winning brands balance health, indulgence and convenience
Clear whey drives functional drinks boom amid tightening WPI supply
Active consumers want high-protein drinks that are both nutritious and refreshing. Clear whey has become a key ingredient for such formulations
Are reformulation demands moving faster than brands can respond? Hear from PepsiCo and industry leaders
As the reformulation goalposts continue to move, experts from PepsiCo, the European Snacks Association, the American Bakers Association, 210 Analytics and FDF Scotland’s Reformulation for Health Programme ask whether manufacturers can keep pace
Iran-US peace deal: What it means for food
The deal includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
Nestlé USA eliminates artificial colors as part of broader reformulation overhaul
While Nestlé has reached this particular milestone ahead of schedule, it positions the achievement as one step in a longer-term strategy focused on cleaner labels, product innovation and greater consumer trust
Can Ebola disrupt coffee prices and stocks?
The border closure between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has raised concerns over potential disruption to coffee trade - but is there a risk to global coffee prices?
Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Mars and DoorDash among CPG brands chasing $7.5 billion World Cup spend
Nearly 90% of World Cup viewers plan on food and beverage purchases, fueling $7.5 billion in spending