News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
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
Letter From The Editor
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
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
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
The precision fermentation company is targeting US nutrition and supplement launches while pursuing a separate regulatory pathway for infant formula
The plant-based company’s diversification continues
Global is the theme for the foods and flavours that are set to define 2027
The final rule gives food and beverage manufacturers greater flexibility to reduce sodium in products ranging from bread rolls and canned tuna to salad dressing and cheese, supporting FDA’s broader sodium-reduction goals
The ingredient once known as a sports nutrition supplement is increasingly making its way into food and beverage
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
The deal would add a $1.2 billion foodservice chicken business as Hormel reshapes its portfolio around higher-growth opportunities
The initiative creates new implications for how consumers evaluate nutrition guidance, dietary recommendations and health-focused foods
The Midwest grocer is pairing price matching with a supplier pitch program designed to bring health-focused products to shelves faster
News Bites
Food companies, policymakers and researchers reshape the conversation around food production and processing, as business strategies are evolving alongside them
New research from Ahold Delhaize reveals a striking gap between intention and action, highlighting the role retailers, manufacturers and policymakers can play in making healthier choices more affordable, accessible and achievable
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
Flavors of the future: global inspiration meets local innovation
Demand for protein-forward, reduced-sugar and plant-based indulgence is forcing formulators like Luker Chocolate to balance nutrition claims with the taste and texture consumers expect
Plant-based foodservice customers visit restaurants about 50% more often than meat-only consumers and spend roughly $1,950 annually at quick-service venues, according to Good Food Institute research
Hershey is accelerating product development, expanding into functional snacking and tapping cultural moments beyond major holidays to create more consistent, sustainable growth
Produce sales suffered during the Cyclospora outbreak, while Inflation Reduction Act-related pharmacy changes created a larger drag on comparable sales
JM Smucker will launch four instant-coffee varieties in November, as it pursues growth in functional beverages
After finding that regenerative messaging alone was not enough to drive purchases, Applegate is investigating whether farming practices can influence the nutritional composition of food and whether that could give consumers a more personal reason to...
Five-minute meals and protein drive 2026 eating trends
Health experts point to muscle, bone and cardiovascular health as key priorities for consumers taking GLP-1 medications and navigating midlife, creating opportunities for food and beverage brands to connect functional nutrition with consumer education
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
As consumers look beyond generic energy and wellness claims, emerging brands are creating drinks tailored to specific needs, from focus and calm to protein and recovery
A market leader in cereal sales plans to remove artificial colors from all of its products by the end of 2027
‘Sugar Coated’ connects decades of cereal-box designs to the policies governing food labels and health claims
The global kids snack market is projected to exceed $168 billion over the next decade as brands including cadootz!, Häppy Candy and Earth’s Best introduce cleaner-label, lower-sugar and organic options
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
From chef-inspired pasta sauces to protein-packed power bowls and nutrient-dense children’s meals, a new wave of food startups is proving that convenience doesn’t have to mean compromising on flavor, nutrition or quality
PepsiCo cuts sodium and sugar, while betting on fiber and protein
As matcha’s popularity grows, Chuh, Shinzo and other emerging brands are using convenience, flavor innovation and new formats to turn a café favorite into a packaged beverage category
NIQ research finds that children are already thinking about ingredients, nutrition and the benefits they want from snacks, which could shape the category as they gain purchasing power