The ‘untapped potential’ of functional chocolate
Functional chocolate is stepping into the spotlight. Discover the ingredients, trends and early innovators reshaping the future of indulgence
Innovation & NPD
Nestlé: Confectionery innovation on a global stage
Nestlé is redefining the confectionery landscape with smarter technologies and progressive innovations that keep its brands leading worldwide
Unilever commits to food growth after strong 2025 performance
After shedding much of the food portfolio, Unilever is championing its remaining business in the segment
New product development
Just launched: GLP-1, Nestlé, MOMO, Potts and more…
Innovation across gut health, premium snacking, sustainability and reduced‑sugar reformulation lead the best of the new product launches
From plant-based to packaging: The future of sustainability in food
In some sectors, sustainability is declining; in others, it’s flourishing
Coca‑Cola defies sector struggles with strong profit growth
Coca‑Cola reports robust results as a new CEO prepares to steer beverage giant into next phase of growth
Big FMCG vs TikTok: Who leads trends and who can win?
Bubble tea, matcha, Dubai chocolate, cottage cheese, pistachio and hot honey: Just a small selection of products and flavours that have gone viral on social media in recent years
Barry Callebaut launches global chocolate innovation hub
Barry Callebaut has unveiled a new AI‑powered innovation hub, promising faster flavour creation and personalised chocolate experiences
AI drives new wave of confectionery innovation
From faster R&D to predictive product design, AI is transforming the future of sweets
Alternative proteins could still hold opportunities for industry
Could alt meat still have economic potential?
Schumacher’s strategy: Five moves to revive Barry Callebaut
New CEO Hein Schumacher enters a company in decline. Here are the five decisive moves that could put the world’s biggest chocolate maker back on track
Mars: The making of a confectionery powerhouse
The confectionery giant is changing fast, and setting the pace for the entire sector
Mars invests €1.4m to boost petcare R&D
The FMCG multinational is investing the cash into a new innovation centre for pet products
Scientists closer to solving sugar reduction’s taste problem
After years of compromise, sweetness without sacrifice may finally be within reach
New product development
NPD trend tracker: Nestlé lollies, Pepsico swaps and I <3 Baileys
From seasonal confectionery to flavour‑led snacks, major brands are leaning into consumer demand for affordable indulgence, familiarity and novelty
GLP‑1 demand: Are we already seeing a slowdown?
Is enthusiasm for GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs starting to fade?
Mars-Kellanova: The $36bn merger transforming the snacking sector
Mars’ $36bn takeover of Kellanova is reshaping the global snacking landscape, combining two powerhouse portfolios and igniting innovation
How BuzzBallz became Gen Z’s global RTD obsession
BuzzBallz has become Gen Z’s go‑to party prop, fusing bold flavours, playful design and recession‑proof pricing to rewrite the rules of ready‑to‑drink cocktails
What is the ‘GLP-1 halo effect’?
The GLP-1 craze could end up changing more diets than expected - even those of non-GLP-1 users.
Nestlé’s F1 deal signals industry shift
KitKat’s Formula 1 move is more than a gimmick – it marks a potential new trend in confectionery
Kraft Heinz demerger: Will the $28.7bn break-up pay off?
After the collapse of a major merger, Kraft Heinz plans to split into two companies. Will this bold move unlock growth or expose new risks?
The big 5: Functional confectionery trends to watch
From protein bars to gut-friendly gummies, functional confectionery is exploding, and it’s changing the game for indulgence
The AI revolution sweeping food and drink
From autonomous R&D to real‑time supply chain resilience, AI is redefining the rules of food and beverage. Is industry ready for the next era?
Up The Food Chain
What’s brewing at Heineken? Behind the scenes with the R&D chief
Hubert te Braake already had the dream job: as director of research and development at Heineken, he’s tasked with creating the world’s next big brews. Now he’s been given a shiny new €45m ($53m) lab to do it from
The Big Shift: Five trends transforming food and beverage
Discover the breakthrough ideas redefining how food is created, regulated and trusted
Exclusive: Can biotech break monk fruit’s supply constraints? Manus thinks so
As demand for natural sweeteners grows, Manus moves monk fruit production in the US
Will GLP-1s go big in Europe in 2026?
The use of weight-loss drugs could become more widespread in the continent, shaping the food and beverage market
The future of chocolate: An era of bold innovation and ultra indulgence
Chocolate is undergoing a dramatic transformation. From cutting‑edge cocoa‑free innovation to the rise of premium indulgence, discover how makers and brands are reinventing the world’s favourite treat
Battle of the F&B Trends 2026: Contenders Announced
Three major food and beverage trend battles are set to define 2026, but which will triumph, and which will be left behind?
Opinion
The EU is making a mistake by choosing not to boost novel foods
By explicitly cutting off novel foods from use in regulatory sandboxes, the EU is stifling innovation
Do novel foods win or lose from the EU’s Biotech Act?
The act is a mixed bag for novel food risk assessments
Gluten‑free: Trends reshaping a booming market
Gluten‑free growth is shifting. Discover the sectors surging ahead and the trends transforming the market
The future of confectionery: Innovations driving success in 2026
Discover how brands are reimagining indulgence and why the sweetest opportunities lie ahead
Clean-label: How ingredients lists can be made shorter
Companies are aiming to streamline their ingredients lists
Gut health: Innovations shaping a $51bn industry
From microbiome-first foods to AI-powered diagnostics, discover the innovations shaping the future of wellness
Cultivated meat guidance released in UK: 4 key takeaways
The UK has released its first guidelines on cultivated meat novel food applications
Why meat alternatives are landing with young people
Younger consumers are often more open to new technologies and less sceptical about ultra-processed foods
Sports nutrition 2026: Six game-changing trends
Discover the trends shaping performance, recovery, and longevity in the next generation of sports nutrition
The big 5: Confectionery flavours to watch in 2026
From nostalgic favourites with a modern twist to wellness-driven indulgence, the flavour revolution is here
Up the food chain
Pladis is betting on functional NPD and here’s why
Snack major Pladis is reimagining snacking with a focus on wellness and functionality. The big question: how will this shape NPD for favourites like McVitie’s, BN and Ülker?
Functional non-alcoholic drinks: Innovation, opportunity and growth
As alcohol consumption declines and wellness trends surge, functional non-alcoholic drinks present a lucrative opportunity
Top 5 F&B ingredients trends driving market growth towards $560bn
The global food and beverage ingredients market is booming. But what are the trends powering industry growth?
Nestlé builds cocoa ‘Noah’s Ark’ to futureproof chocolate
Nestlé is exploring cutting-edge genomics and sustainable sourcing to safeguard cocoa supplies
Has the cocoa crisis changed chocolate forever?
The cocoa crisis is forcing chocolate manufacturers to rethink everything - from sourcing and compliance to innovation and consumer trust
Patents plummet in alt proteins: Has innovation ground to a halt?
Alternative proteins have lost a lot of popularity in recent years, and this is reflected in IP activity
Cocoa-free chocolate: Key consumer insights for manufacturers
Cocoa-free chocolate is reshaping the confectionery landscape. But will consumers buy in?
SVZ sees health craze as opportunity, not threat
The ingredients company suggests that its focus on fruit and veg puts it in a prime position to benefit from consumer obsessions with health
Top food colour trends of 2026
Consumer desire for calm, wellness and vitality will affect colour trends in the coming year
No- and low-alcohol trends: Big growth, bold innovation, new markets
The low- and no-alcohol sector is booming, and it’s not just about cutting back - it’s changing how the world celebrates
Gluten-free gets festive: Why Christmas is the category’s biggest opportunity yet
Manufacturers and retailers are rethinking gluten-free as festive sales soar