Sustainability
Letter from the editor
Science, trust and the next era of food innovation
From combating food misinformation to redefining healthy eating and scaling AI-enabled innovation, IFT FIRST 2026 underscored how evidence-based science is reshaping the future of food
A new protein contender emerges as whey prices surge
ADM and The Every Company are scaling up US production of a fermented egg white protein pitched at formulators tired of whey’s price swings
IFT First
Upcycling enters new phase as startups unlock premium ingredients from food sidestreams
Advances in extraction, refining and on-site processing showcased at IFT FIRST are shifting upcycling from a sustainability strategy to a platform for premium proteins, bioactives and functional fibers
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%
Can California almonds shed their water-hungry reputation?
Once criticized for their water use, almond growers are embracing precision irrigation, groundwater recharge and carbon-storing practices to position the crop as a more climate-smart ingredient
Bob’s Red Mill turns to ingredient selection to reduce environmental impact
As food companies seek measurable ways to demonstrate sustainability progress, attention is increasingly shifting upstream to the farm
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
Summer Fancy Food Show
Why flour is having its specialty coffee moment
Can heritage grains revitalize the flour category?
New Culture targets $50 billion cheese market with new patent
New Culture expands its animal-free casein portfolio with mozzarella patent
Nestlé accelerates shift to regenerative agriculture
Nestlé steps up efforts to transform farming practices as pressure mounts to decarbonise global supply chains.
Opinion
Nestlé’s Dairy Plan is strong on disclosure but weak on detail
Disclosing emissions data is crucial for transparency and accountability, but companies like Nestlé must do more to show what’s behind the data
Nestlé’s KitKat move signals industry shift to regenerative sourcing
Nestlé makes regenerative agriculture mainstream in sustainability shift that could reshape standards across confectionery
Mars goes all in on renewables as emissions fall and growth climbs
Mars hits energy milestone, while maintaining growth and stepping up global investment
Iran-US peace deal: What it means for food
The deal includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
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?
Climate Smart Food: Is sustainability good for business?
FoodNavigator and AgNavigator’s new event will explore the business case for sustainability
Pistachio pressure compounded by Iran War squeeze
Disruption from the conflict in Iran adds to existing pressure from weather and high demand from social media virality
Iran war food price crisis: How industry can prepare
Three months on, the conflict continues to push up food prices
Does cultivated coffee have a future?
With pressure on conventional coffee production, coffee grown in a lab is one alternative that could ease demand
Is shrinkflation illegal now?
A recent court case involving Mondelēz suggests FMCGs could be penalised for reducing pack sizes. But is this really the case?
5 CPG brands fueling the regenerative agriculture surge
With major food manufacturers pledging support and new certifications taking root, brands like Simple Mills and Tractor Beverage are accelerating their regenerative organic product rollouts
Why packaging decisions can’t be left to the last minute
Packaging isn’t just a container, it’s a decision that affects cost, brand, sustainability and compliance, so it should be planned early, not tacked on later
Mondelēz, Unilever, FrieslandCampina and others commit to regenerative agriculture acceleration
Forty major food companies pledge to accelerate regenerative methods across their supply chains
What sustainability looks like in olive oil today
How does a sustainable supply chain work in a category rooted in ancient agriculture but facing modern global demand?
Iran conflict drains the colour from snack packs
Calbee’s decision to strip colour from its packaging amid naphtha shortages is an early warning that the Iran conflict is beginning to fracture the petrochemical supply chains underpinning the global food industry
Why is plant-based dairy doing so much better than plant-based meat?
While the two formats both provide vegan alternatives to animal-sourced products, one is a clear winner in terms of market share
Beyond Meat prepares for drinks launch as losses begin to slow
Sales continue to fall, particularly in foodservice, but the company sees some signs of recovery
Letter from the editor
Sustainability at a crossroads
From upcycling to carbon-neutral claims, the food industry weighs real progress against rising costs, scrutiny and skepticism
Mars launches Impact Fund with cocoa farmers first to benefit
Mars invests in community resilience worldwide, starting with cocoa growers
Opinion
The ultra-processed foods debate has nuance - let’s recognise it
To understand how processing affects food consumption, don’t caricature either side of the debate
Mars, Mondelēz, Nestlé, Hershey, and Lindt team up to transform future of cocoa
The world’s biggest chocolate makers are working together to futureproof cocoa and support growers
Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariff policy
The decision is likely to spark a wave of lawsuits from businesses across the food and beverage industry and beyond
Nestlé, Mondelēz, Mars, Barry Callebaut: Which chocolate giants are diversifying?
The cocoa crisis is winding down, but the biggest producers of chocolate still want to protect themselves in a volatile sector
Global Food Tech Awards 2026
Global Food Tech Awards 2026: Americas shortlist reveals industry giants
The Americas are making noise on the global food tech stage in this powerful top 10 line-up of finalists
Nestlé ramps up regenerative agriculture with global partnerships
Nestlé’s new sustainability partnerships could redefine regenerative agriculture for the wider industry
Why the FDA is revisiting gluten disclosure
FDA’s latest Request for Information (RFI) could reshape how gluten-containing ingredients are disclosed – raising new compliance questions for brands and offering clearer signals for consumers who rely on accurate labeling
3 must-watch emerging food & drink categories for growth in 2026
Amid the many uncertainties and changes seen by the food industry, we believe these three emerging categories have the potential to drive major change in the coming year
Cocoa crunch: How shortages are rewriting chocolate’s future
As climate, disease and regulation strain global cocoa supply, manufacturers are turning to low‑cocoa and cocoa‑free innovations to protect margins and future-proof their portfolios
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?
Is pet food sustainable?
Pet diets can sometimes have a higher climate impact than their owners’
As cocoa chaos continues, Kokomodo finds its moment
Why ‘climate-proof’ cacao start-up Kokomodo is hedging its bets on an increasingly stronger future for cell cultured cocoa
3 food predictions that came true in 2025 (and 3 that didn’t)
What predictions were right, and which ones didn’t come to pass?