Cellular ag moves beyond the startup phase
Government support rises even as startups reset
Markets
Startup Spotlight
Whole-cut technology emerges as plant-based meat’s next proving ground
Backed by a $1 million investment from Global Brain, Baltimore-based startup Offbeast is scaling a proprietary fiber assembly process to tackle texture, one of the category’s toughest challenges
Top 5 longevity trends shaping food and drink
Longevity is redefining consumer behaviour. Here are the top five nutrition trends every food and beverage brand needs to know
Gum and mints are growing – just not how brands might think
The path forward is being shaped less by nostalgia and more by younger consumers, sugar-free formats and a renewed focus on function
From spicy to made in the USA: FreshDirect maps 2026 food and beverage trends
FreshDirect’s 2026 trends point to a year defined by flavor staying power, premium hydration, chef-led grocery and a growing interest in US-made products
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?
McCormick to grow Mexican mayo sales with $750M majority stake in Grupo Herdez
With a bigger slice of McCormick de Mexico, the spice giant rides Latin flavor momentum
Retailers are reshaping access to healthy and affordable diets
Although top retailers highlight affordability and health, healthier products tend to be more expensive and promotional strategies are not typically used to drive their sales
Italian-made pasta dodges crushing US tariffs – for now
The Commerce Department sharply reduced proposed anti-dumping duties on 13 Italian pasta brands, easing fears of product pullouts by major brands including Garofalo and La Molisana ahead of a final ruling in March
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Consumers are ready to say ‘yes’ to ingredients again – if brands give them a reason
New insights from Cargill reveal a shift from fear-based food decisions to a more intentional, benefits-driven mindset that is reshaping how consumers consider health, indulgence and value when buying food and beverages
Performance nutrition booms as ‘everyday athletes’ take over
How the ‘everyday athlete’ is powering up performance nutrition
Top beverage trends for 2026
What are the top trends defining soft drinks in the coming year and beyond?
Cautious optimism: Will the CPG food industry return to growth in 2026?
Steady wages, tax refunds and undervalued assets set the stage for targeted growth and strategic deals
American Egg Board launches sustainability tool to streamline disclosures for producers and buyers
Egg Board’s new sustainability tool aims to bring clarity, consistency and credibility to egg industry disclosures
AI goes mainstream in food and beverage in 2025
This year’s wave of tools – from trend‑spotting engines to autonomous R&D agents – turned AI into everyday infrastructure for food and beverage
Conagra absorbs $968M impairment as outlook holds
A nearly $1 billion write-down and soft Q2 weigh on the stock, yet management reaffirms its focus on frozen, snacks and value-led innovation
How protein powers CPG majors’ expansion plans
Protein remains a cornerstone of innovation for food and beverage brands. Here’s how Danone, PepsiCo and General Mills are exploring the global megatrend
US consumers drive surge in supplement ingredients within snacks and beverages
Shifting consumer behavior and social-first discovery are pushing traditional dietary supplement ingredients into everyday food and beverage formats, according to new data from NIQ and Spate.
Is plant-based dead - or evolving?
Plant-based brands are looking for new ways to lure in consumers after the category’s initial success
Dark chocolate’s anti‑ageing link unlocks big opportunities
Could dark chocolate become the next big anti‑ageing ingredient? New research suggests it might, and the opportunities for brands are huge
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?
Why collagen is set to dominate 2026
Collagen is transforming food, drink and confectionery. Discover why this powerhouse ingredient is set to dominate innovation in 2026
2026 Trendspotting
Could white cake, churro and huckleberry cobbler be the big drink flavors of 2026?
From matcha and sober-curious sips to gut-friendly tonics, protein power and tropical spritzes, functional beverages are defining the next wave of refreshment
2026 Trendspotting
Palate predictions: Sweet, spicy and beyond in 2026
From dark sweet cherry and black currant to smoky, swicy profiles, flavor leaders predict globally inspired tastes to define the year ahead
2026 Trendspotting
Packaging trends to watch in 2026: Data, transparency and compliance will redefine innovation
2026 promises to be a pivotal moment for packaging for food and beverage CPG as innovation shifts from flashy materials to more precision, credibility and data-based decision-making
Trendspotting 2026
Whole ingredients, big impact: Plant-based milk trends for 2026
Plant-based milk is predicted to rebound in 2026 with whole ingredients, high-protein innovation and premium café culture
Trendspotting 2026
Trendspotting 2026: Why shoppers are ditching extreme diets and embracing balance
Mintel dives into the food trends of 2026 — where perseverance, playfulness and practical products meet at the grocery aisle
Trendspotting 2026
Top 2026 marketing challenge for CPGs: Balancing algorithms and authenticity
Consumers increasingly want human connection without compromising the convenience AI offers – complicating product development, storytelling and engagement strategies for food brands
A two-tier economy is reshaping food retail
A widening divide in consumer spending is reshaping food retail traffic and forcing CPG brands to rethink value, localization and omnichannel execution
Holiday treats and meals still a priority despite inflation worries
Mars, Ferrero and Hershey launch new products as consumers double down on candy and seasonal snacks this winter
Beyond protein counts: Why protein type matters and how to choose the right one
Protein fortification is evolving, so what type of protein do you need for your application?
Gluten‑free: Trends reshaping a booming market
Gluten‑free growth is shifting. Discover the sectors surging ahead and the trends transforming the market
Can AI solve the cocoa crisis? Barry Callebaut is betting on it
Barry Callebaut partners with NotCo AI and Planet A Foods to tackle soaring cocoa prices and regulatory hurdles, leveraging digital formulation tools to future‑proof chocolate
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
The GLP-1 effect: How 2026 will look for food and beverage
From shifting grocery habits to new product opportunities, Circana’s insights reveal how brands and retailers can adapt to the rise of GLP-1 users
Federal hemp regulation could open up beverage innovation opportunities
The Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA) would regulate – rather than ban – hemp derived beverages
News Bites: Policy shifts, gene editing and 2026 shopper trend
Trump’s food price probe, research on what really drives acceptance of gene-edited foods and KeHE’s latest read on authenticity, function and global flavor exploration reshape the industry as the year winds down
Why Good Food Institute’s release of SciFi Foods’ cell lines matters as cultivated meat scales
As regulatory green lights multiply and cost‑efficient production ramps up, GFI’s release of SciFi Foods’ bovine cell lines could provide the common foundation the cultivated‑meat sector needs to accelerate commercial-scale growth
Global Food Tech Awards 2026
Industry innovation under the spotlight as food tech awards return
Entries are now open for the Americas heat of the Global Food Tech Awards 2026, the competition connecting cutting-edge start-ups with a worldwide audience of industry leaders, investors, and influencers
DHA in the spotlight: Opportunities for CPG brands to support moms and babies
Research underscores the critical role of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, in maternal and infant health – offering potential avenues for CPG brands to innovate products that meet nutritional needs
Is the world facing a feta shortage?
A virus has hit Greece’s sheep and goat herd, but is it serious enough to cause a cheese shortage?
GLP-1 has changed the snack game: Here’s how to win it back
GLP-1 users are rewriting the rules of appetite, texture and indulgence. Tate & Lyle’s latest research shows exactly where producers are missing the moment
Trump orders sweeping probe into food price-fixing as grocery costs threaten GOP
Facing voter frustration and political risk, the White House directs DOJ and FTC to investigate potential price-fixing across the food chain as Republicans brace for midterm pressure
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Danone reveals what is next for protein
With demand for protein climbing but understanding about different types and benefits lagging, Danone unveils how it is helping consumers move beyond grams per serving to understand quality, digestibility, differences in plant- and animal-based options...
Coalitions urge Congress to accelerate US aquaculture as retailers lean into responsible seafood
The MARA Act aims to create a more straightforward path for expanding US offshore aquaculture in a way that’s economically viable, environmentally responsible, and responsive to retailers, foodservice operators and seafood brands looking for consistent...
Brain boom: 3 ingredients boosting cognitive health
Functional ingredients are aiming to boost brain health and wellbeing
Soaring protein demand powers FrieslandCampina’s strategic expansion
The Dutch company has made its biggest ingredients investment yet as it bets on the protein boom to continue
Monster Beverage energizes growth through innovation that reinforces, not replaces what consumers love
By pairing fan favorites with innovative new products, Monster expands occasions, recruits new consumers, and protects its core amid industry-wide unit declines
News Bites
3 strategies shaping the future of food and beverage
Brands and retailers are responding to consumers who want more — more flavor, more functionality and more alignment with their health and sustainability goals
Startup Spotlight
AI that speaks the language of CPG
What the food and beverage market needs isn’t just another AI model — it needs artificial intelligence that understands CPG-specific business
Premier Protein’s playbook for holding the lead when a category takes off
The hardest part about winning a new category isn’t getting there first – it’s surviving the stampede that follows, as illustrated by BellRing Brands’ aggressive growth strategy for convenient nutrition leader Premier Protein