News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
High rejection rates and a tight 80-day filing window are turning what should be straightforward IEEPA tariff refunds into a high-stakes, error-prone process for small and mid-sized CPG brands
New offerings spotlight caffeine-infused candy, globally inspired fruit pairings and spicy-sweet mashups as brands chase novelty and function
From marketing spend to manufacturing and innovation, AI is quietly reshaping confectionery
The world’s biggest confectionery and snacking company is driving change across the industry
As omnichannel shopping becomes the norm, ecommerce, retail media and retailer apps are reshaping how and where grocery growth happens
The world’s biggest confectionery company is making its cocoa-free debut
The Windy City’s long history in confection helped it beat out New York City and Orlando
Nestlé’s Q1 results reassured investors, but uneven volumes urge caution
As Congress moves closer to a floor vote on the 2026 Farm Bill, a proposed amendment has ignited a high‑stakes debate over whether the federal government should restrict what SNAP benefits can buy nationwide
While sales rise and cocoa stabilizes, the company keeps guidance steady amid fears of inflation and weakening confidence
Ibotta data shows states prohibiting the use of SNAP funds to buy ‘unhealthy’ products are reshaping sugary beverage and snack demand
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Hershey breaks lofty ESG ambitions into practical, data-driven strategic steps that help embed sustainability into sourcing, operations and product innovation
Haribo is showing how a focus on core is driving global scale
As food brands rewrite child‑marketing rules, experts say voluntary action isn’t enough
The first-ever milk chocolate bars made with cell-cultivated cocoa butter have been produced
Coffee, petcare, nutrition and snacks take center stage as CEO rolls out five-part turnaround plan and trims workforce.
Candy companies increasingly are treating the freezer as a growth channel – one that allows gummies, chews and fruit candies to evolve into entirely new frozen formats
From emerging ingredients to protein power, discover the nutrition trends shaping the future of food and beverage
Andrew Archambault’s unexpected departure comes as Hershey grapples with profit declines and reputational pressures
Cocoa innovation opens up new possibilities for manufacturers
Low and no loses its shine as consumers reject restriction in favour of real ingredients, richer flavours, and products that prioritise pleasure
From shock splits to billion‑dollar buyouts, Big Food is making big changes. Here’s what’s driving the chaos, who’s cashing in, and who could be next
Opinion
This is no ordinary product launch. The stakes are high for cocoa-free chocolate
Hershey says it’s bringing real chocolate back to parts of its portfolio – could this small switch signal something much bigger for the confectionery industry?
From freeze‑dried sweets to ultra‑indulgent chocolate, texture is taking centre stage
News Bites
From international supply instability to GLP‑1s reshaping eating habits and a booming condiment category, this month’s roundup tracks the forces rapidly reshaping how food is made, priced and enjoyed
Layered flavors and texture continue to shape Morinaga America’s ambitious business goals with the acquisition of My/Mochi frozen treats
Future Food-Tech San Francisco
Award-winning biotech Michroma is using fungi-based fermentation to tackle the cost, supply and performance challenges holding back natural colors
New product development
From organic gummies and dessert‑inspired sweets to licensed seasonal launches and confection–beauty crossovers. Brands are leaning on format innovation
Ferrero’s Bold Snacks acquisition hints at where industry is headed
From Mondelēz and Barry Callebaut to Lindt, the future of chocolate is being defined by bold flavour innovation, smarter formulations and a refusal to compromise on indulgence
Hershey is shaking up its strategy and its structure
When supply chain snarls and cautious consumers dominate, winners focus on health, convenience and mindful indulgence
For product developers, designing GLP-1 friendly foods will require new sensory approaches, emotional metrics and new nutritional architectures
Americans’ love of nostalgic, sensory-rich treats is boosting confectionery sales as brands balance innovation, tradition and mounting regulatory pressures
Clean label chocolate is gaining momentum, and reshaping indulgence
Strategic deals, powerhouse brands, and disciplined growth – inside Mondelēz’s journey to global leadership, and its vision for the future
The market has swung from historic shortage to surplus projections for 2025/26 in under two years
The ongoing tensions in Iran could disrupt supply routes and drive volatility across key food commodities such as rice and meat
It’s a common misconception that GLP-1 drugs erase food cravings. Actually, they alter them
From premiumisation to supply-chain control, Ferrero’s strategy is redefining the competitive landscape
Mars invests in community resilience worldwide, starting with cocoa growers
Swiss food and beverage giant unveils bold new strategy for the future
Opinion
To understand how processing affects food consumption, don’t caricature either side of the debate
From protein‑packed chocolate bars to big‑brand collaborations, sports nutrition and confectionery are merging fast
As Mars expands through mega‑deals, sustainability pushes and portfolio diversification, the company is placing a bigger strategic bet on M&M’s to anchor growth and relevance in a changing global snacking landscape
The world’s biggest chocolate makers are working together to futureproof cocoa and support growers
Hershey’s rocky start to 2026 has raised questions about its long‑term direction
Comfort food now needs an edge
Reese family sends open letter to Hershey, challenging whether the confectionery giant is protecting the Reese’s legacy