Summer Fancy Food Show 2026
What’s driving the protein surge?
Consumers are cutting sugar with confidence and chasing protein with confusion, while generational divides over where protein belongs are reshaping the trend
Confectionery
Private-equity firm acquires $1.6 billion Irca as Dubai chocolate trend fuels growth
The Italian baking, chocolate and ice cream ingredients maker will focus on M&A, supply chain optimization and international expansion
GLP‑1 use is fueling trends already in motion
GLP‑1 adoption is scaling rapidly and the brands that win are focusing on delivering nutrition for broader appeal rather than a niche segment
Mintel reveals new multisensory CPG opportunities
Texture, aroma and color are gaining equal footing with taste as brands target viral trends, neurodivergent consumers and GLP-1 users, Mintel finds
Nestlé accelerates shift to regenerative agriculture
Nestlé steps up efforts to transform farming practices as pressure mounts to decarbonise global supply chains.
News Bites
How CPGS are rewriting ‘better-for-you’
Cleaning up labels is no longer enough – value-driven consumers are forcing the industry to rethink the balance of price, health and convenience
Sweets & Snacks Expo
Hershey’s ‘yes, and’ innovation strategy blends better-for-you and indulgence
The confection giant is leveraging protein, zero-sugar products and cross-category brand extensions to reach new consumers and help retailers merchandise a changing snacking landscape
Federal court blocks food benefits ban on soda and candy
The decision in Aragon v. Rollins vacates USDA waivers in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia and sets up a likely appeal
Hershey appoints PepsiCo veteran to drive next phase of growth
Hershey names Heather Hoytink US president, highlighting renewed focus on growth
Agentic commerce could crack personalization but only for data-ready brands
Will agentic commerce deliver on the personalization food and beverage has been trying to achieve?
The state of fermentation and cultivated ingredients: Where are we now?
Precision fermentation reshapes how sweetness is made
The future of sweetness may not be about replacing sugar with a single ingredient, but about redesigning how sweetness itself is built
How are Nestlé, Danone and Muscle Milk rethinking reformulation?
Additives and artificial colors and flavors continue to be axed from formulas as the industry balances a meeting consumers’ health goals with nutrition policy
Mars goes all in on renewables as emissions fall and growth climbs
Mars hits energy milestone, while maintaining growth and stepping up global investment
Is ‘healthy enough’ the new ‘better for you?’
Winning brands balance health, indulgence and convenience
Mondelēz appoints new EVP and CFO in leadership reshuffle
Mondelēz names Amit Banati EVP and CFO, signalling continuity and a sharper focus on execution, as competition in snacking intensifies
Mars names new digital executive as growth strategy ramps up
Mars hires new CDIO to power growth and fast-track Kellanova integration
Iran-US peace deal: What it means for food
The deal includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
Taste still rules, but may no longer be enough to win in the snack aisle
New Circana data shows consumers increasingly expect functional benefits alongside flavor, driving a shift from ‘better-for-you’ to ‘nutritious and delicious’ snacks, like those showcased at Sweets & Snacks Expo by Barebells, Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn and...
Unilever CEO defends $40bn McCormick megamerger
Unilever stands by $40bn McCormick deal as scrutiny grows over whether streamlining will strengthen the group or weaken it
Food assistance bans pose $830M risk to soda, candy and energy drink sales
A new report by data analytics firm Numerator reveals that new restrictions will reach 7.5 million households by 2027
Behind the rise of protein-rich peanut butter snacks
Global peanut butter sales are projected to reach $8.5B as CPG brands roll out better-for-you, portion-controlled innovations
Can better-for-you deliver candy cravings?
Better-for-you candy is entering a new phase where bold flavor and real ingredients - not just reduced sugar - are driving consumer interest across the snacking landscape
Mars doubles down on premiumisation to drive growth
Mars is ramping up its premium strategy as demand for high-quality indulgence accelerates
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Inside the race to create the next viral flavor in snacking
Executives from Just Born, Hawaii Host, SNAX-Sational Brands and Xaca Cantina share how they use heat, global flavors, strategic collaborations and accessible formats to turn consumer curiosity into repeat purchases
Hershey appoints new CSCO in C-suite reset
Confectionery giant recruits new chief supply chain officer from rival snack brand
News Bites
How consolidation, new sweeteners and retail pressure are redefining food
Companies are getting bigger, ingredients are getting smarter and the definition of “better-for-you” is getting narrower
Is hojicha the next flavour megatrend?
Is hojicha quietly positioning itself as matcha’s successor? From drinks to desserts, this green tea is gaining momentum and the industry is taking notice
Mars taps reality TV for experiential M&M’s push
Confectionery brands are ditching traditional ads for immersive experiences as culture‑led campaigns reshape how sweets engage shoppers
Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you trends and indulgence
What’s driving the new era of chewing gum?
Function, flavor and fun continue to drive gum’s trajectory within the broader confectionery space
Letter from the editor
The new candy aisle: Where wellness meets whimsy
Consumers are demanding cleaner labels and functional benefits from confectionery, but taste, texture and fun still rule, creating opportunities for brand to balance better-for-you innovation with indulgence
Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you trends and indulgence
Can candy revive RTD tea?
Candy-inspired nostalgia could give RTD tea a much-needed spark, as brands like Ryl Tea use confectionery flavors to attract younger, health-conscious consumers into the category
Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you trends and indulgence
Mondelēz’s Hu Chocolate takes premium, paleo-friendly bites to Target
Co-founder Jordan Brown says the brand’s retail expansion proves clean-label ingredients and premium indulgence are no longer niche consumer demands
Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you and indulgence
Barry Callebaut bets on cocoa-free chocolate
The launch of ChoViva in North America at the Sweets & Snacks Expo last week reflects a growing push to diversify beyond traditional cocoa amid climate and pricing pressures
Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you trends and indulgence
Cracks in chocolate’s ‘affordable luxury’ status could signal broader shopper shifts
Chocolate is still growing in dollars, but the real story is what unit declines and demographic shifts may reveal about changing confection preferences
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2026
4 forces forging the future of sweets and snacks
The latest innovations in candy and snacks reveal how consumers are redefining fun, flavor and function
Hershey’s profit surge masks deeper struggles
Hershey’s profits surge may look like a comeback, but rising prices, falling volumes and volatile cocoa costs reveal a more complex story
Processed foods aren’t going away, but they are evolving
In the gap between consumers’ intention and reality, is there room for processed food in a healthy diet?
What if chocolate’s flavour was never really about cocoa?
As cocoa markets spiral through another year of chaos, cocoa-free alternatives are shifting from novelty to necessity
Will cocoa alts ever be sexy? Hershey backlash opens the debate
As cocoa markets fluctuate, Hershey’s controversy shows that while alt-chocolate is advancing fast, taste and transparency remain make-or-break for consumers
Sweet proteins gain global momentum with latest regulatory win
Amai Proteins’ sweet protein secures regulatory approval in Singapore after recent US nod
Wonka returns as Ferrero taps into experiential marketing boom
Ferrero is bringing Wonka back in bold new strategy – blending limited-edition treats, cross-category innovation and a major new Netflix partnership
FBIF 2026
Not Just a Flavour Strategy: How KitKat Embedded Itself in Japanese Culture
From ‘Japanisation’ to deep cultural alignment, Nestlé KitKat is one of the few foreign brands to have thoroughly cracked Japan’s competitive chocolate market
Why thinking like an AI agent matters to marketing
Generative engine optimization is reshaping how brands get discovered
Oral GLP-1 breakthrough: What it means for impulse-driven food categories
Food and beverage brands face consumers staying on appetite-suppressing drugs for longer
Mars signals new era for confectionery with bold launches and digital focus
Mars redefines confectionery with innovative flavours, new formats and a digital-first shopping strategy
Big Food’s leadership crisis: Why CEOs are falling faster than ever
C-suite exits are mounting across Big Food, but behind the scandals lies a deeper performance and innovation problem
Tariff refunds are available - here’s how to get them right
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
Candy makers roll out bold new flavors and functional twists ahead of summer snacking season
New offerings spotlight caffeine-infused candy, globally inspired fruit pairings and spicy-sweet mashups as brands chase novelty and function
Hershey’s bets on AI to power growth
From marketing spend to manufacturing and innovation, AI is quietly reshaping confectionery
Mars: The global heavyweight setting the snacking agenda
The world’s biggest confectionery and snacking company is driving change across the industry