Emulsifiers in food and beverage: Market growth and health risks
New research linking omnipresent emulsifiers to gut damage and obesity is raising tough questions for manufacturers
Dairy
How is ingredient R&D shaping up alt dairy and nutrition innovation?
We asked ingredient companies how the industry is pushing the envelope of next-gen nutrition products and dairy alternatives
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
Infant formula recall exposes gaps in food safety oversight
The botulism-linked recall of ByHeart powdered infant formula is sparking urgent debate over whether US food safety systems can respond quickly enough
Non-UPF Verified debuts standard for CPG brands
The standard includes ingredient criteria and processing intensity that align with nutrition research and food system realities
How a small-batch ice cream brand brought its homegrown roots to retailers nationwide
Nightingale Ice Cream’s premium ice cream sandwiches adds Target to its roster of national retailers
Unilever sets new date for ice cream demerger
A new date has been announced for The Magnum Ice Cream Company’s demerger and share consolidation
Private sector steps in as USDA funds partial SNAP benefits
With federal resources stretched thin, private and retail sector efforts grow critical to sustaining access and demand across SNAP shoppers
Top 5 Christmas confectionery trends 2025
Holidays are coming! Discover the confectionery trends driving festive sales in 2025
Danone’s Q3: Healthy hydration thrives as creamers tumble
Waters slid again in Latin America as consumer sentiment in Mexico remained ‘pretty muted’
Ben & Jerry’s pro-Gaza ice cream blocked by directors
If Ben & Jerry’s can’t make a ‘Peace for Palestine’ flavoured ice cream, co-founder Ben Cohen will make it himself
Protein and creamers hold back Danone in Q3
Danone is struggling to meet demand for high-protein yogurt while coffee creamers continue to be a drag on performance in North America
Government shutdown threatens CPG brands tied to SNAP and WIC
As the shutdown nears its fourth week, the SNAP and WIC funding crisis is rippling through retail supply chains, jeopardizing access to food and CPG category stability
News Bites
From vegan collagen to smart sweeteners: FDA and CPG shifts shape food innovation
FDA accelerates precision fermentation, General Mills refocuses on overlooked consumers and innovators redefine the role of sugar
UPF awareness rises but confusion reigns over what’s healthy, Non-GMO Project finds
Consumer concern about UPFs has surged, but understanding still lags far behind, according to new research from the Non-GMO Project
News Bites
Lay’s glow-up, food science myths and fermented frontiers
Lay’s gets a new look, nutrition science is getting a reality check and precision fermented ingredients are getting FDA’s nod
Sweeteners in focus
Sugar isn’t the only sweet solution: How modern sweeteners are changing the game
Kerry Group and NotCo show how advanced sweetening systems can overcome many of the technical, sustainability and cost barriers with sugar reduction
Bettani Farms bets on its star ingredient to scale allergen- and animal-free cheese
The company’s proprietary ingredient Caseed mimics dairy casein without the allergenic effects of dairy, nuts and soy for B2B partners
Kerry turns consumer insights into sustainable food solutions
Kerry’s sustainable nutrition spectrum guides CPG brands in reformulating foods that meet evolving consumer expectations for health, sustainability and taste.
FDA ‘no questions’ letter for Verley’s whey proteins unlocks new functionality for high-protein foods
The French startup’s FermWhey Native and FermWhey MicroStab expands formulation options for RTD beverages, shots and plant-based hybrids to better meet demands for consumers using GLP-1s and seeking support for active lifestyles and healthy aging
Nestlé’s Q3 results: What to look forward to
The CPG major will report its nine-month financials later this week – here’s what to look forward to
Why Kerry exited hybrid dairy and pivoted Smug to snacking
Once heralded as a category disruptor, Kerry’s hybrid dairy brand Smug is being reinvented into a 100% dairy affair. Here’s why
Oobli builds out sweet protein platform with third FDA ‘no questions’ letter
FDA acknowledges brazzein-54, advancing Oobli’s nature-identical sweet protein toolkit to reduce sugar
Inside Danone’s new OneBiome Lab in Paris
We take a sneak peek inside Danone’s brand-new laboratory and find out why it’s wholly focused on one area of research
Activia’s ‘glow up’: How Danone is modernizing a legacy brand for the next generation
The brand is betting on a “gut health glow-up,” refreshing its brand and product lineup to win over the next generation of wellness-minded consumers
Healthy Snacking Trends
Redefining snacking: How Bel is turning everyday snacks into nutritional powerhouses
New survey shows Americans snack daily but miss key nutrition goals – Bel aims to close the gap with portion-controlled, playful and nutrient-rich snacks
How AI will drive innovation at The Magnum Ice Cream Company
Unilever’s ice cream spin-out is supercharging its ice cream formulations in the US with the help of AI. NotCo founder Matias Muchnick tells us what it’s all about
Dairy alternatives: Boom or bust for the market?
Alt dairy has seen better days as consumers have pulled back from the category. But in every challenge lies an opportunity, industry insiders say
GRAS under the microscope: FDA eyes reform as consumer trust wavers
CPG brands could face greater regulatory oversight, higher expectations for transparency and new risks if ingredient safety communication falls short
UPF litigation: What brands need to know now
Early preparation, thorough documentation and proactive governance remain the best defense in a landscape where litigation and regulation related to ultra-processed food are still evolving
California’s UPF school ban heads to Gov. Newsom’s desk, sparks divided reactions
The legislation received bipartisan support to ban ultra-processed foods in California public schools and is on its way to Gov. Gavin Newsom, while industry stakeholders express mixed support on economy, school infrastructure and nutrition
Nestlé investors demand early exit of chairman Paul Bulcke amid CEO scandal
Investors want chairman Paul Bulcke out now. With trust shaken and shares slipping, pressure mounts for Pablo Isla to take the reins early
Unilever, Mars, Ferrero & Kraft Heinz: A story of spin-offs, splits, mergers & acquisitions
From Kraft Heinz’s split to Mars and Kellanova’s mega-merger, the world’s biggest food brands are reshaping the industry
FDA’s ‘Stork Speed’ initiative draws both praise and skepticism from formula stakeholders
Can FDA move at ‘Stork Speed?’ Industry voices support – and doubt
New flavours won’t cut it: Inside Magnum Co’s innovation playbook
Unilever’s soon-to-be-demerged business is committed to growing the ice cream market, and innovation will play a major role
Global guidance on meat and dairy consumption in the works
What’s the optimal intake of animal-source foods?
Up the food chain
Bel’s venture chief Caroline Sorlin on getting precision fermentation right
Bel Group plans on succeeding in animal-free dairy where others have failed. For chief venture officer Caroline Sorlin, who leads on Bel’s food-tech partnerships, timing is key
Sustainable September
Compostable packaging gains ground: What CPGs should know about PHA
Innovations in compostable packaging are moving towards a commercial reality, and CPG brands that engage early with PHA solutions will be better positioned to meet sustainability and compliance demands
Rabobank Global Dairy Top 20: Big shifts brewing amid M&A activity
Rabobank’s annual list has few surprises this year but pending M&A activity may spell major changes in 2026
Is food and drink failing the planet? Share your view now
The global food and drink industry’s biggest sustainability call to action has kicked off in the first month-long Sustainable September event
Organic milk is thriving but opportunities still await
There are white spaces across categories and formats plus major M&A potential, says RaboResearch
News Bites
From deregulation to reformulation: MAHA draft, consumer trends and California’s UPF ban in schools
From Washington’s deregulatory MAHA draft to consumers reshaping shopping habits and California move to curb ultra-processed foods in schools, this week brought pivotal shifts for food and beverage stakeholders
Cell-based dairy moves closer to market with Opalia-Hoogwegt tie-up
Start-up Opalia is on a mission to prove its cell-cultured milk can be used to make an entire range of dairy products: from cheese to ice cream
Retail realities: Modest food and beverage growth amid shifting consumer priorities
Divergence across income and demographic groups, heightened health consciousness and evolving definitions of value are reshaping retail strategies
What makes a GLP-1-friendly yogurt drink? Danone tells all
By formulating a dairy drink that specifically caters for weight loss medication users, Danone has set a new standard with Oikos Fusion
What’s new in dairy? New product launches
We take a look at some of the notable new releases in recent weeks . . .
Third time lucky? Danone, Lifeway in fresh acquisition talks
After twice failing to reach an agreement, Danone and Lifeway Foods are talking again - but is a deal in sight?
Good Food Collective rallies brands for stronger labeling standards, transparent packaging
The coalition aims to unite brands around more responsible labeling and ingredient standards with proactive participation in regulatory outcomes
What’s the scoop on ice cream trends?
The dog days of summer are a natural time to serve up the scoop on ice cream trends
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
5 trends driving specialty cheese sales towards $9.2 billion by 2030
Friesland Campina, Cypress Grove and The Melting Pot unpack how they balance consumer demand for health, indulgence and value to drive sales of specialty cheese, despite its premium pricing, in a difficult economy