FDA targets recall breakdowns after ByHeart infant formula outbreak
FDA aims to strengthen enforcement around infant formula recalls as it moves to strengthen oversight following a botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart
Dairy
Letter from the editor
Trendspotting 2026: Restrain, realism and trust will define the next phase of growth
Quality, credibility and connection will redefine value for food brands in 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
GLP-1 adoption is rising steadily – and reshaping pack size, portfolio strategy and volume
Rising GLP-1 adoption is quietly reshaping pack size strategy, category risk and marketing priorities for food and beverage brands
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?
M&As: Dairy’s biggest deals in 2025
From Lactalis’ major takeover Down Under to co-operative mergers in Europe, here are the deals that defined 2025
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...
Inside the rise of the world’s biggest ice cream company
It’s official: a new independent giant now rules the ice cream world. We explore the €8bn Magnum Co’s journey to the top
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
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
What’s coming after stevia? 4 new sweeteners on the horizon
From Finland to Italy, Peru to the UK, four start-ups are on a mission to transform the sugar reduction landscape
The packaging advantage: How recyclability drives consumer loyalty
Why recyclable packaging drives consumer loyalty
Danone tackles the big question for GLP-1 users: What should they eat?
Grounded in emerging science, Danone’s research and innovation team is developing nutrient-dense products tailored to every stage of the GLP-1 user journey – and meeting the needs of the broader health conscious consumer
Mars Snacking’s methane playbook: Lessons from Bovaer and a focus on next-gen tech
Paying premiums alone isn’t enough to get producers to embrace sustainability, Mars Snacking’s VP of R&D says as he reflects on emerging methane mitigation solutions and the Bovaer fallout
Up the food chain
Oatly’s strategy: Driving plant-based milk’s growth through taste, creativity and sustainability
How Oatly’s North American president Helge Weitz uses his CPG and real-world restaurant experience to map the firm’s US reset
Danone becomes the largest B Corp
The achievement gives Danone a competitive advantage over the likes of Nestlé and Unilever and is a boon for investor confidence
What’s popular this Thanksgiving? Brining, baking and brand buzz
From budget-friendly feasts to playful twists, brands are blending affordability, nostalgia and creativity to win over holiday hosts
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
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