News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
Coca-Cola, Campbell’s, General Mills and other CPG and fast-food companies expanded voluntary advertising restrictions across digital platforms after research found most children encounter unhealthy food branding on YouTube
Flattening consumer interest and growing format fatigue suggest the category may be hitting a ceiling unless brands evolve beyond bars and bold claims
As GLP-1 drugs suppress hunger and compress eating occasions, fiber is emerging as a way to make smaller snacks feel functional, tolerable and worth the calories
In a marketing culture obsessed with speed and efficiency, Southern Connecticut State University associate professor Amit Singh argues the Super Bowl exposes an uncomfortable truth about how real brand power is actually built
After years of acquisitions and declining sales, the health-focused food company is narrowing its portfolio and using the proceeds to shore up its balance sheet
Super Bowl week snack sales reached $742m last year, and snack makers are leaning into shareable formats, bold flavors and activations again as the Big Game approaches
News Bites
The grocery value equation is evolving beyond simple price tags
As the company reopens applications for its R&D-led accelerator, the focus areas highlight mounting pressure around climate resilience, packaging constraints and shifting consumer expectations
Mayonnaise giants are squaring off against better-for-you upstarts like Graza and Chosen Foods in the race to reinvent a creamy classic
Mondelēz International reshapes top team, elevating CFO Luca Zaramella to powerful dual role
In a near-$700bn global market, a handful of companies now decide what scales, what sticks and what survives, and in 2026, the power gap is only widening
Winter Fancy Faire
From swicy flavors to squeezable pouches, emerging brands at the Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Faire are pushing a mature category into its next growth phase
Americans increasingly factor processing into food choices, but inconsistent definitions and tradeoffs around convenience and cost leave room for clearer communication, according to new IFIC research
Governments may be returning to salt reduction targets, but manufacturers say the era of easy reformulation wins is long over
FDA’s latest Request for Information (RFI) could reshape how gluten-containing ingredients are disclosed – raising new compliance questions for brands and offering clearer signals for consumers who rely on accurate labeling
Healthy Snacking
Consumers are turning to snacks for nutrition, satiety and convenience – blurring the line between eating occasions and pressuring brands to deliver more
News Bites
From sensemaxxing and nutrition policy to freeze-dried candy, consumers are reshaping what ‘value’ means in food - moving beyond price, binaries and one-size-fits-all health claims
Former Mars executive Paul Steed’s 63-month prison sentence for stealing more than $28m exposes how insider fraud can persist inside global food companies – and why scale can magnify risk
Startup Spotlight
Early-stage founders share how they’re reinventing indulgent foods while navigating one of the toughest fundraising environments in recent years
Mars’ $36bn takeover of Kellanova is reshaping the global snacking landscape, combining two powerhouse portfolios and igniting innovation
Diet Trends
As shoppers scrutinize labels and headlines, brands are rethinking sweetness strategies to deliver lower sugar, clearer messaging and commercially viable reformulations
Diet Trends
Fiber is making a comeback in snacks as gut health trends, GLP-1 use and clean-label demands reshape functional food innovation
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans spotlight an inverted food pyramid, effectively sidelining MyPlate and sparking debate among nutrition experts and educators
Ingredients Compendium No. 1: L-theanine
In a world that feels louder, faster and harder to switch off, L-theanine is finding a new role in snacks
From cheese bites to RTD beverages, dairy is primed for success in the healthy snacking space
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
At the Winter Fancy Faire, the Specialty Food Association revealed six emerging trends reshaping how consumers engage with food and beverage as they seek more value as inflation and GLP-1 use cut into volume and dollar sales
Sentimentality and health are increasingly influencing consumer snack choices, as they seek comfort, tradition and emotional connection in their purchases
After the collapse of a major merger, Kraft Heinz plans to split into two companies. Will this bold move unlock growth or expose new risks?
The latest Dietary Guidelines may not reinvent the wheel, but they offer manufacturers a roadmap to balance nutrition, consumer preference and formulation strategy across sweeteners, grains and processed foods, according to one expert
Cycle‑syncing nutrition is exploding, and brands are betting big. Is this the next major wave in women’s health?
Longevity is redefining consumer behaviour. Here are the top five nutrition trends every food and beverage brand needs to know
The market reaction to Donald Trump’s dietary overhaul isn’t about kale versus cookies – it’s about whether Washington has finally decided the packaged food sector needs firmer rules, not friendlier guidance
The newest Dietary Guidelines emphasize whole foods, protein and animal fats – a shift praised by some experts as overdue, but others warn the report is retro and insufficient
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?
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
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
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
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.
Collagen is transforming food, drink and confectionery. Discover why this powerhouse ingredient is set to dominate innovation in 2026
2026 Trendspotting
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
Mintel dives into the food trends of 2026 — where perseverance, playfulness and practical products meet at the grocery aisle
Trendspotting 2026
Consumers increasingly want human connection without compromising the convenience AI offers – complicating product development, storytelling and engagement strategies for food brands
Seasoned CPG executive Steve Cahillane will serve as CEO as Kraft Heinz prepares to split into two standalone companies
Rising GLP-1 adoption is quietly reshaping pack size strategy, category risk and marketing priorities for food and beverage brands
Gluten‑free growth is shifting. Discover the sectors surging ahead and the trends transforming the market
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
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
Mars and Kellanova join forces in a landmark deal set to reshape the global snacking industry
PepsiCo’s deal with Elliott Investment Management has triggered sweeping cuts to its snack portfolio and a shift toward sharper pricing
Targeted innovation, seasonal flavors and premiumization are delivering “worth-it” experiences to help maintain share even as snack volumes soften
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
Mars Food & Nutrition invested $20 million to help rice farmers adopt climate-smart practices that reduce water usage and greenhouse gas emissions while protecting yields