5 ways to boost plant-based meat sales
Health claims may be an overlooked lever that could reignite plant-based meat demand, according to consumer research by the Good Food Institute
Health, wellness & nutrition
PepsiCo cuts prices on Lay’s, Cheetos and Tostitos ahead of Super Bowl
CEO calls the move a ‘surgical investment’ as the company integrates Siete Foods, Poppi and its expanded Celsius partnership while preparing relaunches of Gatorade and Quaker Oats
Why the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines need a ‘mulligan’ – and how to fix them
This isn’t a food fight, it’s a structural failure, according to experts who say the new US Dietary Guidelines need a reset, not another round of compromises
Business strategies to win in a GLP-1 food world
It may not be the big FMCGs who dominate in a market where appetite, and impulse, shrink
Plant-based meat laws aren’t misleading, court rules
Court finds that requiring disclaimers like “does not contain meat” violates free speech, marking another victory for Tofurkey, Plant Based Foods Association and the Animal Legal Defense Fund
Trends vs fads: What’s shaping CPG in 2026?
In 2026, longevity – not hype – is the real differentiator
Kroger, Hy-Vee and UNFI make better-for-you private-label plays in 2026
Store brands nearly triple the dollar sales growth of national brands, as grocers position wellness-focused products to capture health-conscious shoppers
Mars, Danone and Mondelēz roll out star-studded Super Bowl ads
From celebrity cameos to cashback promos, food and beverage brands are pulling out all the stops ahead of kickoff
Soup-to-Nuts Podcast
What will it take to rebuild plant-based and cultivated meat?
As protein demand rises and consumers grow choosier, Good Food Institute Founder Bruce Friedrich outlines how plant-based and cultivated meat can move beyond hype and become investable, scalable industries
News Bites
Top 5 stories reshaping grocery value in 2026
The grocery value equation is evolving beyond simple price tags
GLP-1 ranges: Should you launch one?
We round up the challenges and opportunities of entering the ‘GLP-1 friendly’ meals arena
Amazon retreats in grocery with Fresh and Go closures across the US and UK
After years of testing AI checkouts and new store designs, Amazon is walking back its physical grocery ambitions to refocus on Whole Foods and experimental formats
Ultra-processed food fears mount even as consumer understanding about it lags
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
Why salt reduction is getting harder for food makers
Governments may be returning to salt reduction targets, but manufacturers say the era of easy reformulation wins is long over
Why the FDA is revisiting gluten disclosure
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
Snacks are eating into the meal occasion creating new opportunities for brands
Consumers are turning to snacks for nutrition, satiety and convenience – blurring the line between eating occasions and pressuring brands to deliver more
News Bites
How consumers are redefining food value beyond price, health and hype
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
After GLP-1s, food steps in: Why weight maintenance is the next big opportunity
Former GLP-1 users looking to keep the weight off are a potentially underserved consumer base looking for foods and beverages that will help the feel full longer, manage portions and meet their health goals
Letter from the editor
2026 diet trends: What is in, what is out and what does it mean for CPG brands?
Consumers are redefining ‘healthy’ and rethinking nutrition to focus on their physical and mental well-being, which is creating opportunities and challenges for brands
Diet Trends
Rethinking sweetness in an age of sugar skepticism
As shoppers scrutinize labels and headlines, brands are rethinking sweetness strategies to deliver lower sugar, clearer messaging and commercially viable reformulations
Diet Trends
Millennials and Gen Z scrap formal diets for functional and high-protein foods
Spins analysts say younger consumers are turning to wearable technology and AI tools to customize nutrition and choose foods that deliver health benefits and flavor
Diet Trends
Fiber’s comeback: Why snacks are embracing the next functional macro
Fiber is making a comeback in snacks as gut health trends, GLP-1 use and clean-label demands reshape functional food innovation
Diet Trends
Circana maps 3 ‘healthy eating’ white spaces for food manufacturers in 2026
Study highlights how fiber, convenience-driven healthy meals and mood-boosting products are redefining better-for-you trends
2026 yogurt innovation: Tropical, protein-packed and trendy
From tropical flavors to protein-rich options, yogurt continues to balance bold taste with health-conscious trends
Winter Fancy Faire
Dry oat milk ‘slices’ promise a step-change in plant-based beverage sustainability
Using a proprietary dry-printing process, Milkadamia’s new oat milk format reduces packaging by 85%, lowers logistics costs and gives retailers a less expensive, more sustainable entry point for plant-based milks
News Bites
From dietary guidelines to cocoa shortages, pressure mounts on CPG brands
This week’s top stories show how nutrition policy debates, shifting views on processing and cocoa supply disruptions are reshaping formulation and sourcing decisions for CPG brands
Clarified choices: How one brand is cutting through the fat confusion for consumers
As Americans navigate a maze of information about the safety and nutrition of oils and tallows, Marianne’s Harvest offers clear labeling and expert guidance for its versatile products
‘Highly-processed’ or ‘ultra-processed’? New dietary guidelines reignite a definitional food fight
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans avoid the term “ultra-processed foods,” prompting both praise and criticism
How the Dietary Guidelines may shape product strategy and development
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
Impossible Foods partners with better-for-you startup EQUII
EQUII co-founder joins Impossible to accelerate the next phase of plant-based innovation
Is cycle syncing the next big thing in women’s nutrition?
Cycle‑syncing nutrition is exploding, and brands are betting big. Is this the next major wave in women’s health?
Top 5 longevity trends shaping food and drink
Longevity is redefining consumer behaviour. Here are the top five nutrition trends every food and beverage brand needs to know
Nestlé infant formula recall escalates
Nestlé faces global scrutiny as infant formula recall widens over contamination fears
How the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines are shifting America’s plate – and sparking debate
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
Most GMO foods have avoided labels – a court just changed that
9th Circuit says USDA wrongly let ultra-processed foods and QR-code-only disclosures dodge federal GMO labeling law
From spicy to made in the USA: FreshDirect maps 2026 food and beverage trends
FreshDirect’s 2026 trends point to a year defined by flavor staying power, premium hydration, chef-led grocery and a growing interest in US-made products
Better-for-you claims in the crosshairs: Advertising watchdog scrutinizes health claims
National Advertising Division cases shine light on marketing missteps, making the case for food and beverage brands to rethink health-focused advertising
Retailers are reshaping access to healthy and affordable diets
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
Consumers are ready to say ‘yes’ to ingredients again – if brands give them a reason
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
Conagra absorbs $968M impairment as outlook holds
A nearly $1 billion write-down and soft Q2 weigh on the stock, yet management reaffirms its focus on frozen, snacks and value-led innovation
Meet the futuristic functional ingredients reshaping human health
From the mental health crisis to keeping an ageing population active, state-of-the art ingredients promise to help humanity bio-hack its way to peak performance. Here’s how
Whole and 2% milk returning to school cafeterias after 12-year ban
Congress passes the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act with bipartisan support, rolling back Obama-era nutrition standards despite objections from health groups
Why collagen is set to dominate 2026
Collagen is transforming food, drink and confectionery. Discover why this powerhouse ingredient is set to dominate innovation in 2026
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
Could white cake, churro and huckleberry cobbler be the big drink flavors of 2026?
From matcha and sober-curious sips to gut-friendly tonics, protein power and tropical spritzes, functional beverages are defining the next wave of refreshment
2026 Trendspotting
Palate predictions: Sweet, spicy and beyond in 2026
From dark sweet cherry and black currant to smoky, swicy profiles, flavor leaders predict globally inspired tastes to define the year ahead
Trendspotting 2026
Trendspotting 2026: Why shoppers are ditching extreme diets and embracing balance
Mintel dives into the food trends of 2026 — where perseverance, playfulness and practical products meet at the grocery aisle
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?
Gluten‑free: Trends reshaping a booming market
Gluten‑free growth is shifting. Discover the sectors surging ahead and the trends transforming the market
Can AI solve the cocoa crisis? Barry Callebaut is betting on it
Barry Callebaut partners with NotCo AI and Planet A Foods to tackle soaring cocoa prices and regulatory hurdles, leveraging digital formulation tools to future‑proof chocolate