GLP-1 food boom: Market growth, big brands, and key challenges
GLP-1 fuels rapid food and beverage sector growth - but risks and costs mount
Health & functionality
Confectionery market to hit $278bn by 2032 as candy sales surge
The confectionery market is entering a new growth phase, driven by evolving consumer preferences, seasonal demand, and innovation in non-chocolate formats
Fibre powers next wave of functional nutrition
Fibre is no longer just a digestive aid, it’s a driving force in food innovation
The future of chocolate: Trends shaping a $129bn market
From creamy milk chocolate to functional dark varieties, the global chocolate market is evolving fast
Top confectionery trends for 2026
Top trends driving innovation in confectionery include personalisation, premiumisation, and ultra-limited editions
TFWA 2025: Top 5 confectionery innovations from the show
From hazelnut Twix to halal Haribo, TFWA 2025 delivered a sweet showcase of innovation under the Cannes sun. Discover the top launches shaking up confectionery
EU biscuits face acrylamide reckoning
A new study shows more than a quarter of biscuits on sale blow past EU safety benchmarks for acrylamide – a probable carcinogen that’s testing regulators’ patience and shaking consumer trust
UPFs are not the devil to clean-label’s angel
Are ultra-processed foods really the enemy?
How Gen Z made Free From the flavor of modern wellness
Forget bland gluten-free loaves and chalky sugar-free chocolate. For Gen Z, Free From is culture, not compromise and it’s rewriting what health and indulgence look like
From Oreos to Ozempic: Inside the $100bn Free From race
Gluten-free cookies, sugar-free chocolate and GLP-1 diets are colliding. The world’s biggest food makers are scrambling to stay relevant
Taste trumps all in functional food and beverage
Consumers are spending big on health-boosting foods and drinks, but flavour is still the dealbreaker
Functional gummy mania sends confectionery sales soaring
Functional gummies are exploding in popularity - blending indulgence with wellness, and appealing to everyone from Gen Z to Boomers
GLP-1 fuels new wave of confectionery innovation
GLP-1 drugs are transforming consumer snacking habits, and confectionery brands are responding
Is it time to get plastic out of chewing gum?
Chewing gum might be small, but its plastic content is causing big concerns. With mounting regulatory pressure and rising consumer demand for change, manufacturers are being urged to rethink their formulations
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
Keto’s collapse: The end of a diet era
Once a weight-loss juggernaut, the high-fat, low-carb keto diet is losing consumer interest
How do GLP-1 drugs impact gut health?
As GLP-1 weight loss drugs skyrocket in popularity, their impact on gut health is raising questions
Top confectionery trends driving sales in 2025
From timeless favourites to viral treats, discover how price, innovation, and better-for-you options are reshaping the confectionery aisle
Top 5 functional confectionery ingredients
Functional confectionery is booming. Find out which ingredients are driving the trend
Chewing over the next big idea: Snacks built for GLP-1 lifestyles
With GLP-1 users eating less often, chewy and long-lasting snacks like jerky, protein bites, gummies and gum are stepping up as the formats that make every portion count
How brands are reformulating for healthy indulgence
Confectionery is getting a makeover, and it’s happening fast. Discover how brands are reformulating for healthy indulgence in our free webinar on 23 September 2025
Food and beverage trends 2025: What’s hot and what’s not
Snacks are surging, alcohol is slipping, and flavour is king. Discover the biggest consumer shifts in food and drink in 2025
The sweetener trust crisis brands can’t ignore
Consumers are turning away from sweeteners amid rising health concerns and distrust. What does this mean for the future of food and beverage?
Mars to reformulate iconic brands in 2026
M&M’s, Skittles, and Starburst will ditch artificial colours, but not every product is making the switch
Gluten-free market to hit $13.67bn by 2030
Gluten-free is no longer niche. With the market growing fast, brands are racing to overcome production hurdles for new product development
Top 5 confectionery trends for Autumn/Winter 2025
Functional benefits, luxe indulgence, bold flavours, and festive flair set to dominate confectionery
Why creatine is the hottest ingredient in functional food and beverage
With a projected CAGR of 25.2%, creatine is a breakout ingredient in functional food and beverage
Stevia’s functional edge: Fermentation unlocks cancer-fighting potential
As demand for natural sweeteners grows, stevia’s health potential could be a game-changer
After all that, HFSS promotions ban scrapped in UK
The U-turn won’t happen immediately, and food makers should still prepare for the ban
Brazil nut prices surge as shortage takes hold
Extreme weather and political unrest are squeezing Brazil nut supplies and sending prices soaring
11 major moves in the synthetic food dye fight
From FDA bans to brand reformulations, here’s how 2025 became the tipping point in the fight to remove synthetic food dyes from America’s diet
Beyond sugar reduction: Protein Candy adds function and fun to better-for-you sweet set
With 14 grams of protein and only 4 grams of sugar, Protein Candy promises better performance for consumers and retailers
Snacking smarter, not less – what consumers really want
It’s the confectionery trend that appreciates a treat for what it is
Top 4 functional trends in confectionery
What are the top functional trends making it big in confectionery?
Why non-vegan sweets still matter in a plant-based world
Plant-based treats are rising fast, but indulgence, tradition, and texture keep non-vegan sweets in the mix. Here’s how brands are balancing both
Millions misled? Social media nutrition fakers target confectionery
As new research throws doubt on the validity of dietary claims made on social media, does this threaten consumer confidence in confectionery?
Eat chocolate, lower risk? New research fuels healthier indulgence
Can chocolate really improve blood pressure and reduce heart disease risk? Emerging research suggests it might – and the findings are sweet news
Hershey sharpens its 2025 strategy with sweet innovations and a packaging overhaul
Hershey is doubling down on innovation in 2025, unveiling a bold product lineup and a transformed packaging strategy at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo
High-protein: Why are consumers so obsessed?
Protein consumption through enriched functional foods is on the rise as consumers seek to boost intake levels
The better-for-you candy conundrum: Big potential, slow uptake
From portion size to packaging, reformulation to sugar reduction, here’s what US candy consumers really want
Flavour or function? The challenge of getting both right
Consumers are willing to try unfamiliar confectionery formulations and ingredients if wellness benefits are paired with taste
Prebiotic confectionery attracts scalable start-ups
Is 2025 the year prebiotics move from niche to mainstream?
New diabetes figures raise questions over HFSS regulations
Will new figures, highlighting links between sugar-sweetened drinks and diabetes, push governments to move further on sugar reduction regulations?
Driving change in student snacking through sugar reduction
Do new research findings suggest there’s more of a place for functional confectionery?
Does new study pave the way for cocoa’s future as a functional food?
Researchers have found that cocoa flavanols can counteract the adverse effects of high-fat meals and stress
Clarity, quality and visibility lead natural and clean confectionery in 2025
It’s a trend that’s not going anywhere, but 2025 looks set to bring fundamental functionality to confectionery.
Manufacturing for allergies and health during candy-focused holidays
New challenges and opportunities emerge due to the rise of allergen-free and better-for-you confectionery.
Quick bites: Can a no-sugar-added snack truly be irresistible?
Continuing our series on disruptive startups, we explore the rise of NICK’s, a Swedish-style snack brand that’s making a splash on the US market by redefining diabetes- and keto-friendly treats that don’t skimp on taste. What’s the brand’s secret?
Cracking cocoa-free chocolate consumption wide open
As one industry leader opens a new large-scale purpose-built manufacturing plant, is cocoa-free chocolate on an upward trajectory?
Franuí expands into the UK market with chocolate-covered raspberry bites
Franuí is bringing its handcrafted, sustainable treats to London, targeting health-conscious consumers with premium ingredients.