The clean label chocolate revolution has begun
Clean label chocolate is gaining momentum, and reshaping indulgence
Health & functionality
RFK Jr targets food dyes, SNAP and UPFs in MAHA rally keynote
The MAHA Rally for Real Food echoed RFK Jr’s agenda to clean up US food, including a formal definition of UPFs expected next month, but critics worry a lack of evidence-based policy will confuse consumers and impact companies’ bottom lines
Big Food’s race to reinvent as market shifts
Big Food is tearing up the rulebook – but what’s driving the sudden rush to rebrand, reformulate and reinvent?
Blurred lines: Confectionery and sports nutrition collide in snacking revolution
From protein‑packed chocolate bars to big‑brand collaborations, sports nutrition and confectionery are merging fast
Protein is the price of entry at Expo West 2026
Expo West lands in Anaheim this March, and protein isn’t just a trend – it’s the baseline. The real fight is over taste, texture and who can make functionality feel effortless
DGA sweetener warning sparks industry pushback
Dietary Guidelines pose a challenge for formulators around non-nutritive sweeteners
Ingredients Compendium No 2: Trehalose
The little-known functional sugar gaining ground across food categories
As manufacturers grapple with sugar reduction, texture loss and longer shelf-life demands, trehalose is emerging as a functional ingredient to watch in 2026
5 trends powering chocolate’s $245bn boom
Trends shaping the future of chocolate and the opportunities they create for the confectionery industry
The ‘untapped potential’ of functional chocolate
Functional chocolate is stepping into the spotlight. Discover the ingredients, trends and early innovators reshaping the future of indulgence
Permissible indulgence powers better‑for‑you boom
Explore the new supertrend that’s reshaping snacking
Coca‑Cola defies sector struggles with strong profit growth
Coca‑Cola reports robust results as a new CEO prepares to steer beverage giant into next phase of growth
The future of chocolate is bittersweet
Soaring cocoa prices are quietly reshaping how chocolate is formulated, where it’s used and how far the industry can stretch expectations without losing trust
Winter Fancy Faire
3 trends revitalizing the sleepy nut butter and seed spread category
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
GLP‑1 demand: Are we already seeing a slowdown?
Is enthusiasm for GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs starting to fade?
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
The big 5: Functional confectionery trends to watch
From protein bars to gut-friendly gummies, functional confectionery is exploding, and it’s changing the game for indulgence
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
Did Joe Wicks kill off demand for protein bars?
Joe Wicks’ protein bar takedown may have stirred controversy, but did it change what consumers are buying?
The future of chocolate: An era of bold innovation and ultra indulgence
Chocolate is undergoing a dramatic transformation. From cutting‑edge cocoa‑free innovation to the rise of premium indulgence, discover how makers and brands are reinventing the world’s favourite treat
Battle of the F&B Trends 2026: Contenders Announced
Three major food and beverage trend battles are set to define 2026, but which will triumph, and which will be left behind?
Dark chocolate’s anti‑ageing link unlocks big opportunities
Could dark chocolate become the next big anti‑ageing ingredient? New research suggests it might, and the opportunities for brands are huge
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
Gluten‑free: Trends reshaping a booming market
Gluten‑free growth is shifting. Discover the sectors surging ahead and the trends transforming the market
Beckham’s snack play: How BEEUP plans to sting the competition
Forget celebrity sidelines, David Beckham’s actually in the test kitchen: CEO Peter Stearns lifts the lid on how that shapes BEEUP’s next phase
The future of confectionery: Innovations driving success in 2026
Discover how brands are reimagining indulgence and why the sweetest opportunities lie ahead
Gut health: Innovations shaping a $51bn industry
From microbiome-first foods to AI-powered diagnostics, discover the innovations shaping the future of wellness
Top 10 food and beverage trends for 2026
The food and beverage trends driving change in 2026
The big 5: Confectionery flavours to watch in 2026
From nostalgic favourites with a modern twist to wellness-driven indulgence, the flavour revolution is here
Opinion
If better-for-you is out, why is Cadbury all in?
Cadbury is snapping up health tech, just as the trend starts to crumble
Top 5 F&B ingredients trends driving market growth towards $560bn
The global food and beverage ingredients market is booming. But what are the trends powering industry growth?
Industry takes aim at Lancet’s deadly UPF report
The Lancet’s latest series linking ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to harm across multiple organs has reignited debate over their role in public health
Longevity and weight loss drive food and beverage innovation
Longevity and weight loss are redefining consumer priorities - creating major opportunities for food and beverage
Nestlé R&D head on how the world’s biggest CPG innovates
Inside Nestlé: Rania Abou Samra on crafting the future of food and beverage
Top 5 functional F&B ingredients trends for 2026
From gut-friendly gummies to protein-packed snacks, functional ingredients are transforming everyday food and drink into wellness powerhouses
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
NAD⁺: The longevity molecule transforming functional food and drink
NAD⁺ is emerging as a key ingredient in the longevity space. Discover the science, product potential, and formulation challenges shaping this fast-growing category
Retailers ‘scramble’ to comply with no-sweets SNAP laws
The payment system restructure could cost the industry $1.6 billion
How big is the GLP-1 wave going to get, really?
As usage of weight loss medications surges and new therapies emerge, food businesses face a once-in-a-generation opportunity – or risk being left behind
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
The great color reckoning: America’s breakup with fake dyes
With US states set to ban or label synthetic dyes, Sensient CEO Paul Manning unpacks the economics, supply pressures and sensory science driving America’s shift to natural color
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