Mars-Kellanova merger: Commission rumoured to be nearing approval
Mars’ blockbuster $35.9bn bid for Kellanova may get the EU’s green light, without concessions
Biscuits
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
Done deal: WK Kellogg now a subsidiary of Ferrero
Less than three months after the acquisition announcement, WK Kellogg is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferrero
Cocoa market stable for first time since 2022
Cocoa prices have finally cooled after a historic surge - but will the calm last?
UPFs are not the devil to clean-label’s angel
Are ultra-processed foods really the enemy?
Hershey doubles down on s’mores as a seasonal growth engine with caramel innovation and retail partnerships
By extending its seasonal leadership and tapping consumer nostalgia with a modern twist, Hershey is driving incremental sales and household penetration
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
Mars pumps billions into renewable energy
Mars takes major step towards net zero by 2050
European Commission wants to delay EUDR, again
The Environment Commissioner hopes lawmakers will agree to postpone the deforestation regulation yet another year
Shrinkflation backfires: Brands risk customer loyalty in cost-saving strategy
Are manufacturers risking it all to save a few pennies?
Nestlé CEO wants “better, smarter and faster”
New chief, Philipp Navratil, wants food and beverage giant to move quickly and be ready to innovate
Mars pledges €1bn to European manufacturing
Mars is ramping up manufacturing, sustainability, and innovation across Europe
Mars-Kellanova Deal: Commission restarts the clock
The EU has resumed its investigation into Mars’ $35.9bn merger with Kellanova, following a stop in July
What’s hot in confectionery? Honey roasted M&Ms, Party Rings and more
From festive formats and clean-label protein snacks to nostalgic flavour mashups, the latest wave of NPD is reshaping how consumers snack, share and celebrate
Nestlé chairman Paul Bulcke resigns amid CEO scandal
Nestlé fast-tracks leadership change following investor pressure
Unilever appoints new CFO
Unilever has named Srinivas Phatak as its new CFO, following a global search
Nestlé investors demand early exit of chairman Paul Bulcke amid CEO scandal
Investors want chairman Paul Bulcke out now. With trust shaken and shares slipping, pressure mounts for Pablo Isla to take the reins early
Sustainable September
Mars, PepsiCo and ADM join forces to advance ag-tech
Mars, PepsiCo and ADM are partnering to help farmers adopt regenerative agriculture - boosting soil health, crop resilience and sustainability
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
NCA Awards: Nominations open
The National Confectioners Association is now accepting nominations for its 2026 industry awards, celebrating excellence across retail, leadership, and sales
Scientists crack cocoa’s consistency conundrum
A breakthrough in cocoa fermentation could finally deliver consistent, high-quality flavour every time
Bach to snacking: The science of sonic seasoning
From a University of Bristol researcher’s track designed to make chocolate sweeter to studies showing how pitch, tempo and timbre can season food like sugar or salt, music is fast becoming the next frontier in flavor
Sustainable September
Grappling with traceability in palm oil supply chains
With the EUDR fast approaching, what’s preventing manufacturers from tracing palm oil?
Nestlé investor trust shaken following CEO scandal
Nestlé’s CEO scandal has rattled investors, triggering a share price dip and raising fresh concerns over leadership stability at the food giant
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
Mars-Kellanova: Merger update
Is the clock still stopped on the $35.9bn deal?
Is food and drink failing the planet? Share your view now
The global food and drink industry’s biggest sustainability call to action has kicked off in the first month-long Sustainable September event
Mondelēz bets on collaborations as M&A costs climb
From Oreo x Reese’s to Biscoff tie-ups, partnerships are delivering the consumer buzz and sales lift that price cuts and big-ticket acquisitions no longer guarantee
Sustainability September
Food industry must act now to avoid climate disaster
Extreme weather is devastating crops and driving up food prices. Can innovation save global food security?
Top food and beverage disruptions in 2025
From labour shortages to climate chaos, the food and beverage industry is fighting fires on all fronts
Is food and drink failing the planet? Share your view now
The global food and drink industry’s biggest sustainability call to action has kicked off in the first month-long Sustainable September event
What’s hot in confectionery? Lindt, Bubs and Party Rings cake
Nostalgia, texture and gifting appeal are just some of the key themes in this week’s new product development round-up
Nestlé burns through two CEOs in two years – how did we get here?
It’s not unheard of, but Nestlé being on its third CEO in two years is an anomaly. Here are the circumstances leading up to the appointment of new CEO Philipp Navratil
Nestlé’s CEO scandal: What now?
Laurent Freixe has been dismissed over conduct violation - here’s everything you need to know
Nestlé appoints new CEO
Philipp Navratil gets top job as Laurent Freixe dismissed
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
How regulators are shaping the future of novel foods
From cell-cultivated meat to precision-fermented dairy, regulators are stepping up to support innovation
Is Nestlé pulling back on plant-based?
Nestlé continues move away from plant-based as market growth slows
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
McCormick doubles down on ‘finishing’ trend with re-launched sugars
McCormick is building out its Finishing Sugars portfolio as consumers and operators look for easy-to-use flavor boosters that deliver indulgence at home and across foodservice
Artificial sweeteners still bitter? Natural fix shows promise
Scientists discover possible solution to ‘bitter’ taste in artificial sweeteners
De-risking cocoa: The chocolate giants leaning into novel technologies
Amid a cocoa crisis, the biggest names in chocolate are working to futureproof supply
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?