Mars launches Impact Fund with cocoa farmers first to benefit
Mars invests in community resilience worldwide, starting with cocoa growers
Gum
Nestlé’s new power play: Four Pillars, one direction
Swiss food and beverage giant unveils bold new strategy for the future
Trouble at the Top: Nestlé, Unilever, Barry Callebaut, Kraft Heinz
CEO scandals and surprise shake-ups – the world’s biggest food and drink giants are undergoing a leadership overhaul. But is this a moment of crisis or a chance for positive change?
Industry, brace for change: Momentum builds behind Global Plastics Treaty
After negotiations failed to finalise a global treaty on plastic pollution last year, new hope is on the horizon
Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariff policy
The decision is likely to spark a wave of lawsuits from businesses across the food and beverage industry and beyond
Nestlé bets on four key categories as it separates ice cream
Nestlé celebrates strong results and a sharper strategy, but crisis casts shadow over the food and beverage giant’s future
Is Hershey in trouble? Profits plummeting and ingredients under fire
Hershey’s rocky start to 2026 has raised questions about its long‑term direction
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
Hershey blasted by Reese’s family over core ingredient changes
Reese family sends open letter to Hershey, challenging whether the confectionery giant is protecting the Reese’s legacy
C-suite leaders sound alarm on food and beverage’s biggest risks
Executives warn rising costs, labour gaps and tech disruption are reshaping the industry’s future
FDA eases ‘no artificial colors’ labeling rules, paves way for natural color adoption
FDA eases ‘no artificial colors’ claims, but ambiguity over ‘petroleum-based dyes’ leaves manufacturers cautious
Hershey profit shock: 60% drop despite sales bump
Hershey’s profits have plunged again, but rising sales and recent acquisitions hint at a more complicated story
Mondelēz puts hopes in volume growth as cocoa prices ease
The company’s 2025 full-year earnings point to substantial challenges, but changes in the cocoa market could be cause for optimism
Mars: The making of a confectionery powerhouse
The confectionery giant is changing fast, and setting the pace for the entire sector
Next big moves in Big Food
From megamergers to shocking splits, Big Food is reshaping itself at breakneck speed. So, who’s next?
Mondelēz names new EVP, COO and CFO
Mondelēz International reshapes top team, elevating CFO Luca Zaramella to powerful dual role
Mars-Kellanova: The $36bn merger transforming the snacking sector
Mars’ $36bn takeover of Kellanova is reshaping the global snacking landscape, combining two powerhouse portfolios and igniting innovation
The real tariff impact on food is still ahead – here is what to expect
Industry data shows manufacturers have delayed price hikes through promotions and portfolio pricing, but analysts warn those tools will weaken as tariff costs finally flow through in 2026
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
Crack it, snack it, recycle it: Packaging that’ll rule 2026
Snack packs are finally starting to look like they belong in 2026 instead of 2006, and the pressure to keep evolving isn’t letting up
Biggest confectionery companies 2026 announced
Who’s dominating the sector and who’s falling behind?
How Mars is developing new ingredients with AI
AI can do a lot more than offer guidance and write emails. It can help food companies find brand-new ingredients for product formulation
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
Cyber attacks spike worldwide: 7 ways food and drink can fight back
Cyber crime is hitting food and drink hard, exposing just how quickly supply chains can break. What can industry do to protect itself?
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
Sugar, stocks and scrutiny: Mondelez, Kraft and General Mills caught in Trump’s nutrition reset
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
Gum and mints are growing – just not how brands might think
The path forward is being shaped less by nostalgia and more by younger consumers, sugar-free formats and a renewed focus on function
The AI revolution sweeping food and drink
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?
Exclusive: Can biotech break monk fruit’s supply constraints? Manus thinks so
As demand for natural sweeteners grows, Manus moves monk fruit production in the US
The future of confectionery: Innovations driving success in 2026
Discover how brands are reimagining indulgence and why the sweetest opportunities lie ahead
Ferrero steps-up Christmas gifting game with major new launch
Ferrero Travel Market is redefining festive gifting
Top 5 F&B retail trends for 2026
Discover the five trends that will define 2026, and why agility, authenticity, and technology will determine who succeeds and who fails
Why premium confectionery is the sweet spot for growth
Premiumisation is driving double-digit growth in confectionery - what does this mean for manufacturers?
Longevity and weight loss drive food and beverage innovation
Longevity and weight loss are redefining consumer priorities - creating major opportunities for food and beverage
Trendspotting 2026
Crunch, cream, contrast: Texture takes the spotlight in 2026
Forget flavor fatigue – next year will be all about how snacks feel. From crisp layers to creamy centers, texture is fast becoming the biggest lever of indulgence and loyalty
Sugar prices to 5-year low: When will they rise again?
The price of sugar will not stay low forever
Top 5 Christmas confectionery trends 2025
Holidays are coming! Discover the confectionery trends driving festive sales in 2025
Hershey Q3 earnings: Sales rise but profits plunge amid cost pressures
The confectionery giant beat expectations in Q3, but soaring costs and shrinking profits reveal deeper industry troubles
Candy Warehouse files for bankruptcy
Candy Warehouse’s sudden bankruptcy shocks the confectionery world just days before Halloween, exposing deeper troubles in the industry
Sweeteners linked to hair growth in latest study
New research suggests natural sweetener stevioside may help boost hair growth
Halloween at the White House: Tricks, treats & spooky tunes
President Trump and The First Lady are opening up the White House to celebrate scare season
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
Nestlé, Mars, Unilever, Ferrero & Kraft Heinz: The big CPG shake-up continues
From Nestlé’s mass layoffs to Kraft Heinz mega demerger, global CPGs are making bold moves to survive shifting consumer demands and financial pressure
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
Nestlé to cut 16,000 jobs in Q3 results shake-up
Nestlé is cutting 7% of its workforce. Is this bold move a reset or a risk?
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
No trick: Halloween 2025 candy sales to hit record highs
After Summerween comes the real deal: Halloween, which expects to see recording spending
Halloween candy sales soar: Trends & treats driving growth
Halloween is no longer just for kids, it’s a confectionery goldmine