Chocolate has a new problem. And it’s not cocoa prices
Rising temperatures are hitting chocolate demand, forcing manufacturers to rethink products, formats and sales strategies
Natural colors & flavors
M&M’s at 85: How Mars built a billion-dollar confectionery icon
From flavour innovation to space exploration, M&M’s has spent 85 years securing its place in confectionery history
Forget breakfast: The battle for the morning snack is on
Consumers are increasingly turning to morning snacks for energy, focus and satiety, creating a fast-growing opportunity for food and beverage brands
Are food and beverage brands stuck on repeat?
Another flavour. Another collaboration. Another limited edition. Line extensions are booming, but are brands delivering genuine innovation or simply more of the same?
Mars bets big on confectionery and snacking’s hottest trends
World’s biggest confectionery manufacturer bets on protein, bold flavours and affordable indulgence ahead of the key autumn/winter sales season
Top 10 food and beverage trends set to shape 2027
What’s next for food and beverage? Explore the consumer trends powering the next wave of innovation and new product development
Ube exports have been suspended – why and what happens now?
Ube is everywhere. But as demand surges, the Philippines is taking steps to keep the value and authenticity of its purple yam at home
Rip Van appoints former Hershey president to power next phase of growth
Former US president of Hershey, Todd Tillemans, joins Rip Van as CEO, as the fast-growing better-for-you snack brand eyes major expansion
The future of cocoa: Why volatility’s here to stay
Climate change, ageing plantations and fragile supply chains are putting cocoa under unprecedented pressure. The industry’s response could determine the future of chocolate itself
Opinion
Beyond sugar reduction: The next challenge for food manufacturers
Low-sugar formulations no longer satisfy increasingly health-conscious consumers
Lindt cuts sales forecast as consumer spending slows
Confectionery giant cuts 2026 sales growth forecast after weaker-than-expected demand, but confidence in long-term strategy remains
From Mars to Ferrero: Confectionery bets big on ultra-premium chocolate
Confectionery’s biggest names are racing to capitalise on the ultra-premium boom, but what does it take to truly succeed?
Mars’ cocoa strategy centers around new tech and cloning
Mars’ next phase of cocoa sustainability puts productivity, technology and climate resilience at the forefront
Food’s fight for the evening snack gets serious
From game nights to movie marathons, evening snacking has become one of food and drink’s most valuable occasions
From aspartame to allulose: The future of sweeteners takes shape
The sweetener landscape is becoming increasingly diverse, but what does the future hold?
Nestlé shifts strategy from scale to execution
Coffee, Petcare and emerging markets at centre of Nestlé’s new strategy as the food giant moves away from growth through scale
Big Food’s colour promises are colliding with supply chain reality
The dye deadlines are closing in, but the alternatives aren’t ready
The Gen Z Effect: Rewriting the rules of confectionery
From TikTok-fuelled product discovery to the rise of wellness, sustainability and authenticity, Gen Z is redefining what it means to indulge
FDA considers new natural food color petitions as synthetic dye phaseout looms
Petitions seek approval for safflower yellow, expanded uses for gardenia blue and changes to carrot oil production as food makers move away from synthetic dyes
Mars turns mint supply risk into sustainability success
Mars shows how sustainable sourcing can strengthen supply chains with Shubh Mint programme
Nestlé’s turnaround gains momentum despite profit drop
Nestlé delivers stronger organic growth and improving volumes in H1 2026, but net profit falls 31.4%
Health vs Indulgence: Why consumers refuse to choose
Wellness is reshaping food and beverage, but indulgence still drives sales
Gen Alpha and Beta: Confectionery’s next battleground
Freeze-dried sweets, bold flavours, Roblox activations and AI-powered engagement – the forces reshaping confectionery innovation as brands look beyond Gen Z
Nestlé to axe artificial colours worldwide in industry first
Nestlé to remove artificial food colourings from all products globally by the end of the year
Mars’ artificial-dye-free push hits major reformulation hurdles
Mars to introduce artificial-colour-free M&M’s but reformulation challenges leave two colours out in the cold
Nestlé USA eliminates artificial colors as part of broader reformulation overhaul
While Nestlé has reached this particular milestone ahead of schedule, it positions the achievement as one step in a longer-term strategy focused on cleaner labels, product innovation and greater consumer trust
Is hojicha the next flavour megatrend?
Is hojicha quietly positioning itself as matcha’s successor? From drinks to desserts, this green tea is gaining momentum and the industry is taking notice
Big Food’s high‑stakes race to reformulate
From regulation changes to supply chain pressures, reformulation is reshaping Big Food – fast
Seed oils are out, avocado oil is in – and snack brands are leading the switch
Chip makers are transitioning to avocado oil, due to backlash against seed and vegetable oils
Up the food chain
Givaudan’s head of front-end innovation on AI and the future of food
An engineer at heart, Alexandre Bastos brings a problem‑solver’s mindset to the front lines of food innovation
The future of chocolate: Innovation surges as expectations shift
From rising innovation to shifting consumer demands, chocolate is entering a new era
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
DGA sweetener warning sparks industry pushback
Dietary Guidelines pose a challenge for formulators around non-nutritive sweeteners
5 trends powering chocolate’s $245bn boom
Trends shaping the future of chocolate and the opportunities they create for the confectionery industry
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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