Barry Callebaut returns to growth after two-year slump
Barry Callebaut posts first quarterly volume growth in two years, amid ongoing weakness in the global chocolate market
Beverage
The alt cocoa boom: Big Chocolate’s new obsession
Volatile cocoa markets and growing supply concerns fuel the rise of alt cocoa as manufacturers fight to futureproof chocolate
OSK makes caffeine-free tea play as it eyes US, Middle East
Japanese tea brand OSK is expanding its caffeine-free range to tap health trends and capture international growth
PepsiCo embraces dirty soda trend with Dirty Mountain Dew and Mug Root Beer Floats
As consumer interest in indulgent, creamy sodas surges, major beverage brands are ditching the DIY approach for convenient, ready-to-drink formats
What are the 7 flavour trends set to impact US beverages in 2027?
Beverage flavour trends are changing fast and consumer demands are shaping innovation.
12 brands that have nailed the ‘fricy’ trend
Beverages, snack, sauces and even ice cream are turning up the heat with ‘fricy’ offerings
Barry Callebaut’s strategic reset under Hein Schumacher
Six months in, Hein Schumacher is focused on profitability, discipline and execution, but can he turn stabilisation into sustainable growth?
New Protein Watch: Betagro chicken noodles, Thai Union snacks and fresh soymilk
Betagro chicken noodles, Thai Union snacks and fresh soymilk feature in this edition of New Protein Watch
Summer Fancy Food Show 2026
Bone broth breaks out of the soup bowl
Bone broth’s versatility across beverage formats reveals there’s more to it than a functional, savory drink
Inside Big Chocolate’s Cocoa Plan B
Confectionery’s biggest names are no longer just watching the alternative cocoa space – they’re shaping it
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 invests €1.5m in the future of science
Confectionery giant invests €1.5m in young scientists through Mars Impact Fund
5 food trends driven by lifestyle shifts around the world
Convenience, wellness and cultural identity are reshaping what people eat, driving five global food trends influencing brands today
Growth Asia Summit 2026: Retailers JD Health, Guardian, Alpro Pharmacy join major brands next week
There is still a week left until the Growth Asia Summit 2026 and we can confirm the attendance of retailers active in the region’s health and nutrition space, including Alpro Pharmacy, China’s JD Health and Guardian Singapore.
BuzzBallz surges into UK Top 100 alcohol brands with record £73m growth amid RTD boom
BuzzBallz, the RTD (ready-to-drink) cocktail, has been described as the “new darling” of the UK alcohol category as it has rocketed into the Top 100
Nestlé combines confectionery and coffee to boost growth
Nestlé brings together confectionery and coffee in latest bid to drive growth
China beverage alcohol market driven by younger consumers and on-demand drinking trends
China’s alcohol beverage market is in a “structural reset” with younger consumers, casual social events and at home drinking replacing the business occasion as a key driver.
Nestle’s race to scale sustainable coffee
Nescafé sustainability strategy making progress, but scaling across global supply chains remains critical challenge
Supermarkets globally ramp up investment in own-label alcohol ranges
Supermarkets globally are pouring investment into their own brand food and drink ranges as they look to capture more customer spend, with alcohol becoming an increasing important part of the mix
Agthia’s ‘world-first dates energy drink’ targets category shake-up
United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Agthia has entered the energy drink category with a world-first invention, attempting to appeal to a modern audience with a major regional ingredient: dates
News Bites
How CPGS are rewriting ‘better-for-you’
Cleaning up labels is no longer enough – value-driven consumers are forcing the industry to rethink the balance of price, health and convenience
Private equity tightens hold on Big Food
Private equity is reshaping food and beverage, but rising costs raise questions over just how far it can go
Former Nestlé CEO in legal dispute with Swiss food giant following sacking
Former Nestlé chief executive officer, Laurent Freixe, is challenging his dismissal in a dispute over lost bonuses and shares
UK consumers drinking habits change as heatwave drives hydration trend
The heatwave ravaging western Europe has seen temperatures hit unprecedented highs in the UK, France and Spain
Nestlé combines comms and ESG in strategic leadership shift
Nestlé promotes Antonia Wanner to chief communications and sustainability officer, signalling sharper focus on credibility and long-term growth
Federal court blocks food benefits ban on soda and candy
The decision in Aragon v. Rollins vacates USDA waivers in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia and sets up a likely appeal
SWIFT reforms: India’s push for food safety and traceability
India’s recent reforms span ingredient restrictions and digital trade systems aimed at strengthening food traceability and supporting domestic and global trade
Agentic commerce could crack personalization but only for data-ready brands
Will agentic commerce deliver on the personalization food and beverage has been trying to achieve?
GLP-1 drugs aren’t killing confectionery – they’re reinventing it
GLP-1 drugs are changing how consumers snack, but confectionery sales remain strong and new opportunities are opening up
US beverage giants roll out QR codes to boost ingredient transparency
America’s leading beverage companies have made a commitment to integrate global ingredient safety data directly into QR codes on cans and bottles
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
Clean protein shakes up RTD beverages
Elmhurst 1925 extends clean-label portfolio with RTD plant protein shakes
The state of fermentation and cultivated ingredients: Where are we now?
Precision fermentation reshapes how sweetness is made
The future of sweetness may not be about replacing sugar with a single ingredient, but about redesigning how sweetness itself is built
UAE’s Nutri-Mark nutrition labelling system goes digital
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has launched an app to bring its national nutritional labelling system to the next level
Danone strengthens beverages portfolio with Asia-Pacific acquisition
Danone has ramped up its portfolio of functional beverages with the agreement to purchase Australia-based Made Group.
How are Nestlé, Danone and Muscle Milk rethinking reformulation?
Additives and artificial colors and flavors continue to be axed from formulas as the industry balances a meeting consumers’ health goals with nutrition policy
聚焦中国：功能性食品创新、KitKat 本土化战略、中国品牌在东南亚的崛起等
本期探讨本土化、功能创新与高端化如何助力品牌赢得亚洲各地消费者
China Focus: Functional food innovations, KitKat’s localisation strategy, and the rise of Chinese brands in SEA
This edition examines how localisation, functional innovation and premiumisation are helping brands win consumers across Asia
Creatine storms functional drinks but can it really deliver?
As formulators race to stabilise creatine for RTD formats, the ingredient is moving beyond sports nutrition into mainstream wellness, yet evidence gaps and dosing challenges could shape its true potential
PepsiCo, Danone & Nestlé: how AI is powering F&B growth
AI is transforming how F&B giants cut costs, boost efficiency and innovate faster — turning data into a powerful competitive edge
Ashwagandha and mushrooms fuel rise of relaxation beverages
Data shows mood drinks gaining ground as consumers seek calm, sleep and alcohol-free social options
Döhler commits to cocoa‑free future with Nukoko acquisition
Döhler’s acquisition of Nukoko highlights cocoa-free chocolate’s move into the mainstream
Lindt hits 100% cocoa milestone amid Big Confectionery sustainability drive
Lindt hits 100% certified cocoa as Big Confectionery shifts focus to responsible sourcing
Nestlé Waters sale tested as buyers weigh risks
As scandals mount and strategy shifts, the industry is watching to see whether Nestlé opts for a full or partial exit from Waters
Flavor and format are fueling specialty coffee
Specialty coffee is more than a caffeine fix for younger consumers as the category is driven by flavor, format and customization
Is ‘healthy enough’ the new ‘better for you?’
Winning brands balance health, indulgence and convenience