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
Confectionery
Hershey takes Reese’s Pieces into snacking with first new launch in a decade
Hershey has unveiled Reese’s Pieces Chocolate Cookie, marking a bold play in snacking and highlighting a wider industry trend
Hershey’s Hollywood debut: New film brings founder’s legacy to life
Hershey to make big screen debut with biopic on founder Milton Hershey
Ferrero advances certified sourcing and supplier compliance
Confection giant reports 99% certified cocoa, certified palm oil and growing supplier code adoption in its latest sustainability update
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
Mondelēz crystal Toblerone marks confectionery marketing shift
Mondelēz and Swarovski’s crystal Toblerone offers glimpse into confectionery’s new marketing style
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
Reformulation isn’t simply about replacing cocoa
The cocoa crisis has exposed a much bigger challenge for manufacturers – preserving flavour, texture, quality and consumer trust while navigating a volatile ingredient market
Sweets & Snacks Expo
Mars rethinks seasonality to drive bigger sales with smaller moments
The confectionery maker says future growth depends less on recruiting new snackers and more on creating more consumption occasions through micro-seasons, cultural moments and holiday extensions
Plastic-free confectionery packaging? It’s complicated
Confectionery’s plastic addiction is under scrutiny, but there are no easy solutions
Inside Big Chocolate’s Cocoa Plan B
Confectionery’s biggest names are no longer just watching the alternative cocoa space – they’re shaping it
Private-equity firm acquires $1.6 billion Irca as Dubai chocolate trend fuels growth
The Italian baking, chocolate and ice cream ingredients maker will focus on M&A, supply chain optimization and international expansion
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
Why the smartest food marketing begins when everything goes wrong
From stolen chocolate to monochrome packaging, some of the food industry’s most effective marketing campaigns have grown out of operational problems rather than creative briefs
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.
Ferrara accelerates growth with global expansion strategy
From innovation to international expansion, Ferrara targets growth
Nestlé combines confectionery and coffee to boost growth
Nestlé brings together confectionery and coffee in latest bid to drive growth
GLP‑1 use is fueling trends already in motion
GLP‑1 adoption is scaling rapidly and the brands that win are focusing on delivering nutrition for broader appeal rather than a niche segment
Nestlé accelerates shift to regenerative agriculture
Nestlé steps up efforts to transform farming practices as pressure mounts to decarbonise global supply chains.
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
Why food scientists still can’t crack the perfect natural red
Creating a heat-stable natural red remains one of food science’s toughest colour challenges
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
Function beats fame: why big food brands are losing their edge
Consumers want their problems solved and that’s how brands can grow
Sweets & Snacks Expo
Hershey’s ‘yes, and’ innovation strategy blends better-for-you and indulgence
The confection giant is leveraging protein, zero-sugar products and cross-category brand extensions to reach new consumers and help retailers merchandise a changing snacking landscape
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
Hershey appoints PepsiCo veteran to drive next phase of growth
Hershey names Heather Hoytink US president, highlighting renewed focus on growth
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
Nestlé’s KitKat move signals industry shift to regenerative sourcing
Nestlé makes regenerative agriculture mainstream in sustainability shift that could reshape standards across confectionery
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
British EUDR? UK government to introduce anti-deforestation rules
The proposal will affect imports from around the world, including coffee, cocoa, soy and palm oil
Kraft Heinz overhauls global structure amid split uncertainty
Kraft Heinz shakes up global structure as separation remains on hold
EU’s new gene-editing rules open the door for CRISPR
Under a new two-tier system, some gene-edited crops will face simplified regulation
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
When everything is a snack, is anything a snack?
The most important finding in Mondelez International’s latest State of Snacking report isn’t that people are snacking more but that the industry may no longer know what a snack is
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
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
Do GLP-1 users like artificial sweeteners?
Users perceive sweeteners differently to sugar
Döhler commits to cocoa‑free future with Nukoko acquisition
Döhler’s acquisition of Nukoko highlights cocoa-free chocolate’s move into the mainstream