PepsiCo doubles down on turnaround strategy as gas prices pressure consumers
Executives say higher gas prices, not flaws in the company’s affordability, innovation and away-from-home strategy, constrained volumes
Snacks
Summer Fancy Food Show
Gut health enters a new phase as brands move beyond probiotics
Consumer demand for more targeted digestive benefits for different usage occasions is driving innovation across yogurt, fermented foods and traditional botanicals, while raising the stakes for education
Summer Fancy Food Show
Startups revive nostalgic snacks for the frozen aisle
How two founders are reviving classic snacks (or meals) in a frozen format with a fun twist
Summer Fancy Food Show
Fragmentation reshapes grocery, creating new opportunities for specialty brands
NielsenIQ says shifting shopping habits, online growth and changing drivers of consumer trust are redefining the path to purchase and opening doors for specialty manufacturers
The coming UPF regulation revolution
The regulatory landscape surrounding ultra-processed foods is changing rapidly. Here’s what has already happened, what’s coming next and why manufacturers should be paying attention
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
What it takes to earn a place in today’s snack cart
Economic pressure, growing health awareness and AI-powered product evaluation are making shoppers more selective, forcing snack brands to prove their value beyond price, says NielsenIQ’s Chris Costagli
General Mills embraces protein innovation and launches $3 billion savings initiative
The company outlines a four-year productivity push as it navigates inflation and invests in product innovation
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
Mondelez State of Snacking: The impossible innovation brief
Manufacturers have spent years responding to one consumer trend after another, but today’s snack has to satisfy every expectation at once
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
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
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
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
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?
Kellanova’s latest launches reveal a new innovation strategy
As consumers become more selective about calories and spending, Kellanova is building snacks around specific occasions and need states—using protein-packed RXBAR launches and sensory-driven Cheez-It Crunch as examples of a broader innovation strategy
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
How a better-for-you chip brand is raising the stakes in the category
Former better-for-you candy disruptor moves to the savory aisle with a healthier take on the classic potato chip
Kraft Heinz overhauls global structure amid split uncertainty
Kraft Heinz shakes up global structure as separation remains on hold
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
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
Red, white and chew: The limited edition treats marking America’s 250th birthday
America’s biggest birthday party is inspiring a summer of patriotic flavours, nostalgic treats and celebratory packaging
The next tobacco fight? Marketing to children enters UPF debate
Campaigners warn that food companies are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to build brand loyalty from childhood
Functional snacks on social media aren’t replacing indulgence, they’re justifying it
If functional snacks are booming, the ingredients powering them show a category in transition
Mars goes all in on renewables as emissions fall and growth climbs
Mars hits energy milestone, while maintaining growth and stepping up global investment
Mondelēz reveals taste is no longer king in snacking
Consumers aren’t simply looking for something tasty. Mondelēz International’s latest report suggests they increasingly want food that entertains, comforts and gives them something worth talking about
Is ‘healthy enough’ the new ‘better for you?’
Winning brands balance health, indulgence and convenience
The ‘Uh-Oh SpaghettiOs’ lawsuit vs the court of public opinion
As online commentators dissect everything from sterilisation processes to consumer behaviour, the dispute offers a glimpse into how food safety claims are increasingly judged in the digital age
Mondelēz appoints new EVP and CFO in leadership reshuffle
Mondelēz names Amit Banati EVP and CFO, signalling continuity and a sharper focus on execution, as competition in snacking intensifies
Walmart’s Aloha reset highlights how snack bars are overtaking center store
The move reflects a broader industry shift as protein bars – and better-for-you snacking – continue to move into the mainstream
Mars names new digital executive as growth strategy ramps up
Mars hires new CDIO to power growth and fast-track Kellanova integration
Are reformulation demands moving faster than brands can respond? Hear from PepsiCo and industry leaders
As the reformulation goalposts continue to move, experts from PepsiCo, the European Snacks Association, the American Bakers Association, 210 Analytics and FDF Scotland’s Reformulation for Health Programme ask whether manufacturers can keep pace
Iran-US peace deal: What it means for food
The deal includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
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
Fed Up! campaign takes aim at UPFs, but the science debate persists
A new campaign on ultra processed food education highlights systemic nutrition barriers, while food science experts stress the need to define the polarizing term before linking it to health outcomes
Can Ebola disrupt coffee prices and stocks?
The border closure between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has raised concerns over potential disruption to coffee trade - but is there a risk to global coffee prices?
Blue Diamond Almonds leans on heritage and new packaging to boost shelf visibility
For legacy players like Blue Diamond Almonds, standing out on digital and retail shelves means balancing their heritage with a modern, streamlined look
Taste still rules, but may no longer be enough to win in the snack aisle
New Circana data shows consumers increasingly expect functional benefits alongside flavor, driving a shift from ‘better-for-you’ to ‘nutritious and delicious’ snacks, like those showcased at Sweets & Snacks Expo by Barebells, Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn and...
Protein ice cream, EPG and the future of food: Why David’s Peter Rahal is betting on tech over branding
David’s protein ice cream sold out in 28 minutes of launching, but founder Peter Rahal says the real story isn’t frozen dessert – it’s how proprietary food technology could reshape the future of indulgence
Uncrustables tops $1 billion as JM Smucker posts strong Q4
Food and beverage giant says it might reverse coffee price hikes as commodity costs decline
Snack bar startups draw capital around protein, function and format
Stars + Honey’s recent funding to scale its collagen protein snack bars reflects broader capital investment towards nutrition, functionality, clean label and format innovation in the snack bar category
Campbell’s weighs ‘tough decisions’ to offset weak snack sales and rising costs
Executives say portfolio cuts, network consolidation and targeted price hikes are among the options under consideration to improve profitability and reignite growth