
Inside Big Chocolate’s Cocoa Plan B
Confectionery’s biggest names are no longer just watching the alternative cocoa space – they’re shaping it

Confectionery’s biggest names are no longer just watching the alternative cocoa space – they’re shaping it

Shopper satisfaction dips nine percentage points, as consumers reduce spending year over year

Nestlé to remove artificial food colourings from all products globally by the end of the year


Additives and artificial colors and flavors continue to be axed from formulas as the industry balances a meeting consumers’ health goals with nutrition policy

Users perceive sweeteners differently to sugar

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

The global ingredient supplier’s deal reflects a broader trend of how companies are streamlining their businesses to meet shifting health and wellness preferences

Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you trends and indulgence
By upcycling grape seeds, Cargill’s new NextCoa offers CPG brands a vegan, allergen-free option as major manufacturers hedge against soaring cocoa costs

ADM argues food makers can no longer tackle sugar, sodium or clean label goals one at a time without risking taste, texture and cost

With a WeFunder campaign and institutional raise underway, Fudi Protein is positioning its alfalfa-derived Rubisco as a cost-competitive egg white replacement

Adding fibre to foods and beverages could help close the ‘fibre gap’, but reformulation challenges threaten taste and texture







Brands like Roots Farm Fresh, Blue Stripes and Salt and Straw are finding new value in food waste through upcycled snacks and frozen foods

Future Food-Tech San Francisco
Danone’s R&D chief lays out why the future of food hinges on bioavailability, behavior change and nutrient quality – not just bigger numbers on the label


Future Food Tech San Francisco
Industry leaders at Future Food Tech said AI tools are helping product developers, yet rigorous ingredient science continues to set the pace for better-for-you foods and beverages



From Mondelēz and Barry Callebaut to Lindt, the future of chocolate is being defined by bold flavour innovation, smarter formulations and a refusal to compromise on indulgence


A new Acosta Group study finds growing demand for transparency and cleaner labels as consumers push for stricter rules on artificial ingredients

Yerba mate is breaking out from its South American roots, fuelled by soaring exports, innovation and booming global demand for natural energy beverages

The company is tailoring its strategy by region, courting value‑seeking US shoppers, fixing European chocolate margins and using Oreo‑led biscuits and cakes to unlock runway across China, India, Brazil and Mexico

Reese family sends open letter to Hershey, challenging whether the confectionery giant is protecting the Reese’s legacy

From maintaining growth in protein and specialized nutrition to propping up plant-based and creamers, here’s what Danone must focus on

How advances in fiber chemistry and sourcing may influence the next generation of food products and health

Law firms warn CPG clients to prepare for tougher scrutiny under MAHA-driven policies, Prop 65 claims and state-led investigations targeting ingredients, packaging and label language

CEO calls the move a ‘surgical investment’ as the company integrates Siete Foods, Poppi and its expanded Celsius partnership while preparing relaunches of Gatorade and Quaker Oats

Functional foods are often ultra-processed – but can they be clean label?

Store brands nearly triple the dollar sales growth of national brands, as grocers position wellness-focused products to capture health-conscious shoppers

Mayonnaise giants are squaring off against better-for-you upstarts like Graza and Chosen Foods in the race to reinvent a creamy classic

Lowering meat consumption remains a key part of European diets

Diet Trends
Spins analysts say younger consumers are turning to wearable technology and AI tools to customize nutrition and choose foods that deliver health benefits and flavor

Sentimentality and health are increasingly influencing consumer snack choices, as they seek comfort, tradition and emotional connection in their purchases

For startup Loonen, water isn’t just water - it’s spring-sourced and filtered with an emphasis on minimizing plastic across the supply chain

Foods that do not meet the definition of ‘non-ultra-processed’ are UPFs by default

Why ‘climate-proof’ cacao start-up Kokomodo is hedging its bets on an increasingly stronger future for cell cultured cocoa

Companies are aiming to streamline their ingredients lists

The cocoa crisis is forcing chocolate manufacturers to rethink everything - from sourcing and compliance to innovation and consumer trust

Alternative proteins have lost a lot of popularity in recent years, and this is reflected in IP activity

The ingredients company suggests that its focus on fruit and veg puts it in a prime position to benefit from consumer obsessions with health

Barry Callebaut explores cocoa alternatives amid rising costs and climate pressure

Report calls for ban on ingredient found in thousands of common food and beverage products

Sweeteners in focus
Kerry Group and NotCo show how advanced sweetening systems can overcome many of the technical, sustainability and cost barriers with sugar reduction