Circana: Private label takes different paths in the US and Europe
With national brands leaning on promotions, retailers are betting on premium private label, better-for-you innovation and ESG commitments to build long-term trust and loyalty
Brands & manufacturers
Future Food-Tech San Francisco
How corporates, startups and farmers can share risk and drive resilience
A case for rethinking how the food system invests, scales and strengthens its most essential ingredients
CPG brands put a better-for-you spin on Easter favorites
This Easter, brands are offering indulgence with less guilt. From sugar-free marshmallows to plant-based chocolate, manufacturers are meeting demand for mindful sweets
Big Food’s big sell off: Who’s cutting loose and who’s cashing in
From shock splits to billion‑dollar buyouts, Big Food is making big changes. Here’s what’s driving the chaos, who’s cashing in, and who could be next
New product development
New beverage launches: Nestlé functional, MOMO and more…
From functional soft drinks and alcohol-free fizz to culture-led RTDs and traditional mead, brands are responding to moderation, wellbeing and authenticity as they push innovation across the drinks landscape
Strait of Hormuz: How are beverage commodities under pressure?
Oil is the headline issue: but what else is affected?
Keurig Dr Pepper appoints Rafael Oliveira as CEO of new coffee giant
The announcement comes as Keurig Dr Pepper completes the acquisition of JDE Peet’s
Opinion
Nestlé’s alt chocolate bet is make-or-break for cocoa-free
This is no ordinary product launch. The stakes are high for cocoa-free chocolate
Iran war forces small dairies to hedge like multinationals
Dairy SMEs are adopting big-business risk strategies as fuel shocks rattle the industry
Hershey courts Gen Z with premium, better-for-you snacking playbook
From holiday occasions to social-first indulgence, Hershey is using premiumization, permissible treats and a bigger salty and protein presence to future-proof its snacking portfolio
Hershey u‑turns as real chocolate makes a comeback
Hershey says it’s bringing real chocolate back to parts of its portfolio – could this small switch signal something much bigger for the confectionery industry?
McCormick’s results take a back seat as Unilever deal nears
Sales are steady and margins remain under pressure, but attention has shifted firmly to a potential tie-up with Unilever.
16 trends at Expo West: Convenience, function and ‘feel good’ food redefines innovation and marketing
From packaging breakthroughs and GLP-1-friendly formulations to regenerative claims and sensory-driven products, brands are balancing health, sustainability and indulgence in a rapidly evolving market
Unilever says McCormick deal could close today
Unilever edges closer to a deal with McCormick in a move that would reshape its future and redefine the global food landscape
Scaling precision fermentation: Why capital and collaboration remain the biggest hurdles
Industry experts cite massive CapEx, supply bottlenecks and regulatory complexity as key barriers
Fermentation growth collides with manufacturing shortage – iFAB aims to fix it
As Europe and Asia outpace the US in precision fermentation investment, an Illinois-based consortium backed by ADM and a $51 million federal grant aims to catch up
News Bites
From war‑driven inflation to GLP‑1 eating trends: What mattered in food this month
From international supply instability to GLP‑1s reshaping eating habits and a booming condiment category, this month’s roundup tracks the forces rapidly reshaping how food is made, priced and enjoyed
Kraft Heinz shares tumble as investor uncertainty grows
Kraft Heinz’s stock has plunged to a six‑year low, exposing long‑term structural problems
New infant formula debuts with elevated testing as safety concerns shake category
Little Spoon’s stricter sourcing and voluntary testing standards highlight the widening gap between emerging safety expectations and the infant formula industry’s recent failures
From 67 no’s to nationwide: How Magic Mind built its functional shot business
Positioned to upgrade coffee, Magic Mind rapidly is scaling its nootropic shot after turning early rejections into nationwide retail traction
PepsiCo is in the middle of its biggest snack reset in years
From SKU cuts and factory closures to functional launches and acquisitions, PepsiCo is moving fast to streamline and prove its snack empire still matters
From Hi‑Chew to mochi: Morinaga America bites into the US frozen treats scene
Layered flavors and texture continue to shape Morinaga America’s ambitious business goals with the acquisition of My/Mochi frozen treats
Barbecue season heats up with swicy sauces and bold brand collaborations
McCormick, Mission BBQ, Spam, Bachan’s and Big Tree Farms are turning up the heat with new sauces that bring regional, Japanese and Bali-inspired flavors to the grill
Future Food-Tech San Francisco
Inside the race to reinvent food color: Global Food Tech Awards Americas heat winner pioneers new approach to natural dyes
Award-winning biotech Michroma is using fungi-based fermentation to tackle the cost, supply and performance challenges holding back natural colors
The retail playbook that took a clean label soda from natural to mainstream
Clean label soda brand Nixie outlines the retail and merchandising strategy that is helping it compete in conventional aisles
Unilever confirms Foods merger talks with McCormick
Unilever in talks with McCormick over potential Foods separation, raising fresh questions about the future of some of its best‑known brands
Can fermented bean protein be the new ‘it’ category?
Wildbrine bets big on creating a new category with its fermented chickpea salads
3 takeaways on capital fundraising from JPalmer Collective
Capital is returning to CPG, but on new terms: smarter growth, stronger fundamentals
Nestlé leans into ‘convenient indulgence’ as the fourth wave of coffee accelerates
Nestlé is doubling down on cold, convenient and customizable coffee solutions as Gen Z drives the rise of fourth‑wave, at‑home café culture
Ferrero’s Bold Snacks deal signals strategy shift
Ferrero’s Bold Snacks acquisition hints at where industry is headed
Why Big Food is reformulating growth not just recipes
From halted breakups to billion-dollar buyouts, the world’s biggest food groups aren’t just tweaking products, they’re rethinking how growth works
Inside Burlap & Barrel’s lawsuit against President Donald Trump
A small US-based spice importer is taking the Trump administration to court over sweeping tariffs it says threaten small businesses and global farming partners
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
Future chocolate: Mondelēz, Lindt and Barry Callebaut reshape taste
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
Relaxation drinks boom as consumers seek calm
The global market for functional ‘chill out’ beverages is growing by more than 8% annually, driven by adaptogen-fueled brands like Recess, Hiyo, Brēz and Trip
St. Patrick’s Day product promotions push CPG brands into the spotlight
CPG heavy-hitters like Lucky Charms, Guinness and Kerrygold are rolling out green-themed launches to boost baskets and social buzz
Hershey: Strategy shake‑up and leadership reset
Hershey is shaking up its strategy and its structure
Bel Group levels up: New protein cheese hits shelves as brand doubles production
Babybel is supercharging its US growth with a $200 million South Dakota capacity expansion just as its new protein‑and‑probiotic Babybel Pro hits mass retail, staking an early claim in the fast‑rising functional snacking space
Rooted in Chicago and Nepal, two pet food brands share a strategy with simple ingredients
It’s a family affair for Nak Chews and Ava’s Pet Palace. Though their clean-label pet treats are developed on opposite sides of the globe, the two independent pet food companies share a common non-negotiable for today’s pet parents: no mystery chemicals...
Fonterra to appoint new CEO in major leadership reshuffle
Fonterra will replace Miles Hurrell at the helm as the co-op embarks on a new strategic chapter
Whole Foods’ small-format stores could boost CPG startups
The grocer’s UK small-format rollout, together with its US LEAP accelerator and UK Brand Pitch Day events, is creating new opportunities for emerging brands
From humans to hounds: The protein boom hits pet food
Orijen’s Freshprey aims to deliver fresh animal-forward ingredients that’s driving premiumization across the category
High-fiber konjac could be the next big competitor in better-for-you foods
From noodles to “inner beauty” drinks, konjac is moving beyond Asia to challenge established categories across the US functional food landscape
Middle East tensions, rising energy and fertilizer costs push grocery prices higher
February CPI shows food-at-home prices climbing 0.4% as supply chain risks, tariff uncertainty and volatile farm inputs threaten to add new pressure on brands, retailers and inflation-weary shoppers
Nestlé crashes the condiment aisle with its first US sauce brand
Minor’s Kitchen features four chef-driven flavors, aiming to reach home cooks looking for flavor-forward, convenient options
Bel Group’s AI strategy: From cheese virtual twins to protein innovation
Bel’s research head opens on how the technology is enhancing product R&D and operational efficiency
Opinion
The icing on the donut: Why Puratos wants Dawn
Dawn built its reputation supplying the mixes, glazes and fillings behind the $20 billion global donut market. That makes Puratos’ proposed acquisition far more strategic than it first appears
Global seaweed snack sales could double to $4.66B by 2030
North American and European markets are experiencing the fastest growth in seaweed snacks
Campbell’s snack gamble meets a tougher consumer
Snack weakness forced Campbell’s to cut its outlook after a difficult quarter, with the company admitting performance in the category fell short of expectations even as its premium Rao’s brand continued to surge
Why Lay’s, Oreo and M&M’s are engineering consumer experiences
PepsiCo’s Lay’s restaurant in Madrid highlights a growing strategy among snack giants to extend blockbuster brands beyond the supermarket shelf and into cafés, retail attractions and immersive consumer experiences