Animal protein leaders weigh in on DGA recommendations
Animal protein stakeholders responded to the Dietary Guidelines, affirming the need for more of the macronutrient in American diets
Markets
Is meat regaining popularity?
As scores of start-ups compete to develop the perfect meat alternative, are consumers turning back to animal meat?
Natural market remains resilient in 2024 with functional options
The natural food and beverage category remained resilient in 2024 with functional options growing as plant-based products yield mixed results, according to data shared during a Naturally Chicago webinar.
5 Food trends warming up the frozen aisle in 2025
Consumers are balancing healthy and adventurous flavors when buying frozen foods, Conagra shared in its annual report on the category.
Brand Alchemy
Brand Alchemy: How brands are turning influencers into storytellers
Authenticity is the new currency of successful influencer partnerships, as brands seek to connect with increasingly discerning consumers.
Confectionery giants amass almost $500 million in US advertising spend
One multinational confectioner dominates the spend total for campaigns in the US. Can you guess who it is?
Biggest trends of 2024 and what to expect in 2025
Healthspan tops Euromonitor’s 2025 trends list
Consumers interested in staying mentally and physically fit are focusing on healthspan over lifespan, spurring innovation in better-for-you foods and beverages, according to Euromonitor’s end-of-the-year report.
Biggest trends of 2024 and what to expect in 2025
M&A ‘frenzy’ in specialty ingredient industry could mark 2025 following multi-year lull
The specialty food and beverage ingredient industry is on the precipice of a “frenzy of M&A activity” after a multi-year lull with private equity and smaller companies leading the charge and larger, strategic players taking a backseat, predicts strategic...
Biggest trends of 2024 and what to expect in 2025
What defined consumers’ plates in 2024, and what’s next for 2025?
From Swedish candy to marry me pasta, consumers’ palettes stretched across the globe in 2024.
Biggest trends of 2024 and what to expect in 2025
Value, private label & premium brands will grow in 2025
Economic pressures in 2025 will continue to impact consumers’ shopping habits as private label and premium products grow, but all is not lost for mainstream brands that can stand out through strategic partnerships with foodservice and targeted social...
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
2025 trendspotting: Exhausted consumers demand lower prices, healthy food, treats
Most US consumers are exhausted after a year of uncertainty marked by ongoing inflation and political turmoil, and industry insiders predict as they enter the new year many will seek relief – physical, emotional and financial – from the foods and...
Plant-based diet, mental health interventions may help improve older adult sleep
There may be a positive correlation between nutrient-rich plant-based diets and improved sleep health among older adults, according to a study by researchers in China.
What’s in store for cultivated meat in 2025?
The innovative category has had an eventful year. How could 2025 shake things up?
2025 M&A trends in grocery retail: The impact of the blocked Kroger-Albertsons merger
The failed merger may bolster regional M&A in the grocery landscape.
9 mouthfeel trends to watch in 2025
Mouthfeel is a vital element in developing successful NPD, but what are the trends to watch in 2025 and how can food and drink makers utilise them?
From gut health to GLP-1: Top 5 NPD trends of 2024
2024 has been a wild ride for the food and beverage industry, with some seriously exciting new trends taking hold. But which ones have proven most popular for NPD?
How brands can balance health, indulgence & convenience in the morning
Convenience wakes up the morning routine for consumers, with 90% of morning meals prepared in under 15 minutes, according to Circana.
Is Gen Z embracing the healthy eating trend?
Healthy eating is dominating food and beverage, but how are younger people responding?
Three new sustainability initiatives transforming the cocoa and sugar sectors
Are brands and organisations sweetening their climate conscious efforts to win over concerned consumers?
Hershey rejects Mondelēz’s acquisition bid
The Hershey Trust has rejected Mondelēz International’s second attempt to acquire confectionery giant Hershey, citing the offer as too low.
Aesthetic appeal: Social media culture driving increasing demand for ‘better-looking’ food and beverage products
The importance of social media and online food photography have rapidly increased consumer demand for ‘better-looking’ food and beverage products in the Asia Pacific region, with a focus on elements such as clarity and colour.
What’s next for the plant-based trend?
2024 has thrown some big challenges at the plant-based industry, leading to suggestions it’s in decline. But the sector has weathered the storms and is emerging stronger. So, what’s next for this enduring trend?
USDA orders mandatory raw milk testing for H5N1
A new federal order has been issue requiring nation-wide milk testing in a bid to tackle the bird flu outbreak in dairy cattle
Mondelēz International’s share earnings cut as cocoa costs predicted to rise
Hope for a cocoa price slump is dwindling as commodity analysts predict a price-boosting run on the brown stuff.
Cheapflation: How this economic phenomenon is impacting F&B
Cheapflation is having a major impact on consumer and manufacturer behaviour. So what is it and how long will it last?
Where does innovation stand in dairy, deli and bakery?
Deli, dairy and bakery innovation has focused on pack sizes, flavorful options and functionality over the last two years, according to insights shared during an International Dairy Deli Bakery Association webinar.
Startup Spotlight
Throne Sport Coffee shares why investing in a team is essential to achieve CPG dream
To keep overhead low, entrepreneurs often wear multiple hats and work long hours with a skeleton crew when first launching a business, but the founder of the ready-to-drink coffee startup Throne Sport Coffee suggests this may be penny-wise, but...
Mondelez’s SnackFutures Ventures invests in Celleste Bio to scale cell-culture cocoa production
Cocoa-tech startup Celleste Bio may soon produce the same amount of cocoa butter from just one to two beans as traditional production methods currently produce from four tons of cocoa pods, thanks in part to an infusion of $4.5 million in seed funding...
Revolutionizing soda: The emergence of a new Modern Soda category
Walmart has introduced its new ‘Modern Soda’ category: featuring innovative, better-for-you brands that are far from the traditional sugar-packed drinks loved by previous generations. So what is Modern Soda – and how big is its potential?
Finnish start-up making mycoprotein more sustainable and affordable
Mycoprotein is one of the most popular alt protein sources on the market. Now Espoo-based start-up, Enifer, wants to take it to the next level.
How are consumers shopping in stores?
For price- and value-oriented consumers, discount and gourmet stores provide some relief on their wallets.
Elevate your nutrition knowledge with our biggest ever global broadcast series
Eight free webinars, over 50 experts and one unmissable opportunity to turn nutrition insights into action. It’s FoodNavigator’s global Positive Nutrition event
Legal clash intensifies: Grupo Bimbo pursues C$2bn claim against Maple Leaf
The Canadian bakery industry’s legal tensions are heating up, with Grupo Bimbo filing a CAD $2 billion counterclaim against Maple Leaf Foods over the controversial 2014 sale of Canada Bread
DSM-Firmenich calls out ‘misinformation’ over Arla Foods backlash
Dutch multinational DSM-Firmenich has pulled no punches in its response to backlash over Arla Foods' use of methane-cutting additive Bovaer.
Alt dairy brands will live or die by texture
New research has reaffirmed the importance of texture to reformulating within the alternative dairy category.
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
What will it take for the US hummus market to break $1 billion annually?
PepsiCo’s acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in Sabra and Obela dips and spreads brands from Strauss Group late last month underscores the growth potential of the US hummus market, which Persistence Market Research predicts will grow at a compound...
The biggest food tech trends for 2025 and beyond
Robot use will increase, more food deliveries will be made and food waste will be consigned to the past… how food tech will evolve.
CPG food & beverage volumes up for first time in 3 years
CPG volumes rose for the first time in three years as consumers shifted to value and e-commerce channels amid high food prices.
Five takeaways from the latest USDA dairy consumption data
From butter’s best year on record to ice cream’s worst, here are the main takeaways from the latest US annual dairy consumption data
Major NPD opportunities in intermittent fasting
Fasting diets are creating huge NPD opportunities in food and beverage. So, how can brands get involved and what’s next for this mega trend?
How microplastics affect gut health
How, and why, do microplastics alter the microbiome?
Egg dollar sales jump 51% in October on avian flu concerns, as listeria slices into lunch meat sales
Egg prices drove up dairy market dollar sales in October, while shoppers pulled back on deli meats over concerns of listeria ahead of the Thanksgiving and winter holiday season, according to Circana data shared in a recent International Dairy Deli Bakery...
What’s next for bakeries? Insights from ABA’s 2024 Playbooks
American Bakers Association’s inaugural Bakery Playbooks unveils the hottest trends shaping how consumers shop, eat and savour baked goods. Are you ready to turn these insights into your bakery’s next big win?
Top 5 health trends dominating F&B
When it comes to food and beverage trends, nothing is punching through quite like health and wellbeing. But what are the top trends within health and wellbeing? And how are they shaping the industry?
What’s hot in natural and clean confectionery?
New Product Development spotlight on emerging startups
SNAP recipients more likely to buy national brands over private-label, Circana reports
US shoppers receiving assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) gravitate to national CPG companies over private label alternatives, despite the cost-saving associated with store brands, according to a recent Circana webinar.
Deli-licious: Prepared deli shows ‘consistent growth’ as inflation eases
Grocery’s foodservice segment addresses high consumer demand for value-added convenience even though retailers must shoulder more cost increases even as inflation eases.
Real California Milk Excelerator features 'herd' of game-changers in dairy
In its sixth year, the Real California Milk Excelerator powered by VentureFuel brought together a diverse cohort – or herd – of startups, students and processors that are “harnessing the nutritional benefits of real dairy” to improve digestion, boost...
Nestlé to spin off water brands into a standalone business
Nestlé's water brands will be separated into a standalone business as of January 1, 2025, the company announced this morning.
Special Edition: Microbiome Modulation
Letter from the editor: Microbiome modulation benefits span lifespan and health conditions
New scientific studies are published every week that report that modulating the microbiome with probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics or combinations of these can impact all aspects of health and wellness, and that is translating to growing consumer...