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?
Confectionery
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.
Three new sustainability initiatives transforming the cocoa and sugar sectors
Are brands and organisations sweetening their climate conscious efforts to win over concerned consumers?
Unilever, Nestlé, EUDR, UPF and commodity hikes. FoodNavigator reviews 2024
Food and beverage was not short of drama or two in 2024, with some of the biggest stories gripping the sector almost from day one.
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.
Gavan Technologies raises $8m to commercialize Fatrix
Israeli food tech company Gavan Technologies is bolstering the commercialization of its plant-based fat Fatrix with an influx of venture capital funding.
Mondelēz explores Hershey acquisition
The Oreo and Ritz brand owner is reportedly eyeing a gamechanging acquisition of The Hershey Company
What’s hot in natural and clean confectionery?
New Product Development spotlight on emerging startups
New Product Development from Toblerone to Hotel Chocolat
Staying up to date with the newest confectionery products, trends and flavour combinations on the market is key to keeping on top of the fast-paced and competitive sweet sector.
FDA’s Human Foods 2025 goals: Microbiological safety, food chemical safety & nutrition
FDA’s fiscal year 2025 priority deliverables for the Human Foods Program emphasize transparency and accountability amid state funding cuts and resource constraints.
Sugar reduction hits a wall in the US, as consumers prefer caloric sweeteners, IFIC finds
US consumers favor caloric sweeteners like honey, brown sugar and sucrose over their no- or low-calorie counterparts, despite shoppers acknowledging the health benefits of sweeteners like stevia, aspartame and erythritol, International Food Information...
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic set to shake the global food industry
Originally intended as a treatment for diabetes, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic could be set to turn the food and drink industry upside down.
Can plant-based overcome UPF links to avoid future trust issues?
Plant-based diets remain popular, but associations with UPF and low-quality ingredients has shaken consumer trust in alt meat, fish and dairy brands. So, what can the sector do to restore public opinion?
ELAVI’s Costco expansion highlights demand for better-for-you options, innovative packaging
Better-for-you snack brand ELAVI doubled its Costco rotation to 30 Southern California stores in less than a year while addressing cocoa shortage and packaging changes.
High chocolate prices are not scaring Halloween revelers this season
Consumers celebrating Halloween are still unwrapping their favorite chocolate candies despite price increases, while gummy candies, popcorn and other treats capitalize on demands from price-conscious consumers, according to several recent reports.
Mondelēz International joins Unilever and Danone with strong Q3
Confectionery and snacking giant Mondelēz International has driven revenues and profits above expectations, through higher volume sales as both Unilever and Danone also showed this month.
Mars' Kellanova buyout the start of hefty snacking M&A
Mega deals within snacking are picking up pace after a quiet start to the year, with Mars’ Kellanova acquisition the tip of the iceberg as strong financial performances provide corporates with healthy cashflows.
Brand Alchemy
How F&B brands can boost their ROI with a diversified media strategy
Today’s marketing strategies need flexible adjustments and a blend of channels to keep pace with rapid shifts in media consumption, unlike the fixed annual media plans of yesteryear.
How to identify and engage with your target market
Creating and building brand awareness, with potential customers, is essential to success. Here’s how to recognise and connect with your target market.
NOVA reform: The flawed UPF classification system requires change
Some nutritious foods under the current NOVA system could be demonised alongside unhealthy variants. Industry's calling for reform, but what would the next generation look like?
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
How would eliminating ultra-processed foods and products high in sugar, fat impact diet, health?
Diets that exclude foods high in added sugar and saturated fat, like sugary drinks, snacks and processed meat, still provide sufficient levels of essential nutrients, like vitamins, minerals and fiber, according to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.
Unilever and Danone volumes up and beat Q3 financial expectations
Powerhouses Unilever and Danone have outpaced third-quarter financial forecasts, a result of increased volume sales, and in contrast to competitor Nestlé’s downgrade earlier this month.
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
4 flavor, color trends for 2025 that focus on simplicity, comfort & rediscovery
After a year of “unapologetically” embracing luxury, indulgence and whimsy through vivid colors and unexpected flavor combinations, consumers will rediscover and recenter themselves in 2025 by choosing taste profiles and hues that more realistically...
Pricing fears grow ahead of Halloween
Cocoa and sugar prices are reported to have reached frightening highs, with alarming price rallies predicted.
Olfactive Biosolutions harnesses food ingredients for weight loss
Olfactive Biosolutions' Protenx Weight Loss is a patented (US 12,102,664 B2) line of natural food ingredients and additives that target weight loss and blood sugar reduction that could help brands meet the growing demand for functional foods in the GLP-1...
Hershey leans into value, flavor with Kit Kat, Reese's, Jolly Ranchers
The multinational candy maker aligns with shoppers’ interest in value-oriented products reflected through its Reese’s and Kit Kat brands, while Jolly Ranchers' brand refresh features new textures and formats.
Beauty meets confectionery: A growing trend in functional wellness
Discover how beauty-enhancing ingredients like collagen and biotin are changing the confectionery industry with delicious, functional treats.
Why shoppers are turning towards costly organic food and drink
More consumers are buying pricier organic food and drink, despite continuing cost-of-living pressures, with sales expected to rocket as governments push to make organic farming central to future sustainability strategies.
Reformulation is rife in F&B but consumers aren't sold yet
Brands are reformulating to improve nutritional value and reduce or remove ‘unhealthy’ ingredient levels. But this is not always a vote winner with customers. Why?
Future Food-Tech 2024
Do consumers want alternative raw materials?
Alternative raw materials aim to provide sustainable versions of commodities, including cocoa, coffee and palm oil, that are both integral to food and linked to deforestation. Will consumers accept them?
ADM: 83% of GLP-1 users are ‘very interested in products specifically marketed as supportive of their needs on these drugs’
A new platform designed by ADM to help food and beverage manufacturers better understand and meet the needs of weight-loss drug users brings together proprietary consumer research and science, a portfolio of targeted ingredients and more than 25...
UPF linked to type 2 diabetes - what does this mean for industry?
New research has linked ultra-processed foods to type 2 diabetes. How will this latest blow impact the food and beverage industry and is reformulation the only solution?
Could anti-inflammatory effects of sweetener boost sales?
Health concerns have put the sweetener industry in jeopardy. Could new research help to restore its reputation?
From orange juice to cocoa powder: T. Hasegawa addresses supply-chain issues with replacers
T. Hasegawa’s orange juice and cocoa powder replacers provide CPG companies with alternatives to these highly sought-after ingredients, as the flavor house focuses on research and development of alternative ways to deliver authentic taste experiences...
Policymakers call on Coca-Cola, General Mills, PepsiCo to address pricing practices
Letters sent by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Madeleine Dean (D-Penn.) to the CEOs of Coca-Cola, General Mills and PepsiCo express concern over pricing and tax practices that, according to the policy makers, “squeeze profits out...
Top need-to-knows about cocoa ahead of the new season
A round-up of the cocoa sector as we move into the 2024/2025 season.
How food and drink is finally focusing on women’s health
Women’s health continues to grow as a hot food and drink topic, with brands embracing the increasing NPD opportunities available
Consumers gear up for holiday grocery shopping, as inflation concerns tick down, 84.51° reports
With the cooler weather trickling in, consumers are preparing for the upcoming fall and winter holiday season by cutting back expenses, as inflationary concerns linger, 84.51° reported in its September Digest.
Launch Pad
The holiday rush inspires innovations for Halloween through New Year
New pumpkin spice products continue to hit store shelves as other food and beverage product launches in September usher in the holiday season from Halloween to Rosh Hashanah to Christmas.
California bans common food dyes in schools days after FDA, stakeholders discuss proposed systematic post-market review process for chemicals in foods
Manufacturers have just over three years to reformulate packaged snacks, confections and beverages with six common – and controversial – food dyes if they want to continue selling their products in California schools.
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Does FDA’s proposed post-market assessment of chemicals in food fit the bill?
Food and beverage industry stakeholders and consumer advocates are lauding FDA’s commitment to enhance its post-market assessment of chemicals in food, but they worry the agency’s proposed process is “thin on details,” including lacking sufficient...
Do GLP-1s signal a worrying time for confectioners?
Formulating to support consumers and the sector.
Pumpkin spice innovation to fall for: From Oreos to Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes and everything in between
As we dive into the world of new product development (NPD) in this seasonal segment, it's clear that pumpkin spice is more than just a fleeting trend.
NPD Trend Tracker: From spooky treats to Christmas sweets
Discover the latest product innovations in the world of food and beverages.
Garden variety flavors: Floral, herbaceous and root flavors grow across categories
Consumer interest in better-for-you and functional benefits have them reaching for products with flavors they associate with health benefits and nature, including florals, like lavender and rose, herbs such as basil, rosemary, dill and thyme, roots like...
SPATE: Google, TikTok uncover emerging snack trends and sensory innovations
From spicy dill pickle chips to freeze-dried Skittles, today’s top snack trends reflect a growing demand for sensory overload coupled with nostalgic comforts, according to SPATE’s trend tracker with data from Google Search ending July 31 and hashtags...
Unilever scrambles to reinforce its ice cream business ahead of separation by 2025
Despite a disappointing start to seasonal ice cream sales in Europe and China, Unilever expects the business to improve sequentially each quarter as it strategically improves “essentially … every metric” of the business ahead of a planned separation by...
The Mondelēz lawsuit: A warning shot in the battle for authentic sustainability claims
A proposed class action lawsuit filed against Mondelēz International Inc – alleging ‘false and deceptive marketing and sale of cocoa products that display its Cocoa Life logo’ – presents significant ramifications for the company, the broader food...
Albertsons expands private label portfolio with Overjoyed, ‘first major new brand launch in over 10 years’
Albertsons is bolstering its private-label business with a new brand dedicated to celebrating special occasions, Overjoyed, as the grocery giant taps into demands for value-focused products, especially among younger shoppers.
What ‘unlikely’ social factors are shaping the candy market?
Surprising reasons like cultural changes and social shifts are transforming confectionery consumption habits. Here's what you need to know