Suntory reacts as CEO quits amid drug investigation
The shocking resignation of Japanese food and beverage giant Suntory’s CEO has sent shockwaves through the industry
Beverage
The world’s most valuable beverage brands
Which brands make the top 10 non-alcoholic drinks and why?
PepsiCo’s ‘permissible portfolio’ plays prominently in plans for future growth
PepsiCo leans into zero sugar, functional hydration and clean-label snacks as it refreshes marketing, innovation and execution to drive growth amid economic headwinds
Could climate change affect the taste of gin?
It all depends how juniper berries – the key botanical which is responsible for gin’s distinctive taste – are affected by changing weather conditions
Future Food-Tech Chicago
Coffee crisis: What will it take to close the looming ‘massive’ supply-demand imbalance?
Demand for coffee is rising, but current production is threatened by climate change and geopolitical tensions in regions where the crops are concentrated – creating an opportunity for new methods for creating coffee and alternatives
South Korea emerges as hotspot for sugar-free innovation
South Korea saw over 20% growth in sugar-free innovation last year, highlighting new opportunities for global health-focused brands
Who tops the list of the world’s most valuable beer brands?
Budweiser, Corona and Michelob Ultra are all jostling for the top spot: who emerges as the world’s most valuable beer brand?
Vit D food fortification a ‘major industry challenge’ - until now
The problem of fortifying food and drink with sensitive ingredients is well known to industry. How can innovation help solve it?
Sky-high coffee prices not reaching farmers, says supplier
Increase in income due to high prices is often eaten away by volatility
Five top coffee trends for 2025
What’s driving the coffee category forward in 2025? Here are five top trends to watch
PepsiCo readies for food dye and SNAP changes, amid Q1 2025 slowdown
PepsiCo is removing artificial food dyes from its products ahead of an HHS and FDA 2026 deadline, while trade tensions drag volumes down further for its North American snack and beverage
Five top trends in functional beverages
What’s catching the attention of today’s health-savvy consumers?
Why it’s time for producers to dig into regenerative agriculture
Regenerative agriculture is more than a trend: it’s a fundamental rethink of how we grow, source and sell food. As pressure mounts to deliver food that does more than just taste good, food producers have a pivotal role to play
Charting the decline in wine consumption
Wine consumption has been declining for years: but how severe is this decline and why does it continue in a negative direction?
Why Americans are boycotting Big Food brands like Walmart, PepsiCo and General Mills
Major US brands like Walmart and PepsiCo are facing a wave of consumer boycotts over rollbacks to their DEI commitments, while General Mills is under fire for allegedly selling overpriced, chemical-laden foods and contributing to worsening food insecurity
Complex challenges: Coca-Cola’s plastic footprint continues to grow
Coca-Cola’s plastic use continues to grow - despite a clear opportunity to change, says international ocean advocacy organisation Oceana.
Big brands vs little brands: Who’s the winner in alcohol-free?
As the low and no alcohol category grows, both big established brands and smaller innovative entrepreneurs are pushing into the category. Which ones are consumers turning to?
UPFs condemned by health body in further blow to sector
A leading European health body has dealt another blow to UPF manufacturers, maintaining their link to adverse health outcomes
Does gut health soda have global potential?
Functional soda is big news in the US: especially with Coca-Cola and PepsiCo making moves in prebiotic drinks. But what potential is there for the market globally?
Addressing UPFs ‘not main focus for food majors’ like Mondelēz and Ferrero
Companies are instead focusing on HFSS, says industry association head
From zero to hero: How Keurig Dr Pepper has sprung onto the energy drink scene
Just three years ago, KDP’s share in energy was close to zero. In 2025, it expects more than $1bn in retail sales from energy brands: with its energy portfolio led by the hot acquisition of Ghost Energy.
De-escalation: What EU tariff delay could mean for the global wine and spirits trade
The EU has delayed the introduction of retaliatory tariffs on American whiskey in the hope of de-escalating the trade war with the US
Danone’s Super Bowl commercial masterstroke in a GLP-1 world
We look at why the dairy major tracked GLP-1-related conversations on social media - and how its Super Bowl commercial spoke to the masses
Orange juice price drop: Explaining the change in fortunes
The once-high priced drink has rapidly tracked down since the start of the year
CBD-infused beverage sales to skyrocket
CBD-infused beverage industry entering period of strong growth. What NPD opportunities does this create?
Trump’s proposed tariffs – and how they could affect the spirits industry
Tequila and Canadian whisky could be affected by the next round of tariffs
What’s trending in tequila? Ten top trends to watch
From the rise of tequila tourism to the huge potential of agave alternatives, we take a look at ten top tequila trends driving the market forward.
Nespresso Bloom: The sweet taste of an environmentally sustainable business model
Nespresso USA’s range of honey products launched last week opens the aperture for the potential return on investment in regenerative agriculture, which some may view through an important but limited lens of supply chain security or as a marketing play to...
SAMBAZON eyes growth opportunities for açaí products in Middle East
US-based SAMBAZON is looking to expand uptake of açaí products in the Middle East, where the firm says awareness about the superfruit still has much room for growth.
New tech and more data: Diageo's action plan for Latin America
Diageo’s first half results for fiscal 24 were dragged down by a 23% drop in Latin America sales. What happened – and how will the company shift its strategy moving forward?
What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
From coconut water to coffee, we take a look at some of the latest beverage launches around the globe.
FoodNavigator publisher William Reed acquires Future Food-Tech event organizer Rethink Events
William Reed – the publisher of award-winning B2B brands including FoodNavigator and NutraIngredients - has acquired a majority stake in agri-food summit organizer Rethink Events.
Brazil’s Lula’s comeback cheered as new research claims ‘deforestation-free’ supply chain pledges have barely impacted forest clearance in Amazon
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s presidential election win in Brazil will make it easier for food and beverage companies to comply with their zero-deforestation commitments, it has been claimed.
What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
From spooky seltzers to vodka made from unwanted beer, we take a look at some of the new beverages launching around the globe.
Tequila threats - and agave alternatives
Could agave shortages and rising production costs stop the trending drinks in its tracks? The good news is that agave alternatives are ready to step in and fill the gap.
Canpack to build new $140m beverage can manufacturing facility in Brazil
Canpack S.A., part of the Canpack Group, will increase its manufacturing capacity of aluminum beverage cans with a new production facility in Poços de Caldas, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Nestlé opens $340m coffee factory in Mexico
Nestlé has opened a new Nescafé coffee factory in Veracruz: creating 1,200 new jobs and making Mexico the company’s main coffee producer globally.
AB InBev pilots ‘climate-positive thermoplastic’ in Brazil
AmBev, the Brazilian subsidiary of AB Inbev, will incorporate UBQ Material’s waste-based plastic substitute UBQ into packaging materials.
De La Calle’s fermented tepache brings Mexican street food culture to US with $7m fundraise
With the help of a $7m fundraise, Startup De La Calle is bringing to more Americans nationwide a modern version of the beloved and naturally functional Mexican “street vendor treat” tepache – a probiotic beverage made from fermented organic pineapples...
NEWS IN BRIEF
ADM acquires Flavor Infusion International expanding reach into Latin America and the Caribbean.
ADM has acquired Flavor Infusion International, expanding its global reach and capabilities in the high-growth flavor segment.
Forgotten fermentation: Uncovering Mexico’s traditional beverages
Could Mexico’s traditional fermented beverages offer inspiration for healthy beverages today? Researchers are calling for the recovery and conservation of ancient fermented drinks, which could offer an 'outstanding reservoir' of genetic resources such as...
AmBev creates its first carbon neutral brewery in Brazil
AmBev’s first large brewery and first malting facility have become carbon neutral: with four more breweries set to follow by the end of the year.
News in brief
CP Kelco & IMCD expand distribution agreement into Mexico market
IMCD has become CP Kelco’s strategic distributor in Mexico across all market segments of food, plus consumer and industrial (C&I) applications.
Diageo invests $500m in tequila production in Mexico
Diageo will expand its manufacturing footprint in Mexico with an investment of more than $500m in new facilities in the State of Jalisco: supporting the company’s growth in the tequila category.
Nestlé and Starbucks to bring RTD coffee to Southeast Asia, Oceania and Latin America
Building on a global coffee alliance formed in 2018, Nestlé and Starbucks have announced a new collaboration to bring Starbucks RTD coffee drinks to select markets in Southeast Asia, Oceania and Latin America from 2022.
Coca-Cola reveals early learnings from Topo Chico Hard Seltzer launch
Coca-Cola’s Topo Chico Hard Seltzer has entered a buzzing – but also competitive – hard seltzer market. What has the company learned from its first months in the US and other markets? And with the brand representing Coca-Cola’s first global push into...
Food pairings 'ripe for innovation' as immunity mega-trend rolls on
Exploring unique food pairings offers food brands the chance to tap into consumer desire to improve immunity via functional food, according to a report.
Immunity, relaxation, energy and focus: Trending botanicals in food and beverage, from ashwagandha to ginseng
Once confined to dietary supplements and herbal teas, botanicals from ashwagandha to ginseng are springing up in a growing number of ready-to-drink beverages and snacks as brands seek to imbue their wares with functionality and an air of sophistication....
‘Coffee pulp can be a cost-effective forest restoration strategy’
Coffee pulp – a waste product in coffee production – could be used to speed up recovery of tropical forests on post-agricultural land, according to researchers.
Corona launches six-pack beer packaging made from barley straw
Corona is launching sustainable, renewable packaging made from surplus barley straw in South America this month, an innovation that it hopes to roll out globally in the future.