Artificial sweeteners: Why the science war is raging on
New health studies are reigniting a global battle over artificial sweeteners, leaving brands, regulators and consumers divided
Confectionery
Cacao pods and ‘ugly’ potatoes powering the upcycled foods movement
Brands like Roots Farm Fresh, Blue Stripes and Salt and Straw are finding new value in food waste through upcycled snacks and frozen foods
Can brands cut sugar without killing taste, texture or trust?
As sugar shifts from ingredient to liability, food and drink manufacturers are rebuilding sweetness from the ground up using rare sugars, fibres and fermentation-driven innovation
Danone and Arcor create a dairy powerhouse in Argentina
The two food majors go way back: now, they are expanding their alliance to exploit fresh growth opportunities
The Big 5: Power players defining confectionery’s future
Five giants dominate confectionery. What gives them the edge, and keeps them on top?
Ferrero’s Bold Snacks deal signals strategy shift
Ferrero’s Bold Snacks acquisition hints at where industry is headed
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
Ozempic’s chocolate contradiction: Indulgence isn’t disappearing, it’s trading up
As appetite-suppressing drugs take hold, the real shift in snacking may not be how much people eat but how deliberately they choose to indulge
Ferrero joins the big F&B CEO shake-up
Ferrero scraps traditional CEO role amid sweeping food and beverage leadership shake-ups
Why the sleep crisis is food and drink’s next big global battleground
Sleep deprivation is becoming big business as consumers obsess over how much shuteye they’re getting, but how is the market responding?
Chocolate without trees? The science racing to reinvent cocoa
From cacao cells grown in bioreactors to fermentation-built chocolate flavours, scientists and startups are experimenting with ways to produce cocoa ingredients without growing cacao trees
Confectionery sector braced for shortages as Iran conflict escalates
As conflict disrupts key trade routes and energy supplies, the confectionery sector is among the first to feel the strain. How vulnerable are manufacturers, and what can be done to protect the industry?
Cocoa whiplash: How a record price spike turned into a demand slump
The market has swung from historic shortage to surplus projections for 2025/26 in under two years
Ferrero’s next move: Reshaping confectionery and snacking
From premiumisation to supply-chain control, Ferrero’s strategy is redefining the competitive landscape
Why Mars is powering up M&M’s as it reshapes its global growth strategy
As Mars expands through mega‑deals, sustainability pushes and portfolio diversification, the company is placing a bigger strategic bet on M&M’s to anchor growth and relevance in a changing global snacking landscape
Mondelēz charts next growth wave across North America, Europe and emerging markets
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
Hershey blasted by Reese’s family over core ingredient changes
Reese family sends open letter to Hershey, challenging whether the confectionery giant is protecting the Reese’s legacy
The ‘untapped potential’ of functional chocolate
Functional chocolate is stepping into the spotlight. Discover the ingredients, trends and early innovators reshaping the future of indulgence
Cocoa prices collapse following record highs
Cocoa prices plunge to two‑year low as surpluses reshape the market
Barry Callebaut ploughs €250m into world’s biggest chocolate factory
Barry Callebaut plans to modernise Wieze and Halle sites, bolstering reliability and efficiency across its European supply network
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Chocolate at a Crossroads: Inside the industry’s response to supply shocks
Climate change, disease pressure and record cocoa prices are forcing the chocolate industry to rethink ingredients, processing, and the future role of cocoa – but how will potential solutions impact farmers and consumers?
AI drives new wave of confectionery innovation
From faster R&D to predictive product design, AI is transforming the future of sweets
Hershey profit shock: 60% drop despite sales bump
Hershey’s profits have plunged again, but rising sales and recent acquisitions hint at a more complicated story
Next big moves in Big Food
From megamergers to shocking splits, Big Food is reshaping itself at breakneck speed. So, who’s next?
Boardroom clash behind Barry Callebaut CEO shake‑up
Leadership shake‑up at Barry Callebaut reveals deeper strategic tensions at the world’s biggest chocolate maker
Barry Callebaut appoints ex‑Unilever boss as new CEO
Barry Callebaut shakes up its leadership as Hein Schumacher steps in during a pivotal moment for the world’s largest chocolate maker
Cocoa crunch: How shortages are rewriting chocolate’s future
As climate, disease and regulation strain global cocoa supply, manufacturers are turning to low‑cocoa and cocoa‑free innovations to protect margins and future-proof their portfolios
Biggest confectionery companies 2026 announced
Who’s dominating the sector and who’s falling behind?
Chocolate is front-running US-Canada trade breakdown
As US-Canada tariffs grind on with no obvious exit, chocolate makers are quietly redrawing supply chains and exposing a deeper fault line running through food
The big 5: Functional confectionery trends to watch
From protein bars to gut-friendly gummies, functional confectionery is exploding, and it’s changing the game for indulgence
EU-Mercosur: 6 takeaways for F&B
The landmark trade deal with the Latin American bloc will have long-lasting impacts on the food sector
Barry Callebaut: The rumoured split that could change chocolate
Could Barry Callebaut’s next move reshape the future of chocolate and snacks?
As cocoa chaos continues, Kokomodo finds its moment
Why ‘climate-proof’ cacao start-up Kokomodo is hedging its bets on an increasingly stronger future for cell cultured cocoa
Cautious optimism: Will the CPG food industry return to growth in 2026?
Steady wages, tax refunds and undervalued assets set the stage for targeted growth and strategic deals
Barry Callebaut reportedly planning cocoa split
Rumours of a major Barry Callebaut shake‑up are swirling, and the cocoa market could feel the impact
Mars completes Kellanova acquisition in deal set to reshape snacking
Mars and Kellanova join forces in a landmark deal set to reshape the global snacking industry
Has the cocoa crisis changed chocolate forever?
The cocoa crisis is forcing chocolate manufacturers to rethink everything - from sourcing and compliance to innovation and consumer trust
Hershey closes deal on snack brand LesserEvil
Acquisition broadens American multinational’s better-for-you offering
Trump removes coffee, beef, cocoa from tariff list
Consumer Brands Association urges further tariff rollbacks on products like palm oil and tin mill steel
World’s biggest chocolate supplier makes move away from cocoa
Barry Callebaut explores cocoa alternatives amid rising costs and climate pressure
Nestlé, Mondelēz, Hershey - How chocolate giants are coping with price hikes
The largest players in food are making bold decisions in an effort to boost growth
Mondelēz’s travel retail playbook: A blueprint for sweets and snacks success
Travel retail is no longer just about luxury - confectionery is taking off. Discover how Mondelēz is turning airports into brand-building playgrounds
Top 3 new food & beverage trends for 2026
Discover the top trends set to shape consumer choices and product development
Ferrero’s WK Kellogg takeover has everyone talking
With Ferrero’s $3.1 billion deal for WK Kellogg done and dusted, the cereal aisle is buzzing again and competitors are scrambling to figure out what this means for the rest of Big Food
Why the GLP-1 boom won’t kill sugar reduction
Junk food cravings may ease with GLP-1 use, but people still want sweet foods
Final countdown: Ferrero-Kellogg merger one step closer to completion
Following a landslide shareholder vote, the merger deal is expected to close within days
Unilever, Mars, Ferrero & Kraft Heinz: A story of spin-offs, splits, mergers & acquisitions
From Kraft Heinz’s split to Mars and Kellanova’s mega-merger, the world’s biggest food brands are reshaping the industry
Mondelēz bets on collaborations as M&A costs climb
From Oreo x Reese’s to Biscoff tie-ups, partnerships are delivering the consumer buzz and sales lift that price cuts and big-ticket acquisitions no longer guarantee
Inside the $1.1bn pumpkin spice economy: Fall’s flavor forecast for 2025
Pumpkin spice still anchors autumn, but fatigue is setting in. With cinnamon, caramel and citrus surging, makers must balance nostalgia with novelty to win fall 2025
Hershey warns tariffs and higher cocoa costs will take a toll in back half of 2025
The sweets and snacks giant trimmed its outlook for the full year despite surging second quarter sales as it braces for the full impact of potential tariffs and higher cocoa costs