Diwali’s billion-dollar mithai boom goes global
Once an Indian household tradition, mithai (traditional confections) is now a global indulgence and brands like Haldiram’s are cashing in on Diwali’s sweet glow-up
Prepared foods
California’s ultra-processed food ban could reshape school meals and national policy
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a landmark bill yesterday requiring the state to define UPF and eliminate the ‘most harmful’ ones from school meals over the next 10 years – a decisive action in sharp contrast to national efforts and political MAHA rhetoric
The ‘proteinification’ of everything
Once just a bottle shaker staple, protein is taking on new forms and finding its way into everything from soda to chips to macaroni and cheese.
Banks, bakers and brands bet on Africa’s supply chain
Erratic weather and rising costs are forcing Africa’s food sector to rethink how it sources grain and dairy – and how to keep bakeries and cereal lines running
General Mills’ turnaround play balances short-term price cuts with long-term ‘remarkability’
Despite steep sales and profit declines in the first quarter, the Cheerios maker says price cuts, increased advertising and innovation are winning over budget-conscious consumers and laying the groundwork for a volume-driven rebound in fiscal year 2026
Nestlé investor trust shaken following CEO scandal
Nestlé’s CEO scandal has rattled investors, triggering a share price dip and raising fresh concerns over leadership stability at the food giant
Unilever: 4 key focus areas for strategy
The CPG giant is focused on performance, core brands and embracing the new
Nestlé’s CFO Anna Manz: “We didn’t expect to find ourselves here”
The CFO spoke out on why Freixe was let go – and why Philipp Navratil was picked for the CEO job
Kraft Heinz split announcement expected within days
A major split could be announced this week, reshaping the food giant and unlocking billions in value
Britain’s babies fed a diet of ultra-processed cereals and snacks, say researchers
A University of Leeds study found baby cereals and snacks dominated by UPFs (ultra-processed foods), with sugar-laden puffs and bars misled as ‘healthy’, leaving parents duped and kids primed for poor health
Kraft Heinz CEO responds to split rumours
Kraft Heinz considering $20bn spin-off that would reshape the grocery industry
Does Trump’s America First trade policy put domestic CPG production second?
The Consumer Brands Association warns that unless the Trump administration ‘fine-tunes’ its trade policy and if it reinstates reciprocal tariffs on July 9 it would de facto pick ‘winners and losers’ among domestic producers with packaged goods...
Big Interview
Unilever’s food sustainability chief on proving regen ag works
The next big challenge for regenerative farming? Proving it’s making a difference
US Food Waste Pact debuts new frontline employee toolkit
A new food waste reduction toolkit from the US Food Waste Pact shows frontline workers how small improvements in their daily work can have an outsized impact
Social media cuts food waste but fuels impulsive buying - study
New research reveals that social media can help reduce food waste but also increases impulsive consumer food purchasing behaviour
What is ‘super ultra-processed food’?
A new UPF classification system has been developed by scientists for consumers
Eco-friendly packaging boom in full force as corporates race for sustainability
Regulation and consumer pressure is pushing the industry to go green on packaging
CP Foods sees ‘optimistic’ 2025 ahead after 642% profits surge
CP Foods is confident its ongoing local production strategy will boost FY2025 sales even amidst ongoing uncertainties, after seeing a 642% surge in profits in Q1
Big Interview
RSPO head on EUDR, palm alternatives, and the future of sustainability
The palm oil sector is being transformed by policy, technology, and increasing demand
Kraft Heinz packaging challenge winner revealed
The winner of a major, global packaging innovation competition headed by Kraft Heinz has been announced
Founders' Fundamentals
Surviving tariffs: How CPG startups can prepare for whatever comes next
CPG founders must think on their feet to work around tariff-induced supply chain disruptions, collaborating with co-manufacturers and ingredient suppliers on innovative solutions to business obstacles
Kraft Heinz hit by tariff volatility as sales slide and forecasts cut
The Heinz Tomato Ketchup maker is facing a turbulent market, with sales and volumes plunging
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Flavor trends: How to balance authenticity and access when introducing global dishes
Consumers say they want adventurous new flavors and international cuisine, but many are hesitant to try something unfamiliar – creating a ‘conundrum’ for manufacturers and marketers introducing global flavors
Arla and Weetabix former marketing head unpicks brand success
Foreign brands seeking a way into Europe must prepare for an image overhaul without weakening authenticity and story
AI is taking over snack production: Revolution or risk?
AI is streamlining everything from recipe development and quality control to supply chain efficiency and sustainability. But as intelligence reshapes the way we produce food, how will manufacturers balance innovation with transparency, cost and consumer...
Can we have our cake and protein too? The future of functional indulgence
Global demand for protein is reshaping desserts and ingredients, balancing indulgence with health
UPFs: The front-of-pack battle brewing in the snack aisle
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) face mounting scrutiny as regulators push for transparency. Will front-of-pack labelling drive real change or just add red tape?
Kellogg’s Kellanova will focus on innovation, smaller packs & enhanced marketing to drive snack sales
On track to separate from Kellogg Co. in the fourth quarter, Kellanova will position itself as a snacks-led powerhouse and improved company with “a growth mindset, a refreshed strategy and more ambitious financial expectations,” CEO Steve Cahillane said...
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.
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.
Sustainability at the source: How Unilever is addressing deforestation, living wages, and regenerative agriculture
How is Unilever ensuring sustainability in sourcing regions? Hanneke Faber, President Foods & Refreshment at Unilever, weighs in.
Kraft Heinz to acquire Brazilian condiments and sauces company Hemmer
Kraft Heinz has entered into an agreement to acquire Brazilian condiments and sauces company Companhia Hemmer Indústria e Comércio (a.k.a. 'Hemmer').
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.
FrieslandCampina F&B tapping plant-based trend with ingredient innovation
FrieslandCampina Food & Beverages is leveraging its expertise in spray-dry powders to bring plant-based innovation to the bakery and desserts market. FoodNavigator hears how the group is building on the heritage of Kievit.
Sodium reduction: When it comes to salt perception, size matters, says MicroSalt
It’s well-known that the smaller the salt crystals, the saltier they taste, which means less is more, an enticing proposition for snack makers looking to reduce sodium. However, simply finely grinding table salt and sprinkling it on potato chips won’t do...
Kraft Heinz to leverage global scale and local agility: ‘That can unleash a lot of growth’
The Kraft Heinz Company’s recently released ‘transformation plan’ detailed the group’s strategy to deliver consistent growth, with top line gains led by its international business. FoodNavigator speaks to International Zone President, Rafa Oliveira, to...
Modified starch ‘ink’ developed for 3D printing: ‘They’re simple, cheap and easy to implement on an industrial scale’
‘Ink’ used to make foods and novel materials by additive manufacturing have been developed by food engineers from modified starch.
The moment of ‘ground truth’: Unilever pilots Orbital tech to boost transparency in palm oil and soy
Orbital Insight’s technology will combine satellite images of Indonesia and Brazil with geolocation data to provide specific information on ‘the first mile’ – the journey that palm oil fruit or soybeans travel from the plantation to a mill. “With a...
'Planting trees to grow food': Inga cropping provides food security for farmers and organic crops for industry
Inga alley cropping is a sustainable farming model that boosts food security, reduces rainforest destruction and provides organic crops such as cocoa and vanilla for the food industry.
Latin American start-up innovation amid coronavirus chaos
From the Mexican bakery delivering cook-it-yourself experiences to nutrition apps advising the healthiest meal plans during quarantine, Latin American start-ups and SMEs are adapting their business models to survive the coronavirus crisis.
AI key to safeguarding food systems amid coronavirus: tech firm
A UK tech company claims AI holds the key to avoiding the risk of coronavirus destabilising the food system.
Sustainable start-up Algramo sells big brand products in reusable packaging
Chile's Algramo sells branded goods in reusable packaging, saving money for manufacturers - such as Nestlé and Unilever - and reducing plastic waste. “We keep packaging in the economy and out of the environment,” it says.
Oleopalma first RSPO-certified company in Mexico
Oleopalma is setting the standard for palm oil production in Mexico as the first company in the country to receive Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification.
Latin America's food industry reacts to COVID-19 crisis: 'Our operations are indispensable to food security'
Brazil's Marfrig pledges to keep all its meat plants operating; Mercado Libre cuts commission for non-perishable food products; Ambev brewery is now producing alcohol gel. We take a look at how the food industry is responding to the coronavirus outbreak...
Custom-designed yeast can make food healthier, says biotech start-up
A Brazilian biotech start-up is custom-designing novel, natural yeast strains that can be used to make plant proteins, replace artificial additives and boost the bioavailability of minerals.
Make ultra-processed food more expensive, say Brazilian researchers
When ultra-processed food costs more, it is associated with lower prevalence of overweight and obesity in Brazil, suggesting taxes could be an effective tool to fight obesity, argue the authors of a recent study.
COVID-19: Industry calls for calm as Latin Americans panic buy
As coronavirus spreads through Latin America, retailers are seeking to calm consumers that food supplies are stable, but the impact on the region's economy could last well after the pandemic, experts warn.
Tetra Pak on sustainable bioplastic from sugarcane: ‘We’re part of the success story Brazil has been driving’
We talk to Tetra Pak about its packaging made from “fully traceable” Brazilian sugarcane certified by Bonsucro. “The decision to source in Brazil is part of our sustainability commitment,” says the company’s director of sourcing and manufacturing.
Brazil's Fazenda Futuro launches plant-based sausages
Brazilian plant-based startup Fazenda Futuro, recently valued at US$100 million, will launch vegan sausages made with a seaweed skin for crispiness next month. “We came to revolutionize this outdated, animal meat market," says its founder.