UPFs surge unevenly across global markets - where’s next?
Ultra-processed diets aren’t equally dominant worldwide - but in some countries, they’re rising fast
Health, wellness & nutrition
Naked Life’s US expansion strategy
Already the dominant force in the Australian non-alcoholic cocktail market, Naked Life has teamed up with Molson Coors to replicate its success in the US
Is mycoprotein too weird to win over consumers?
Despite its sustainability and health credentials, mycoprotein is losing ground. Is this an image problem - or something else entirely?
Brewing loyalty: How coffee is powering bakery footfall
Coffee’s not just a pick-me-up anymore. It’s helping bakeries pull ahead in a slowing market
CP Foods’ Food as Medicine roadmap for preventative health
Thai food giant CP Foods has developed a dedicated platform to support consumers making healthier food choices towards preventative healthcare
How big is the GLP-1 wave going to get, really?
As usage of weight loss medications surges and new therapies emerge, food businesses face a once-in-a-generation opportunity – or risk being left behind
Yuka brings aspartame fight to the US
Report calls for ban on ingredient found in thousands of common food and beverage products
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
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
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.
The big UPF myth: Why consumers say one thing and eat another
Do manufacturers really need to navigate out of the ‘dirty’ UPF world? Perhaps not, as exclusive research shows consumers’ perception of UPF is very different to their reality
How AI can help CPGs turn MAHA compliance into a strategic advantage
As companies brace for stricter guidelines under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) campaign, AI is emerging as an essential ally in reformulation, risk management and consumer trust
GLP-1s may pose risk to athletes
By limiting food intake, athletes could lose out on essential nutrients they need for peak performance
Global guidance on meat and dairy consumption in the works
What’s the optimal intake of animal-source foods?
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
What makes a GLP-1-friendly yogurt drink? Danone tells all
By formulating a dairy drink that specifically caters for weight loss medication users, Danone has set a new standard with Oikos Fusion
Brazil nuts: Boosting health, forests, and livelihoods
Brazil nuts offer more than nutrition – they also protect rainforests and support local communities
Sweeteners linked to early onset puberty
Both artificial and natural sweeteners could increase risk of premature puberty in kids
Rise of the fermented insect loaf: Mexico’s bold answer to the protein crisis
While insect-fortified bread isn’t new, a new Mexican study breaks ground with a world-first fermentation process that makes grasshopper flour more nutritious, digestible and delicious
Food’s answer to Ozempic? New ingredients mimic GLP-1 without the pharma price tag
Once everyone’s had enough of injections, side effects, and the vast expense of GLP-1 drugs, it could be natural alternatives’ time to shine
4 natural food ingredients that boost GLP-1
It’s not only drugs that induce the satiety-causing hormone
How GLP-1 is transforming the future of food and beverage
GLP-1 is changing weight loss one injection at a time. But what do GLP-1 consumers want to eat and what’s behind their decision to ditch old fashioned diets?
Dairy’s role as a heart health foe ‘not evidence-based’
Global dietary guidelines should target fat reduction from nutrient-poor foods instead of dairy, nutrition researchers argue
What is ‘super ultra-processed food’?
A new UPF classification system has been developed by scientists for consumers
Why meal replacements are the future of fast nutrition
What are the key trends driving meal replacement category successes? Exclusive and free webinar reveals all
Eat chocolate, lower risk? New research fuels healthier indulgence
Can chocolate really improve blood pressure and reduce heart disease risk? Emerging research suggests it might – and the findings are sweet news
Striking a balance: How food producers can thrive in the GLP-1 era
Consumers want to shed, gain or simply maintain weight. What does that mean for core food and drink categories - and is there still a place for permissible indulgence?
Clean label claims in the crosshairs: Rising litigation trends zero in on claims about ‘real fruit,’ natural flavors, heavy metals, PFAs and more
Class action lawsuits filed against food and beverage companies surged last year – reversing a multi-year downward trend but still falling significantly short of the 10-plus year high in 2021, according to analysis by the law firm Perkins Coie presented...
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?
Do sweeteners increase appetite?
Popular sweetener sucralose could be tricking the brain into believing it’s hungry
Top 10 rising food and beverage trends for 2025
Food and beverage is awash with new and growing trends. We discover what consumers are craving in 2025
State vet downplays risk of bird flu in raw cheese, milk
A senior US animal health official has urged calmness over recent academic findings suggesting that ageing may not eliminate bird flu viruses from raw cheese
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?
What Trump’s policies could mean for the future of fresh food
Consumer demand for fresh food remains high, but macroeconomic factors like stubborn inflation and trade tension can impact the category moving forward
Too little choline: A disadvantage in Latin America
A new study reports that “an astonishing majority” of women of childbearing age across eight countries in Latin America do not consume enough choline, a nutrient particularly important for fetal development.
Sorghum cereal and probiotic combination improves gut health in kidney disease patients
A symbiotic meal consisting of a breakfast cereal made of sorghum BRS 305 associated with a probiotic containing Bifidobacterium longum improves gut health, reduces body weight and reduces uremic toxin serum levels in people with chronic kidney disease...
BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY
Colombia’s sugar reduction tax targets confectionery
The global landscape of food consumption is undergoing a significant shift with the introduction of sugar taxes in over 120 countries. These initiatives are primarily aimed at guiding consumers towards healthier lifestyle choices by reducing the intake...
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...
2021 was yet another ‘exceptional year for Grupo Bimbo’
Mexican bakery giant Grupo Bimbo posted a 66.9% increase in fourth quarter net profit, along with a 74.7% bump up for FY 2021 to reach 15.9 billion pesos ($78m).
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.
Survey: 1 in 4 global consumers used probiotics in last 6 months
Probiotic use on the rise as science-backed probiotic strains meet a range of market needs.
Avocado consumption climbs with plenty of headroom for growth ahead, says Rabobank
US avocado consumption hit record highs at the beginning of 2021, fueled by a recovering economy and continued positive perception of the trendy superfood, reports Rabobank.
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.
Benexia harnesses the power of chia for enviable Keto-friendly bakes
Chia seed ingredients specialist Benexia has developed a Keto Chia Cake & Muffin Baking Mix that overcomes the dry texture, short shelf life and nutritional deficits typically associated with low-carb baking flours.
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....
Investing in the Future of Food
Danone: "There has been a massive shift in how consumers are shopping and their adoption of digital commerce is significant'
With digital commerce sales accelerating during the pandemic and expected to climb from $35 billion to more than $250 billion by 2025, Danone North America is reallocating traditional marketing dollars to online in a bid to better drive consumer...
Grupo Bimbo celebrates 75th anniversary with record results, unwavering commitment and an energised position for the future
The world’s largest bakery company posted outstanding financial results, reported significant market share gains, was recognised as one of the world’s most ethical companies for the fifth consecutive year and increased its global use of renewable...
IMCD acquires VitaQualy Comércio de Ingredientes to bolster Brazil specialty distribution strategy
IMCD has acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Brazilian specialty ingredient distributor, VitaQualy Comércio de Ingredientes LTDA.
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.