Big Food’s big sell off: Who’s cutting loose and who’s cashing in
From shock splits to billion‑dollar buyouts, Big Food is making big changes. Here’s what’s driving the chaos, who’s cashing in, and who could be next
Business
Keurig Dr Pepper appoints Rafael Oliveira as CEO of new coffee giant
The announcement comes as Keurig Dr Pepper completes the acquisition of JDE Peet’s
Hershey u‑turns as real chocolate makes a comeback
Hershey says it’s bringing real chocolate back to parts of its portfolio – could this small switch signal something much bigger for the confectionery industry?
McCormick’s results take a back seat as Unilever deal nears
Sales are steady and margins remain under pressure, but attention has shifted firmly to a potential tie-up with Unilever.
Just launched: Baguette wraps, chocolate egg mayo and more . . .
NPD is taking old trends to new places
Beyond Meat pushes forward with repositioning in face of plummeting revenues
The plant-based company’s struggles have worsened, not improved
Up the food chain
How Clio plans to turn Greek yoghurt bars into a $300m business
As protein, satiety and indulgence converge, Clio CEO John McGuckin explains how the refrigerated bar brand went from ‘bleeding cash’ to chasing $120m – and why the real prize is building a whole new snacking category
The hottest food and drink trends for 2027...or are they?
Our food and drink trend predictions for 2027 are starting early. But beware, some may have you fooled
Unilever spins-off food as McCormick megamerger confirmed
Unilever separates Foods, McCormick scales-up – a new force in food and beverage emerges
Unilever says McCormick deal could close today
Unilever edges closer to a deal with McCormick in a move that would reshape its future and redefine the global food landscape
Unilever joins Big Food shake-up
As Unilever edges towards a Foods division sell‑off, Big Food braces for the impact
KitKat heist sends urgent warning to CPG sector
Over 400,000 KitKats have vanished in transit, highlighting the increasing threat of cargo crime
The world’s top 10 dairy companies dominating a $1.5t market
From Lactalis to Mengniu, the world’s leading dairy players are scaling up through M&A, premiumisation and protein-led innovation as the global market races towards $1.5t
Unilever closer to mega food spin‑off as McCormick talks advance
Unilever and McCormick edge closer to a major food‑unit deal that could reshape the future of the global flavour sector
Confectionery sales surge as market races towards $295bn
Confectionery sales are soaring. But what’s driving growth and which brands are best positioned for the future?
Unilever faces defamation suit from former Ben & Jerry’s chair
Anuradha Mittal has filed a defamation claim against Unilever and its demerged ice cream arm, Magnum, intensifying a long-running dispute over Ben & Jerry’s independence.
Kraft Heinz shares tumble as investor uncertainty grows
Kraft Heinz’s stock has plunged to a six‑year low, exposing long‑term structural problems
Mars accelerates expansion following landmark Kellanova acquisition
Mars Snacking announces new jobs as company signals major growth
Future Food-Tech San Francisco
6 tips to raise capital in 2026 for food-tech
The expectations, red flags and structural hurdles shaping food‑tech fundraising in 2026
Nestlé trials AI technology to tackle factory food waste
Nestlé’s latest AI pilot reveals how real-time data can boost efficiency and unlock revenue
Lindt: The premium strategy driving record growth
Strong growth and expanding global reach are cementing Lindt’s position as the premium market leader
Nestlé under Navratil: The fight to stay ahead
Nestlé’s new chief has steadied the ship – but can he accelerate fast enough to outrun the industry’s most agile challengers?
Danone swoops to buy meal replacement brand Huel
Food and beverage giant Danone is to acquire plant-based meal solutions business Huel as part of its wider growth strategy
Unilever and Kraft Heinz previously discussed food merger, reports suggest
The deal would have put Heinz ketchup and Hellmann’s mayonnaise in the same company
Unilever confirms Foods merger talks with McCormick
Unilever in talks with McCormick over potential Foods separation, raising fresh questions about the future of some of its best‑known brands
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
Why Big Food is reformulating growth not just recipes
From halted breakups to billion-dollar buyouts, the world’s biggest food groups aren’t just tweaking products, they’re rethinking how growth works
Unilever eyes major food split
Unilever’s latest shake‑up could transform the future of food and drink. Here’s what the potential sell‑off means for the CPG giant, and the wider industry
Up the food chain
Givaudan’s head of front-end innovation on AI and the future of food
An engineer at heart, Alexandre Bastos brings a problem‑solver’s mindset to the front lines of food innovation
Danone nears methane goal five years early
Danone is within touching distance of meeting its methane emissions reduction target. How has the company done it?
Hershey: Strategy shake‑up and leadership reset
Hershey is shaking up its strategy and its structure
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
Fonterra to appoint new CEO in major leadership reshuffle
Fonterra will replace Miles Hurrell at the helm as the co-op embarks on a new strategic chapter
The Big One: Cyberattack that could cripple food and drink
Cyberattacks are closing in on the food and drink sector, and the next one could be catastrophic. Is the industry ready for The Big One?
Up the food chain
Cargill’s CTO on AI, innovation and where R&D is going
From AI to reformulation, the agribusiness giant’s CTO Florian Schattenmann talks future tech, passing fads and where Cargill is stepping up focus
Opinion
From humanisation to cultivation, pet food is only getting more exciting
Innovation in pet food is everywhere
Hershey: The secret to success and what’s next
With new markets to enter and new categories to conquer, Hershey’s next wave of growth could be its most exciting yet
Bel Group’s AI strategy: From cheese virtual twins to protein innovation
Bel’s research head opens on how the technology is enhancing product R&D and operational efficiency
Inside PepsiCo’s first-ever restaurant - where crisps are the main ingredient
The soda and snacks giant can now add another feather to its cap: it’s becoming a restaurateur
Corporate sustainability holds firm despite political noise
Companies are broadening their targets and measurement scopes as climate action shapes up to be non-negotiable despite political uncertainty
Mondelēz boosts Toblerone production with $83m investment
A year into its investment, Mondelēz unveils a major milestone at Toblerone’s Swiss home
Puratos strikes deal to acquire Dawn Foods
One of the biggest deals in the bakery ingredients sector this year is taking shape after Puratos confirmed plans to acquire US-based Dawn Foods
Nestlé set to offload Blue Bottle in strategy shake‑up
Blue Bottle’s future hangs in the balance as Nestlé moves to streamline under New CEO
Lindt reports record growth as rivals stumble
Lindt defies industry headwinds with soaring profits, strong growth and a premium strategy that’s paying off
Nestlé bets big on cocoa-free chocolate: Inside its new launch
The final confectionery giant to invest in alternative cocoa is now the first to launch a permanent product
Thai Union’s i-Tail eyes 2026 growth in pet treats and US pet food
Thai Union is looking to grow pet food arm i-Tail in a big way, pushing to strengthen its position in global pet nutrition
Regulators approve Fonterra’s mega deal with Lactalis
The billion-dollar divestment has been formally given the go-ahead by regulators as farmers line up for up for a NZ$3.2bn capital return from the sale
Inside FrieslandCampina’s strategic reset
After completing key M&As in 2025, the Dutch multinational enters a pivotal year as it bids to strengthen resiliency and expand market reach