NPD Trend Tracker: Sweet-treat special
Discover the latest sweet innovations from the world of food and beverage, as brands get ready for the festive season.
Market trends
Top 5 health trends dominating F&B
When it comes to food and beverage trends, nothing is punching through quite like health and wellbeing. But what are the top trends within health and wellbeing? And how are they shaping the industry?
What do consumers think of food for kids?
Many products aimed at children are considered significantly unhealthy by experts. Consumers’ views are more nuanced.
FrieslandCampina Ingredients invests in health
FrieslandCampina Ingredients aims to fuel the current consumer demand for health through proteins and prebiotics.
K-pop, AI and the future of food tech – how Gen Alpha will lead the change
Tomorrow’s food technology is happening right now, a leading food futurist has claimed in his assessment of what tech is and will drive Europe’s food and drink sector forward.
Top food tech trends for 2025 revealed
Innovation in the food space has seen a boom in recent years. But this is just the beginning.
FoodNavigator Investigates: From AI to UPF
From EUDR to alt meats, ultra-processed foods to gut health, FoodNavigator’s ‘watch’ series delves deeper into the subjects that matter to you.
NPD Trend Tracker: From functional drinks to brand redesigns
This week, two brands are revamping their identity. Plus, we have two functional drinks launches, and an old coffee brand venturing into the flavoured category.
Insect protein buzz waning as patents slow
Insect protein’s predicted take off has been less than a flutter as market innovation stagnates, with worldwide patents sliding year-on-year again.
EUDR delay venom and outrage: the aftermath of the vote
EUDR’s 12-month delay has been met with condemnation from organisations across the world following yesterday's controversial vote.
Meat and dairy reduction ‘vital’ to climate health – new report warns
The meat and plant-based industries have locked horns as a new report cites diet change as a key tool in the fight to control global warming and even reverse the climate crisis.
Cultivated meat and precision fermentation – will consumers eat it?
Emerging meat alternatives – cultivated meat and precision fermentation-derived meat – need to present an appealing image to consumers if they are to succeed.
Nestlé’s top six 2025 food and drink innovation trends revealed
Nestlé has revealed the top food and drink trends that will drive its research, development and innovation in 2025, with speed, personalisation and fusion taking centre stage.
5 emerging trends in alt dairy
Alt dairy is the great success story of the animal-free movement. So, what’s next for this plant-based powerhouse?
NPD Trend Tracker: From Royal whisky to festive fun
Discover the latest innovations from the world of food and beverage.
Opinion
Is Trump stoking an EU/US trade war?
Will Trump’s rebooted presidency bring about a transatlantic trade war or is it all hot air? Fake news or not, the returning president has made worrying noises – from crippling tariffs to climate ignorance – that are sending markets in a spin.
What do South African consumers think of plant-based meat?
South Africa has one of Africa’s largest plant-based meat markets. How do consumers view these meat-free alternatives?
Would consumers pay more for animal welfare?
A study of Swiss consumers of milk and butter explored whether they would accept increased prices if it meant better lives for dairy cows.
Is the Nordic Diet the next major food trend?
Health trends are big business for food and beverage brands. So, will the new Nordic Diet take the industry by storm or be a foodie flash in the pan?
NPD Trend Tracker: From Tate Modern beer to Lebanese delicacies
This week, we have a range of French, Lebanese and British treats. Plus, a beer collaborates with an art gallery, and a chewing gum brand expands to France.
How F&B is reformulating to make nutrition more affordable
Food and beverage is evolving to make nutrition affordable for all incomes. And it’s using reformulation to do it.
Consumer confidence crash hitting F&B brands hardest
Consumer confidence is crashing as financial pressures fail to ease, but what does that mean for food and beverage?
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic set to shake the global food industry
Originally intended as a treatment for diabetes, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic could be set to turn the food and drink industry upside down.
Can plant-based overcome UPF links to avoid future trust issues?
Plant-based diets remain popular, but associations with UPF and low-quality ingredients has shaken consumer trust in alt meat, fish and dairy brands. So, what can the sector do to restore public opinion?
EUDR delay: Deforestation progress on hold
Chocolate leader Tony’s Chocolonely raises concerns about the European Commission’s decision to postpone the EUDR implementation date by 12 months.
How can alternative proteins and regenerative agriculture work together?
Despite both being sustainability-focused, regenerative agriculture and protein diversification have not always got along. How can the two sectors work together?
Mondelēz International joins Unilever and Danone with strong Q3
Confectionery and snacking giant Mondelēz International has driven revenues and profits above expectations, through higher volume sales as both Unilever and Danone also showed this month.
Mars' Kellanova buyout the start of hefty snacking M&A
Mega deals within snacking are picking up pace after a quiet start to the year, with Mars’ Kellanova acquisition the tip of the iceberg as strong financial performances provide corporates with healthy cashflows.
Silver economy: Ultimate growth market sparking NPD in F&B
The ageing population is growing fast, leading to a flurry of NPD, as F&B brands innovate to cater to this growing consumer group.
The US spent €1.5bn more on EU food imports and here’s why
The US has bolstered agri-food imports, making it the largest value increase of all nations buying in EU produce. China, however, reduced value imports more than any other nation.
Innovation watch: Spotted at SIAL 2024
Edible cutlery, reimagined sushi, and vitamin-enriched cheese are just a handful of exciting food and drink innovations entering the market.
NPD Trend Tracker: Winter drinks special
Discover the latest festive, warming and wintry innovations from the world of beverages are here.
Could governments introduce rationing?
Rationing could be a reality as populations grow and climate change bites. But would consumers support it and what would it mean for food manufacturers?
Unilever and Danone volumes up and beat Q3 financial expectations
Powerhouses Unilever and Danone have outpaced third-quarter financial forecasts, a result of increased volume sales, and in contrast to competitor Nestlé’s downgrade earlier this month.
Growing functional food and beverage trend is an industry goldmine
Brands are reformulating to create functional foods and beverages, catering to everything from gut health to improved sleep. So, how is the sector evolving to meet consumer demand?
Redefine Meat plots NPD as plant-based market 'regains sales'
Plant-based meat alternative heavyweight Redefine Meat has plotted a series of new launches and retail listings as the market rebounds following a recent tumble and stagnation.
Lidl invests in own-label plant-based, targeting 25% category sales
European discounter major Lidl is betting big on plant-based following booming sales, introducing a raft of new listings under a new own-label range.
Private label grows again – why brands should be worried
Private label FMCG is growing again and taking territory from big brands. But this wasn’t always the case. So, how is the category winning the battle for consumer attention?
Nestlé targets ready meals NPD and expansion in sales boost strategy
Nestlé is laser-focused on a ready meals innovation and is launching a strategy to boost sales, following weaker than expected third-quarter results that led to a financials downgrade and senior team reshuffle.
NPD Trend Tracker: From new Nestlé meal brands to Godiva heritage collection
This week, old brands are doing new things. Godiva is sending new recipes to the US, and Nestlé is delving into Mexican and Asian cuisines.
When will the price of olive oil come down?
The price of olive oil has shot up, causing headaches for manufacturers and consumers. So, what does the future hold for this costly commodity, and will the price ever come down?
Gut health: What’s next for this major F&B trend?
Consumer demand for ‘gut-friendly’ foods and beverages is growing fast, and industry is innovating just as quickly to meet it. So, what’s next for this seemingly unstoppable trend?
Brands risk forgoing their cultural research – as Heinz recently learned
The slightest sniff of cultural insensitivity will generate social uproar, as Heinz recently experienced with a now withdrawn pasta sauce advert. But what is the real risk to FMCG brands of not doing their culture homework?
Revealed: the drivers set to boost Veganuary 2025's sales
The Veganuary movement is rocketing, gaining power and influence. It has become a staple across Europe, so how will brands drive Veganuary 2025 sales to new heights?
NPD Trend Tracker: From festive treats to spooky spirits
Discover the latest innovations from the world of food and beverages.
Reformulation is rife in F&B but consumers aren't sold yet
Brands are reformulating to improve nutritional value and reduce or remove ‘unhealthy’ ingredient levels. But this is not always a vote winner with customers. Why?
Future Food-Tech 2024
Do consumers want alternative raw materials?
Alternative raw materials aim to provide sustainable versions of commodities, including cocoa, coffee and palm oil, that are both integral to food and linked to deforestation. Will consumers accept them?
Future Food-Tech 2024
Heura sets sights beyond meat with ‘six more patents’ incoming
Heura Foods is flexing its business muscles and seeking to bolster its portfolio by expanding beyond meat alternatives into other markets, with collaboration a key tactic in its arsenal.
Meat-free sausages bucking category dip, but they’re on a knife-edge
Sales of branded meat-free sausages are growing despite a wider plant-based category slump, but meat and alt-meat processor, Pilgrim’s, says any sales positivity could easily reverse.
NPD Trend Tracker: From alcoholic advent calendars to protein ball multipacks
This week, classic brand Innocent Drinks redesigns its packaging, the Protein Ball Co. releases its products in multipack form, and the Craft Gin Club releases a range of advent calendars for Christmas. Plus, Sauce Shop fuses east and west with its new...