Mars goes all in on renewables as emissions fall and growth climbs
Mars hits energy milestone, while maintaining growth and stepping up global investment
Confectionery
Mondelēz reveals taste is no longer king in snacking
Consumers aren’t simply looking for something tasty. Mondelēz International’s latest report suggests they increasingly want food that entertains, comforts and gives them something worth talking about
Mondelēz appoints new EVP and CFO in leadership reshuffle
Mondelēz names Amit Banati EVP and CFO, signalling continuity and a sharper focus on execution, as competition in snacking intensifies
Mars names new digital executive as growth strategy ramps up
Mars hires new CDIO to power growth and fast-track Kellanova integration
Iran-US peace deal: What it means for food
The deal includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
Heatwave winners and losers: what’s selling when temperatures rise?
Clear food and beverage trends emerge during a heatwave
Chewy, gooey, crunchy or creamy: do consumers value texture?
Texture is being prioritised in much product innovation, especially in confectionery
Taste still rules, but may no longer be enough to win in the snack aisle
New Circana data shows consumers increasingly expect functional benefits alongside flavor, driving a shift from ‘better-for-you’ to ‘nutritious and delicious’ snacks, like those showcased at Sweets & Snacks Expo by Barebells, Belle’s Gourmet Popcorn and...
Do GLP-1s dull taste or enhance it?
How GLP-1s influence taste is a complex picture. Here’s what food and beverage manufacturers need to know
Mondelēz ignites airport buzz with Milka x Monopoly campaign
Mondelēz teams up with Monopoly for limited-edition Milka campaign to drive category growth
Unilever CEO defends $40bn McCormick megamerger
Unilever stands by $40bn McCormick deal as scrutiny grows over whether streamlining will strengthen the group or weaken it
Opinion
Hershey’s next move: Rebuilding trust after cocoa cuts controversy
Hershey cut cocoa and stirred up a crisis. A viral takedown from the Reese heir has exposed a deeper clash over taste, trust and the cost of cheapening chocolate
Up the food chain
Mondelēz International R&D VP Ian Noble: Food must innovate or decline
The snacking giant’s innovation lead talks sustainability, the future of cocoa and his love of ‘how things work’
Mars vs Hershey: Snickers takes cheeky swipe at Reese’s
Mars turns confectionery rivalry into content gold, with bold new Snickers campaign
Nestlé doubles down on growth in bold strategy shift
Nestlé resets growth strategy with shift away from price hikes and back towards volumes, brands and execution
Pistachio pressure compounded by Iran War squeeze
Disruption from the conflict in Iran adds to existing pressure from weather and high demand from social media virality
Barry Callebaut sharpens strategy amid cocoa volatility
Barry Callebaut shifts strategy with new Focus for Growth plan
Mars doubles down on premiumisation to drive growth
Mars is ramping up its premium strategy as demand for high-quality indulgence accelerates
Nestlé Waters crisis deepens as new footage exposes scale of alleged plastic dumping
Nestlé Waters under mounting pressure over alleged plastic dumping and water contamination
Which brands could Nestlé axe next?
Nestlé wants to become a leaner business. As it weighs its priorities, could brands like Coffee Mate and Carnation become dispensable?
Hershey appoints new CSCO in C-suite reset
Confectionery giant recruits new chief supply chain officer from rival snack brand
Is hojicha the next flavour megatrend?
Is hojicha quietly positioning itself as matcha’s successor? From drinks to desserts, this green tea is gaining momentum and the industry is taking notice
Mars taps reality TV for experiential M&M’s push
Confectionery brands are ditching traditional ads for immersive experiences as culture‑led campaigns reshape how sweets engage shoppers
Confectionery trends: Balancing better-for-you trends and indulgence
Cargill joins alternative chocolate race with Barry Callebaut and Nestlé amid cocoa volatility
By upcycling grape seeds, Cargill’s new NextCoa offers CPG brands a vegan, allergen-free option as major manufacturers hedge against soaring cocoa costs
Unilever McCormick deal under pressure as backlash builds
Unilever’s $40bn Foods deal with McCormick is facing mounting backlash as questions over strategy and valuation put the deal under pressure
Where brands should focus their AI strategy now
AI’s real value may lie in helping consumers choose – not discover
Is shrinkflation illegal now?
A recent court case involving Mondelēz suggests FMCGs could be penalised for reducing pack sizes. But is this really the case?
Hershey’s profit surge masks deeper struggles
Hershey’s profits surge may look like a comeback, but rising prices, falling volumes and volatile cocoa costs reveal a more complex story
What if chocolate’s flavour was never really about cocoa?
As cocoa markets spiral through another year of chaos, cocoa-free alternatives are shifting from novelty to necessity
EUDR: How does the simplification impact compliance?
The regulatory burden has been significantly reduced
When an ingredient goes viral, can the supply chain keep up?
As ingredient hype cycles accelerate, so do the risks of shortages, consistency and cost
Will cocoa alts ever be sexy? Hershey backlash opens the debate
As cocoa markets fluctuate, Hershey’s controversy shows that while alt-chocolate is advancing fast, taste and transparency remain make-or-break for consumers
Wonka returns as Ferrero taps into experiential marketing boom
Ferrero is bringing Wonka back in bold new strategy – blending limited-edition treats, cross-category innovation and a major new Netflix partnership
Confectionery’s biggest new innovations for 2026 announced
Ferrero and Hershey among winners of the 2026 Most Innovative New Product Awards
Sweeteners back in the spotlight as scientists probe liver disease risks
Once hailed as a reformulation fix, sweeteners are now facing growing scientific scrutiny
Mars signals new era for confectionery with bold launches and digital focus
Mars redefines confectionery with innovative flavours, new formats and a digital-first shopping strategy
Personalised taste: Is this the future of food?
The food sector aims to target consumer by geography and by demographic, giving them the flavours they want
Mars powers production growth with $253.6m smart factory investment
Mars bets on smart manufacturing, using £190m UK factory upgrade to boost output and strengthen grip on global confectionery and snacking market
Big Food’s leadership crisis: Why CEOs are falling faster than ever
C-suite exits are mounting across Big Food, but behind the scandals lies a deeper performance and innovation problem
Mondelēz International loses court case over Milka shrinkflation
Changing the weight labelling is not enough to avoid deception, the court ruled
Unilever shaken by investor exit as McCormick deal unsettles shareholders
Unilever’s $40bn Foods merger with McCormick is facing mounting backlash, as shares slide and investors divest
Taste and texture: Confectionery’s biggest power players
From the melt of a chocolate bar to the tang of a gummy, taste and texture are top when it comes to keeping consumers coming back
Mars, Mondelēz, Ferrero, Nestlé and Hershey: Rethinking confectionery innovation
From viral chocolates to cultural collaborations, confectionery innovation is entering a new experience‑led era
Opinion
Despite fears, the EUDR has retained its force
The simplification kept much of the regulation in place, not compromising as much as feared
Big Food splits: Smart move or strategic misstep?
Big Food’s biggest names are betting on splits, but market reactions show investors aren’t convinced. So when does breaking up actually make sense?
Hershey’s bets on AI to power growth
From marketing spend to manufacturing and innovation, AI is quietly reshaping confectionery
Do UPFs pose greater risk of plastic packaging harms?
Chemicals from single-use plastics may increase health risk to consumers
Mars: The global heavyweight setting the snacking agenda
The world’s biggest confectionery and snacking company is driving change across the industry
Mars rewrites confectionery marketing playbook with NYX partnership
Confectionery giant Mars signals new era of culture-led marketing campaigns with latest collaboration
TikTok-fuelled food shortages: How industry can respond
TikTok-led demand for products like ube and pistachio is straining global supply