
Hershey bounces back as profits jump 93%
Hershey’s had a bruising start to 2026, but fresh results hint at a major comeback
News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology

Hershey’s had a bruising start to 2026, but fresh results hint at a major comeback

While sales rise and cocoa stabilizes, the company keeps guidance steady amid fears of inflation and weakening confidence

Mars doubles down on renewables with major wind power deal, signalling how major CPGs are reshaping the food industry’s path to net zero

From activist roots to mainstream success, Tony’s Chocolonely shows how bold flavours, smart collaborations and a clear mission can turn ethical chocolate into a global growth story

Amid a wave of high‑profile CEO changes in food and drink, we reflect on the biggest leadership controversies of the past 50 years

When the biggest names in the business get on board, it’s a clear sign the trend has legs

Haribo is showing how a focus on core is driving global scale

Nestlé’s set to cut more than 450 UK jobs as global restructuring begins

Health, clean-label status and recognisability have made the ingredient stand out

Major Hershey stakeholder sells shares following profit shock and leadership shift

Nestlé overcomes infant formula recall to deliver solid Q1 growth, powered by Coffee and Confectionery

Unilever’s $40bn food deal is supposed to sharpen focus. Instead it’s unsettled stakeholders, raising questions over the success of Big Food consolidation

The first-ever milk chocolate bars made with cell-cultivated cocoa butter have been produced

Could cocoa fermentation be doing more than shaping flavour? New research hints at untapped nutritional potential in Amazonian beans

Coffee, petcare, nutrition and snacks take center stage as CEO rolls out five-part turnaround plan and trims workforce.

From emerging ingredients to protein power, discover the nutrition trends shaping the future of food and beverage

Barry Callebaut’s size has long been its strength. But with volumes down and shares under pressure, cracks are starting to show

The Nutella maker has been subjected to antitrust inspections in two EU member states

The KitKat heist went viral but exposed a multimillion euro cargo crime crisis

As the deadline for the regulation approaches, the commodity continues to grapple with barriers to compliance

Mars invests in regenerative farming as it ramps up efforts to hit net zero by 2050

Strong cash flow and rising profits mask ongoing operational pressures in Barry Callebaut’s latest results, raising questions about what recovery will really look like for the chocolate industry

Unilever’s $44.8bn decision to merge its Foods business with McCormick has rattled investors and raised regulatory questions

Andrew Archambault’s unexpected departure comes as Hershey grapples with profit declines and reputational pressures

What started as an energy shock is fast becoming a food crisis, with stranded cargoes and fertiliser shortages threatening global supply chains

Nestlé, Barry Callebaut, the RSPO and Rainforest Alliance will all take part

Up the food chain
Scaling biotech ingredients for a sector under strain is a hard. Doing it while conflict closes in is even harder

Ferrero is going big on the FIFA World Cup, with a high-profile campaign. What does it signal for the future of confectionery marketing?

New health studies are reigniting a global battle over artificial sweeteners, leaving brands, regulators and consumers divided

Kids and teens power next growth phase for functional foods and beverages

Stolen KitKats sparked viral attention, delivering unexpected PR for Nestlé and exposing vulnerabilities in road freight security

From regulation changes to supply chain pressures, reformulation is reshaping Big Food – fast

Cocoa innovation opens up new possibilities for manufacturers

Low and no loses its shine as consumers reject restriction in favour of real ingredients, richer flavours, and products that prioritise pleasure

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

Opinion
This is no ordinary product launch. The stakes are high for cocoa-free chocolate

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?

From freeze‑dried sweets to ultra‑indulgent chocolate, texture is taking centre stage

Unilever edges closer to a deal with McCormick in a move that would reshape its future and redefine the global food landscape

As Unilever edges towards a Foods division sell‑off, Big Food braces for the impact

Over 400,000 KitKats have vanished in transit, highlighting the increasing threat of cargo crime

Confectionery sales are soaring. But what’s driving growth and which brands are best positioned for the future?

Satellites provide long-term data on land use

Dietitians’ latest data points to a more grounded approach to functionality, where gut health, cost and credibility matter as much as claims

Global confectionery giants join NGOs and major retailers to create UK Cocoa Coalition

Mars Snacking announces new jobs as company signals major growth

Nestlé’s latest AI pilot reveals how real-time data can boost efficiency and unlock revenue

Strong growth and expanding global reach are cementing Lindt’s position as the premium market leader

Nestlé’s new chief has steadied the ship – but can he accelerate fast enough to outrun the industry’s most agile challengers?

Oobli’s CEO is betting on protein-based sweetness to cut sugar at scale, but the shift raises uncomfortable questions for regulators, manufacturers and the supply chain