
Big food M&A: when is it a threat to competition in the EU?
Mergers face scrutiny over whether they prevent competition
News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology

Mergers face scrutiny over whether they prevent competition

Microplastic contamination poses significant risks for consumers

Drinks packaging may seem plastic-free, but hidden plastic remains widespread

Up the food chain
They don’t front the brands, but this Nottingham duo is quietly shaping what the world eats next

The deal between the two ingredients companies creates a global powerhouse

Unilever stands by $40bn McCormick deal as scrutiny grows over whether streamlining will strengthen the group or weaken it

Nestlé resets growth strategy with shift away from price hikes and back towards volumes, brands and execution

Nestlé Waters under mounting pressure over alleged plastic dumping and water contamination

Three months on, the conflict continues to push up food prices

Unilever’s $40bn Foods deal with McCormick is facing mounting backlash as questions over strategy and valuation put the deal under pressure

AI’s real value may lie in helping consumers choose – not discover

Microplastics detected in Nestlé and Danone baby food pouches spark safety concerns

Packaging isn’t just a container, it’s a decision that affects cost, brand, sustainability and compliance, so it should be planned early, not tacked on later

New product development
Plant-based innovation, next-generation kids food and elevated snacking are all key themes in this week’s NPD roundup

C-suite exits are mounting across Big Food, but behind the scandals lies a deeper performance and innovation problem

Unilever’s $40bn Foods merger with McCormick is facing mounting backlash, as shares slide and investors divest

With performance still lagging, Kraft Heinz’s paused split looks increasingly uncertain

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?

As other food and beverage companies cut costs and slash staff, Kraft Heinz is investing $600 million in people, pricing, promotion and innovation – offering an alternative blueprint for growth in a turbulent period

Nestlé’s Q1 results reassured investors, but uneven volumes urge caution

Packaging volumes are suffering due to consumer caution

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

Move affects 90% of store assortment as private-label-focused retailer responds to consumer ingredient concerns

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

From “high protein” to “supports muscle mass” claims, brands are coding GLP-1 benefits without naming the trend outright

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

From New Coke to Crystal Pepsi, even the biggest brands can fail fast

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

The escalating Middle East conflict is pushing food inflation, energy prices and consumer confidence to a breaking point

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

Investors are losing patience as volume growth stalls and food giants tear up the playbook

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

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

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

Sales are steady and margins remain under pressure, but attention has shifted firmly to a potential tie-up with Unilever.

Unilever separates Foods, McCormick scales-up – a new force in food and beverage emerges

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

Unilever and McCormick edge closer to a major food‑unit deal that could reshape the future of the global flavour sector

Kraft Heinz’s stock has plunged to a six‑year low, exposing long‑term structural problems

Consumers seek comfort and familiarity from food

Future Food-Tech San Francisco
The expectations, red flags and structural hurdles shaping food‑tech fundraising in 2026

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

Future Food-Tech San Francisco
Industry leaders at Future Food-Tech San Francisco say lower investment levels are giving rise to an era of deeper cooperation among stakeholders focused on creating healthier products

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

The gut health trend is entering its next phase – one shaped by sharper science, smarter consumers and big opportunities

The deal would have put Heinz ketchup and Hellmann’s mayonnaise in the same company

Unilever in talks with McCormick over potential Foods separation, raising fresh questions about the future of some of its best‑known brands