Why ‘food as medicine’ will dominate 2025
Growth of the ‘food as medicine’ trend is having a major impact on food and beverage, with 2025 set to take its success to a whole new level.
Innovation & NPD
Lion’s mane set to shake-up weight-loss world
Lion’s mane is causing a frisson of excitement in food and beverage, as its weight-loss properties attract widespread attention. So, how will this rising star shape innovation and new product development?
SIGEP World 2025: Six standout trends from the show
Innovation is taking centre stage at the Italian food and beverage show, proving the industry is on the up and embracing change. Here are FoodNavigator’s top standout trends from the show floor.
Opinion
Own-label health foods: the next sales frontier for supermarkets
Can the supermarkets finally take the health and functional foods category for their own?
Consumer confidence in freefall across Europe
Consumer confidence in sharp decline, with food and beverage feeling the effects of tightened budgets. But, is it set to last, and how can brands adapt to survive?
Iron next in line for fortification focus
New research, highlighting the importance of maintaining iron levels during pregnancy, looks set to boost iron fortification trend.
Are celebrity chefs still setting the trends?
Food and beverage trends come and go. But who’s behind the hype? We discover if the original trendsetters – celebrity chefs - are still pulling the popularity strings.
Are non-alcoholic beverages falling short on flavour?
Non-alcoholic beverages have been billed as the perfect teetotal alternative to their alcoholic counterparts. But are they failing the flavour test? And what does this mean for the industry?
Top innovation trends shaping future of food and beverage
New report sheds light on the future of the food and beverage industry. We look at the science shaping the industry.
How do GLP-1 drugs work?
There may be more to the landmark drugs than just supressing appetite.
Top 5 women’s health trends impacting food and beverage
Women’s health is fast becoming one of the biggest food and beverage trends of the decade. We look at the top five categories gaining attention, sparking NPD and boosting sales.
Will latest fish oil discovery boost fortification trend?
Fish oils have been linked to improved muscle strength. What does this mean for the food industry and what NPD opportunities does it create?
Are gluten-free products unhealthy?
Gluten-free is gaining popularity. But the sector has recently received criticism for being unhealthy. So, are the rumours true, and what can industry do about it?
Could a plant-based diet improve heart health?
Plant-based diets have been linked to a whole range of health benefits, from improving gut health to slowing cancer progression. Now research suggests it could also improve heart health.
How brands are successfully navigating the decline in alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption has been on a global decline for decades. So how is industry adapting to this change and what does the future hold for the alcoholic beverage industry?
9 mouthfeel trends to watch in 2025
Mouthfeel is a vital element in developing successful NPD, but what are the trends to watch in 2025 and how can food and drink makers utilise them?
From gut health to GLP-1: Top 5 NPD trends of 2024
2024 has been a wild ride for the food and beverage industry, with some seriously exciting new trends taking hold. But which ones have proven most popular for NPD?
Could GLP-1 drugs curb alcohol consumption?
The weight-loss properties of GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, have dominated headlines. But could they also cut alcohol consumption? And what would this mean for beverage manufacturers?
CCEP readies big NPD launches and capacity investment for 2025
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has exclusively revealed a glut of global NPD will land in 2025, supported by line investment at several sites.
What’s next for the plant-based trend?
2024 has thrown some big challenges at the plant-based industry, leading to suggestions it’s in decline. But the sector has weathered the storms and is emerging stronger. So, what’s next for this enduring trend?
Start-up pitch
How HydroWatt Zero is supporting innovators to protect food security
Future food security is under serious threat. But industry innovators are fighting to revolutionise the food system and change the story. Discover more...
The food and drink categories ripe for M&A activity in 2025
Which of Europe’s food and beverage categories will likely see the most merger and acquisitions in 2025? Two experts give their thoughts.
Major NPD opportunities in intermittent fasting
Fasting diets are creating huge NPD opportunities in food and beverage. So, how can brands get involved and what’s next for this mega trend?
Battle of the trends 2025
Food and beverage trends are going head-to-head, as different attitudes to eating styles compete for supremacy. So, which will emerge victorious in 2025?
Unilever to ditch €1bn of food brands, premiumise and quadruple innovation
Unilever has promised bigger innovation bets, premiumisation and to ditch food brands that no longer align with a new core strategy.
Why ‘limited edition’ is the next big F&B trend
Food and beverage brands are embracing brevity, with growing numbers of limited-edition products launched. So, what’s the reason behind this new trend, and is it here to stay?
Start-up pitch
How Carbiotix is making upcycling pay
Cutting food waste at all stages of production is key to future food security, but it needs to be profitable for brands to embrace it. Carbiotix can help.
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.
Video
Why Exberry is focusing on innovation to drive growth
Plant-based colour creator, Exberry, reveal why innovation is at the centre of its long-term growth strategy.
Dsm-firmenich focuses on trio of business-driving investments
Ingredients major dsm-firmenich will invest in a trio of areas to bolster business growth over the coming years.
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.
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.
Cultivated freshwater eel tech opens new opportunities in Japanese market
A cultivated seafood tech business has developed a system of cell cultivation to allow for commercial freshwater eel farming.
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.
Why understanding allergens should be top priority for F&B manufacturers
Undeclared allergens in food and beverage products can be deadly. So why are allergen-related recalls still happening? What is industry doing to prevent them? And what NPD opportunities are being missed?
NPD Trend Tracker: From Royal whisky to festive fun
Discover the latest innovations from the world of food and beverage.
Top tips to successfully market your brand
Marketing can be complex, time consuming and costly. We run down the top tips and tricks to successfully market a food and drink brand on a tight budget.
Why biodiversity is vital to food security
Biodiversity makes soil function effectively, pollinates plants and ensures the functioning of the food system. But what's being done to support biodiversity and is it too little too late?
Customer innovation driving Tate & Lyle volume growth in strong H1 financials
Tate & Lyle has returned to volume growth in the first six months of its financial year, but revenues are down and predicted to be lower still at year end.
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?
Big Interview
A sensible rebel: Juicy Marbles' boss on breaking even, NPD and beyond
After raising “peanuts” to launch a plant-based meat business around Covid-19, Juicy Marbles is set to break even within its fourth year and is planning NPD along with another funding launch.
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.
Start-up pitch
How Fabas Foods is making alt dairy nutritious and sustainable
Alt dairy is proving to be one of the great plant-based success stories. But associations to UPF and questions over sustainability are holding it back. Fabas Foods believes it has the solution.
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?
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?
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.