Snacks

Hershey backs Summerween as Halloween arrives early

Halloween starts in summer with the growth of spooky trend, Summerween

Why Nestlé’s latest results point to real recovery

Accelerating volumes, resilient margins and a confident outlook suggest Nestlé’s recovery strategy is gaining traction

Psyllium: The next big functional fibre?

Gut health concerns, gluten-free baking and the popularity of GLP-1s may spur the growth of the ingredient

Hershey raises 2026 forecast following blockbuster Q2

Hershey posts strong second-quarter results, with sales and earnings growth driving an optimistic outlook

Sprouts Farmers Market rethinks pricing playbook after cuts delivers mixed results

The retailer says lower prices moved products but had less impact on traffic than expected, leading it to double down on personalization and targeted promotions

News Bites

Legacy brands are evolving from products into platforms

For the majors like The Hershey Co., General Mills and Kellanova, growth comes from strategically stretching trusted brands across occasions, benefits and formats – broadening the snacking landscape itself

Mars invests $3m to empower women cocoa farmers

Mars and Save the Children launch major new project to support women in cocoa farming

Ferrero prioritises power brands to drive growth

Confectionery giant focuses on hero brands, innovation and acquisitions to drive growth

UPF legislation raises stakes for food labeling and child-directed marketing

The debate around the Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act signals rising political interest in warning labels, marketing restrictions and a federal definition of ultra processed foods

How are better-for-you snacks outpacing conventional offerings?

High protein is here to stay while consumers seek fresh, whole foods as part of their healthier snack routine

Mondelēz growth boosted by emerging markets as Europe sees decline

Like other major FMCGs, the biggest growth for Mondelēz is outside developed markets

Kashi targets gut health gap with fiber-packed granola

Kashi’s recent Gut Health Granola leverages WK Kellogg Co’s ingredient expertise with diverse fiber sources

Mondelēz issues urgent Cadbury recall over “undeclared” allergen

Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo bars recalled following discovery of undeclared pistachio, prompting food safety investigation

As AI carts enter stores, brands face a new battle for visibility

Are AI carts helping brands sell more products, or are they helping shoppers become smarter, more value conscious buyers?

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast

How can CPGs modernize iconic brands for a new generation without losing the magic?

J&J Snack Foods says the answer lies in evolving heritage brands and products but not the emotional experiences consumers associate with them

Nestlé bets big on premiumisation as consumers trade up

Nestlé prioritises premiumisation as consumers seek quality, functionality and indulgence

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From Nestlé to Ferrero: Big Food’s consolidation boom

Big Food’s biggest players are using acquisitions and strategic investments to fuel growth and expand their influence, and it’s reshaping the future of the industry

Retailers rethink SNAP strategy as enrollment and spending decline

As SNAP enrollment shrinks, retailers rethink value, convenience and e-commerce

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Lindt accused of misleading consumers on child labour

Lindt facing US lawsuit alleging misleading claims over human rights commitments in its cocoa supply chain

Nestlé drives KitKat growth with new launches

Nestlé expands KitKat sharing range as the confectionery giant ramps up innovation

Nestlé’s turnaround gains momentum despite profit drop

Nestlé delivers stronger organic growth and improving volumes in H1 2026, but net profit falls 31.4%

Unilever-McCormick merger: Anti-trust consultation begins

The deal will be scrutinised for its impact on competition

Oreo goes beyond biscuits with major snacking push

Oreo expands beyond the biscuit aisle with mini snack bags

From Three Square Meals to the Snack Universe

The traditional three-meal day falls from favour as consumers choose spontaneous snacking

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Utz to go private in $2.9 billion Intersnack deal as shares surge

Stock nearly doubled after Intersnack agreed to pay $14.24 per share in cash, a 91% premium over its prior close

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The future of snacking lies between function and indulgence

Beyond traditional indulgent treats and wellness-focused products lies a growing opportunity for brands: functional snacking staples

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Nestlé to shut chocolate factory as seasonal demand drops

Nestlé to close Diósgyőr factory by the end of 2026

Lindt hits pricing power limit as growth slows

Organic growth weakens as Lindt targets demand recovery

Over the Moo, Oreo and Dippin’ Dots chill out with summer’s coolest launches

This summer’s frozen launches are answering an industry-wide call for convenience that doesn’t compromise on quality

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Mars cuts jobs as confectionery giant consolidates operations

Mars to close Newark headquarters as it consolidates corporate functions in Chicago

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Artificial colours: How Europe regulates differently from the US

The use of food colours in the EU is stringently defined but it contrasts with the US approach

Lindt shares slide as cocoa costs shake investor confidence

Lindt’s share price slides as investors question strength of chocolate maker’s premium pricing power

China Focus: Yili on healthy ageing, e-commerce and sports nutrition, conscious indulgence, and more

This edition explores Yili’s innovation strategies for elderly nutrition, sports nutrition growth via e-commerce, capitalising on the conscious indulgence era, and more

聚焦初创公司：苹果醋、能量饮料与美容果冻

本期“聚焦初创公司”涵盖苹果醋、能量饮料及美容果冻相关内容

Can California almonds shed their water-hungry reputation?

Once criticized for their water use, almond growers are embracing precision irrigation, groundwater recharge and carbon-storing practices to position the crop as a more climate-smart ingredient

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Creatine appeal expands with mental health focus

Research explores potential mental health benefits of creatine as popularity of supplement soars

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Health vs Indulgence: Why consumers refuse to choose

Wellness is reshaping food and beverage, but indulgence still drives sales

Global Food Tech Awards EMEA

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What’s driving Europe’s alternative protein sector in 2026?

Industry leaders see long-term growth in Europe’s alt protein market, despite a challenging environment

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Could almond hulls be the next big functional food ingredient?

A new GRAS determination paves the way for the agricultural byproduct to move beyond animal feed and into foods, where its fiber, antioxidants and functional properties could appeal to manufacturers across categories and applications

Barry Callebaut assesses cocoa threat as El Niño intensifies

World’s biggest chocolate producer weighs in on cocoa market concerns as UN issues El Niño warning

The next grocery battle isn’t price – it’s relevance

A new phase of grocery shopping is emerging, one that will push brands to compete on relevance rather than rely on inflation-driven dollar growth, private-label gains or consumers trading down

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Microplastics in confectionery: A growing risk

Microplastics are a growing concern for confectionery manufacturers. But can contamination be prevented?

Three years on: Why Smucker’s $5.6bn Hostess bet still hasn’t paid off

“Tastes like growth” has become a punchline the jam giant would rather forget

Is beef tallow becoming food’s next billion-dollar ingredient?

The resurgence of beef tallow is forcing manufacturers to ask whether the MAHA movement has created a lasting reformulation trend or just food’s latest political fad

Lindt turns Dubai chocolate craze into ice cream

Lindt brings Dubai chocolate trend to ice cream as confectionery brands continue to diversify

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Consumers are reprioritizing the top purchase drivers for food and beverage

Taste remains the leading purchase driver, but growing awareness about ingredients, processing and ultra processing are complicating how consumers prioritize health and convenience, according to IFIC’s newly released 2026 Food & Health Survey

The strategy powering Ritter Sport’s success

Ritter Sport bets on innovation, affordability and sustainability to drive growth

Could Mondelēz finally get its hands on Tim Tam?

KKR is reportedly preparing to sell Arnott’s, raising questions over whether Mondelēz will bid again

Growth Asia Summit 2026

Calbee’s personalised granola takes breakfast to a new level

Calbee is tapping demand for personalised nutrition with tailored granola designed to provide healthier, more individualised breakfasts

Gen Alpha and Beta: Confectionery’s next battleground

Freeze-dried sweets, bold flavours, Roblox activations and AI-powered engagement – the forces reshaping confectionery innovation as brands look beyond Gen Z