Texture innovation: Confectionery’s next frontier
From freeze‑dried sweets to ultra‑indulgent chocolate, texture is taking centre stage
R&D
Can brands cut sugar without killing taste, texture or trust?
As sugar shifts from ingredient to liability, food and drink manufacturers are rebuilding sweetness from the ground up using rare sugars, fibres and fermentation-driven innovation
New product development
What’s hot in confectionery? Cadbury refresh, Potter Peeps and beauty cakes
From organic gummies and dessert‑inspired sweets to licensed seasonal launches and confection–beauty crossovers. Brands are leaning on format innovation
Future chocolate: Mondelēz, Lindt and Barry Callebaut reshape taste
From Mondelēz and Barry Callebaut to Lindt, the future of chocolate is being defined by bold flavour innovation, smarter formulations and a refusal to compromise on indulgence
Ozempic’s chocolate contradiction: Indulgence isn’t disappearing, it’s trading up
As appetite-suppressing drugs take hold, the real shift in snacking may not be how much people eat but how deliberately they choose to indulge
New product development
What’s hot in confectionery? Hotel Chocolat, Lindt, Butterfinger and more…
Seasonal NPD momentum continues across confectionery as brands lean into flavour mashups, texture-led indulgence and customisable gifting formats
The clean label chocolate revolution has begun
Clean label chocolate is gaining momentum, and reshaping indulgence
Nestlé’s F1 move signals bold new brand strategy
KitKat’s latest Formula 1 collaboration is more than a viral stunt, it’s a strategy shift
Top 5 innovations fuelling Ferrero’s growth - and what’s next
Ferrero is growing steadily, with new products and expanding brands helping to drive sales. How do we predict the pipeline to evolve?
Blurred lines: Confectionery and sports nutrition collide in snacking revolution
From protein‑packed chocolate bars to big‑brand collaborations, sports nutrition and confectionery are merging fast
New product development
What’s hot in confectionery? Nestlé Easter, KitKat Cookie, POLO, and more…
Major players are leaning into texture, premium gifting and flavour crossovers, while challenger brands continue to push sustainability and plant‑based credentials
New Product Development
Ice cream launches to watch in 2026
Ben & Jerry’s, Häagen-Dazs, Mars and Novel are giving shoppers plenty of reasons to linger in the frozen foods aisle
The ‘untapped potential’ of functional chocolate
Functional chocolate is stepping into the spotlight. Discover the ingredients, trends and early innovators reshaping the future of indulgence
The future of chocolate is bittersweet
Soaring cocoa prices are quietly reshaping how chocolate is formulated, where it’s used and how far the industry can stretch expectations without losing trust
New product development
What’s hot in confectionery? Spicy Jolly Rancher, Hershey Easter and more…
Seasonal confectionery is gearing up for a high‑intensity year as brands lean into flavour experimentation, multisensory formats and nostalgia‑led innovation
New product development
What’s hot in confectionery? Nestlé duo and Baileys eggs
From flavour‑rich snacking formats to revived retro favourites and seasonal gifting, manufacturers are responding with NPD that blends familiarity with modern twists
Freeze-dried candy craze grows – but not everyone’s winning
Mars, Ferrara ride TikTok-fueled demand while Sow Good restructures to survive
Nestlé’s F1 deal signals industry shift
KitKat’s Formula 1 move is more than a gimmick – it marks a potential new trend in confectionery
New product development
What’s hot in confectionery? Mars goes romantic in Valentine’s special
From premium Valentine’s assortments to playful Easter treats and everyday snacking upgrades, manufacturers are blending nostalgia with modern twists to capture consumer attention
How Mars is developing new ingredients with AI
AI can do a lot more than offer guidance and write emails. It can help food companies find brand-new ingredients for product formulation
The big 5: Functional confectionery trends to watch
From protein bars to gut-friendly gummies, functional confectionery is exploding, and it’s changing the game for indulgence
Hershey and Shaq spark bold new era in playful confectionery
SLAMS isn’t just another gummy - it’s a signal that play‑powered confectionery could be the category’s next big move
The AI revolution sweeping food and drink
From autonomous R&D to real‑time supply chain resilience, AI is redefining the rules of food and beverage. Is industry ready for the next era?
The Big Shift: Five trends transforming food and beverage
Discover the breakthrough ideas redefining how food is created, regulated and trusted
Gluten‑free: Trends reshaping a booming market
Gluten‑free growth is shifting. Discover the sectors surging ahead and the trends transforming the market
Gut health: Innovations shaping a $51bn industry
From microbiome-first foods to AI-powered diagnostics, discover the innovations shaping the future of wellness
Alternative cocoa: Ways confectionery’s most under-threat ingredient is being replaced
Chocolate makers has been significantly impacted by the cocoa crisis. Ingredient innovation offers a solution
Why AI might fix the slowest part of R&D
Cocoa volatility and fast-changing label demands are squeezing R&D timelines. Barry Callebaut’s partnership with NotCo points to a new, AI-assisted path forward
AI fast-tracks chocolate reformulation amid cocoa crisis
Innovation cycles take time. But artificial intelligence promises to change that - at lightening speed
From casein to colors: Mars’ vision for precision fermentation
From proteins to dyes and sweeteners, the CPG major is betting big on the technology: here’s why
What’s next for chocolate? Key trends shaping a $184bn market
Chocolate is changing fast - premium indulgence, health-driven treats, and even cocoa-free innovations are rewriting the rulebook
Top 5 F&B ingredients trends driving market growth towards $560bn
The global food and beverage ingredients market is booming. But what are the trends powering industry growth?
New product development
Hershey’s Reese’s unwraps Christmas NPD with bold festive launches
Reese’s is ramping up its Christmas offer for 2025, revealing a raft of new products and returning best-sellers
Has the cocoa crisis changed chocolate forever?
The cocoa crisis is forcing chocolate manufacturers to rethink everything - from sourcing and compliance to innovation and consumer trust
Ferrero steps-up Christmas gifting game with major new launch
Ferrero Travel Market is redefining festive gifting
New product development
What’s hot in confectionery? Festive NPD from Reese’s, Peeps, Mars and more…
Confectionery innovation has entered its Christmas era, with leading brands introducing festive flavours and formats designed to capture consumer attention
Why premium confectionery is the sweet spot for growth
Premiumisation is driving double-digit growth in confectionery - what does this mean for manufacturers?
Trendspotting 2026
Beyond taste: The rise of the experiential treat in 2026
Flavor still rules bakery and snacks, but in 2026, the way they feel is fast becoming the new measure of delight
Longevity and weight loss drive food and beverage innovation
Longevity and weight loss are redefining consumer priorities - creating major opportunities for food and beverage
Nestlé R&D head on how the world’s biggest CPG innovates
Inside Nestlé: Rania Abou Samra on crafting the future of food and beverage
World’s biggest chocolate supplier makes move away from cocoa
Barry Callebaut explores cocoa alternatives amid rising costs and climate pressure
Top 5 functional F&B ingredients trends for 2026
From gut-friendly gummies to protein-packed snacks, functional ingredients are transforming everyday food and drink into wellness powerhouses
Trendspotting 2026
Crunch, cream, contrast: Texture takes the spotlight in 2026
Forget flavor fatigue – next year will be all about how snacks feel. From crisp layers to creamy centers, texture is fast becoming the biggest lever of indulgence and loyalty
Top 5 Christmas confectionery trends 2025
Holidays are coming! Discover the confectionery trends driving festive sales in 2025
Mondelēz’s travel retail playbook: A blueprint for sweets and snacks success
Travel retail is no longer just about luxury - confectionery is taking off. Discover how Mondelēz is turning airports into brand-building playgrounds
The four pillars of gut health - and how they’re shaping F&B innovation
From probiotics to sleep-supporting snacks, discover how the four pillars of gut health are reshaping food and beverage innovation
Mondelēz rethinks new product development and distribution strategy as US consumers cut back on snacks
The snack giant will expand value offerings, boost innovation in better-for-you products and indulgent items, and refine promotions to reignite growth
NAD⁺: The longevity molecule transforming functional food and drink
NAD⁺ is emerging as a key ingredient in the longevity space. Discover the science, product potential, and formulation challenges shaping this fast-growing category
Mondelēz trials paper packaging for Cadbury Heroes campaign
Cadbury Heroes gets a sustainable makeover as Mondelēz trials paper tubs
GLP-1 food boom: Market growth, big brands, and key challenges
GLP-1 fuels rapid food and beverage sector growth - but risks and costs mount