News & Analysis on the Bakery and Snacks Industries
Ingredients Compendium No 3: Resistant Starch
As manufacturers push fibre levels higher while cutting sugar and protecting texture, resistant starch is emerging as one of the most practical tools in modern food reformulation
The world’s biggest chocolate makers are working together to futureproof cocoa and support growers
From PepsiCo to Nestlé, global giants are racing to cash in on the booming functional food craze, but with trends shifting fast, the stakes have never been higher
The move echoes a broad industry shift and would strengthen an already high-performing JV
Nestlé celebrates strong results and a sharper strategy, but crisis casts shadow over the food and beverage giant’s future
The cocoa crisis is winding down, but the biggest producers of chocolate still want to protect themselves in a volatile sector
Barry Callebaut plans to modernise Wieze and Halle sites, bolstering reliability and efficiency across its European supply network
New CEO Hein Schumacher enters a company in decline. Here are the five decisive moves that could put the world’s biggest chocolate maker back on track
In a near-$700bn global market, a handful of companies now decide what scales, what sticks and what survives, and in 2026, the power gap is only widening
New product development
From flavour‑rich snacking formats to revived retro favourites and seasonal gifting, manufacturers are responding with NPD that blends familiarity with modern twists
Infant formula contamination recall is damaging company reputations and hitting shares
The detection of cereulide in a batch of Aptamil infant formula pushes Danone deeper into the crisis
Fiber, protein and whole grains aren’t new ideas but in 2026 they’re doing more than any superfood to reshape snack portfolios
Bakery looks like a steady, staple business, until you follow the money. In 2026, a small group of companies controls an outsized share of the world’s bread, buns and baked goods, and the distance between the leaders and the rest is still growing
As climate, disease and regulation strain global cocoa supply, manufacturers are turning to low‑cocoa and cocoa‑free innovations to protect margins and future-proof their portfolios
Nestlé faces global scrutiny as infant formula recall widens over contamination fears
After declaring breakfast cereal a category in decline, Cereal Partners UK is quietly placing a £67m bet on its future and exposing how Britain’s morning habits are evolving faster than the flakes
From billion-dollar brinkmanship to red-dye revolts and zero-gravity corn chips, 2025 proved nothing in bakery and snacks is too big, too weird or too controversial to make headlines
Heritage meets hustle as bakers turn cultural mashups into mainstream must-haves
City officials say some of America’s biggest brands helped shape eating habits that are now coming back to haunt public health budgets
Premium treats, grab-and-go minis and a burst of festive innovation are giving the aisle more energy than it’s had in years
Once the poster child for easy mornings, breakfast cereal has been losing shelf swagger. Now a new wave of innovation, investment and protein-packed reinvention is pushing the category back into the spotlight
Trendspotting 2026
Flavor still rules bakery and snacks, but in 2026, the way they feel is fast becoming the new measure of delight
Trendspotting 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
The largest players in food are making bold decisions in an effort to boost growth
Does spending more improve sales? Why do brands fail? Do consumers ever go back to weak brands?
The Magnum Ice Cream Company’s biggest global rival has gone from strength to strength in the face of market challenges – here’s how the Nestlé co-owned company drives growth
In its third quarter results, the multinational has beaten expectations in several key areas, but problems remain
Opinion
ESG’s under political fire in Washington, but the snack giants keep flexing. From Oreos to Doritos, their reports show that in today’s food industry, trust’s as valuable as profit.
Opinion
Brussels has kicked the can down the road on its flagship deforestation law again – blaming IT problems while forests fall and compliant companies foot the bill.
Erratic weather and rising costs are forcing Africa’s food sector to rethink how it sources grain and dairy – and how to keep bakeries and cereal lines running
Nestlé fast-tracks leadership change following investor pressure
Africa’s food sector is turning to upcycling to cut waste, lower costs and build resilience amid climate and supply chain pressures
Sustainable September
Snack giant Mondelez wants more time before the EU’s landmark deforestation law kicks in – but campaigners say the clock has already run out
Laurent Freixe has been dismissed over conduct violation - here’s everything you need to know
Opinion
Big food has consistently increased chocolate bar prices as input costs rise, but what do Nestlé’s revenues say about consumers’ appetite to pay more?
Major food companies like General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Conagra and Smucker are leading a sweeping shift away from synthetic colours. Here’s where the US food industry stands right now
The debate is heating up over whether Europe’s deforestation law should be delayed, again
Why settle for just a croissant or a cookie when you can have both in one bite? From Paris to Toronto, bakers are doubling down on unexpected mashups that have moved beyond gimmick and into the mainstream
Majors such as Danone, PepsiCo and Nestlé explain why they’re transitioning to regenerative farming
Clean label used to be the goal. Now it’s just the baseline and the smartest brands are going further, stripping out the fluff, tightening the science and telling a clearer story
Food and beverage giant Nestlé plans to focus on flagship brands including KitKat and Nespresso
Chocolate may be getting pricier and portions smaller, but there’s still plenty of joy to be found in this year’s festive new product lineup
The UK is cracking down on advertising and promotions of products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) like never before. But are these tough new rules actually making Brits healthier or just making shopping more frustrating?
The maker of Kit Kat, Haagen-Dazs and Cheerios is once again addressing the growing popularity of weight-loss drugs with a protein shot designed to curb appetite. But can it hold its own in the booming market for targeted health-focused solutions?
Since its entry into India in 2017, the Mexican bakery giant has not only reshaped the country’s bread market’s competitive landscape, but also driven innovation and efficiency in the sector.
Data analytics, AI and machine learning are vital to predict preferences and optimize production processes, but they are only one part of the consumer engagement story.
Sales of potato chips in Russia are up, with local producers grabbing the opportunity to fill the gap left by international brands that have scaled back or ceased their operations.
The Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) Action on Fibre initiative has made a demonstrable impact over the past year.
Bakery is an essential part of everyday life, but as people enjoy extended lifespans and longer working lives, bakery will have an increasing role in helping them stay well for longer.