Quick bites: The snack built for the GLP-1 generation
In a world of grazers, go-getters and GLP-1 users, The Protein Ball Co’s bold refresh proves that clean, portionable snacking still has power
Snacks
Opinion
The snackdown: Mars may win EU approval but retailers will decide Pringles’ fate
The European Commission may be ready to wave through Mars’ $36 billion takeover of Kellanova, but in Europe’s snack aisles, the regulator isn’t the kingmaker. The retailers are
Halloween candy sales soar: Trends & treats driving growth
Halloween is no longer just for kids, it’s a confectionery goldmine
What happens when nutrition science collides with politics? Kevin Hall found out
New book explores what the science really says about metabolism myths, UPFs and misinformation
PepsiCo to invest in functional health and appoint new CFO following Q3 earnings
In its third quarter results, the multinational has beaten expectations in several key areas, but problems remain
Press start to snack: Inside the $200 billion gaming boom brands can’t ignore
Ahead of FoodNavigator-USA’s free webinar ‘Fueling Fun: Connecting with Esports Enthusiasts and Everyday Gamers FTW’ (October 15), we look at how brands from Doritos to Heinz are stepping inside the $200bn gaming economy
California’s ultra-processed food ban could reshape school meals and national policy
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a landmark bill yesterday requiring the state to define UPF and eliminate the ‘most harmful’ ones from school meals over the next 10 years – a decisive action in sharp contrast to national efforts and political MAHA rhetoric
Opinion
The snackdown: What happens when activists come to buy a baguette
Activist investors have developed an appetite for food-to-go and SSP Group, the company behind Upper Crust, is suddenly on the menu
PepsiCo and Frito-Lay sued for ‘mold-made’ molecule in Poppables
A new lawsuit claims the citric acid in Frito-Lay’s Poppables isn’t natural but brewed from black mold and that PepsiCo misled consumers with its ‘no artificial flavors’ promise
Snack and bakery demand climbs as consumers balance health and indulgence
Better-for-you options, viral trends and flavor innovation fuel growth, but policy shifts around SNAP, ultra processed foods and labor could weigh on the industry
Opinion
Fitness guru Joe Wicks’ anti-UPF rhetoric hurts more than his Killer bar
Joe Wicks is launching a “Killer” protein bar to expose ultra-processed foods – but his rhetoric risks misleading consumers more than the ingredients ever could
Why Kerry exited hybrid dairy and pivoted Smug to snacking
Once heralded as a category disruptor, Kerry’s hybrid dairy brand Smug is being reinvented into a 100% dairy affair. Here’s why
Letter from the editor
Healthy snacking gains momentum under MAHA push
Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again campaign and rising consumer demand for “free from” claims are reshaping retailer assortments and opening doors for emerging brands
Sustainable September
Sorghum-soy chips promise high protein, low GI crunch without the carbon
A new study suggests chips made from sorghum and soy tick the health and sustainability boxes without sacrificing taste. Could this be the crunch the snack aisle has been waiting for?
Alternative materials market strengthens as sustainability declines
As the need for alternatives becomes clearer, sustainability fades into the background
Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2025
From pistachio butter to rainforest chocolate: Artisans shine at leading food fair
Here’s what caught our eye at the UK Speciality and Fine Food Fair 2025
Christmas is shaping up to be a real cracker
It may be only September, but it’s never too soon to talk about Christmas. In 2025, festive innovation is set to deliver indulgence, hybrids and playful nostalgia.
Archer gives snack meat market something to chew on
Premium protein company carves its niche in the rapidly evolving jerky industry
Opinion
The snackdown: How a pack of chips became a scandal
The Herr’s affair was clumsy, comic and viral. But beneath the memes sits a sharper truth – reputation can be undone by the smallest, silliest gesture
Campbell’s feels the crunch as America’s snack appetite slows
Campbell’s latest results show America’s once unstoppable appetite for crackers, cookies and pretzels is stalling – leaving Campbell Snacks under pressure
Pumped for pumpkin NPD: Fall’s favorite flavor is back in force
From cookies and coffee to yogurt and popcorn, pumpkin spice is once again ruling the shelves
Natural color demand drives Capol’s deal for Blue Pacific Flavors
Capol’s acquisition of Blue Pacific underscores how quickly the natural color market is evolving - from a nice-to-have to a core differentiator
Betting on Donettes: Smucker’s snack strategy laid bare
Smucker didn’t spend $5.6bn on Hostess to watch margins collapse. With Twinkies under pressure, it’s cutting SKUs, shutting plants and leaning on Donettes to prove its biggest snack gamble isn’t a sugar crash in the making
Sustainable September
Compostable packaging gains ground: What CPGs should know about PHA
Innovations in compostable packaging are moving towards a commercial reality, and CPG brands that engage early with PHA solutions will be better positioned to meet sustainability and compliance demands
The new rules of snacking: How to navigate a $150bn market in flux
Data from Conagra and Circana shows how shifting tastes, wellness demands and convenience are rewriting the playbook for snack makers worldwide
Chewing over the next big idea: Snacks built for GLP-1 lifestyles
With GLP-1 users eating less often, chewy and long-lasting snacks like jerky, protein bites, gummies and gum are stepping up as the formats that make every portion count
The snackdown: Are GLP-1s really killing snacks or is it just all hype?
Weight-loss drugs are billed as a $150bn threat to bakery and snacks, but so far the impact looks more hype than reality.
Flavor bombs: 11 snack launches that push the taste envelope
From swicy seaweed to smoky crisps and cupcake bites, these NPD show flavor is still the ultimate snack currency
Bar fight: RXBar founder Peter Rahal’s $85m snack startup dragged into US court over control of key fat
The $85m New York protein bar startup from RXBar’s Peter Rahal is battling a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York over its control of a key fat substitute
Less healthy food rules slash HFSS sales by 2 million per day
The findings of the first independent evaluation of HFSS legislation show a marked reduction in purchases since the rules were put in place.
Sustainable squid snacks: How The Hermit is disrupting the jerky category
Squid jerky startup targets the clean-label snack market
Inside the $1.1bn pumpkin spice economy: Fall’s flavor forecast for 2025
Pumpkin spice still anchors autumn, but fatigue is setting in. With cinnamon, caramel and citrus surging, makers must balance nostalgia with novelty to win fall 2025
Britain’s babies fed a diet of ultra-processed cereals and snacks, say researchers
A University of Leeds study found baby cereals and snacks dominated by UPFs (ultra-processed foods), with sugar-laden puffs and bars misled as ‘healthy’, leaving parents duped and kids primed for poor health
From Pringles cookies to bread in a suitcase: 15 snacks redefining fun
Beckham-backed honey snacks, Pringles-topped cookies and even a suitcase built for sliced bread — the latest wave of NPD pushes boundaries of fun, flavor and fandom
How ‘swicy’ became the global flavor with staying power
Heat-meets-sweet has gone from a fringe experiment to a flavor found in every aisle. From hot honey biscuits to mango-habanero chips, swicy is winning over shoppers and it’s not cooling down
GoodPop and SmartSweets collab blurs the line between snacking and frozen novelties
The collaboration sold out in minutes and again for a second time, prompting the two to consider future distribution
Back-to-school lunch trends: Balancing nutrition and budgets
With grocery prices up 23% from five years ago, many caregivers are wondering what to feed their kids for lunch - and how to pay for it - as they return to school
How Japanese flavours are shaping the UK food scene
Japanese-inspired food has recently taken the UK by storm, with the likes of Takoyaki (octopus balls) and ramen noodles becoming popular dishes, the rise of flavours such as matcha and yuzu, and of course the launch of that viral dessert sandwich from M&S.
How Kerry’s salt and sugar reduction tech is quietly driving its bottom line
As brands face mounting pressure to cut sodium and sugar without compromising taste, reformulation is no longer a niche concern – it’s driving real commercial gains. Kerry’s behind-the-scenes tech is helping reshape everyday foods and quietly lifting margins
Opinion
The snackdown: We need to talk about chips
Climate change isn’t just disrupting harvests - it’s coming for snack time
Snacks with benefits: Matcha, protein, THC edibles and functional fuel
From matcha to protein, snacks are getting smarter, cleaner and harder to resist. Here’s what’s new in the better-for-you aisle.
Mars scales up for snack domination with $2bn power play
With a new $240m Nature’s Bakery plant opening in Utah and a $36bn Kellanova deal underway, Mars is laying the groundwork for a US snack empire
Hershey warns tariffs and higher cocoa costs will take a toll in back half of 2025
The sweets and snacks giant trimmed its outlook for the full year despite surging second quarter sales as it braces for the full impact of potential tariffs and higher cocoa costs
Is Smucker’s $5.5bn Hostess deal headed for a legal meltdown?
The deal that closed on November 7, 2023 is now under fire as sales slump, losses mount and legal investigations heat up - raising serious questions for food‑industry M&A
Grupo Bimbo: The $20bn bakery giant turning processed food on its head
With 99% of its portfolio now additive-free and a strategy built for a world turning against ultra-processed foods, the Mexican company is quietly reshaping the global food game
Top of the class: Back-to-school snacks that make the grade
Lunchbox legends are back and this year’s lineup is smarter, cleaner and more fun than ever. From pizza-flavored crunch to fruit-packed favorites, these snacks earn full marks from kids and parents alike
Breaking the rules on purpose: A masterclass in brand rebellion
In a sea of sameness, Yumbo didn’t just launch – it rebelled. Here’s how breaking the marketing rules on purpose became its biggest advantage
Cakes, tarts and treats that truly impress
From plant-based celebration cakes to citrusy gluten-free bakes and playful candy mashups, this roundup is anything but ordinary
Crunch time: KP Snacks workers ballot on strike action over pay dispute
Workers behind Hula Hoops, Pom-Bears and Discos could down tools as cost-of-living concerns come to a head
ADM reveals what drives functional food & beverage innovation
Consumers are prioritizing wellness through everyday foods and drinks – ADM’s latest insights show how sensory cues like flavor and color are shaping the next wave of functional innovation