News & Analysis on the Bakery and Snacks Industries
Coca-Cola, Campbell’s, General Mills and other CPG and fast-food companies expanded voluntary advertising restrictions across digital platforms after research found most children encounter unhealthy food branding on YouTube
After years of acquisitions and declining sales, the health-focused food company is narrowing its portfolio and using the proceeds to shore up its balance sheet
From celebrity cameos to cashback promos, food and beverage brands are pulling out all the stops ahead of kickoff
As the company reopens applications for its R&D-led accelerator, the focus areas highlight mounting pressure around climate resilience, packaging constraints and shifting consumer expectations
Mondelēz International reshapes top team, elevating CFO Luca Zaramella to powerful dual role
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
Winter Fancy Faire
From swicy flavors to squeezable pouches, emerging brands at the Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Faire are pushing a mature category into its next growth phase
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
From cereal brands breaking decades-long silence to snack giants doubling down on celebrity and spectacle, Super Bowl 2026 is becoming a referendum on where brand marketing goes next
Americans increasingly factor processing into food choices, but inconsistent definitions and tradeoffs around convenience and cost leave room for clearer communication, according to new IFIC research
A bakery & snacks survival guide for 2026
From pistachio-packed fillings to products engineered to break, pull and ooze on camera, TikTok is reshaping what indulgence and value look like in 2026
Governments may be returning to salt reduction targets, but manufacturers say the era of easy reformulation wins is long over
Healthy Snacking
Consumers are turning to snacks for nutrition, satiety and convenience – blurring the line between eating occasions and pressuring brands to deliver more
Diet Trends
Fiber is making a comeback in snacks as gut health trends, GLP-1 use and clean-label demands reshape functional food innovation
Protein is everywhere, but it’s showing up in warmer flavors, softer formats and more inclusive designs as brands rethink what ‘fuel’ really means
Sentimentality and health are increasingly influencing consumer snack choices, as they seek comfort, tradition and emotional connection in their purchases
Snack packs are finally starting to look like they belong in 2026 instead of 2006, and the pressure to keep evolving isn’t letting up
From protein bars to gut-friendly gummies, functional confectionery is exploding, and it’s changing the game for indulgence
Cycle‑syncing nutrition is exploding, and brands are betting big. Is this the next major wave in women’s health?
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?
Joe Wicks’ protein bar takedown may have stirred controversy, but did it change what consumers are buying?
Indulgent treats aren’t being replaced – they’re being refined. This latest wave of NPD upgrades familiar formats with cleaner labels, global flavor cues and subtle functional gains
A nearly $1 billion write-down and soft Q2 weigh on the stock, yet management reaffirms its focus on frozen, snacks and value-led innovation
Heritage meets hustle as bakers turn cultural mashups into mainstream must-haves
Recent policy moves reflect USDA’s broader direction toward nutrition-focused food assistance, domestic sourcing transparency and support of American agriculture
Forget celebrity sidelines, David Beckham’s actually in the test kitchen: CEO Peter Stearns lifts the lid on how that shapes BEEUP’s next phase
Africa’s booming youth population is transforming the bakery and snacks landscape, creating opportunities for brands rooted in local culture and convenience
PepsiCo’s deal with Elliott Investment Management has triggered sweeping cuts to its snack portfolio and a shift toward sharper pricing
This year’s festive one-offs range from a cult trifle to resurrected ‘80s snacks and a Christmas sandwich that thinks it’s royalty
PepsiCo’s latest pep+ update centers on water and the message should make the whole snacks sector pay attention
From gingerbread nostalgia to chocolate trolleys and limited edition winter snacks, here’s what’s new this festive season
Sweet snack trends are tilting toward simpler, fruit-forward formulations – and Solely’s approach is drawing fresh attention from retailers
A fresh strike vote at KP’s Billingham plant has raised concerns over whether popular chip brands will be fully stocked in the run-up to Christmas
Unilever is set to offload Graze for a fraction of its 2019 purchase price. Can Katjes revive the struggling snack brand?
The confectionery giant’s latest move – snapping up LesserEvil – pulls it deeper into the everyday snacking landscape it’s been circling for years
Cape Cod Chips now faces two lawsuits alleging the brand’s ‘no artificial’ claims don’t square with its use of synthetic citric acid
A nationwide survey shows huge sugar and calorie spikes in UK snack bars marketed as healthy, prompting Action on Salt & Sugar to call for tougher rules.
From colorless chips to collectible crisps and gooey skillet cookies, this season’s launches show how playful storytelling is reshaping what shoppers expect from a simple snack
Consumer desire for calm, wellness and vitality will affect colour trends in the coming year
The fresh fruit producer plans to invest in fruit genetics and AI to boost its positioning in the healthy snacking segment
The maker of Celestial Seasonings and Garden Veggie Snacks narrowed losses as restructuring gains traction
Building a snack brand people love is one thing. Scaling it globally without losing your grip – or your supply chain – is another
New ESA president Christopher Gosau says the region’s snack makers must turn bold sustainability promises into measurable progress or risk losing credibility
The tradeshow featured hundreds of innovative new products at the Cool New Snacks preview room
Protein’s still flexing hard, but it’s left the gym and hit the grocery aisle
A splinter in a corn dog might sound trivial – until it lands in court, potentially costing millions and shaking consumer trust in food safety
From SKU rationalization to supplier partnerships and front-line empowerment, CEO Joel Rampoldt is reshaping Lidl US’ playbook for sustainable growth and earning consumer loyalty along the way
From the White House lawn to your local supermarket, brands are pulling out all the tricks this Halloween with glowing crisps, monster bakes and desserts to die for
Consumer concern about UPFs has surged, but understanding still lags far behind, according to new research from the Non-GMO Project
The CPG giant is adapting products, pack sizes and marketing to place aging consumers, GLP-1 users and Hispanic shoppers at the center of its fiscal 2026 plans