Global snacking with Ginsters, Lay’s, Frankie’s and more
From buffalo pastry pockets and protein scone bites to sprouted nuts, snack mixes and football-fuelled crisps, brands are pushing harder on flavour, format and occasion
Snacks
Japanese crisps hit by Iran conflict
The Middle East fuel shock has forced a Japanese snack maker to halt production, exposing how quickly energy disruption can ripple through the wider food system
Global seaweed snack sales could double to $4.66B by 2030
North American and European markets are experiencing the fastest growth in seaweed snacks
Campbell’s snack gamble meets a tougher consumer
Snack weakness forced Campbell’s to cut its outlook after a difficult quarter, with the company admitting performance in the category fell short of expectations even as its premium Rao’s brand continued to surge
Why Lay’s, Oreo and M&M’s are engineering consumer experiences
PepsiCo’s Lay’s restaurant in Madrid highlights a growing strategy among snack giants to extend blockbuster brands beyond the supermarket shelf and into cafés, retail attractions and immersive consumer experiences
The Ozempic effect reaches the bread aisle: Bimbo redesigns bakery for GLP-1 users
The world’s biggest baker says GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are already reshaping how people eat, so it’s redesigning bread and snacks to keep up
National Snack Day: Inside the billion-dollar brands refusing to slow down
From Oreo’s $4bn global machine to Uncrustables’ rapid ascent, the snack aisle’s biggest names are banking billions and still investing like challengers
The snacks market right now: still huge, but structurally ‘slower’
Plant closures across PepsiCo, Smucker and Campbell’s reveal a structurally slower snack market adjusting to selective consumers and GLP-1 disruption
Is Gen Z rewriting the rules of value?
Financially stretched but digitally fluent, the world’s youngest adult consumers are forcing food and drink brands to explain themselves
The tale of two spin-offs: What the Kellogg breakup really achieved
Kellogg’s 2023 split was sold as a focus play. Less than two years later, both companies had been sold. So what was the split really for?
Archer accelerates meat snack growth with $100M from JPMorgan Chase
Backed by a new manufacturing plant and rapid sales growth, the brand behind the “Stick to Real” campaign positions for $500M in sales as it scales meat stick production
Why Mars is powering up M&M’s as it reshapes its global growth strategy
As Mars expands through mega‑deals, sustainability pushes and portfolio diversification, the company is placing a bigger strategic bet on M&M’s to anchor growth and relevance in a changing global snacking landscape
Gulfood 2026
Hunter Foods’ spicy chips bring extra heat to Middle East chilli lovers
Snacking giant Hunter Foods has launched a range of new snacks meant for ‘true chilli lovers’ in the Middle East, bringing more bold heat and flavour to the region
FDA greenlights plant-based egg protein as industry rebuilds after bird flu
The FDA’s GRAS notification clears Plantible Foods to scale production of its RuBisCO-based egg alternative as demand for sustainable, functional proteins grows
Conagra bets on active aging adults to drive the next wave of CPG growth
As competitors chase Gen Z, Conagra Brands is targeting the fastest-growing cohort in the US: active adults seeking protein, portion control, value and health-forward convenience – all of which overlaps with other emerging demographic groups, including...
Nestlé bets on four key categories as it separates ice cream
Nestlé celebrates strong results and a sharper strategy, but crisis casts shadow over the food and beverage giant’s future
General Mills lowers sales expectations but expands its playbook to win back consumers
The packaged food giant is banking on bolder taste, functional nutrition and smarter packaging to offset weak cereal and snack demand
DGA sweetener warning sparks industry pushback
Dietary Guidelines pose a challenge for formulators around non-nutritive sweeteners
Pringles, Nakd and Haldirams make flavour the main event in 2026
From mystery heat and nostalgic fruit to saffron-soaked indulgence, the latest launches show brands using flavour to provoke, reassure and seduce shoppers.
From comfort to function: How snacking is being redefined
Today’s consumers are redefining snacks, favouring products that combine nutrition, heritage, and convenience
Fiber sells – when shoppers can find it
Americans want more fiber but don’t know where to find it – opening the door for clearer claims, education and better-tasting products, according to a survey by the International Food Information Council
Valentine’s Day NPD from Cadbury, Paris Baguette and Wisconsin Cheese
Chocolate still anchors Valentine’s Day, but 2026’s launches show how brands are pushing the holiday further through format, experience and gifts that feel less predictable
Food companies further limit advertising to children across digital media
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
What does Hain Celestial’s sale of its North American snack business signal for the category?
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
Mars, Danone and Mondelēz roll out star-studded Super Bowl ads
From celebrity cameos to cashback promos, food and beverage brands are pulling out all the stops ahead of kickoff
Mondelēz’s CoLab Tech accelerator shines light on the biggest stress points facing the global snack system
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 names new EVP, COO and CFO
Mondelēz International reshapes top team, elevating CFO Luca Zaramella to powerful dual role
World’s biggest snack companies: who’s really got the crunch in 2026
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
3 trends revitalizing the sleepy nut butter and seed spread category
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
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
Fiber, FOMO and famous faces: Why brands are all-in on the Big Game
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
Ultra-processed food fears mount even as consumer understanding about it lags
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
Top 10 TikTok trends shaping bakery and snacks in 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
Why salt reduction is getting harder for food makers
Governments may be returning to salt reduction targets, but manufacturers say the era of easy reformulation wins is long over
Healthy Snacking
Snacks are eating into the meal occasion creating new opportunities for brands
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’s comeback: Why snacks are embracing the next functional macro
Fiber is making a comeback in snacks as gut health trends, GLP-1 use and clean-label demands reshape functional food innovation
From jerky breakfasts to chocolate superfoods: The smarter snacking NPD
Protein is everywhere, but it’s showing up in warmer flavors, softer formats and more inclusive designs as brands rethink what ‘fuel’ really means
Mondelez, Uncle Saba’s: Nostalgia and mindfulness shaping snack trends
Sentimentality and health are increasingly influencing consumer snack choices, as they seek comfort, tradition and emotional connection in their purchases
Crack it, snack it, recycle it: Packaging that’ll rule 2026
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
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
Is cycle syncing the next big thing in women’s nutrition?
Cycle‑syncing nutrition is exploding, and brands are betting big. Is this the next major wave in women’s health?
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?
Did Joe Wicks kill off demand for protein bars?
Joe Wicks’ protein bar takedown may have stirred controversy, but did it change what consumers are buying?
From kings’ cake to crunchy corn: Comfort snacks get a smarter glow-up for 2026
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
Conagra absorbs $968M impairment as outlook holds
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
From mithai to mochi: The rise of the fusion-forward bakery trend
Heritage meets hustle as bakers turn cultural mashups into mainstream must-haves
USDA policy update: “Product of USA” labeling rules, SNAP waiver expansions and nutrition-focused purchases
Recent policy moves reflect USDA’s broader direction toward nutrition-focused food assistance, domestic sourcing transparency and support of American agriculture
Beckham’s snack play: How BEEUP plans to sting the competition
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 new appetite: Inside the rapid rise of convenience snacking
Africa’s booming youth population is transforming the bakery and snacks landscape, creating opportunities for brands rooted in local culture and convenience
Snackquake: PepsiCo’s 20% SKU chop signals a value reset in American snacking
PepsiCo’s deal with Elliott Investment Management has triggered sweeping cuts to its snack portfolio and a shift toward sharper pricing