Bel’s Brainiac buy signals next wave in kids’ snacks
The Bel Group acquisition of Brainiac highlights a fast-growing category where nutrition science, parental anxiety and marketing ambition are converging
Snacks
Japan Focus: Glico on snack trends, amazake jelly sticks, tea innovation and more
In this edition of Japan Focus, we dive into Glico’s strategy for growth in the snack category, modernising amazake for consumers, tea innovations, and more
The death of the free airline snack
Delta’s decision to scrap complimentary snacks and drinks on hundreds of flights is exposing a bigger shift across global aviation.
PepsiCo’s second restaurant gamble is bigger, bolder and riskier
Following its first foray into hospitality in Madrid, PepsiCo is doubling down in Shanghai to test just how far a snack brand can stretch
Rip Van sees opportunity as rising snack prices narrow gap for better-for-you treats
The low-sugar stroopwafel brand is using price parity and portion control to win over health-conscious consumers
‘Healthy’ has moved on – have snacks?
From fibre and protein to texture and sensation, the new rules of healthy snacking go far beyond cutting sugar, salt and fat
The new wave of health-first bites and sips
From fibre-packed grains to protein-loaded snacks and low-sugar treats, ‘better-for-you’ is getting more targeted and far less boring
Italy’s antitrust watchdog slaps €23.3m fines on snack makers over alleged private label cartel
The country’s regulator says leading suppliers coordinated private label deals instead of competing for them
Next-gen potatoes: Why crisp makers are getting serious about what’s in the ground
New potato varieties are being designed to meet the snacks industry’s exacting demands on yield, storage and fry performance
CPG gears up for Cinco de Mayo on Taco Tuesday
A rare ‘Taco Eclipse’ is prompting Mexican brands to spotlight limited-edition tacos, new protein-rich beans and cheese-led recipes for celebrations
Hershey stock sell-off: Key stakeholder sells 30,000 shares
Major Hershey stakeholder sells shares following profit shock and leadership shift
Why overwhelmed shoppers may drive a reset in natural food marketing
Go Raw’s first brand campaign starts with a simple premise: snacks have become too complicated
As food brands tweak child marketing rules, UNICEF’s playbook still holds
As food brands rewrite child‑marketing rules, experts say voluntary action isn’t enough
Is microwave popcorn ready for disruption? Opopop thinks so
Next-generation microwavable popcorn brand Opopop got a big boost in March with nationwide distribution at Walmart, a launch that has kept the company innovating
10 iconic food and drink brands that flopped worldwide
From New Coke to Crystal Pepsi, even the biggest brands can fail fast
Food Ingredients China 2026
Gut health, clean label foods surge in China market
Chinese consumers are driving demand for natural, gut-friendly and plant-based ingredients, mirroring global trends and boosting innovation in functional products
TaoKaeNoi taps Chinese celebrity star power to boost seaweed snack growth
Thailand’s TaoKaeNoi has appointed Chinese celeb Chen Zheyuan as its global ambassador, tapping rising demand for Asian snacks and building a healthy positioning
When demand falls but prices rise, who really pays?
From $7 chips to $8 cereal, food pricing is starting to defy logic – and the consequences aren’t falling neatly on one side
Cacao pods and ‘ugly’ potatoes powering the upcycled foods movement
Brands like Roots Farm Fresh, Blue Stripes and Salt and Straw are finding new value in food waste through upcycled snacks and frozen foods
NPD: Match-day bites built for energy, heat and hype
From protein boosts to pie aisle heat, these new product launches are bringing sportier energy to snacking this season
PepsiCo is in the middle of its biggest snack reset in years
From SKU cuts and factory closures to functional launches and acquisitions, PepsiCo is moving fast to streamline and prove its snack empire still matters
How snacks are cashing in on the low/no alcohol trend
Gen Z might be easing off the booze, but it’s crisps, cheese and protein-packed nibbles that are quietly keeping things interesting
Are calorie counts wrong or just outdated? David Protein lawsuit sparks debate
A lawsuit challenging the nutrition claims of David Protein bars is putting calorie counts under the microscope and highlighting a deeper debate over how those numbers are determined in the first place.
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
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