News & Analysis on the Bakery and Snacks Industries
Sustainable September
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?
As the need for alternatives becomes clearer, sustainability fades into the background
Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2025
Here’s what caught our eye at the UK Speciality and Fine Food Fair 2025
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.
Premium protein company carves its niche in the rapidly evolving jerky industry
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 latest results show America’s once unstoppable appetite for crackers, cookies and pretzels is stalling – leaving Campbell Snacks under pressure
From cookies and coffee to yogurt and popcorn, pumpkin spice is once again ruling the shelves
Capol’s acquisition of Blue Pacific underscores how quickly the natural color market is evolving - from a nice-to-have to a core differentiator
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
Sustainability September
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
Data from Conagra and Circana shows how shifting tastes, wellness demands and convenience are rewriting the playbook for snack makers worldwide
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
Weight-loss drugs are billed as a $150bn threat to bakery and snacks, but so far the impact looks more hype than reality.
From swicy seaweed to smoky crisps and cupcake bites, these NPD show flavor is still the ultimate snack currency
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
The findings of the first independent evaluation of HFSS legislation show a marked reduction in purchases since the rules were put in place.
Squid jerky startup targets the clean-label snack market
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
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
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
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
The collaboration sold out in minutes and again for a second time, prompting the two to consider future distribution
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
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.
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
Climate change isn’t just disrupting harvests - it’s coming for snack time
From matcha to protein, snacks are getting smarter, cleaner and harder to resist. Here’s what’s new in the better-for-you aisle.
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
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
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
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
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
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
From plant-based celebration cakes to citrusy gluten-free bakes and playful candy mashups, this roundup is anything but ordinary
Workers behind Hula Hoops, Pom-Bears and Discos could down tools as cost-of-living concerns come to a head
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
Research reveals that emotional drivers like stress, boredom and the need for comfort are shaping America’s snacking habits just as much as health or nutrition
The Lay’s and Sabra brand owner is leaning into functional innovation to revive slowing US snack sales
Despite making a public commitment nearly a decade ago to phase out artificial colours, the M&M’s and Skittles maker is in hot water over its continued use of synthetic dyes in the US
GROWTH ASIA SUMMIT 2025
New tactics emerge as a global giant rethinks how to win hearts, minds – and wallets – across a complex region
The snackdown
Just days apart, two titanic moves hit the global food sector like a double espresso: Ferrero snapped up WK Kellogg Co for $3.1 billion; and Kraft Heinz revealed plans to spin off its grocery arm in a $20 billion restructuring
Here’s a cornucopia of ‘braticoqueta’-worthy snacks and sips that flirt, slay and satisfy
Protein isn’t just fuel anymore. It’s a daily habit, a health statement and the new snack standard
Ready for the new world of GLP-1 food and drink? Want to keep up to speed with the latest in functional and plant-based ingredients, alternative proteins, sugar reduction tech and much more? Here are some of the innovations set to star at the global food...
From pink pretzels to protein-packed doughnuts, here’s your ultimate roundup of strawberry-inspired products perfect for summer snacking and tennis viewing
Extreme weather and political unrest are squeezing Brazil nut supplies and sending prices soaring
One California shopper says it’s not what’s inside a PopCorners bag that’s the problem - but what isn’t
Research by Colombian scientists finds front-of-pack messages are influencing snack choices, echoing earlier efforts to curb sugary drink consumption across the region and potentially shaping global labelling policy
Summer Fancy Food Show
While a traditional dill pickle still has a place, today’s pickled products are just as likely to feature strawberries or spiced lemon as they are cucumbers
