The hottest need states driving functional food and drink
The next wave of functional innovation is coming. Here are four key need states to watch
Markets
Comfort isn’t enough anymore: Why nostalgia now needs a thrill
Comfort food now needs an edge
Functional drinks hold mass market appeal – but there’s work to do
Functional beverages are popular with wellness enthusiasts: but how wide is their appeal?
Why Sake is on a runway for global growth
The traditional Japanese beverage taps into top consumer demands for premium drinks with authenticity and craftsmanship; as well as offering a versatile lower alcohol option as a base for cocktails and more
Gen Z is drinking again, but alcohol is still in trouble
Alcohol consumption is in decline, and not just because of the allegedly health conscious young
From recalls to cold coffee: What to expect from Nestlé’s FY25 results
After a year marked by a CEO shake-up and its biggest ever product recall, the Swiss CPG major is embarking on a strategic reset in 2026
Oatly ‘milk’ ban a big win for Big Dairy
The alt dairy maker is barred from using ‘Post Milk Generation’ slogan on products
Coca‑Cola defies sector struggles with strong profit growth
Coca‑Cola reports robust results as a new CEO prepares to steer beverage giant into next phase of growth
Big FMCG vs TikTok: Who leads trends and who can win?
Bubble tea, matcha, Dubai chocolate, cottage cheese, pistachio and hot honey: Just a small selection of products and flavours that have gone viral on social media in recent years
Protein, probiotics and clean-label products top targets in new wave of CPG lawsuits
Law firms warn CPG clients to prepare for tougher scrutiny under MAHA-driven policies, Prop 65 claims and state-led investigations targeting ingredients, packaging and label language
Yuka drives reformulation but leaves brands in the dark
In a world of pervasive confusion and growing mistrust over the contents of our food, the Yuka app is one claiming to sow a few seeds of clarity and transparency
Global beer consumption rises on growth in India, Russia and Thailand – Kirin
Beer consumption increased a marginal 0.5% globally, narrowly avoiding decline thanks to sharp gains in key emerging markets, according to Kirin
Clearer and more flexible: India’s 2026 alcohol regulations
India’s new alcohol regulations include mandatory labelling and expanded category definitions, signalling greater consumer transparency and flexibility for producers
Why the Super Bowl still delivers what TikTok can’t for food brand power
In a marketing culture obsessed with speed and efficiency, Southern Connecticut State University associate professor Amit Singh argues the Super Bowl exposes an uncomfortable truth about how real brand power is actually built
How GLP-1 drugs are playing into the alcohol moderation trend
The last decade has seen a steady decline in alcohol consumption. GLP-1 drugs add a new dimension
Building the best alcohol-free brands: The next step in the category’s evolution
Brand loyalty in the alcohol-free category is still low. That means its all to play for...
5 things we’ve learned about the alcohol-free category this January
January is the month when alcohol-free drinks really have the chance to shine. What have we learned about the direction of the category in 2026?
TikTok’s influence on food: How online trends blow up
The social media platform can drive food trends to the point where they move markets
Are GLP-1 ranges healthy? What food brands must know
Top food brands are embracing GLP-1-friendly ranges. But are these products nutritionally-sound?
The top coffee trends to watch in 2026
Innovation in coffee is moving fast: How can brands get ahead in the booming market?
Which Middle East markets are leading food and beverage sales?
The Middle Eastern food industry is booming, with billions of dollars of growth expected over the next decade
France investigates infant deaths amid formula contamination
French prosecutors are investigating two infant deaths after babies were reported to have consumed formula linked to a global contamination recall
How Heineken created the world’s top alcohol-free beer brand
Heineken 0.0 is a master class in great innovation. Here’s what Heineken did right.
Beer 3.0: The new frontier where craft pushes boundaries
For many years, the craft movement defined beer innovation: but younger drinkers are looking for products to call their own. How can the beer category respond?
Drinking less but drinking better: Understanding the moderation movement
Consumers want to be healthier; so they’re cutting back on alcohol. But is it really that simple?
Nestlé water unit sale reportedly underway
Nestlé kicks off the sale of a stake in its €5bn water division, drawing major private equity interest
Startup Spotlight
How early-stage food and beverage brands are navigating tight capital in 2026
Early-stage founders share how they’re reinventing indulgent foods while navigating one of the toughest fundraising environments in recent years
Diet Trends
Alcohol-free beverages become part of the wellness diet
From Dry January to everyday routines, alcohol-free beverages are integrating into wellness diets with functional, mood-enhancing ingredients
What food brands must know about GLP‑1 consumers
GLP-1 consumers are re-writing the rules of food retail. Here’s what this means for product innovation and how brands can win
Diet Trends
What ‘healthy’ means to Americans is changing, and so should marketing
Consumers want healthier food but struggle to trust nutrition information, creating both challenges and opportunities for brands, according to new data from the International Food Information Council
Winter Fancy Faire
Dry oat milk ‘slices’ promise a step-change in plant-based beverage sustainability
Using a proprietary dry-printing process, Milkadamia’s new oat milk format reduces packaging by 85%, lowers logistics costs and gives retailers a less expensive, more sustainable entry point for plant-based milks
No relief: Australia’s new mandatory code will leave the most vulnerable wine grape growers ‘unprotected’
Australia’s new mandatory wine grape code aims to boost fairness and transparency amid market volatility, but the industry’s most vulnerable growers fall outside its protection.
China taps tourism and e-commerce to boost rural tea and oranges
China promotes tea and navel oranges in its latest round of belt and road initiatives to boost rural economies in days leading up to the festive season
Is Dry January still in vogue?
Consumers are cutting back on alcohol year-round. Is January still important for alcohol-free brands?
Beyond Meat’s now selling drinks
Beyond - formerly Beyond Meat - is living up to its new name by stepping beyond plant-based meat, and even food itself, to enter a completely new category
Celebrity brands making waves in alcohol-free
Elton John, Lewis Hamilton, Tom Holland and Katy Perry are among the celebs finding success with alcohol-free brands
Rapid hydration: 6 factors driving the trend
The expanding trend has appeal beyond sports nutrition
How the Dietary Guidelines may shape product strategy and development
The latest Dietary Guidelines may not reinvent the wheel, but they offer manufacturers a roadmap to balance nutrition, consumer preference and formulation strategy across sweeteners, grains and processed foods, according to one expert
Food prices see biggest surge in three years, doubling pace of broader inflation
Dairy, bakery goods and produce climb – but cheaper eggs offer a rare break
Why consumers are embracing premium beverages in 2026
Affordable luxuries are appealing to consumers in a tough economic climate
Cyber attacks spike worldwide: 7 ways food and drink can fight back
Cyber crime is hitting food and drink hard, exposing just how quickly supply chains can break. What can industry do to protect itself?
EU-Mercosur: 6 takeaways for F&B
The landmark trade deal with the Latin American bloc will have long-lasting impacts on the food sector
Mythbusting Dry January: What brands need to know about the alcohol-free movement
Think you know Dry January? Think again. The movement is now a worldwide phenomenon: yet it’s not always completely understood...
Europe’s meal‑replacement boom: 3 trends to watch
The meal‑replacement market is exploding - and three trends are set to redefine how Europe eats in 2026.
Can Irish whiskey exports bounce back after a difficult year?
Irish whiskey exports were dealt a blow in 2025 with exports down 5%. Can the category regain its growth trajectory in 2026?
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?
How Asahi got Japan hooked on yeast-based milk
The maker of Asahi Super Dry released a unique plant-based drink – and took the Japanese market by storm
Better-for-you claims in the crosshairs: Advertising watchdog scrutinizes health claims
National Advertising Division cases shine light on marketing missteps, making the case for food and beverage brands to rethink health-focused advertising
The world’s top juice brands
Brands that combine flavor and function with attractive branding make for sweet and juicy success stories…
5 key APAC food & beverage trends to watch in 2026
We take a look at five of the most crucial APAC food & beverage trends redefining the industry in 2026, from localisation and AI driven-growth to new innovation directions