British EUDR? UK Government to Introduce Anti-Deforestation Rules
The UK government announced plans to introduce anti‑deforestation import rules that mirror the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The policy will require importers of coffee, cocoa, soy, palm oil and rubber to verify that their supply chains do not contribute to illegal forest loss. A consultation later this year will involve businesses, NGOs and international partners to shape the final requirements. Northern Ireland will remain under the EU's EUDR, creating a dual regulatory regime within the UK.
Mondelēz Appoints New EVP and CFO in Leadership Reshuffle
Mondelēz International announced that Amit Banati will assume the role of executive vice president and chief financial officer on July 1, 2026, reporting directly to CEO Dirk Van de Put. Banati arrives from Kenvue after a three‑decade career spanning Kellanova,...
Mondelēz Ignites Airport Buzz with Milka X Monopoly Campaign
Mondelēz World Travel Retail has launched a Milka × Monopoly airport campaign across Europe and Latin America, featuring themed bars, floor graphics and digital screens that invite travelers to "Play to Win" limited‑edition game sets. The activation is part of the company’s...
Unilever CEO Defends $40bn McCormick Megamerger Amid Growing Backlash
Unilever CEO Fernando Fernández defended a proposed $40 billion merger with McCormick at a Paris conference, despite mounting investor, employee and analyst backlash. The announcement sent Unilever’s share price tumbling and prompted a major shareholder to exit. Employees have publicly criticized...
Hershey’s Next Move: Rebuilding Trust After Cocoa Cuts Controversy
Hershey quietly reduced cocoa in several Reese’s and other products, substituting a vegetable‑oil coating to curb soaring commodity costs that peaked at about £9,000 per tonne (≈$11,400) in early 2026. The reformulation sparked a viral backlash, led by Reese family...
Unilever McCormick Deal Under Pressure as Backlash Builds
Unilever announced a $40 bn merger of its Foods business with McCormick, but the plan has sparked sharp investor scepticism and a falling share price. High‑profile shareholder Terry Smith sold a stake worth hundreds of millions of pounds, criticizing the activist‑driven...
Has the ‘Better-for-You’ Boom Gone Too Far in Kids’ Snacks?
The children’s snack aisle has transformed from sugar‑laden treats to products touting gut health, fibre and reduced sugar. As functional claims multiply, parents are growing skeptical, turning the label over to verify ingredient transparency. Industry experts warn that the flood...
Added Fibre: Why Fortification Is Harder than It Looks
Adding fibre to foods and beverages can help close the consumer ‘fibre gap’, but the process is far more complex than a simple ingredient swap. Fibres differ widely in solubility, viscosity, and hydration, meaning a fibre that works in a...
What if Chocolate’s Flavour Was Never Really About Cocoa?
Cargill and Voyage Foods have introduced NextCoa, a cocoa‑free chocolate line that uses plant‑based ingredients and traditional chocolate processing to mimic cocoa flavor. The launch comes as cocoa futures trade at $8,000‑$9,000 per metric ton, roughly double the long‑term average,...
Unilever Shaken by Investor Exit as McCormick Deal Unsettles Shareholders
Unilever announced a $40 bn merger of its Foods division with McCormick, excluding India, sparking a sharp share decline of £3.29 (≈$4.15) per share that has not recovered. Major shareholder Terry Smith sold his entire stake, citing concerns over activist‑driven break‑ups and...
Mars Rewrites Confectionery Marketing Playbook with NYX Partnership
Mars, Inc. has partnered with NYX Professional Makeup to launch a limited‑edition line of M&M’s Smushy Surprize Matte Lip Balms. The collection is designed for TikTok‑driven unboxing and collector culture, targeting Gen Z and millennial consumers who favor social‑first experiences. By...
Hershey Stock Sell-Off: Key Stakeholder Sells 30,000 Shares
Hershey’s stock slid to $188.62, about 20% below its February peak, after earnings revealed a 60% profit plunge driven by cost pressures. The company’s U.S. president announced a departure after just one year, adding leadership uncertainty. The Hershey Trust Company,...
Amazonian Cocoa’s Untapped Health Benefits Revealed
Researchers at UNESP in Brazil discovered that post‑harvest processing of Amazonian cocoa dramatically alters its nutritional profile. Fermentation lowers phenolic antioxidants but raises amino acids, potassium and magnesium, while unfermented beans preserve phosphorus and calcium. The team proposes blending fermented...
‘Sweet Treat People’: 7 Ways Gen Z Is Driving America’s Sugar Boom
Research by Talker Research for HI‑CHEW shows Gen Z is the most frequent sweet‑treat consumer, with 72 % eating one to six treats daily, surpassing millennials, Gen X and baby boomers. A striking 86 % of Gen Z label themselves “sweet treat people,” tying these...
Barry Callebaut Profits up 66% but Sales Slump Continues
Barry Callebaut posted a 66 % jump in net profit to CHF 801.8 million (about $882 million) for H1 2025/26, buoyed by lower tax and interest costs. Operating profit slipped 4 % as volume declines, supply disruptions and over‑capacity weighed on performance. Sales volumes remained down...