Gen Alpha and Beta: Functional Food and Beverage’s Next Big Bet
The global functional food and beverage market, now worth about $437 billion, is set to almost double to $983 billion by 2034, driven by a 10.65% CAGR. Brands are turning to the untapped Gen Alpha (born 2010‑2024) and Gen Beta (born 2025‑2039) cohorts, expanding fortified milks, probiotic yogurts, and nutrient‑rich snacks. Major players such as Nestlé, Danone and Arla are reformulating products to meet parental demand for immunity, cognition, digestion and growth benefits. Success hinges on navigating tight regulations, cost pressures, taste expectations and trust issues.
Iran Conflict: How Food Can Prepare for Fertiliser Shortages
The temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent fertilizer prices soaring 20‑45%, inflating costs for staple grains such as wheat, rice and maize. Experts warn that the chokepoint could shut again, exposing global food systems to recurring input shocks....
How ‘GLP-1 Friendly’ Claims Are Regulated in the UK and EU
Weight‑loss drugs targeting the GLP‑1 pathway are reshaping consumer demand for smaller, nutrient‑dense portions, prompting food manufacturers to explore “GLP‑1 friendly” labeling. In the EU, such phrasing is classified as a health claim and, without an approved application, is unlikely...
Texture Innovation: Confectionery’s Next Frontier
Texture is emerging as the primary growth engine in confectionery as consumers chase multi‑sensory indulgence. Freeze‑drying and other minimally processed techniques are delivering dramatic crunch and clean‑label appeal, while chocolate innovators like Dubai and Angel Hair are pushing novel mouthfeels....
GLP-1s Are Not Going to Change Food Forever
GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs are generating buzz as potential appetite suppressants, but current adoption remains modest—about 12% of U.S. adults and even lower in Europe. While the drugs can mute the so‑called “food noise” and trim a few percentage points off...
Do GLP-1s Have a Future in Europe?
GLP‑1 receptor agonists are booming in the United States, where roughly 12 % of patients use them, but European uptake lags at about 2 % across the EU and UK. Consumer skepticism—especially in France, Italy and Spain—and the dominance of public‑health reimbursement...
Nestlé Leans Into ‘Convenient Indulgence’ as the Fourth Wave of Coffee Accelerates
Nestlé is targeting the "fourth wave" of coffee, a Gen Z‑driven shift toward at‑home café experiences that prioritize cold, convenient, customizable, and crafted drinks. The company is expanding cold‑forward offerings, including Starbucks Crema Collection concentrates and a new Coffee Mate Cool Crème frozen...
Ferrero’s Bold Snacks Deal Signals Strategy Shift
Ferrero announced the acquisition of Brazil’s protein‑snack brand Bold Snacks, marking its first entry into the better‑for‑you segment. The deal brings Bold’s Divinópolis factory and a workforce of roughly 300 employees under Ferrero’s umbrella. By adding a high‑protein, health‑focused line...
How to Protect Food Supply Chains in Conflict Zones
Recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran have closed the Strait of Hormuz, driving up fertilizer and transport costs and threatening food logistics. Energy‑intensive supply chains face price spikes while key shipping lanes become bottlenecks, echoing disruptions from Ukraine and...
Puratos Strikes Deal to Acquire Dawn Foods
Puratos, the Belgian bakery‑ingredients group, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Dawn Foods, a U.S.‑based supplier of sweet‑baked‑goods solutions. The transaction is slated to close by the end of 2026, pending regulatory clearance, and will leave both companies operating...