Cultivated Meat Now Has a Naming Problem
The EU will prohibit cultivated and plant‑based products from using traditional meat terms such as beef, chicken, pork or steak, limiting them to generic descriptors like burger, sausage and nuggets after a three‑year transition. Aleph Farms, a leading cell‑based meat producer, argues the rule conflates substance‑based and format‑based labels and says it will not rename its newly approved “Petit Steak.” The dispute underscores fresh marketing hurdles for an industry still fighting consumer skepticism and regulatory uncertainty. Companies eyeing European launches may now face compliance battles that could delay market entry.
Iran War: Six Weeks in, How Have Food Prices Changed?
Food prices have risen since the Iran war began, but seasonal planting has limited the immediate impact. Vegetable oils, especially soybean oil, surged to two‑year highs as they act as crude oil substitutes in biofuel production. Grains and oilseeds have...
5 Big Food Trends in Ireland
Ireland’s food market is being reshaped by a surge in high‑protein functional foods, with dairy, snacks and ready‑to‑eat meals leading the charge. Shoppers also prioritize transparency, clean‑label claims and locally sourced ingredients, driving growth in private‑label and value‑for‑money options. Flexitarian...
Why TikTok Is the New Battleground for FMCG Sales
TikTok Shop is emerging as a dedicated social‑commerce channel for fast‑moving consumer goods, leveraging its discovery‑led format to turn viral videos into purchases. Ninety‑three percent of users engage with the shop feature and 88 % discover new brands, while a two‑click...
EU Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition Created in Run up to EUDR
European food manufacturers, NGOs, and certification bodies have launched the EU Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition to influence the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The coalition, which includes Nestlé, Mars, Ferrero, Barry Callebaut, Rainforest Alliance and RSPO, aims to ensure that EU...
Could the GLP-1 Boom Open the Door to Shrinkflation?
GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs are reshaping consumer eating habits, driving demand for smaller, nutrient‑dense portions. In the United States adoption is rapid, while Europe sees slower, but steady growth. Food manufacturers are likely to respond with targeted, portion‑controlled products rather than...
Why UPF Panic and Scratch-Cooking Nostalgia Won’t Send Food Backwards
Consumers are gravitating toward traditional food practices such as fermentation, pickling, and scratch cooking, yet overall eating habits are shifting away from classic three‑meal structures. The rise of “snackification” sees about 60% of shoppers breaking meals into frequent snacks, while...
Fermentation Waste Could Be Food Industry Goldmine
Emerging research shows that the biomass waste generated by large‑scale fermentation contains microbial fibre that can be extracted and used as a functional food ingredient. Western consumers currently consume only 12‑14 g of fibre daily, well below the 28‑42 g recommended for...
Flavour Trends in 2026: What’s up and What’s Down?
In 2026 consumers are gravitating toward bold, intense flavours, sweet‑savory fusions and comfort‑oriented profiles. Matcha’s base popularity jumped 87% globally, with fusion variants such as banana‑matcha soaring 594% year‑over‑year. Savoury indulgence is resurging, driven by beef tallow (+106%), hot honey...
Just Launched: Nestlé Nesquik Plus Battle of the Meat-Free Steaks…
A wave of UK product launches underscores the FMCG sector’s shift toward indulgent yet health‑focused innovation. All Things introduced a low‑fat cottage cheese projected to generate over £4 million (≈$5.1 million) in sales, while Redefine Meat unveiled a plant‑based flank steak that...
Nestlé Steps up Security Following KitKat Heist
Nestlé reported that more than 400,000 KitKat bars (about 12 tonnes) were stolen while in transit from Italy to Poland on March 28, 2026. The missing cargo and lorry remain unlocated, prompting the company to cooperate with authorities. In Toronto, Nestlé staged security‑escorted...
Unilever Closer to Mega Food Spin‑off as McCormick Talks Advance
Unilever is advancing talks with McCormick to spin off its Foods division, valued at roughly $33 billion, using a reverse Morris trust that sidesteps capital‑gains tax. McCormick, worth about $14.5 billion, would acquire the unit and grant Unilever shareholders a majority stake...
EUDR: Is Cloud Cover a Problem for Compliance?
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires traceability of commodities back to their original plots, prompting firms to rely on satellite monitoring. Cloud cover can create temporary gaps in optical imagery, but the regulation’s monthly‑to‑annual assessment cadence means these gaps rarely...
Barry Callebaut, Ferrero, Hershey & Tony’s Chocolonely Join Cocoa Coalition
Barry Callebaut, Ferrero, Hershey and Tony’s Chocolonely have joined the UK Cocoa Coalition, a multi‑stakeholder alliance of chocolate makers, NGOs and retailers. The coalition is lobbying for rapid adoption of the UK Forest Risk Commodities Regulation to eradicate deforestation and...
Mars Accelerates Expansion Following Landmark Kellanova Acquisition
Mars Snacking announced 600 new jobs at its Chicago headquarters, following its $36 bn acquisition of Kellanova in December 2025. The company will occupy Kellanova’s former offices and a new hub in Fulton Market, bringing together its North American region, Accelerator...
