The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

Mars is transitioning its historic Slough facility into a high-tech hub by integrating AI-driven digital twins and robotics, securing its UK manufacturing sovereignty and operational efficiency through 2028.

Barry Callebaut has unveiled two major innovations: Cacao Max and the non-cocoa ChoViva solution. As part of a strategic realignment of its coatings and inclusions portfolio to meet rising demand for premium and sustainable alternatives.

Ghirardelli is capitalising on the viral Dubai chocolate trend by launching a seasonal Strawberry Bliss dessert, blending premium pistachio and kataifi to drive footfall in its US retail shops.

Cargill and Voyage Foods have launched NextCoa, a cocoa-free confectionery alternative utilising grape seeds to deliver a 67% lower carbon footprint, targeting supply chain resilience and price stability in the North American B2B market.

This collaboration fuses two brands to capitalise on "multi-sensory" snacking trends, utilising tactile contrasts and "mashup" innovation to capture the 2026 summer trading window.

Mars reveals its 2026 Halloween candy portfolio, focusing on innovative textures like freeze-dried SKITTLES and new seasonal shapes to meet evolving consumer snacking preferences.

HI-CHEW’s Walgreens exclusive 2-in-1 stick utilises dual-layer tech and a portfolio-wide packaging refresh to capture the high-growth adventurous snacking market.

General Mills is leveraging high-velocity social media trends and the "swicy" flavour movement to transition its fruit snack portfolio into the confectionery aisle, utilising high-intensity sensory profiles and clean-label formulations to capture the "kidult" and experimental snacking demographics.