The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

PepsiCo’s Lay’s brand enters the experiential dining sector in Shanghai with a limited-time restaurant concept designed to grow the away-from-home channel and engage younger consumers.

Häagen-Dazs has launched its new Dubai-Style Chocolate Mini Bars exclusively at select US Costco locations, leveraging the viral "Dubai chocolate" trend through a premium combination of pistachio ice cream and crispy kataifi.

Featuring three new product lines: Fruit Chews, Fruity Zips, and Sour Zips. The brand is leveraging a 50% sugar reduction and prebiotic fibre integration to challenge legacy incumbents. The launch is supported by "Project Squircle," a social-first creative campaign led by Chief Creative Officer Ryan Trahan to drive high-velocity consumer engagement.

Quaker is expanding its footprint in the functional snacking sector with the launch of Quaker Protein Rice Crisps. Delivering 6g of protein per serving through a blend of popped rice and pea protein, the launch aligns with PepsiCo's broader mission to modernise its portfolio by integrating functional ingredients into established, high-velocity snack formats.

Ferrara Candy Company is significantly expanding its North American manufacturing capabilities with a $675 million investment in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. The project, which includes a 750,000-square-foot facility, is projected to create 1,000 jobs over the next decade, positioning the Ferrero-affiliated company for long-term global leadership in the sugar confectionery sector.

By utilising nutrient-rich avocado oil and organic ingredients, the brand is strengthening its leadership in the "better-for-you" (BFY) category, targeting the intersection of high-flavour innovation and clean-label transparency.

UK manufacturer BakeAway has launched Doh, a new ready-to-bake cookie dough brand designed to capture the premium home-baking market through highly versatile formats and a playful brand identity.

Meiji has expanded its Japanese confectionery portfolio with the limited-edition launch of 'Nomitsu Ka Tsubutsubu Ichigo', a two-layer chocolate formulated with 100% strawberry fruit, equivalent to target seasonal summer snacking demand.