Can functional dairy beverages thrive on the ‘dusty shelf’?
Products such as probiotic-enriched milk can now be stored outside the fridge thanks to food technology and packaging innovations. But would consumers buy into the emerging category?
Business
USDA funds $6m to boost healthy food access in underserved communities
USDA, in partnership with the Reinvestment Fund, has allocated nearly $6 million to improve access to nutritious foods in underserved communities across the country, reinforcing the trend toward healthy diets and potentially reshaping how brands and...
Mars' Kellanova buyout the start of hefty snacking M&A
Mega deals within snacking are picking up pace after a quiet start to the year, with Mars’ Kellanova acquisition the tip of the iceberg as strong financial performances provide corporates with healthy cashflows.
How to find ingredient and packaging suppliers
Ingredients and packaging materials will form the very foundation of your brand, so getting them right is essential. Here’s how to find the right suppliers and build successful relationships.
How to maximize brand visibility online: A guide for bakeries
In the highly competitive bakery sector, standing out in the crowded digital landscape requires more than just great products. It demands a smart, well-executed digital marketing strategy.
What is driving the MENA snack boom?
The snack market in the Middle East and Africa (MENA) is being fueled by a young population and shifting consumer preferences. But can snack and confectionery producers balance the rising demand for indulgence with the growing focus on health and wellness?
From CSR to marketing might: 6 proven strategies to boost your bakery and snacks business
In today’s competitive bakery and snacks sectors, standing out and making an impact is more challenging than ever. Here are six powerful approaches adopted by others that will elevate your brand and drive success.
Quick bites: How Doughlicious is shaking up the frozen snacking market
Kathryn Bricken is making a serious mark in the world of snacks. As the founder of Doughlicious – The London Dough Company, she’s taking cookie dough to a whole new level.
What impact will Lindt’s lead lawsuit have on the bakery and snacks sector?
Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) Inc. has failed to convince a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging its dark chocolate bars contain significant levels of heavy metals. Could this premium chocolate brand’s reputation for quality be at risk?
Are pop-ups worth it? For food and beverage brands, they just might be
Tracking the return on investment (ROI) of pop-ups involves juggling multiple metrics, but food and beverages brands have a distinct advantage in leveraging sensory experiences to build lasting loyalty among consumers both in-person and digitally,...
F&B excluded from European Commission’s competitiveness strategy
Food and beverage – Europe’s largest manufacturing industry – has been omitted from the European Commission’s ‘The future of European competitiveness’ report designed to accelerate the EU’s finances ahead of competing nations.
News shorts: Bimbo’s acquisitions and the African Cocoa Marketplace
In this roundup, we take a look at the world’s largest bakery manufacturer expanding LATAM footprint; Campbell’s proposed name change; pladis’ focus in MENAI; and how Boundless nabbed the #1 spot in the UK’s gut-health snacks sector.
118 years of cereal expertise now supercharged: How is WK Kellogg Co. performing post-split?
Has the newly independent company been able to leverage its iconic brands and agile operations to maintain a competitive edge in a challenging industry?
5 popular UK products hit hard by shrinkflation
As ingredient and production costs rise, more businesses are quietly reducing product sizes to stay competitive – but what are the long term risks for brand reputation and customer loyalty?
The Mondelēz lawsuit: A warning shot in the battle for authentic sustainability claims
A proposed class action lawsuit filed against Mondelēz International Inc – alleging ‘false and deceptive marketing and sale of cocoa products that display its Cocoa Life logo’ – presents significant ramifications for the company, the broader food...
Why French bakeries are winning over America: The rise of Le Macaron, Bridor, Paris Baguette and more
From the allure of delicate patisseries to the crunch of freshly baked baguettes, the charm of French bakery goods has captivated the American palate.
New product development: From potato chip and wine pairings to oat bars that combat stress and enhance sleep
How can snacks elevate your lifestyle beyond mere indulgence? From potato chips designed to pair with wine to stress-busting bars that promise better sleep and the UK’s most inclusive donuts – crafted to cater to all dietary needs – NPD in the bakery and...
Grupo Bimbo, W.K. Kellogg and PepsiCo: How bakery and snack giants are driving innovation through awards and accelerators
In an industry driven by taste and trends, how are bakery and snack leaders setting new standards and rewarding excellence?
The evolution of snacking: How generational preferences are shaping the sector
In the ever-evolving consumer goods landscape, one trend remains constant: people love to snack. However, the way they snack and the products they prefer are anything but static.
Can Scotland’s new reformulation fund make empire biscuits and Scotch pies healthier?
Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland – in collaboration with Food Standards Scotland (FSS) – has introduced a new fund aimed at encouraging small and medium-sized out-of-home producers to make their products healthier.
Can Campbell Snacks' strategic moves keep it ahead in the snacks market?
The formation of Campbell Snacks in 2017 through the integration of Snyder’s-Lance and Pepperidge Farm has been a cornerstone of Campbell Soup Company’s strategy to dominate the snacks market. How is it faring?
Is the Mars-Kellanova merger a gamechanger for the snacks industry?
The $36bn procurement by Mars is one of the most significant M&A deals so far this year. But what is the potential impact for the snacks sector?
How Grupo Bimbo’s presence has shaped India’s bakery market
Since its entry into India in 2017, the Mexican bakery giant has not only reshaped the country’s bread market’s competitive landscape, but also driven innovation and efficiency in the sector.
Do you believe you can craft Scotland’s best croissant?
The Edinburgh Butter Company has launched Scotland’s first-ever croissant competition, open to bakers across the country, with swag, bakery equipment and kudos up for grabs.
How Délifrance is taking on climate change
Agricultural output is the cornerstone of the French bakery specialist’s portfolio – whether that be wheat or the food eaten by dairy cows to produce high-quality butter – which is obviously heavily dependent on the climate.
Is Scottish Bakers’ new consumer-facing mark the key to preserving a proud tradition?
In Scotland, where tradition meets innovation, baking has been cherished for generations, but changing tastes has prompted Scottish Bakers to adopt a bold new approach.
Snack shake-up: Six gamechanging collabs redefining NPD
Collaborations in the snack industry are vital for innovation, market expansion and consumer engagement. These partnerships lead to the creation of novel products that blend diverse flavors and cultural influences, capturing consumer interest and...
Snack attack: Is Mars’ $35.9bn bet on Kellanova the key to dominating the healthier snacks market?
The mega payout by Mars, Inc. for Kellanova is driven by the candy giant’s desire to expand its footprint in the fast-growing market for healthier snacks, which is underpinned by consumer preference that is shifting away from traditional packaged foods...
Why a UPF tax would be near impossible and ineffective
Consumers are turning on ultra-processed foods (UPF), with some calling for a UPF manufacturer tax. But do they yet understand the term and how would a UPF tax impact makers?
Breaking news: Mars devours Kellanova in $29b mega deal amid bakery and snack M&A surge
From one of the largest transactions in the food industry in recent years to smaller deals to achieve scale to offset changing consumer preferences and economic pressures, the bakery and snacks sectors have been experiencing significant M&A activity...
Social snacking and baking a better world: How important is CSR in the bakery and snacks industries?
Responsible companies are no longer just following good business practice and serving the communities in which they operate but focussing on the bigger picture to do the most amount of good for the most amount of people.
India snack trends data: Makhanas and dry fruits top picks for 67% of consumers
India snack specialist Farmley has revealed new data showing that makhanas and dry fruits are popular across generations, with chocolate and vanilla flavours among the top favourites in its 2024 Healthy Snacking Report.
Breaking down the regulations impacting the EU and US bakery and snacks sectors in 2024
Recent regulatory changes in the US and European bakery and snack industries are rapidly evolving as their respective legal bodies introduce and update laws on nutritional labeling, ingredient restrictions and food safety standards.
Predictive tech: The secret ingredient to boost bakery and snack brands
Data analytics, AI and machine learning are vital to predict preferences and optimize production processes, but they are only one part of the consumer engagement story.
Bucking the trend: Why is Russia’s snack market thriving amid sanctions?
Sales of potato chips in Russia are up, with local producers grabbing the opportunity to fill the gap left by international brands that have scaled back or ceased their operations.
The four-day work week: Why more companies should adopt Kellanova’s lead in boosting employee morale and productivity
There is a growing body of research that supports the potential benefits of the four-day work week, yet there remains a pervading scepticism that productivity and revenue will drop. Kellogg’s has had great success in bucking that mindset …
How social media is raising the artisanal bakery game
The renewed appreciation for slower, traditional bread-making and bakery techniques is a rapidly rising trend. However, it’s the use of social media by savvy bakers that is really bolstering the segment.
Everything bakery brands need to know about doing business in China
China's bakery market is set to reach $162.4bn by 2030, driven by middle-class growth and Western-style treats. Here's why now is the perfect time for manufacturers to expand into this booming market
Is the ‘shrinkflation’ law working in France?
It’s hard to be effective when so few retailers are taking heed.
Why are snack prices continuing to rise?
Analysis sheds light on inflation versus the costs of potato chips, chocolate chip cookies, yogurt and ice cream.
Brand power play: Spotlight on the brands fuelling sports
With the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris scheduled to begin on July 26, there is a stronger focus on sports and getting into shape.
‘A snack is a snack, not a meal replacement’: UPFs, Nutri Score, the EC elections, regulations and other issues impacting the European snacks sector
A major concern for the European Snacks Association (ESA) is the debate over ultra processed foods (UPFs), which director general Sebastian Emig believes is not based on scientific fact and is causing confusion among consumers. We caught up with him at...
Why are people with celiac disease suffering more at the tills?
Research by Coeliac UK into the cost of gluten free (GF) food shows that while overall food inflation has reduced over the past two years, Brits with celiac disease are still facing a huge additional burden both in terms of cost and availability.
News snacks: Analyzing business trends in the bakery and snacks industries
From mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to creating new long-term ESG goals and reporting on others, along with a hard stop when it comes to crime, we look at some of the business deals shaping the bakery and snacks landscape.
Is your snack brand ready for the acrylamide challenge?
Are you up to date on the latest regulations and innovations regarding acrylamide in salty snacks? With rising regulatory pressures and evolving consumer demands, it’s critical to stay ahead – are your strategies up to par?
What Fedima’s Code of Conduct demands from bakery ingredient suppliers
The Federation of European Manufacturers and Suppliers of Ingredients to the Bakery, Confectionery and Patisseries has re-endorsed its commitment towards building a more sustainable baking sector.
How brands are capitalising on gut health
Gut health is proving to be hugely popular with consumers and enormously profitable for food and beverage manufacturers. In financial terms, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
India’s biscuit giants: How emerging market brands are fast-tracking their success
While powerhouses like Oreo’s shout tales of success one twist at a time, the rise of ‘biscuit billionaires’ in emerging markets like India are not to be ignored. How many of these brands do you know?
Loaf tanning salons: Major UK retailer fingered for allegedly distorting ‘freshly baked’ claims
The Real Bread Campaign has submitted a trading standards complaint that accuses Lidl of purportedly misleading consumers. It might not be the only one ...
From Shark Tank to social media: How a puffcorn disruptor has gone from startup to a $10m brand in just four years
While homegrown startups frequently use ABC’s investment reality series to springboard their brand, Like Air Snacks already had a solid retail presence and was pulling in more than $5m in sales. So, what did its appearance on Shark Tank really achieve?...