Cocoa prices ease but alternatives and reformulation stay in focus
Cocoa prices ease but alternatives and reformulation stay in focus
Cocoa prices have nosedived in early 2026, signaling a shift in the global cocoa market that has been battered by high prices and supply chain volatility in recent years. The turnaround is driven by buoyed confidence in harvest prospects in West African cocoa-growing regions amid favorable weather forecasts. Meanwhile, exporters are reportedly locking in future prices for cocoa beans to minimize the risk from unexpected market volatility and ensure more stable costs and revenues.
High protein, plant hybrids & gut health: Inside dairy’s innovation push
High protein, plant hybrids & gut health: Inside dairy’s innovation push
Dairy ingredient suppliers are deploying new technologies to meet converging consumer demands, from stabilization systems that alter the mouthfeel of high-protein formulations to postbiotics engineered to survive pasteurization. Hybrid dairy-plant products are gaining commercial traction, with blended formulations and pea protein-fortified yogurt concepts rapidly moving from R&D into market-ready applications.
UK junk food ad ban: Why nutrition-led reformulation drives long-term growth
UK junk food ad ban: Why nutrition-led reformulation drives long-term growth
ACI Group is urging the food and beverage industry to prioritize reformulation and authenticity as brands adapt to the UK’s new junk food advertising ban — rather than investing in advertising workarounds. The government’s new restrictions ban advertising for “less healthy” food and drinks, including snacks, baked goods, cereals, and protein bars, on television before 9 pm and online at all times in what it calls “world-leading” action to combat childhood obesity.
Advance novel food innovation with trusted science
Advance novel food innovation with trusted science
Ensuring safety and regulatory compliance is critical for your novel food. This ebook provides comprehensive approaches to novel food human safety testing—covering toxicology, physical & analytical chemistry and innovative assessment methods. Learn about industry trends, real-world case studies and strategies to accelerate your product from concept to market.This technical paper is brought to you by Labcorp.
Fi Europe 2025: Prova chef merges pleasure with nutrition in gut health dessert concepts
Fi Europe 2025: Prova chef merges pleasure with nutrition in gut health dessert concepts

Responding to client requests, Chef Christophe Vincente from Prova’s L’Atelier was tasked with developing three dessert prototypes positioned for gut health. Leveraging upcycled carrot pulp, miso paste, inulin, and skyr, along with Prova's taste-enhancing ingredients, product manager Marie Le Beller and chef Vincente explain how nutritional products can be luxurious with the use of natural flavors and extracts. 

F&B ingredients industry 2025: Most read stories
F&B ingredients industry 2025: Most read stories
F&B ingredients trends centered on health, sustainability, and affordability. From plant-based advancements and gut health to the rising importance of protein and stress relief, industry leaders responded to shifting consumer needs. Key highlights included new developments in alternative proteins, gene-editing technologies, and supply chain regulations, with brands embracing transparency, flavor innovation, and functional ingredients for competitive advantage. We look back at the year’s top read stories.

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Kerry uncovers what’s driving flavor choices in Asia, Middle East & Africa
Kerry uncovers what’s driving flavor choices in Asia, Middle East & Africa
“Swicy,” global‑local blends, and fruit‑forward refreshment — consumers in Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa are seeking “contrast, comfort, and meaning” in their F&B flavor choices, according to Kerry’s 2026 Global Taste Charts. The findings, unveiled today, were built on research from more than 1,200 scientists, 100 flavorists, and extensive consumer studies across these regions. The charts provide manufacturers with a data‑driven roadmap for fast‑moving flavor trends.
Time for tagatose? Researchers find biosynthetic route to low-calorie sugar
Time for tagatose? Researchers find biosynthetic route to low-calorie sugar
Researchers at Tufts University, US, have taken on the sugar substitute challenge, developing a way to biosynthetically produce the otherwise rare sugar called tagatose. They say their process could provide the sweetness and natural taste of table sugar without its potential harms — and provide some health benefits. The food industry continues to innovate in sweeteners that deliver the taste of sugar without its drawbacks, which include excess calories, tooth decay, and the heightened risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.
Arla Foods powers European operations with 100% renewable electricity
Arla Foods powers European operations with 100% renewable electricity
Arla Foods, a farmer-owned dairy cooperative, has announced that its European sites have been powered exclusively by electricity from renewable sources since the end of last year. Approximately 93% of Arla Foods’ total electricity consumption is located within Europe, where the dairy company operates 46 sites across seven different countries. “This is a great achievement for our cooperative and the result of years of hard work and dedication by the teams involved,” says David Boulanger, executive vice president of supply chain at Arla Foods.
Unilever exits Indonesian tea to focus on higher-growth FMCG
Unilever exits Indonesian tea to focus on higher-growth FMCG
Unilever’s pivot from slower-growth legacy products continues with the news that it will sell its SariWangi tea business in Indonesia to PT Savoria Kreasi Rasa, which it describes as a fast-growing local FMCG group, for a reported IDR 1.5 trillion (US$89 million). UK-headquartered Unilever says the proposed divestment forms part of its portfolio optimization strategy, as the company focuses on “fewer, bigger, and more scalable” categories, like core foods, home care, personal care and beauty, as well as other high-growth FMCG segments.
Beverages with benefits: The functional drink innovations shaping 2026
Beverages with benefits: The functional drink innovations shaping 2026
Functional beverage innovators are poised to push the boundaries further this year by developing drinks that transcend refreshment and hydration to target holistic health benefits, encompassing the body, mood, and mind — all in convenient formats. The beverages for wellness trend is predicted to accelerate in 2026, building on innovation and a wealth of NPD seen last year, as manufacturers and brands keep pace with consumer needs that have moved beyond basic hydration to include aspects like immunity boosts, energy support, digestive health, cognitive function, and mental well-being.
New year will see protein innovation, fiber-maxxing trend & healthspan focus...
New year will see protein innovation, fiber-maxxing trend & healthspan focus boom

Nutrition Insight

Nutrition companies are gearing up for 2026 with new insights on evolving consumer needs shaped by emerging health trends. Over the horizon, protein is expected to take the lead as a top nutrient in product innovations alongside fiber. Consumers are increasingly focused on growing their healthspan while seeking clinically backed ingredients to support their journey.
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Research & Development
Innova Market Insights reveals Top Global Flavor Trends 2026
Innova Market Insights has announced its Global Flavor Trends for 2026, with “Sensorial Explorations” taking first spot in a comprehensive analysis of the five consumer and market-driven flavor trends poised to reshape global food and beverage innovation in 2026 and beyond. The international market researcher will explore the trends in a webinar on January 29 (4 PM CEST / 9 AM CT), during which Lu Ann Williams, Innova’s global senior vice president for research, will introduce each trend and highlight standout launches across key F&B categories.
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Food Ingredients News
What happens when patients stop using GLP-1 medications for...
As GLP-1 use continues to proliferate in the treatment of obesity and as a weight management tool, new bodies of research reveal what happens when people stop using appetite suppressants like Ozempic and Mounjaro. While the studies focus on different aspects, one common outcome is weight gain after discontinuing GLP-1 injections. This, in turn, raises questions about whether following a healthy diet and engaging in physical activity is a better long-term approach to weight management.
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Regulatory News
Nestlé under fire over “unacceptable” delay in historic...
Nestlé is facing what Austrian authorities have described as the largest product recall in the company’s history, as infant formula contaminated with a bacterial toxin is withdrawn from sale across more than 60 countries. Austria’s health ministry says the recall affects more than 800 products from over 10 Nestlé factories worldwide — figures the company has not verified.

Ingredient focus

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Confectionery market trends unwrappedJan2026

Global confectionery launches are on the rise as consumers increasingly opt for sweets, particularly chocolate, as a source of indulgence. Europe was the leading region for confectionery NPD, with var...

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Product innovation

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Colors drive F&B choices: From Instagram to health Jan 2026

F&B color choices can influence consumer purchasing decisions in various ways, from appearance and palatability to flavor perception and “Instagrammability.” In a digital world, where younger consumers regularly photograph their meals, visual impact and novelty have become increasingly important. At the same time, a sense of “naturalness” remains non-negotiable, with Innova Market Insights finding that 1 in 4 consumers rank it among the most important factors when it comes to healthy eating.

Trend analysis

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Dairy innovation & trends: Taste tops consumer prioritiesJan 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicate that consumers find taste to be very important when choosing dairy products, with more than half choosing this option. The Dairy category shows small growth globally, while Europe leads in new product launches. Most new product launches came in the Dairy-based Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt subcategory, while Processed Cheese showed the fastest growth.

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Fi Europe 2025: Prova chef merges pleasure with nutrition in gut health dessert concepts

Responding to client requests, Chef Christophe Vincente from Prova’s L’Atelier was tasked with developing three dessert prototypes positioned for gut health. Leveraging upcycled carrot pulp, miso paste, inulin, and skyr, along with Prova's taste-enhancing ingredients, product manager Marie Le...

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Fi Europe 2025: Austria Juice showcases flavor innovation for advanced beverage formulation
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Fi Europe 2025: Ingredia’s ProMilk Xpress protein accelerates cheese ripening by two weeks 
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Rabobank: Why Venezuela’s food ingredients potential remains a waiting game
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