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Energy shock, fertilizer crunch, freight surge: Food manufacturers face triple hit from Iran war

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran has triggered a supply chain crisis that extends far beyond crude oil, threatening food ingredient markets through a cascade of fertilizer shortages, vegetable oil price spikes, sugar refinery disruption, and a sharp escalation in logistics costs that industry analysts warn could persist for months.The strait — a 21-mile-wide chokepoint between Iran and Oman through which approximately 20% of the world’s seaborne oil and 20% of its liquefied natural gas transits daily — has been functionally closed for commercial shipping since Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps began issuing radio warnings prohibiting vessel passage. 
Consumer shopping for snacks in supermarket.
Snack reformulation trends: How can brands boost nutrition without sacrificing sensory appeal?
Health is no longer a niche positioning in snacks — it’s a consumer expectation — but indulgence remains critical. Snack reformulation has moved beyond single-ingredient swaps, as manufacturers increasingly adopt integrated systems that balance protein fortification, sugar reduction, and clean label transparency, without sacrificing sensory appeal. Innova Market Insights data shows that global consumers seek protein (60%) and fiber (55%) when purchasing snacks. However, most (74%) say flavor, taste, and texture are the most important factors when choosing between snacks.
Expo West 2026 in California, US.
Expo West 2026 live: Inside Cargill’s functional F&B focus on indulgence without compromise
This year at Natural Products Expo West (Mar 3–6) in California, US, Cargill is tackling the growing consumer demand for functional F&B products that support health goals without sacrificing the indulgent flavors people crave. The company’s showcase underscores how it is bridging the gap between higher protein, fiber-rich, and reduced-sugar formulations while maintaining great taste — all at a value-conscious price point. Featured products like the Mango Guava Protein + Prebiotic Soda highlight Cargill’s ability to help manufacturers create functional beverages with less than 1 g of sugar per serving, while offering 5 g of protein and fiber. Similarly, its Ultra-Filtered Double Chocolate Protein Shake delivers 32 g of protein per serving and rich flavor, all without added sugars.
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Future of food processing
According to Innova Market Insights, attitudes toward ultra-processed foods are changing. Consumers increasingly associate ultra-processed foods with unhealthy indulgence, but their habits are shifting, particularly with a rise in cooking from scratch. This shift means many products require reformulation to deliver the fresh, authentic characteristics consumers seek.
MeelunieTP
“Whey + Fava: A Hybrid Protein Innovation for Sports Nutrition”
Amino Power represents a meaningful innovation in functional sports nutrition, combining three distinct value drivers: enhanced amino acid composition, cost competitiveness relative to whey-only protein concentrates, and superior organoleptic characteristics compared to plant-only alternatives. This hybrid dairy-plant formulation addresses key market gaps.This Technical Paper is brought to you by Meelunie.
Guillaume Blancher, Kerry
Kerry: Addressing bitterness, mouthfeel & GLP-1 taste shifts in sugar reduction

Sugar taxes and front-of-pack labeling rules are accelerating sweetener innovation. Guillaume Blancher, global portfolio director for Sweetness at Kerry, explains why removing sugar is not simple, and how “sweetness optimization” can help overcome bitterness exposure and thin mouthfeel challenges. He also discusses how GLP-1s are reshaping taste expectations and beverage formulation strategies.

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Expo West 2026 live: Inside FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ high-protein, GLP-1...
young man in white shirt looking at two protein bars in supermarket
FrieslandCampina Ingredients is showcasing its range of “protein-first” concepts at Natural Products Expo West 2026 in California, US (Mar 3–6), as rising consumer demand for high-protein F&B creates opportunities for innovations that bridge healthy positioning with indulgent sensory appeal.
Expo West 2026 live: GNT spotlights natural color solutions as US regulation...
Exberry natural blue bakery application.
At Natural Products Expo West 2026, Food Ingredients First speaks with Jeannette O’Brien, VP of sales and marketing at GNT USA, about the company’s latest Exberry innovations and how they are helping brands navigate tightening color regulations and shifting consumer expectations.
Symrise reveals Gen Alpha’s growing impact on household food choices
Gen Alpha children eating burgers looking at laptop screen.
Adolescents are not just a “future-consumer” focus — F&B businesses should already be targeting Gen Alpha consumers as a longer-term growth lever. Companies that ignore 6–14-year-olds risk losing influence at the family decision-making level, while early engagement could help secure early and lasting brand loyalty. But what do Gen Alphas prioritize when making F&B purchases, and how can ingredient producers empower brands to reach this increasingly influential consumer base? A new study by Symrise across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East (EAME) has sought to answer these questions, revealing how adolescents shape F&B choices in these regions.
“Frankenchickens” resurrected: Why did UK restaurant chains abandon the Better...
KFC restaurant fried chicken and fries.
Major UK restaurant chains, including Nando’s, KFC, Wagamama, and Burger King, have withdrawn from the Better Chicken Commitment, citing supply constraints and increased environmental impacts due to the requirement to source only slower-growing breeds. The hospitality industry has instead formed the Sustainable Chicken Forum, which supports the industrial farming of fast-growing chickens (known as “Frankenchickens”), engineered for rapid meat production.
Investors back Mycoverse’s biological solution for potato late blight
group of people standing on wooden floor looking up
Danish agri-tech company Mycoverse has raised €2.4 million (US$2.78 million) in pre-seed funding to combat potato late blight — one of Europe’s most destructive crop diseases. The company’s AI-based fungal platform identifies promising fungal strains to enhance crop protection and replace chemical pesticides with data-driven biocontrol solutions.
Sirio Pharma launches lutein soft chew for eye health at Expo West 2026
Expo West 2025 show floor

Nutrition Insight

At the ongoing Natural Products Expo West 2026 trade show, Sirio Pharma has launched a “first-in-market” soft chew lutein supplement. The product features the patented Lutemax 2020 extract from OmniActive Health Technologies, containing a combination of carotenoids backed by clinical studies. Lutemax 2020 contains all three nutritionally relevant macular carotenoids — lutein, PR-zeaxanthin, and RS (meso)-zeaxanthin — in a similar ratio to that found in the diet. These compounds concentrate in the human macular pigments to protect the retina from blue light-induced oxidative damage. 
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Food Ingredients News
EU Commission sounds €440B PFAS cost alarm as food sector...
A new study commissioned by the European Commission warns that Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” could have far-reaching societal and economic consequences, including for the F&B industry. The report estimates that the compounds’ present levels of pollution could cost the EU approximately €440 billion (~US$520 billion) by 2050, without regulatory action.
F&B February industry review 2026.
Food Ingredients News
February in review: Major divestments, cultivated cacao...
In February 2026, major F&B companies released their full-year results amid challenging global headwinds, including inflationary pressures, rising energy costs, and supply chain disruptions. IFF put its Food Ingredients segment up for sale, while dsm-firmenich agreed to sell its Animal Nutrition & Health business. Barry Callebaut outlined a roadmap for the chocolate industry following the cocoa crisis, as Cargill and Puratos revealed investments in cultivated cacao for commercial food applications.
male chef decorating steak with rosemary leaf in kitchen
Food Ingredients News
Flavor-forward: ADM unveils key culinary trends...
ADM has outlined how F&B manufacturers can advance flavor innovation in its 2026 Global Culinary Trends report — highlighting how “Third Culture Cuisine,” values-driven purchasing, GLP-1-influenced eating behaviors, and the growing demand for immersive dining experiences are reinventing innovation processes.

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Snacking trends in focus: Flavor, protein & fiberMar2026

Innova data shows consumers prioritize protein and fiber when purchasing snacks. However, flavor remains the most important factor in snack choice, driving steady annual growth in product launches fro...

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Future of food processing Mar 2026

According to Innova Market Insights, attitudes toward ultra-processed foods are changing. Consumers increasingly associate ultra-processed foods with unhealthy indulgence, but their habits are shifting, particularly with a rise in cooking from scratch. This shift means many products require reformulation to deliver the fresh, authentic characteristics consumers seek.

Trend analysis

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Vanilla’s adaptive edge spurs NPDMar 2026

Vanilla is proving its adaptive edge in global F&B innovation. New product launches featuring vanilla ingredients witnessed a large annual growth rate globally between 2023 and 2025, signaling sustained cross-category demand. More than a third of global launches were from Europe.

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EIT Food Thumbnail
Video14:57
EIT Food: How fiber, protein & GLP-1 trends drive indulgent F&B formulations 

Durk Bosma, head of insights at EIT Food Consumer Observatory, discusses the gap between consumer health intentions and indulgent food choices. He emphasizes the need for F&B manufacturers to tailor products for consumers who are “health optimizers” or “balance cravers.” Bosma also comments...

Guillaume Blancher, Kerry
Video17:33
Kerry: Addressing bitterness, mouthfeel & GLP-1 taste shifts in sugar reduction
ISM & ProSweets 2026: Döhler Thumbnail
Video04:59
ISM & ProSweets 2026: Döhler spotlights cost-effective indulgence and trending flavors
Oliver Coppenuer
Video02:22
ISM & ProSweets 2026: Vegetables marry chocolate in “Vegilate” creation
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