Biospringer Horizontal Banner February 2026
Bridging the gap: Will high-quality hybrids open the door to eating more protein?
Bridging the gap: Will high-quality hybrids open the door to eating more protein?
Food innovators are considering whether hybrid products — solutions made from both animal- and plant-based ingredients — could be an entry point into increased plant-based eating. Hybrids familiarize consumers with the benefits of functional solutions that blend meat and dairy with alternative proteins such as soy, pea, fava bean, and lupin, as well as fermentation-derived proteins, while allowing formulators to combine complementary strengths in a more pragmatic way.
Confectionery market trends: AI and plant-based innovation redefine guilt-free treats
Confectionery market trends: AI and plant-based innovation redefine guilt-free treats
The confectionery market is undergoing a significant transformation as consumers increasingly seek a balance between indulgence and health. Focus on sustainability, clean labels, and functional benefits is rising, as plant-based, sugar-free, and high-protein alternative demands spur innovation and reshape NPD.
ISM 2026 live: Roquette explores texture science behind plant-based and sugar-free jellies
ISM 2026 live: Roquette explores texture science behind plant-based and sugar-free jellies
Jelly confectionery formulations require a careful balance of taste, texture, and mouthfeel. At the ongoing ISM 2026 trade show in Cologne, Germany (Feb 1-4), Roquette is discussing the science behind soft confectionery texture, with a spotlight on plant-based, sugar-free jellies, using its sensory analysis tool.
Sweetener trends & insights: Opportunities for calorie-conscious innovation
Sweetener trends & insights: Opportunities for calorie-conscious innovation
Innova Market Insights reveals that nearly half of consumers globally are turning to sweeteners to satisfy their sweet cravings while aiming to reduce their calorie intake. This growing demand for lower-calorie options is fueling innovation in the sweetener market, presenting new opportunities for the development of novel sweetener solutions in F&B products.
CEAMFIBRE: A Natural, Multifunctional Ingredient for Food Applications
CEAMFIBRE: A Natural, Multifunctional Ingredient for Food Applications
What if clean label food innovation started with a citrus peel? CEAMFIBRE is a natural ingredient obtained from lemon, lime, and orange peels. This multifunctional citrus fiber provides tailored solutions, both soluble and insoluble, addressing specific technical and formulation needs to diverse end applications across the Food Industry, including bakery, dairy, meat or juices. This Technical Paper is brought to you by CEAMSA.
Cargill: Shaping sustainability through strategic food partnerships
Cargill: Shaping sustainability through strategic food partnerships

In this interview with Geert Maesmans, VP of R&D at Cargill, we dive into the company’s cutting-edge solutions at the European Innovation Center in Vilvoorde, Belgium. From pioneering food technologies and impactful partnerships to a commitment to sustainability, discover how Cargill is helping shape the future of food for a more sustainable and connected global food ecosystem.

Latest headlines

View more
ISM 2026 live: Valio highlights AI-driven, high-protein “permissible...
ISM 2026 live: Valio highlights AI-driven, high-protein “permissible indulgence” in dairy innovations
Finnish dairy firm Valio is spotlighting the “permissible indulgence” megatrend at the ongoing ISM 2026 in Cologne, Germany (Feb 1-4), as consumers increasingly scan market shelves for F&B products that combine pleasure and positive nutrition.
USDA trade mission tests landmark Indonesia deal as US exporters eye US$67B...
USDA trade mission tests landmark Indonesia deal as US exporters eye US$67B food market
US dairy, wheat, and grain exporters are set to benefit from the elimination of tariffs and licensing barriers that have long complicated access to Southeast Asia’s largest economy — Indonesia — as a US trade delegation composed of 41 agribusinesses, trade organizations, and representatives from four state departments of agriculture, arrives in Jakarta this week. The US-Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, announced in July 2025 and recently signed, exempts US food and agricultural products from two major regulatory barriers: Indonesia’s commodity balance policy, which capped imports at government-estimated shortfalls in domestic supply, and its import licensing regimes, which required pre-shipment inspections, ministry approvals, and facility-by-facility certification before US products could enter the market. 
ISM 2026 live: California Natural Color talks color-flavor synergy and labeling...
ISM 2026 live: California Natural Color talks color-flavor synergy and labeling strategies
California Natural Color (CNC) is highlighting its extensive portfolio of vibrant, stable, and label-friendly colors derived from a range of natural, plant-based sources to boost trust and transparency among consumers at ISM 2026 in Cologne, Germany (Feb 1-4).
ISM 2026 live: Cocoa volatility reshapes chocolate innovation as alternatives...
ISM 2026 live: Cocoa volatility reshapes chocolate innovation as alternatives go global
ISM 2026 is underway in Cologne, Germany, amid one of the most turbulent periods the cocoa market has seen in decades. The world’s largest confectionery trade fair — featuring 1,656 exhibitors from 71 countries and an expected 37,500 trade visitors — arrives 12 months after cocoa prices hit record highs. Prices have since crashed more than 50%, but the industry is still accelerating investment in cocoa-free solutions and reformulation strategies for long-term resilience.

On the show floor, Food Ingredients First speaks with key suppliers, including Cargill and Planet A Foods, a commercial partner of Barry Calleubaut, to understand what’s driving innovation in chocolate and cocoa alternatives, how manufacturers are responding to ongoing volatility, and what trends are shaping the confectionery landscape. 
Financial firms unveil automatic payouts for weather-hit farmers in Europe
Financial firms unveil automatic payouts for weather-hit farmers in Europe
A consortium of banking and insurance firms has launched a parametric service designed to automatically reimburse farmers when extreme weather prevents them from using their equipment, with a phased rollout beginning in Spain this month. The service monitors pre-agreed weather thresholds through independent satellite data. When excess rainfall or drought conditions are detected, farmers automatically receive a payment equivalent to one monthly finance installment without needing to file a claim or submit documentation. 
January in review: GLP-1, protein, and fiber drive 2026 nutrition trends and...
January in review: GLP-1, protein, and fiber drive 2026 nutrition trends and reformulation

Nutrition Insight

January’s highlights include growing momentum for protein and fiber as key nutrients for 2026 product innovations to meet the needs of a growing GLP-1 consumer base. Also, research has advanced in personalized nutrition, gut health, cognition, and healthy aging. In our January review, Nutrition Insight examines how these themes are reshaping the industry. The new US dietary guidelines sparked debate over protein, plant-based sources, and saturated fat, while in the UK, companies countered the country’s stricter limits on sugar and salt. 
Highlighted features
Image
Food Ingredients News
January in review: Infant formula crisis, cultivated meat...
In January 2026, a major recall of infant formula products unfolded across multiple countries due to contamination. The crisis, initially involving Nestlé, spread to other major companies like Lactalis and Danone, affecting a range of formula brands. The EU-Mercosur agreement sparked debate over its impact on European food supply chains, while the EU-India trade deal promised to slash tariffs on Indian exports, such as spices, tea, and processed foods.
Image
Regulatory News
Nestlé, Lactalis & Danone face court action over infant...
Dutch consumer watchdog Foodwatch has filed a criminal complaint in Paris, France, naming seven infant formula manufacturers — Nestlé, Lactalis, Danone, Vitagermine (Babybio), Hochdorf, La marque en moins, and Granarolo — over their handling of a global contamination crisis. The complaint, filed “against X” under French procedure, opens an investigation that could expand to include food safety authorities. Eight affected families have reportedly joined the complaint to date. 
Image
Food Ingredients News
Middle East F&B trends: Mars Gulf and Yook reveal regional...
The Middle East poses unique challenges for F&B manufacturers. Logistical pressures and extreme heat make shelf life extension crucial, while evolving regulations further complicate operations for businesses looking to thrive in or export to the region. Studies show that climate change — including heatwaves and desertification — has profound effects on food availability and the resilience of the food supply chain in the Middle East.  The reliable distribution of heat‑sensitive products such as dairy and seafood is a priority, driving the expansion of the cold storage market to US$18.3 billion.

Ingredient focus

View more
Image

Natural shelf life extension: The rise of clean label preservativesFeb2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that consumers worldwide increasingly link product quality with extended shelf life and “natural” ingredients. Over the past five years, there has been a notable ...

Brought to you by:

Kerry

Product innovation

View more
Image

Sweetener trends & insights: Opportunities for calorie-conscious innovation Feb 2026

Innova Market Insights reveals that nearly half of consumers globally are turning to sweeteners to satisfy their sweet cravings while aiming to reduce their calorie intake. This growing demand for lower-calorie options is fueling innovation in the sweetener market, presenting new opportunities for the development of novel sweetener solutions in F&B products.

Trend analysis

View more
Image

Plant-based innovation: Beyond dairy and meat alternativesFeb 2026

Plant-based products now extend beyond dairy and meat alternatives, including both category replicas and standalone or hybrid products. Innova Market Insights data shows plant-based F&B launches have seen steady growth globally over the past five years, with Europe leading the way. Dairy remains the top category in these launches.

Multimedia

View more
Image
Video05:22
Cargill: Shaping sustainability through strategic food partnerships

In this interview with Geert Maesmans, VP of R&D at Cargill, we dive into the company’s cutting-edge solutions at the European Innovation Center in Vilvoorde, Belgium. From...

Image
Video05:07
Cargill: How AI and consumer insights are shaping future food innovation
Image
Video08:36
Cargill’s European Food Innovation Center: Turning fermentation science into sustainable nutrition
Image
Video15:10
World Resources Institute: What the EUDR means for food ingredients supply chains
Subscribe to our newsletters
PlatformsFood Ingredients FirstNutrition InsightPackaging InsightsPersonal Care InsightsThe World of Food Ingredients
About usContact usAdvertisingPrivacy statementSitemapArchive
Follow us
linkedinrss_headergoogle_news
Image