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January in review: Infant formula crisis, cultivated meat collapse, EU trade deals
January in review: Infant formula crisis, cultivated meat collapse, EU trade deals
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.
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.
FoodChain ID’s new partnership breathes life back into Ukraine’s war-torn farmland
FoodChain ID’s new partnership breathes life back into Ukraine’s war-torn farmland
A new partnership between FoodChain ID and the Center of Excellence for Life Sciences, Agriculture and Bioingenuity (CE-LAB) is poised to bolster farming and food security in Ukraine. The collaboration is part of an initiative to improve land that is mined and contaminated because of conflict, and comes amid estimates that 7.5 million hectares of land in Ukraine have recently suffered these effects because of military operations.
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.

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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. 
ISM 2026 live: GNT highlights plant-based color concepts with functional...
ISM 2026 live: GNT highlights plant-based color concepts with functional benefits
Functional fruit gum concepts, colorful confectionery, and snack concepts are being showcased at ISM 2026 in Cologne, Germany, as the GNT Group flags how its plant-based Exberry range offers benefits beyond making F&B products stand out on the shelves and in the digital space.
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. 
EIT Food and Puratos: How transparency and taste bridges healthy indulgence gap
EIT Food and Puratos: How transparency and taste bridges healthy indulgence gap
New research from Europe’s food innovation community, EIT Food, in collaboration with ingredients supplier Puratos, reveals that consumers no longer want to choose between health and pleasure — they seek indulgent products that offer both.
Scientists unlock “living biosensor” for early wine spoilage alerts
Scientists unlock “living biosensor” for early wine spoilage alerts
Scientists in Israel have developed a “living biosensor” using bacteria that can help detect early warning signs for wine spoilage. The innovation is said to offer a simpler, lower-cost alternative to lab testing while bolstering quality control in fermentation-based industries.
“Where are the beans?” Experts weigh plant quality amid US protein push
“Where are the beans?” Experts weigh plant quality amid US protein push

Nutrition Insight

The hype around protein is booming, especially with the US 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans explicitly encouraging greater protein intake. The US health administration has placed meat and dairy high on the food pyramid, leaving questions about the role of plant protein, the quality-versus-quantity debate, and the industry influence underlying the guidelines.Nutrition Insight speaks with plant-based meal kit provider Purple Carrot and Soy Nutrition Institute Global to explore why plant-based proteins should be central to healthy diets and whether they are being sidelined by the food industry. 
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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. 
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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.
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Regulatory News
EU-India trade deal: How could tariff cuts reshape F&B...
The EU-India trade deal, which could eliminate up to €4 billion (US$4.75 billion) in tariffs on EU exports, has sparked mixed reactions across F&B industries. Indian businesses, particularly in spices, tea, and processed foods, are optimistic, anticipating increased exports to the EU. However, European agricultural sectors, notably dairy and sugar, are concerned about increased competition and the erosion of market protections.

Ingredient focus

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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 ...

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Product innovation

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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

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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.

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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...

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Cargill: How AI and consumer insights are shaping future food innovation
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Cargill’s European Food Innovation Center: Turning fermentation science into sustainable nutrition
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World Resources Institute: What the EUDR means for food ingredients supply chains
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