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Cadbury Creme Eggs and other Easter goodies on a grocery store shelf.

Easter chocolate innovation gets ambitious despite cocoa market challenges

For a category built on tradition, Easter chocolate is evolving in new and dynamic ways. The familiar hollow egg remains, but it now sits alongside a growing mix of filled, layered, and hybrid formats, as well as multipacks and cross-category creations. Texture has become the defining driver of Easter innovation in 2026, with brands layering crunch, creaminess, and inclusions to deliver more complex, multi-sensory experiences.
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Salt reduction reimagined: Crafting balanced, flavorful solutions for health-conscious consumers
The food industry is witnessing a significant shift in how salt reduction is approached. What once focused solely on lowering sodium content is now evolving into a broader and more sophisticated strategy centered around flavor optimization. With increasing pressure from health organizations, governments, and consumers, manufacturers are striving to create reduced-sodium products that don’t sacrifice taste, texture, or overall quality. This reformulation challenge has led to the development of innovative ingredients and technologies, particularly in fermentation and flavor enhancement, which allow for the creation of more balanced and complex flavor profiles.
mature woman reading milk bottle label in supermarket
Fonterra on why New Zealand’s grass-fed dairy standard is key to building consumer trust
The dairy industry is witnessing a rising demand for milk and dairy products from cows primarily fed on grass rather than grain-heavy diets, as consumer interest in transparency, regenerative agriculture, and minimally processed F&B grows. Amid heightened scrutiny around “grass-fed” claims, New Zealand uses a national standard to provide a clearer benchmark in a category consumers associate with health benefits, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare.
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wheyco™ W80 I LAF: Unlock the Power of Lactose Free Whey Protein Concentrate
Lactose intolerance affects consumers worldwide, driving demand for high-quality, lactose-free protein solutions. wheyco™ W80 I LAF delivers a premium lactose-free WPC80 with excellent solubility, clean taste, and reliable performance. It enables manufacturers to create high-protein, easily digestible products, and offers versatile functionality for a wide range of applications.This Technical Paper is brought to you by DMK.
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Operating Through Uncertainty: Building Scalable Advantage in the Age of Ultra-Processed Foods
In this session, Innova Market Insights will share exclusive insights into consumer behavior, perceptions, and preferences around UPFs, as well as market insights and innovation opportunities within processed foods.      Frame & Flight will explore how leading manufacturers are responding by modernizing how product data flows across formulation, specifications, labeling, and compliance. Using connected digital workflows, teams can evaluate reformulation scenarios earlier, manage supplier change with confidence, and stay launch-ready — even as definitions, guidance, and expectations continue to evolve.      The result: less rework, faster decisions, and the ability to turn regulatory and nutritional uncertainty into a competitive advantage.    
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University of Oxford: Dr. Monika Zurek’s expert take on transforming global food systems
Dr. Monika Zurek, leader of the Food System Transformation Group at the University of Oxford, UK, discusses the urgent transformations needed for sustainable global food systems. Speaking at IFE Manufacturing 2026 in London, she shares insights on balancing climate adaptation, meeting growing food demand, and aligning with policy shifts. Dr. Zurek also highlights promising innovations that can drive food system sustainability and shape resilient business strategies.

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Keurig Dr Pepper expands coffee portfolio with US$18B JDE Peet’s acquisition
Keurig Green Mountain Coffee single-serve K-Cups and coffee beans.
Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) has acquired world-leading coffee company JDE Peet’s in a reported US$18 billion all-cash deal, marking a major milestone in the company’s long-term growth agenda. The deal is expected to create opportunities for innovation across multiple product formats by combining the strengths of KDP’s Keurig business with JDE Peet’s portfolio of renowned coffee brands, with likely implications for food ingredient suppliers, beverage manufacturers, and market stakeholders. KDP’s focus is on creating value through product development and consumer-focused solutions. From single-serve pods to ready-to-drink beverages, suppliers of coffee ingredients, flavorings, and packaging solutions will need to meet the growing demand for diverse and sustainable coffee solutions, as consumer tastes evolve and demand for convenience and variety grows.
Fonterra’s strategic sale to Lactalis sets stage for B2B growth in dairy...
Fonterra office.
Fonterra Co-operative Group has completed the sale of its global consumer and associated businesses, including Mainland Group, to global dairy leader Lactalis. This divestment marks a significant milestone for Fonterra, enabling the company to sharpen its focus on core B2B dairy operations, while strengthening a key partnership with Lactalis that is expected to drive future growth in the dairy ingredients sector. The sale of Mainland to Lactalis strengthens the partnership between Fonterra and Lactalis by shifting their relationship from competition to collaboration. Fonterra will continue supplying high-quality dairy ingredients to Lactalis, solidifying a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership.
How GLP-1 weight loss drugs are shaping the future of European food demand
Person injecting weight loss medication into their stomach.
Economists at ING have released a new report on the expected impact appetite-suppressing weight loss medications will have on European food demand. The insights reveal how much GLP-1 drugs will influence and reshape the industry in the years to come. GLP-1 drugs are widely discussed as potentially transformative for food consumption, but their near-term impact in 2026 is minimal, says ING. Even though users typically reduce calorie intake by 15–20%, low adoption rates (nearly 2% of European adults and 12% of Americans) mean total food demand is only reduced by about 0.25%, which the bank suggests isn’t yet a major concern for F&B companies.
GoodMills Innovation targets artisan bakers with wholemeal spelt concentrate...
GoodMills Innovation's spelt bread.
GoodMills Innovation has unveiled Snow Spelt, a finely ground wholemeal spelt concentrate that offers a lighter color, milder flavor, and finer texture, while retaining wholemeal’s nutritional benefits. The solution is positioned as giving artisan bakers more creative flexibility, as wholemeal products have traditionally been dense, coarse, and less visually appealing.
IFE Manufacturing 2026 live: Functional drinks, GLP-1 and protein-forward...
trade show floor
IFE Manufacturing 2026 is underway in London, UK (Mar 30–Apr 1), showcasing product innovations in functional beverages, healthier snacks, premium indulgence, and global flavors. The three-day event aims to offer a clear view of the F&B industry’s current direction as companies respond to consumer demand for clean label, reduced sugar, and convenient formats.
Navigating botanical regulations: Spotlight on quality consistency,...
Man checking botanical quality

Nutrition Insight

Industry experts are finding that EU and US regulatory frameworks for botanicals are becoming more stringent, requiring suppliers to ensure traceability, quality, and scientific substantiation of product benefits. Meanwhile, botanicals’ natural variability makes it challenging to achieve a consistent quality at scale. Nutrition Insight meets with Akay Bioactives, Greenvit, Phynova, MartinBauer Nutraceuticals, and Layn Natural Ingredients to discuss how these companies navigate strict regulations and quality expectations. 
Highlighted features
Food Ingredients First March Review.
Food Ingredients News
March in review: Global fertilizer crisis, Unilever food...
In March 2026, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid US-Israel strikes on Iran evolved into a prolonged supply chain crisis. Fertilizer flows are under threat, driving knock-on effects for food ingredients, while Iran’s plans for a permanent transit control system could further increase global input costs. Unilever received a takeover approach from McCormick for its food division. Pernod Ricard revealed discussions to merge with Brown-Forman in a potential deal that would create a global spirits leader.
Chef making jam from real fruit.
Food Ingredients News
EU Breakfast Directive: Cargill’s reformulation strategy...
The revised EU Breakfast Directive is entering its final implementation phase, with full enforcement set for June 2026. What may appear to be a routine update to rules on honey, fruit juice, and jams is, in reality, a significant shift toward greater transparency, stricter product definitions, and enhanced consumer protection.
Shipping.
Regulatory News
Tehran’s “toll booth” in Hormuz cuts Western buyers out of...
The Strait of Hormuz crisis has entered a new phase. Four weeks after Iran effectively closed the waterway to commercial shipping, the disruption is no longer a temporary blockade — Tehran is threatening to build a permanent transit fee and vetting system that could reshape how fertilizer reaches global markets, with significant implications for food ingredient input costs. Fertilizer prices have already moved sharply. The benchmark urea contract price for May 2026 has surged 68% since the conflict began, closing at US$681 per metric ton on March 19, according to the National Corn Growers Association’s market analysis. Fitch Ratings has raised its 2026 ammonia and urea price forecasts by approximately 25%, signaling that markets expect the disruption to persist well beyond the current planting season. 

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Salt Reduction Strategies: Meeting consumer demand for healthier indulgenceApr2026

According to Innova Market Insights, global consumers increasingly view reduced-salt claims as a vital element in making indulgent foods healthier and supporting healthy aging. This consumer shift is ...

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Pioneering protein innovation: Emerging trends and global launches Apr 2026

According to Innova Market Insights, 57% of consumers globally are actively seeking to increase their protein intake. In recent years, F&B product launches featuring protein ingredients has risen steadily. A variety of protein types are gaining traction, including milk protein crisp, yeast protein, cranberry protein, soy protein crisp, and tofu protein.

Trend analysis

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Healthy beverage trends: A growing market for functional drinksApr 2026

Innova Market Insights has identified “Beverages with Purpose” as one of the top F&B trends for 2026. Consumers worldwide are increasingly prioritizing health-conscious beverages, driven by growing industry support and innovation. This shift is accelerating the demand for functional drinks, with protein and biotic benefits leading the charge as key trends in healthy beverage development.

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Video12:59
University of Oxford: Dr. Monika Zurek’s expert take on transforming global food systems

Dr. Monika Zurek, leader of the Food System Transformation Group at the University of Oxford, UK, discusses the urgent transformations needed for sustainable global food systems. Speaking at IFE Manufacturing 2026 in London, she shares insights on balancing climate adaptation, meeting growing...

Dr. Winston Sun, Angel Yeast, Clear Yeast Protein, Functional Beverages, Ready To Drink, RTD, Clean Label, Sustainable Protein, Food Biotechnology, Beverage Innovation, Protein Ingredients, IFE Manufa
Video05:49
IFE Manufacturing 2026: Inside Angel Yeast’s Clear Yeast Protein for functional beverages
IFE Manufacturing2026 Atura Proteins video thumbnail: Trade show booth with ATURA branding, attendees networking around a display counter, and inset portrait of a man wearing an ATURA shirt
Video04:36
IFE Manufacturing 2026 live: Atura unlocks high-protein products with chickpea, fava bean, and red lentil flours
Philip Durham, Atlante, UK Expansion, Private Label, IFE Manufacturing 2026, AMBO, Mister Potato, Food Industry, Retail Strategy, Brand Partnerships, Italy Harvest 2025, Year Of Abundance, FMCG, Busin
Video02:27
IFE Manufacturing 2026 live: Atlante’s private label evolution and UK expansion strategy
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