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.
What’s trending in flavors? Discover new opportunities in F&B formulation
What’s trending in flavors? Discover new opportunities in F&B formulation
Global flavor preferences will continue to evolve in 2026 as shoppers seek adventurous yet calming tastes in a fast-paced and often stressful world. The technology to understand consumers’ emotional and sensory reactions to tastes has advanced, empowering F&B formulators to deliver increasingly targeted flavor profiles.
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.
Rabobank: Why Venezuela’s food ingredients potential remains a waiting game
Rabobank: Why Venezuela’s food ingredients potential remains a waiting game
Following the US military takeover of Venezuela, Food Ingredients First speaks with Carlos Mera, head of agri commodity market research at Rabobank, about what this dramatic political shift could mean for global ingredient supply chains. We discuss which sectors — from fine flavor cocoa to specialty coffee — could see revival, the infrastructure gaps major buyers should monitor, and why oil wealth may ultimately undermine agricultural recovery.
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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Avery Dennison reveals commercial opportunities in fighting food waste
Avery Dennison reveals commercial opportunities in fighting food waste
The global food waste bill continues to rise, threatening the UN’s goal to halve global food waste by 2030. New research by Avery Dennison reveals that over a quarter of global retail leaders say they will not meet the 2030 deadline, while meat was found to be the most challenging category for waste. However, the report stresses that food waste should be viewed as a business opportunity.
Private equity firm buys majority stake in Good Culture as cottage cheese...
Private equity firm buys majority stake in Good Culture as cottage cheese rebounds
Private equity firm L Catterton is purchasing a majority stake in cottage cheese maker Good Culture, the clean label brand known for modernizing cottage cheese and turning it into a popular choice for consumers looking for a high-protein snack made with simple ingredients.
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.
Ukraine: UN FAO calls for sustained investment to rebuild agri-food sector
Ukraine: UN FAO calls for sustained investment to rebuild agri-food sector
The UN FAO has published its “Ukraine: Emergency and Early Recovery Response Plan 2026–2028,” outlining priority actions to support Ukraine’s agri-food sector, protect agricultural livelihoods, and restore productive capacity. The FAO notes the pressures caused by the Ukraine-Russia war are particularly acute in frontline regions, where agricultural infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, access to land is constrained by the explosive remnants of war, and producers face labor shortages and rising production costs.
“Eat real food”: Trump administration’s new dietary guidelines divide opinion
“Eat real food”: Trump administration’s new dietary guidelines divide opinion
The US Trump administration has released its 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), nearly doubling daily protein recommendations and explicitly calling on Americans to avoid “highly processed” foods — a notable shift from previous editions.  
WHO urges tax reforms as alcohol and sugary drinks become too affordable
WHO urges tax reforms as alcohol and sugary drinks become too affordable

Nutrition Insight

The WHO is warning that taxes on alcoholic and sugar-sweetened beverages are lacking, as prices of unhealthy drinks continue to drop in most countries. In new reports, the UN agency urges countries to raise taxes and implement policies aimed at these groups. It blames industries for pressuring governments to limit increases, allowing harmful products to remain affordable. Meanwhile, health systems bear the financial burden of preventable noncommunicable diseases and harms linked to these products.
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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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Top trends 2026 for F&BDec2025

Innova Market Insights highlights “Powerhouse Protein” as the top trend for 2026. Consumers are looking for protein products with additional health benefits to improve their nutrition. Other trends fo...

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Tomorrow’s flavor trends: Adventure, comfort & health Jan 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicate that consumers globally are increasingly adventurous with taste in F&B, with 71% agreeing they are open to trying new global cuisines. Nevertheless, 46% of consumers worldwide are most inclined to choose familiar flavors, and 44% prefer “healthy” flavors. Traditional and comforting flavors also significantly influence consumer purchasing decisions.

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.

Multimedia

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Rabobank: Why Venezuela’s food ingredients potential remains a waiting game

Following the US military takeover of Venezuela, Food Ingredients First speaks with Carlos Mera, head of agri commodity market research at Rabobank, about what this dramatic political shift could mean for global ingredient supply chains. We discuss which sectors — from...

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Fi Europe 2025: Daesang showcases fermentation-driven savory innovations
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Fi Europe 2025: Healy Group upcycles micronized cocoa shells in PrimaFi cocoa alternative
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Fi Europe 2025: ClonBio’s barley protein concentrate launches for human nutrition  
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