How protein powers CPG majors’ expansion plans
Protein remains a cornerstone of innovation for food and beverage brands. Here’s how Danone, PepsiCo and General Mills are exploring the global megatrend
Dairy beverages
Consumer trends to shape innovation in 2026
From protein to functional ingredients, here are the trends that will shape NPD in the year ahead
How protein turned from trend to necessity
Protein fortification continues to dominate the food and beverage space – but how is ingredient innovation evolving to meet the need for more protein?
Turicibacter: A new weapon against obesity?
It’s not a drug, but a gut bacterium with weight-suppressing effects
Why Africa is becoming a key frontier for dairy beverages
Health-conscious consumers and shifting diets are fueling Africa’s dairy beverage boom, as local and global players rethink strategies to capture growth
Premier Protein’s playbook for holding the lead when a category takes off
The hardest part about winning a new category isn’t getting there first – it’s surviving the stampede that follows, as illustrated by BellRing Brands’ aggressive growth strategy for convenient nutrition leader Premier Protein
Danone tackles the big question for GLP-1 users: What should they eat?
Grounded in emerging science, Danone’s research and innovation team is developing nutrient-dense products tailored to every stage of the GLP-1 user journey – and meeting the needs of the broader health conscious consumer
UK expands sugar tax to include milk-based drinks and RTD coffee
Sugary milk-based drinks will be included in the UK’s Soft Drinks Industry Levy from 2028
Milk-based drinks added to UK sugar tax: Here’s what you need to know
The UK is expanding its Soft Drinks Industry Levy to milk-based drinks. Here are the new rules
Dairy and beyond at Fi Europe 2025
Here are some of the must-see innovations at the 30th edition of the world’s largest ingredient show
Danone takes on Chobani with low-sugar coffee creamer
The Too Good & Co. range brings ‘farm-fresh’ ingredients to coffee aficionados at home
Nestlé R&D head on how the world’s biggest CPG innovates
Inside Nestlé: Rania Abou Samra on crafting the future of food and beverage
Danone’s east-meets-west strategy for gut health and longevity
Modern science drives Danone’s innovations, yet the company is also looking to ancient traditions around the world to understand how different cultures nurture gut health
Danone’s Q3: Healthy hydration thrives as creamers tumble
Waters slid again in Latin America as consumer sentiment in Mexico remained ‘pretty muted’
Opinion
Why medical nutrition is Danone’s ‘jewel’
No other category grows so strongly each quarter – and Danone is only scratching the surface
Gen Z and Millennials redefine wellness: Protein, fiber and flavor drive food choices
Spins data reveals how younger consumers are reimagining nutrition around functional benefits, global flavors and ingredient transparency
Trendlets
Trendlets: Gut health, GLP-1 and alternative protein
How are the trends of gut health, weight management and alternative protein consumption impacting food and beverage innovation?
Nestlé targets 18 underperformers in major marketing and efficiency push
“What we’re doing is working but it’s not good enough,” CEO Philipp Navratil told investors during the CPG major’s Q3 FY25 results presentation
4 trends driving the next frontier of gut health
From biotic soda to kefir, gut health innovation shows no signs of abating. Which trends will see microbiome science continue to push the envelope?
Women are shaping the next frontier of protein innovation
Protein’s health halo attracts female consumers to various products from food and drink to supplements. Here’s what’s driving demand
Chobani hits back at Danone in trademark infringement case
Danone is ‘weaponizing’ the law to hurt Chobani’s ‘superior’ position in RTD coffee, according to a motion to dismiss filed by La Colombe’s owner
Best of Anuga 2025: From functional dairy to next-gen alternatives
Protein innovation remains at the fore for most brands, but diversification into spoonables and beverage formats was notable this year
Top trends and formats driving innovation in dairy
Protein is the biggest buzzword, but what else is shaping new product development?
The ‘proteinification’ of everything
Once just a bottle shaker staple, protein is taking on new forms and finding its way into everything from soda to chips to macaroni and cheese.
How Danone pivoted to influencers for Activia’s brand makeover
Despite being a market-leading brand, Activia has been missing the mark with Gen Z. Danone’s marketing VP tells us how the firm is making biotics buzzworthy for a new generation of consumers
Danone’s Lifeway acquisition collapses
As talks between the two parties fall through, one question looms large: will Julie Smolyansky’s leadership survive?
Water kefir: A new gut-health growth opportunity?
Kefir’s dairy-free twin has enormous growth potential
Third time lucky? Danone, Lifeway in fresh acquisition talks
After twice failing to reach an agreement, Danone and Lifeway Foods are talking again - but is a deal in sight?
‘Knowing, calculated, and systematic’: Danone takes aim at Chobani in explosive court case
The lawsuit claims that Chobani is free-riding on Danone’s brand equity and marketing investment in RTD coffee by copying SToK’s slogan and packaging design
FBIF 2025
Meiji: Protein intake trumps exercise to build muscle gains
Meiji has urged consumers to focus on protein consumption over exercise for muscle growth and maintenance, across all groups from seniors to athletes
What’s brewing in the US coffee creamer space?
Refrigerated coffee creamers are a thriving category fueled by consumer appetite for barista-style drinks. Here’s what’s driving innovation
Beyond intolerance: The rise and rise of low and no lactose dairy
By combining functional and digestive benefits, lactose-free dairy is carving out a growing niche of health-focused formats
‘Stop moving the goalposts!’ Small businesses dread sugar tax reformulation drama
The UK wants to increase the scope of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy: and small businesses are worried
Danone CEO advocates caution in Oikos Protein Shakes expansion
The group wants to validate repeat purchase behavior before committing to a nationwide roll-out in the US
Good & Proper’s barista-ready matcha taps into booming matcha latte trend
Matcha is having a moment: nowhere more so than in trendy, Instagram-friendly matcha lattes. But that’s opened up the market up to cheaper, lower quality alternatives. Good & Proper’s latest launch heralds a return to ‘matcha, as it should be’
Danone sales up as Asia punches in hefty growth
Danone has delivered robust sales growth overall, thanks to its ‘Renew Danone’ strategy, but is seeing losses in some markets
How brands can bank on yogurt’s health halo
The wellness trend is driving demand for functional, protein-rich foods like yogurt. Here’s what’s fueling growth in the category
IFT First: New tech and innovations to look out for at the food science expo
Ready for the new world of GLP-1 food and drink? Want to keep up to speed with the latest in functional and plant-based ingredients, alternative proteins, sugar reduction tech and much more? Here are some of the innovations set to star at the global food...
Healthplex Expo 2025, Natural & Nutraceutical Products China 2025 (HNC 2025)
Mengniu to explore bone, joint, anti-oxidation for sports nutrition range
China dairy giant Mengniu Dairy is exploring bone and joint health, as well as anti-oxidation as it expands its sports nutrition range.
Danone on America’s ‘coffee evolution’ and ongoing growth in creamers
From tapping into the CoffeeTok culture to elevating plant-based creamers, how is one of the major coffee creamer producers moving the needle on innovation?
Pioneers
High-protein game changers: Slate Milk
In a new article series, we spotlight some of the companies that are driving innovation in high-protein dairy . . .
Dairy Innovation
Ultra-filtered milk is redefining dairy: Inside the strategies of Quest, Nurri and Pioneer Pastures
As consumers demand more protein, less sugar, and better nutrition from their beverages, three disruptive brands are using ultra-filtration to reinvent milk – and reshape the dairy aisle
Flavored milk: The next frontier in high-protein dairy?
New product development in protein has largely focused on yogurt and cultured beverages. Flavored milk could be next
Danone’s Oikos expands into $7bn ambient protein shakes market
The move creates a new aisle presence for Oikos, traditionally known for its high-protein yogurts
From gut health to immunity: What do consumers want from functional food and beverage?
We look at data from five major European countries to find out what are the major claims driving interest towards biotics – and what that means for food and beverage brands
Winning in RTD coffee: How Emmi Caffe Latte became the UK’s fastest-growing iced coffee brand
Emmi Caffe Latte has been carving out a bigger share of the UK RTD coffee market, with plans to raise its global profile now taking shape. What’s the brand doing right?
UK set to extend sugar tax to milk-based drinks
The UK plans to lower the threshold the sugar tax kicks in at: as well as extend it to milk-based drinks and their plant-based counterparts
From Danone to Müller: Why kefir is a big pull for big brands
From an obscure ethnic beverage to a global dairy megatrend, kefir is attracting big-brand interest and a growing consumer base
Müller acquires Biotiful in functional dairy push
The dairy major has snapped up the top-selling British kefir brand in a bid to enter the functional dairy space
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