A new bottled water brand, Loonen, launched last week in select California retailers and on Amazon, following a $6 million funding round led by Brand Foundry Ventures. Loonen was founded by Clara Sieg, a former venture investor, and David Kimmell, a beverage industry veteran. The company says it was created in response to concerns over contaminants in both tap and bottled water. According to the founders, nearly half of US tap water contains PFAS, over 55% of systems test positive for lead, and there are currently no federal limits for microplastics in either bottled or tap water. The water is sourced from protected mountain springs in California. Loonen’s process includes transporting water in stainless steel, purifying it through membrane filtration, and adding trace minerals such as magnesium and Celtic sea salt. Each batch is tested by independent labs, with results accessible through a QR code on packaging. Sieg said: "Loonen was born from a moment of panic that turned into purpose. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I became aware of how much plastic and contamination hides in the water we drink." She continued: "Partnering with David, who understands the structural issues in the beverage industry, turned that urgency into a solution: water that's verified clean, free from microplastics and balanced with the highest quality minerals to taste the way water should." Kimmell added: "After years in the beverage industry, I saw how little transparency existed, especially in bottled water. Consumers believed they were getting something clean, but the sourcing and bottling practices behind most products told a different story. That gap drove us to create Loonen with a different level of integrity." The company is advised by a group of health and wellness experts, including pediatrician Manasa Mantravadi, functional medicine physician Robin Berzin, clinical nutritionist Kelly LeVeque and hormonal health specialist Alisa Vitti. They provide guidance on water safety, nutrition and health considerations. Mantravadi commented: "As a pediatrician, I've seen how something as simple as water can be one of the most powerful tools for a child's health. At the same time, we know that plastics can leach harmful chemicals into what our kids eat and drink." "Choosing water that is free from harmful chemicals isn't just better for children's growth and development today – it's an investment in their long-term health as adults." Loonen is currently available in California and online, with plans for broader distribution in 2026.

Dutch cultivated meat company Meatable is ceasing operations and will dissolve its legal entity after failing to secure continued funding. The decision was disclosed by Agronomics, a listed investor focused on clean food technologies and a shareholder in Meatable. According to Agronomics, Meatable’s board and shareholders concluded that an orderly wind-down was the most appropriate course of action following a strategic review. Founded in 2018 by Krijn de Nood, Daan Luining and Mark Kotter, Meatable was regarded as one of Europe’s more advanced cultivated meat startups. The company developed a proprietary production approach based on pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), which naturally multiply rapidly without the genetic modification required by immortalised cell lines. Meatable had been actively pursuing commercialisation in 2025 and was considered a technical leader in the space. Agronomics has invested a total of £7.9 million in Meatable. Prior to the announcement, the stake was carried at £11.9 million and represented approximately 8.1% of Agronomics’ net asset value as of 30 September 2025. The investment will now be written down to zero. Commenting on the decision, Jim Mellon, executive chair of Agronomics, said: “While this outcome is disappointing, we believe the decision has been taken responsibly and in the best interests of all stakeholders. Agronomics continues to actively manage its portfolio and remains focused on supporting its wider portfolio of businesses with strong long-term growth potential.” Meatable’s closure comes just days after Israel-based Believer Meats announced it had ceased operations, despite having secured full regulatory approval in the US and opening what it described as the world’s largest cultivated meat production facility. Other cultivated meat companies to exit the market this year include UK-based CellRev and Dutch start-up Upstream Foods, highlighting the challenging investment climate for start-ups within the cultivated meat, and broader alt-protein, food space.

LaCroix has announced the launch of its newest sparkling water flavour, Pineapple Coconut, set to hit shelves in January 2026. The latest addition to the brand’s portfolio blends juicy pineapple notes with a smooth, velvety coconut finish, delivering a tropical flavour profile. Designed to tap into a growing demand for tropical-inspired flavours, Pineapple Coconut offers an indulgent holiday-like taste experience while remaining free of sugar, calories or sweeteners, providing a refreshing alternative for consumers seeking flavour-forward drinks without compromise. Pineapple Coconut will be available across the US from early January.

Anheuser-Busch InBev has confirmed plans to close two US breweries and offload another, stating that the decision means it can ‘invest more in remaining operations.’ The company is shutting facilities in Fairfield, California and Merrimack, New Hampshire, while its brewery in Newark, New Jersey, will be sold to a property business, Goodman Group. A spokesperson for AB InBev said: “Over the last five years we have taken steps to update and modernise our US manufacturing operations, investing nearly $2 billion in our 100 facilities across the country; after conducting a thorough review, we have decided to sell our Newark, NJ facility to the Goodman Group and to close our facilities in Fairfield, CA and Merrimack, NH in early 2026.” Over 400 members of staff will be affected, with employees being offered full-time roles elsewhere in the business. Production will also be absorbed into other facilities. “These changes will enable us to invest even more in our remaining operations and in our portfolio of growing, industry-leading brands,” the spokesperson continued.   The news follows AB InBev’s acquisition of a majority stake in BeatBox , a US-based hard punch maker with over 20 SKUs in its portfolio.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is proposing to accept remedies following its investigation into Vandemoortele’s deal to buy Délifrance. The merger deal, announced earlier this year, would see Vandemoortele become the largest supplier of frozen viennoiserie products in the UK by a considerable margin. Both companies supply these products, such as crossaints and pains au chocolat, to customers across the retail and foodservice channels. They are supplied ready for baking by customers in their in-house bakeries, before being sold or served to consumers. The UK’s competition watchdog raised concerns about the acquisition in early December, citing a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition in the UK market for frozen laminated dough products. Its Phase 1 investigation found that the deal could potentially lead to higher prices for consumers in the UK due to the lessening of competition. To resolve these concerns, the companies have offered to sell Délifrance’s UK viennoiserie business, together with two production facilities in Avignon and Béthune, France, with the capacity to supply all of the frozen viennoiserie products currently sold into the UK by Délifrance. These assets would be sold to a purchaser to be approved by the CMA. Yesterday (22 December 2025), the CMA said it has considered the proposal and believes these remedies could resolve the competition concerns. It will now consult on the package and the potential purchaser. Sorcha O’Carroll, senior director for mergers at the CMA, commented: “Our initial investigation found that this deal could have led to higher prices or reduced quality for supermarkets and foodservice customers across the UK, so we welcome steps taken by the businesses to address our concerns”. “By offering to sell the relevant Délifrance UK business together with two production facilities to an approved purchaser, we believe this will protect choice and maintain quality, helping ease the pressure on businesses and the households they serve.” The European Commission recently approved the merger deal following its own independent invesigtation, on the condition that the companies comply with the commitment to sell the two production sites in France. It concluded that the capacity and actual production volumes of the plants to be divested would be enough for a suitable buyer to exercise sufficient competitive pressure on the merged entity.

From blockbuster mergers and major brand shake-ups to viral product launches and geopolitical disruption, 2025 delivered no shortage of talking points for the food and beverage industry. As the year draws to a close, we round up the FoodBev stories that captured the most attention from our readers. There have been some big stories in the world of food and beverage this year – from Unilever finalising the demerger of its ice cream business to the closure of factories and the merging of high-profile companies, like the Kellanova/Mars merger and the Greencore/Bakkavor takeover, both of which recently received approval from the EU. Some of our most-read articles of the year featured popular producers and brands, including Red Bull and PepsiCo, and covered everything from new product launches to political turmoil on the world’s stage. To mark the closure of the year, here are the stories that had you clicking during 2025. Red Bull’s new launches It’s never a dull day in the energy drink sector, and Red Bull kept us busy with its continuously expanding portfolio. In February, the company announced the launch of its Summer Edition White Peach energy drink, which joined a roster of successful previous Summer Editions. This latest flavour combines notes of white peach with a hint of citrus peel, offering a refreshing option for those wanting something with a boost of energy on a warm summer’s day. Later in the year, the brand also brought us a new sugar-free Lilac Edition drink. The Red Bull Sugarfree Lilac Edition offered flavours of grapefruit and blossom following a rigorous testing and research process. The Sugarfree Lilac Edition made its way onto shelves in June. Other recent beverage launches that made it into our top ten this year were CCEP’s launch of a Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Cherry Crush variant , which was released in time for Valentine’s Day. The new flavour aimed to capitalise on the growing demand for flavoured carbonated beverages and featured roses on the packaging – perfect for appearing during the month of love. President Trump and his ever changing tariff policy US President Donald Trump made 'tariff' a real buzzword in 2025, imposing and suspending them throughout the year. The UK (where we are based) got off fairly lightly, but the same couldn’t be said for countries like Brazil. Our story on further changes to the Canadian and Mexican tariffs was the second most-read story on FoodBev this year. You can read the full story and keep up with all the tariff news here. PepsiCo dominating FoodBev’s headlines PepsiCo featured the most heavily in our top ten stories of the year, firstly after making a splash over the Christmas season, not only with the launch of a new gingerbread-flavoured Pepsi Max variant, but also with Doritos Gingerbread, the brand’s first-ever limited edition festive flavour. Doritos Gingerbread combined the brand’s signature crunch with the warming taste of gingerbread, further capitalising on the ongoing trend of combining sweet and savoury flavours, and joined a wider seasonal line-up of festive crisp flavours, including two new additions to the Walker’s line-up. As well as some incredible food and beverage news stories, 2025 also saw the end of an era with the finale of Stranger Things, a nostalgic Netflix show about alternative worlds and mind-reading monsters. Pepsi-Co owned Doritos was one of the many brands that collaborated with Stranger Things in the lead up to the finale, with its limited edition Black Garlic Dip , which also made our top ten stories of the year. It wasn’t all monsters and gingerbread for PepsiCo, however. Earlier in the year, its Frito-Lay brand was fined $36 million for breaching antitrust regulations in Turkey.   The amount, approximately 1.3 billion Turkish Lira, was imposed after Turkey’s Competition Authority found it had engaged in anti-competitive practices designed to restrict rival brands’ access to the market. The investigation focused on whether Frito-Lay, which owns popular snack brands, such as Doritos, Ruffles, Lay’s and Cheetos, had violated the law by preventing the sales of its competitors and attempting to exclude them from the packaged chip sector. Read more about the decision here . With retirements, mergers and in some places, terminations, there have been some big changes to the leadership teams of the sector’s best-known companies over the year, including at PepsiCo. The news of the company announcing a major reshuffle of its leadership to streamline global operations , which featured six promotions and three high-profile departures, came in at number 10 of our most-read news stories of the year. Refresh yourself and find out more here. Continuing the trend of indulgent better-for-you products Both indulgence and better-for-you have been top trends this year, so it was only a matter of time before something featuring both those things ended up on our list. Lindt managed to embody both with their Excellence Fusion range of bars , which promised to redefine the chocolate experience by combining the boldness of dark chocolate with the creaminess of milk or white chocolate. Following a growing consumer base seeking indulgence, research found that while dark chocolate continued to gain popularity, thanks to its perceived health connotations, many consumers found the intense flavour off-putting, allowing for innovation around making it more palatable. Looking back on past trends While we’re on the subject of trends, the fifth most read story on FoodBev this year was from our very own chairman, Richard Hall, as he revisited a previous review of the top 15 soft drinks brands a decade later. Richard’s update looked at what had changed in the beverage industry over the past ten years, comparing the top brands of 2015 with those of 2025, finding that brands like Tropicana, Lipton, Minute Maid and Mountain Dew had all dropped out of the top 15! Find out more here.   FoodBev's top ten stories of 2025 Red Bull launches Summer Edition White Peach energy drink Trump announces further changes to Canada and Mexico tariffs CCEP launches Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Cherry Crush ahead of Valentine's Day PepsiCo launches Christmas crisp flavours, including gingerbread Doritos World’s top 15 soft drinks brands 2025 Doritos unveils limited-edition Black Garlic Dip ahead of Stranger Things season finale Red Bull introduces new sugar-free Lilac Edition drink Lindt & Sprüngli launches Excellence Fusion chocolate bar PepsiCo's Frito-Lay fined $36m for breaching antitrust regulations in Turkey PepsiCo announces major leadership reshuffle to streamline global operations

Jennifer Zhou. As consumers increasingly embrace holistic health, the concept of wellness is extending far beyond nutritional panels and ingredient lists; it’s becoming a full sensory experience. In today’s functional food and beverage landscape, flavour and colour are no longer mere enhancements but powerful cues that help shoppers intuitively navigate their wellbeing goals. From calming blues and soothing honey notes to the energising brightness of citrus and greens, emerging research shows that people are not just tasting health, they are seeing it, seeking it and selecting it on shelves. Jennifer Zhou, global senior director product marketing, flavours and citrus at ADM, explores how sensorial signals are shaping modern wellness products, and why the future of functional innovation lies at the intersection of science, emotion and design. Does health have a flavour? Do wellness foods and beverages have colours in common that are recognised intuitively and thus more likely to be reached for on the shelves? As healthier lifestyles are becoming the norm for many, research indicates that there are flavours and colours associated with specific benefits in different health and wellness categories. In the current landscape, functional foods and beverages must appeal to the entire person, nourishing both physical and emotional well-being, which is often influenced by taste and appearance. For instance, relaxation and sleep quality are at the top of health priorities, as 70% of consumers globally are proactively trying to manage both. In this environment, flavour and colour have emerged as powerful tools that guide health-conscious consumers and shape their perception of a product's benefits. Interestingly, the colour blue is highly connected to this wellness area, as is the flavour of honey. The power of pigment and palates “We eat with our eyes first” is a common phrase in the food and beverage industry. The colour of a product often sets the stage, influencing expectations long before the first bite or sip. For example, orange and green are highly associated with vitality and natural wellness, consistently appearing in products linked to immunity, energy, hydration, cognitive health and weight management. A vibrant orange hue, much like the fruit itself, signals a product rich in vitamin C and immune-supporting properties. Green, on the other hand, is widely connected to digestion and weight management, with consumers associating it with fresh, natural ingredients. When it comes to flavour, citrus profiles are in a league of their own. Flavours like orange and lemon consistently rank highly across a wide range of wellness categories, including immune function, hydration and cognitive health. This isn't a coincidence; it's because consumers have a deep-seated connection to citrus. Whether it's the nostalgic taste of orange juice or the tanginess of a lemon, these flavours are familiar and versatile, making them a natural fit for functional food and beverage innovation. Citrus can be perceived as energising or comforting, depending on the application use, ultimately lifting one’s mood. There is an emerging trend that focuses on "authentic well-being," which centres on simple, natural ingredients that provide genuine nourishment. This trend is expected to bring a greater focus on yellow and orange colours, along with flavours like citrus, apple and honey. Honey is a key player in the movement toward simple, wholesome ingredients because of its association with immunity, digestion and relaxation. Intentional choices and evolving formats   Today's consumers are highly intentional about what they eat and drink, seeking a balance between wellness and enjoyment. They want products that are both wholesome and delicious, addressing their physical and emotional needs. This has led to the rise of specific formats that feel indulgent and nourishing.   Hot beverages, for instance, are a staple for many, with 80% of global consumers drinking them at least once a week to support their health. This format feels inherently wholesome and relaxing. Similarly, creamy dairy yogurts are popular, with 72% of consumers reaching for them weekly to support their health goals. Yogurt's association with gut health and its comforting texture make it a go-to choice for those seeking some familiarity with its functionality.   Relatedly, savoury snacks have also moved into the wellness spotlight, offering a new frontier for sensorial and nutritional innovation. Globally, 70% of consumers eat savoury snacks at least once a week for their health. The UK market shows an even stronger preference, with 75% of UK consumers using savoury snacks to support their wellness goals. This trend presents a unique opportunity for brands to create tasty, health-forward options by incorporating wholesome ingredients like seeds, nuts and protein into savoury formats. An opportunity for strategic innovation   The shift toward proactive, holistic wellness presents a significant opportunity for the food and beverage industry. Consumers are not just buying products; they are making a statement about their commitment to nourishing their whole selves. To resonate with them, brands must think strategically about how they use flavour and colour to tell a product's story.   This involves using vibrant colours from nature to signal specific benefits and pairing them with familiar flavours that evoke comfort and nostalgia. Whether it’s a zesty orange drink for an energy boost or soothing blue-hued gummies for relaxation, the right combination can bridge the gap between functionality and enjoyment.

At Food Ingredients Europe 2025, FoodBev spoke to Laurentia Bliss, director of brand development for Threotech, about the company's brain-boosting Magtein nutraceutical ingredient. Magnesium continues to be one of the most widely used supplements in Europe, especially as people look for support with areas like cognition, memory, sleep quality and stress. However, not all forms of magnesium work the same way in the body. Many commonly used forms have limited ability to increase magnesium levels in the brain, which is where many of these functions begin. Magtein is a unique form of magnesium L-threonate created by scientific researchers to help magnesium reach the brain more efficiently. Published research shows that Magtein can help support memory, cognition, mood, sleep quality and healthy cognitive ageing – providing brands with a science-guided option that aligns with growing consumer interest. With EU Novel Food status and increasing global awareness, Magtein is gaining strong momentum throughout Europe. It also offers formulation flexibility for nutraceuticals, RTD beverages, gummies, bars and other functional products.

The UK’s newly finalised free trade agreement with South Korea is expected to deliver a significant uplift for British food and beverage exporters by safeguarding tariff-free access and simplifying trade conditions.   Announced on 15 December, the upgraded trade deal ensures tariff-free access on 98% of tariff lines, effectively protecting around £2 billion worth of UK exports.   South Korea’s expanding import demand, which is projected to grow by 26% by 2035, presents clear opportunities for British producers. Among the goods highlighted as beneficiaries of the agreement are Scottish salmon and Guinness, both of which are expected to retain strong competitive positions in the Korean market. Nik Jhangiani, interim CEO of Diageo – which owns Guinness as well as a range of premium spirits – said the agreement “will support export growth for Guinness, canned in Runcorn, and help satisfy the growing demand from South Korean consumers for the world’s number one stout“. Similarly, Salmon Scotland, representing over 3,200 Scottish salmon producers and exporters, emphasised that improved customs procedures, including provisions aiming for goods clearance within 48 hours, will be crucial for maintaining product quality and competitiveness in distant markets. One of the deal’s standout features for the food and beverage industry is its focus on modernised customs procedures and clearer regulatory pathways. The agreement includes enhanced sanitary and phytosanitary measures designed to reduce delays and uncertainty at borders, an important benefit for perishable foods, such as seafood. These smoother processes aim to reduce risks associated with spoilage and administrative hold-ups, thereby strengthening cross-border supply chain reliability. Trade minister Chris Bryant said the deal positions the UK as a global leader in digital trade and innovation.

Mondelez’s Oreo cookie brand has announced a range of new product innovations for its US portfolio, including a zero-sugar variety. The brand said it saw an opportunity to fill a clear gap in the market as more consumers seek mindful indulgence, with 66% of Americans trying to limit sugar in their diet according to Statista data. Launching as a permanent addition to the brand’s range from January 2026, Oreo Zero Sugar Cookies aim to deliver an authentic and familiar Oreo experience in a zero-sugar format. They will be available in both Original and Double Stuf variants. The cookies are sweetened with maltitol, polydextrose, sucralose and acesulfame potassium, developed to provide ‘indulgence without sugar,’ and are free from aspartame. Ahead of the new year, the brand has also unveiled a range of new additions for December 2025. In the bakery section, this month sees the debut of Oreo Muffins and Oreo Cakesters Confetti Cake. The Muffins are made with cocoa and baked with Oreo’s signature flavours, available in two-packs for an on-the-go treat. Meanwhile, the Cakesters Confetti Cake features birthday cake-flavoured creme sandwiched between two soft confetti cakes. Also launched this month are the Oreo Thins Chocolate Ganache, featuring a thin crisp bite filled with rich chocolate ganache-flavoured creme; and Oreo Minis Chocolate Creme, packing chocolate-flavoured creme sandwiched between two chocolate cookies and available in convenient 3oz and 8oz bags. Additionally, Oreo Cookie Dough will be relaunched this month from today (22 December 2025) as a limited-edition offering. Featuring cookie dough-flavoured creme with chocolate chip inclusions sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies, this innovation is returning to shelves for the first time since 2014. A series of new formats will be available in January 2026, including new packaging sizes for Golden Oreo Minis and Oreo Minis Peanut Butter. The previously announced Oreo Reese’s Cookie, a cross-collaboration with the much-loved peanut butter cup brand , is also making its debut in January.

US vertical farming company AeroFarms said it has secured funding to continue operations, following the announcement of its closure last week. The company submitted a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice to the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement in early December, stating that it would be ceasing operations at its Virginia site and terminating the jobs of its 173 employees due to withdrawn financial support from its largest investor. However, in a U-turn move announced on 19 December, the indoor farming company revealed that it would now be continuing to operate and supply microgreens to customers and shoppers across the US retail market. While AeroFarms said it was previously provided with ‘sudden and unexpected’ notice that it would not receive the necessary funding to continue operations, the company’s circumstances have ‘evolved rapidly’ since. AeroFarms confirmed that an existing stakeholder has agreed to provide funding, enabling the company to remain in operation and explore further strategic investment options. In its statement, the company said: “AeroFarms is deeply grateful to its employees, partners, vendors, customers and stakeholders for their unwavering support of AeroFarms and belief in the power of its highly differentiated microgreens products”.

Ben & Jerry’s independent board is pushing back against parent group The Magnum Ice Cream Company’s removal of several of its directors, including chair Anuradha Mittal, as part of a new term limit announced last week. The Magnum Ice Cream Company, recently listed as its own entity through the separation of Unilever’s ice cream business in early December, said the governance changes aimed to ‘align principles and policies’ across the business. As part of these measures, a nine-year term limit for board members was announced, making chair Mittal ineligible to serve on the board in addition to two other directors. However, in a court filing reported on by Reuters , Ben & Jerry’s independent board is now asking a US judge to update its 2024 lawsuit against Unilever by adding Magnum as a defendant. The ice cream brand’s founders and board have been involved in a lengthy dispute with Unilever, and now The Magnum Ice Cream Company, since 2021. They claim the parent company is silencing their stance on social issues, including the Israel-Gaza conflict. The board is seeking to prevent the removal of the directors by asking the judge for an order to stop Magnum from doing so. According to Reuters ’ reports, it is pursuing an expedited ruling within the next few weeks. Since the filing of the lawsuit in 2024, the relationship between Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company has become increasingly strained. One of the ice cream brand’s co-founders, Jerry Greenfield, announced his resignation from the brand in September, stating that the brand’s “independence is gone”. Greenfield and co-founder Ben Cohen had publicly urged Magnum’s board to enable the brand to operate independently earlier that month, stating: “We no longer believe that Ben & Jerry’s can thrive as part of a conglomerate that fails to support its founding mission”.