The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry
Search results for "start-up of the month"
5351 results found for "start-up of the month"
- Döhler partners with Superbrewed Food to scale-up postbiotic protein production
Biomass fermentation start-up Superbrewed Food is entering into a manufacturing partnership with Döhler to scale-up the production of its postbiotic protein.
- Golden Hooves adds regeneratively farmed Dorset Clotted Cream to line-up
With usage occasions peaking during the summer months, particularly as a pairing for fresh berries, the Golden Hooves’ existing line-up includes 200g pre-packed cheeses and 2.5kg deli blocks, as well as 200g
- PepsiCo shakes things up with first corporate rebrand in 25 years
PepsiCo has officially launched a refreshed corporate brand identity, marking a significant evolution in its visual representation that aims to reflect the company's current ethos and future ambitions. This announcement highlights the company's commitment to consumer-centricity and sustainability. The new identity is described as more than just a logo; it embodies a transformation that captures the energy, optimism, and ambition of PepsiCo as it moves into 2025. “This isn’t just a new logo; it's a symbol of transformation that captures the energy, optimism and ambition of PepsiCo in 2025 and beyond,” said Jane Wakely, chief consumer and marketing officer and chief growth officer for international foods at PepsiCo, on LinkedIn. PepsiCo's rebranding aims to enhance consumer recognition and connection across its extensive portfolio of over 500 brands, which includes household names like Lay’s, Tostitos, Gatorade, Quaker, Siete and its most recent acquisition, Poppi . Notably, only 21% of consumers can name a brand produced by PepsiCo beyond its flagship product, Pepsi. This statistic prompted the company to rethink its branding strategy to better communicate its diverse offerings and core values. The new logo features a prominent 'P,' which the company says not only nods to the company’s heritage, but also surrounded by elements symbolising its future values: consumer centricity, sustainability and taste. The design incorporates a vibrant colour palette inspired by natural elements, aimed as reflecting PepsiCo's commitment to both its products and the planet. The rollout of the new brand identity will begin in early 2026, with updates appearing on packaging and digital platforms, including a redesign of PepsiCo's website and social media channels. This phased approach aims to unify the company’s various brands under a cohesive vision that resonates with consumers globally. “Our refreshed corporate brand is a beautiful expression of both who we are as a company today and our aspiration for the future,” Wakely added. The new identity emphasises the company's mission: “Creating more smiles with every sip and every bite,” encapsulated in the tagline 'Food. Drinks. Smiles'. PepsiCo's rebranding comes amid a broader commitment to sustainability and innovation, as reflected in its pep+ framework, which aims to drive positive change for both people and the planet.
- M&S teams up with Zoe to launch new gut shot
UK supermarket Marks & Spencer has teamed up with nutrition-science company Zoe in a “world-first” collaboration Separately, this month M&S launched a ‘Good Gut’ range with more than ten products, including cereals
- Nestlé’s Q1 results report "strong start" to the year
. $26.43 billion), up from last year’s CHF 22.2 billion (approx. $25 billion).
- Powerade adds Xtra Sour sports drink to summer line-up
Nutrition, which took over the brand in 2023, Powerade has focused on revitalising its product line-up
- Fresh Cravings expands hummus line-up
US-based snacking brand Fresh Cravings has expanded its hummus line-up with two new flavours, Tajín Chili available in the deli section of Walmart stores across the US, joining the brand’s existing hummus line-up
- Cox&Co Cacao turns up the heat for Easter with chilli-infused eggs
Single-origin dark chocolate specialist Cox&Co Cacao is expanding its seasonal portfolio with three new Easter SKUs, introducing a spicy-fruit flavour pairing alongside two premium hollow egg multipacks aimed at dark chocolate enthusiasts. The latest additions to the 2026 Easter range include: an Aleppo Chilli & Cherry Easter Egg (155g, RRP £14.00), a Miso & Caramel Hollow Egg Triple Pack (3 x 60g, RRP £18.00) and a Bee Pollen & Honey Hollow Egg Triple Pack (3 x 60g, RRP £18.00). Headlining the launch is the Aleppo Chilli & Cherry Easter Egg, crafted with 60% single-origin Colombian cacao. The egg combines fruity cherry notes with a sprinkling of Aleppo chilli flakes, delivering mild warmth and tangy complexity designed to complement the richness of dark chocolate. The product is also suitable for vegans, aligning with the continued growth in plant-based confectionery. The Aleppo chilli’s subtle heat and fruit-forward character provide differentiation in a competitive Easter fixture, where brands are increasingly leaning into adventurous flavour profiles to drive incremental sales. Responding to consumer demand for smaller, shareable formats, the brand is also introducing two hollow egg triple packs. The Miso & Caramel variant (47% cacao) blends white miso powder with natural caramel, targeting shoppers seeking sweet-savoury flavour experiences. Meanwhile, the Bee Pollen & Honey triple pack (60% cacao) pairs dark chocolate with honey and a sprinkling of bee pollen, tapping into interest in natural ingredients and added texture. Founder Gavin Cox commented: “NPD for Easter is always important for Cox&Co. Cacao. With so many Easter egg options, it’s crucial to stand out and continue innovating with new flavour combinations and formats." He continued: "There’s been real demand for mini versions of our eggs, so the new three-packs are a great addition, whilst the Aleppo Chilli & Cherry egg is a flavour favourite that we expect to perform strongly this season.” Cox&Co. Cacao continues its partnership with Colombia’s Luker Chocolate estate, investing in farming communities and sustainable agricultural practices to support ethical cacao production — a factor increasingly influencing purchasing decisions in the premium chocolate segment. The new Easter range is available now in selected Waitrose stores, via Amazon, and direct-to-consumer through the brand’s website.
- Heineken to cut up to 6,000 jobs as beer volumes slide in Europe and US
Heineken will cut 5,000 to 6,000 jobs, or roughly 7% of its global workforce, as Europe’s second-largest brewer moves to protect margins amid continued weakness in beer demand across developed markets. The Dutch brewer said on Wednesday that beer volumes fell 2.4% in 2025, reflecting softer consumption in Europe and North America as consumers push back against higher prices and moderate alcohol intake. The decline was slightly less severe than analysts had expected. Most of the job reductions will occur in Europe over the next two years as part of a broader cost-efficiency programme. Heineken employs about 87,000 people globally. The company did not specify which functions would be affected, though the cuts extend beyond previously announced head office streamlining. The move underscores the structural challenges facing major brewers in mature markets, where post-pandemic consumption has failed to rebound, and health-driven moderation trends are accelerating. For suppliers and contract manufacturers, the reductions signal continued pressure on volumes in Western beer markets. Chief executive Dolf van den Brink, who is set to step down in May , said innovation would be critical to reigniting growth in developed regions. “Bigger and bolder innovation is needed” in North America and Europe, he said, pointing to low- and no-alcohol beer as a key growth segment. The brewer forecast operating profit growth of 2% to 6% in 2026, compared with 4.4% growth in 2025, at the lower end of its guidance range. Analysts described the outlook as cautious but achievable in what is expected to be a transition year for leadership. While Western markets remain subdued, Heineken said it is more optimistic about demand in emerging markets, including Vietnam and South Africa, where favourable demographics and rising incomes continue to support category expansion. The divergence highlights an increasingly bifurcated global beer landscape: mature markets are characterised by premiumisation and alcohol moderation, while growth is shifting toward emerging economies. Heineken’s announcement follows similar pressure across the sector. Rival Carlsberg has warned of subdued demand in Western Europe and is accelerating diversification into soft drinks following its acquisition of Britvic, signalling broader portfolio shifts within the brewing industry. For the wider food and beverage sector, Heineken’s restructuring reinforces three themes shaping the alcohol category in 2026: Persistent volume pressure in developed beer markets Margin protection through workforce and cost restructuring Strategic pivot toward low/no-alcohol and emerging market growth Despite near-term caution, van den Brink said the company remains confident in the long-term outlook for beer. “We remain prudent in the short term, and confident in the mid- to long term that the category will return to growth,” he said. Heineken shares rose in early Amsterdam trading following the announcement, suggesting investors welcomed the cost discipline amid ongoing category headwinds.
- Ben & Jerry’s expands Sundaes line-up with three new flavors for 2026
Ben & Jerry’s is expanding its packaged Sundaes range with three new flavours, as the company seeks to capitalise on growing at-home indulgence trends and premium ice cream demand. The new offerings – Straw-Bae Shortcake, PB Blondie Bestie and Mocha Mood Pie – bring the total Sundaes portfolio to seven. Each product includes layered ice cream with mix-ins and whipped toppings, designed to deliver a full-service sundae experience without the need for preparation at home. Retail pricing is set between $4.99 and $6.49 per serving. Flavour highlights: Straw-Bae Shortcake combines sweet cream ice cream with shortcake cookies and strawberry swirls, topped with strawberry-swirled whipped topping and shortcake crumble. The flavour leverages nostalgia and seasonal appeal, particularly around Valentine’s Day, while aligning with consumer demand for convenient, ready-to-eat desserts. PB Blondie Bestie features peanut butter ice cream with blonde brownies and graham cracker swirls, topped with caramel-swirled whipped topping and mini peanut butter cups. It targets adults seeking rich, indulgent flavour experiences and 'Instagrammable' textures that perform well in social media-driven snacking trends. Mocha Mood Pie blends chocolate cold brew ice cream with chocolate cookies and swirls, topped with fudge-swirled whipped topping and fudge chips. Coffee sourced from BLK & Bold adds lifestyle and ethical sourcing credentials, appealing to conscious consumers while tapping into the coffee-flavoured dessert trend. The 2025 Sundaes launch was the top-selling new ice cream innovation in the US, and Ben & Jerry’s executives said the portfolio expansion reflects a strategy to drive incremental growth in the super-premium segment. The ready-to-eat, layered Sundaes format addresses consumer preferences for convenience, indulgence and novelty, particularly during seasonal peaks. As a Certified B Corp, Ben & Jerry’s continues to integrate responsible sourcing and ESG principles across its ingredient supply chain, aligning innovation with broader sustainability objectives.
- Pringles and Miller Lite team up with new beer cheese burger flavour crisps
The 2026 line-up introduces the new Pringles x Miller Lite Beer Cheese Burger crisps, alongside the returning
- Proper launches UK-first pop-up microwave popcorn box to reinvigorate category
targeting growth in the microwave popcorn segment with the launch of what it claims is the UK’s first Pop-up Proper’s Pop-Up Box aims to address this gap by introducing a cinema-style experience into the home, marketing officer at Proper Snacks, microwave popcorn should be exciting, but the category hasn’t kept up She said: “With the PROPER Pop-Up Box, we’ve set out to change that, bringing the iconic popcorn box The Pop-Up Microwave Box is launching exclusively in Tesco stores from 16 March, available in a single










