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

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 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.

The 2026 line-up introduces the new Pringles x Miller Lite Beer Cheese Burger crisps, alongside the returning

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

Unilever, alongside other key players in the retail and food and beverage sectors, have unveiled the 'STEP Up The STEP Up for Agriculture initiative is not merely a corporate initiative but a multi-tiered partnership Friedman, head of sustainability for Unilever North America, highlighted the initiative's potential: "STEP up

consumers reporting a shift towards ready-to-eat meal options to save time and reduce kitchen clean-up Each tube contains two Flavour Bombs, serving two-three people, and boasts a 12-month ambient shelf life

General Mills-owned brand Lucky Charms is expanding its cereal line-up with three new products: Lucky Magical Marshmallows pouch includes a mix of the brand’s classic marshmallow shapes, including hearts, stars Lucky Charms Rainbow Sprinkles Cereal is available now at Walmart and will launch nationwide in April, starting

AG Barr-owned Funkin Cocktails has unveiled two new flavours to its portfolio – Peach on the Beach and Long Island Iced Tea. The Peach on the Beach consists of a blend of peach, cranberry, orange juice and vodka. The flavour will be available in a 200ml slimline can (5% abv) for an RRP of £2, and in a 700ml bottle (10% abv) for an RRP of £9. Meanwhile, the Long Island Iced Tea contains a hint of citrus fruit, vodka, rum and gin. The new variant, which contains 5% abv, is available in a 250ml can for an RRP of £2. “The Funkin Cocktails team are continually collaborating to create innovative cocktails, which delight our consumers,” said Rosie Crossman, Funkin Cocktail’s senior brand manager. “Peach on the Beach and Long Island Iced Tea are well-loved bar classics and we have captured the quality and flavour of a bartender serve, in our ready to drink cans and bottles."

Krispy Kreme has launched a new Chocomania doughnut range in the US, partnering with chocolate brand Hershey. The Chocomania collection launched yesterday (19 February) and will be available for a limited time at participating stores. The range includes four brand-new doughnuts. Galaxy Brownie is filled with Hershey’s Special Dark Fudge Kreme and dipped in Hershey’s chocolate icing, topped with crunchy brownie pieces and rainbow sprinkles. Black & White Chocolate Chip Dream features Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed doughnut dipped in white icing and drizzled with Hershey’s chocolate icing with mini chocolate chips. Chocolate Cake Overload features a Hershey’s fudge old-fashioned cake doughnut dipped in Hershey’s milk chocolate icing and decorated with a Hershey’s dark chocolate fudge buttercream dollop. Finally, Hershey’s Chocolate Iced adds Hershey’s milk chocolate icing and a chocolate drizzle to a Krispy Kreme Original Glazed. Dave Skena, global chief brand officer for Krispy Kreme, commented: “For chocolate and doughnut lovers, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Hershey’s chocolate is the ultimate pairing”. He added: “These are the chocolatiest doughnuts we’ve ever created, and we invite our fans to go all-in on enjoying and sharing them”.

The new line-up, which revisits and revamps Christmas classics, has been developed in line with current

Unilever is joining forces with digital services company Accenture as part of a strategic initiative to accelerate its AI capabilities. The partnership aims to leverage Unilever’s AI research and implementation of technologies that enhance productivity, drive efficiencies and accelerate disruptive and AI-powered innovations at scale. Unilever’s global AI lab, Horizon3 Labs, will host the work. The lab recently opened in Toronto, home to one of Accenture’s six generative AI studios in North America. The two companies will explore new applications to scale generative AI, for example, assets from Accenture’s AI Navigator or its ‘switchboard,’ which allows a user to select a combination of models to address the unique business context. Julie Sweet, chair and CEO of Accenture, said: “This collaboration builds on our relationship of more than three decades with Unilever, which continues to raise the bar as a digital powerhouse and industry leader”. “The combination of Horizon3 Labs’ disruptive innovation with Accenture’s deep expertise and strong ecosystem partnerships will help Unilever scale AI and generative AI more rapidly and responsibly across its business and discover new pathways to value.” The initiative will leverage the solutions and accelerators within Accenture’s previously announced $3 billion investment in data and AI. As part of those efforts, Accenture will connect Unilever with its data and AI experts and help capitalise on Accenture’s ecosystem partnerships, ventures and strategic investments within its Center for Advanced AI, which includes more than 1,450 pending and issued patents in Accenture’s AI solutions and learnings from more than 300 generative AI projects. Steve McCrystal, chief enterprise and technology officer at Unilever, said: “The combination of Horizon3 Labs’ disruptive innovation with Accenture’s deep expertise and strong ecosystem partnerships will help Unilever scale AI and generative AI more rapidly and responsibly across its business and discover new pathways to value.”