From ambient to plant-based: Where Danone is taking protein next
Danone leads the high-protein yogurt space in the US. Now, it’s branching into new categories and formats
Functional dairy
How GLP‑1 drugs are reshaping dairy innovation
Protein demand has been a boon for dairy – but there’s more to GLP-1-friendly formulation than meets the eye
Functionality and hydration fuel growth at Danone
Infant formula was a drag on Q1 2026 sales but high-protein dairy, functional waters and medical nutrition tipped the balance into positive territory
From coffee to soda: How protein is making waves in beverage innovation
Drinks are a new frontier for protein innovation
Functional drinks shift focus from body to mind
Functional drinks have traditionally concentrated on the body. The next frontier is exploring brain health, cognition, focus, stress-relief and mental wellbeing
How fibre went from forgotten nutrient to consumer obsession
Once dismissed as dull, fibre is now reshaping global food and drink innovation
Functional beverages: The 5 overarching trends defining the next generation of drinks
What are the forces shaping the functional drinks of the future?
Big Soda spotted it first: Why ultrafiltered milk became a billion‑dollar bet
Ultrafiltered dairy offers a rare mix of growth, margin and modern wellness appeal. Where’s the category headed?
Opinion
Would Danone sell its Lifeway stake?
Danone was once in hot pursuit of a Lifeway acquisition. Now, the dairy major looks more likely to exit the business
Fibre over protein? Danone on changing consumer demands in functional foods
Fibre, gut health and clean labels are driving the next wave of functional foods – and Danone explains how nutrition science and consumer expectations are converging
Gut-friendly, prebiotic or high fibre? Navigating the terminology
Gut health soda Poppi is ‘prebiotic’ in the US, but ‘high fibre’ in the UK. What is going on?
Gen Alpha and Beta: Functional food and beverage’s next big bet
Kids and teens power next growth phase for functional foods and beverages
How Bel defied global snacking headwinds
The maker of Babybel has been on a sustained growth trajectory by leaning into new flavours, formats and ingredient trends
How GLP-1 drugs are shaking up nutrition drinks
The focus has shifted from weight loss to nutrient gain
MyProtein returns to growth despite record-high whey prices
MyProtein, the world’s largest online sports nutrition brand, has announced a return to growth after a period of decline driven by high whey prices and a challenging rebranding initiative.
From India to Japan: What’s happening in the functional protein space?
From India to Japan, protein is fast becoming a staple in functional food products, with consumer-packaged goods companies incorporating it into their products or investing in smaller outfits specializing in protein products.
Whey’s boom is flipping dairy economics on their head
Once a waste product, whey has become dairy’s hottest commodity, driving record prices, factory investments and a profound shift in the economics of global milk production
Natural Products Expo West
Predictive data reveals the next wave of performance-driven wellness trends in food
Insights from Spate reveal consumers want functional, low-sugar and benefit-packed food and beverages that fit easily into their lives
Whey protein concentrate at crossroads: How demand is reshaping protein supply
The global whey protein concentrate (WPC) market is diverging as demand-driven growth in high-value ingredients fuels volatility in the broader category
Inside the functional beverage craze: What benefits are consumers really looking for?
From gut health to energy, there’s a huge range of choice in the functional beverage category. What do consumers actually want?
How protein is shaping active nutrition in 2026
Sustained demand for protein continues to define the active and performance nutrition space. But where are the growth niches?
Cheaper, healthier: How consumer priorities are shaping dietary choices
Shoppers strive towards healthier diets – but are their aspirations turning into action?
Opinion
The new paradox: Protein vs processing
Protein is the snack industry’s hottest claim but if the foods delivering it are still ultra-processed, the sector may be building its next health halo on shaky ground
Why the sleep crisis is food and drink’s next big global battleground
Sleep deprivation is becoming big business as consumers obsess over how much shuteye they’re getting, but how is the market responding?
How Danone is redefining plant-based through a benefit-led strategy
Danone US is taking plant-based nutrition into the sports performance arena as it seeks to deepen the category’s benefit-driven appeal
Inside Emmi’s growth playbook: How the Swiss dairy group is building momentum
The Swiss dairy major shows how to play in both health and indulgence – and win
GLP‑1 drinks take off as brands race for $3.5bn functional growth
From protein shakes to collagen coolers, brands are reinventing beverages for the GLP‑1 era and the race for dominance in this fast‑growing $3.5bn category is just beginning
Functional dairy booms as tech-driven innovation renew category potential
Tech driven innovation is growing the potential of functional dairy, repositioning the category as a strong player in the global functional foods space
Innovation in functional coffee creamers takes off
The rise of the US coffee creamer category has been largely fuelled by flavour innovation and brand collabs. But functional creamers represents a rapidly growing area.
Functional dairy’s next phase: From gut health to stress relief
Dairy is the largest segment in functional foods – so where is the category headed?
Protein is the baseline as GLP-1 accelerates the shift
As consumer appetite changes and nutrient scrutiny intensifies, protein is moving from differentiator to design standard
Flavour trend-watching: Dragon fruit, watermelon and lavender shake up the beverage aisle in 2026
Fresh, fruity and floral never go out of style: but with new favourites every year
Kefir with fiber beats omega-3 supplements in reducing inflammation
New research sheds light into the anti-inflammatory potential of fiber-fortified kefir – but there are caveats
Has dairy lost its health halo - and can brands bring it back?
Dairy was once inherently linked with health and wellness, but some consumers doubt the category’s clean image. How can brands rebuild trust?
Functional ingredients powering dairy’s next growth wave
As consumers chase smarter nutrition, functional ingredients are shaping up the next frontier of dairy innovation
Cottage cheese disruptor Good Culture lands $55M investment underscoring shift to healthier dairy
The new investment, coming on the heels of L Catterton’s majority stake, signals growing private-equity appetite for clean-label, better-for-you dairy
Europe embraces blended proteins faster than the US, report finds
Blending animal and plant ingredients is emerging as a pragmatic path to scale protein diversification, says Food System Innovations
Protein, probiotics and clean-label products top targets in new wave of CPG lawsuits
Law firms warn CPG clients to prepare for tougher scrutiny under MAHA-driven policies, Prop 65 claims and state-led investigations targeting ingredients, packaging and label language
Inside FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ protein strategy - amid a whey shortage
When ingredient trends boom, suppliers need a strategy to ensure they meet demand
Is the protein snack boom running out of steam?
Flattening consumer interest and growing format fatigue suggest the category may be hitting a ceiling unless brands evolve beyond bars and bold claims
Are GLP-1 ranges healthy? What food brands must know
Top food brands are embracing GLP-1-friendly ranges. But are these products nutritionally-sound?
How coffee creamers became a powerhouse category
Coffee creamers are outperforming much of the dairy aisle – and new products keep pouring in. Where is the category headed?
Top 5 trends shaping healthy dairy snacking
From cheese bites to RTD beverages, dairy is primed for success in the healthy snacking space
Whey protein suppliers race to expand capacity amid tight markets
As the glut for advanced protein ingredients continues, where is the extra supply set to come from?
Dairy and dementia: Could cheese protect brain health?
A new study adds important insights to the debate about dairy’s role in cognitive health
FrieslandCampina forecasts ‘smart satiety’ will define key 2026 trends
FrieslandCampina Ingredients says fiber diversification, enhanced GLP-1 support and embellished protein offerings will lead nutrition trends this year.
How dairy’s Big 7 will shape exports amid global milk oversupply
As milk supply remains strong, we look at which export categories are set for a boost in 2026
Medjool dates, saffron and cardamon seeds: Entrepreneur creates flavorful functional alternative to traditional milkshakes
Finance professional turned food entrepreneur Masuma Zahara Bukhari brings an exotic flair to the fast-growing functional dairy-free category
Consumer trends to shape innovation in 2026
From protein to functional ingredients, here are the trends that will shape NPD in the year ahead