Physically active consumers want convenient, protein-packed options to fit into their on-the-go routine. “Plant-powered” ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-mix (RTM) protein beverages are emerging as a perfect solution to fill this niche nutrition category and grow into the mainstream market.

“We were so honored to be invited to the Fancy Food Show this year. It is a great way for our students to see how broad the food industry is and understand the impact of the work we do at the lab,” said Drexel Food Lab Associate Director Chef Rachel Sherman. “I find it encouraging to see what products and trends jump out to them."

Joan Driggs, Circana’s vice president for content and thought leadership, sits down with Prepared Foods to break down trends fueling success for Circana’s top New Product Pacesetters at both the retail and convenience store channels.

We’ve pinpointed four flavors for 2025, each representing opportunity for differentiation while aligning with larger, sustaining trends. As we see them take shape on restaurant menus, each also promises opportunity in the retail space, offering a parallel path for consumer exploration and adoption. 

“Consumers are looking for wellness across every aspect of their lives, and food and beverages are playing a critical role in this transformation,” said Sally Lyons Wyatt, global executive vice president and chief advisor at Circana. 

The Whole Foods Market Trends Council – a collective of more than 50 Whole Foods Market team members ranging from foragers and buyers to culinary experts – develop these trend predictions each year through a combination of deep industry experience, keen observation of consumer preferences, and collaborative sessions with emerging and established brands.

Parents care about health and wellness for their children, and their purchasing patterns drive innovation toward healthier children’s food and beverage products. We see growth in numerous categories in children’s products that are positioned as healthy and better-for-you, including dairy alternatives as well as new items in the sweet and savory bakery, and confectionery categories.  

The everything bagel flavor category is growing 20 times faster than other cheese flavors, however, most everything bagel flavored products on the market are limited to the cracker, chip and pretzel categories. The Laughing Cow Everything Bagel Style is a unique option for fans to enjoy the cheese wedges in a new way.

BEAM be amazing®, a health and wellness brand, unveiled Greens On The Go™. This patent pending ready-to-drink greens product, crafted over nearly two years, aims to set a new standard in convenience, nutrition, and flavor.

As the season shifts, consumer preferences evolve, creating a valuable opportunity for food and beverage product developers to tap into fall-themed flavors. Whether your target market prefers to savor the last hints of summer or eagerly anticipates fall, now is the time to introduce innovative, seasonal products that align with both consumer health trends and seasonal nostalgia.

Technomic released its Beverage Global Menu Category Report, which explores foodservice category sizing by country, outlook and expectations, consumer patronage and preferences, menu trends, global and local chains, and brands to watch.

Generation Z, known for their substantial spending on dining out and for regularly making dining choices based on social media content2, are influencing dining experiences around the world. The report highlights a demand from this generation for 'flavor Shock', characterized by unexpected flavor combinations and twists on classic dishes such as incorporating Mexican sauces to create modern pastas.

The Future Menus North America Trends 2024 report identifies top menu trends predicted to influence the restaurant industry in the coming years.

What qualities to look for in an industrial Ethernet switch that can provide long-term reliability in an F&B plant.

Created for the on-the-go coffee enthusiast, the new line upholds Explorer’s commitment to quality, sustainability and ethical sourcing practices. 

“Given the success of our Matcha Almond Latte, we’ve expanded our line of tea beverages with Chai Almond Latte based on the growing popularity of chai tea lattes and consumer demand for easy solutions for café favorites at home,” said Suzanne Ginestro, Califia’s chief marketing officer.

Discover the latest trends reshaping the food and beverage landscape in 2024 and into 2025, where health-conscious choices meet adventurous flavors. We delve into how consumer behaviors are driving innovative snack and beverage options, while sauces and dressings bring excitement to mealtimes. Uncover the key insights and product opportunities that can inspire your next creation in the ever-evolving market.

From electrolyte-packed drinks to sustainable hydration solutions, brands introduce innovative products designed to keep consumers refreshed and replenished.

Prior to sharing our outlook for 2025, we wanted to review the predictions we made for 2024 to determine what we got right and what might not have fully taken shape. Here, we've collected capsule information for each section of our 2024 Predictions, in areas such as sustainability, foodservice and global flavors. Within each capsule, you will find our 2024 predictions and assessments of their accuracy.

Whole Moon is a brand that uses a unique process that blends whole-roasted almonds, oats, pistachios and soybeans, resulting in a rich, nutty flavor and a full-bodied texture.

Changing consumer preferences and regulations have introduced additional complexity to supply chains, necessitating that food and beverage retailers invest in robust traceability solutions.

For soda manufacturers seeking to fine-tune their syrup filtration processes, backflushable stacked disc cartridges can play a key role in ensuring consistent soft drink quality.

Mattoni 1873, a distributor of soft drinks in Central Europe, has invested more than €40 million ($43.66 million) in technology for its various plants in the last three years.

Food Engineering's 41st annual Plant Construction Survey reveals that the ratio of the number of plant renovations and expansions versus new, greenfield projects has again risen from last year, indicating several owners and operators are trying to stay put.

The company will focus exclusively on non-alcoholic adult beverages and aims to build a portfolio of products across beverage categories, both through internal development and acquisition.

Researchers produced pulp from recycled food and beverage cartons, which it then transformed into moulded products using two commonly used techniques.

After the mad dash to end one year, January seems like a chance to get your feet back under you as you start the next.

The coronavirus pandemic we’re dealing with has created a situation that is beyond anyone’s control. That means we adapt, adjust and make the best of it.

We've all had our lives turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that's going to continue for at least a little while longer.

There are many different foreign materials that could and actually have ended up in foods. The most insidious of these and the one most feared is glass.

Treatment systems must demonstrate robust performance while handling both varying volumes and changing wastewater compositions.

Mars announced that it would be reviewing its Uncle Ben’s brand in response to the protests against systemic racism worldwide.

Despite reporting a 28% decline in its second quarter, it also witnessed considerable improvement in global sales volume as lockdown eased.

Archer Daniels Midland Company reported a strong profit for its Q2, strengthened by its nutrition and agricultural services divisions.

Cargill joins the list of major meatpackers who were under investigation for their handling of meat exports and worker safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cargill joins the list of major meatpackers who were under investigation for their handling of meat exports and worker safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

Although the top 5 companies stayed the same, there was extensive movement throughout Food Engineering’s 2020 list of the Top 100 food and beverage companies.

A volatile year for food and beverage companies of every size has seen a reshuffling of Food Engineering’s Top 100 food and beverage companies.

PepsiCo has moved up from #2 to take the top spot. The company reported a 20.5% increase in net revenue in its Q2 results, raising its full-year guidance for organic revenue growth. 

Following closely behind PepsiCo, Nestlé reported organic sales growth of 8.1% for its first half, after its results were boosted by strong demand for its coffee products.

JBS reported its “best quarter in its history” in August, citing a net income that increased almost 30% to $839.2 million.

AB InBev reported a strong performance in Q2 after organic revenue grew by 27.6% to $13.53 billion. 

Tyson Foods recorded sales of $11.30 billion in Q2, an increase from 2020’s results of $10.89 billion. 

At the end of 2020, Mars announced its acquisition of Kind North America, a maker of healthy granola and energy bars.

ADM reported strong Q2 results, with net earnings of $712 million and adjusted net earnings of $754 million. 

The Coca-Cola Company witnessed net revenues accelerate by 42% in Q2 this year, driven by ongoing recovery from the pandemic in several markets.

Global commodities trader Cargill reported a 17% rise in revenue in fiscal year 2021, owing to raised prices for agricultural products. 

Danone has been busy. The company reported a return to growth across all categories in the second quarter after posting a 6.6% net sales increase on a like-for-like basis. 

After a brief stint in the top spot for PepsiCo, Nestlé reclaimed the mantle of top food and beverage producer by revenue in this year’s Top 100 Food and Beverage Companies. Plus, there was a massive jump in revenue reported by Archer Daniels Midland, giving the company enough to vault into the second spot, pushing PepsiCo down to third.

The rising cost of ingredients due to inflation and supply is deflating food and beverage manufacturers’ revenue, which has created movement in this year’s list.