Three healthy beverage trends to keep tabs on
It started with the quiet rise of immunity boosting and added-vitamin claims – a response to lingering health anxieties in the wake of the pandemic.
Trends & Analysis
Energy drinks get a healthy glow-up - but who’s drinking them?
Energy drinks have long been favourites of exam-weary college kids and Huberman-inspired gym enthusiasts alike. But as the functional beverage space continues to heat-up, a new wave of energy drinks is breathing life into the category, bringing with it a...
From health-maxxing to value redefined: Mid-point trend review 2025
As the days get shorter and the autumnal breeze begins to set in, Food Manufacture takes a look at how the trends shaping food and drink are evolving in this mid-point review.
Honey bees used to monitor forever chemicals
A new study from The James Hutton Institute and the University of Graz has used honeybees to monitor levels of PFAS in the environment.
Less healthy food rules slash HFSS sales by 2 million per day
The findings of the first independent evaluation of HFSS legislation show a marked reduction in purchases since the rules were put in place.
BoE cuts interest rates amid food inflation fears
The Bank of England has made a fifth cut to interest rates this year – which now stands at 4%, after food price inflation “picked up by more than anticipated”.
UK food inflation to peak at 5.1% in 2025, warns IGD
Retail food inflation in the UK is set to significantly outpace general inflation and peak at 5.1% in late summer 2025, according to a new IGD report.
37% of UK consumers cite weight loss as top health priority
Consumers are becoming more concerned about their health, with many prioritising weight loss. But what do they consider to be healthy food, what actions are being taken to lose weight, and how will appetite suppressors like GLP-1 impact the sector’s future?
Food prices and UPFs top consumer concerns
The Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) latest Consumer Insights Tracker has shown that food prices and ultra processed foods remain top consumer concerns.
Amazon vs grocery watchdog: GSCOP faces defining moment
After three years of warning and waning supplier confidence, the Groceries Code Adjudicator has launched a formal investigation into Amazon.
Food and drink inflation shoots up
Overall inflation has remained steady but there has been a significant rise in food and non-alcoholic drink price inflation.
Consumers splashing out on ‘mood-boosting food’ despite cost-of-living pressures, Circana data shows
European consumers are prioritising splashing out on indulgent foods that ‘nourish both mind and body’ at a time when economic concerns continue to supress everyday spending, Circana data has revealed.
What’s hot in ingredients: 5 trends driving product development
Food ingredients supplier Healy Group welcomed industry leaders to its site in Leicestershire on 5 June for its 2025 innovation day.
How food and drink firms can tap into the growth potential of licensing
Diageo licensing manager Declan Hassett discusses the potential of licensing for leveraging the value of iconic brands such as Guinness and Baileys.
Does mouthfeel drive consumer interest?
Tate & Lyle explain the power of mouthfeel in today’s health and price conscious food and drink market.
F&B manufacturers expect their costs to rise by 4.8% in next 12 months
The FDF’s State of the industry Q1 2025 paints a bleak picture for food and drink production, with new data showing food and drink manufacturers expect their costs to rise by an additional 4.8% in the next year.
What will be on the British plate in 2050?
3D printed food developed from scraps, AI meal kits and clothes you can grow food on will all become commonplace by 2050, according to research by Hello Fresh.
UK food system at risk if manufacturers fail to embrace automation
The UK food industry needs to embrace automation, AI and robotics or risk being swamped by rising labour costs and unable to meet rising demand, according to a new report from IGD.
Top 6 emerging ingredients set to drive dairy NPD, according to AI
After analysing data from thousands of flavours and ingredients, GlobalData’s Ai Palette platform has outlined its top six set to drive dairy innovation in 2025.
Trends at the UK Food and Drink Shows 2025
From mango nuts, to cheesy biscuits, and freeze-dried sweets, Food Manufacture pins down some of the hottest food and drink trends at this year’s show.
Tariffs – dealing with the crisis
Global procurement and supply chain consultancy Inverto has warned companies could face up to a 68% drop in EBIT margins in the face of tariffs.
UK food manufacturing worth £37bn but business confidence falls
The food and drink industry has grown significantly in the past 10 years, but business confidence continues to wane in the face of inflationary pressures and trade barriers, according to a new report from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
Analysis: Arla Foods + DMK Group merger
Following the announcement of their merger this month, Jeroen Lustig, CEO & Founder of A-INSIGHTS, looks at what the union of these two dairy giants means for the European dairy market.
How suppliers can capitalise on the growing demand for pre-prepared food
Huw Birrell – the co-founder of global order management platform Fresho – explores the growing trend of pre-prepared vegetables used by the foodservice industry and how manufacturers can capitalise on it.
Strong global poultry trade threatened by geopolitical tensions
Global poultry trade remained strong in the second quarter of 2025, but rising geopolitical tensions threaten a trade war that could significantly shift the balance of global trade.
What’s on your plate this Easter?
Spring has finally settled in this month and with it comes the rapid march towards Easter. Food Manufacture explores what consumers will be rushing out to buy and how food firms plan to meet their demands.
Asian influence and luxury key trends at IFE 2025
Food Manufacture rounds up the key trends showcased at this year’s IFE show which took place earlier this month at Excel London.
Fruit-led brews Britain’s fastest growing beer trend
European-style fruit-led beer’s popularity has skyrocketed in the UK and is now Britain’s fastest growing beer trend, according to market research by Tesco.
Trump tariff war: Threats and opportunities
Food Manufacture summarises the back and fourth trade war threats between the US and others, examining the threats and opportunities for UK producers.
Fragile climate shakes up orange juice powerhouses
The global production market for orange juice is seeing serious shifts amidst climate change, crop disease and tariff wars with opportunities for other countries to swoop in.
New approach to EU trade needed as import and export gap widens
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) have called for a new strategic approach to EU trade as imports rise and exports continue to trail behind pre-COVID figures.
Nichols 2024 results bolstered by international sales
Strong international business and resilient UK sales has seen Vimto owner Nichols report continued growth in its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Meat sales rise as alternatives hit 4th year of decline
Meat-based products proved a hit with consumers this January, as plant-based and alternatives saw less demand compared with 2024, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture development Board (AHDB).
UK manufacturing activity hits 15-month low
Manufacturing activity in the UK has hit a 15-month low as manufacturers struggle with an unexpected rise in inflation and other ongoing challenges.
Own label growth outperforms brands across Europe
Own label products are outperforming their branded counterparts by capitalising on consumer demands for health, sustainability and value.
Organic food sales ‘bounced back’ in 2024
Organic food and drink sales ‘bounced back’ in 2024, with nearly two thirds of consumers choosing to buy from the category despite cost-of-living pressures, according to a new report from the Soil Association
Have your fishcake and eat it: Fish more to shrink negative impact of mariculture
Farming more from the sea could help shrink the negative impact of mariculture on biodiversity, so long as we are strategic about it, according to new research led by the University of Michigan.
Top bakery trends of 2025
What are the key trends driving innovation and NPD across the bakery category in 2025? Food Manufacture asks several of the leading players within the industry about what they are focusing on this year.
Biochar reduces campylobacter in chicken by 80%
Supplementing poultry feed with biochar could reduce campylobacter in chickens by 80%, according to a new study from the DTU National Food Institute.
Alternative protein patents skyrocket
European patents for alternative proteins have skyrocketed in the last 10 years, but work to make these products tasty and affordable is often overlooked, according to the Good Food Institute (GFI).
Global poultry trade slows as volatile conditions continue
Global poultry trade growth has slowed significantly, with geopolitical tensions creating a volatile environment that has driven up prices and limited export opportunities, according to Rabobank.
Dairy among most commonly reported food fraud globally
Food Manufacture dives into the data from the Food Authenticity Network’s latest global food fraud report.
VAT hike on meat could promote healthier diets
Increasing VAT (value added tax) on meat and dairy products could promote healthier diets, curb damage to the environment and stimulate the UK economy, according to a new study from the UCL Institute for Global Health.
Flavour trends to watch in 2025
UK flavour specialist I.T.S has published its 2025 flavours report, which outlines some of the key trends to keep an eye on this year.
Fresh cooking shortcuts gain popularity amid cost-saving trends
Food retail growth has remained steady as Brits turn to scratch cooking to save costs, with fresh ingredients such as gravy and dough seeing a big sales boost.
Monitoring sustainability in your food and drink packaging
Food Manufacture explores the ways in which producers can monitor their packaging usage and ways in which they can make it more sustainable.
Meat and dairy farmers likely to be hit hardest by Land Use Framework
With the potential for 9% of farming land to move away from food production and much of England’s land dedicated to the animal-based sector, the meat and dairy sector is likely to take a blow.
New £2m project tackling causes of food insecurity in the UK
A new initiative to help prevent food shortages that could trigger civil unrest in the UK has secured more than £2m of funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Latest food and drink product launches round-up
Food Manufacture breaks down some of the latest new product launches from food and drink manufacturers in the past week in this round-up.
UK Halal market set for major growth, projected to reach £2bn by 2028
The UK halal market represents a great opportunity for food and drink manufacturers as the sector continues to see healthy growth.