Food and Beverage Top Stories

RSS

Prepared Foods Chief Editor Bob Garrison talks with Imbibe Marketing Director Ana Rodriguez about new tastes and trends in ready-to-drink coffee and tea beverages.

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy aren’t keeping consumers out of restaurants—but they are changing what and how much they order. Smaller portions, protein-forward menus and flexible formats are emerging as key strategies in a new era of eating less.

GLP-1 medications are influencing far more than weight loss, with users projected to account for 35% of all food and beverage units sold by 2030. New Circana data shows lasting changes in how, where and why consumers shop, creating urgency for retailers and manufacturers to adapt.

Fruit-based sweeteners are moving from niche to mainstream as manufacturers seek natural alternatives to refined sugar. Market forecasts show strong growth fueled by health awareness, clean-label priorities, and the functional advantages these ingredients bring to formulation.

Prepared Foods has selected six new food and beverage products introduced in December 2025. Vote below to let us know which new product is your favorite!

From precision-fermented dairy proteins to next-gen fats and smarter plant fibers, today’s plant-based toolkit is evolving fast. Let's break down the trends helping developers solve for taste, nutrition and clean-label performance.

Whole Foods Market’s 2026 trends point to a year defined by fiber-forward innovation, fine-dining-inspired frozen meals, elevated instant foods and a renewed appreciation for heritage ingredients.

With more than 5 million tons of food waste diverted and growing retailer demand, upcycling has evolved from a sustainability niche into a strategic growth engine. As consumer trust rises and certifications expand, 2026 will bring deeper integration across supply chains, product innovation and ESG reporting.

As economic pressure, anxiety and rapid technological change reshape how consumers eat, brands must rethink product design, sourcing and communication. The year ahead will reward companies that blend performance, pleasure and purpose—and help people feel better in an uncertain world.

As consumers navigate climate, economic and wellness pressures, they’re turning toward functional ingredients and holistic health solutions. Innova’s 2026 trends highlight the rise of gut health, mental wellbeing, authentic plant-based options and beverages designed to deliver targeted benefits.