All articles by Megan Tatum
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Analysis & FeaturesInsect food: what happened to the buzz?
Insects have nearly made it on menus for a good while now. But progress has been stymied by regulatory hurdles, conspiracy theories and the ‘yuck factor’. Can the idea still make progress?
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Analysis & FeaturesIs a strong year for dairy M&A a sign of a healthy sector?
Dairy’s ability to play into key consumer trends has heralded a busy year of deals, usually a sign of a sector in good health
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Category ReportThe end of cheap choc? Trends in chocolate 2025
Cocoa crises have caused chocolate’s volumes and profits to crumble. And shelf prices are soaring in supermarkets
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Category ReportWhy tensions are running high in CBD: trends in CBD 2025
Food and drink products containing CBD still lack FSA safety authorisation due to legal red tape. How is this affecting demand?
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Category ReportMeat-free, naturally: trends in meat alternatives 2025
Concerns over UPFs are contributing to sinking sales for alt-meat. But more natural ingredients such as tofu are bucking the trend
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Analysis & FeaturesA big fat mistake? The building backlash against seed oils
In the US, debate (and misinformation) about seed oils is leading brands to turn their backs. What are the arguments? And how will it affect the UK?
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Analysis & FeaturesSmart packaging: how compelling is the case for QR codes?
QR codes are ubiquitous in fmcg. Now advances in tech are offering brands new ways to connect and communicate via packaging. But is it all it’s cracked up to be?
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Category ReportWhy free-from needs a revamp: trends in free-from 2025
Many shoppers say free-from brands are boring. So, how can they spruce up their image?
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Analysis & FeaturesExclusive data: GLP-1’s impact on UK food and drink consumption
So far, many food and drink businesses have been sceptical that weight-loss drugs will have any major impact on them. But new studies show the opposite is true
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Category ReportHave the big baby brands lost their way?
The giants of baby and infant care are under attack as a new generation of products marketed on health, sustainability or value wins share. Can they find their way out of a hole?
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Analysis & FeaturesWhy so many food startups fail and what founders learn
No one wants to talk about the possibility of failure. But there is much to learn from the entrepreneurs who risked it all and didn’t come out on top
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Category ReportHas pop lost its cool? Trends in soft drinks 2025
Hip, young shoppers are turning their backs on traditional sodas in favour of trendy soft drinks sold on health cues and naturalness
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Category ReportBizarre beauty trends: what will stick next?
Everything from honey to cucumber is being touted on TikTok as the next big hair and skincare trends. How can brands keep up?
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Analysis & FeaturesBuyer’s Guide: How ‘agri-AI’ technology is changing farming
The latest ‘agri-AI’ tools can monitor animal welfare and crop health. But how much of a difference does the tech make, and how does it help buyers?
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Analysis & FeaturesHow are Britain’s Biggest Brands managing marketing spend?
When times are tight, it’s tempting to see marketing as a ‘nice to have’. But brands in the know have been investing – and reaping the benefits. So which channels are providing them with the best returns?
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Category ReportGoing, going, gone? Trends in snack bars 2025
Snack bar profits are crumbling in the face of soaring wheat, nut and cocoa prices. So, who’s managing to grow, and at what cost?
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Category ReportFrozen food gets its skates on: category report 2025
Frozen brands are fast busting out of the freezer aisle thanks to innovative in-store initiatives. So, who’s hit the back of the net?
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Category ReportIs it toast for palm oil? Jams, spreads & honey category report 2025
Palm oil is linked to the loss of orangutan populations. No wonder it’s a no-no for many nut butter brands
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Analysis & FeaturesDragons’ Den turns 20: how has it shaped fmcg entrepreneurship?
This January marks 20 years since Dragons’ Den first graced our screens on the BBC. From Levi Roots to Amelia Christie-Miller, founders look back on their experience in the Den and consider the show’s impact on the sector
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Analysis & FeaturesThe Big Book of Grocery: Top Products Survey 2024
It’s our most comprehensive report ever, measuring a record 127 categories and including grocery sales data from discounters Aldi and Lidl and online giant Amazon for the first time