Premier Protein owner BellRing Brands has appointed Michael Axelrod as its next president and chief executive officer, effective 29 July 2026. Axelrod will also join the company’s board of directors. He succeeds Darcy Davenport, who announced her intention to retire earlier this year.
Carlsberg Group has entered into an agreement with Sapporo Breweries, forming a major joint venture across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, and partnership in the UK. The joint venture builds on Carlsberg and Sapporo’s existing relationship, having collaborated on the sale of Sapporo Premium Beer in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore since 2024.
Nestlé will invest CHF563 million (US$688 million) to build a new AI-enabled Nescafé production and distribution hub in Samut Prakan, Thailand, expected to open in late 2028. The facility will make soluble coffee, coffee mixes, and RTD coffee, with a reported capacity of 170,000 metric tons per year and more than 520 new technical jobs.
AI is becoming embedded across ingredient R&D, helping developers analyze complex datasets, model multiple formulation variables, and accelerate “first time right” innovation. Companies are using AI to turn consumer and customer signals into more targeted product development, while supporting sustainability through predictive food safety and carbon-impact modeling.
Healthy aging shifts from supplements into everyday F&B formats, as consumers seek convenient products that support strength, mobility, and active living. Brands move beyond simple protein fortification toward smarter ingredient combinations, such as protein, HMB, creatine, vitamin D, and broader muscle-joint-bone platforms.
