What’s Next for Food & Drink? Our Experts’ Predictions for 2026

2025 has been a busy year for the food and beverage industry, full of fast-paced regulatory changes, widespread flavour innovation, and consumer buying choices influenced by cost, health, and nostalgia.

As 2026 approaches, the industry shows no signs of slowing down. To help you get up to speed on what to expect for food and drink in the year ahead, we’ve asked the experts here at Ashbury to share their predictions for the next 12 months.

From the latest food trends to emerging healthy eating habits, the next big legislative updates, sweeping industry developments, and technology’s role in shaping everything from food production to customer preferences – here are our thoughts on what’s likely to influence the food and beverage landscape over the coming year.

Ellis Northover, Head of International

“In 2026, we’re going to see a bigger shift towards food as medicine, as consumers lean further into functionality as the main driver behind their food choices. I predict we’ll see a growth in gut health products, with a greater focus on fermented foods in particular, as well as an increase in alternative proteins enhanced through precision fermentation.

“There’s no denying that AI has been gaining ground across the industry this year, and 2026 will be the year that we really see this come to the fore in the food safety realm. Predictive AI tools will increasingly be used for everything from the early detection of contamination risks through to remote auditing and trend analysis. I expect we’ll also see regulatory bodies begin to publish guidance on responsible AI usage within food safety.”

Ed Allen, Head of Regulatory Affairs

“We’ve already seen several changes to the food environment this year as a result of GLP-1 drugs, and this is set to continue into 2026. This will likely involve a series of new product developments – such as ‘GLP tailored’ or ‘lite’ nutritional drinks and supplements – and an ongoing reduction in the size of weekly supermarket baskets due to a shift in eating habits. It will be interesting to understand what the impact on public health is as we start to see more research predicting the longer-term health effects of these GLP-1 medications, with reduced portion sizes leading to new challenges when it comes to consuming the right amount of nutrients to stay healthy.

“Red meat consumption has been something of a hot topic in the latter end of 2025, especially with concerns surrounding the use of nitrites as a preservative. The EU has reduced the permitted amount of nitrites used in food products and in the UK, we’ve seen retailers offer nitrite-free meat options. However, with the FSA’s research highlighting that more analysis is needed, we will have to wait and see if this has any lasting effect on consumer preferences in 2026 and beyond.”

Rebecca Kaya, Senior Regulatory Advisor

“2026 is going to bring exciting changes to all areas of the food and drink industry. First and foremost, reformulation and innovation are going to be centre-stage as brands look to move away from any ingredients and products that could be perceived as unhealthy or ultra-processed. UPFs have been something of a buzzword already this year, but in 2026 I expect we’ll see even more manufacturers looking to curtail the number of ingredients listed in their foods. As for whether any useful conclusions will be reached concerning the relationship between UPFs and health, that remains to be seen!

“On a similar note, The Advertising (Less Healthy Food Definitions and Exemptions) Regulations 2024 will come into force on 5^th January. This will restrict brands from advertising those foods and drinks deemed as unhealthy. This, along with other regulatory schemes such as HFSS (High in Fat, Salt, and Sugar) will push a lot of manufacturers towards reformulation and redevelopment in 2026 and beyond.

“Lastly, we’re going to see a bigger focus on sustainability across the whole lifecycle of the food industry. The EUDR will come into force at the end of this year and will begin to be actively enforced as we head into 2026. From January, the UK’s new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules will also play a role, placing greater responsibility on businesses for the recycling of their packaging. Mandatory deposit return schemes (DRS) will also continue to expand across the UK and other markets.”

Femke Russell, Product Information Advisor

“I think 2026 is going to be a year of mindful drinking. We’ve observed this trend growing in recent years, especially in younger consumers such as Gen Z, and it’s only going to get bigger as time goes on. New low and no alcohol product launches are now outpacing those in traditional alcohol, and there’s been real innovation in juice-based and functional beverages. Fortified drink options that offer health benefits such as better sleep or improved physical fitness are becoming increasingly popular and I don’t see that going away any time soon.

“As far as innovation in the food sector is concerned, alternative ingredients are set to take off in 2026, especially those that can be used in place of rising-cost ingredients such as cocoa. Interest in plant-based meat alternatives may be declining, but hybrid meat products will grow in popularity.

“It’s also going to be a year driven by diverse, inclusive diets. We’re moving away from the focus on one dietary goal – more protein, more fibre, etc. – towards a more holistic approach to nutrition. This will be supported by AI, both in terms of what products food brands develop and consumers’ own research to ensure they achieve an optimally balanced diet. Nostalgic, traditional methods will make a comeback as part of this, so expect to see a renewed interest in fermentation, freezing, and preserving. Nostalgia will be something of a theme for the whole year, with old school flavours and household brand names gaining ground once again.”

Kayleigh Chermak, Regulatory Manager – Manufacturing, International & US

“In the US, I’d say that 2026 will bring a greater shift towards clean label eating. This is a trend we’re already seeing, but it’s set to gain momentum as more states begin to generate their own lists of restricted ingredients, following the ban on synthetic colors. This will also allow brands to position their products as more of a premium offering as they move away from added flavors, preservatives, and colorings and focus more on whole ingredients.”

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With the new year just around the corner, it’s clear that 2026 is shaping up to be a busy one within the world of food and drink, bringing with it a renewed focus on health, sustainability, and intentional consumption.

We’re excited to watch the above trends unfold over the next 12 months, but if these predictions have left you wondering how your food business will ever manage to stay on top of everything that 2026 throws at you, Ashbury is here to lend a helping hand. Our expert team can help you protect your brand and customers, guide you through regulatory changes, and alleviate compliance bottlenecks along the way, ensuring total peace of mind.

Get in touch today to discover how Ashbury can provide you with a clearer path to global compliance.