French bakery manufacturer Bridor has launched a 120g Maxi Croissant targeting the growing crodwich market, with research showing 71% of Europeans want savoury croissant sandwiches and savoury pastries now the second fastest-growing food-to-go category.

Texture is now the main driver in bakery, patisserie, and chocolate trends. From crusty breads and shatteringly crisp pastries to chewy cookies and rich-filled chocolate bars, consumers seek contrasting textures and multi-sensory experiences that deliver visual drama and craftsmanship.

The World Food Innovation Awards return for 2026, with the Best Bakery Product category accepting entries until 20 February. The ceremony takes place at the International Food & Drink Event at ExCeL London on 30 March, recognising winners across three tiers.

Warburtons has launched its Fibre Fix range following research showing 44% of UK adults don't know recommended daily fibre intake. The new 500g loaf and four-pack rolls deliver up to 8.1g fibre per 100g through seed and grain blends.

Nature's Own, the nation's number one selling bread brand, has expanded its better-for-you bakery portfolio with the launch of Nature's Own Life Wheat + Protein bread, a protein-rich, keto-friendly loaf aimed at health-conscious shoppers seeking functional everyday staples.

Leaft Foods has commenced commercial production of Leaf Rubisco Protein from Canterbury alfalfa, partnering with Foodstuffs South Island to trial the non-allergenic ingredient as an egg protein replacement in commercial bakery products including cakes and muffins.

The bread aisle is evolving. As consumers reassess their relationship with staple foods, manufacturers face a pressing question: how do you remain relevant when 13% of your customer base has stopped buying your core product altogether?

AB Mauri and Nutris have formed a technical partnership to develop fava bean protein and starch ingredients for industrial bakery applications in the UK and Ireland. The collaboration utilises Nutris's 45,000-tonne Croatian processing facility to fractionate fava beans into functional ingredients for commercial-scale bakery production, with development trials scheduled across multiple product categories in 2025.