News on Chips and Snacks from Europe

Optimum Sorting's laser technology detects hidden defects, foreign materials, wet centers, soft rot and solanine in potatoes, fries and chips, delivering high-precision sorting with 0.3 mm resolution and up to 3,333 scans per second.

Fruit Attraction 2025 volverá a Madrid del 6 al 8 de octubre con 2.500 expositores y profesionales de 150 países. La patata será el producto estrella y el 5 de octubre se celebrará el I Simposio Internacional de Patata organizado por Fepex.

Intersnack Group will acquire Utz Brands in an all-cash USD 2.9 billion take-private deal. After closing, Intersnack and the Rice and Lissette Family will each own 50% of Utz, expanding the company's position in the United States snack market. ahead.

The first joint potato campaign at Solan, Poland, concluded successfully, with stable production, high-quality potatoes, and output exceeding expectations. Strong teamwork with colleagues in the Netherlands supports future innovation and growth.

Hungritos, under Iscon Balaji Foods, showcased at Snackex 2026 (17–18 June, FIL Expo Lisbon) at Stand 244, Pavilion 4, unveiling Mashed Potato Premix range (7 flavours) and Dehydrated Potato Flakes for global snack and food industries. sectors.

Insort will preview Sherlock Belt Compact at SNACKEX 2026. The new sorting platform uses in-flight inspection, 4K RGB imaging and AI-powered deep learning to improve defect detection, reduce yield loss and increase sorting efficiency.

Hungritos will showcase its customizable dehydrated potato flakes and potato powder at SNACKEX 2026 in Lisbon. The company aims to connect with snack manufacturers, food processors and buyers seeking potato-based ingredient solutions.

ELEA Technology GmbH has secured European Patent EP 3 641 559 B1 for a Pulsed Electric Field process that enables flavors, spices, and additives to penetrate food products before frying or drying, improving flavor consistency and product quality.

As processors increasingly work with potatoes sourced from more challenging growing conditions, FAM STUMABO has introduced StoneExtractor to improve stone evacuation within the cutting head and reduce the operational impact of embedded stones.

A survey by Lamb Weston reveals Brits are embracing global flavours at home, with younger generations leading the trend by adding chilli oils, spices and international-inspired twists to everyday meals and chips.

On the occasion of Snackex, taking place on June 17–18 in Lisbon, Limagrain Ingredients is showcasing blue masa flour, a naturally distinctive ingredient designed to support snack manufacturers in addressing key challenges around innovation, naturalness and product performance.

At SNACKEX 2026 in Lisbon, Euroma will showcase 'Flavour without compromise,' highlighting bold seasoning trends, salt and sugar reduction solutions, and tailored flavour innovations for the savoury snacks industry.

Rosenqvists Food Technologies will again sponsor the Snack Science Hub, the seminar programme organised by the European Snacks Association and hosted during SNACKEX 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal, on June 17-18.

Private label is reshaping Europe’s grocery sector, reaching 38.8% share across 17 markets. Once seen as budget, it now rivals brands in quality and trust. With a Euro 387B market, retailers and producers like Agristo drive growth and innovation.

Bagged Snacks is a powerhouse category for the convenience channel. Worth over GBP 5.3 billion (USD 6.6 billion) and outpacing the growth of other key impulse categories, it’s a primary driver of footfall, appearing in one in every five C&I baskets.

Elea Technology GmbH has released a new video featuring an interview with Tomislav Lukačević, Investment Director at Kanaan d.o.o., Croatia's largest snack products manufacturer.

Kent Crisps has announced the launch of new Beef Brisket & Stout Flavour crisps, a mouth-wateringly rich and savoury hand-cooked crisp developed in collaboration with historic Kent Brewer, Shepherd Neame.

Stackable chips like Pringles are made from potato leftovers such as small pieces and scraps. These are turned into puree, dried into flakes, milled into powder, and shaped into uniform chips, reducing waste and making production more sustainable.