Niamh Leonard-Bedwell
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Articles by Niamh Leonard-Bedwell
‘Japanese cheesecake’ trend leads to 30% uptick in Biscoff sales
Sources: @ggflavour, @gentianasaphiira and @wordlofxtra on TikTok Content creators across the globe have been adding Biscoff biscuits to yoghurt Biscoff biscuit sales have rocketed 30% year on year amid a viral TikTok trend, which sees consumers pair them with yoghurt to create “Japanese cheesecake”. At the start of 2026, foodies in Japan begun taking to TikTok to share how they combined biscuits with yoghurt to make a simple dessert which they claimed tasted like cheesecake.
How fmcg brands are turning TikTok buzz into business
Smart brands have formed communities on the platform, where volume and speed trumps polished content Cast your mind back to early 2021. Boris Johnson was prime minister, Covid was rife, and a third national lockdown was in place. Amid the bleak headlines, however, one fmcg brand’s sudden TikTok fame provided some much-needed light relief. Little Moons’ mochi ice cream exploded across the platform, as bored Brits filmed themselves tracking down the colourful snacks.
Morrisons is 'first' supermarket to launch GLP-1 ready meals
Source: Morrisons A seven-strong range of ‘GLP-1 friendly’ ready meals will hit stores in January Morrisons has claimed it will be the first UK supermarket to stock ‘GLP-1 friendly’ ready meals as part of a major own-label shake-up in January. The supermarket has teamed up with Applied Nutrition to launch 53 products, spanning fresh, frozen and ambient categories.
Lindt taps matcha trend with Tokyo-Style chocolate bar
Source: Lindt The NPD (£15) is made with Lindt’s Swiss white chocolate Lindt is hoping to tap shoppers’ growing appetite for matcha with a new ‘Tokyo-style’ chocolate bar. Tokyo-Style Chocolate Matcha Strawberry (£15) is made with premium, ceremonial grade Chamei Minami matcha, crispy Genmai roasted rice and Lindt’s Swiss white chocolate. Billed as “the perfect stocking filler,” the NPD brought “a fresh and luxurious take” on the matcha craze, said Lindt.
Maltesers dearer than sirloin steak in Sainsbury’s and Morrisons
Source: Getty Images Supermarkets are charging shoppers as much as £40 per kilo for Maltesers Sainsbury’s and Morrisons are selling Maltesers at a higher price per kilogram than sirloin steak, following record levels of cocoa inflation. Maltesers White Chocolate 30g is priced at £1.20 in Morrisons (£40/kg), while Maltesers White More To Share Pouch 126g is priced at £4 in Sainsbury’s (£31.74/kg).
Chocolate haggis maker ditches purple packs following Cadbury dispute
Simon Howie has moved its Chocolate Haggis from purple to blue packaging following a legal dispute with Cadbury. The product – a haggis-shaped chocolate brownie pudding – was originally introduced by the Scottish butcher as a limited-edition for Burns Night in 2024. To mark the launch, Simon Howie spoofed Cadbury’s 2007 Gorilla campaign, circulating a video featuring a giant haggis playing Loch Lomond on the drums, accompanied by the caption “dram and a half”.
Cadbury unveils Biscoff-filled chocolate egg for Easter 2026
Source: Mondelez International Cadbury has unveiled a Biscoff-filled chocolate egg for Easter 2026. Featuring “irresistible Biscoff spread and crunchy biscuit pieces”, the treat will launch in singles (rsp: 99p/32g), multipacks of three and a five-pack, exclusive to Tesco (rsp: £3.65 & £5.82). Also new for Easter 2026 is a five-pack format (rsp: £5.82) for White Creme Egg, the second top-selling SKU in filled eggs, and Oreo Egg [NIQ 17 w/e 19 April 2025].
Little Dish launches trio of frozen meals for kids into Sainsbury’s
Kids’ food brand Little Dish has unveiled a trio of frozen meals. Based on the brand’s most popular chilled meals, frozen Chicken Tikka, Spaghetti Bolognese and Cottage Pie offered parents “another healthy and convenient way to make mealtimes easier”, said Little Dish.
Mondelez trials paper Cadbury Heroes tubs in Tesco ahead of Christmas
Source: Mondelez International Cadbury Heroes is to follow Quality Street’s lead, trialling a paper tub in Tesco ahead of Christmas. Cadbury owner Mondelez International has partnered with packaging company DS Smith to trial 300,000 paper tubs in the supermarket from this month. The tubs are part of a test and learn initiative that will inform Mondelez’s work towards achieving its virgin plastic reduction targets.
Aldi trolls Tesco and M&S with real cake sandwich
Aldi has trolled Tesco and M&S by launching its own tongue-in-cheek take on the sweet sandwich trend. Sandwich Cake (rsp: £1.99/two) features two slices of vanilla sponge, sandwiched together with pink vanilla frosting containing rainbow sprinkles. It has launched into Aldi’s bakery aisles for a limited time.
Tesco bolsters Finest lineup with Indian Banquet and Chef’s Collection
Tesco has overhauled its range of chilled ready meals, adding a swathe of premium own-label options alongside branded lines from the likes of Bosh, Itsu and Squeaky Bean. The grocer has teamed up with Bakkavor to launch the Finest Indian Banquet range comprising three mains such as such as Butter Chicken (£4.75/400g) and four sides including Paneer Makhani Samosa and Slow Cooked Black Dahl (from £2.50).
Itsu teams up with Bakkavor to launch chilled meals in Tesco
Itsu has teamed up with Bakkavor to launch a six-strong range of chilled ready meals into Tesco. Inspired by Itsu’s popular restaurant dishes, the range comprises: Katsu Chicken Brown Rice, Korean-Style Spicy Pork Noodles, Chicken Pad Thai Noodles, Teriyaki Chicken Brown Rice, Thai-Style Chicken and Teriyaki Veg Gyoza Brown Rice. The meals (rsp: £6/370g-395g) will hit Tesco on 6 October. Each contains a “nutritious vegetable mix” with “no nasties” and is microwave-ready in four minutes.
Christmas chocolates shrink, but prices soar by as much as 33%
Britain’s top-selling Christmas chocolates have shrunk in size this year – but prices have risen by as much as 33.3% in some cases, The Grocer can reveal. Quality Street tubs have shrunk by 8.3%, from 600g to 550g. Despite this, their pre-promotional shelf price has risen by 16.7% year on year in Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, up from £6 to £7 [Assosia 52 w/e 8 September 2025]. In Asda, however, the 550g tubs are cheaper than the 600g ones were last year.
Walkers makes core crisps non-HFSS in salt reduction coup
Source: PepsiCo / Mark Mackenzie A swathe of Walkers’ core crisps variants, including Salt & Vinegar, Prawn Cocktail and Smoky Bacon, are now HFSS compliant, as a result of owner PepsiCo’s ongoing salt reduction efforts. PepsiCo has reformulated a swathe of lines from its core Walkers lineup, using “innovative R&D processes” to introduce “a different balance of flavours and seasonings”, which are claimed to deliver “the same classic Walkers crisps people know and love, with lower salt”.
PepsiCo Walkers factory restructure plan puts 500 jobs at risk
Source: PepsiCo / Mark Mackenzie PepsiCo’s proposed restructure of its UK operations could put over 500 jobs at risk. LeicesterLive reported that 560 PepsiCo employees could face redundancy under the proposals, including around 250 at its Walkers crisps manufacturing site in Leicester. PepsiCo last year said it employed over 2,100 people across its Leicester, Coventry and Lincoln. The Grocer understands the proposed restructuring plans affect all three of these sites, as well as Skelmersdale.
Lotus Bakeries takes legal action against cereal startup Holie’s
Lotus Bakeries has filed a preliminary injunction against Dutch cereal supplier Holie’s, after the startup called out the high sugar content in one of its snack bars. The Belgian snacking giant, which owns Biscoff, Nakd and Trek, accused Holie’s of engaging in misleading comparative advertising and violating food marketing regulations in the Netherlands, after it awarded various branded snacks a “Holie’s Sugar-Score” in a recent online campaign.
Candy Kittens ties up with M&S for British Classics sweets range
Candy Kittens has put a “modern spin on traditional British sweet flavours” through an exclusive tie-up with M&S. It has added Rhubarb & Custard, Strawberries & Cream and Lemon Sherbet variants of its “gourmet” gummies. They are vegan and free from artificial colours and flavours. The sweets are packaged in “bold, colourful” stripy pouches, which were designed to stand out on shelf, according to Candy Kittens. They will launch into M&S stores nationwide on 30 July (rsp: £2.50/140g).
Maryland unveils UK's 'first' cookie sandwich biscuit
Maryland has claimed a UK first, unveiling a chocolate chip cookie sandwich biscuit. The NPD (rsp: £1.50/150g) features two Maryland cookies, sandwiched together with a “creamy chocolate filling”. It will hit Tesco and Booker on 16 July before rolling out to all major retailers and wholesalers in August. The innovation was set to drive basket spend and increase penetration, said Maryland, as it had 89% purchase intent among 150 consumers [Wirral Taste Test Panel, September 2024].
McVitie’s expands Hobnobs lineup with Oaty Cookies duo
McVitie’s has expanded its Hobnobs lineup with Oaty Cookies. Made from 100% wholegrain oats and containing chocolate-flavoured chips, the cookies have debuted in Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate. Boasting a “wholesome, home-made look and feel and a chewy texture,” they have launched in Morrisons and will roll out more widely at the end of summer. There was “a clear gap in the cookies market for a differentiated eating experience” said Hobnobs brand manager Eléonore de Saint Périer.
Nestlé shrinks Kit Kat multipacks to mitigate soaring cocoa costs
Kit Kat is the latest chocolate brand to have shrunk its packs to mitigate the impact of record-high cocoa costs. A spokeswoman for Kit Kat owner Nestlé confirmed the manufacturer had replaced its multipacks of nine Kit Kats for eight-packs, and its multipacks of 21 Kit Kats with 18-packs after the smaller-sized packs appeared on supermarket shelves earlier this month.
Tilda boosts annual rice yields of north Indian farmers by 7%
Tilda boosts annual rice yields of north Indian farmers by 7% By Niamh Leonard-Bedwell Tilda claims to have helped increase the annual rice yields of a group of north Indian farmers by 7%. It worked with 1,270 farmers in northern India in 2023, teaching them the alternate wet and dry (AWD) irrigation technique for more sustainable rice growing as part of an ongoing programme.
Naked Sprout disputes findings its toilet rolls contain just 4% bamboo
Naked Sprout disputes findings its toilet rolls contain just 4% bamboo By Niamh Leonard-Bedwell The Grocer UK March 20, 2024 Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building Region: International Naked Sprout has disputed the results of an investigation that found its bamboo toilet roll to contain just 4% bamboo. In a report published this month, consumer watchdog Which? tested toilet rolls from five brands that were claimed to be made solely of bamboo [November 2023].
Inside Nasim Pedrad's Relationship With Lamorne Morris
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images By Niamh Leonard-Bedwell/April 26, 2021 11:49 am EDT Fans of "New Girl" will confirm that the relationship between Winston Bishop and Aly Nelson (played by Lamorne Morris and Nasim Pedrad respectively) was one of the strongest on the show. After starting off as mere partners at LAPD, their friendship grew before their romance finally blossomed. The pair got married and had a child together in the final series of the show (via Hollywood Mask).
Here's When You Should Really Replace Your Bathrobe
Shutterstock By Niamh Leonard-Bedwell/April 6, 2021 3:14 pm EDT Nothing beats wrapping up in a cozy bathrobe after a long soak in the tub — it's like a big, warm hug! But while we tend to wash and replace our towels frequently, we'd do well to adopt the same habits when it comes to our bathrobes.
The Truth About Dove Cameron's Skincare Routine
Amy Sussman/kca2021/Getty Images By Niamh Leonard-Bedwell/April 6, 2021 2:21 pm EDT Dove Cameron is no stranger to the limelight. Since first shooting to fame by playing both eponymous characters on the Disney Channel's hit show, Liv and Maddie, Cameron has opened up about her battle with anorexia and body image issues. "I was so badly down that hole," she told StyleCaster.
Vegan banana bread
Photograph: Clare Winfield When it comes to appetising smells, freshly baked banana bread is pretty hard to beat. This recipe for vegan banana bread swaps egg for omega-3-rich flaxseed mixed with warm water. It also uses oats, which are a great source of slow-release energy, as well as heart-healthy beta glucan. Plus, it uses five whole bananas, which provide fibre and potassium, needed to regulate fluids, nerve signals and muscle contractions in the body.
Laughter Therapy: What Is It & What Are The Benefits?
Embracing our silly side is fun, but proponents of this practice believe it boosts our health and wellbeing, too Photograph: Shutterstock It’s often said that laughter is the best medicine – and there’s hard science behind the expression. When we laugh, endorphins – known as our happy hormones – are released into the blood stream, lifting our mood in a similar way to the kind of feelings we might experience after exercise.
Latin Dance For Beginners
It’s a great way to have fun and reap loads of physical benefits. Here’s how to get your Latin on Photograph: iStock Latin dance is officially having a moment and the reason why goes beyond our enduring love of Strictly. ‘Dance and music go hand-in-hand, so the rise of Latin-American artists in European mainstream music has helped,’ says Claire Seymour, dance fitness teacher at Dan’s, London.
Vegan Shepherd's Pie | Gaz Oakley Recipes | Family Dinners | Healthy
Photograph: Merchant Gourmet Running out of recipe inspo for meat-free Mondays? Try Gaz Oakley’s vegan take on shepherd’s pie. Working together with Merchant Gourmet, the chef and cookery author is on a mission to prove that plant-based versions of your family favourites can be just as comforting. As lentils are made up of over 25% protein – as well as providing B vitamins, magnesium, zinc and potassium – they make a great alternative for meat in the filling.
Chocolate And Banana Pancakes Recipe
Photograph: Meridian Looking for tasty new ideas for weekend breakfasts? Try out this chocolate and banana pancakes recipe for your next lazy day brunch. Made with mashed banana, the pancakes provide potassium, which helps keep hearts healthy. And as the recipe uses aquafaba (the water from a can of chickpeas) in place of egg, they’re suitable for vegans, too. A drizzle of Meridian Cocoa & Hazelnut Butter adds chocolatey flavour, while a handful of berries to serve provide a boost of antioxidants.
How To Get Better At Sex & Have More Of It
Whether you’ve had more or less sex with your partner during lockdown, these expert-backed tips will help keep the fire alive Photograph: iStock For some of us, spending more time with our partners during lockdown has meant more intimacy. Research by the sex toy brand We-Vibe found that 18% of live-in couples were having more sex than usual, with 16% saying they’d tried new things in the bedroom.
What Is Ashwagandha? The Benefits & How To Take It
Clinical research is only beginning to recognise the potentially life-prolonging properties of this ancient herb Photograph: Shutterstock What is it? An ancient medicinal herb used in traditional Indian ayurvedic practice, ashwagandha has been prescribed as a natural health-booster for over 3000 years. The plant itself is a small shrub with yellow flowers, found growing in India, the Middle East and North Africa.
Reduce Your Cancer Risk: Healthy Lifestyle Habits To Adopt Now
You can reduce your risk of cancer significantly by getting to grips with these healthy lifestyle habits… Photograph: Shutterstock 1 Move more A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine revealed that being active was associated with a significantly reduced risk of many different types of cancer. Plus, regular exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight, which will also reduce your cancer risk.
Healthy Blueberry Muffin Recipe
Fancy something sweet? These tasty bakes are the perfect partner to your afternoon brew Image: Maple from Canada We’re firm believers that a healthy, balanced diet can still include sweet treats, which is why we love this blueberry muffin recipe. It uses chia seeds, which are a source of omega-3 fatty acids – needed for heart and brain health – as well as providing fibre, which helps our digestive system stay healthy and keeps us fuller for longer.
What Is Lucid Dreaming & How Do You Do It?
It’s thought learning how to dream lucidly could aid physical rehab, improve sports performance and even treat PTSD. Here’s how to go full Inception… Photograph: Shutterstock Ever found yourself in the middle of a dream and realised that something wasn’t quite right?
Green Smoothie Recipe | Breakfast Ideas | Nutrition | Healthy
This nutritious green smoothie takes just five minutes to make – perfect for when you're stuck in a breakfast rut! Image: Maple from Canada In need of some healthy breakfast inspo? Try whizzing up this green smoothie recipe, which packs a nutritious punch. It contains spinach and kale, for vitamins C and K, as well as antioxidant-rich apples, which are a source of vitamin A, needed for healthy vision. Low-fat Greek yogurt adds protein, while oats provide a dose of heart-healthy beta gluten.
Rude Health Bircher muesli
This tasty, nutritious breakfast takes just five minutes of prep the night before… Photograph: Rude Health Bored of plain-old porridge for breakfast? Try making this tasty vegan-friendly overnight oats recipe the night ahead, instead. The oats are a source of a soluble fibre called beta-glucan, which has been shown to have a cholesterol-lowering effect. Apple has a prebiotic effect, meaning it feeds the healthy bacteria in your gut.
Festive Mocktail Recipe: Virgin Hedgerow Fizz
Looking for an alcohol-free tipple to serve up at your festive do? Try this sophisticated mocktail... Image: Shutterstock Whether you don’t drink or just fancy a night off, this festive mocktail recipe makes a sophisticated stand-in for the real McCoy. It contains red wine vinegar, which provides powerful antioxidants believed to support skin and heart health. Plus, it’s topped with kombucha, a probiotic-rich drink which delivers beneficial bacteria to your gut.
Lentil Dal | Slow Cooker Recipes | Vegan Suppers | Healthy
Image: AO Life The beauty of this vegan lentil dal recipe is that you can stick it in your slow cooker in the morning and forget about it – all you need to do in the evening is cook your rice and dinner is ready! Lentils are an excellent source of plant-based protein, while tomatoes provide vitamin C, needed for a healthy immune system. Plus, it’s topped with toasted cashews, which provide heart-healthy fats, and give a satisfying crunch. It’s the perfect comfort dish for a cold winter’s evening.
Prebiotics: What They Do
The essential fuel needed for good gut bacteria to thrive, prebiotics are believed to support weight management and boost brain health Image: iStock What are prebiotics? Prebiotics are types of non-digestible fibre that help to feed the healthy bacteria in your gut. They can be found in small quantities in some everyday fruit and vegetables, including bananas, onions, leeks, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes and garlic.
What Does It Involve & Could It Regulate Your Hormones?
Could adding spoonfuls of seeds to your daily diet combat PMS, regulate your periods and even boost fertility? Image: iStock A source of heart-healthy fats, fibre and important vitamins and minerals, seeds are a nutritionally dense ingredient, perfect or adding to a smoothie, or sprinkling over your lunchtime salad. But, according to a naturopathic practice called seed cycling, they might have an influence over your hormones, too.
Christmas Pudding Recipe Using Wholemeal Spelt Flour
Image: Doves Farm As the festive period is fast-approaching, we’re sharing this delicious Christmas pudding recipe for you to try. It uses Doves Farm Organic Wholemeal Spelt Flour, which means it has a higher fibre content than traditional figgy pudding, as well as providing calcium and vitamin E. Simply reheat the pudding on Christmas Day to serve and flame with a few extra tablespoons of rum or brandy, if you fancy.
Vegan Mac And Cheese
This tasty dish from Bosh! is perfect for those evenings when you fancy something creamy, cheesy, carby and comforting! Image: Lizzie Mayson We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the comfort of a creamy, cheesy pasta dish, which is why we love this vegan mac and cheese recipe from Speedy Bosh!, the latest book from Henry Firth and Ian Theasby.
Mocktail Recipe Using Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Dry London Spirit
Image: Shutterstock There’s nothing wrong with the occasional tipple or two, but taking a break from alcohol can have meaningful benefits for your health. Expert believe that going booze-free for a month can reduce your blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure and improve your concentration, as well as give your liver a break. In this light mocktail recipe, Lyre’s alcohol-free spirit is infused with fragrant jasmine tea to replicate the grippy tannins of vermouth.
Red Yeast Rice: What Does It Do And Who Can Take It?
A popular ingredient in Chinese medicine, red yeast rice is believed to have cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects Image: iStock What is red yeast rice? An ingredient used in Asian cooking and traditional Chinese medicine, red yeast rice is a type of fermented rice, which is produced using a particular strain of mould. (Slightly grossed out?
Vegan Noodles With Teryaki Sauce And Tenderstem Broccoli
Image: Tenderstem Looking for a quick and easy midweek meal? Whip up these easy vegan noodles, which are packed with nutritious vegetables. The carrots and mixed peppers are sources of beta-carotene, which our bodies convert into vitamin A to support healthy vision. Plus, the courgettes provide vitamin C, which is important for our immunity. The easy homemade teriyaki sauce combines ginger, garlic and chilli for a deliciously punchy flavour.
Art Therapy: What Is It & How Does It Work?
We’ve got the mindful colouring books, but could drawing or painting be as beneficial for your emotional wellbeing as talking therapy? Image: iStock Art therapy is based on the idea that you can work through your feelings and emotions by undertaking creative practice. Inspired by psychoanalysis and the importance of the subject’s internal world, one of art therapy’s early pioneers was Austrian-born Edith Kramer, an astute follower of Sigmund Freud.
Sweet Potato Recipes: South American Vegan Salad
Image: AO Life Hunting for sweet potato recipes? We’re often told we should eat a rainbow and this Brazilian-inspired sweet potato salad pretty much covers the colour spectrum. The sweet potato is a rich source of fibre, particularly if you leave the skin on. Plus, it provides iron, selenium, B vitamins. Meanwhile, the peppers are excellent sources of vitamins A and C and the black beans provide a healthy dose of plant-based protein.
What Is Choline And What Does It Do?
This recently discovered nutrient is thought to aid liver health, cognitive function and foetal development. Here’s what to know Image: iStock Only recognised as a required nutrient in 1998, choline is a water-soluble compound, which the body produces in small amounts. Initially, it was identified as a B vitamin, as they have similar functions in the body, and it’s still sometimes referred to as vitamin B4.
Courgette Recipes: A Lighter Vegetarian Lasagne
Image: The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan. Looking for some new courgette recipes to add to your repertoire? This vegetarian ‘lasagne’ is a lighter alternative to the classic pasta dish and provides much more fibre. Courgettes are naturally low in calories and provide immunity-boosting vitamin C, as well as potassium, which plays an important role in maintaining blood pressure.
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