In the US, the fast food industry is under an unprecedented amount of pressure from fast casual chains and increasingly health-conscious consumption. How has Burger King’s Mac n’ Cheetos – a Frankenfood snack of fried cheese sticks dusted in Cheetos flavouring – gained success in this tough market?

From clean-eating foodies who follow Deliciously Ella to people who take the time to shop sustainably, lifestyles with an emphasis on nature are increasingly common. And new research shows that even if ingredients in food aren't natural, people will pay more if they look like they are.

Starbucks sparked an online frenzy when it launched the limited-time Unicorn Frappuccino, a sugary drink that changed colours with the swirl of a straw, drawing social media-obsessed Gen Zers. But with many consumers disgusted by its taste, has the coffee shop giant gone too far for Insta appeal?

From waffles and ice cream to bagels and burgers, multi-coloured grub has become a culinary phenomenon, responsible for hours-long queues at stores and a deluge of social media posts. But what exactly is the appeal of rainbow food? And could participating in this fad be bad for brands?