• Kraft Heinz CEO Steve Cahillane expects improved innovation pipeline in 2027
  • New CEO has earmarked $600 million for marketing, product revamp
  • Company could invest more if profits allow, CEO says
  • Kraft Heinz portfolio seeing market share improvements this year

LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) - Kraft Heinz KHC.Oaims to accelerate product innovation next year, CEO Steve Cahillane told Reuters, as the packaged food company steps up investment to reverse years of market share losses.

Cahillane, who took the helm in January, has earmarked $600 million for marketing and R&D this year to rebuild innovation and revive the main U.S. business which generates almost 70% of sales.

"Next year is going to be better because we've put a lot of changes in place around the R&D, around process improvement, around resource allocation that will lead to a better innovation pipeline for 2027 than we had in 2026," Cahillane said, without providing details.

The push comes as Kraft Heinz expands into higher-protein and lower-sugar products, launching a protein-infused version of its popular Mac & Cheese in March, followed by electrolyte-enhanced Capri Sun drinks and adding to its sugar-free Heinz Zero range, targeting consumers shifting toward healthier options.