Year: 2021

Heineken unveils new sustainable bar concept in effort to make the world “a little greener every day”

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UK – Dutch multinational brewing giant Heineken has launched Greener Bar, a completely new entertainment experience designed to reduce waste, water, emissions and energy usage in the company’s event bars.  Heineken said that every element of the Heineken Greener Bar- from the uniforms of the staff to the soil and plant ballasts weighing the bar down – has had a life before or will have a life long after the bar is gone.  “From the coasters made from the spent grain of the barley used during the brewing process, through to the use of reusable and recyclable cups, everything is designed…

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Tropical weather forecasting company Ignitia closes US$ 4.2m financing round to fuel expansion

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WEST AFRICA – Agtech company, Ignitia has closed a US$ 4.2m financing round led by Novastar Ventures with participation from IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, Future Foodways, Mercy Corps, Norrsken and Finca International. The funding will enable the company to extend its Sub-Saharan Africa footprint to new markets. It also represents another stepping-stone towards its 2030 mission to reach 200 million farmers. Ignitia, headquatered in Sweden, was founded in 2010 by three scientists from renowned research institutions such as NASA, who joined forces to address the seemingly impossible task of producing reliable…

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South Africa’s newly launched herbal tea brand Bospresso gains Rainforest Alliance certification

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SOUTH AFRICA – South African beverage firm, BOS Brands, has launched a Rooibos espresso dubbed Bospresso. Rooibos also known as bush tea or red tea, is a herbal hot beverage drink originating from a leguminous plant, widely enjoyed in South Africa. The new product, according to reports by Bizcommunity, bears the little green frog seal, making it the first Bos product boasting of attaining the Rainforest Alliance certification. The Rainforest Alliance seal indicates that the product is produced using methods that support the three pillars of sustainability i.e., social, economic,…

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Confectionery giant Kenafric sweetens its gum portfolio with launch of activated charcoal chewing gum

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KENYA – Eastern Africa’s leading confectionery manufacturer, Kenafric Industries, has straightened its innovation antennas and launched Africa’s first activated charcoal chewing gum. The product dubbed ‘Fresh Active’ is a teeth cleaning powerhouse, offering great oral healthcare while leaving a lasting cooling effect that enhances fresh breath. Its launch comes after two years of research and product formulation, which has led to the introduction of a gum aimed to gives one extra boldness every time he/she indulges in it. Activated charcoal is trusted globally due to its benefits of restoring correct…

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Dole Foods expands into functional foods, targets US$2.1B valuation in IPO

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US – Dole Packaged Foods has expanded into the increasingly popular functional food products category  with the launch of Dole Fruitify juices and Dole Essentials fruit bowls. Fruitify with 65% juice and less than 100 calories per can has three varieties that combine pineapple juice with ingredients such as turmeric, green tea extract and coconut water.   Dole Essentials fruit bowls are, on the other hand, available in three varieties that mix chunks of pineapple, mandarin oranges, or mixed fruit in 100% fruit juice with ingredients such as cucumber and mint, turmeric, and green tea extract.   Both Dole Fruitify juices and Essentials fruit bowls have no added sugar, helping…

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Philippines to fight hidden hunger with recently approved “Golden Rice” variety

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PHILIPPINES – Filipino authorities have greenlighted the planting of “Golden Rice”; a new, nutrient enriched rice variety developed by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).  Golden Rice was first conceived by Professors Ingo Potrykus and Peter Beyer in the late 1980s. IRRI became the first licensee of the scientists’ work in 2001.  The rice variety adds an important nutrient to a staple food that is already consumed in volumes of almost 120kg per capita per year.  Following the approval, Filipino farmers will become the first in…

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Federal regulations critical in ensuring safety of CBD products – Consumer Brands

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USA – The Consumer Brands Association has renewed its call for urgent government action on cannabidiol (CBD) regulation, asserting that federal engagement is critical to ensuring consumer safety.   The call comes after a new report from Consumer Brands showed that the lack of a clear federal law on CBD use in foods was putting the safety of consumers using the product at risk.   The report noted that absent of a regulatory framework, consumers cannot have confidence their products are being manufactured in compliance with existing and applicable manufacturing, processing, distributing, and claim requirements.  Additionally, the…

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Distell to register triple digit profit growth supported by improved performance across all markets

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SOUTH AFRICA – Despite repeated bans on alcohol sales at his home market, Distell is expecting strong profit growth for the year to end-June. The owner of brands like Savanna, Hunter’s and Klipdrift, expects its headline earnings will jump by more than 230% to stand at between 735.6 cents and 782.7 cents, compared to the previous year’s 235.3 cents. This will also be almost 20% higher than in its HEPS of 2019 financial year, before the impact of the pandemic, which was 652.9 cents. According to the drink maker, the…

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Uganda securities exchange suspends Uchumi Supermarket’s trading on the bourse

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UGANDA – Cash-strapped Kenyan headquartered retailer, Uchumi Supermarket, has been suspended from trading it shares on Uganda Stock Exchange’s main investment market segment and the listing of the company’s shares on the official list. According to a notice signed by the USE Chief Executive Officer Paul Bwiso, the suspension follows Uchumi’s failure to meet listing obligations. “The suspension is on account of Uchumi’s continued failure to comply with listing obligations prescribed under the USE Fees, Charges and Penalties Rules of 2021 and the USE Listing Rules of 2021, respectively,” indicated…

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Kenya’s leading meat processing company QMP Group set for growth following Tana Africa Capital’s investment

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KENYA – Mauritius based holding company, Africa Protein Holdings Limited, owners of Quality Meat Packers Ltd and Anirita Poultry Farm Plc, have received backing from Africa-focused investment company, Tana Africa Capital. The leading Pan-African private equity firm has undertaken the equity investment through its second fund Tana Africa Capital II, acquiring a minority stake in the company for an undisclosed amount. The Velji family remain the majority owner of the business, with the support aimed to transform its Kenya based business, QMP Group, into a leading African meat processing company…

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