AFRICA'S NO.1 FOOD, BEVERAGE & MILLING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

India’s food safety authority issues SOPs for licensing and registration of fortified food products

May 5, 2021May 5, 2021 Editor

INDIA – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued provisions for licensing and registration of fortified food products in its Food Safety and Compliance System. The provisions cover processed food products categories, including milk, edible oil, fortified fruit juices, rice, wheat flour and maida1 (refined flour), fortified cereal products, fortified bakery ware, and salt. As per FSSAI-issued standard operating procedures, food business operators (FBOs) are required to upload test reports showing levels of fortificants in the fortified food product. Results must be obtained from the FSSAI…

AfDB, IFAD and partners pledge to end hunger in Africa, work collaboratively with leaders to strengthen food security

Apr 30, 2021Apr 30, 2021 Editor

AFRICA – The impact of climate change, pandemics, hunger and malnutrition, rising fragility and conflict, and locust invasions in East and Southern Africa is taking a toll on the continent. In particular, hunger poses an even greater risk than Covid-19 across the region as the number of people living with hunger increased from 214 million to 246 million between 2015 and 2020. The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in partnership with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the CGIAR System…

African Development Fund grants Ethiopia US$31.2m to combat child malnutrition through MASReP

Apr 30, 2021Apr 30, 2021 Editor

ETHIOPIA – The government of Ethiopia has received US$31.2m grant from the African Development Fund, to boost the US$48m Multi-sectoral Approach for Stunting Reduction Project (MASReP). MASReP aims to increase access to nutritional services for children under-five years, by improving health services, availing more diverse and nutritious food, and improving knowledge, attitude and practices on feeding, care and hygiene. The project will target forty districts or woredas in the country’s Amhara and Tigray regions, highlights African Development Fund. Child malnutrition remains a significant development challenge in Ethiopia. In the project…

Unilever expands consumer health offerings with acquisition of US supplements brand Onnit

Apr 27, 2021Apr 27, 2021 Editor

US – Consumer goods giant, Unilever has agreed to acquire US supplements brand and lifestyle company, Onnit, as it continues to expand its consumer health offerings. Based in Austin, Texas, Onnit’s core focus is its range of supplements that aim to improve cognitive function, mood and relaxation, gut health and immunity support. The company’s portfolio also features protein powders, protein snacks, fats and oils, as well as coffee. Founded in 2010, the holistic wellness and lifestyle company also offers fitness essentials such as kettlebells and a digital content platform that…

New law seeking to regulate toxic metals in baby food tabled in US parliament

Mar 30, 2021Mar 30, 2021 Editor

US – A new law seeking to establish new maximum levels of toxic metals baby food has been tabled by legislators in the US Parliament in an effort to protect the health of the country’s youngest population. Formally introduced as The Baby Food Safety Act of 2021, the bill particularly aims to regulate the levels of inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury found in baby food and cereal products. All of these heavy metals have been linked to cancer, chronic disease and neurotoxic effects, but it’s the damage that can…

South African consumer health businesses Maia Group gets backing from EXEO Capital

Mar 25, 2021Mar 25, 2021 Editor

SOUTH AFRICA – Maia Group, a South African holding company focused on consumer health businesses has received an undisclosed amount of investment from EXEO Capital, a leading pan-African private equity investment manager, through its Food and Agribusiness fund, Agri-Vie Fund II, The backing is aimed to enable Maia to accelerate its growth strategy. The company established by Simon Alston and Stuart Sinclair, includes Wellness Warehouse and True Health Holdings. Avril Stassen, Senior Partner at EXEO Capital, said that the decision to invest in this firm follows the strong market growth…

Mondelēz to expand snack portfolio with acquisition of UK performance nutrition brand Grenade

Mar 23, 2021Mar 23, 2021 Editor

UK – Owner of Cadbury chocolate brand, Mondelēz International has agreed to to acquire UK performance nutrition company Grenade from its majority shareholder Lion Capital as part of its continuing expansion into the snacking sector. The deal comes barely two weeks after Mondelēz purchased Australian based premium cracker company Gourmet Food Holdings. This is in addition to the acquisition of plant-based snack brand Hu Products which was made in January in an effort to tap into the increasingly popular better-for-you snack segment. Grenade manufactures a range of sports nutrition products…

Kerry, World Food Programme partner to improve milk value chain in Burundi

Mar 12, 2021Mar 12, 2021 Editor

BURUNDI – Kerry, one of the world’s leading taste and nutrition company has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme to launch Project Amata in Burundi, aimed to enhance the production and availability of safe, sustainable milk for children and communities. The project will be supported by a direct financial contribution of US$750,000 from the Irish company, aimed to improve food security and nutrition by strengthening the milk value chain. Over the course of the three-year programme, Kerry experts and WFP staff will work together with farmers and the…

Demand for products perceived to enhance immunity will continue in the future beyond COVID-19 – Kerry

Mar 9, 2021Mar 9, 2021 Editor

IRELAND – The COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to the importance of a functional immune system stimulating demand for functional foods and beverages globally. A recent study conducted by Irish Food and Ingredients Company Kerry revealed that this trend will continue in the future beyond COVID-19. According to the research, 65 percent of functional beverage consumers are more worried about their health since the start of the pandemic. Furthermore, when asked about the health concerns that have become more important since the emergence of COVID-19, 59 percent of respondents in the…

British Grocer Tesco to increase healthier products sales proportion to boost nation’s health

Mar 8, 2021Mar 8, 2021 Editor

US – British multinational grocer Tesco has joined campaign to boost the nation’s health with a new target to increase the proportion of sales from healthier products in the UK to 65 percent by 2025. The UK Department defines healthier products as those food and non-alcoholic drink products not identified as ‘high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS)’. This is the definition that the British grocer is going by in determining which products will be given prominence in its store across the UK. Food Ingredients First reported that Tesco’s move…