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

Nestlé Waters North America renamed BlueTriton Brands

Apr 8, 2021Apr 8, 2021 Editor

US – A few weeks after Nestlé announced completion of sale of its North America Water business to One Rock Capital Partners, the business has begun operating under a new corporate name, BlueTriton Brands. The business was sold to One Rock Capital Partners, in partnership with Metropoulos & Co for US$4.3 billion with the deal being finalised on 31 March. Referring to Triton, the god of sea in Greek mythology, the new name is said to reflect the company’s role as a guardian of sustainable resources and provider of fresh…

Starbucks expands reusable cup program in US to cut down on waste

Apr 7, 2021Apr 7, 2021 Editor

US – American multinational chain of coffeehouses and roastery reserves Starbucks is expanding its reusable cup program in the United States in an effort to reduce single-use cup waste. The coffeehouse company said that the borrow-and-return program will run in five Seattle stores for two months as it gauges the viability of the program for a possible wider roll-out in future. The trial program called Borrow A Cup program allows customers to order their beverage in a reusable cup, each replacing up to 30 disposable cups. According to Starbucks, for…

Ingredion acquires German food solutions provider KaTech, complementing its specialty ingredients portfolio

Apr 6, 2021Apr 6, 2021 Editor

GERMANY – American multinational ingredient provider, Ingredion has acquired KaTech, a German provider of advanced texture and stabilization solutions, effectively expanding its specialty ingredients portfolio. The acquisition comes five months after Ingredion agreed to acquire the remaining stake in Verdient Foods, taking its ownership of the plant-based protein joint venture to 100%. KaTech offers a variety of solutions that assist food and beverage manufacturers with product formulation, ingredient functionality and technical assistance. The firm is said to have application expertise in areas such as stabilisation, texture enhancement, protein enrichment and…

Nestlé unveils coffee-flavored S.Pellegrino Essenza line, completes sale of North America water business

Apr 1, 2021Apr 1, 2021 Editor

US – World’s number one food manufacturing company, Nestlé is adding a coffee-inspired line to its S.Pellegrino Essenza portfolio of flavored sparkling mineral waters. The company revealed that the new gently caffeinated S.Pellegrino Essenza products are available in three flavour combinations namely vanilla & coffee, cocoa & coffee and caramel & coffee. Bottled at source in Italy and scheduled to launch in US, the new zero-calorie line is free from sweeteners and contains 30mg of caffeine, which is said to be around one third of the amount in an average…

PepsiCo accelerates transition to electric mobility, launches new US$40m scholarship program for Black and Hispanic students

Mar 31, 2021Mar 31, 2021 Editor

US – American multinational snack and beverage company, PepsiCo is moving beyond the electric truck pilot program and is embarking on a large-scale transition of its fleet to electric and other zero-emission technologies. According to a report by GreenBiz, the maker of Pepsi Soda, has a goal of converting a large portion of the 27,000 trucks and vans that move its products to more sustainable technologies. At the moment, the company through its Frito-Lay snack food division, is using a manufacturing facility in Modesto, California, as a testbed to try…

Sensient Natural Ingredients, Taylor Farms expand North American operations with new acquisitions

Mar 31, 2021Mar 31, 2021 Editor

NORTH AMERICA – Sensient Natural Ingredients and US producer of salads and fresh foods Tailor Farms have made new acquisitions to expand their capacities in North America. On its part, Sensient Natural Ingredients announced that it has completed its purchase of New Mexico Chili Products, a dehydrated chilli production facility in the US. Located in Deming, New Mexico, the facility processes capsicums and a variety of specialty chillies for CPG food manufacturers, spice blenders and foodservice customers. The new asset is a great addition to the company which already processes…

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…

Sofina Foods, Agrana make new acquisitions to expand capacity, market share

Mar 30, 2021Mar 30, 2021 Editor

US/JAPAN – Canadian manufacturer of primary and further-processed protein products, Sofina Foods has agreed to acquire seafood and pork provider Eight Fifty Food Group from funds managed by private equity firm CapVest Partners. Founded in 2019 following the acquisition of Young’s Seafood by CapVest-owned Karro Food Group, Eighty Fifty has grown into an international multi-protein food group, employing 8,300 people across 23 manufacturing sites. Its acquisition is expected to complement Sofina Foods’ North American platform, with Eight Fifty CEO Di Walker continuing to lead the business under the new ownership.…

Pilgrim’s Pride issues US$1B sustainability-linked bond as Vertical Farmer AeroFarms gears up for public listing

Mar 30, 2021Mar 30, 2021 Editor

US – American multinational food company Pilgrim’s Pride has announced a US$1 billion sustainability-linked bond tied to the company’s Sustainability Performance Target (SPT) of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. Bloomberg reports that the interest rate on Pilgrim Pride’s new bond will climb 25 basis points if the company fails to prove through a third-party verification service that it hit its sustainability targets. The new US$1 billion sustainability-linked bond can be interpreted as Pilgrim’s Pride attempt to put its money where its mouth is when promising improved…

Multi-brand plant-based platform LiveKindly Collective raises US$335M to accelerate expansion into US

Mar 30, 2021Mar 30, 2021 Editor

US – LiveKindly Collective, a multi-brand plant-based platform, has raised US$335 million in its latest funding round led by The Rise Fund, which is the global impact investing platform managed by TPG. Food Dive reported that the funding round which was closed in late March included new funds from existing investors such as Rabo Corporate Investments and S2G Ventures. Money from this round, according to a company, will be used to accelerate LiveKindly Collective’s brands into new geographic locations — including the U.S. and China. It will also be used…