Unilever is acquiring The Vegetarian Butcher. The acquisition fits with Unilever’s strategy to expand its portfolio into plant-based foods that are healthier and have a lower environmental impact. With this acquisition, Unilever is responding to the growing trend among consumers to increasingly opt for vegetarian and vegan meals.

For The Vegetarian Butcher, the acquisition is the…

The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have reached a political agreement on a new set of rules that will ensure protection of 100% of EU farmers and of a very large majority of EU agri-food companies against practices contrary to good faith and fair dealing. The new European law will cover agricultural and…

Royal FrieslandCampina, the Netherlands-based global dairy group, is acquiring the activities of Best Cheese Corporation USA, an importer and vendor of specialty cheeses in the United States. Together with the recent acquisition of Jana Foods, the latest deal will further strengthen FrieslandCampina’s position on the American consumer market.

Headquartered in New York’s Westchester County, Best Cheese…

The number of restaurants in Britain slipped by 2.0% over the year to September 2018, the new edition of the Market Growth Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners reveals - equivalent to more than 10 closures a week. The exclusive research shows that Britain had a total of 26,892 restaurants at September. The net fall of 539…

Royal FrieslandCampina and DMK Group have signed a contract manufacturing agreement for mozzarella and yellow cheese production. The agreement will become effective in 2019. FrieslandCampina will supply the milk of its member dairy farmers to DMK. DMK will provide the production facilities and expertise at Hoogeveen (Netherlands) and Georgsmarienhütte (Germany). For this purpose, DMK will…

Lamb Weston Holdings has acquired Marvel Packers, a frozen potato processor in Australia, for an undisclosed sum. Marvel operates frozen potato processing and storage facilities in Hallam, Victoria.

“Our purchase of Marvel is part of our strategy to strengthen our global capabilities and continue to drive growth both organically and through acquisitions,” says Tom Werner, president…

Kerry Group, the global taste, nutrition and consumer foods business, has announced that it has agreed to acquire Ariake USA, the North American Business of Ariake Japan Co, and Southeastern Mills North American coatings and seasonings business (SEM), both deals are subject to customary closing conditions. These acquisitions further enhance Kerry Group's foundational technology portfolio,…

After signing an agreement with Burton's Biscuit Company, the UK's second biggest biscuit manufacturer, for the long-term supply of over 12,000 tonnes of chocolate and compound per year on September 19, 2018, Barry Callebaut, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, has now successfully closed the transaction.

The deal also entails Barry Callebaut…

Budweiser, the world’s most valuable beer brand, is to be brewed with renewable electricity as AB InBev UK has signed a deal with Europe’s largest solar energy company, Lightsource BP, to purchase 100% renewable electricity for its UK operations. The 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) will roll out 100 megawatts of solar power, making it…

The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission, on appeal, for the development of twelve Irish whiskey maturation warehouses at Moyvore, County Westmeath, to be developed by Vault Storage. The proposed facility will have the capacity to hold 200,000 casks of whiskey in maturation.

Mothers have high awareness of infant formula ingredients from whey, research has shown. Arla Foods Ingredients commissioned YouGov to survey 5,658 mothers in seven different countries. When asked whether they knew about specific formula ingredients, lactose topped the list – recognised by 66% of mothers – followed by probiotics (63%).

Ingredients from…

Plant-based food and veganism, the free-from movement and booze-free beverages have been identified as the top three trends which impacted food & drink businesses in 2018[1], according to new research by The International Food & Drink Event (IFE). The research, which surveyed members of the UK’s leading and largest food & drink event…

Cargill has outlined its plan to eliminate deforestation from its cocoa supply chain. The Protect Our Planet plan provides concrete actions the company is taking to achieve 100 percent cocoa bean traceability and includes a commitment of “no further conversion” of any forest land in Ghana and Ivory Coast for cocoa production. It also expands…

As of January 1, 2019, Bühler will address the global food market with a newly created segment - Consumer Foods. By combining the current chocolate, nuts, bakery and coffee business with the Haas business, the new organization will be able to support…

The Almond Board of California (ABC) has announced a $6.8 million investment in 75 independent research projects exploring next-generation farming practices including optimal use of everything almond orchards grow. In addition to improving production practices, the research projects help the California almond community provide almond lovers around the world with a safe, wholesome…

Industrial Pack, the UK’s only dedicated show for industrial, transit and protective packaging, is set to make its debut alongside Packaging Innovations, Empack and Label&Print at Birmingham’s NEC on 27 & 28 February 2019. The protective and transit packaging industry is forecast to be worth £3.7 billion in the UK next year, cementing…

Irish genetics company IdentiGEN has welcomed a €1.8 million research and development award to further strengthen its position as a world leader in DNA technologies within the food industry. IdentiGEN, which is based in Dublin and provides DNA traceability solutions for the meat and seafood sectors, will use the investment to advance food…

In concurrent studies, Cleveland Clinic researchers have uncovered new mechanisms that demonstrate why and how regularly eating red meat can increase the risk of heart disease, and the role gut bacteria play in that process. The research, led by Stanley Hazen, M.D., Ph.D., builds upon previous work showing TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide) – a gut bacteria…

Swiss food manufacturer Coop has selected NiceLabel, a leading global developer of label design software and label management systems, to help streamline and improve the company’s labeling processes at its factories and in-store bakeries. Those processes include the design, management, quality assurance and production of food labels that contain allergen, ingredient and nutrition information in…

ABP Food Group’s renewable division, Olleco, has been shortlisted for a prestigious 'Circular' sustainability award for its development of a circular economy model with McDonald’s and Arla Foods in the UK. The awards are an initiative of the World Economic Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders and winners will be announced…

Packaging Innovations 2019 is set to welcome back Contract Pack for the twelfth-year at Birmingham’s NEC on 27 & 28 February 2019. Supported by the British Contract Manufacturers and Packers Association (BCMPA), the Contract Pack 2019 zone will host 20 BCMPA accredited exhibitors, offering an unrivaled opportunity for brand owners and manufacturers to…

The growing popularity and diversity of sauces, dressings and toppings in the food sector has led RPC Kutenholz to expand its popular Allrounder range. A new 1 litre version is now being added to the existing 500ml and 875ml sizes, giving manufacturers, foodservice suppliers and retailers an even wider choice of an attractive and practical…