USA: General Mills expands Oui By Yoplait into dairy-free, desserts

General Mills, the US food and drinks firm, is expanding its Oui By Yoplait yoghurt line with the introduction of a new coconut-based range, and a line of more indulgent desserts. Oui Dairy Free Coconut Dairy Alternative is described as being made with a coconut base and paired with flavours such as vanilla, strawberry, mango, and […]
Italy: Bauli expands into sports nutrition with Maxsport stake

Bauli, the Italian bakery firm, is expanding into the sports nutrition market with the acquisition of a majority stake in Slovakian supplement firm MaxSport, according to a report in Startitup. MaxSport, which markets products such as pasta, protein shakes, nut butter, protein snacks and snack bars in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and over 30 other countries, […]
USA: PepsiCo agrees deal to acquire PopCorners brand

PepsiCo, the leading food and drinks multinational, has announced it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire BFY Brands, the makers of the PopCorners snack line, for an undisclosed sum. The firm said the addition of BFY Brands would expand Frito-Lay’s snacking portfolio and “further deliver on its Winning with Purpose vision to offer consumers more […]
Canada: Hostess Brands to acquire Voortman Cookies

Hostess Brands, the US bakery firm, has announced it has acquired Voortman Cookies, a “rapidly growing” manufacturer of wafers, sugar-free and specialty biscuits, from Swander Pace Capital for approximately $320 million. Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Burlington, Canada, Voortman Cookies is described as the number one player in creme wafers and sugar free cookies, with distribution […]
Sweden: Arla to close Gefleortens dairy business

Arla, the Danish milk processor, is to shut its Gefleortens business in Sweden, according to a FoodBev report, in a further sign of the pressures facing the global dairy sector. Gefleortens, which Arla acquired in 2017, is based in Gavle, north of Stockholm, and produces a range of dairy products including milk, cream and yoghurt. […]
Australia: Lion Australia to sell dairy division to Mengniu

Lion Australia, the Kirin-owned Australian food and drinks manufacturer, has announced it has reached an agreement to sell its Dairy & Drinks business to Chinese dairy firm Mengniu in a deal valued at A$600 million ($406 million). The sale includes all white milk, milk-based drinks, yoghurt, juice and water ice brands and assets, as well as Lion […]
Brazil: M. Dias Branco pulls plug on new factory

M. Dias Branco, the leading Brazilian biscuit and pasta firm, has announced it has abandoned plans to construct a new factory in Juiz de Fora in Minas Gerais state, according to a report in New Trade. The company had originally announced the R$305.6 million ($72 million) scheme in 2014, with the intention of using the […]
Brazil: Pif Paf Alimentos acquires Fricasa

Pif Paf Alimentos, a leading meat and poultry processor, has announced it has acquired Brazilian peer Fricasa, a pork specialist, for an undisclosed sum. The firm, the largest meat processor in the Minas Gerais region, said the deal would increase its pork processing capacity by 70% and would add around 15% to its annual turnover. […]
UK: Unilever divests part of Central American laundry business

Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant, has announced it has entered into an agreement to sell part of its laundry detergent business in Central America to the Guatemalan household and personal care firm Industria La Popular for an undisclosed sum. The deal will see Unilever divest its direct application laundry soap bars business in Central America, including […]
USA: Bumble Bee Foods files for bankruptcy, strikes asset sale deal

Bumble Bee Foods, the US manufacturer of preserved fish and chicken products, has filed for bankruptcy and agreed a deal to sell its assets to Taiwanese seafood processor FCF, according to a Food Business News report. FCF will pay reportedly $925 million for Bumble Bee Foods’ assets. The declaration of bankruptcy will facilitate the sale […]