USA: Lactalis announces $55 million investment to increase feta production
Lactalis, the French dairy giant, has announced plans to invest $55 million at a plant in Tulare (CA) to increase feta cheese production. This investment will be used to build a 38,000 sq ft production line, creating 20 full-time jobs. Commenting on the investment, Lactalis USA chief executive officer Esteve Torrens said: “We are expanding […]
Australia: Instacart and Coles to launch ‘smart trolleys’
Instacart, the US grocery technology company, and Coles, the Australian supermarket retailer, have announced a partnership to bring Caper Carts ‘smart trolleys’ to the Asia Pacific region for the first time, expanding their presence beyond North America. Caper Carts, which will launch in Australia in early 2025, are described as being equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) systems, […]
Netherlands: Heineken to invest €45 million in new R&D centre
Heineken, the Dutch beermaker, has announced an investment of €45 million ($47 million) to build the Dr. H.P. Heineken Centre, a global research & development centre in Zoeterwoude, Netherlands. Named after Henry Pierre Heineken, a doctor of chemistry and first successor to Heineken founder Gerard Adriaan Heineken, the new facility will be 8,800 sqm in size […]
USA: Lakeview Farms to acquire Noosa yoghurt brand
Lakeview Farms, a leading manufacturer of dips, desserts, and specialty products, has announced the acquisition of the Noosa yoghurt brand from Campbell Soup. Noosa is a manufacturer of premium-positionined, “Aussie-style” cheesecake bites and yoghurt ice cream that are claimed to be known for their rich, creamy texture and unique flavours. “We are excited to welcome […]
Japan: Meiji launches biscuits with “cacao granules”
Meiji, the Japanese food and pharmaceutical firm, has announced the launch of Well Cacao Spicy Crisp, sweet spiced biscuits made with the company’s “cacao granules” ingredient. Meiji cacao granules are described as a form of cocoa nibs made from cacao beans fermented under controlled conditions to reduce astringency, using a unique process that preserves nutrients […]
UK: Kepak acquires Summit Foods
Kepak, the Irish supplier of foodservice solutions and ready-for-market convenience foods. has announced the acquisition of Summit Foods, a UK-based specialist in frozen and chilled foods. Kepak is a leading meat producer with 15 plants across Ireland and the UK, serving brands including Rustlers, Big Al’s, Celtic Beef, McIntosh Donald, Watergrass Hill, Black Angus, and […]
USA: Hershey acquires Sour Strips
US confectionery firm Hershey has announced the expansion of its portfolio with the acquisition of Sour Strips, a brand of sour sweets founded in 2019. Sour Strips is claimed to make sweets with intense flavours and creative branding, and is marketed with the tagline “sour candy that doesn’t suck”. Commenting on the deal, Hershey president […]
UK: Ocado to invest heavily in private label in 2025
Ocado, the specialist online UK grocery company, is to invest heavily in its private label range in 2025, with the launch of hundreds of new items, according to a report in Grocery Gazette. The retailer, which said the new product range would particularly focus on seasonal items, said 89% of customers it surveyed agreed it […]
Ireland: Kerry Group to divest dairy businesses
Kerry Group, the Irish dairy business, has entered into an agreement with Kerry Co-Operative Creameries to sell Kerry Dairy Holding (Ireland) for €500 million ($530 million). The deal supports Kerry Group’s desire to become a “pure play taste and nutrition company”. Kerry Dairy Ireland includes Dairy Consumer Products, a business that makes cheese, cheese snacks, […]
UK: Intersnack acquires Whole Earth Foods from Ecotone
Intersnack, the European snacks multinational, has announced it has acquired organic and plant- based food manufacturer Whole Earth Foods from health foods firm Ecotone. Under Ecotone, the Whole Earth Foods brand has reportedly been expanding for the past 20 years in the nut butters and soft drink categories, making it one of the UK top […]