USA: Coca-Cola announces interest in controlling Bodyarmor stake
American multinational beverage Coca-Cola company has revealed intentions to acquire a controlling stake in Bodyarmor, a functional drinks business. Bodyarmor’s portfolio includes a range of enhanced water drinks, sports drinks made with coconut water, and lower-calorie. According to sources, a Coca-Cola spokesperson said: “We can confirm that The Coca-Cola Company has filed a pre-acquisition notification […]
Switzerland: Nestle to sell Nestle Waters North America
Multinational food and drinks giant Nestle has reached an agreement to sell its Nestle Water North America business to One Rock Capital Partners in partnership with Metropoulos & Co. for $4.3 billion. The sale includes brands such as Poland Spring, Deer Park, Ozarka, Ice Mountains, Zephyrhills, Arrowhead and Spring. International premium brands including Perrier, S.Pellegrino, […]
Look Ahead: Mark Napier, Gulfood 2021
Gama spoke to Mark Napier, Show Director, Gulfood, ahead of the 2021 edition of the Middle East tradeshow. What are your expectations for this edition of Gulfood? For more than three decades, Gulfood has been at the forefront of the global industry and the 2021 edition is no different. Gulfood was the only major global […]
Italy: Babasucco launches new avocado-based Energy Estratto drink
Babasucco, an Italian consumer goods company, has launched a new drink called Energy Estratto which is claimed to harness all the properties of avocado. The new launch is the latest in Babasucco’s line of cold-pressed juices which it first launched to the Italian market in 2015. According to the company, the line was created “to satisfy a […]
USA: Coca-Cola to sell Zico coconut water to original founder
Global soft drinks company Coca-Cola Company has sold the Zico coconut water brand back to its original owner, through the equity firm PowerPlant Ventures, after eight years. Mark Rampolla, creator of the Zico brand and co-founder of PowerPlant Ventures, said: “I respect the decision of Coca-Cola to focus on other elements of their beverage business. […]
Nigeria: Nigerian Breweries to open PET bottling line
Nigerian Breweries has announced opened a new 5.1 billion NGN ($13.3 million) “ultra-modern” automated PET bottling line at its Ijebu Ode brewery in Nigeria The PET line, which is claimed to have been designed with the latest technology that meets world-class safety and quality standards, is expected to produce 24,000 bottles per hour, increasing capacity […]
USA: Ocean Spray to partner with Amai Proteins to develop new drink
US agricultural cooperative Ocean Spray has announced a partnership with ingredients firm Amai Proteins to develop protein-sweetened reduced sugar cranberry juice. Founded in 1930, Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 700 cranberry farmers in the United States, Canada, and Chile. “We will continue to develop options that showcase the incredible health benefits […]
USA: Ocean Spray launches B1U brand
Ocean Spray, a US-based agricultural cooperative, has unveiled the B1U brand, described as “a line of functional beverages to support a holistic and inclusive health and wellness routine”. According to a company press release, B1U features on-trend functional benefits, simple ingredients, easy to understand nutrition and recyclable packaging. The new brand aims to “demystify nutrition so that […]
Canada: Kerry Group to acquire Bio-K Plus
Global food manufacturer Kerry Group has entered into an agreement to acquire Bio-K Plus International, a Canada-based firm that develops, manufactures, and distributes “clinically supported” probiotic fermented beverages and supplements in the North American market. Kerry Group said the acquisition would expand its portfolio of products orientated to the growing proportion of consumers demanding functional foods, beverages, and supplements […]
UK: Pret A Manger to launch retail coffee line
Coffee chain Pret A Manger has launched a line of coffee products for retail for the first time in the UK. Launched in partnership with supermarket chain Waitrose, the line, which will “allow customers to play the role of barista at home”, includes the two core coffees used in Pret’s stores: Pret’s Organic Classic Blend […]