India: Orkla ventures into confectionery market

Norwegian-based Orkla Group, the parent company of India’s MTR Foods, has announced its entry into the confectionery market in India with the Laban brand. The firm’s ‘human’-shaped fruit flavoured vegetable chews come in a variety of flavours including Strawberry, Mango, Green Mango and Orange, and will be sold in packs of 26g and 65g, priced at 10 […]
UK: Meatsnacks to introduce salmon jerky

Jerky and biltong manufacturer Meatsnacks is to introduce a range of salmon jerky under the Speyside Smokehouse brand name. The new range will be produced in Scotland, where the company has a smokehouse in Spey, following the same production method as its Wild West meat jerky. Meatsnacks Group managing director James Newitt said: “We’re really excited […]
Canada: Guru Energy launches energy drink sweetened with monk fruit

Canadian energy drink company Guru Energy is to launch Organic Lite, a new version of its namesake energy drink that is said to be sweetened with monk fruit. Organic Lite is described as being infused with green tea, echinacea, ginseng, guarana, stevia and lemon juice. It contains 20 calories and is claimed to be organically certified, […]
India: Ajinomoto enters powdered drinks market

International seasoning and food firm Ajinomoto has revealed plans to enter India’s instant drinks market with the launch of powdered tea and coffee products. Under the plans, the company will begin selling its Blendy brand outside Japan for the first time after acquiring the trademark rights for Blendy in November 2016. The launch will be […]
Australia: McCain introduces ‘man size’ meals

International frozen food giant McCain has launched a range of ‘man size’ frozen meals in Australia that are claimed to be better quality, more satisfying, and larger than traditional products. According to Inside FMCG, McCain Man Size Ready Meals are claimed to be 50% larger than regular frozen meals, and made with “quality cuts of meat” and […]
Japan: Asahi expands Wonda brand with coffee jelly drink

Leading beverage maker Asahi has announced the launch of a new coffee jelly drink under the long established coffee brand Wonda. The new Wonda Shake Jelly Coffee is presented in a plastic bottle and is sold with a separate sachet of milk powder that is designed to be mixed into the drink before being consumed. […]
UK: Suntory launches Lucozade Sport Fit Water

Suntory, the Japanese drinks giant and owner of the Ribena and Lucozade brands in the UK, is moving into the functional water space with the launch of Lucozade Sport Fit Water. Described as “purified spring water plus 4 key electrolytes”, Lucozade Sport Fit Water is “designed to keep you hydrated and replenish what you lose […]
USA: Agave Loco launches FrappaChata alcoholic iced coffee

Alcohol beverage maker Agave Loco has announced a new line of ready-to-drink alcoholic iced coffee under the FrappaChata brand name n the USA. The arabica and robusta based coffee drinks, blended with RumChata cream liqueur, offer “a rich, dark roast coffee flavour highlighted by the sweet smooth taste of RumChata”, and are claimed to be […]
Portugal: Continente introduces preserves made from ‘leftover’ produce

Supermarket chain Continente, part of Portuguese retail and telecoms conglomerate Sonae, has introduced a new range of jams and chutney that are described as being made from fruit and vegetables nearing the end of their sell-by date. According to an article in Distribuicao Hoje, the move is designed to tackle the issue of produce going to waste […]
Portugal: Nestle rebrands and launches new Greek yoghurt drink

Multinational FMCG giant Nestle has revamped its Greek yoghurt range in Portugal, rebranding the products as Nestle Yaos Grego and introducing a new ‘Greek Shake’ product. According to Distribuicao Hoje, the brand line, which was previously available under the Nestle Grego name, includes low fat yoghurts that are said to be the only products of […]