The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

UK confectionery business The Serious Sweets Company has announced its acquisition of Mallow & Marsh for an undisclosed sum.

Lotus Bakeries' corporate venture fund, FF2032, has acquired a minority stake in Boston-based better-for-you food manufacturer, IQBAR.

The F&B industry saw a significant amount of mergers and acquisitions this year, with companies seeking to expand their businesses internationally.

Middleby Corporation has announced the acquisition of Marco Beverage Systems, a beverage dispensing solutions manufacturer, for an undisclosed sum.

Pernod Ricard France has acquired a majority stake in Cockorico, a French brand specialising in premium ready-to-serve cocktails.

Orkla Confectionery & Snacks has agreed to purchase 100% of Swedish confectionery company Bubs Godis for an undisclosed amount.

US nut processor, John B. Sanfilippo & Son, has purchased “substantially all of the assets” of the Just the Cheese brand from Specialty Cheese Company.

Barilla has agreed to buy Back to Nature from B&G Foods, as it looks to strengthen its position in the North American bakery market.

Meat producer HKScan has signed an agreement to sell its Baltic subsidiaries to Estonia-based food company, Maag Grupp, for €90m.

Carlsberg has agreed to acquire Canada's Waterloo Brewing for a total equity value of around CAD 144m (approx. $106m) in cash.

Hindustan Unilever is set to enter the health and wellbeing category by investing in two companies in this area – OZiva and Wellbeing Nutrition.

Danish enzyme producers Chr. Hansen and Novozymes have entered into an agreement to merge, with the aim of creating a global leader in biosolutions.