A new functional hydration beverage brand, Flydrate, has launched in the UK, targeting the air travel industry exclusively. The drink has uniquely been developed specifically for the low-humidity conditions experienced during commercial air travel. It has been formulated by scientists in collaboration with airline pilots and cabin crew. In an aircraft cabin, the air drops to as low as 10-12% relative humidity at cruising altitude – the Sahara Desert averages at around 25%. Drinks commonly consumed on-board, such as coffee and alcohol, can worsen dehydration, leading to common effects such as headaches, brain fog, fatigue and intensified jet lag after landing. On a long-haul flight, the body can lose up to two litres of water through breathing – a similar amount to what many runners lose through sweat during a marathon, Flydrate highlighted. Flydrate founder Laurence Nair-Price Flydrate was built with this in mind. The product is a lightly carbonated lemon and ginger-flavoured electrolyte beverage with no sugar, no caffeine and no carbs. The formula, which is also entirely vegan and gluten-free, combines potassium, magnesium and pink Himalayan salt for hydration at altitude. It also contains a blend of vitamins C, D3 and B5, zinc and taurine to target fatigue and support immunity. Flydrate drinks are launching in a 250ml can format, designed for liquid restrictions and on-the-go consumption. Each of six aviation-inspired can designs is dedicated to one of the world’s great flight routes, from the Concorde route between London and New York to the record-breaking 19-hour Singapore to New York service. The drink has secured listings throughout UK private aviation airport Farnborough Airport, as well as in every room of the Aviator Hotel and in London’s Battersea Heliport. It has also landed in a number of hospitality venues including London’s JW Marriott Grosvenor House. Distribution is planned for expansion across UK private aviation, airport hospitality and travel retail through the remainder of 2026. Top image: © Flydrate

Rise Baking Company has completed its acquisition of Jimmy’s Gourmet Bakery, strengthening its position in the category and expanding its manufacturing capabilities in the US. The deal forms part of Rise Baking’s long-term growth strategy, with the bakery manufacturer aiming to broaden its product portfolio, increase innovation capabilities and provide greater value to customers. Jimmy’s Gourmet Bakery has operated for more than 40 years and specialises in thaw-and-sell baked goods across the US. The company operates three manufacturing facilities spanning more than 350,000 square feet. Its portfolio includes the Jimmy’s Cookies brand, King Krumb Cookie line and Ecce Panis artisan breads, alongside private-label manufacturing and product development capabilities. Mark McNeil, CEO of Rise Baking Company, said: “We’ve admired what the Jimmy’s team has built over the years and we’re excited to welcome them to Rise. What makes this acquisition special is the people. Jimmy’s has built an outstanding team, a strong culture and a reputation for delivering innovative products and service.” Following the acquisition, Jimmy’s will initially continue to operate independently with Rise and Jimmy’s taking a phased approach to integration. This is intended to maintain continuity for employees, customers and partners. The acquisition adds further scale to Rise Baking’s manufacturing network and complements its existing portfolio, which spans cakes, cookies, muffins, icings, pies and other bakery products. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rise Baking has expanded through a series of strategic acquisitions, bringing together brands and manufacturers including Brill, South Coast Baking, Table Talk, Best Maid, Henry & Henry and Bakestone Brothers. Top image: © Rise Baking Company

PepsiCo-owned Tostitos has expanded its US portfolio with a limited-edition tortilla chip flavour and two refrigerated guacamole dips ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Launching nationwide on 9 August, the new spicy queso blanco-flavoured tortilla chips combine queso cheese flavour with peppers and spices. The product will be sold in 11oz bags for a limited time. The following day, Tostitos will enter the refrigerated aisle for the first time with its Chunky Guacamole range. Available in mild and medium hint of lime varieties, the dips are made with Hass avocados, onions, tomatoes and jalapeño peppers. Denise Truelove, senior vice president of marketing at PepsiCo Foods North America, said: "At Tostitos, we know some of life's best moments happen when people come together around great food. Our new limited time offering flavour, Spicy Queso Blanco, puts a bold spin on the iconic chips-and-queso pairing."

Aldi and Arla Foods UK have launched an eight-week trial using ultraviolet tags to track milk bottles through the recycling system. The pilot, conducted in partnership with recycling technology provider Polytag, aims to give the companies a clearer picture of how dairy packaging moves through the waste and recycling chain. Invisible UV tags will be printed onto wrap-around labels applied to Arla’s milk bottles at its Oakthorpe dairy. The labels, produced by Saica Flex, use a food-safe fluorescent ink developed by Sun Chemical. When the packaging reaches a materials recovery facility, Polytag’s detection units will scan the tags and record barcode-level data in real time. Aldi and Arla will be able to access the information through Polytag’s online dashboard, providing insight into the bottles’ recycling rates and journey. The project builds on an initial trial conducted by Aldi, Arla and Polytag in 2023, which used pressure-sensitive labels. The latest pilot uses wrap-around labels, designed to offer greater durability and coverage. Luke Emery, plastics and packaging director at Aldi UK, said: "By integrating this advanced traceability technology into our packaging, we can gain deeper insights into the lifecycle of our materials”. Helena Delgado Nordmann, head of sustainability at Arla Foods UK, shared: "By working with Polytag, we hope to gain valuable insight into how milk bottle packaging moves through the recycling system, helping us to make more informed decisions about future packaging developments and supporting our ongoing efforts to improve packaging circularity”. Stefaan D’hoore, director of business development for speciality inks and coatings at Sun Chemical, commented: "This next phase of the collaboration showcases Sun Chemical's proprietary fluorescent ink technology for wrap-around labels.The ink has been tested against Recyclass’ Washing Quick Test Procedures and EPBP Quicktest QT 507 with good results. It has also been approved for use on labels designed to be optimally detected by Polytag's ink-agnostic detection units, helping to deliver robust recycling data and doesn’t impact the quality of the recycled polymers." "This deployment marks an exciting milestone as the first commercial use of Sun Chemical's fluorescent ink with Polytag's technology, demonstrating how collaboration across the packaging value chain can support greater transparency and help accelerate the transition to a more circular economy." The data collected during the pilot will be used to assess packaging performance and identify potential opportunities to improve recyclability and recycling rates.

Better-for-you iced tea brand Halfday has launched nationwide at Target, expanding its retail presence with a new slim can format and an exclusive Strawberry Half & Half flavour. The new chilled slim can range includes Strawberry Half & Half, Classic Half & Half, Peach and Lemon iced teas. The products combine brewed tea with reduced sugar and prebiotic fibre, targeting growing consumer interest in beverages that offer both familiar flavours and functional benefits. Halfday’s new Strawberry Half & Half flavour is exclusive to Target and combines brewed tea with lemonade and strawberry. The drink uses chicory root as a source of prebiotic fibre. Each slim can contains 6g of prebiotic fibre from Halfday’s GoodDay Prebiotic Blend, alongside less than 5g of sugar and between 35 and 40 calories, according to the brand. Kayvon Jahanbakhsh, co-founder of Halfday, said: “Launching nationwide at Target is a defining moment for Halfday and a major step forward in our mission to reinvent iced tea for today’s consumer. Target gives us the opportunity to introduce Halfday to a massive new audience while bringing something genuinely differentiated to the beverage aisle through our new slim-can format and exclusive Strawberry flavour.” Founded in 2021 by Jahanbakhsh and Mike Lombardo, Halfday was developed as a lower-sugar alternative to traditional iced tea with added prebiotic fibre. The brand said the concept was inspired by Jahanbakhsh’s personal experience with ulcerative colitis and a desire to develop beverages that combined familiar taste with gut-health positioning. The new slim can range is now available at approximately 1,100 Target stores nationwide and through Target.com.

Premier Foods’ Mr Kipling Signature Collection is expanding its range of home baking mixes and icings with a new Salted Caramel & Belgian Milk Chocolate Cake Mix, and Salted Caramel Fill & Glaze Icing. The Signature Collection range was launched in 2022, tapping into demand for indulgent and premium flavours in baked goods. Mr Kipling reported strong performance since the launch, with value sales growing 35.9% year-over-year. The new additions aim to build on this momentum, responding to the growing consumer interest in ‘decadent, on-trend’ home baking options. Salted caramel cakes continue to perform strongly, growing in value by 49.5% this year according to Circana data. The new cake mix from Mr Kipling Signature Collection contains real Belgian milk chocolate pieces and requires just three additional cupboard staple ingredients – milk, butter and eggs. It aims to help consumers create high-quality cakes with minimal effort and can be paired with the new salted caramel icing mix to deliver a convenient and indulgent home baking experience. Daniel Jalalpour, marketing director for desserts, home baking and breakfast at Premier Foods, commented: “Mr Kipling Signature Baking Collection’s new flavour variant makes it easy to create a high-quality bake at home, while giving retailers something fresh and exciting to bring into the sector”. “With our range already over-indexing among under-45s versus the wider baking mixes category, we're confident the latest additions will continue to broaden the range's appeal and drive further category growth.” The new products will be available in selected Tesco stores across the UK from 31 August, with an MRSP of £3.20 each.

US natural foods company Z Natural Foods has expanded its functional nutrition portfolio with the launch of a Chocolate Goat Whey Protein Concentrate combining goat whey protein, organic dark chocolate and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). The family-owned company said the new powder has been developed to offer a convenient protein format while combining ingredients associated with digestibility, energy and nutritional benefits. The formulation uses goat whey protein rich in A2 beta-casein, alongside organic cacao and MCT fats. Z Natural Foods said the combination is intended to deliver what it describes as a synergistic nutritional blend, with the ingredients selected to complement one another. The product uses real organic dark chocolate and contains no artificial flavours, according to the company. Jonathan Parker, director of nutrition sciences at Z Natural Foods, said: “Our mission at Z Natural Foods is to provide our customers with the most nourishing, convenient products. Our Chocolate Goat Whey Protein Concentrate is exactly that, a delicious blend that delivers high-quality goat whey protein and leverages the benefits of each ingredient.” The company is positioning goat whey as an alternative to more conventional cow's milk whey protein, highlighting its A2 beta-casein content. The formulation also incorporates MCTs, which are commonly used in functional nutrition products as a source of dietary fat, alongside real cacao. The Chocolate Goat Whey Protein Concentrate is available in 1lb, 5lb and 55lb pouches, targeting a range of consumer and bulk-use requirements.

Scottish whisky brand Wee Smoky has expanded into the ready-to-drink (RTD) category with the launch of six premium canned cocktails designed to introduce smoky Scotch to a wider audience. The Edinburgh-based brand has launched the range in 100ml cans, positioning the products as bar-quality cocktails for occasions spanning hospitality, travel retail, airlines, hotel minibars, gifting and premium convenience. The range comprises four cocktails traditionally associated with non-whisky serves – Margarita, Salted Caramel, Espresso Martini and Grape-fruit-arita – alongside two whisky classics, Old Fashioned and Manhattan. Wee Smoky said the four non-whisky serves were developed to appeal particularly to consumers who do not typically drink whisky, while the Old Fashioned and Manhattan are targeted towards existing whisky drinkers. All six cocktails feature Wee Smoky's signature smoky Scotch whisky profile, with the brand aiming to demonstrate that smoke can be used to enhance rather than overpower a cocktail. The Margarita combines lime, cactus notes and a smoky finish, while the Salted Caramel pairs caramel and salt with light smoke. The Espresso Martini combines coffee and chocolate notes with smoky depth, and the Grape-fruit-arita offers a smoky take on a Paloma, combining pink grapefruit, lime and citrus. The Old Fashioned includes smoke and orange zest, while the Manhattan is positioned as a spirit-forward serve. The range was developed with liquid development partner Jack Sotti, a former World Class Bartender of the Year, following years of experimentation by Wee Smoky founder Rory Gammell. Gammell said: “Smoke has traditionally been seen as intense. Whisky has traditionally been seen as intimidating. We believe both deserve a wider audience." Wee Smoky estimates that a global smoky RTD segment could eventually be worth more than $1 billion, based on the size of the global peated whisky market and projected growth in the RTD cocktails category. The company said spirit-based RTDs are currently expanding by between 10% and 14% annually, with consumers increasingly seeking new flavour combinations and convenient premium serves. The products are available to UK consumers through Wee Smoky’s website, with the first cans due to be dispatched from 3 August 2026. The brand has also secured distribution through specialist spirits wholesaler Select Drams, with discussions underway with potential partners in North America and Australia. The brand was founded in 2020 as a single-grain Scotch whisky specifically designed for mixing. Its original whisky has since expanded into markets including Australia, France, China, the US, Hong Kong and South Korea. The six products are available at 17%-32.1% ABV, depending on the serve, with the Margarita, Salted Caramel and Espresso Martini at 22% ABV, Grape-fruit-arita at 17%, Old Fashioned at 32.1% and Manhattan at 31.2%.

Starbucks has expanded its UK ready-to-drink portfolio with two permanent matcha lattes and a limited-edition pumpkin spice Frappuccino. The Starbucks Matcha Latte combines milk with matcha, while the Strawberry Matcha Latte adds a strawberry flavour to the same base. The products will join the company’s core chilled drinks range from August. Meanwhile, the new Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino brings Starbucks’ seasonal flavour to its ready-to-drink range for the first time. The beverage combines the company’s coffee with milk and pumpkin spice flavouring and is packaged in a bottle featuring autumn-inspired imagery. Charlotta Oldham, marketing director for EMEA at Starbucks, said: "With these new additions to our ready-to-drink range, we're giving consumers more choice than ever before. Our new Matcha Latte range celebrates the distinctive taste and ritual of matcha, creating refreshing moments that can be enjoyed all year round, while our Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino captures the comforting, nostalgic flavours that have become synonymous with the arrival of autumn." "Together, these launches showcase how we're continuing to bring consumers the quality, flavour and innovation they expect from Starbucks in convenient ready-to-drink formats." The Matcha Latte and Strawberry Matcha Latte will be available through supermarkets and grocery stores across the UK for £2. The limited-edition Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino is priced at £2.20 and will be stocked by Sainsbury’s, SPAR and other major retailers while supplies last.

Danone and Arcor have completed the creation of their joint venture in Argentina, combining Danone’s local dairy business with dairy group Mastellone Hermanos and logistics subsidiary Logistica La Serenísima. The deal, first announced in March 2026, brings together Danone Argentina, which has operated in the country for three decades, with Mastellone Hermanos, a dairy business with almost 100 years of heritage in Argentina. The transaction also brings Logistica La Serenísima, the companies’ shared logistics subsidiary, under the full ownership of the new joint venture. As part of the agreement, Danone and Arcor will have equal control of the combined business, with each holding a 50% stake. The transaction combines Danone’s dairy operations with Mastellone Hermanos, which is known for its La Serenísima brand and other local dairy products. Danone and Arcor previously held a combined 49% stake in Mastellone Hermanos and have acquired the remaining 51% as part of the transaction. Danone said the partnership builds on more than 20 years of collaboration between the companies and is designed to create a more integrated dairy business in Argentina. The companies said the new structure will leverage their respective scale and capabilities to accelerate innovation, improve operational performance and expand commercial reach across the dairy category. The joint venture is expected to benefit from the combination of Danone’s international dairy expertise and Arcor’s established presence in the Argentine food market. For Danone, the transaction forms part of its wider portfolio strategy as the company focuses on its three core categories: Essential Dairy & Plant-Based products, Waters and Specialised Nutrition. The new joint venture will be reflected in Danone’s financial statements as an ‘equity-accounted company’ from 1 August 2026, based on its 50% shareholding. Arcor, meanwhile, operates across consumer food products, packaging and agribusiness. The company describes itself as Argentina’s leading food company and has a significant presence across Latin America. The partnership also builds on the existing relationship between Danone and Arcor through Bagley Latin America, their joint venture covering biscuits, alfajores and cereals. The completion of the transaction strengthens the companies’ position in Argentina’s dairy market while bringing the La Serenísima brand and associated operations into the new jointly controlled structure.

Unilever has agreed to protect the employment terms of workers across its European and British food business for two years following its planned merger with US spice maker McCormick, Reuters has reported. The commitment, which is understood to be twice as long as the protection typically offered in deals of this nature, will apply to employees of the newly formed McCormick-Unilever Foods business until at least mid-2029. The merger, agreed upon in March, is expected to complete in mid-2027, subject to the required approvals and conditions. It values Unilever's Food business at around $44.8 billion, with the combined entity set to be worth around $65 billion. The planned transaction will combine Unilever's food business with McCormick to create a standalone food company, as Unilever continues its strategy of simplifying its portfolio and focusing on its core consumer brands. According to Reuters, which cited a memo seen by its reporters, the commitment extends beyond the protections generally provided under European Union and UK legislation, where employee contracts and collective agreements can typically be renegotiated one year after a sale or spin-off. Unilever has not confirmed or denied the details of the report, but a spokesperson for the company told FoodBev: “We continue to engage constructively with our European and national works councils. We have made good progress over the past few weeks and have agreed commitments in Europe regarding the protection of employees’ terms and conditions and consultation timelines. The consultations will continue throughout the summer as we work through the remaining topics.” The two companies are expected to continue working through employee consultation and other transaction-related matters ahead of the anticipated mid-2027 completion.

ADM has announced an investment of more than $16 million to significantly expand natural colour production capacity at its facility in Boone County, Northern Kentucky, US. The investment supports the addition of 14,000 square feet of manufacturing space and advanced production capabilities by early 2027. This will enable the company to increase the capacity of liquid and dry-blended colour solutions for its Colors from Nature portfolio, already produced at the site. It builds on a recent $26 million investment in its neighbouring facility in Erlanger, Kentucky, with each investment aiming to meet growing demand for food and beverage reformulation. Manufacturers are increasingly seeking more natural ingredient options as both consumer expectations and the regulatory environment evolve, in the US and across wider global markets. In North America, ADM noted that the ‘colour conversion’ opportunity is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion. Many food and beverage giants, such as Nestlé, Kraft Heinz and General Mills, have already transitioned, or committed to transitioning, their US portfolios from artificial colours to entirely naturally derived solutions. This comes as US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again Commission continues to push for a nationwide shift away from synthetic ingredients and ultra-processed foods. The Food and Drug Administration is continuing to ramp up such efforts, proposing revoked authorisation for a further two petroleum-based colour additives last month, with several already having been banned in recent years. Calvin McEvoy, ADM’s president of global flavours, said: “As customers respond to evolving consumer preferences and changing regulatory expectations, colour has become a crucial part of successful reformulation”. He added: “Customers are looking for partners who can help them manage complexity, from sourcing and formulation to scale-up and commercialisation. By combining our global raw material network, localised manufacturing capabilities and deep formulation expertise, ADM is well-positioned to help customers bring products to market that meet consumer expectations for appearance, taste, clean-label appeal and performance." ADM said the expansion is expected to create more than 40 salaried and hourly local jobs. The company’s presence in Northern Kentucky began in 2014, through its acquisition of Wild Flavors, and ADM now employs a workforce of more than 1,300 people throughout the region.