The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has begun its Phase 1 inquiry into McCormick & Co’s acquisition of Unilever’s food business. The competition watchdog announced it would be reviewing the merger in July, inviting interested parties to submit comments regarding any competition issues that could arise from the deal. Following this, the regulator has now announced it will progress with a Phase 1 investigation, commencing today (17 September 2026). Unilever and McCormick announced the merger agreement in March this year, a deal that values Unilever’s food business at over $44 billion. Once completed, the proposed deal would see Unilever separate its food division – which includes legacy brands such as Marmite and Horlicks – and merge it with US-headquartered McCormick. The deal forms part of Unilever’s strategy to streamline its portfolio and focus on high-growth product categories. Last month, Unilever confirmed it is seeking a buyer for its Colman’s mustard brand as it looks to address competition concerns surrounding the merger – McCormick already owns global leading mustard brand French’s. The CMA will announce its decision on whether the merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation by 11 November.

Packaging specialists ALPLA and CCL Label have developed a stackable PET beverage can designed to offer drink manufacturers a scalable alternative to traditional aluminium cans. The 0.33-litre PET container combines the appearance of a metal can with the material properties of transparent PET. It can be integrated into existing PET filling lines and does not require an internal BPA-containing epoxy coating. The partners said the solution is designed to provide beverage manufacturers with greater packaging flexibility while supporting recyclability and supply chain efficiency. The PET can can be produced using recycled PET (rPET), allowing it to be incorporated into existing bottle-to-bottle recycling streams and potentially reduce associated CO2 emissions. Its full-body decoration is provided by CCL Label's detachable EcoFloat® shrink sleeve. Made from low-density polyolefin (PO), the sleeve is designed to separate from PET flakes during the recycling process. The sleeve provides a 360-degree decoration surface, including options for metallic and mirror-finish effects, while giving brands flexibility to create a high-impact appearance without adding coatings directly to the PET container. Because the sleeve is applied after filling, manufacturers can also maintain greater flexibility over packaging and design requirements. The container features a tethered, resealable cap, which the companies said can help prevent contaminants and insects from entering the package. This could also reduce cleaning requirements during recycling and support collection through household and deposit-return systems. ALPLA and CCL Label said the PET format could offer beverage producers an alternative at a time when packaging regulations and supply chain considerations are increasing pressure on material choices. The companies specifically highlighted EU restrictions on certain bisphenol-containing food packaging, noting that many such products, particularly disposable packaging, may no longer be placed on the market from July 2026. Daniel Lehner, global sales director, food & beverage at ALPLA, said: "A beverage can may just as well be made of plastic. Our PET can relies on the well-known material properties of transparent PET, which have proven themselves on the market, strengthen the supply chain and can highlight special products as a novelty." The use of PET also enables the container to be incorporated into existing PET filling infrastructure, potentially reducing the need for manufacturers to make significant changes to production lines. The companies said their combined manufacturing capabilities are intended to allow the PET can to be scaled quickly in response to demand, helping beverage manufacturers maintain product availability. "The PET can combines these features and enables our customers to have a seamless and long-term supply," Lehner added.

Califia Farms is broadening its US portfolio of dairy-free coffee creamers with two new coconut-based additions, launched at Whole Foods stores last week. The new additions are made with organic coconut milk and a formulation of simple, plant-based ingredients with no oils or gums. They are also USDA-certified organic. Vanilla Crème Coconut Coffee Creamer features what the brand describes as a ‘smooth, subtly sweet’ vanilla flavour, while Toasted Coconut features a ‘rich, nutty twist.’ Both can be enjoyed with hot coffee, iced coffee and matcha. These offerings mark Califia Farms’ continued expansion in flavoured coffee and café-inspired innovations, with the brand also recently debuting its Banana Crème Almond Milk Latte and Organic Banana Crème Almond Milk Coffee Creamer in the US market.

Nutraceutical contract development and manufacturing organisation Sirio Europe has appointed Kasia Kortmann as general manager, as the business develops its long-term growth strategy for the European market. Kortmann brings more than 20 years of international commercial leadership experience to the role, including multi-country P&L management, commercial strategy and business transformation. Her appointment comes after strong growth for Sirio’s European business, with revenue reaching €93.8 million in 2025, up 24.95% year on year. According to Sirio, Europe was its fastest-growing region during the period. Kortmann will be responsible for defining Sirio Europe’s long-term vision and translating it into a regional growth strategy. A key area of focus will be expanding the company’s portfolio of ready-to-launch concepts and delivery formats for supplement brands. These include gummies, softgels and instant fizzy tablets, alongside other on-the-go formats designed around specific consumption occasions. Sirio said the expansion is intended to help brand partners respond to changing consumer expectations and competition within the supplement market. Kortmann will also focus on strengthening customer relationships and developing an organisation capable of implementing Sirio’s strategy across its individual European markets. Kortmann said: “Sirio Europe has built a strong position by combining its pharmaceutical heritage and global scale with deep specialist expertise, and my focus is on where we take that next. That means setting a clear long-term vision for the region, defining the strategy to deliver it and building an organisation that can execute consistently across every market we operate in.” Before joining Sirio, Kortmann was general manager for DACH, Benelux and the Nordics at Ontex. She also held the position of VP commercial transformation Europe, where she led a multi-year business simplification programme and operating model redesign. Earlier in her career, she spent several years at Procter & Gamble across local markets and EMEA headquarters. Her responsibilities included go-to-market strategies, market expansion, category management and pricing. Sirio said the combination of these roles has given Kortmann more than two decades of experience managing multi-market businesses and delivering commercial growth and transformation. Kortmann's strategy comes as European consumers increasingly engage with supplements as part of broader, long-term health and wellness routines. She identified longevity, active lifestyle nutrition, beauty from within, women's health and children's health as areas showing momentum within the European nutraceutical market. “The European nutraceutical market is entering an exciting phase,” she said. “There is real momentum in longevity, active lifestyle nutrition, beauty from within, and women’s and children’s health – categories that reflect how people now think about well-being across their lives, rather than only when something goes wrong.” Kortmann also highlighted the complexity of operating across Europe, where consumer preferences and regulatory requirements vary between markets. She described Europe as “twenty-plus” individual markets, each with its own habits and regulations, arguing that understanding those differences will be important as SIRIO develops products for brand partners. The company’s European strategy will therefore combine expansion of its formulation and delivery-format capabilities with a market-by-market approach to product development and commercialisation.

British dairy brand All Things is expanding its cottage cheese portfolio with the launch of All Things Smooth Cottage Cheese, targeting consumers seeking the nutritional credentials and versatility of cottage cheese without its traditional curd texture. The new product will roll out across Sainsbury’s, Ocado and Tesco from mid-September. It is handmade at a family farm using locally sourced milk from grass-fed cows. Blended to create a soft, smooth texture, the product has been developed for use across a range of applications, including dipping, snacking, spreading, cooking and baking. All Things said the launch addresses one of the category’s key barriers – the texture of conventional cottage cheese – while responding to growing demand for versatile, protein-rich foods. Cottage cheese has seen renewed interest in recent years, driven in part by social media recipes, high-protein eating trends and interest in simple foods. The ingredient is increasingly being used beyond traditional applications, including breakfast bowls, toast, dips, smoothies, pasta sauces, baked goods and high-protein desserts. All Things Smooth Cottage Cheese has been designed to build on these emerging usage occasions while appealing to consumers who may be interested in cottage cheese but have previously been put off by its curds. The company said consumer research identified the product’s smooth, creamy texture as one of its key strengths, alongside its protein content, versatility and perceived natural health credentials. The new product is positioned as an alternative to yoghurt for consumers seeking different ways to incorporate dairy into their diets, as well as a lighter option to traditional cream cheese. The brand entered the cottage cheese category in January 2026 and said it has since gained momentum in the chilled aisle. The new format expands its existing range while aiming to introduce cottage cheese to consumers who may not typically purchase the product. Toby Hopkinson, CEO and co-founder of All Things, said: “Cottage cheese has come back in a big way because it delivers what modern shoppers are looking for: protein, versatility and something that can work across the whole day. But we also know the traditional texture is still a barrier for some people. Smooth takes everything people value about cottage cheese and gives it a completely different feel, making it easier to spread, dip, fold into recipes or eat straight from the pot.” All Things Smooth Cottage Cheese will initially launch at Sainsbury’s and Ocado on 16 September in a 240g pack priced at £1.85. A 450g format priced at £2.95 will follow at Tesco in October.

Danone has inaugurated a new medical nutrition production line at its Steenvoorde site in northern France, as part of a €70 million investment designed to expand the facility’s capabilities in specialised nutrition. The investment positions Steenvoorde as a European hub combining medical nutrition, infant formula and speciality dairy ingredient production, with the site using advanced filtration technologies to manufacture ingredients for specialised nutrition applications. The new production line, which was announced in 2024, is Danone’s largest medical nutrition production line in France. It will have the capacity to produce nearly 20 million litres of oral nutritional supplements annually, including almost 150 Fortimel product references. Alongside finished specialised nutrition products, Steenvoorde has developed expertise in producing dairy ingredients through advanced filtration technologies. Danone said the site has a “unique industrial expertise” in producing ingredients used in specialised nutrition products, with many of these ingredients also manufactured at Steenvoorde. The combination of ingredient production and finished-product manufacturing gives the facility a broader role within Danone’s specialised nutrition network, linking dairy processing technologies with applications designed for specific nutritional requirements. The site brings together three strategic manufacturing activities: infant formula, medical nutrition and specialty dairy ingredients. Its capabilities are intended to support the development of specialised nutrition products across different stages of life. The expansion will also see Steenvoorde produce part of Danone’s Fortimel range of oral nutritional supplements. The range includes different formats, textures and recipes, including plant-based alternatives, to address varying nutritional needs and consumer preferences. Danone’s investment comes as the company seeks to expand its medical nutrition activities against a backdrop of population ageing and increasing chronic disease. According to the company, the number of people aged over 60 is expected to double by 2050, while disease-related malnutrition currently affects between 30% and 50% of hospitalised patients, citing WHO Europe. Danone said medical nutrition is a key pillar of its Renew Danone strategy, with the group aiming to strengthen production capabilities and scientific expertise as nutritional requirements evolve. Danone described the new medical nutrition line as the largest medical nutrition production line in France in terms of both production capacity and size. The €70 million project also included the installation of a biomass boiler, inaugurated in February 2026, which Danone said is helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the Steenvoorde site. The investment is part of a wider programme of more than €600 million that Danone plans to invest across its French sites between 2021 and 2027. Steenvoorde is located in the Hauts-de-France region, an established dairy-producing area in France. Danone said the site works with more than 400 partner farms, while regional milk collection has increased sixfold over the past four years.

Red Bull is adding a seasonal flavour to its Editions portfolio with the launch of Red Bull Winter Edition Pistachio & Berries, combining a nutty pistachio flavour with a berry finish. The new energy drink will be available across all channels from 28 September, with the 473ml format launching in Tesco stores from 18 September. Red Bull said the new flavour taps into the growing popularity of pistachio, while bringing a seasonal proposition to the energy drinks category. The company said the combination is designed to offer consumers a sense of discovery and novelty during the winter period. Despite its nut-inspired flavour, the product does not contain nuts. The launch follows research commissioned by Red Bull indicating consumer interest in pistachio-flavoured energy drinks. According to a VYPR sample of 252 energy drink consumers conducted in April 2026, more than two-thirds of 22-44-year-olds surveyed said they would consider trying a pistachio-flavoured energy drink. The new Winter Edition forms part of Red Bull's wider Editions strategy, which has seen the brand introduce a succession of limited and seasonal flavours to encourage trial and bring new occasions to the category. Red Bull said stores now stock an average of nine Editions, while rate of sale has continued to increase with seasonal launches. The company also reported that 60% of energy drinkers are now aware of Red Bull Editions. Recent launches in the Editions range include Citrus Zest Summer Edition, for summer 2026, and last year's Winter Edition, Fuji Apple and Ginger. Red Bull Winter Edition Pistachio & Berries will launch in both full-sugar and sugar-free variants, with a selection of can size formats including 250ml, 335ml and 473ml.

A new initiative – The PaperFlex Consortium – has launched today, comprising six global consumer goods companies, aiming to accelerate the development of responsibly designed paper-based alternatives to flexible plastic packaging. The consortium has been established by global charity Ellen MacArthur Foundation and environmental consultancy (Re)Set. It includes Colgate-Palmolive, Mars, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble and Unilever as founding members, and is open for others to join. Flexible packaging, including sachets, wrappers and pouches, is the fastest-growing type of plastic packaging worldwide. Scaled solutions to recycle the material are not widely available currently, with small-format flexible plastic packaging identified as one of three key systemic barriers to tackling plastic waste in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s 2030 Plastics Agenda for Business. Markets where flexible packaging is widely used, and where a lack of collection and recycling systems could increase their likelihood of ending up in the environment, will be the key focus of the new initiative. The consortium aims to develop alternatives for these markets that are recyclable as collection systems improve, and biodegradable if they do end up in the environment. Its members now plan to fund and conduct collaborative trials in the coming years, covering innovations in areas such as biodegradable coatings and other technologies that offer product protection, shelf life and consumer usability. They will also aim to improve how paper-based materials perform on manufacturing lines. Joint R&D efforts are expected to help scale promising innovations faster and at a lower cost, though each participating member will continue to adopt its own packaging strategy independently. The announcement builds on the findings of a report published by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation earlier this year, endorsed by 48 businesses, NGOs, investors and academics. The report highlighted responsible paper-based alternatives as a promising part of a wider strategy to address flexible plastic waste in markets with greater waste management challenges, provided solutions meet six design criteria. These criteria include recyclability, biodegradability and responsible sourcing and production – critical in ensuring paper-based packaging does not create new problems in place of those it is aiming to solve. The consortium said its efforts will be pursued while continuing to ensure food safety, product quality, consumer protection and regulatory compliance, warning that change will not happen ‘overnight,’ but rather through interim steps intended to progress towards addressing the necessary criteria. Sander Defruyt, strategy lead for plastics at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, said: “Responsible paper-based flexible packaging solutions don’t yet exist at the performance, scale and cost required. This consortium signals strong demand for them – and real ambition from six consumer goods companies to help scale them.” “We’re inviting other FMCG companies, innovators, suppliers and investors to get involved now – the faster we develop such solutions, the sooner they reach the markets that need them most.” Allison Lin, global VP of Healthy Planet and chief circulatory officer at Mars, commented: “The consortium challenges the traditional mindset of innovating on our own, demonstrating that partnership – structured with legal oversight, clear guardrails on permissible topics, and an independent third-party convenor – can accelerate the development of more sustainable packaging in ways that no single company could achieve alone.”

Five major UK food and drink manufacturers are to begin voluntarily reporting healthy food sales data next year, ahead of any mandatory government requirement. Carlsberg Britvic, Danone North Europe, KP Snacks, Nomad Foods and Premier Foods have committed to publishing their healthy food sales data from 2027, covering sales made during 2026. The companies are also calling on the UK Government to introduce mandatory healthy food sales reporting for large food and drink businesses during the current parliamentary term. The initiative, coordinated by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), is intended to create a more consistent and transparent way of measuring progress towards healthier diets across the food system. Under the voluntary commitment, participating manufacturers will publish their 2026 sales-weighted average Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) 2004 score. The model currently underpins the UK's restrictions on the promotion and advertising of foods classified as high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS). The FDF said using the existing NPM would allow companies to begin reporting quickly, as the methodology is already incorporated into business systems. FDF chief executive Karen Betts said: “Food and drink manufacturers have a strong track record of making everyday foods better for us, and we're determined to keep that progress going. That’s why we're not waiting for regulation, but starting to report now on data that companies already hold.” Betts added that the initial group of manufacturers would help test approaches to collecting and reporting the data, with the aim of supporting the development of any future mandatory system. Danone North Europe vice president general secretary Richard Hall said: “At Danone, we believe transparency is one of the best ways to drive progress on health. The more we collectively measure and share, the easier it is to see what’s working, where barriers remain and the opportunities to accelerate progress towards better health outcomes.” Premier Foods director of environment, social and governance Nick Brown said food manufacturers could contribute to healthier diets through product reformulation, new product development and changes to marketing and sales practices. “Through disclosure, we have the opportunity to demonstrate the progress we are making and where further progress can be achieved,” he said. The FDF said its members' products contain 19% less sugar, 18% less salt and 17% fewer calories than five years ago, citing investment by manufacturers in reformulation and healthier product development. The industry body also pointed to early evidence on the impact of HFSS restrictions. Research from the University of Leeds, cited by the FDF, found that sales of less healthy foods fell by around two million products per day between 2021 and 2023. The proposed reporting framework is expected to face a number of practical challenges as more businesses participate. These include accounting for mergers and acquisitions and separating UK-specific data from companies' existing global reporting commitments. The FDF said it expects the number of companies adopting voluntary reporting to increase as manufacturers gain experience with the approach. The longer-term ambition is for healthy food sales reporting to extend beyond manufacturing to other parts of the food system. The FDF said mandatory reporting across the sector would provide government with consistent data to assess the impact of health policies while creating an incentive for continued investment in healthier food and drink. If introduced, the FDF said the UK would become the first country in the world to establish mandatory healthy food sales reporting across the food system.

The Coca-Cola Company has committed to investing $10 billion into its US infrastructure from 2026 through 2030, including new or expanded production, distribution and office facilities. Projects have already been announced in several communities including Rancho Cucamonga, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Indianapolis, Indiana; Birmingham, Alabama; Coopersville, Michigan; St. Cloud, Minnesota; Orlando, Florida; and Webster, New York. The commitment comes alongside an independent study commissioned by the company to measure the Coca-Cola system’s contribution in 2025 – including its network of 61 bottling partners – to the American economy and local communities. Key findings showed that Coca-Cola contributed $85 billion to the US gross domestic product or approximately $10 million in US economy activity every hour. It also found the company supported nearly 1 million jobs across the country, including direct jobs within the Coca-Cola system and indirect jobs with retail, foodservice and other goods and services partners. The company spends approximately $37 billion with American suppliers and contributes $177 million in community programmes in the US together with the Coca-Cola Foundation and Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, according to the study. John Murphy, president and chief financial officer at The Coca-Cola Company, said: “This assessment reinforces what we see every day: the Coca-Cola system is deeply rooted in America and continues to deliver meaningful value for the people and communities we serve”. He added: “Through a strong production network, local jobs, supplier partnerships and community investments, we are building on more than a century of impact while reinforcing the resilience of our system and communities across America”.

With a market value fast approaching $500 billion, business leaders will be looking to build future growth at the 23rd annual Global Water Drinks Congress on 3-5 November in Barcelona. Speakers already confirmed include world leaders Coca-Cola, Danone and Niagara, along with others from Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Europe and the Middle East. Adopting the theme of 'Making Waves,' new market insights will be presented by Circana and Europanel. Industry issues and opportunities will be addressed by Natural Mineral Waters Europe and the International Bottled Water Association. There will also be sessions on brand and product innovation, with a particular focus on the US market. Another highlight will be the Global Water Drinks Awards, which will be announced at a gala dinner on 4 November. "There is no doubt that good hydration is a great health benefit," commented Richard Hall, chair of event organiser FoodBev Media. “Calorie-free purity and convenience have been major drivers and the market is now branching out beyond sparkling and flavour into added value wellness and functionality. The key is to navigate society and climate change sustainably.” The Congress is sponsored by top suppliers Cielle Imballaggi, Sacmi and AF Compressors. It will be held at the InterContinental Hotel in Barcelona. For full programme details and to register, visit www.foodbevevents.com/event/global-water-drinks-congress-2026. Discounted booking rates are available until 18 September.Entries to the Global Water Drinks Awards 2026 close 20 September at www.foodbevawards.com/global-water-drinks-awards.

The UK dairy industry has launched a new sector-wide sustainability roadmap calling for greater investment, collaboration and the rapid scaling of proven environmental solutions to strengthen the sector’s resilience through to 2030. The Dairy Roadmap has launched Sustainable Dairy Pathways: The Path to 2030, an independently developed report setting out a practical plan for the UK dairy sector to accelerate environmental progress while maintaining food security, nutrition and the economic contribution of rural communities. Commissioned by The Dairy Roadmap on behalf of the dairy value chain and authored by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the report brings together farmers, processors and other parts of the supply chain behind a shared pathway for the first time. The report comes after a summer marked by extreme heat and weather pressures for dairy farmers, alongside the continuing impact of Bluetongue. It argues that climate resilience is becoming an increasingly important consideration for the sector, with implications for animal welfare, productivity and farm businesses. At the same time, the report highlights the environmental improvements already achieved across UK dairy. National inventory data shows that on-farm emissions per litre of milk have fallen by around 22% since 1990, while methane emissions are almost 14% lower. Industry data indicates that greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 9% over the past five years. Processors have also reduced energy intensity by more than 30%, cut water use by more than 50% per kilogram of milk and reduced the proportion of waste sent to landfill from 24% to less than 2%. The report's central message is that the industry now needs to move from identifying solutions to scaling their adoption. It identifies four priorities for accelerating progress by 2030: Do more of what works now, by increasing the uptake of proven farming and processing practices. Invest in infrastructure and technologies capable of delivering measurable environmental improvements. Prepare for emerging innovations and future opportunities that could further reduce the sector's environmental footprint. Create the right enabling conditions, including policy, finance, data and advisory support. Bas Padberg, chair of The Dairy Roadmap, said: “Sustainability is about securing the future of dairy farming, and now for the first time, the whole dairy value chain has come together behind a shared pathway to 2030.” He added that the sector must continue to balance environmental improvements with its role in providing nutritious food, supporting rural communities and contributing to UK food security. The report notes that 99.6% of UK households bought dairy products during the last year, underlining the category's continuing importance to consumers and the wider food system. Delivering the roadmap will require significant investment, with the report identifying £2.4 billion of investment needed to support the transition. The Dairy Roadmap says governments will have an important role to play in recognising progress already made by the sector and creating the conditions for further investment. In particular, the report highlights slurry management and storage as areas where targeted investment and supportive policy could accelerate environmental improvements. The report also calls for greater collaboration across the supply chain to improve access to finance, strengthen knowledge transfer and skills, and align data collection. For processors and manufacturers, the roadmap points towards continued investment in energy efficiency, water reduction, waste management and other measures capable of delivering measurable improvements across the dairy supply chain. David Homer, chair of the Sustainable Dairy Pathways Task and Finish Group, said: “The extreme heat experienced this summer highlights changing weather patterns, and the very real risks climate change presents to dairy farming. Alongside challenges such as Bluetongue, these pressures are already affecting animal welfare, productivity and farm resilience.” Homer said the report's value lies in bringing existing evidence, recommendations and proven actions together into a single plan. “What sets this report apart is that it represents a collective vision for the future of UK dairy,” he said. “For the first time, the whole value chain has come together behind a practical pathway to 2030.” The roadmap positions dairy as an important component of the UK's future food system, rather than treating environmental performance and food production as competing priorities. The UK dairy sector produces around 15 billion litres of milk annually, supports more than 50,000 on-farm jobs and a further 22,500 jobs in dairy processing, according to the report. The Dairy Roadmap says the focus now needs to be on turning existing knowledge into action at scale, with farmers, processors, policymakers, financiers and other supply-chain partners working together to remove barriers to investment and adoption. Sustainable Dairy Pathways: The Path to 2030 is the first of two reports commissioned by The Dairy Roadmap. A second report, scheduled for publication in 2027, will examine the sector's longer-term pathway towards 2050.