Bioriginal Food & Science, a subsidiary of Cooke, has launched a sustainable line of omega-3 fish, algal and plant-based oils in collaboration with POS Biosciences. Drawing on Cooke's expertise as a global aquaculture fish farmer, Bioriginal has secured a reliable source of sustainable fish oil. This initiative combines fish oil products with eco-friendly, highly concentrated algal DHA and exclusive access to Bioriginal's network of family-owned farms. Together, Bioriginal and POS are poised to provide a sustainable supply of omega-3 oils across both human and pet nutrition markets. The resulting omega-3 oil line boasts full traceability, sourced from responsibly managed fish farms, algae harvested sustainably and flax oils cultivated through environmentally conscious farming practices in the Canadian prairies. The integration of these oils with POS Biosciences' capabilities to concentrate, refine, deodorise and blend oils, along with customisation of flavour and odour properties, opens new avenues for omega-3-rich oil products. Shannon Sears, president and CEO of Bioriginal, said: “Sustainable sourcing practices are paramount to the success of the health and nutrition industry. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work with companies such as POS and Cooke, who understand the benefits of leveraging technology to assist nature in providing essential omega-3 nutrients for our families and pets.”

The world’s nutraceutical event returns bigger and better than ever for its 26th and final year in Geneva, with new must-see content and features addressing the whole supply chain. Registrations are open for Vitafoods Europe 2024 (14-16 May), the leading global platform for the nutraceutical, functional food and beverage, and dietary supplement industries. After 26 highly successful years in Geneva, the 2024 edition of the world’s nutraceutical event is anticipated to be the biggest yet, featuring the debut of a technology and equipment area and an R&D pavilion, as well as an expanded finished products area. Over 20,000 visitors and 1,100 exhibitors are expected to attend the Palexpo exhibition centre this May before the event’s relocation in 2025. The event’s returning and new features will offer even more opportunities for collaboration across the full supply chain – including suppliers, retailers, distributors and brand owners, like Arla, P&G and Coca-Cola. Plus, back by popular demand, the Future of nutrition summit (13 May, Marriott Hotel) and Vitafoods Europe conference (14-15 May) return for 2024. To celebrate the event’s last year in Geneva and to thank the nutraceutical community for its continued support over the years, the Vitafoods Europe conference will be free to attend on the show floor, providing access to industry-leading content for all. From humble beginnings to a global community Vitafoods Europe launched in 1997 with just 100 exhibitors, 1,200 attendees and a mission to create a platform that meets the growing demands of the emerging nutraceutical industry. The event has since grown to be the leading global event for nutraceutical, functional food and beverage, and dietary supplement professionals, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors and more than 1,100 exhibitors each year. Reflecting on the brand’s journey, Julien Bonvallet, group brand director at Informa Markets, remarks: “We could never have imagined all those years ago that our small corner of the Palexpo exhibition centre would grow to the bustling hub of the industry we see today. Our success is not only measured in the size or scale of the event, but also the astounding love and loyalty shown to the event by the nutraceutical community that continues to this day. As always, we’re committed to growing and evolving our offering in line with market developments and community needs, to keep us at the heart of the nutraceutical industry for many years to come.” Go discover Designed to inspire connection, innovation and positive change across all corners of the supply chain, Vitafoods Europe has established itself as the go-to annual event for the nutraceutical industry. The 2024 edition will balance new features and content with all-time favourites, making it an event not to be missed. Highlights include: The Future of nutrition summit (13 May, Marriott Hotel, Geneva) – designed for independent futurist thinkers throughout the industry and beyond, this exclusive paid-for one-day summit will offer a snapshot of the nutrition industry in five-plus years’ time, diving deep into the future of health, product development and retail. It will also provide opportunities to network with C-level experts from a range of diverse disciplines, including food science, sustainability, retail, nutrition and public health, as well as start-ups, scale-ups and investors. The Vitafoods Europe conference (14-15 May) – free to attend in 2024, this two-day conference will see experts from across the field present data-driven and evidence-based solutions, the latest research, ingredient insights, innovations and formulation strategies within the biggest trends in nutrition today. Visitors can discover expert insights across a range of health benefit areas, including sports nutrition, immune and gut health, cognitive and emotional health, and healthy ageing. The new technology and equipment area and R&D pavilion – this year, Vitafoods Europe introduces its first-ever area exclusively dedicated to the technology and equipment innovations driving the industry forward. Created in response to visitor demand, it will bring together leading players in technology innovation – such as IMA, OMAG and Marchesini Group – to showcase their cutting-edge solutions in action. The finished products area – back and bigger than ever, the expanded 2024 finished product area provides even more opportunities for manufacturers to connect with leading brands, retailers and distributors. With the likes of Nestlé, Mars, Holland & Barrett and Wholefoods visiting the event each year, the finished products area is the go-to place to discover the latest innovative concepts and market-ready products on offer. The Vitafoods insights theatre – this renowned theatre returns to the show floor, hosting a range of free expert-led content. Attendees from all sectors can discover insights to help their businesses overcome the real-world challenges facing the industry today, with sessions on sustainability, regulatory, market challenges and more.An invitation not to be missed “Over the last two decades, Vitafoods Europe has become the go-to annual event in the nutraceutical calendar – and this year is no exception. Vitafoods Europe 2024 not only marks our final chapter in Geneva, but also the next step in our commitment to serve the needs of businesses and professionals across the nutraceutical industry,” says Bonvallet. “To mark the occasion, the 2024 event will be our best yet. This year, we have introduced new show features dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation, for example the new technology and equipment area. Vitafoods Europe is the only nutraceutical event to bring together the entire supply chain. This means suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and everyone in between are represented – helping key players reach new audiences and make meaningful connections to help take their business to the next level.” “These past 26 years, particularly those at Geneva’s Palexpo, have been a privilege, and we’re excited to invite everyone to join us here for one last time to discover what’s next for the nutraceutical industry and to celebrate the wonderful journey we’ve been on together.” Registrations for Vitafoods Europe 2024 are now open – to secure your place or learn more about what’s on offer, visit www.vitafoods.eu.com.

US-based children’s nutrition brand Little Spoon has expanded into the baby snacks category with the release of a new organic Baby Puffs line. Little Spoon’s Baby Puffs encourage self-feeding and fine motor skill development for babies over six months. They are available in two flavours and shapes, Kale Apple Curls and Banana Pitaya Rings. The puffs were crafted alongside experts, including a speech pathologist, formulated to be larger in shape than current offerings on the market to ensure infants optimise skill-building fun while learning to pinch, grasp and chew. The line features only six organic, plant-based ingredients and is free from gluten, rice, seed oils, added sugars and the nine major allergens. The shapes have been developed with meltability in mind, designed to be easy to grasp, quick to dissolve and gentle on sore, teething gums. Angela Vranich, co-founder and chief product officer at Little Spoon, said that the company has been eyeing up the snacking segment for some time, marking its entry into the category with this latest launch. ToniAnn Loftus, speech pathologist at Seaport Speech and Feeding, commented: “These puffs are so helpful when it comes to promoting functional feeding skills for little ones. The combination of textures, shapes, and yummy flavours make them a great snack for young eaters.”

Food processing and packaging technology manufacturer, GEA, has acquired CattleEye, a Northern Ireland-based agricultural software company known for its artificial intelligence (AI) system. The acquisition underscores GEA's dedication to advancing next-generation farming strategies, particularly in the dairy sector. While financial details remain undisclosed, the integration of CattleEye's AI solution into GEA's portfolio marks a milestone in the company's efforts to enhance herd management practices. CattleEye's flagship product is an AI-driven system engineered to swiftly detect and forecast lameness in dairy cows, offering vital insights into the animals' body condition scores. Lameness, alongside mastitis, poses a threat to dairy cow welfare and productivity, impacting fertility and milk yield. By leveraging CattleEye's technology, farmers gain actionable intelligence to address issues affecting herd health and performance. The CattleEye system uses a sophisticated combination of a 2D camera and specialised software to analyse cow movement and body score patterns. This integration provides farmers with unparalleled visibility into their herd's well-being, enabling timely interventions irrespective of the milking system employed. Peter Lauwers, CEO of GEA farm technologies division, said: “With the trend towards larger and more automated dairy farms, the need to monitor and track animals and production is becoming increasingly important. By adding CattleEye’s advanced AI technology, we are expanding our DairyNet portfolio for modern herd management. This can be a game changer for farmers to improve herd health, farm productivity and financial stability.” CattleEye was established in 2019 by AgTech entrepreneur Terry Canning and senior software architect Adam Askew. Leveraging deep learning image analytics, honed over a decade, CattleEye's system has garnered widespread adoption, currently monitoring over 100,000 cows globally. Terry Canning, CEO, and co-founder of CattleEye, added: “CattleEye was born out of a vision to harness the capabilities of advanced artificial intelligence in video analytics to revolutionise the dairy industry. After starting our partnership last year, we are thrilled that GEA will be using and developing this innovative solution with our team to improve animal welfare and drive positive change in the industry.”

Consumers across Europe are shifting their beverage preferences, turning away from traditional alcoholic drinks and towards a diverse array of healthier options. This revelation comes from a study conducted by Prinova – a supplier of ingredients and premix solutions for the F&B and nutrition industries – which sheds light on evolving trends in the beverage space. According to the findings, a significant proportion of consumers, particularly those in the 25-34 age group, are reining in their alcohol consumption. Among the 1,277 physically active European consumers surveyed, 42.5% admitted to reducing their alcohol intake over the past three years, marking a substantial departure from the conventional drinking culture. What are they turning to instead? A spectrum of healthier alternatives, with tea, coffee, still water and juices/smoothies topping the charts. This shift is not confined to one demographic; preferences vary across age groups, genders and regions. For instance, while the older generation shows a preference for dairy beverages, the younger cohort is more inclined towards alcohol-free beer. Energy emerges as the coveted wellness benefit, surpassing hydration and post-exercise recovery. This is reflected in the 35% of men reducing alcohol consumption by opting for energy drinks. Moreover, a significant portion of consumers expressed a desire for a broader selection of healthy beverages, with millennials leading the charge at 64%. The research also uncovers the ingredients that drive consumer choices. Vitamins and minerals take centre stage, followed closely by plant protein, indicating a growing demand for functional beverages enriched with premium micronutrients. Other factors influencing purchase decisions include affordability, natural ingredients, trusted brands and scientifically proven formulas. Commenting on the findings, James Street, global marketing director at Prinova, said: “Consumers are increasingly re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol, whether that means embracing the ‘sober-curious’ trend or simply moderating their intake. However, our research also suggests that many more would be persuaded do so if they could replace booze with appealing healthy alternatives.“ He added: “Given the scale of this market need, and the increasingly wide range of on-trend functional ingredients available, it’s clear that there are still huge opportunities for innovation in the functional beverage space”.

Unilever has revealed plans to spin off its ice cream business and could cut around 7,500 jobs as part of a broader cost-saving programme. The separation of Unilever’s ice cream unit, which includes the brands Ben & Jerry’s, Walls and Magnum, is expected to be complete by the end of next year. In a press statement, Unilever said that its ice cream business has a very different operating model to its other businesses, therefore its separation will enable a better focus on the company’s ‘complementary’ segments of nutrition, beauty and wellbeing, personal care and home care. The ice cream division delivered a €7.9 billion turnover in 2023, and is expected to gain more operational and financial flexibility as a standalone business. A demerger is the most likely separation route, but other options for separation will be considered to maximise returns for shareholders, Unilever confirmed. Meanwhile, a global productivity programme expected to save approximately €800 million in costs over the next three years is set to affect 7,500 jobs – around 5.9% of Unilever’s 128,000-strong global workforce. The impacted jobs will mainly be office-based, with restructuring costs estimated at around 1.2% of overall turnover during the three-year period. The proposed changes will be subject to a consultation process. Unilever said the productivity programme will drive efficiencies through technology-led interventions, process standardisation and operational centres of excellence. Operational dis-synergies from the separation of the ice cream business are expected to be more than offset by the programme, which aims to accelerate R&D and support margin improvement over time. Following the changes, Unilever aims to deliver mid-single digit underlying sales growth and ‘modest’ margin improvement. Ian Meakins, the company’s chair, said that sharpening its portfolio will see Unilever create a simpler, more focused and higher performing business model. Hein Schumacher, CEO at Unilever, commented: “Under the Growth Action Plan we have committed to do fewer things, better, and with greater impact. The changes we are announcing today will help us accelerate that plan, focusing our business and our resources on global or scalable brands where we can apply our leading innovation, technology and go-to-market capabilities across complementary operating models.” The company’s shares increased by 5% following the announcement.

Keurig Dr Pepper Canada has unveiled its latest single-serve coffee brewing technology, aimed at enhancing at-home coffee consumption. The company has introduced a comprehensive innovation agenda aimed at developing advanced coffee brewing systems that cater to the evolving preferences of coffee enthusiasts. The cornerstone of this initiative is the unveiling of K-Rounds plastic-free pods, which signify a departure from conventional single-serve coffee pod materials. These pods are crafted from roasted coffee beans, encased in a proprietary plant-based coating. This pioneering design not only preserves the flavour and aroma of the coffee but also eliminates the need for plastic or aluminium components, addressing sustainability concerns prevalent in the industry. Accompanying the K-Rounds pods is the introduction of the Keurig Alta brewer, a system that allows consumers to craft a range of hot and cold barista-style beverages without the complexity typically associated with traditional brewing methods. Bob Gamgort, chairman and CEO of KDP, said: "30 years ago, Keurig changed the way consumers brewed coffee, with the introduction of the K-Cup pod single-serve coffee system. Today, we are applying all our expertise to create a revolutionary new system that will redefine how consumers will brew coffee for decades to come." He continued: "Our ambitious agenda reflects our commitment to providing variety, quality, value and sustainability to the 45 million North American coffee consumers who currently use Keurig brewers and the millions of potential new households who will discover the benefits of a perfect cup of coffee prepared effortlessly in their home". The K-Rounds pods enable brewing at both high and low pressures, catering to diverse coffee preferences. Each pod is marked with a unique code, automatically recognised by the Keurig Alta brewer, which adjusts the brewing parameters to ensure optimal extraction and flavour profile for every coffee variety. Additionally, the pods are expected to be certified compostable. The development of the Keurig Alta brewer and K-Rounds pods represents the culmination of a multi-year innovation endeavour, encompassing extensive R&D efforts. As part of this initiative, Keurig has secured a perpetual license to proprietary technology developed by Delica Switzerland, further enhancing the company's intellectual property portfolio.

AB Akola Group is acquiring a minority stake in Lithuanian beverage start-up OMG Bubble Tea for €1.9 million. Founded in 2022, OMG Bubble Tea is a producer of natural bubble tea, with approximately 95% of its production exported to France, Germany, Great Britain, Austria and other countries. It has a workforce of 143 employees and a production facility located in Panevėžys. AB Akola Group is said to own "the largest agricultural and food production group in the Baltics", employing 4.9 thousand people. Mažvydas Šileika, chief financial officer of AB Akola Group, said: "OMG Bubble Tea is a growing start-up that has increased production and revenue several times over the year. The management and the team are energetic, the production processes are being fine-tuned, and the sales progress has been made for further successful expansion." "In 2024 and 2025, exponential growth is foreseen for the start-up – measuring in times, not in percentage. The global bubble tea market size was valued at 3 billion US dollars in 2022 and is projected by experts to grow by 6.3% annually until 2032, while the European market will grow by 8% annually. Therefore, the start-up's outlook is promising." He added: "We believe this is a worthwhile investment for us, as the consumption of beverages is growing globally, especially among young people, and the prospects in this area are great. Our business strategy is to increase the weight of food products in the group's overall business, thereby increasing the group's overall profitability and value. We are not only investing in increasing production capacity but also looking for small, growing producers. This is by no means our last investment in beverage start-ups." Jonas Karosas, director of OMG Bubble Tea, commented: "Our product is aimed at children and young people, and it evokes good emotions. Global trends show increased demand, and we want to take advantage of this and expand our volumes. The kick-off, as in any production, was not easy, but we have still grown at a very fast pace since we started the company. The Akola Group’s investment will allow us to increase this pace even further."

UK-based Cawston Press has unveiled its latest innovation: Sunshine Orange Fruit Water. This new addition joins the brand's line-up of school-approved juice cartons, offering a refreshing choice for children with its natural blend of fruit juice and still water. Available now in Tesco stores (3x200ml) at an RRP of £2.10, Sunshine Orange Fruit Water caters to the growing demand for healthier beverage options among consumers. Crafted with 45% not-from-concentrate fruit juice and devoid of artificial sweeteners, colours or preservatives, this drink is tailored to meet the preferences of both parents and children. The introduction of Sunshine Orange bolsters Cawston Press's existing range, which includes Apple & Summer Berries, Apple & Pear, Apple & Mango and Cloudy Apple flavours. Milly Tuck, senior brand manager at Cawston Press, said: “Orange is the biggest flavour camp for juice and juice drinks, making up over 40% of UK sales. However, there has been a lack of innovation in the kids flavour space for drinks free from added sugar, sweeteners and preservatives, which is where Cawston Press is able to provide a high-quality drink priding itself on being made with very few simple, natural ingredients.” The Fruit Waters are packaged in SIG packaging primarily sourced from renewable FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) paper, aligning with the brand's ethos of environmental responsibility. For retailers and wholesalers, Sunshine Orange Fruit Water (18x200ml) will be available alongside other Cawston Press offerings, providing versatile options for cafés, restaurants, bars and speciality stores.

The consumption of bottled water is constantly growing in every part of the world. In China, for instance, in the first quarter of 2023 alone, the sales of bottled water increased by 10.9%. In this context, major beverage industry players like Huihuang United (Tianjin) Food are investing in cutting-edge and efficient facilities. They recently installed SMI's integrated blowing-filling-capping system, Ecobloc Ergon, in Tianjin. This system is specifically used for bottling C’estbon brand products in 4.5-litre PET containers. The history of Huihuang United Food starts in 2011, when the company was founded as a subsidiary of Macau Huiyang International Investment, a company belonging to the industrial giant Zhuhai Zhongu for bottling beverages of different brands, such as Coca-Cola and C’estbon. SMI solutions for Huihuang United Food The collaboration between Huihuang United Food and SMI began 12 years ago with the procurement of shrink wrappers for packaging bottles under the Coca-Cola brand. Subsequently, in 2015, the installation of the first six-cavity stretch-blow moulder enabled the production of 4.5l and 6l PET containers for the C’estbon brand. With the latest investment in Ecobloc Ergon, the first of its kind supplied by SMI in China, the company has significantly boosted production of the 4.5l and 6l formats, meeting the high demand of the market. Additionally, this investment has elevated the quality and technological standards of the company's solutions. Ecobloc Ergon HC HEVF stretch-blow moulding/filling/capping system – main advantages Compact solution for the production and filling of high-capacity PET containers; Rinser and air conveyors between the blow moulder and the filler are not required; Precise and fast filling and capping processes; Reduced energy consumption; Highly energy-efficient IR perform heating lamps; Double-stage air recovery system that allows cut energy costs for high-pressure compressed air production; Filling valves that manage two speeds to fill homogeneously, efficiently and with no product leakage from the container. The duration of the filling cycles (slow or fast) can be managed intuitively through the recipes in the human-machine interface (HMI Posyc); Reduced plant maintenance and management costs.Easy-cap cap sorter, that takes the caps from a hopper and turns them correctly, until they reach the bottling line. Very compact structure, made of AISI 304 stainless steel, suitable for any layout solution; Smooth and linear operation, to transport only the caps that are in the correct position; System suitable for different types of plastic caps; User-friendly operator interface, that allows an easy and efficient use of the machine by the operator. For further information, visit the SMI website here.

Dutch-US beverage company JDE Peet’s has announced the appointment of Luc Vandevelde as its interim CEO, effective 1 April 2024. Vandevelde will succeed Fabien Simon, who has led the company since September 2020. Vandevelde’s background is firmly rooted in the retail and FMCG sectors, including stints as chairman of Carrefour and CEO of Marks and Spencer Group. His experience spans over 24 years at Kraft Foods, culminating in his tenure as CEO of Kraft Jacobs Suchard’s French and Italian operations. Joachim Creus, CEO of JAB, the parent company of JDE Peet’s, said: “Luc is a seasoned executive who knows JDE Peet’s and the coffee category intimately, and we are confident in his ability to unlock shareholder value while leading the search for a permanent CEO. JAB has strong conviction in the long-term growth prospects of JDE Peet’s and the resilience of the sector, and we are fully committed to our investment in the world’s leading pure-play coffee and tea company.” The transition marks the departure of Simon, who led JDE Peet’s through turbulent times, including the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and prevailing inflationary pressures. Olivier Goudet, chairman of JDE Peet’s, extended his gratitude to Simon for his leadership: “On behalf of the board, I want to thank Fabien for leading JDE Peet’s, particularly through a period of macro disruption. While navigating Covid-19 and high inflation in a more complicated world, Fabien transformed the company into a global coffee and tea powerhouse with brands, talent and sustainability at its core.” He added: “Our leading portfolio of brands and products ideally position JDE Peet’s to gain global market share by meeting the diverse needs of our many customers and consumers. On behalf of the board, we wish Fabien much success in his future endeavours.” Following Vandevelde’s appointment as chairman after the next Annual General Meeting in May 2024, Goudet will transition to the role of non-executive director, ensuring continuity and strategic oversight on the board. The leadership reshuffle underlines JDE Peet’s commitment to navigating evolving market dynamics while leveraging its portfolio of brands, including L’or, Peet’s, Jacobs and Douwe Egberts, to maintain its position in the pure-play coffee and tea category.

Canadian plastics company Nova Chemicals has established a new Centre of Excellence for Plastics Circularity, aiming to further global efforts in sustainable plastics management. The centre has been developed to provide a hub for knowledge exchange and technology development for the circular economy of plastics. Industry innovators and Canadian research institutions will share expertise at the site, focusing on two key objectives: R&D collaboration and value chain-integrated solutions. Expertise will be integrated across ranging disciplines including material science, engineering, chemistry, environmental science and public policy. This collaborative R&D approach will address the complex challenges and opportunities of plastics circularity. Strategic partners across industry, academia and government will work to deliver practical and scalable technologies that can ensure solutions meet the needs of stakeholders across the value chain. Nova Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, Canada, works with customers across several key markets. Its packaging solutions for the food and beverage industry include flexible and shrink film food packaging, and polyethene closure resins for beverages, condiments, baby food and more. Roger Kearns, president and CEO at Nova Chemicals, commented: “We welcome innovators from across Canada and beyond to join us in developing scalable solutions for the world’s most complex plastics challenges. Nova has an established reputation for working with others to spearhead innovation, and we are excited to continue bridging gaps between leading-edge ideas and commercially viable technologies." The company has launched its call for expression of interest in the initiative, targeting Canadian research institutions and focusing on mechanical recycling, advanced recycling and microplastics. Submissions are open now and will be closing on 19 April 2024.