Cascades has announced plans to permanently close three of its facilities as part of the restructuring and enhancement of its containerboard packaging platform. Operations will not restart at its inactive corrugated medium mill in Trenton, Ontario, Canada, while Cascades' converting plants in Belleville, Ontario, and Newtown, Connecticut, US, are set for permanent closure by the end of May 2024. The closures will impact 310 employees. Production from these facilities will be moved to other units with available capacity and more modern equipment, following recent investments in its Bear Island mill in Virginia, US, and its converting network. Before being permanently shut down, the equipment produced 175,000 short tons of corrugated medium and 500 million square feet of corrugated packaging annually. This type of packaging can be used for various applications – in January, Cascades introduced eco-friendly produce baskets made from its recycled corrugated cardboard. Cascades said the decision to close the facilities is part of its endeavours to maximise the performance of its assets. The company stated that the current market environment, increased operating costs, outdated technology and the need for significant capital investment were also determining factors. As a result of the closures, Cascades expects to record £61 million in impairment and environmental obligation charges, as well as around £35 million in additional restructuring charges, which will be incurred in the coming years. Charles Malo, president and chief operating officer of Cascades Containerboard Packaging, said: "I would like to assure our customers that we will work with them to ensure a smooth transition. I would also like to sincerely thank the Cascaders affected by this announcement. We will stand by them through this process and we will assist in the relocation of those employees wishing to continue working for Cascades at one of our other locations." Cascades has said it will support those employees who are unable to or choose not to relocate to its other facilities.

Wine producer Viña Concha y Toro has announced the acquisition of pisco brand Malpaso. The company aims to strengthen its presence in the Chilean pisco market with the acquisition of Malpaso, a brand it has been distributing through VCT Chile – a distribution subsidiary of Viña Concha y Toro – for 15 years. Malpaso is a premium pisco brand made from high-quality grapes sourced from the Limarí Valley. The production process and distinctive distillation method will remain unchanged after the deal. According to Viña Concha y Toro, the deal supports the company’s vision for innovation and growth in different categories. Niclas Blomström, general manager of VCT Chile, said: “The consolidation of ownership of the Malpaso brand, together with its distribution, complements our portfolio with high-quality products, in line with the leadership we have in wine and an important presence in the premium and craft beer category”. Dimitri Forno, new business manager of VCT Chile, commented: “With the acquisition of Malpaso we seek to strengthen our liquor portfolio and consolidate our position as a relevant player in the premium pisco category with growth ambitions and a long-term vision in the market. This commitment further strengthens the strategy we have been building to be a relevant player in the alcoholic beverage categories through our own brands and alliances with national and international groups." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Bimbo Bakeries USA, a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo, has introduced Brownie Drizzle Drops under its Entenmann's brand. Available in two flavours – triple chocolate and creamy caramel – the drops are made with either chocolate or caramel and finished with a chocolate drizzle. Richard Link, senior director of marketing at Entenmann's, said: "We were deliberate in delivering our newest innovation, as we know fans crave premium, indulgent treats to share and eat on the go". "At Entenmann's, we believe in sweetening moments that matter through our iconic baked goods, and we know Brownie Drizzle Drops will help our fans savour every moment." The bite-sized brownies are available at select US retailers.

Kellanova plans to shut down two plants as part of its 'differentiate, drive and deliver' strategy in order to reduce costs and enhance its supply chain. The company said it would close its Rossville, Tennessee, US, facility by the end of 2024 and one in Trafford Park, Manchester, UK, by the end of 2026. Kellanova will relocate production of its North American facility to other of its frozen breakfast manufacturing sites. The cereal giant said in a statement: "This is difficult news for our employees and will result in the loss of 140 jobs. It is never easy when people are losing jobs. We are committed to assisting our employees with resources and support." Meanwhile, Kellanova has started "formal conversations and consultations" with its colleagues in Europe, their representatives and unions at its Trafford Park site "about a proposal to close the site at the end of 2026". The business said: "We know generations of families have worked at our Trafford Park factory, and the proposal we are announcing today has nothing to do with the outstanding people who work there".

Empire Bespoke Foods has expanded its La Mortuacienne portfolio with the launch of a new cranberry and lime flavour. The new flavour joins the brand's current range, available in lemon, cola, pomegranate, mandarin orange, grapefruit and traditional. Crafted with locally sourced French spring water from the Jura Mountains, the cranberry and lime drink features natural colours, flavours and pure cane sugar. With a sugar content of 8.5g per litre, it is said to be lower than the average lemonade, which typically contains 10g. Empire Bespoke Foods' junior brand manager Benjamin Moody said: “La Mortuacienne is a French childhood favourite, and the recipe has been unchanged for nearly a century. The new cranberry and lime compliments the range of limonades, adding a touch of theatre for those wanting to celebrate, enjoy a refreshing drink or as a mixer.” La Mortuacienne will be available in a 1-litre premium glass bottle with a swing top at speciality stores, independents, wholesalers, and food halls and delis in spring 2024.

Fonterra’s wellbeing nutrition brand, Nutiani, has partnered with Hank’s Protein Plus to launch what it claims is the first brain-boosting peanut spread. The milk chocolate peanut spread is made from six "pure ingredients", including premium nuts, high-grade NZMP whey protein and Nutiani’s specialised phospholipid concentrated WPC. With a focus on consumers' health, Hank’s and Nutiani developed this snack, fortified with added protein and supplements to support cognitive health and manage stress. According to the company, one key aspect of Hank’s brain-boosting spread is its use of phospholipids, essential for building blocks in cell membranes. Kera Nyemb-Diop, lead nutritionist for advanced nutrition at Fonterra, said: “A healthy brain is rich in phospholipids which have been shown to support a range of mental well-being benefits. As you age, a healthy adult can expect to experience as much as a 20% decline by the age of 80." "While a decline in a nutrient shouldn't be the sole reason a person chooses to supplement, phospholipid supplementation is proven to provide mental and cognitive benefits, including stress management and resilience." Hank Capasso, founder and CEO of Hank’s, added: “We incorporated brain-boosting phospholipids into our new milk chocolate peanut butter spread to offer consumers a unique combination of indulgence and cognitive support in one delicious product". Hank’s brain-boosting milk chocolate peanut spread is available to buy at the brand's website and on Amazon.

Dried fruit brand Rind Snacks has announced the acquisition of US granola manufacturer Small Batch Organics. The acquisition is expected to boost Rind's margin growth and operational efficiencies by implementing vertical integration. According to Rind, the deal "brings manufacturing and fulfilment completely in-house, vertically integrating the company's supply chain, "taking the brand from a big name in snacking to an even bigger business in the natural foods category". Rind demonstrates a commitment to sustainable snacking by using upcycled whole fruit, diverting over one million pounds of food waste annually. Small Batch shares this commitment to sustainability by relying on 100% solar energy and implementing renewable packaging solutions. Over the coming year, Small Batch’s products will undergo rebranding as Rind, accompanied by the launch of various collaborative innovations. The first joint offering, Rind Cherry Cashew Crunch, features upcycled cherries, spiced cashews and vanilla granola clusters. The snack, made entirely in the US, marks the debut of Rind's new fruit, nut & granola Remix line, available at Sam’s Club stores nationwide this month and select Walmart, Wegman’s and Hudson News locations this spring. Rind's founder and CEO, Matt Weiss, said: “Today marks the start of a fruitful new chapter in Rind’s journey as a leading, better-for-you snack brand. The addition of Small Batch and its dedicated team enhances our ability to craft premium, healthy and innovative snacks for more customers in a flexible and highly scalable manner.” Small Batch's founder Lindsay Martin, who now oversees production and new product development for the combined business, added: “Rind and Small Batch share a special kinship that makes this outcome such a natural fit. Our products and values are highly complementary, and we’re thrilled to be joining forces with Rind on its mission to produce delicious and sustainable snacks for people and the planet." The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

British chocolatier Chococo has teamed up with Tenderstem to launch a broccoli-infused chocolate range for Valentine’s Day. Named ‘Tender-Choc,’ the limited-edition range marries the flavours of Tenderstem broccoli with Chococo’s dark chocolate. Each box contains nine handcrafted 72% Ecuador origin dark chocolates, filled with a green ganache made of real Tenderstem broccoli and blended with fresh Dorset cream, with the addition of almond notes. The chocolates are hand-topped with green chocolate splatters in a playful nod to the Tenderstem infusion within. David Samuels, brand director at Tenderstem, said: “This Valentine’s Day, we wanted to offer something truly special and unexpected for lovebirds, to allow Brits to reflect their unique and special feelings with a unique and special gift”. “We are thrilled to have joined forces with Chococo for this truly one-off offering and inject some classic Tenderstem cheekiness into the annual day of romance.” Claire Burnet, co-founder of Chococo, revealed that the partnership had been in the works for just under a year. She commented: “Initially, we were surprised by the prospect of this partnership, but we were excited about the possibilities of using an ingredient as versatile as Tenderstem”. Burnet added: “At Chococo, we have been handcrafting award-winning chocolates since 2002. Celebrating the finest, single origin, ethical chocolates and incredible flavours is at the core of what we do, so we are proud to work with one of the UK’s most well-known vegetables and looking forward to revealing these unusual chocolates to the nation’s lovers!” Tender-Choc is available via Tenderstem.co.uk while stocks last.

US artists Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg have unveiled their new spirits brand named Gin & Juice By Dre and Snoop. Marking the announcement of the new brand, the pair unveiled a new line of RTD gin-based cocktails. Named after Snoop Dogg’s 1994 song ‘Gin & Juice,’ the canned cocktails come in four flavour varieties: citrus, melon, passionfruit and apricot. Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop will be distributed nationally through Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. The cocktails have begun rolling out throughout the US, with more offerings from the brand due to be announced in the coming months. This is not Snoop Dogg's entrance into the F&B sector – in December, he launched a new THC-infused beverage line and in May he unveiled a new range of ice cream pints. In 2020, the rapper and musician unveiled Indoggo, a strawberry-flavoured gin.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have voted in favour of simpler procedures regarding new genomic technique (NGT)-derived plants equivalent to conventional plants, while other NGT types must follow stricter rules. Parliament adopted its stance for negotiations with member states about the Commission’s proposal on NGTs, which involve changing the genetic material of an organism, with 307 votes in favour, 263 against and 41 abstentions. The aim is to enhance the sustainability and resilience of the food system by cultivating improved plant varieties that show climate resilience, resistance to pests, higher yields or reduced dependence on fertilisers and pesticides. At present, all plants derived from NGTs are governed by the same regulations as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). MEPs support setting up two distinct categories and corresponding sets of regulations for NGT plants. NGT plants considered equivalent to conventional varieties (NGT 1 plants) would be exempt from GMO legislation requirements, while other NGT plants (NGT 2 plants) would remain subject to stricter regulations. MEPs also advocate for mandatory labelling of products derived from both NGT 1 and NGT 2 plants. Parliament also agrees that all NGT plants should remain prohibited in organic production as their compatibility requires further consideration and want the Commission to report on how consumers' and producers’ perceptions of the new techniques are evolving. MEPs propose amending the criteria regarding the size and number of modifications required for an NGT 1 plant to be deemed equivalent to conventional varieties. Additionally, to enhance transparency, MEPs support the establishment of a public online registry listing all NGT 1 plants. For NGT 2 plants, MEPs agree to maintain most of the requirements of the GMO legislation, which are among the strictest in the world. To encourage their adoption, MEPs endorse expediting the risk assessment process for NGT 2 plants anticipated to enhance sustainability in the agri-food sector. However, they emphasise that the precautionary principle must be upheld during this process. MEPs advocate for a complete prohibition on patents for all NGT plants, including plant material, their components, genetic information and associated processes. This measure aims to prevent legal ambiguities, rising expenses and additional dependencies for farmers and breeders. Furthermore, they requested a report by June 2025 to assess the impact of patents on breeders' and farmers' access to diverse plant reproductive materials. Additionally, MEPs request a legislative proposal to revise EU regulations on intellectual property rights accordingly. Rapporteur Jessica Polfjärd from the Group of the European People's Party, said: “NGTs are crucial to strengthen Europe's food security and to green our agricultural production. The new rules will allow the development of improved plant varieties that can ensure higher yields, be climate resistant or which require fewer fertilisers and pesticides. I hope member states will soon adopt their position so we can adopt the new rules before the European elections and give the farmers the tools they need for the green transition." Parliament is now ready to start negotiations with EU member states on the final law.

Diageo-owned brand Cîroc has entered the RTD category for the first time with the launch of two sparkling drinks: Cîroc Summer Citrus and Cîroc Tropical Passion. Celebrating Cîroc’s highest-performing products from the past few years, the new RTD cans feature the brand's most popular vodkas blended with sweet and sparkling lemonade. According to market analytics company Neilsen, the RTD segment is the fastest growing within the total alcohol category, and premium options have driven this growth by 33% in recent months. Cîroc Summer Citrus and Cîroc Tropical Passion have been crafted to enable retailers to tap into the macro trend for affordable indulgence, providing consumers with a sense of luxury while enjoying an RTD format. According to the brand, during consumer taste tests, 82% of those surveyed gave a positive reaction to the new SKU. Conor Brown, Cîroc brand manager for Diageo GB, said: “Cîroc is well known for flavour innovation, having made our popular limited-edition flavour variants, like Summer Citrus, a permanent fixture of the portfolio due to demand. Particularly as we approach the summer, the new range is ideal for attracting shoppers who are on the go, attending festivals, planning get-togethers with friends such as BBQs and picnics, and looking to elevate those occasions with a more premium option.” Cîroc Summer Citrus and Cîroc Tropical Passion come in 250ml cans and have an ABV of 5%. They have an RRP of £2.85 and are available to purchase across grocery, wholesale and convenience channels in the UK.

Ardagh Glass Packaging Europe (AGP-Europe), an operating business of Ardagh Group, has launched a solar power plant at its facility in Moerdijk, the Netherlands. The new solar energy plant supplies renewable energy on-site, which AGP-Europe expects will reduce the facility’s carbon footprint by around 725 tonnes of CO2 per year. To deliver the new plant, Ardagh partnered with solar energy specialist Zoncoalitie and energy supplier Eneco. This is the second AGP-Europe on-site solar project, and the third in the Netherlands for Ardagh. The project follows last year’s launch of the company’s first solar power plant in the Netherlands, which has been supplying AGP-Europe's Dongen facility since September. Annelene Ikemann, sustainability director, AGP-Europe, commented: “The Moerdijk solar installation is expected to generate over 2,500 MWh of electricity per annum, which is another step closer to achieving our target of using 100% renewable electricity across our AGP-Europe facilities by 2030, using a mix of on-site and off-site installations”. The project contributes to Ardagh Group’s strategy to use 100% renewable electricity by 2030. You may also like to read: Ardagh builds “breakthrough” furnace in Germany Ardagh establishes centre of excellence in South Africa