Trek has teamed up with Biscoff to launch a new Trek Power Biscoff protein bar, the only protein bar to contain 100% real Biscoff in collaboration with the biscuit brand. The partnership combines Biscoff’s popular brand and market appeal with the growing consumer demand for functional protein bars. Each bar contains 15g of plant-based soya protein, coated in vegan chocolate and filled with a layer of Biscoff spread. The bars will roll out across the UK grocery channel from 14 February in a single (55g) and multi-pack format (3x44g). The innovation comes at a time of significant growth for Trek, which has reported 20.4% growth and £4.6 million RSV year-on-year. Alice Boardman, senior brand manager at Trek’s parent company Natural Balance Foods, said: “Consumer research has shown us that 84% of those surveyed said they would buy a Trek Power Biscoff bar, and it is the number one most desired flavour amongst respondents”. She added: “The Trek Power Biscoff bar is perfect for those looking for natural energy from an indulgent protein-packed filling snack, which is why we’re confident this launch will help drive incremental growth in the category and create buzz amongst protein lovers, Biscoff fans and daily snackers alike”. Tom Gray, senior buyer for biscuits and cereal bars at Sainsbury’s, added that the product is “right on trend” and “sure to be a hit with shoppers,” commenting: “We know that consumer needs are evolving and offering choice across great tasting products that also offer functional benefits, such as protein, is key to keeping them coming back for more”.

Trek has teamed up with Biscoff to launch a new Trek Power Biscoff protein bar, the only protein bar to contain 100% real Biscoff in collaboration with the biscuit brand. The partnership combines Biscoff’s popular brand and market appeal with the growing consumer demand for functional protein bars. Each bar contains 15g of plant-based soya protein, coated in vegan chocolate and filled with a layer of Biscoff spread. The bars will roll out across the UK grocery channel from 14 February in a single (55g) and multi-pack format (3x44g). The innovation comes at a time of significant growth for Trek, which has reported 20.4% growth and £4.6 million RSV year-on-year. Alice Boardman, senior brand manager at Trek’s parent company Natural Balance Foods, said: “Consumer research has shown us that 84% of those surveyed said they would buy a Trek Power Biscoff bar, and it is the number one most desired flavour amongst respondents”. She added: “The Trek Power Biscoff bar is perfect for those looking for natural energy from an indulgent protein-packed filling snack, which is why we’re confident this launch will help drive incremental growth in the category and create buzz amongst protein lovers, Biscoff fans and daily snackers alike”. Tom Gray, senior buyer for biscuits and cereal bars at Sainsbury’s, added that the product is “right on trend” and “sure to be a hit with shoppers,” commenting: “We know that consumer needs are evolving and offering choice across great tasting products that also offer functional benefits, such as protein, is key to keeping them coming back for more”.

The US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, New York, has launched an investigation into the accounting practices at ADM, reports Bloomberg. Anonymous sources told Bloomberg that the probe is focused on the ADM's nutrition business. Last month, ADM caused a stir in the commodities sector by suspending its CFO Vikram Luthar, and revising its earnings forecast. An external investigation took place regarding certain accounting practices within the company's nutrition reporting segment, including related intersegment transactions. Following the announcement of the suspension, the company's stock dropped by approximately 20%. The inquiry into the company was initiated following a request from the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Now, with the Jusitce Department's involvement, there are heightened concerns about potential legal ramifications for ADM's reporting practices, raising questions about the consequences of the internal events. Both ADM and the US Justice Department declined to comment on the investigation. Although nutrition remains a minor aspect of ADM's operations, Bloomberg reports it has disproportionately influenced recent executive bonuses. The ongoing turmoil has exacerbated investors' longstanding fears that large, complex corporations are susceptible to the threat of undisclosed manipulation of critical financial data. In a memo released last month, Juan Luciano, ADM’s chairman of the board and CEO, provided clarification regarding the ongoing investigation within the company. Luciano underscored that the focus of the investigation was on the "transfer of goods and associated financial accounting between business segments." He emphasised that while these transactions were being closely scrutinised, the findings were not expected to significantly impact the crop trader's earnings. ADM's market value has plummeted by nearly $8 billion since the investigation was made public.

The Compleat Food Group has announced the acquisition of two food manufacturers – SK Foods and Zorba Foods – from The Entrepreneurial Food Group. According to The Compleat Food Group, the two food businesses specialise in private-labelled chilled party foods, dips and deli fillings, with a combined turnover of over £160 million and over 1,150 employees. The acquisition will see The Compleat Food Group adding SK Foods and Zorba Delicacies’ products to its portfolio, expanding into new categories and bolstering production capabilities. In addition, it will help The Compleat Food Group "become the UK’s number one chilled prepared food company". Founded in 1987, SK Foods – which specialises in high-quality party foods – is based in Teesside, UK, and employs over 770 people. Meanwhile, Zorba Foods was established in 1976 in South Wales, UK, and currently employs nearly 380 people at its Gwent site. It began by producing authentic Greek hummus and later expanded to offer a range of dips and sauces inspired from different countries and regions, as well as soups, for retail and foodservice. In addition, it holds about 25% of the private label dips market. Nick Field, CEO at The Compleat Food Group, said: “We’re incredibly excited about these two significant additions and what they bring to the group, with both companies having strong heritage in their categories for creating great food that people love. We plan to continue investment in both companies to extend their respective capabilities, allowing us to further innovate and inspire within their categories." “For The Compleat Food Group, these acquisitions accelerate our commitment to build on our breadth of capability, increase our category leadership position, and deliver more excitement and interest to delight our consumers, driving sustained growth in the sector.” Jeremy Faulkner, CEO of both SK Foods and Zorba, added: “At the heart of both SK Foods and Zorba is a commitment to real food values. It’s what our reputations have been founded on and why we are able to say that we are category leaders." “With The Compleat Food Group, we have found a natural partner who not only shares our values, but also the ambition to invest and support us in driving further innovation and growth for our categories and key partners.” The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Compleat Food Group has announced the acquisition of two food manufacturers – SK Foods and Zorba Foods – from The Entrepreneurial Food Group. According to The Compleat Food Group, the two food businesses specialise in private-labelled chilled party foods, dips and deli fillings, with a combined turnover of over £160 million and over 1,150 employees. The acquisition will see The Compleat Food Group adding SK Foods and Zorba Delicacies’ products to its portfolio, expanding into new categories and bolstering production capabilities. In addition, it will help The Compleat Food Group "become the UK’s number one chilled prepared food company". Founded in 1987, SK Foods – which specialises in high-quality party foods – is based in Teesside, UK, and employs over 770 people. Meanwhile, Zorba Foods was established in 1976 in South Wales, UK, and currently employs nearly 380 people at its Gwent site. It began by producing authentic Greek hummus and later expanded to offer a range of dips and sauces inspired from different countries and regions, as well as soups, for retail and foodservice. In addition, it holds about 25% of the private label dips market. Nick Field, CEO at The Compleat Food Group, said: “We’re incredibly excited about these two significant additions and what they bring to the group, with both companies having strong heritage in their categories for creating great food that people love. We plan to continue investment in both companies to extend their respective capabilities, allowing us to further innovate and inspire within their categories." “For The Compleat Food Group, these acquisitions accelerate our commitment to build on our breadth of capability, increase our category leadership position, and deliver more excitement and interest to delight our consumers, driving sustained growth in the sector.” Jeremy Faulkner, CEO of both SK Foods and Zorba, added: “At the heart of both SK Foods and Zorba is a commitment to real food values. It’s what our reputations have been founded on and why we are able to say that we are category leaders." “With The Compleat Food Group, we have found a natural partner who not only shares our values, but also the ambition to invest and support us in driving further innovation and growth for our categories and key partners.” The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Belgian dairy cooperative Milcobel has “parted ways” with CEO Nils van Dam, referencing a “clear difference in vision” with the company’s board. The coop sources milk from around 2,000 family-owned local dairy farmers – it supplies retailers and provides ingredients to manufacturers as well as serving private-label customers. Its product range includes cheese, butter, milk powders, cream, whey and ice cream. Milcobel said the separation with van Dam – who became CEO of the coop in 2020 – was of “mutual” consent and referred to the “challenging” business environment, citing “sharply falling dairy markets” and “stricter sustainability requirements”. A limited management team has been put in place to take care of day-to-day management pending the appointment of a new CEO. President of Milcobel, Betty Eeckhaut, said: "We choose not to appoint an interim CEO but prioritise continuity in managing the ongoing projects. This is why the board of directors is mandating a team of executives to take on the day-to-day management of Milcobel. This allows us to start looking for a suitable successor to van Dam without haste.” She continued: "Under the leadership of Nils van Dam, Milcobel made a necessary catch-up. However, the evaluation of the realised trajectory and the preparation of the next steps revealed a clear difference in vision between the board of directors and CEO. In mutual consultation, it was therefore decided to end the cooperation.” “On behalf of the board of directors, I would therefore like to thank van Dam for his efforts to make Milcobel competitive again as a dairy company. We may speak of a real transformation, even if today it does not always deliver the results we aspire to." Milcobel is now looking to new opportunities and projects. The coop said in a statement that it will prioritise investing in “highly valorising products,” and already this year has partnered with Arla Foods Ingredients to supply its whey protein concentrate for use in baby food and pharmaceutical applications. Eeckhaut added: "In order to be successful, we need to increase our commercial clout, among other things. We expect a new CEO to take the lead in this and inspire the teams."

Belgian dairy cooperative Milcobel has “parted ways” with CEO Nils van Dam, referencing a “clear difference in vision” with the company’s board. The coop sources milk from around 2,000 family-owned local dairy farmers – it supplies retailers and provides ingredients to manufacturers as well as serving private-label customers. Its product range includes cheese, butter, milk powders, cream, whey and ice cream. Milcobel said the separation with van Dam – who became CEO of the coop in 2020 – was of “mutual” consent and referred to the “challenging” business environment, citing “sharply falling dairy markets” and “stricter sustainability requirements”. A limited management team has been put in place to take care of day-to-day management pending the appointment of a new CEO. President of Milcobel, Betty Eeckhaut, said: "We choose not to appoint an interim CEO but prioritise continuity in managing the ongoing projects. This is why the board of directors is mandating a team of executives to take on the day-to-day management of Milcobel. This allows us to start looking for a suitable successor to van Dam without haste.” She continued: "Under the leadership of Nils van Dam, Milcobel made a necessary catch-up. However, the evaluation of the realised trajectory and the preparation of the next steps revealed a clear difference in vision between the board of directors and CEO. In mutual consultation, it was therefore decided to end the cooperation.” “On behalf of the board of directors, I would therefore like to thank van Dam for his efforts to make Milcobel competitive again as a dairy company. We may speak of a real transformation, even if today it does not always deliver the results we aspire to." Milcobel is now looking to new opportunities and projects. The coop said in a statement that it will prioritise investing in “highly valorising products,” and already this year has partnered with Arla Foods Ingredients to supply its whey protein concentrate for use in baby food and pharmaceutical applications. Eeckhaut added: "In order to be successful, we need to increase our commercial clout, among other things. We expect a new CEO to take the lead in this and inspire the teams."

Fam Stumabo has announced the launch of the Yuran Capcitec, a high-capacity belt dicer for dicing and strip-cutting a variety of peppers and leafy vegetables. When relying on seasonal produce, frozen vegetable processors face a restricted processing timeframe. Therefore, the dependability and robustness of cutting equipment become paramount to reduce the potential for downtime. The new Yuran Capcitec is designed to accommodate those requirements with a wider feed belt and optimised feeding method to significantly enhance capacity. The 300mm wide and 2-metre-long high grip profiled feeding belt delivers at least 30% extra feeding capacity compared to previous models. According to Fam Stumabo, the driven top belt ensures a secure transfer and optimal guidance of products such as capsicum and leafy greens toward the cutting tools. The company asserts that this improvement significantly reduces product fracturing. The company also claims that the machine's design minimises ownership costs by integrating durable components, thereby reducing labour requirements and downtime. The splined shaft system further reduces downtime by ensuring a quick and straightforward conversion of the cutting tools, facilitating easy inspection and cleaning. The Yuran Capcitec is suitable for peppers and leafy-type green vegetables like bell peppers or capsicum, jalapeño and chilli peppers, as well as raw or blanched greens such as spinach, radish, kale, cabbage and mustard leaves. This new cutting machine will debut at Fruit Logistica in Berlin this month.

Fam Stumabo has announced the launch of the Yuran Capcitec, a high-capacity belt dicer for dicing and strip-cutting a variety of peppers and leafy vegetables. When relying on seasonal produce, frozen vegetable processors face a restricted processing timeframe. Therefore, the dependability and robustness of cutting equipment become paramount to reduce the potential for downtime. The new Yuran Capcitec is designed to accommodate those requirements with a wider feed belt and optimised feeding method to significantly enhance capacity. The 300mm wide and 2-metre-long high grip profiled feeding belt delivers at least 30% extra feeding capacity compared to previous models. According to Fam Stumabo, the driven top belt ensures a secure transfer and optimal guidance of products such as capsicum and leafy greens toward the cutting tools. The company asserts that this improvement significantly reduces product fracturing. The company also claims that the machine's design minimises ownership costs by integrating durable components, thereby reducing labour requirements and downtime. The splined shaft system further reduces downtime by ensuring a quick and straightforward conversion of the cutting tools, facilitating easy inspection and cleaning. The Yuran Capcitec is suitable for peppers and leafy-type green vegetables like bell peppers or capsicum, jalapeño and chilli peppers, as well as raw or blanched greens such as spinach, radish, kale, cabbage and mustard leaves. This new cutting machine will debut at Fruit Logistica in Berlin this month.

According to data and analytics company GlobalData, functional snacking is set to reshape the Asia-Pacific (APAC) food industry, with the surge in health consciousness and evolving dietary preferences driving an escalating demand for functional food products in the region. Meanwhile, the increasing awareness of lifestyle-related diseases and the significance of preventive healthcare is also prompting consumers to actively search for foods that contribute to improved health outcomes and overall wellbeing. Priyanka Jain, consumer analyst at GlobalData, commented: “Despite the waning of Covid-19 concerns, APAC consumers are gravitating towards natural, organic and functional food products that are perceived to help alleviate health concerns.” This aligns with the findings of GlobalData's Q4 2023 survey, which indicated that 62% of APAC consumers often or always consider how a product or service affects their health and wellbeing. The health trend is driving demand for probiotic and nut-based snacks. As such, the APAC health and wellness food market has grown at an annual rate of about 7–9% from 2017 to 2022. As consumers return to their pre-pandemic lifestyles, there is a growing interest in foods that enhance physical stamina and cognitive alertness, reduce fatigue and stress and support relaxation and sleep. Tim Hill, key account director for GlobalData Singapore, noted: “Premium prices remain a key barrier to the penetration of health & wellness attributed foods in the highly cost-conscious retail market. Moreover, amid high inflation and the prolonged Russia–Ukraine conflict, food manufacturers are under pressure to pass on these high input costs to consumers to conserve their margins.” Jain added: “Manufacturers are thereby compelled to strike a fine balance between price and health benefits. Moreover, increasing participation in physical activities will stimulate demand for functional on-the-go offerings, particularly for snacking and mealtime accompaniments.” Hill concluded that functional or fortified food products have been a niche segment in the APAC region, primarily due to their higher prices compared to regular variants. To broaden their consumer base, manufacturers need to emphasise the benefits linked to product consumption. According to Hill, prominent companies are also exploring alternative ingredients and production techniques to create healthier alternatives with more personalised claims, such as 'promotes gut health and blood circulation' and 'energy-boosting'.

According to data and analytics company GlobalData, functional snacking is set to reshape the Asia-Pacific (APAC) food industry, with the surge in health consciousness and evolving dietary preferences driving an escalating demand for functional food products in the region. Meanwhile, the increasing awareness of lifestyle-related diseases and the significance of preventive healthcare is also prompting consumers to actively search for foods that contribute to improved health outcomes and overall wellbeing. Priyanka Jain, consumer analyst at GlobalData, commented: “Despite the waning of Covid-19 concerns, APAC consumers are gravitating towards natural, organic and functional food products that are perceived to help alleviate health concerns.” This aligns with the findings of GlobalData's Q4 2023 survey, which indicated that 62% of APAC consumers often or always consider how a product or service affects their health and wellbeing. The health trend is driving demand for probiotic and nut-based snacks. As such, the APAC health and wellness food market has grown at an annual rate of about 7–9% from 2017 to 2022. As consumers return to their pre-pandemic lifestyles, there is a growing interest in foods that enhance physical stamina and cognitive alertness, reduce fatigue and stress and support relaxation and sleep. Tim Hill, key account director for GlobalData Singapore, noted: “Premium prices remain a key barrier to the penetration of health & wellness attributed foods in the highly cost-conscious retail market. Moreover, amid high inflation and the prolonged Russia–Ukraine conflict, food manufacturers are under pressure to pass on these high input costs to consumers to conserve their margins.” Jain added: “Manufacturers are thereby compelled to strike a fine balance between price and health benefits. Moreover, increasing participation in physical activities will stimulate demand for functional on-the-go offerings, particularly for snacking and mealtime accompaniments.” Hill concluded that functional or fortified food products have been a niche segment in the APAC region, primarily due to their higher prices compared to regular variants. To broaden their consumer base, manufacturers need to emphasise the benefits linked to product consumption. According to Hill, prominent companies are also exploring alternative ingredients and production techniques to create healthier alternatives with more personalised claims, such as 'promotes gut health and blood circulation' and 'energy-boosting'.

Zoa Energy has expanded its portfolio with the introduction of a new range of pre-workout powders. Available in three flavours – wild berry, fruit punch and cherry lime – Zoa+ Powder is touted as an advanced five-in-one formula pre-workout designed to enhance maximum performance and mental focus. It offers a blend of nitric oxide and training support, harnessing caffeine from green tea and green coffee beans, along with electrolytes. The powders, which are available to buy at GNC stores nationwide, deliver key pre-workout benefits, including enhancing physical performance, sustaining energy and focus, and providing essential hydration support. Kevin Maloberti, vice president of merchandising at GNC, said: "We are thrilled to add Zoa+ Powder to our elite portfolio of pre-workouts for consumers looking to start or uplevel their fitness routines. Knowing how important performance, focus and flavour are for the fitness enthusiast, Zoa+ Powder is an excellent addition to GNC's comprehensive inventory of pre-workouts as we continue to offer an uncompromising benchmark for innovative fitness standards and an unmatched approach to holistic wellness." Dave Rienzi, Zoa Energy's chief innovation officer, added: "In addition to each ingredient providing a functional benefit, Zoa+ Powder is NSF Certified for sport, an elite certification that very few fitness industry products can claim".