Bosch Home Appliances has announced the launch of a new countertop fully automatic espresso machine. The new 800 Series fully automatic espresso machine is said to offer a wide range of beverage options from freshly ground beans. The unit features the Aroma Max System, which combines four innovations for consistent coffee quality. These include: Long lasting ceramic grinder developed by Bosch, a smart water pump for full-bodied flavours, an intelligent flow heater for optimising brewing temperature and a high-tech brewing unit for a unique coffee aroma. The machine also includes the Active Select Display, a user-friendly 5-inch touchscreen display and control panel for easy coffee preparation, offering control over milk settings, size and aroma. Hannah Kühner, head of consumer products region North America at Bosch, said: “This product is a testament to our profound understanding of consumer needs and our commitment to state-of-the-art technology for the home. We can't wait to introduce the complete Bosch line-up to consumers in 2024."

Mars Chocolate Drinks & Treats has expanded its frozen treats portfolio with the launch of Maltesers Ice Cream bars. Maltesers Ice Cream bar combines soft malt flavoured ice cream, scattered with mini Maltesers honeycomb pieces, covered in a smooth milk chocolate. Michelle Frost, general manager at Mars Chocolate Drinks & Treats, said: “Our range of branded ice cream bars has continued to grow in popularity, particularly sold as take-home multipacks. It is our most popular format, and coupled with the popularity of the Maltesers brand, we see a great opportunity to appeal to ice cream and confectionery fans alike with the launch of Maltesers Ice Cream bar!” The new ice cream bars are available to purchase in major UK retailers now, for an RRP of £2.50 per four pack.

Brand of Brothers has expanded its product portfolio of ice creams and frozen desserts by incorporating Remeo Gelato, an ultra-premium Italian gelato brand. This collaboration aims to facilitate Remeo's expansion in the UK and international markets. Remeo Gelato distinguishes itself by exclusively utilising 100% natural ingredients. Notably, it was the pioneering ice cream brand to transition from virgin plastic to entirely using 100% recycled plastic for their jars. Moreover, the lids of their products are crafted from plant-based materials, ensuring a plastic-free composition for all their offerings. Carys Delve, marketing manager for Brand of Brothers, said: “As a leading supplier of licensed branded ice cream products, we’re always on the lookout for new and exciting ranges to add to our portfolio. Remeo is a super-premium product and every mouthful transports consumers to Italy – it’s high quality and is bursting with flavours. We can’t wait to see it in more freezers across the UK and EMEA.” Jacopo Cordero di Vonzo, founder & CEO of Remeo, added: “The new partnership with Brand of Brothers is the next step in our growth journey. Our premium gelato and sorbettos are available in most premium grocery stores in the UK and we’re hoping that this new partnership will allow us to grow our presence in the region through the grocery channels as well as out-of-home, while bringing new and unique product innovation to the UK market.” Brand of Brothers helps well established brands enter the UK ice-cream market by providing solutions for manufacturing, licensing, product development, sales and marketing, and logistics. The company's portfolio includes brands such as Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme, Baileys, Robinsons and Halo Top Creameries, which recently launched a new low-calorie honeycomb ice cream.

Viktoria De Bourbon De Parme (left), Food and Agriculture Transformation lead, and Jenni Black (right), Nature Transformation Lead, both at the World Benchmarking Alliance, speak candidly about the food and agriculture industry's sustainability issue and urge companies to do more to go green. The climate crisis is escalating. The growing number of heatwaves, floods and storms is putting the world at risk – and, simultaneously, crop failures in its major agricultural regions. Despite a direct reliance on the planet to grow their produce, more than 90% of food and agriculture companies globally are not doing enough to adopt sustainable farming practices or increase the provision of healthy food. Our latest research, which assesses 350 of the world’s major food and agriculture companies – including Bayer, Unilever and Walmart – revealed a concerning lack of commitment to reduce their environmental and social impacts. With the ecosystems on which we depend on the brink of irreversible tipping points, the vast majority of the world’s major food and agricultural companies are failing to act – presenting grave risks to their own business, people and planet. Inaction is a major threat to these companies. Yet alarmingly, only 2% of them even understand and disclose their business’ wider impact on nature. Without this knowledge, how can we turn the situation around? Giving the green light Food and agriculture businesses have a huge opportunity. They are uniquely placed to drive the transition towards a greener, fairer and better world. By simultaneously tackling the climate emergency and biodiversity loss, they could set off a global ripple effect – stimulating wider action to protect and restore nature, improve human health and lift millions of people out of poverty. We can celebrate some advancements across the sector; 46 companies have scope one and two greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with limiting global warming to 1.5C and report their progress, up from 27 companies in 2021. However, food and agriculture companies still carry significant responsibility for two of the biggest ongoing drivers of environmental degradation: land use change and the exploitation of nature. First and foremost, the sector must commit to ending deforestation. As agricultural expansion now accounts for 90% of global deforestation, food and agriculture companies have an essential role to play in saving the world’s forests. However, our research shows that only 6% of companies have a time-bound commitment to eliminating deforestation. In terms of solutions, the idea of regenerative farming is thankfully gaining traction. Currently, almost half the world’s agricultural soils are degraded. Regenerative farming practices that work in harmony with nature – like reducing fertilisers and pesticides – are not only the best way to make these soils fertile again, but also how to boost wildlife populations, increase climate resilience, improve water management and enhance farm profitability. Little is being done to reduce chemical inputs and water pollution. When it comes to soil health, only 9% of companies have disclosed data on optimising the use of fertilisers and just 4% have done so on minimising pesticide use. In terms of watercourses, only 12% of companies are reporting the level of pollutants they’re putting into them and just 2% have targets to reduce their pollution. Given that agriculture is responsible for 70% of global freshwater use, more companies must take action. The way forward is to put people at the centre of the transition to a more sustainable way of doing things. This starts with the farmers on whom big businesses depend. The major food and beverage companies source commodities – like coffee, cocoa and palm oil – from around 75 million small-scale producers based in 40 low-and middle-income countries, in places where poverty tends to be a chronic issue. Encouragingly, 27% of companies strive to keep these farmers’ incomes stable through procurement and pricing practices. But they are still not paying them enough to lift them out of poverty. Moreover, our data shows that there are very few plans for how to address this. Fewer than 4% of the companies we benchmarked assess how to bridge living income gaps. This has a knock-on effect environmentally, as impoverished farmers can’t afford to introduce sustainable farming methods. More can be done Companies also need to do much more to meet the needs of the consumers they serve. Presently, nutritious products still come at a premium price. With a third of the global population suffering from malnutrition, our benchmarks show that less than one in five (18%) of consumer-facing companies share how they are adapting products to improve their nutritional quality. Food companies have an urgent responsibility to help prevent the even greater food insecurity that comes with the climate emergency. There’s no more time to waste. The food and agriculture sector must take urgent, decisive action. Its priorities should be protecting the environment and feeding the world healthily and equitably.

Beyond Better Foods-owned brand Enlightened has unveiled its latest innovation, Frozen Yogurt Bark, in three flavours. A snackable take on traditional frozen yogurt, the new frozen yogurt bark is made with Greek yogurt and contains chocolate and frozen fruit. The launch follows the company's successful release of Enlightened's frozen Greek yogurt bars in March last year, followed by Greek yogurt pints in July 2023. Each serving contains 4 grams of protein and 110 calories or less. The new products are available in various flavours, including Triple Berry, consisting of a Greek yogurt and white chocolate base, topped with frozen strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, Banana Peanut Butter, which features a Greek yogurt and dark chocolate base, filled with peanut butter and topped with frozen banana pieces, and Pineapple Coconut, made with a Greek yogurt and white chocolate base, and topped with pineapple and shredded coconut. Michael Shoretz, CEO and founder of Enlightened, said: "We are thrilled to introduce our Frozen Yogurt Bark to the growing frozen snacking category. This new line marks our continued commitment to providing exciting new treats that don't compromise on taste or nutrition." Frozen Yogurt Bark is available to purchase now in select US retailers for an RRP of $6.99.

Iridesense has introduced the world's first 3D multispectral LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor capable of remotely assessing plant health and soil moisture in real-time. This sensor is designed to enhance crop productivity and resource utilisation by optimising irrigation, water usage and pesticide application. Its applications extend to industrial quality control and forest management. The LiDAR device allows for remote measurements outdoors under diverse weather and lighting conditions. Its 3D imaging functionality enables the ongoing monitoring of plant growth. This technological breakthrough provides farmers with a robust solution to fine-tune water and pesticide applications, supervise tree growth and improve overall agricultural practices, potentially resulting in significant water and pesticide savings. In collaboration with GeoCue, a prominent 3D LiDAR mapping company, Iridesense plans to implement this technology in Brazil to oversee the health of plantations. The device identifies deceased or weak plants, empowering farmers to promptly replace them. Frank Darmayan, CEO of GeoCue, emphasised the added value of multispectral information to the point cloud through Iridesense’s LiDAR, enabling users to derive novel insights from their 3D maps. Nadine Buard, CEO of Iridesense, said: “Our LiDAR sensor provides a groundbreaking solution for controlling and managing the management of natural resources, helping plants and other materials alike 'communicate' with those working on them. Our sensors could be fit as standard on agricultural machinery in the future, to understand and react to the needs of plants in real-time.” Before the introduction of this sensor, traditional methods faced limitations in distance, functioning effectively only up to 1.5m and encountering challenges in uncontrolled outdoor environments. The intricate issue of water management in agriculture and arboriculture could witness significant improvements through the precise calibration facilitated by the LiDAR sensor, leading to substantial water savings and cost-effectiveness for farmers. Additionally, the device eliminates manual methods used to measure moisture content in shipments, presenting a more efficient solution.

Whisky app Bevvy has announced the successful closing of a $1.5 million seed funding round, aiming to support its expansion into new market regions. The new investment primarily comes from Scotland-based angel investors, existing shareholders and a Denver (US)-based family office. The company has begun to grow its presence in the US, expanding its catalogue of Bourbon bottles. The US investment was partly made under the condition of a commitment to being live and active in the US market by the middle of 2024. Laurie Black, co-founder & head of whisky at Bevvy, commented: "Having already established the leading position in the digital whisky space; this new capital allows us to cement our market share and grow our consumer audience into new territories. We're hugely excited to be heading Stateside in 2024." Users can use the app and the camera on their mobile phones to scan the label of any whisky bottle and receive tasting notes as well as valuations. At its heart is a 200,000-strong database of whiskies from releases over the past 120 years. Once a bottle is scanned, the whisky’s “profile” receives content from distilleries and bottlers, pricing data and expert tasting notes. Greg Gormley, finance director for Bevvy, added: "In one of the most challenging fundraising environments I can recall, Bevvy's successful raise underlines its dominant and growing position as a critical tool among whisky consumers and collectors. The interest and demand in whisky are growing at a pace not seen before. However, the market is fragmented and disjointed, with an absence of easy-to-access tools and information." He continued: "There is a considerable hole in the market for a value-add, information-led app that allows a bottle of whisky to be fully understood, in terms of taste, history and pricing. Bevvy is addressing this need and is finding its audience is both engaged and growing at a phenomenal pace." Bevvy is now working with bars and auctioneers, allowing bars to create a live menu and auctioneers can give potential sellers estimated values for their whisky collection if they decide to auction their bottles. Co-founder Black added: "This is an extraordinarily exciting time for us; we see thousands of bottle scans each and every week and we are gaining a fascinating insight into user taste preferences, price trends and industry strengths and weaknesses. Bevvy finds itself at the heart of a major shift in how consumers and collectors engage with this multi-billion-dollar market. 2024 is going to be a year of spectacular development and innovation."

Vegan Food Group (VFG) has officially positioned itself as a transformative leader in the plant-based food industry, following the strategic rebranding of VFC Foods. Established in December 2020 by chef Adam Lyons and Veganuary founder Matthew Glover, VFG has swiftly become a sector pioneer through targeted acquisitions, notably including Meatless Farm and Clive’s Purely Plants in 2023. Tune in to the first episode of The Plant Base’s Veganuary Sessions podcast, where we interview the co-founder of the Vegan Food Group and Veganuary, Matthew Glover. Hear him discuss the strategic Group consolidation in detail, as well as insights into the current plant-based market and predictions for its future. With an extensive portfolio of 80 SKUs, VFG has established a significant presence in 21,000 distribution points across the UK and EU, projecting £25 million in sales for 2024. The launch of VFG marks a pivotal moment in the plant-based food movement, highlighting a commitment to global leadership in delivering uncompromising vegan options. Encouraging informed and ethical food choices, VFG aims to reshape the food industry by eliminating animals from the food system, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives. Matthew Glover, co-founder of VFC, Veg Capital and Veganuary, envisions VFG as a ‘vegan Unilever’ with a unique twist and “with the majority of future profits being donated to effective animal charities and diet change initiatives”. Glover continued: “With consolidation required in the plant-based space, and early signs of a rebound, the Vegan Food Group is well positioned to capitalise on market conditions and supercharge growth in the UK and Europe”. Taking cues from global food giants, VFG’s strategy focuses on consolidation, operational streamlining, cost efficiencies, and establishing a robust market presence. By uniting multiple brands under its umbrella, VFG leverages collective strengths, streamlines supply chains and fosters innovation, setting new benchmarks in the plant-based food sector. Commenting on the news, David Sparrow, CEO of VFG said: “The new corporate identity marks a crucial milestone in VFG’s growth strategy. We are already one of the most diversified players in the category with VFC, Meatless Farm and Clive’s under our umbrella, but it won’t stop there. We are actively reviewing strategic acquisitions to add to the group in 2024, building upon a successful 2023 trading year.” For retailers and foodservice providers, VFG offers a unique proposition by providing a comprehensive range of high-quality plant-based products from a single source. This consolidation simplifies negotiations, optimises logistics and ensures consistent product quality, positioning VFG as a financially stable partner and a go-to source for plant-based options in the market.

Campari Group has raised €1.2 billion to finance last month’s acquisition of French cognac brand Courvoisier by selling new shares and convertible bonds to investors. Last month, Campari revealed its plans to acquire Courvoisier from Beam Holdings for up to $1.32 billion. The company disclosed that the newly issued shares were priced at €9.33 each, totalling €650 million. These shares were discounted by 6.05% from their original price. Campari’s new shares make up 5.6% of all the ordinary shares Campari has issued. These new shares have the same rights as the ones that were already there, such as the right to receive dividends. Additionally, Campari intends to collect €550 million by issuing convertible bonds to investors that will mature over five years, unless previously redeemed, converted or repurchased and cancelled. The Italian business expects profits from the shares and bonds, combined with the expected profits from the sales of Courvoisier, to strengthen Campari’s overall financial position.

Subway has announced a menu update for the new year, introducing nine new Subs and SubMelts along with a new sauce, available at all restaurants nationwide. New additions to their Signature Series menu include the Tuna Tato, featuring tuna mayonnaise, American-style cheese, hash browns, lettuce, cucumbers, red onions, crispy onions and ketchup. Also joining the lineup is the Pesto Paradiso, with roast chicken, mozzarella and basil pesto. Alongside this is the Legendary Teriyaki, with chicken breast, teriyaki sauce, American-style cheese, veggies and crispy onions. The Club Master includes turkey breast, streaky bacon, poached eggs, Monterey Jack cheddar, salad and mayo. The Garlic Cheese Steak is packed with Philly steak, garlic oil, garlic & herb sauce and two cheeses. The Plant Picante features a spiced plant patty complemented by crispy onions, Sweet Onion and Garlic & Herb sauces, all topped with a choice of American-style cheese or Vegan CheeZe for a fully plant-based alternative. The sub is further dressed with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. The Stacked Bacon & Cheese SubMelt joins Subway's panini-style hot and toasted SubMelts. A new Mango Habanero sauce has been added to the menu to be added to any sub or wrap, it has also been added as standard to the Signature Series Big Bombay Sub. All these new menu options are available as either a Footlong or six-inch Sub, wrap, or salad, starting from January 10th in restaurants nationwide or online.

JDE Peet's has completed the acquisition of Brazilian coffee and tea company Maratá for an undisclosed amount. Maratá's coffee and tea business primarily operates in the northern region of Brazil, featuring its brands Café Maratá and Chá Maratá. The acquisition enhances JDE's current lineup of brands primarily sold in the southern regions of Brazil. It also boosts the company's size and national coverage in the country, which JDE describes as a market with "compelling prospects for both volume and value growth". Fabien Simon, CEO of JDE, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Maratá’s coffee and tea organisation to JDE Peet’s. Maratá’s portfolio and geographical presence are highly complementary to our existing franchise in Brazil. Together, we will serve more cups across a full range of price points and product offerings while expanding our regional presence in Brazil, one of the world’s largest coffee markets.” José Augusto Vieira, founder of JAV Group, added: “I am very proud of the strong and successful coffee and tea platform we have built, and I am very pleased that by joining JDE Peet’s, the world’s leading pure-play coffee & tea company, we have secured the long-term development and success of this great business".

Global Brands is unveiling an premium collection of bar-quality RTD cocktails under the brand name 'be.'. The forthcoming line of RTD cocktails will debut with five flavours: Passion Fruit Martini, Pina Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri – all of which are nitro-infused – alongside a pre-shaken Margarita and a sparkling Paloma catering to the current tequila-based cocktail trend. Global Brands has experience in the RTD market with cocktail brands like Shake Baby Shake and All Shook Up. Matthew Bulcroft, marketing director for Global Brands, said: “As the number one off-trade canned cocktail provider, we’re already expert at what we do, and we have the infrastructure in place to do it well and at scale. We’ve invested over a year developing be. cocktails and during that time we’ve been able to bring together all the best qualities a cocktail should have into one can, using industry insights that have influenced flavours, textures, price, design and ABV." He continued: “We truly believe these are the best liquids we’ve ever produced... They are one hundred per cent bar-quality cocktails. The range is aimed at females from 25-45 who are looking to enjoy a delicious, fresh-tasting cocktail from a can, whether they’re relaxing in the bath, having a laugh with friends or sitting on the train ahead of a big night out.” In the UK, the off-trade RTD category is valued at £529 million,with premium branded cocktail cans contributing significantly to this growth. be. canned cocktails feature an 8.4% ABV will be available at select UK retailers for an RRP of £3 per can.