Seviroli Foods has this week announced its acquisition of Mama Rosie’s to expand its portfolio, scale up the business and diversify its customer base. Both companies are US-based manufacturers of frozen pasta products. Seviroli Foods, based in New York, said the combined resources and capabilities of both companies will provide a significant opportunity for the platform to scale organically and accelerate growth while ensuring high levels of product quality, safety and innovation. Nick Sardo, CEO and owner of Mama Rosie’s, will continue with the go-forward company in a senior advisor capacity. Seviroli confirmed that both teams will work together directly to ensure a seamless transition that minimizes any potential disruption to customers, employees and other stakeholders. Paul Vertullo, president and CEO of Seviroli said: “Nick and his management team have achieved excellent growth at Mama Rosie’s while staying true to the company’s core focus of manufacturing high-quality pasta and maintaining outstanding customer service. Our combination with Mama Rosie’s is exciting and allows us to reinforce our commitment to delivering superior products and services to our customers and exciting ideas for this category.” Seviroli manufactures products for the foodservice, club and retail channels offering a range that includes ravioli, tortellini, manicotti and other products. It operates out of three manufacturing facilities in the New York Metro area and imports specialty products under its Vertullo brand, importing over 150 items from 19 countries including pasta, rice, sauces, oils and truffles. Aileen Wang, VP of Seviroli’s parent company Mill Point Capital LLC said that the business will be well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of its customers and consumers, offering them “an exceptional culinary and purchasing experience” across the expanded portfolio.

Beyond Better Foods-owned brand Enlightened has launched a line of frozen Greek yogurt pints. The range is available in seven flavours: Kookie Dough, Salted Caramel Cookie, Mint Chip, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Brownies & Cookie Dough and Coffee Toffee. Enlightened said that with the addition of Greek yogurt, "this product upgrade includes the creamiest texture, incredible taste and added nutritional value". Enlightened Greek Yogurt pints boast a protein content of 8-10g per serving, while featuring reduced sugar (no erythritol) and prebiotics and probiotics for added health benefits.

Döhler Group has announced its acquisition of SVZ, a producer of premium purees, concentrates and ingredients derived from sustainably sourced vegetables and red berries. The purchase aims to strengthen Döhler's position in the global market and expand its portfolio of technology-driven natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions. More specifically, the move strengthens Döhler's portfolio of natural red fruit and vegetable ingredients, as well as its global market presence, particularly in the US and Japan. SVZ has production sites in the US, Spain, Poland and Belgium, and has already established a strong presence in the food, beverage and life science and nutrition industries. With the acquisition, customers will have access to a broader range of ingredients and raw materials. The acquisition of SVZ's portfolio will also enable the company to offer a variety of low-calorie, high-fibre and nutrient-dense fruit and vegetables, meeting consumer demands for health and wellness.

Wild Planet Foods, a pioneer of sustainably caught seafood, has introduced five new seafood items to Whole Foods Market shelves in the US. Skipjack Solid Light Wild Tuna in Pure Olive Oil is a 100% sustainably pole & line caught premium tuna, hand-cut and hand-packed with a touch of sea salt and pure olive oil. It is naturally low in mercury with a silky-smooth texture. Also joining the range is Wild Smoked Pink Salmon in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, sourced in the Northeast Pacific by small-scale fishermen. The salmon is wood fire smoked using alder wood. Wild Smoked Mackerel Fillets in Extra Virgin Olive Oil is sourced in the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific by small-scale fishermen, and features smoked, hand-cut and hand-packed fillets with olive oil and sea salt. The Wild Pink Salmon, 3-Pack is harvested in the Pacific Ocean, working with small-scale fishing families in Alaska and British Columbia. The salmon is skinless, boneless and can be used in a salad or seafood pasta. Meanwhile, the Wild Tuna Quinoa Salad ready-to-eat meal combine100% pole & line caught skipjack tuna with organic quinoa, sweetcorn, zucchini and peas, all packed into a perfect lunchtime-ready portion size. Bill Carvalho, president and founder of Wild Planet Foods, said: “We’re pleased to introduce new Wild Planet products to Whole Foods shoppers nationwide who are making more of a conscious effort to shop with sustainability in mind. Since the company’s inception, it has been our goal to spread awareness about the importance of knowing where your seafood comes from and the nutritional value canned seafood can provide, all while making it more accessible to consumers. This launch builds further on our realization of this goal, and we are excited to offer new, high-quality options that Whole Foods customers are going to enjoy.”

Switzerland – Europe's most innovative country for 12 consecutive years, according to the European Innovation Scoreboard – is shaping the future of the food industry through its innovative approaches. Thomas Bohn, CEO of the Greater Geneva Bern area, and Christina Senn-Jakobsen, managing director of Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley (SFNV), explain why the country is such a hotbed for food tech innovation. With a population of 8.5 million multilingual and innovation-curious consumers with high expectations for quality, Switzerland offers an ideal test market for businesses seeking to introduce new food and beverage products into Europe. The country's commitment to driving food tech innovation is evident through its utilisation of world-class research institutes, technological know-how, highly qualified workforce, evolving consumer mindsets and collaboration with key players. One notable initiative is the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley (SFNV). Established in 2020 as a purpose-driven, not-for-profit association, SFNV fosters collaboration among various partners in the Swiss ecosystem. It strengthens Switzerland's contribution to developing future-proof food systems. Since its inception, SFNV has expanded to include over 130 partners — from global corporations, retailers and governments to leading universities, innovation facilitators, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups. Fostering collaboration Switzerland occupies a unique position to shape the precision nutrition agenda, benefiting from its association with global nutrition players such as Nestlé, Givaudan, DSM-Firmenich and ADM. The country's vibrant start-up ecosystem and leading universities contribute to its influence in this field. For instance, the Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) and the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne are renowned for their food science and technology research. Switzerland's cantonal universities and educational networks also possess expertise in nutrition, culinary arts and hospitality management, attracting talent, fueling research endeavours and nurturing entrepreneurship. Switzerland's research centres and technology parks have created an excellent environment for innovation. Nestlé's global R+D Accelerator network, along with several other resources, such as the Integrative Food Science and Nutrition Center (CNU) at EPFL, PhytoArk, Agropôle and AgriCo, provide start-ups with tailored equipment, flexible spaces and comprehensive support. This environment is conducive to growth and experimentation for companies with ambitious ideas. The R+D Accelerator is a unique platform for start-ups, students and Nestlé intrapreneurs to quickly bring highly differentiated innovations to the market. The CNU acts as a bridge between researchers and industry, facilitating interdisciplinary projects along the food value chain, while PhytoArk assists companies in industrialising products made from natural ingredients. Agropôle and AgriCo also provide start-ups with flexible spaces, tailored equipment and comprehensive support. A recent highlight of Switzerland's commitment to food industry innovation was the prestigious FoodHack Summit hosted by the nation. This exclusive gathering brought together some of the brightest minds from around the world in the global food tech industry. The summit served as a platform to address the pressing challenges faced by the global food system and explore promising solutions. It showcased Switzerland's dedication to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among industry experts, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers. By convening brilliant minds, Switzerland further solidified its position as a leading force in driving positive change within the food industry. The place to be Western Switzerland, in particular, presents significant advantages for food and beverage companies, with its excellent transportation infrastructure and central location between Germany, France and Italy. The region is already home to significant international companies and boasts a thriving startup scene, with over 160 food tech start-ups and scaleup companies actively developing innovative food products and technologies. The country's ongoing commitment to driving positive change in the global food ecosystem ensures its position at the forefront of food tech advancement. Its innovative approaches and collaborative efforts will continue to shape the future of the food industry on a global scale. Start-ups/SMEs, larger F&B companies and worldwide talent are invited to engage with the vibrant food system movements in Switzerland.

Global snacking company Pladis has updated the recipe of its Jacob’s Crinklys crisps to now contain 30% less fat. Pladis says the reformulated crisps – made with a non-HFSS recipe – will bring the oven baked range “to more shoppers”. Jacob’s Crinklys non-HFSS will be available in existing flavour combinations of cheese and onion and salt and vinegar. The newly formulated crisps will replace the original, with the revised recipe now containing 30% less fat while aiming to deliver the same taste. Asli Akman, marketing director Pladis UK&I, said: “It was about time we took the range’s popularity one step further by bringing Jacob’s Crinklys to supermarket shelves with a new, healthier recipe. We’ve also made them especially easy for shoppers to spot with unmissable ‘30% Less Fat’ flashes across our redesigned non-HFSS multipacks, along with ‘Oven-Baked’ flashes on the entire range." The crisps are available to purchase now in retailers across the UK.

On the nights of 18 and 19 July, Russia launched attacks on Ukraine port infrastructure involved in the Black Sea Grain initiative, officials announced. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine said that 60,000 tonnes of grain were destroyed in the port of Chornomorsk, which was due to be loaded on a large-tonnage ship and sent through the grain corridor 60 days ago. The UN-brokered deal that facilitated the export of more than 30 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain to global markets via three Black Sea ports expired on Monday, 17 July. Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi said: "The grain infrastructure of international and Ukrainian traders and carriers, such as Kernel, Viterra, suffered the most. This is a terrorist act not against Ukraine, but against the entire world. The world's food security is once again in danger. The humanity is being held hostage by a terrorist country that is blackmailing the world with famine.” He added that the price of grain will rise, resulting in a considerable price hike for food such as flour, cereals and meat will rise considerably. The Russian Defence Ministry warned that ships heading to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports could be considered “potential carriers of military cargo,” as of 20 July. In a statement, it said: “Accordingly, the countries of such vessels will be considered to be involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kiev regime. In addition, a number of sea areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea have been declared temporarily dangerous for navigation.” Ukraine’s Air Force said that Russia had fired 19 cruise missiles and 19 kamikaze drones in strikes targeting Odesa and Mykolaiv. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said the decision by the Russian Federation would “strike a blow to people in need everywhere”. Kumar Amit, senior specialist at The Smart Cube, a global provider of sector-specific research and analytics solutions, explained the impact on global food inflation following Russia's withdrawal from the deal: “The suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in isolation may not destabilise global food inflation in the short term, as Ukrainian grain shipments declined significantly from March to June, down 48.6% during this period. Ship inspection rates also experienced a substantial decline during the period.” Amit added that termination of the grain deal, combined with concerns related to possible drought in Europe and the onset of the El Niño weather phenomenon in the second half of 2023, “may lead to a supply shortfall, putting upward pressure on prices”. He continued: “Other key challenges are that a drop in exports may lead to increased stockpiles in Ukraine and could force farmers to reduce sowing in the 2023-24 season. Russia might increase the export tax on wheat to finance its military campaign in Ukraine and, finally, shortage of fertilisers may intensify as Russia, together with Belarus, is one of the world's largest sources of mineral fertilisers. Both countries account for approximately 14% of the world's fertiliser production and exports.” You may also like to read: Black Sea grain deal extended for two months South Ukraine’s agricultural operations hit by Kakhovka dam destruction Russia resumes participation in Ukraine Black Sea grain deal

Arla has teamed up with energy firms Engie and Infinis to build two new solar parks under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), which will provide approximately 20% of the energy required to operate Arla's entire UK facility from renewable sources. The new solar parks will be operational at facilities in Boston, Lincolnshire, and Offham, Kent, in 2024. Arla said that together, the sites are set to generate around 23,000 MWh of energy and create savings of approximately 4,439 tonnes of CO2 a year. Both solar parks are being built on sites formerly utilised as landfill as part of an initiative aimed at generating more clean energy and making a positive impact on the environment. Fran Ball, VP of production at Arla, said: “At Arla, we’re committed to working with our farmer-owners to provide natural, nutritious dairy, that is made in the best possible way, and are proud to be committing to two new solar parks to help power our UK operations. We are on a journey to climate net zero by 2050, which means that we are taking steps to reduce CO2e emissions on our farms, as well as focussing on other areas, including our production and logistics operations. She added that the company will be switching to 100% renewable electricity across production sites by the end of 2025. In addition, 100% recyclable packaging will be used across Arla's branded products by the end of 2025. James Milne, chief commercial officer at Infinis, commented: “Partnerships like this help to protect higher grade agricultural land from development – supporting both food security and energy security – and we hope will pave the way for many more such projects". Arla has also recently completed the installation of roof-mounted solar panels on its Oswestry site. During peak power, these solar panels can generate 800KW, enabling the site to produce 12% of its annual electricity consumption and eliminate 137,920kg of carbon emissions.

Campbell-owned Snyder's of Hanover has announced the launch of a new spicy pretzel variety in the US: Nashville Hot. Nashville Hot pretzel pieces are seasoned with chilli pepper and a "tangy touch" of pickle flavour. The new flavour is inspired by the taste of Nashville hot chicken. Nick Hammitt, VP of salty snacks marketing at Campbell Snacks, said: "Nashville Hot is one of the greatest flavour combinations to ever happen to fried chicken, and our team at Snyder's of Hanover made it the best thing to ever happen to pretzels". Snyder's of Hanover's Nashville Hot pretzel pieces are currently available at retailers nationwide, including Target, Walmart and Kroger for an SRP of $4.79 per 11.25oz bag.

AG Barr’s energy and sports-focused beverage brand Boost has accused Britvic of passing off its trademark with Robinsons’ newly launched functional squash range. Boost filed an intellectual property claim on Friday, 14 July, which is thought to relate to Robinsons' ‘Boost’ squash variant. Robinsons’ launched the trio of wellness-focused premium squashes in May this year, each fortified with different vitamins and named Immunity, Vitality and Boost. The ‘Boost’ variant is raspberry, strawberry and acai-flavoured and is packed with vitamin B6 to energise consumers. The Britvic-owned brand also sells a ‘Boost’ version of its Benefits Drops, a line of concentrated on-the-go vitamin-enhanced squash drops launched in April last year. Boost Drinks’ claims to own the trademark for the word ‘boost’ under, covering non-alcoholic beverage categories, including squashes, hydration drinks and other dilutable beverages. An AG Barr spokesperson told FoodBev: "We are incredibly proud and protective of our brands and as such will always seek to protect the integrity of the Intellectual Property associated with all our brands". According to the UK Intellectual Property Office, Boost Drinks first applied to register a trademark for the term ‘boost’ in July 2001, and most recently in June this year, shortly after the launch of the Robinsons Boost product. AG Barr acquired Boost Drinks in December last year for £20 million.

UK premium tonic and mixer brand, Double Dutch, has announced the launch of its new elderflower tonic water. The offering joins the brand's existing line-up of 13 tonics and mixers. Double Dutch's elderflower tonic water features a "uniquely" fragrant, fresh and fruity finish, accompanied by a hint of orchard sweetness in its aroma. Double Dutch said that its range of tonics and mixers can enhance the flavours of any spirit, while also providing a refreshing experience when enjoyed on their own as a soft drink. All of the brand's flavours are crafted through the process of molecular gastronomy. Raissa de Haas, co-founder of Double Dutch, commented: “We have been observing a market demand for a lighter, more floral tonic. There is increasing interest in natural and botanical-based products, with more health-conscious consumers seeking beverages made with real, high-quality ingredients." In 2020, Heineken acquired a minority stake in Double Dutch.

CitraPac, under its Nature's Premium brand, has launched Fruit Pearls - a healthy snack that aims to attract consumers to the frozen aisle. Fruit Pearls are made using CitraPac's patented, proprietary next-generation cryogenic citrus technology, which the company says makes it "easier to meet the necessary conditions for retail and distribution". In a statement, CitraPac said: "Many flash frozen products require -40°F freezer temperatures to maintain product shape and consistency, however, CitraPac’s cryogenic citrus technology requires less energy, making commercial and home use possible with standard freezers. Fruit Pearls can be kept at -5°F, an ideal temperature, as the FDA recommends keeping freezers set to a temperature between 0 and -10°F." The USDA Smart Snack-approved product offers a healthy, on-the-go fruit serving, with an extended shelf life compared to fresh produce. Fruit Pearls come in five low-fat, gluten-free variants, including three fruit and yogurt and two fruit-only options for non-dairy consumers. The flavours include: Orange & Cream, Strawberries & Cream, Lemon & Cream, Wildberry and Strawberry & Banana. Hal Woodyard, SVP of sales and business development for CitraPac, said: “We are delighted that major retailers are responding so positively to our brand. CitraPac is fully committed and positioned to grow snacking in the frozen fruit category beyond traditional smoothies and bags of fruit with products that are healthy and good for taste buds of all ages.” Fruit Pearls will be available in the US in Walmart, Publix and Meijer stores from August, with over 20,000 retail and online stores receiving access to Fruit Pearls distribution. Each variety is available in 9.2oz boxes, containing 2.3oz cups.