Remedy Drinks, a ‘better-for-you’ beverage brand has introduced its new Berry Blast Energy and Tropical Twist Energy drinks. The drinks deliver an organic, and all-natural energy drink option, made with clean caffeine and 100% plant-powered ingredients. Made with raw green coffee bean extract and ginseng that delivers 110mg of natural caffeine in each 11.2oz can, the new sparkling energy beverages are also crafted with kombucha, which includes live cultures. Remedy Drinks' new 11.2oz Energy beverages each contain only five calories and 5g of carbs with zero sugar and no artificial ingredients. Both new energy beverages are made through Remedy Drinks' 30-day brewing process in small batches, which removes all sugar and is said to accentuate the flavour of each caffeinated drink. Tropical Twist Energy is made with fragrant notes of ripe mango and pineapple and Berry Blast Energy contains notes of ripe juicy berries. Erin Costa, vice president of marketing at Remedy Drinks, said: "As we continue to push forward as a disruptor in the functional, organic beverage category, we are thrilled to provide consumers with an Energy line made with clean, plant-powered energy. Berry Blast Energy and Tropical Twist Energy both sip so much like soda, it's hard to believe it has no sugar yet delivers natural energy, as well as all the gut-lovin' benefits of kombucha.” Remedy Drinks' Berry Blast Energy and Tropical Twist Energy are available for purchase on the Remedy Drinks website and on Amazon.

Danone-owned yogurt brand Activia has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Activa Fibre, a new range of functional yogurts. Activia Fibre helps to support gut health, with each pot containing “billions” of live cultures, as well as calcium and 10% of consumers’ recommended daily intake of fibre to support daily vitamin intake. The new Fibre range is available in three flavours: walnut and oats, apple and cereals, and muesli – a mixture of cereals, nuts and raisins. Zoë-Marie Ellis, head of nutrition and science communication at Danone  UK & Ireland, said: “UK guidelines recommend that we should be aiming to consume at least 30g of fibre a day, so the launch of our new Activia Fibre range comes at a crucial time in the industry following the paucity of fibre intake amongst UK adults”. She continued: “We know that both taste and nutritional benefits are paramount to consumers in today’s market, and the Activia Fibre range will not only satisfy tastebuds but also add to consumers’ daily fibre intake while maintaining the strong gut health credentials across our other ranges”. The new yogurt range will roll out into retailers over the coming weeks for an RRP of £2.75 per four-pack. You may also like to read: Danone launches Activia+ Multi-Benefit drinkable yogurt Danone to invest up to $65m in Florida facility Danone eyes exit from US organic dairy businesses

Sidel is launching a portfolio of services, the RePETable offer, to support the packaging industry in switching to recycled PET. The RePETable offer is designed to help the packaging industry make an efficient transition to rPET bottle production while offering support to improve the circularity of primary packaging. Sidel said the service solutions will enable customers to adopt up to 100% rPET without impacting bottle production. It can also offer support to the industry to develop innovative and more sustainable primary packaging materials that are designed for recycling. The RePETable offer is a range of services dedicated to rPET, designed to extend virgin PET benefits to rPET and achieve consistent production performance and bottle quality. Sidel packaging innovation experts are continuing to develop advanced knowledge about recycled PET resin and solutions for efficient bottle production by leveraging its unique small-scale recycling pilot line in France. Jérôme Neveu, packaging & moulds product manager at Sidel, said: “To reach the same level of performance as virgin PET, rPET bottle production process needs to be adapted to suit the resin used. Therefore, our RePETableTM offer is made of solutions to address the challenges associated with rPET bottle production securing bottle mechanical resistance with optimum material stretchability and bottle shaping.” Sidel offers rPET-ready features with packaging services and mould solutions, equipment upgrades and process support which achieve consistent, high production performance and bottle quality, even with up to 100% rPET. The services delivered through this pilot line ensure primary packaging recycling process efficiency, resin quality, and rPET bottle performance. With the RePETable offer, Sidel uses its expertise to create a virtuous closed-loop process for food-grade rPET bottles. Naima Boutroy, packaging expert global at Sidel, added: “While PET is already fully compliant with the circular economy compared to other plastic packaging materials, combining lightweight and recycled PET is the fastest way to reach carbon neutrality”.

Fraser and Neave Holdings (F&N) has entered into the upstream fresh milk business following the groundbreaking ceremony of the group’s integrated dairy farm in Gemas, Negri Sembilan. The company has invested at least MYR 1 billion (approx. $216.48m) for the development of phase one of the farm. According to Fraser and Neave, the completion of phase one of the project will position F&N as one of the leading milk producers in Malaysia, capable of supplying 100 million litres of fresh milk per year. Once complete, the farm – which will span over 2,726 hectares – will accommodate 20,000 milking cows, yielding an annual output of 200 million litres of fresh milk for both local and international markets. The proximity of the processing and packaging line to the milking parlour will ensure Malaysian consumers have access to affordable, high-quality fresh milk. Moreover, this initiative will drive the growth of the local agricultural sector, creating employment opportunities and fostering a skilled workforce in the dairy and agriculture industries. F&N’s CEO Lim Yew Hoe said: “Operationalising the integrated dairy farm will result in a vertical integration of F&N’s business and operations, reducing our reliance on imported milk for downstream production and distribution. This integration will also help lower the cost per litre of fresh milk, benefitting Malaysian consumers. We also aim to export the fresh milk, potentially making Malaysia a net exporter of fresh milk in the future.” Furthermore, F&N’s intention to incorporate feed crop farming in the facility aligns with the government's goal of increasing feed crop production to reduce the country's reliance on imported feed. Currently, Malaysia imports almost 100% of its animal feed from Brazil and Argentina. Yew Hoe stated that by decreasing the reliance on imported milk, the group will be able to lower its carbon footprint due to the reduced need for international transportation. The farm will also be designed around sustainable farming and circular economy practices, incorporating green technology throughout its processes. Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja, deputy CEO of Malaysian Investment Development Authority, commented: "F&N’s development of the integrated dairy farm represents a significant milestone for Malaysia’s self-sufficiency of fresh milk and dairy-based food supply. Apart from economic benefits, the comprehensive agri-food project aids Malaysia’s quest towards sustainable food supply and animal feed supply. The vast prospects of smart farming in dairy production, using technologies for best possible results in cattle care, feed mixing, circular management and diversified dairy products, will certainly revolutionise the agribusiness segment in Malaysia.” He continued: “In addition, Malaysia is the location for enterprises wishing to create a presence in the booming global halal market due to the country’s well-established food production ecosystem, skilled manpower and globally accepted halal certification system. Global players are welcome to diversify into innovative processes and advanced technology in the agriculture and food processing industries." "By leveraging Malaysia’s business ecosystem and our established local supply chain, it serves as an ideal destination for companies to establish regional production hubs while enabling the country to fortify its food production.”

Kerry has introduced Biobake EgR, an enzyme solution that decreases the number of eggs needed in a variety of baking applications. Biobake EgR has been developed for baked goods manufacturers to address the rising raw material costs of eggs. The new solution can enable European manufacturers to switch from caged to free-range or organic eggs without facing increased costs, Kerry said in a statement announcing the launch. The European Commission is due to propose legislation to phase out the use of cages in animal agriculture by 2027. According to statistics published in January 2023 by EuroStat, the price of eggs in the European Union was 30% higher on average in January 2023 than in 2022, amid a steady rise in prices since January 2021. This is recognised to be caused by supply-chain disruptions exacerbated by geopolitical instability, global widespread avian flu, drought and extreme weather conditions alongside general inflationary pressures. Commenting on the new product announcement, Kerry’s business development lead for Enzymes, Jonathan Doyle said: “Kerry’s Biobake EgR is a reliable and consistent egg-reduction performer that can enable the switch from caged to free-range or organic eggs in fine bakery recipes without increasing cost. It works by replacing up to 30% of the egg requirement while matching traditional baking performance measures such as specific volume.” Eggs have specific functional properties that contribute to finished product sensory attributes such as texture, softness, crumb structure and taste. They are also used for binding, aeration, emulsification and colour. Kerry said that reducing egg content in recipes is challenging because few natural ingredients deliver the “essential functional properties well enough to produce a high-quality finished product with optimal texture, volume and taste.” Doyle said that consumers are also looking for more ethical label claims in egg-based products including “cage-free”. He added: “Biobake EgR allows bakers to achieve that goal cost-effectively while mitigating volatile egg prices through the switch to a more consistent, lower-cost, natural alternative”.

Spanish snacks company Grupo Apex has announced its acquisition of Patatas Fritas Santo Reino, a manufacturer of crisps and nuts based in Jaén, Spain. The purchase sees Grupo Apex add its eighth factory in Spain and the first in Andalusia. Described by Grupo Apex as a “highly specialised” factory, it will allow Grupo Apex to increase its production capacity and to have its first work centre in the region. Patatas Fritas Santo Reino’s team is led by the Gutiérrez family and is dedicated to the manufacture and distribution of traditional crisps and other salty snacks, sold under its Santo Reino brand. In a statement, Grupo Apex said that the acquisition of the factory alongside a talented team and well-known brand will enable it to continue taking advantage of market opportunities and improve the group’s coverage throughout the national territory. It aims to improve service to customers and make it easier for fresher products to reach consumers. Santiago Sala, CEO of Grupo Apex commented: “Our goal continues to be to double all our figures every four years, leading the growth and value creation of the sector. We will remain attentive to the market to incorporate brands or businesses into the group that allow us to grow and that generate commercial, productive, logistical or business synergies.” Grupo Apex has continued to expand its snacks business with several other acquisitions in recent years, including vegetable chip manufacturer Viube Foods and nut and seed manufacturer Productos Emilio Arias Lizano.

Responsible packaging solution provider Amcor has announced the expansion of its AmFiber Performance Paper packaging range in Europe. The range now includes heat seal sachets for dry culinary and beverage applications, such as instant coffee, drink powders, spices, seasonings and dried soups. AmFiber Performance Paper is a high barrier, recyclable paper-based packaging that was initially introduced in 2022 for snacks and confectionery and offers high-barrier protection against oxygen and moisture. Additionally, Amcor has announced that it has invested in manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demand for this kind of paper packaging. The company has integrated a new production line in its Amcor Flexibles Alzira plant in Valencia, Spain, in support of Amcor's global businesses. The production line is equipped to provide both cold- and heat-seal AmFiber packaging, delivering airtight seals that “guarantee the proper product protection through the supply chain and along the full shelf life”. The advanced equipment at the Alzira plant – along with the team's experience in barrier technology, printing and sealing processes – make it one of Amcor's ‘Centres of Excellence’ for flexible paper-based packaging. Ilya Syshchikov, VP of global product management AmFiber at Amcor, said: "AmFiber Performance Paper offers brands the best of both worlds. From a technical point of view, it delivers high barrier and excellent machinability. From an environmental point of view, it's PVDC-free, available in FSC-certified paper and recyclable in most European countries.” He added: "We have many exciting projects in our R&D pipeline for paper, and this expansion into culinary and beverage packaging is another important milestone toward developing recyclable paper packaging for all the segments we serve”. You may also like to read: Amcor, Delterra, Mars and P&G form strategic partnership Amcor to acquire protein packaging manufacturer Moda Systems Amcor partners with Tyson to deliver sustainable packaging

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a new effort to strengthen the substantiation of animal-raising claims on meat and poultry product labelling. The announcement follows numerous complaints received by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) asking for a re-evaluation of how animal-raising claims are substantiated. One claim stakeholders have called into question is the accuracy of “negative” antibiotics claims such as “raised without antibiotics” or “no antibiotics ever”. Claims such as “grass-fed” and “free-range” must be approved by FSIS before they can be included on the labels of meat and poultry products sold to consumers. FSIS’ guidelines on animal-raising claims were last updated in 2019, which detailed information needed to accompany claims like “raised without antibiotics” and “raised without hormones.” FSIS, in partnership with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, will be conducting a sampling project to assess antibiotic residues in cattle for the “raised without antibiotics” market. The department said the results will help inform whether FSIS should require that laboratory testing results be submitted for the “raised without antibiotics” claim or start a new verification sampling program. US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said: “Consumers should be able to trust that the label claims they see on products bearing the USDA mark of inspection are truthful and accurate”. He added: “USDA is taking action today to ensure the integrity of animal-raising claims and level the playing field for producers who are truthfully using these claims, which we know consumers value and rely on to guide their meat and poultry purchasing decisions”. FSIS will also issue a revised industry guideline to advise companies to strengthen the documentation they submit to the agency to substantiate animal-raising claims. The agency plans to encourage the use of third-party certification to verify these claims.

Kerry has opened a new 50,000-square-metre manufacturing facility in Karawang, in the Indonesian province of West Java. The site, which is Kerry's largest greenfield investment in Southeast Asia, is said to "significantly expand" the company's taste offering in the region through the delivery of localised products to its fast-growing markets. The facility will consist of a manufacturing site, an R&D pilot plant and a sampling hub. According to Kerry, its wide range of process technologies will enable the creation of authentic taste experiences, drawing inspiration from popular local and traditional cuisines. With a focus on beverage, snacks and bakery, the plant will provide support to the company's food and beverage customers across all food categories. Kerry stated that all utility equipment at the facility has been designed to the latest energy efficiency standards. Edmond Scanlon, Kerry Group CEO, commented: "The opening of our state-of-the-art facility will not only expand our reach into the flourishing Southeast Asian taste market but also revolutionise the way sustainable nutrition is embraced in the region. By collaborating with leading food and beverage manufacturers, we will harness our global technologies to create products that resonate with Asian consumers' specific taste preferences." John Cahalane, president & CEO of Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, said: “As the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is in a unique position to support the regional market. Our cutting-edge Karawang facility will spearhead creation of the next generation of sustainable food and nutrition in Asia, with a focus on taste, functionality, health and wellness." He continued: "With our sustainability initiatives, we aim to minimise the environmental impact of our activities, while fostering positive social impact through local employment and community engagement. The opening of the Karawang facility is a significant step forward in realising our vision of creating a world of sustainable nutrition. Innovating with our customers, we will create delicious products with improved nutrition and functionality, while ensuring a better impact for the planet. Working together, we can usher in a new era of sustainable nutrition.”

Packaging company Zeus Group has announced the acquisition of James Hamilton Group, a Northern Irish print and packaging business. James Hamilton Group provides packaging, label production, office supplies and personal protective equipment solutions across multiple sectors including retail, food and beverage production, logistics and distribution. It has a team of over 120 employees and annual sales of €18 million. The acquisition forms the next part of Zeus Group’s 2023 growth strategy, which the company expects will see group revenues surpass €500 million. In March, the company announced plans to open a 70,000-square-foot logistics facility in Watergrasshill, Cork. By joining forces with James Hamilton Group, Zeus said it will expand its current offering in the food and retail packaging sector, leveraging “the combined purchasing power” and “unlocking operational efficiencies” across the companies’ combined operations in Northern Ireland. The acquisition expands Zeus’ product portfolio and service capabilities while bringing local manufacturing expertise in printed packaging. Keith Ockenden, CEO of Zeus Group said: “We are tremendously excited about the prospects of this acquisition of one of Northern Ireland’s oldest packaging businesses”. He added: “By harnessing the synergies between Zeus and James Hamilton Group across the island of Ireland, we can offer a more comprehensive range of solutions and manufacturing capabilities. Our commitment is to deliver exceptional value to our customers while driving innovation and sustainable practices.” James Hamilton Group’s managing director Keith Hamilton commented: “We have enjoyed watching our business expand and evolve during its 100 year history, we are delighted to have finalised an agreement with Brian and his team. It was important that we found a partner who shared the same ‘family’ values as ourselves, a business who will further invest, look after our staff and importantly, bring a more enhanced offering to our loyal customers.”

Global snack giant Mondelēz International has announced it will be scaling down operations in Russia, with aims to make its business in the country self-sufficient by the year-end. The announcement follows a growing corporate boycott in the Nordic region, with various companies announcing plans to stop selling Mondelēz products due to the company’s continued presence in Russia following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Mondelēz’s snack portfolio includes Oreo, Toblerone and Cadbury among others. The company has a strong presence in the Nordic region, with local chocolate brands including Marabou and Freia. Earlier in the week, a spokesperson for Mondelēz International told FoodBev that the company was aware of the situation in the Nordics and the decision by some companies to take action against its brands. “We realise that this is a sensitive issue and fully respect the opinions of those around us. However, we are disappointed that our brands are being singled above others for different treatment,” the spokesperson commented. “We have been clear that our brands in question are produced locally across Norway and Sweden and that no products sold in the Nordics are manufactured in Russia. We also do not export any products produced in the Nordics to Russia.” The spokesperson added that Mondelēz has only maintained “limited operations” in Russia, discontinuing new capital investments and advertising, and has “always condemned this brutal war while helping to maintain the continuity of the supply chain with our products.” Now, in a public statement released yesterday (15 June 2023), the company said it is continuing to reduce its activities and expects further volume and sales decline as it works to make Russia operations self-sufficient. “If we suspended our full operations, we would risk turning over our full operations to another party who could use the full proceeds for their own interests,” Mondelēz wrote in its statement. “It would mean cutting off part of the food supply for many families who have no say in the war. It would also create great uncertainty for our 3,000 colleagues and more than 10,000 farmers who depend on us.” The company plans to have the Russia business stand-alone with a self-sufficient supply chain before the end of 2023.

Carnation Breakfast Essentials has introduced two nutritional drinks flavours, drawing inspiration from Girl Scout Cookies. The new additions include: Girl Scouts Thin Mints and Girl Scouts Coconut Caramel. The drinks are packed with 10g of protein and 21 vitamins and minerals to help meet daily nutritional needs. Suitable for children aged four years and above, as well as teenagers and adults, each 8oz bottle helps consumers to build strong bones by supplying 300mg of the daily value of calcium and 10mcg of the daily value of vitamin D. The drinks also support the growth of muscles with protein and provide key nutrients for immune support, such as 90g of the daily value of vitamin C. "We're excited to collaborate with Carnation Breakfast Essentials to bring to life iconic Girl Scout Cookie-inspired flavours in a nutritional beverage," said Wendy Lou, Girl Scouts of the USA chief revenue officer. "We worked closely with the Carnation Breakfast Essentials innovation team to bring these two beloved cookie flavours to families in a new way and look forward to seeing many families enjoy these new products." Carnation Breakfast Essentials Girl Scout Cookie nutritional drinks are available at Walmart, Meijer and Giant Eagle stores nationwide from this month.