Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits has entered into a joint venture with Two Sons Imports, owner of Cantera Negra Tequila. Under the deal, Deutsch Family is acquiring a partial ownership stake in Cantera Negra to become the brand's exclusive global sales and marketing partner. The Cantera Negra portfolio currently includes: Silver, with natural hints of citrus and earthy notes; Reposado, which is smoky with notes of butterscotch, oak and pepper; and Añejo, featuring cinnamon, smoke and vanilla. Extra Añejo, with notes of chocolate and coffee, and Café also feature in the range. “When we first acquired the Cantera Negra brand, we knew that we would one day need to partner with a much larger company for the brand to reach its full potential,” said Lance Gildner, chairman of Two Sons Imports. “We are thrilled with our partnership with Bill and Peter Deutsch. They are among the most professional and transparent partners we've met, and Deutsch Family is one of the fastest growing wine and spirits companies in the US.” Peter Deutsch, CEO of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, said: “We are extremely excited to be adding Cantera Negra to our portfolio. Our partnership with Two Sons is the culmination of a four-year search for the right tequila brand and the right partners.”

Fonterra and Nestlé have announced a new partnership aimed at reducing New Zealand’s on-farm emissions. The partnership hopes to achieve a “New Zealand first” – a commercially viable net zero carbon emissions dairy farm. The five-year project will be run with co-partner Dairy Trust Taranaki and will examine all aspects of the 290-hectare farm’s operations to reduce carbon. The initiative aims to cut emissions by 30% by mid-2027, with a view to reaching net zero carbon emissions in ten years. Dairy Trust Taranaki will work with industry partners to reduce total emissions on the farm, including methane. The economically viable and practical solutions will be shared through open days with farmers, who can then adopt the techniques and technologies on their own farms. Fonterra CEO, Miles Hurrell, said: “Part of our strategy is to lead in sustainability and we aspire to be net zero by 2050. We know we will make bigger gains, for both the coop and country, by partnering with others. Working with partners such as Nestlé is our best opportunity to create innovative solutions to local and global industry challenges. “As well as our own goals, it’s important we help our customers achieve theirs. Nestlé has ambitious plans and we look forward to working together to discover systems that could help our farmer-owners to continue to build on the already good base they have.” CEO of Nestlé New Zealand, Jennifer Chappell, commented: “To reduce our Scope 3 emissions, it’s critical we work with dairy farmers and their communities. Working towards a net zero farm means looking at all aspects of the farm, from cow nutrition to sequestering carbon. We will share what we learn on the journey across the dairy industry, with the goal of ultimately mainstreaming on-farm practices that will reduce the climate impact of the dairy industry.” The partnership also includes the launch of a greenhouse gas farmer support pilot programme. This multi-year project will see participating Fonterra-supplying farms get additional support to implement changes aimed at reducing their on-farm emissions. The opt-in pilot will start with around 50 farms and be scaled up over the next three years.

Kellogg’s has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a twist on its popular Krave cereal and the introduction of Froot Loops Snax. Krave cereal is now available in a Double Chocolate Brownie Batter variety, with a creamy chocolate filling and crunchy shell. The cereal giant has also launched its jumbo Froot Loops with marshmallow pieces in a snack-sized bag. Laura Newman, senior director of brand marketing at Kellogg Company, said: "At Kellogg, we're always looking for ways to innovate by developing new flavours that our dedicated cereal and snack fans desire. Whether parents or kids find themselves in the mood for something sweet and chocolatey or crave something fruity and crunchy, are the perfect treat the whole family can enjoy together around the table or for an on-the-go snack." The items are available in retailers across the US. Kellogg's Krave Double Chocolate Brownie Batter Cereal will be available for an RRP of $4.29 for a 10.5-ounce box. Kellogg's Froot Loops with Marshmallows Jumbo Snax will be available for an RRP of $5.29 per 12-pouch pack.

Confectionery brand Perfetti Van Melle has launched new Mentos Sour Gum, available to purchase in two flavours: Sour Apple and Strawberry. Kim McMahon, brand manager of Mentos Gum, said: “Research shows that tangy sour flavours hold more appeal for younger demographics than traditional mint flavours. Delicious tangy Mentos Sour Gum will introduce younger consumers to the Mentos Gum brand and improve category consideration for the rest of the range.” She continued: “We’ve given a lot of thought to the taste experience during development - the crunchy outer shell gives way to the satisfying texture of the liquid fruit centre, combining to give this this delicious sugar free gum its unique sour taste.” Mentos Sour Gum is available in selected UK retailers at a RRP of £1.

Saucy Rebellion has debuted a new range of hot sauces under its namesake brand. The lineup includes three sauces: candied jalapeño – which is also available in a jar format – original mambo sauce, and thick and spicy mambo sauce. "We're just excited for people around the country to finally try this stuff," said Saucy Rebellion's founder Keith Mundy. "I can promise you this – there is nothing like our sauces out there. Just give it a try, and you'll fall in love with the sweet heat." Saucy Rebellion is available at gourmet speciality stores and directly through the brand's website for a retail price starting at $7.99 for 12oz sauce.

The European Commission has proposed new EU-wide rules aimed at tackling plastic and other packaging waste. Measures range from the banning of certain forms of packaging to the introduction of mandatory deposit return systems. The proposals include the requirement that EU members reduce packaging waste per capita by 15% by 2040, compared with 2018 levels. According to the Commission, Europeans on average generate almost 180kg of packaging waste per year. Without the proposed revision of the EU legislation on Packaging and Packaging Waste, annual greenhouse gas emissions from packaging are expected to reach 66 million tonnes by 2030. If the measures are introduced, this figure would be 43 million tonnes, according to the Commission. The proposals, which will need approval from the European Parliament and member states, include measures aimed at making all packaging on the EU market recyclable “in an economically viable way” by 2030. There will also be mandatory rates of recycled content for new plastic containers. Items deemed to be “clearly unnecessary” – such as single-use packaging for food and beverages consumed inside restaurants and cafés and the miniature shampoo bottles found in hotels – face being banned outright. EU members will also be required to have deposit return systems in place for plastic bottles and aluminium cans. The new rules include an emphasis on reuse. For example, cafés and restaurants offering takeaway drinks and meals would have to serve a certain percentage of their products in reusable or refillable packaging.

PepsiCo has opened its first UK oat testing lab, in partnership with the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), to help Quaker Oats growers to produce high-quality oats while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and maximising yield. The new laboratory is located at plant science research organisation NIAB in Cambridge. According to PepsiCo, expert crop researchers will use the grain quality testing facilities at the site "to test and analyse thousands of oat samples from regenerative agricultural trials for milling and nutritional requirements". The data collected from the lab will be used in PepsiCo research initiatives, including the company's Opti-Oat Crop Intelligence programme, which offers information and insights on how to grow "the perfect oat". Peter Bright, senior scientist at PepsiCo UK, said: “Growers are facing pressure on several fronts, with issues like extreme weather and rising costs of materials like fertiliser, making it more difficult for them to grow their crops. With the new testing facility, we want to support growers by giving them useful data and insights that can help optimise their yield and produce the best quality Quaker Oats while protecting the planet by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions." He continued: "With over 100,000 metric tonnes of oats going through our mill in Scotland every year, it's really important that we support our growers to meet growing consumer demand for Quaker Oats in a sustainable way”. The move forms part of the business's global strategy, PepsiCo Positive. It will help the food and beverage giant to spread regenerative farming practices across 7 million acres by 2030. Helen Appleyard, head of analytical services at NIAB, added: “Setting up this facility with PepsiCo has been fantastic and we have benefitted from each other’s knowledge and experience in the industry. PepsiCo’s investment has improved our shared spaces and equipment, generated new ideas for ways of working and staff training opportunities, including better knowledge of the oat crop from field to bowl.”

US gluten-free popcorn producer, Popcornopolis, has teamed up with Takis to launch a new spicy popcorn offering. Popcornopolis Takis Fuego features non-GMO popcorn season with a combination of hot chilli pepper and lime, and it is popped in coconut oil. The new offering will be available on Popcornopolis' website, as well as on shelves at Walmart, Sam’s Club, 7-11, Target, HEB and Meier for a retail price of between $4.98 - $5.99, depending on location. Last year, Grupo Bimbo’s US snack division Barcel USA acquired Popcornopolis from private equity firm NexPhase Capital for an undisclosed sum.

Crumbs Brewing has launched its latest beer, the Naan Laager, a ‘curry house’ lager brewed using “wonky” and unsold plain naan bread. Crumbs co-founder, Morgan Arnell, commented: “We’ve been exploring the idea of a light refreshing lager for some time. All our beers are very distinct from one another, and it was the obvious gap in our range. That kind of beer is always perfect with spicy food like a curry, so it made a lot of sense to explore using naan bread in the brew.” Arnell continued: “The key for us came in the humble Nigella seed, a key ingredient of most naan breads. That fresh, slightly aromatic taste worked brilliantly with a light lager recipe. Giving the beer a deliciously refreshing, almost floral finish.” The Naan Laager will be available to pre-order online, initially in 330ml bottles.

Dairy cooperative Fonterra has confirmed that its new flexible shareholding capital structure is set to be implemented in late March 2023. The structure is intended to make it easier for new farmers to join the cooperative and for existing farmers to remain, by granting greater flexibility in the level of investment required. The implementation timeline is subject to the board being satisfied that “the relevant preparations are completed before then”. Fonterra chairman, Peter McBride, said: “Our cooperative is already making good progress towards our 2030 strategic goals and we believe moving to our flexible shareholding structure will help ensure that we stay on track”. According to McBride, the new structure will support Fonterra’s strategy by protecting farmer ownership and control, helping to maintain a sustainable milk supply and supporting a stable balance sheet. In December 2021, the cooperative’s farmers voted on the proposal to move to flexible shareholding, with over 85% of the votes cast being in support of the move. Since then, the cooperative has been working with the government of New Zealand to get related changes made to the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act – the legislation that enabled the formation of Fonterra in 2001. Speaking of the passing of the relevant legislation in parliament, McBride commented: “This milestone gives us the confidence to put in place the transition to our flexible shareholding structure. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Minister O’Connor and the government for passing the legislation through under urgency and giving the coop’s shareholders this much-needed certainty.” The implementation timeline was based on a number of considerations. The March date avoids Fonterra’s share trading black-out period associated with the coop’s interim results. It also provides shareholders with time to understand the information from Fonterra regarding the structure and seek financial advice. To help support liquidity, Fonterra is aiming for new market making arrangements to become effective before the structure is implemented. The coop intends to confirm the final implementation date at the same time as its interim results are announced, currently scheduled for 16 March 2023.

Mondelēz International-owned Cadbury Creme Eggs has introduced the brand’s “first-ever” product innovation, Cadbury White Creme Egg. The launch comes after Cadbury began its annual 'Hunt the White Creme Egg' campaign in 2017, which saw a small number of white Creme Eggs distributed across UK retailers. If a consumer found the rare white egg, they could win one of many cash prizes with the maximum prize of £10,000. Now, with the white Creme Egg available for all to purchase, the brand has launched its latest campaign, 'How Do You Not Eat Yours', which sees cash prizes being given to consumers who find a half milk chocolate, half white chocolate Cadbury Creme Egg. Cadbury is also launching Cadbury Dairy Milk Orange Filled bags. This new product blends Cadbury’s classic dairy milk chocolate with real orange oil to create individually wrapped mini chocolate eggs with an orange centre. The new products will be available in select retailers nationwide.

Britannia Industries and French cheesemaker Bel have entered into a joint venture to bring nutritious and accessible cheese products to Indian consumers. Under the agreement, Bel will acquire a 49% stake in Britannia’s wholly owned subsidiary, Britannia Dairy, after which the entity will be renamed Britannia Bel Foods. Production will take place at the joint venture’s new facility in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra, which is backward-integrated to collect milk from local farmers in the region. The cheese products will be co-branded using the trademarks ‘Brittania’ and ‘The Laughing Cow’. Abhishek Sinha, chief business officer, dairy business at Britannia, has been appointed as CEO of the joint venture. Varun Berry, executive vice-chairman and managing director, Britannia Industries, said: “Britannia’s partnership with Bel Group will enable consumers to enjoy international quality cheese products that will now be made in India. This JV will help the milk farmers of Maharashtra gain consistent and greater market access through our yield-optimised milk collection initiative, which has grown significantly over the last three years.” Cécile Béliot, Bel Group’s CEO, added: “This strategic partnership with Britannia in India is a new step for Bel Group’s development in Asia, in line with our mission to deliver healthier and more responsible food for all. Thanks to this joint venture, we will accelerate in India, after four years of presence in ‘start-up mode’ which had enabled us to confirm the relevance and the potential of our product offers.” She added: “We are proud to partner with Britannia. They have an emblematic brand in India and a powerful distribution system. By combining their expertise with our iconic brand The Laughing Cow, and our know-how and knowledge of cheese products, this joint venture is well positioned to offer to all Indian consumers delicious, nutritious and accessible cheese products, and become a leader in the fast-growing Indian cheese market.” Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.