Tequila brand Neurita has announced the launch of a new range of fruit-infused tequilas in the UK. Neurita Tequila is available in two flavours: Neurita Citrus, which is infused with Sicilian orange and tangerine, and Neurita Rosa, infused with raspberry, strawberry and pomegranate. Lucy Smith, founder of Neurita Tequila, said: “I have always enjoyed making Margaritas at home but have never found a tequila brand that represented the category the way I saw it. Most tequila brands are very serious, traditional and stoic, and I wanted something uplifting yet credible to offer women a more elegant, accessible and relatable perspective on the spirit. Neurita is crafted for women to enjoy sophisticated yet fun Margarita moments.” According to the company, Neurita is also launching a Blanco tequila with 100% agave and natural citrus notes, which is planned to be released in 2023. Neurita Citrus and Rosa tequilas are available via Shopify, Amazon and Masters of Malt, shortly before expanding into Europe for an RRP of £32.00 per 70cl bottle. A spokesperson for Neurita told FoodBev that the brand will also roll out into supermarkets after.

Sheila G's Brownie Brittle has launched a new line of limited-edition seasonal treats ahead of winter time. The range is available in two flavours: Brownie Brittle Holiday Peppermint and Brownie Brittle Holiday Hot Chocolate Marshmallow. Ashley Dawkins, VP of marketing at Sheila G's Brownie Brittle, said: "We're always looking to create new and exciting Brownie Brittle varieties, especially around the holidays, so we wanted to give our customers a little something extra to celebrate the season this year. We can't wait for everyone to try our new fun and festive Brownie Brittle Peppermint and Brownie Brittle Hot Chocolate Marshmallow, flavours that encompass two classic holiday treats – candy canes and hot cocoa." These limited-edition flavours are currently available at retailers nationwide for an SRP of $3.99 per 4oz bag.

Kingsmill has expanded its bread portfolio by adding two new premium, craft-style bloomers. Kingsmill launched the two new loaves, The Great White Bloomer with Sourdough and the Malted Bloomer, as shoppers are increasingly looking for craft-style bread. The white sourdough bloomer is a twist on a traditional white bake, the recipe includes a hint of sourdough for extra flavour and is a source of fibre, unlike most other white loaves on the market. The malted bloomer gives a more malty flavour and is also a source of fibre. Emma Eggleton, head of marketing at Allied Bakeries, said: “Our new bloomer loaves are full of delicious flavour, from sourdough to malt, and the perfectly developed slice thickness will allow both parents and little ones to enjoy, offering consumers more choice and still delivering on our commitment to help the nation get more fibre in their diets.” The bloomers are sliced a few millimetres slimmer than other extra-thick bloomers on the market to make the bread more manageable for younger members of the family. The new products are available in Tesco and Asda stores across the UK.

Orkla Food Ingredients (OFI) has entered into an agreement to buy 84% of the shares in US ice cream ingredients business, Denali Ingredients. The transaction values Denali at $200 million. The company operates two manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin and employs 160 people. Denali produces ingredient solutions for the US ice cream industry. The company will be part of OFI's sweet ingredients business. Nils Selte, president and CEO of Orkla, said: “The acquisition of Denali Ingredients is a significant and natural step for OFI into the market for ingredient solutions for the US ice cream industry. The food ingredients sector is fragmented with significant potential for further consolidation and growth. Based on these opportunities we will now initiate a process to seek a long-term partner for OFI to accelerate growth and value creation.” Johan Clarin, Orkla EVP and CEO of OFI, added: “With this acquisition, OFI is strengthening its position as a leading ingredients supplier to the bakery, ice cream and confectionery industries. We have a stated strategy of increasing our exposure to markets and categories with higher growth and margins. Denali Ingredients, with its leading position in the attractive US market, fits well in this picture. With the addition of Denali Ingredients to our group, OFI will increase the size of its sweet ingredients area by 45%.” The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

Dairy cooperative Arla Foods has introduced a €500 million sustainability incentive scheme that will pay its farmers more for their milk if they reduce emissions on their farms. The scheme is designed to support and motivate actions required to hit the company’s 2030 emission reduction target. The new incentive system earmarks up to 3 euro cents per kilo of milk for sustainability linked rewards, in addition to the 1 euro cent for submitting Climate Check data. Based on the cooperative's current milk volume, this could amount to an annual total of €500 million. In the first full year, at least €270 million is expected to be distributed through the monthly milk price that is based on farmers' sustainability activities. Arla chairman, Jan Toft Nørgaard, said: “The sustainability incentive model is a historical milestone in Arla’s transition to more sustainable dairy. Going forward, the milk price Arla farmers will receive for their milk will not only depend on fat, protein and quality, it will also depend on their activities on sustainability.” Peder Tuborgh, CEO of Arla Foods, added: “The sustainability incentive will be an effective tool for driving further improvements. Arla has some of the most climate-efficient farmers in the world. However, they also recognise that they need to accelerate their efforts to be at the forefront of environmentally sustainable dairy.” From 2023, the system will allow farmers to collect points based on their activities in relation to 19 different levers, which include, for example, feed efficiency, fertiliser use, land use, protein efficiency and animal robustness. Activities with bigger improvement potential for climate and nature will lead to the most points and bigger financial incentives. Climate Check – a tool developed for farm owners to identify their carbon footprint and reduce their farm’s emissions – will be the foundation for calculating the individual farmer’s incentive under the voluntary scheme.

Food and beverage technology provider, JBT Corporation, has announced the launch of its FVPGrow and Chopper Blender SE technologies. The new technologies are specifically designed for juice and purée processing for consumers in need of smaller-sized, versatile machinery to implement across their production lines. The FVPGrow machinery separates seeds, skins and extraneous particulate material to produce a liquid or semi-liquid product out of various fruits and vegetables. It offers a continuous, juice extraction at up to one tonne per hour, depending on the raw product. No heat is added during extraction, suiting products for immediate bottling. JBT’s Chopper Blender SE reduces frozen products into a palpable condition for juice and purée production. The technology comes with a hot water jacket around the lower portion and bottom of its tank, supporting the product thawing process, and a heating jacket that lines the underside of the intake chute to help frozen product flow into the system. “Continuous improvement is at the forefront of everything we do at JBT, which led to the creation of FVPGrow and Chopper Blender SE for our fresh produce customers,” said Michael Mas, global product line director at JBT Corporation. Mas continued: “Both of these technologies serve unique and evolving needs across fruit and vegetable processing lines, and will enhance our customers’ outputs in today’s extremely competitive market”. “The sustainability features of these technologies, in addition to the continuous improvement of safety, hygiene and quality, are perfect examples of JBT’s ongoing investment in the innovation of our solutions to address our customer's needs,” said Carlos Fernandez, executive VP of JBT Corporation. Fernandez added: “Our team has once again delivered premier industry technologies, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with these industry leaders to reach and exceed their production goals.”

Brown-Forman has entered into an agreement to buy the Diplomático Rum brand and related assets from Destillers United Group. The transaction will see the Venezuelan rum range join Brown-Forman's extensive portfolio of brands. The deal also includes a production facility located in Panama. According to Brown-Forman, Destillers United Group will continue to produce and age Diplomático Rum at the brand's original distillery at the foot of the Andes Mountains. The rum is sold in over 100 countries, including France, Germany and the US. Lawson Whiting, president and CEO of Brown-Forman, said: "Diplomático Rum will join our expanding portfolio, giving Brown-Forman a market-leading entry into the fast-growing super-premium rum category. This aged rum brand has distinctive packaging, strong brand positioning and is a delicious-tasting spirit. As part of this acquisition, we will welcome more than 100 new employees to Brown-Forman." Current owner Destillers United Group added: "Diplomático Rum is ready to accelerate its growth with Brown-Forman, one of the world's most well-known spirits and wine companies. We share a similar familial culture and know the brand will continue building on our legacy. We look forward to working together to bring Diplomático Rum to consumers around the world." The transaction is expected to close within 90 days, subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Oppo Brothers has announced the release of its new ice cream mini tubs collection. Featured in the ‘Ultimate Caramel Collection’ is the Double Salted Caramel Swirl along with new flavour, Lotus biscoff-style Caramelised Biscuit Swirl. Each tub is 95 calories or less. Oppo Brothers is a B Corp-certified company and has planted planted 37,461 trees since October 2021 as part of ProjectTree60 – a sustainability initiative to reduce the company’s environmental impact and carbon emissions. The ice cream collection is available at selected supermarkets in the UK at a recommended retail price of £4.50 for four 100ml tubs.

PepsiCo-owned Quaker Oats has launched a new low-sugar range in time for winter, Simply No Added Sugar comes in two flavour variations. The Quaker Simply range is made with real fruit and naturally-derived sweetener and includes two different flavours, strawberry and apple. The new range joins Quaker’s non-HFSS Heavenly Oats range, launched earlier this year. Both products are available nationwide in UK supermarkets.

Yili Group-owned Westland Milk has announced the acquisition of fellow dairy business, Canary Foods. Based in New Zealand, Canary Foods is a butter and cheese supplier, catering to hospitality, foodservice and retail customers. The dairy business supplies to the New Zealand, Asian and Australian markets. Under the deal, Canary Foods will become a subsidiary of Westland Milk Products, retaining its own brands and third-party manufacturing agreements. Westland CEO, Richard Wyeth, said: “Canary is a fantastic fit for our business because it is so obviously based on a strong understanding of what our customers want and need. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability and quality in pursuit of consumer demands are values we very much admire and uphold.” Wyeth added that the deal “extends our long-term commitment to add value to Westland’s butter portfolio by playing a greater role in the expanding global consumer butter and spread market”. Canary Foods executive director and shareholder, James Gray, said the acquisition would give the Waikato-based dairy manufacturer more opportunities for expansion and to access global markets. “Canary grew off the back of taking outstanding New Zealand dairy products to the world by catering for the airline and hospitality industries,’’ Gray said. He added: “We used the Covid pandemic as an opportunity to reassess our strategy, and now, after record sales last year and with international travel and the hospitality sector set to take off, we are already in a strong position as these markets continue to bounce back’’. The Westland Milk cooperative has not revealed the price of the acquisition.

Asahi Beverages has announced the acquisition of Australia-based adult soft drinks brand, StrangeLove. Founded in 2013, StrangeLove produces a range of sparkling waters, low-calorie sodas and premium mixers. The company was first launched as the now former owners – James Bruce and Stafford Fox – wanted to develop a line of drinks “with a more sophisticated, adult flavour profile”. Asahi CEO, Robert Iervasi, said: “It is clear Australians want more sophisticated and lower-sugar soft drinks, which has fuelled demand for StrangeLove’s amazing products in recent years”. He continued: “We expect StrangeLove to really shake things up in the on-premise premium mixer and adult soft drink space with a high-quality, Australian-made brand. This deal will also strengthen our offer to retailers, which are dedicating more shelf space to premium non-alcohol beverages...We are absolutely thrilled to add StrangeLove to the Asahi Beverages family.” Iervasi added that Asahi Beverages is committed to expanding its offering in Oceania and continues to invest significantly in jobs, new products and manufacturing. StrangeLove co-founder, James Bruce, added: “It has been an incredible nine years on our own. However, this deal represents an amazing opportunity to speed up StrangeLove’s mission to revolutionise the adult soft drink market with more imaginative and high-quality beverages.” “With their FMCG expertise and long-standing customer relationships in retail, hospitality and beyond, Asahi Beverages will help grow StrangeLove in a way we couldn’t on our own...The StrangeLove management team and I will remain in our roles at the business, and we’re excited and committed to its long-term growth.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

European savoury ingredient producer Solina has agreed to purchase Smithfield Foods’ seasoning business, Saratoga Food Specialties, for $587.5 million. Seasoning and sauce supplier Saratoga operates in the US and has annual sales of $280 million, supplying food manufacturers and quick-service restaurants with custom dry seasoning blends and liquid solutions, including dressings and glazes. The acquisition will accelerate Solina’s North American expansion by adding liquid solutions to its existing dry seasoning capabilities, while doubling its number of facilities in the region. CEO of Solina, Anthony Francheterre, commented: "With Saratoga joining Solina, we will create a leading one-stop-shop for ingredient solutions in North America". The transaction is expected to close at the end of October 2022, and upon closing, Saratoga’s leadership team and its 500 employees will join Solina. "Solina has become a market leader in Europe by providing integrated solutions that address the diverse needs of each project, which complements the way we focus on our customers' needs. This acquisition is good for our business, our customers and our people," said Michael Marks, president of Saratoga. With the acquisition of Saratoga, Solina will have four sites in the US and two in Canada, mirroring its capabilities in dry and liquid solutions in Europe.