Nestlé has announced it will pilot a product made with Perfect Day’s whey protein, as it explores emerging technologies in the animal-free dairy category. The product, which will be introduced in the US later this year, was developed by Nestlé R&D teams in Switzerland. It features animal-free protein – produced through precision fermentation – that is molecularly identical to the whey protein found in cow's milk. The company plans to pilot the novel offering through its newly established US R+D Accelerator, bringing it to market later in 2022 as a test-and-learn. The accelerator was created with the aim of bringing highly differentiated product concepts to the market in only six months. Heike Steiling, head of Nestlé's Development Center for dairy products, said: “As the world's largest food and beverage company, delivering foods and beverages that are good for people and the planet is a priority”. “We are exploring emerging technologies that can lead to animal-friendly alternatives that are nutritious and sustainable, without compromising on taste, flavour and texture. “Bringing together our unmatched R&D expertise, innovation capabilities and scale, we are working to develop and test novel animal-free dairy protein-based products to complement our wide-ranging portfolio of plant-based alternatives.” Joanna Yarbrough, head of the R+D Accelerator, added: “We are excited to pilot Nestlé's first animal-free dairy protein-based products through our US R+D Accelerator”. “While this category is still very young, we know consumers are looking for products that have a reduced environmental footprint, and we are evaluating this avenue as a future growth opportunity for our business.” Alongside exploring technologies for the development of animal-free dairy protein products, Nestlé says that it also continues to investigate and invest in solutions to make conventional dairy more climate friendly, as well as launch plant-based alternatives.

American Foods Group (AFG) is opening an $800 million beef processing facility in Warren County, Missouri. The 775,000-square-foot facility is expected to generate $1 billion in annual economic impact in the state, and will create more than 1,300 new jobs in the region. Governor Mike Parson said: "As a third-generation farmer and cattleman myself, I am proud to welcome AFG to Missouri. This is a major development that will benefit Missouri's agricultural producers and consumers for years to come. With $94 billion contributed to our economy annually, we appreciate that agriculture is our number one industry. He continued: "AFG's investment in Missouri further signals to the nation and world what we've known all along, that Missouri is the best place for companies to grow and expand. We couldn't be more excited for AFG's expansion in Missouri." Steve Etcher of the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council said: "Warren County has a strong heritage in agriculture, and today we get to celebrate the opportunity to build on that heritage with American Foods Group. I am impressed with the Rosen family and company leadership and how they embrace their employees as family, invest in their communities, and strive to be a valued corporate partner. He added: "This is exactly the type of company the EDC envisioned when they launched their mission ten years ago to attract new businesses to Warren County that will provide good paying jobs for the residents of our community". AFG is a family-owned business that employs more than 4,500 people across the US. The company says it plans to process 2,4000 cattle per day at its newest facility. The facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024.

This afternoon, the winners and finalists in the 20th World Beverage Innovation Awards were announced during Drinktec 2022 in Munich Germany. The judging panel considered over 150 entries from 17 countries across 22 categories. This year’s awards celebrated some of the most ambitious and innovative new products of 2022 in the Beverage sector, FoodBev Media marketing manager Dan Bunt took to the stage live at Drinktec to announce the winners. A moment to acknowledge this year’s awards: “As the first year taking part in these awards in my new role at Foodbev, I found the hardest part of these awards was announcing the incredible entrants that weren’t selected as winners. The competition was very tough, as it is every year and the winners should be immensely proud of their win. Drinktec has been successful this year, celebrating the best new and innovative businesses within the beverage industry. I look forward to seeing the continued success from all of this year's entrants!” Best sparkling drink ALDI Inc. – ALDI exclusive Mimosa WINNER   ikaffe partner co ltd – chillme De La Calle – Tapache PepsiCo Design & Innovation – Bubly bounce Best premium/adult drink AB InBev – Corona Tropical WINNER   Hunt and Brew – finally give Aussie coffee lovers an Australian grown bean! P.O.S.C.A. GmbH – Posca Romana PepsiCo Design & Innovation – Soulboost Brand Launch Best plant-based drink WINNER   ikaffe partner co ltd – chillme (apple & ruby black tea vinegar sparkling water) KINO BIOTECH PTE LTD – KINOHIMITSU WELLSURE Best packaging/label design AB InBev Corona Crates – Maritime Industry Plastic and ‘Riptide’ Finish WINNER   Denomination – Wise Wolf by Banrock Station Graphic Packaging International – Dogfish Head Brewery Scratch’n’Sniff Hoppy Variety Pack PepsiCo Design & Innovation – Pepsi New Year 2022 LTO Verve Coffee Roasters – Verve Whole Bean Coffee Best new brand/business WINNER   CAMPO società cooperativa agricola – Canù (the first organic gluten-free and GMO-free pasta straw) CUPEX – reusable and reclosable lid De La Calle – Tapache Evangelion – Radio EVA Best metal design WINNER   Ardagh Metal Packaging – H!GHEND Crown Packaging – Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc Best marketing campaign WINNER   PepsiCo Design & Innovation – PepsiTaste Challenge LTO 2021 PepsiCo Design & Innovation -Muhammad Ali x Gx Kit Collaboration Best manufacturing/processing innovation AB InBev – nFinity Flexible Packer Ardagh Metal Packaging – H!GHEND WINNER   CUPEX – Reusable and Reclosable Lid Tasogare Coffee – Americano RTD Best low/no alcohol drink WINNER   AB InBev – Corona Cero Alcohol Free POURA premium ginger essence – thenew culture of drinking (GoodiegetterUG) P.O.S.C.A. GmbH – Posca Romana Privatkellerei Schäfer GmbH – ApéroVino Juicy River – Bolle Oro Best infusion/botanical drink Angel 8 Drinks – Jelly Infusions WINNER   BPI – Dilmah Single Origin Handpicked Ceylon Ice Tea Best health/wellness drink Bounce Back Labs Ltd – Bounce Back Clutch Nutrition ApS – Clutch Mindset WINNER   JoyBräu Functional Beer – Vitamin Beer Ölgerðin Egill Skallagrímsson hf. – COLLAB Forestberries Best glass design Ardagh Glass Packaging – Gordon’s Gin WINNER   Ardagh Glass Packaging – AbsolutVoices Ardagh Glass Packaging – Belvoir Farm Botanical Sodas PepsiCo Design & Innovation – Mirinda Vintage Special Edition Best functional drink Bounce Back Labs Ltd – Bounce Back Renew Wellness Sdn Bhd – Dozoff Haelu Drinks – HAELU JoyBräu Functional Beer – Protein Beer Grapefruit WINNER   Ölgerðin Egill Skallagrímsson hf. – COLLAB Forest berries Best environment-friendly packaging WINNER   AB InBev Corona – 20 Returnable Bottle Crates Boxed Water Is Better® – Boxed Water™ CUPEX – Reusable and Reclosable Lid Graphic Packaging International – Molson Coors Three Fold Seltzer PakTech – Secondary Packaging Best dairy drink WINNER   I am Nutri – Quinoa Wellness Beverage (PROBIOTIC) PepsiCo Design & Innovation – OpolieInner Mongolia Yili Industrial GroupCo.,Ltd. – Changyi 100% Zero-Sugar Lactobacillus drink Best CSR/sustainability initiative AB InBev – SORBA AI Utilities Consumption Reduction WINNER   Boxed Water Is Better® – Boxed Water™ CAMPO società cooperativa agricola – Canù (the first organic gluten-free and GMO-free pasta straw) Best boxed drink design AB InBev – Chanel Extra-premium Secondary Packaging WINNER   PepsiCo Design & Innovation – NeonZebra Brand Launch Best beverage ingredient African Originals CidersDe La Calle – Tapache WINNER   LANXESS – Nagardo Tasogare Coffee – Americano RTD Best beverage concept African Originals Ciders WINNER   Buzzed Energy – Buzzed Energy De La Calle – Tapache Haelu Drinks – HAELU PepsiCo Design & Innovation – NitroPepsi Best alcohol drink ALDI – exclusive Zarita Margarita DrinkWell – Lean Brew IPA Pals – Pals PepsiCo Design & Innovation – Soulboost Brand Launch WINNER   Tios Drinks – Hard Tea Best technology innovation WINNER   AB InBev – Segue AI Line Balance Optimization Diversey Food & Beverage – IntelliCIP Best dispense concept WINNER   Re-Cap Solutions About The World Beverage Innovation Awards The World Beverage Innovation Awards are a celebration of innovation and excellence across every category of the global beverage industry. These awards are a fantastic way to enhance the promotion of your brand and to ensure it gains global recognition. Being successfully shortlisted provides a hallmark of success that will prevail long after the awards ceremony and can highlight the contribution your company’s products and team are making to the beverage industry.  For more information about our selection of awards programs, please visit our Awards homepage  or email awards@foodbev.com .

Marks & Spencer has announced it is now only selling slower-reared fresh chicken across its UK stores, becoming the first national retailer to do so. In line with the Better Chicken Commitment, the retailer has moved to a Hubbard breed which will also benefit from higher welfare standards. These include a multigrain diet, designed to support slower natural growth and muscle development, while also ensuring the best flavour for consumers. Birds will also have 20% more space alongside an enhanced environment, with more pecking aids and perches to encourage natural behaviours. M&S says that the move builds on its already “market-leading” animal welfare standards. Mike Baker, CEO of RSPCA Assured, said: “M&S’s move to offer 100% slower-reared, RSPCA Assured fresh chicken is the biggest positive change to chicken farming in a generation. The positive impact this will have on M&S’s chickens is enormous, allowing these alert and curious birds more comfort and freedom to enjoy their natural behaviours.”

Online grocer Misfits Market has announced plans to acquire competitor Imperfect Foods, bringing together two companies that save food from going to waste. Both platforms are driven by accessibility and sustainability, and are united by a shared vision for a less wasteful and more affordable grocery experience. The acquisition should provide the companies with the necessary scale to take on larger online grocery players. Together, the two businesses will accelerate growth beyond what they could each do on their own, benefitting from many synergies. “We have a tremendous opportunity to advance the shared mission of both brands, which is nothing less than a fundamental re-imagining of both the grocery category and the broken US food system,” said Abhi Ramesh, CEO and founder of Misfits Market. “The strengths of the Imperfect Foods organisation, from its in-house delivery fleet and robust private label programme to its sustainability commitments and innovation, add immediate scale and depth to what we’re building at Misfits Market.” The brands will continue separate operations in the short term. Ramesh will serve as CEO of the combined company, with executives from Imperfect Foods joining the Misfits Market leadership team. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Cadman Capital Group has purchased Alder Ridge Vineyard, a producer of traditional method English sparkling wine for more than nine years. Located in Berkshire, UK, the vineyard increases Cadman’s land under vine ownership to over 130 acres, positioning the group as one of the leading land owners in the sector. Robin Langton, managing director of Cadman’s beverages portfolio, said: “We are delighted to welcome Alder Ridge to the group. With its award-winning reputation and successful wine tourism business, it represents a great addition to our business as we look to strengthen our portfolio with high-performing businesses.” The acquisition also secures distribution of Cadman’s existing beverage brands across the Cobbs Farm Shops estate, the former owner of Alder Ridge. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Pernod Ricard-owned Olmeca Altos raises the at-home bar with new ready-to-drink Altos Margarita Classic Lime. With good taste and quality margaritas in mind, the mix uses only premium ingredients - made with Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila, natural lime flavour, triple sec, and agave syrup. Olmeca Altos bring high-quality and fuss-free margaritas to the comfort of your own home, simply unscrew the 750mL glass bottle, pour over ice, and sip!

KFC has partnered with PepsiCo Foods Canada to create a new flavour of potato chip for the Ruffles brand. The new Ruffles KFC Original Recipe Chicken-flavoured potato chips are available for a limited time. The collaboration has seen the companies add the flavour of KFC's herb and spice mix to Ruffles' ridged chips. “KFC's secret recipe is one of the best kept secrets out there, but we couldn't turn down the opportunity to make the ultimate 'Finger Lickin' Good' chip with such a powerhouse brand,” said Katherine Bond-Debicki, CMO, KFC Canada. Lisa Allie, senior marketing director, PepsiCo, added: “Ruffles and KFC have a lot in common – we both have a legacy of innovative products that pack a big, satisfying crunch and mouth-watering taste. Ruffles KFC Original Recipe Chicken chips give Canadians a unique and adventurous flavour and crunch experience.” The limited-edition potato chips are available from major retailers across Canada.

Sensor manufacturer, SICK, has launched a next-generation distance sensor, OD2000, which combines high-precision reliability with outstanding economy to deliver an ‘all-rounder’ for food and beverage processing and packaging applications. SICK says that its OD2000 was developed to provide “a universal product family with minimal variants while making configuration and parameterisation plug and play”. With a measuring range of up to 1,200mm and a measuring frequency of up to 7.5 kHz, the sensor has an IO-Link as standard and will offer a solution for positioning and quality control tasks in automated food processing and packaging machinery, including robotics. David Hannaby, SICK’s UK product manager for presence detection, said: “With the OD2000, SICK has introduced a brand new displacement measurement family that can be relied on by production teams to assure precision performance and consistent process quality, whatever the application”. He continued: “The universal concept will help to minimise inventories and ensure efficient ordering and delivery. The OD2000 is mounted in an instant and set-up is completed in next to no time. Machine builders will particularly welcome the OD2000’s integration flexibility and communications versatility.”

Baker & Baker has expanded its Portuguese footprint with the acquisition of Peipen, a Portuguese producer of authentic pastel de nata. Pastel de nata is a traditional Portuguese pastry tart, filled with egg and custard. The acquisition will allow the company to increase capacity for pastel de nata production and expand its sweet bakery capabilities through new, additional lines. The deal will give Baker & Baker access to Peipen's 5,000-square-metre manufacturing facility in Peniche, entering into a rental agreement with the real estate owners. The company will also own two other sites located in Santo Tirso and Sāo Joāo da Talha. John Lindsay, European CEO at Baker & Baker, said: “We’re thrilled to have concluded the acquisition of Peipen. It’s a strong business that has supported us as a supplier for many years.” He continued: “The facility complements our existing portfolio by adding an attractive, core bakery line and supports our move towards developing our speciality laminated business in our growing Iberian market and quickly adds much-needed capacity. We’re confident that Baker & Baker Peniche can deliver further growth for our business, through additional Pastel de Nata listings and the introduction of additional speciality bakery lines.”

Diageo has launched a limited-edition s'mores-flavoured Irish cream liqueur under its Baileys brand. Baileys S'mores is made with a blend of the brand's original Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, toasted marshmallows and sweet graham crackers with a rich chocolate finish. "As s'mores are more popular than ever, we're thrilled to introduce Baileys S'mores to help consumers (21+) enjoy the nostalgic treat while providing new and unique ways to indulge," said Stacey Cunningham, director of Baileys and Liqueurs at Diageo North America. Baileys S'mores is available nationwide for a limited time for an SRP of $24.99 per 750ml bottle.

The Green Coffee Company has launched a $100 million Series C funding round as it looks to expand its coffee production. The company is targeting $25m in equity financing and $75m in debt funding. Founded in 2017, The Green Coffee Company is a Columbian coffee producer with 27 farms travelling across 6,652 acres and around 7.7 million coffee trees. The coffee farm group said that the funds raised will be used “to drive forward a new way of doing business that transforms the manner in which coffee is produced, processed, and monetised in Colombia”. The capital is also expected to further expand the business' Colombian operations. Founder of the Green Coffee Company, Cole Shephard, said: “This funding round will push us further towards our goal of becoming the world's largest arabica-coffee producer. Through the buildout of our roasting facility and the monetisation of coffee byproducts, we will be able to fully vertically-integrate additional lines of business from roasted coffee to business-to-consumer alcohol products.” He continued: “We already have the most sophisticated coffee processing facilities in Colombia, and, we believe, globally. We intend on continuing to be leaders of innovation in the coffee industry in Colombia and throughout the world.”