Fonterra has announced the launch of a new B2B wellbeing brand, called Nutiani, as it aims to become a leader in the nutrition science space. Targeting both the medical and everyday nutrition, Fonterra described the growth potential for Nutiani is "significant". The dairy giant says that the global markets for physical, mental and inner wellbeing nutrition are (combined) worth $66 billion, while medical nutrition is valued at $50 billion. Nutiani is said to offer end-to-end solutions to customers through a wide range of nutritional products, concepts and services that tap into Fonterra's intellectual property and research investments. Fonterra’s chief innovation and brand officer, Komal Mistry-Mehta, said: “Our health and wellbeing customers are facing growing pressure to accelerate their innovation pipeline to respond to these dynamic consumer demands, yet they face common challenges during new product development and are looking for partners to fill their capability gaps”. She continued: “Nutiani answers this need by providing a suite of solutions which help customers tackle the pain points associated with each step of the innovation journey – from identifying the opportunity to validating the final product. We will use Fonterra’s existing expertise in nutrition science to develop targeted solutions, while opening up opportunities for strategic partnerships to deliver access to new markets and consumers”.

Low-sugar treat brand Enlightened launches limited edition autumnal ice cream and will donate 100% of profits made to Diversity Dietetics. Launching today, Enlightened’s limited-edition seasonal ice cream collection includes two flavours, Bake the World a Better Place and Pumpkin Cheesecake, which contain up to 85% less sugar than traditional ice cream. Bake the World a Better Place, a reimagined take on one of the season’s most popular holiday treats, is a pecan pie-flavoured ice cream with crispy pecans, chunks of flaky pie crust pieces and a honey-flavoured swirl. The brand will donate 100% of profits from Bake the World a Better Place to Diversify Dietetics, a nonprofit organisation seeking to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the field of nutrition by empowering nutrition leaders of colour. “As a company that believes in better health for all, we recognise that reaching every community and culture requires representation. Our donation will help Diversify Dietetics fund future registered dietitians’ education programs to further their mission of increasing diversity in the dietetic industry”, said Englightened CEO Michael Shoretz. Enlightened’s Pumpkin Cheesecake, a light pumpkin ice cream with creamy chunks of cheesecake, is just 120 calories per serving and contains 75% less sugar than full-sugar versions. Bake the World a Better Place and Pumpkin Cheesecake are now available for purchase at select retailers in the US.

There is now a new way to enjoy Nestlé's Munchies with the launch of the brand’s first-ever sharing bar. A mouth-watering combination of gooey caramel and crispy biscuit encased in a milk chocolate shell, Munchies Caramel and Biscuit Sharing Bar makes a great treat to break apart and savour with family and friends. “Munchies is one of the most popular sharing bags we sell here at Nestlé Confectionery. That’s why we are especially excited to introduce our latest innovation – a brand new sharing bar”, said Munchies brand manager Amy Kendall. The 87g bar is available now from a variety of supermarkets, convenience, and value stores across the UK.

Brown-Forman has reached an agreement to acquire Gin Mare brands from Vantguard and MG Destilerías. Upon completion, Brown-Forman will add Gin Mare and Gin Mare Capri to its spirits portfolio. Gin Mare is an ultra-premium Spanish gin with a recipe inspired by Mediterranean ingredients such as Arbequina olives, thyme, rosemary and basil. Gin Mare Capri is made with Italian bergamot and lemons, alongside Gin Mare's four main botanicals. The brand was founded in 2010 by the Giró Family of MG Destilerías and Alfonso Morodo and Antonio Pardo of Vantguard. Today, Gin Mare is sold in 70 countries. Lawson Whiting, president and CEO of Brown-Forman, said: “Gin Mare and Gin Mare Capri are unique gin brands with impressive sales growth and strong distribution in important European markets. They are excellent complements to Brown-Forman’s super-premium portfolio. We believe this exciting acquisition enhances our capacity to deliver meaningful global growth for the long term.” Manu Giró, CEO, and Marc Giró, master distiller, at MG Destilerías, added: “Brown-Forman is the perfect partner to bring Gin Mare to more consumers and bartenders around the world while keeping the brand’s commitment to producing a unique, high-quality, Mediterranean gin”. Brown-Forman will continue to produce Gin Mare at MG Destilerías in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain. The transaction is expected to be completed within 60 business days.

Danone has ended production of its Bonafont water brand in Brazil, including activities at its facility in Jacutinga, Minas Gerais. According to a statement, the change is part of Danone's new business strategy. The company says it has decided to focus its local business on other growing major categories. A spokesperson for Danone told FoodBev: “We reviewed our portfolio in Brazil and, as a result of this analysis, decided to focus our business on the largest, most profitable, and growing categories. Therefore, as of 3 September, we will stop the water production of Bonafont water in Brazil”. With a focus on its main portfolios, such as dairy and plant-based products and specialised nutrition, Danone says that it will be able to allocate more resources to continuous innovation and meet consumer demands. Danone has asked consumers to verify the manufacturing date of its Bonafont water products – no later than 3 September – to ensure that they are consuming the original water brand. The company has tried to minimise the impact on employees by allocating them to other areas, as well as ensuring adequate termination conditions, including a special package above legal requirements, a requalification programme and a specialised professional relocation service. Bonafont will not be replenished once it leaves the shelves; however, the brand will continue to supply its water to other countries, such as Mexico. Danone said: “The decision to discontinue the water category in Brazil does not affect other markets where Bonafont is present, nor the Danone’s water category worldwide. Waters is an important category that is at the heart of our mission. Water is the healthiest drink, and we bring healthy hydration to people in the most sustainable way.”

Allinson's new four-pack of rolls only require five minutes in the oven to give them a crispy crust and soft warm inside. The rolls, which can be baked from frozen, come in two flavour varieties, wholegrain blend Champion Wholemeal & Rye, and Scandalous Seeds Wholemeal which is comprised of five different seeds and grains. These flavour varieties mirror those available in the brand’s core range of batch-baked sliced bread and feature quality ingredients to deliver on consumer demand for flavour and texture. Anna Millichamp, marketing manager at Allinson’s, said: “Allinson’s Heat & Eat rolls offer consumers seeking pure food enjoyment the unmatched experience of tasting bakery straight from the oven. And all in less time than it would take to boil an egg. No mess, no fuss, a shortcut to an easy, enjoyable meal at any time. “This delicious warm from the oven experience is rooted in simple nutrition, meeting a desire for quality and convenience in tough times, and setting the stage for further growth in premium breads”, she added. The rolls launch in Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose stores nationwide this September.

Xampla has partnered with Britvic to develop vitamin microcapsules that enable beverage brands to micropackage vitamins without the risk of degradation during transit and storage. The natural technology contains a microscopic droplet of vitamin oil wrapped in a plant-based material to guard the vitamin – such as vitamin D – from ultra-violet light, pH imbalance and pasteurisation. According to Xampla, the vitamin microcapsules "increase the volume of effective vitamins without affecting the taste of the product". The technology can also be used to package any oil-based vitamin or flavouring, including vitamin A, D, E or K. Simon Hombersley, CEO of Xampla, said: “Xampla’s microcapsules offer an opportunity for big beverage brands to get the vitamins people need directly to them inside everyday products”. He continued: “The trend for benefit-led products has been steadily growing over the last ten years. Young people and parents are particularly concerned with the health and wellbeing properties of their products, particularly in the post-Covid context and as we approach the colder months”. “Our vitamin microcapsule provides a much needed, simple solution for brands to micropackage vitamin D safely in clear bottles, and the potential to micropackage a whole range of other nutrients in future. We are working with multi-nationals to bring this product to supermarket shelves.”

UK free-from snacking brand, Eat Real, has added a new flavour to its Hummus Chips range: Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar. The brand aims to accelerate its growth in the industry through its bold flavours and 'better-for-you' credentials. The Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar flavour is vegan, in addition to being free from gluten, artificial colours, flavours and ingredients, and is said to contain 30% less fat than regular potato chips. Eat Real's marketing director, Helen Pomphrey, said: "Eat Real has become pioneers in better-for-you thanks to its unusual ingredients layered with bold, unexpected flavours inspired by the combinations you find in your own cooking". "Balancing the moreish taste of sea salt with the sweetness of balsamic vinegar, the Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar offers a new Eat Real snacking choice that provides maximum snacking satisfaction." The launch coincides with Eat Real’s revamp of its Hummus Chips range, in which now five of the Hummus Chips flavours are HFSS compliant due to an over 50% reduction of their salt content. The new flavour will be available nationwide at stockists, including Sainsbury’s from September and other retailers, such as Tesco, from October 2022.

Glanbia Ireland has announced that it will now be known as Tirlán – a new identity the company says reflects the characteristics that define the organisation. Combining the Irish words ‘Tír’ (meaning land) and ‘Lán’ (full), Tirlán stands for ‘land of abundance’. The new identity represents the “connection and relationship between the co-op, its people and the land they nurture together to farm and sustain”. From its base in southeast Ireland, Tirlán sources high-quality dairy and grains from a network of over 6,000 farm families. As a co-operative, Tirlán is 100% farmer-owned, with 11 processing facilities, 52 agri branches and over 2,100 employees. Sales revenue this year is forecast to exceed €3 billion. Tirlán's director of ingredients, Aoife Murphy, commented: “The world is constantly evolving, and we have really seen that over the last few years. To meet the future, with all the challenges and opportunities it brings we have had to constantly evolve too. We have harnessed all that is great about Glanbia Ireland to bring it with us into our future as Tirlán.” She continued: “Our heritage, our people and our ever-growing expertise provide us with everything we need to meet the challenges of tomorrow and support our many valued partners and customers into the future”. Tirlán will plan a phased transition to its new identity – on packaging, facilities, website and communications – in the coming months.

Pernod Ricard subsidiary Irish Distillers plans to build a €250 million distillery in Midleton, Ireland, in order to meet growing demand. The new distillery, which will be located on a 55-acre site and connected to the existing Midleton Distillery, is set to produce a number of Irish whiskeys, including Jameson, Powers, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, the Spot family and Method and Madness. The site will be carbon neutral and distil pot still and grain whiskey with grain intake, brewing, fermentation and distillation facilities incorporated into the new area. Irish Distillers says that the company is expected to increase Midleton Distillery's requirement for barely and malted barley by up to 50%. Nodjame Fouad, chairman and CEO at Irish Distillers, said: “The new distillery will be a beautiful, landmark development with sustainability at its core and will serve to further demonstrate our commitment to Midleton and East Cork, generating more jobs for the region and further driving recognition of Midleton Distillery as the beating heart of Irish whiskey”. Tommy Keane, operations director at Irish Distillers, said: “Whiskey has been distilled in Midleton for almost 200 years and as such, it has always been our desire to secure the future of distilling in East Cork. Today, we are delighted to announce plans for a new distillery connected to the famed Midleton Distillery.” He continued: “We are incredibly proud of Midleton’s well-earned reputation as the home of some of the world’s most loved Irish whiskeys, and today’s announcement – along with the ongoing €13 million redevelopment of our visitor experience – will cement Midleton’s reputation as a world-renowned whisk(e)y destination. Through the delivery of this distillery, we also plan to play our part in supporting Ireland’s decarbonising strategy while also aligning with Pernod Ricard’s commitment to follow a Net Zero trajectory by 2050.” Construction is expected to commence in 2023, and once completed, the distillery will create up to 100 new jobs for the region, with plans for it to be operational in 2025.

Burlington Capital Partners (BCP), a food-focused investment firm, has announced the acquisition of Sokol & Company. Founded in 1895, Sokol produces both ingredients and retail-ready food products, including sauces, dressings, marinades, glazes, frostings, pastes and more. According to BCP, the acquisition will enable Sokol to pursue growth initiatives. BCP co-founder and partner, Michael Baldwin, said: "BCP is honoured to partner with such a longstanding and reputable company and is excited to invest in growth to leverage Sokol's excellent production capabilities". "Sokol's flexibility with materials, allergens, ingredients, pack sizes and order sizes positions it well to support emerging trends and innovation demanded in today's evolving market." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

US carbon-neutral food company, Neutral Foods, has raised $12 million in a Series A funding round led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Additional investors included Japanese venture capital firm Global Brain, Kirin Holdings Company, Norinchukin Bank and Collaborative Fund. Debuting nationally in 2021, Neutral Foods offers organic milk products that are now available in over 2,000 grocery stores across the country. The company works directly with dairy farmers to implement strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of its milk products. Neutral Foods aims to add more grocers to its distribution list throughout the year, and expects to double the number of stores where consumers can find its whole and 2% milk. The new funds will enable the company "to reach more people and accelerate carbon-neutral foods and technologies," explained Carmichael Roberts, business lead, investment committee at Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Anjani Bansal, investment group partner at Global Brain, added: “We are confident in this investment because of the team's deep expertise in reducing GHG emissions in food production and supply chain and building a large retail business. Neutral has strong traction with major national retail chains and has demonstrated exceptional execution capability.” Neutral Foods' carbon-neutral dairy products are available at Whole Foods Market, Sprouts and Target, as well as regional and independent stores across the US.