PepsiCo has entered into an agreement to purchase a 20% stake in Romanian spring water company, Aqua Carpatica. The agreement will see the beverage giant distribute Aqua Carpatica products in Romania and in Poland. There are also plans to expand the brand's distribution to new markets globally. Founded in 2010, Aqua Carpatica offers still spring water and naturally sparkling mineral waters. Its sparkling water is said to be nitrate- and sodium-free, and provides natural electrolytes. Silviu Popovici, CEO of PepsiCo Europe, said: "With its excellent taste and premium positioning, Aqua Carpatica is a perfect complement to PepsiCo's existing premium beverage portfolio. We are confident that Aqua Carpatica's strong brand equity will resonate with our customers and consumers globally." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Earlier this week, PepsiCo announced a $550 million investment in Celsius Holdings to become the long-term US distributor of the brand’s energy drinks.

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has announced the acquisition of two extended shelf-life (ESL) processing facilities from dairy manufacturer SmithFoods. The processing plants are located in Richmond, Indiana and Pacific, Missouri, and produce a variety of ESL dairy and non-dairy beverages, as well as ice cream and shake mixes, for both retail and foodservice customers. The facilities will become part of DFA's dairy brands division and will operate as Richmond Beverage Solutions and Pacific Dairy Solutions. According to DFA, there will be no disruption in plant operations, which will continue to be overseen day to day by the existing management team. Employees at the facilities will also retain their current positions. Pat Panko, executive vice president of DFA and president of DFA dairy brands North, said: "There is increasing consumer interest in extended shelf-life dairy products and this acquisition aligns with our strategy to increase commercial investments and expand our ownership in this space". Panko continued: "With the addition of these plants, we have an opportunity to not only grow our customer base, but also create synergies between our other extended shelf-life and aseptic facilities". The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Biotiful Dairy has announced the launch of its new Biotiful Gut Health kefir product ranges, aimed at immunity support for consumers. The new ranges include kefir drinks, yogurts, protein yogurts and plant-based oat drinks. Biotiful's Gut Health Kefir Drinks are available in original, vanilla and strawberry flavours in one-litre family sizes. Meanwhile, the brand's Kefir Yogurts are now available in British strawberry, Madagascan vanilla, morello cherry, Rubie raspberry variants. This line is alongside Biotiful's protein yogurt range – launched in Vanilla and Choco-lite variations – and both ranges are ideal for a healthy breakfast, snack or dessert for consumers of all ages. Lastly, Biotiful's Plant-Based Oat Kefir Drinks are the 'first-to-market' cultured oat-based drinks and are fermented with live vegan kefir cultures and added calcium and vitamins B12 and D. New flavours include vanilla, strawberry and original variants in 500ml sizes. The new ranges vary in price from £1.75 to £3.50 and will be available in chilled dairy aisles across major UK supermarkets and online retailers from September.

Ferrero Group-owned brand Keebler has partnered with Japanese video game company, Nintendo, to launch a new limited-edition flavour cookie. Mario Kart Fudge Stripes Rocky Road cookies feature Keebler's traditional Fudge Stripes with chocolate and almond-flavoured shortbread, topped with a marshmallow-flavoured fudge drizzle. "For decades, both Keebler and Nintendo have been at the centre of countless family memories. And, through the Mario Kart Fudge Stripes Rocky Road cookies, we are hoping to 'power up' the Elfin magic that happens when families come together," said Alicia Mosley, VP of marketing at Keebler. Mario Kart Fudge Stripes cookies are currently available at Walmart stores, with plans to roll out nationwide from mid-September for an SRP of $3.19 - $4.57 per 9.7oz pack.

Kellogg has expanded its Rice Krispies Squares American range with the launch of a limited-edition flavour – mint choc shake. The mint chocolate shake is topped with chocolate chunks and a drizzling of chocolate. The new flavour joins the brand's existing line-up, which includes: cookies & cream and salted caramel pretzel. Holly Moorhead, senior brand activation manager at Kellogg's, said: “Our American Style range of Rice Krispies Squares has gone down a treat, so we were keen to add some tasty new flavours. We think the addition of our limited-edition Mint Choc Shake flavour is something Rice Krispies fans will love.” The new bars are available to purchase at Sainsbury’s stores for an RRP of £1.99 per four-pack.

Japanese vertical farming start-up Spread has raised JPY 4 billion (approx. $30 million) in a Series A funding round. The company, based in Kyoto, Japan, received investments from multiple companies and angel investors in the "largest-ever single fundraising" in the Japanese food technology space. Spread’s first vertical farm – Kameoka Plant – started operating in 2007. In 2018, the company created a next-generation automated vertical farm called Techno Farm Keihanna. The start-up produces sustainable vegetables under its Vegetus brand, and its lettuce is currently being sold at 4,500 stores across Japan. The funding will be used to develop technologies for Spread's new automated vertical farm – Techno Farm Fukuroi – which will begin operations in 2024. Spread will also invest in the marketing of the Vegetus brand, research and development in new fields including strawberries and alternative meats, as well as global business development. According to the company: "Since its establishment, Spread has always strived to create a sustainable society where future generations can attain peace of mind". The statement continued: "To answer world’s growing needs of food supply, Spread is widening its product range by working on fruits and alternative meat, and is looking to expand globally in the future. The ultimate goal is a 'global food infrastructure,' where all people are free from the food anxiety".

Heineken has posted revenue growth of 37% in its half-year results and said that it "grew ahead of the industry in more than half of our markets". The company recorded 24.6% organic growth in operating profit, while it generated sales of €16.4 billion, a rise of 22.4% on an organic basis. However, Heineken said that while consumer demand has been resilient in the first half, "there is an increasing risk that mounting pressure on consumer purchasing power will affect beer consumption". In its half-year results, beer volume grew by 7.6%, on an organic basis. Meanwhile, Heineken posted faster growth in the second quarter, when beer volume grew 9.7%, led by strong growth in the Americas, recovery of the Asia Pacific market and the on-trade in Europe, and modest growth in the Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe (AMEE) region. The brewer expects "significant inflationary pressures" on its cost base to continue to impact the second half of 2022 and into 2023. Heineken CEO, Dolf van den Brink, said: "We are encouraged by the results for the first half of the year. We benefitted from the recovery in Asia Pacific and the on-trade in Europe as consumers returned to the bars, with demand resilient until now despite mounting inflationary pressures on consumers' disposable income." He continued: "Our business performed well in the first half of 2022. We grew ahead of the industry in more than half of our markets and the Heineken brand again showed strong momentum, boosted by stepped up brand support. Our actions on pricing, revenue management and productivity offset significant inflationary pressures in our cost base. As a result, operating profit is now firmly ahead of 2019." "We continue to face an uncertain outlook for consumers and businesses alike. Remaining vigilant, we are fully committed to drive our EverGreen transformation for sustained, long-term value creation. In terms of outlook, we reiterate our 2022 goals. For 2023, we move from an operating margin objective towards delivering operating profit (beia) organic growth. Our medium-term aspiration remains to deliver superior, balanced growth with operating leverage over time."

US bakery business Klosterman Baking Company has been acquired by an affiliate of private equity investment firm, New Water Capital Partners II. Founded in 1892, Klosterman is a producer of fresh and frozen breads, buns, flatbreads, donuts and other bakery products. The company operates 17 bakeries and distribution facilities across the eight Midwest states. The acquisition will expand New Water's presence in the manufactured foods sector. New Water vice president, Nick LaRosa, said: "Through our partnership with management, Klosterman will look to expand the company's product portfolio and geographic distribution footprint to better serve our growing customer base through a combination of organic and inorganic growth levers". Klosterman president, Ross Anderson, added: "New Water's capital investment and management experience in the food sector will give Klosterman the tools it needs to scale to meet existing customer demand and to optimise its market position nationally. New Water brings leadership and strategic expertise we will be able to utilise to better systemise operations, enhance our distribution channels and position ourselves for further growth." The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

AB InBev has posted organic revenue growth of 11.3% to $14.79 billion for its second quarter, up from $13.54 billion in the same period last year. In its Q2 results, the Belgium-based brewer recorded organic growth in EBITDA of 7.2% to $5.1 billion. Meanwhile, the company delivered a 9.7% increase in the combined revenues of its global brands – Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona – outside of their respective home markets. The brewing giant saw its own beer volumes grow by 2.7%, while its total volumes grew by 3.4%. AB InBev recorded revenue growth across markets including the US, Europe and South Africa, with Brazil seeing 26.8% sales growth in Q2. The company says that the Chinese market is still being impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, which disproportionately affected its key regions and sales channels, resulting in a total revenue decline of 5.1%. However, the operating environment gradually improved throughout the quarter, with the brewer seeing high-single-digit volume growth in June. AB InBev CEO, Michael Doukeris, said: "Our business delivered sustained profitable growth. Our volume increased by 3.4%, our top-line by 11.3% and EBITDA by 7.2%. The relentless execution of our strategy, the strength of our brands and accelerated digital transformation enabled us to meet the moment in an ongoing dynamic operating environment."

UK ice cream brand Jude’s has teamed up with peppermint chocolate producer Summerdown to launch a new vegan ice cream – Jude's Plant Based Mint Chocolate. The new mint chocolate-flavoured ice cream has a velvety chocolate swirl and rich dark chocolate pieces. Jude's uses Summerdown's harvested and distilled English Black Mitcham peppermint on its ice cream. Jude’s managing director Chow Mezger said: "It was an absolute joy to have the expertise of the peppermint people at Summerdown as we created this wonderfully balanced Mint Chocolate ice cream. Plant Based Mint Chocolate is unbelievably creamy, and I love the way the smooth ice cream, chocolate ripple and crunchy chocolate chips work together." Jude’s Plant Based Mint Chocolate will be available at Ocado from 31 August for an RRP of £4.80.

B&G Foods has unveiled a Snickers Shakers seasoning blend, as part of its ongoing partnership with Mars Wrigley. Snickers Shakers seasoning blend combines a blend of chocolate, peanut and caramel flavours to recreate the taste of Snickers. Michelle Deignan, senior brand director at Mars, said: "At Mars, we...have noticed the clear desire that has emerged among consumers to be able to add the flavours of their favourite confections to both sweet and savoury foods". "We're pleased to partner with B&G Foods to allow consumers to experience the delicious and satisfying taste of Snickers in a completely new, and shake-able, way with Snickers Shakers seasoning blend."

UK vegan chocolate brand Push Chocolate has launched new low-sugar and allergen-free chocolate buttons for health-conscious consumers. The new low-sugar, dairy-free buttons contain cocoa sustainably sourced from the Peruvian rainforests and no palm oil. Push uses a mixture of pea protein isolate and rice protein which delivers an optimal amino acid profile very similar to whey protein derived from dairy. The company also uses an unrefined sugar called panela sugar, alongside natural sweetener inulin (chicory root fibre). The new offering will join the brand's five-flavour strong buttons range – including original, mint, orange, honeycomb and salted caramel – with the entire line containing a minimum of 42% cocoa solids and using more than 50% less sugar per 100g than mainstream brands. Push Chocolate founder, Ant Wilson, said: "I firmly and passionately believe that sugar should not be the first ingredient in any product. Instead, Push Chocolate’s range uses a smart formulation of exceptional quality ingredients to deliver melt-in-the-mouth, creamy chocolate with fantastic taste and top-notch health credentials. Shoppers are becoming ever more conscious of their well-being and the sustainability of products." The new buttons are available from the Push Chocolate website at an RRP of £4.99 per 100g pouch.