Diageo has recorded a 21.4% increase in its full-year revenue, driven by strong organic net sales growth across all regions. In the year ended 30 June, the owner of Smirnoff vodka posted full-year net sales of £15.5 billion. Overall, net sales of spirits grew 21%, with a particularly strong performance in scotch, tequila, vodka, gin and Chinese white spirits. Reported operating profit grew by 18.2% to £4.41 billion, driven by strong organic operating profit growth of 26.3%, partially offset by the negative impact of non-cash impairments related to India and Russia. In North America, Diageo saw a 17% rise in net sales, driven by the performance of US spirits and favourable impacts from foreign exchange and acquisitions. Led by tequila, net sales of US spirits grew 19%, reflecting the recovery of the on-trade channel and resilient consumer demand in the off-trade channel, as well as market share gains. On an organic basis, tequila sales grew 57%, Scotch's grew by 19% and vodka sales by 1%. However, the company saw a decrease of 8% in Baileys sales, while Captain Morgan sales declined 6%, as the rum category continued to lose spirits market share. Meanwhile, Diageo Beer Company recorded organic net sales growth of 2%. Elsewhere, Diageo reported a 19% rise in net sales in Africa; 26% growth in Europe; 16% in Asia Pacific; and 46% in the company's Latin America and Caribbean region. Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes said: "We delivered double-digit organic net sales growth across all regions and we gained or held off-trade market share in over 85% of our total net sales value in measured markets. We expanded operating margin while increasing marketing investment ahead of net sales growth, and we used our strong cash generation to invest in long-term growth." He continued: "In a year of significant global supply chain disruption, our double-digit volume growth demonstrates the tremendous agility and resourcefulness of our teams. Our net sales growth was across categories. We benefitted from the on-trade recovery, continued global premiumisation trends, with our super-premium-plus brands up 31%, and from price increases across our regions. I am particularly proud of the performance of Johnnie Walker, which delivered double-digit growth across all regions to surpass 21 million cases globally. This fantastic milestone exemplifies our world-class brand-building and execution capabilities." "Looking ahead to fiscal 2023, we expect the operating environment to be challenging, with ongoing volatility related to Covid-19, significant cost inflation, a potential weakening of consumer spending power and global geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty. Notwithstanding these factors, I am confident in the resilience of our business and our ability to navigate these headwinds."

Canpack will invest approximately BRL 710 million (approx. $140 million) to build a new aluminium beverage can facility in Poços de Caldas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The plant's initial total capacity will be around 1.3 billion cans per year. In addition, the new facility will create around 140 jobs in the country. Andre Balbi, group chief operations officer at Canpack, said: “This new investment, together with our other, up-to-date investments in Brazil, will give us a better position to serve our customers’ growing needs for beverage cans and ends not only in Brazil but in the South American region”. Paulo Dias, general director at Canpack Brazil, added: “We are excited and proud to bring to the region the state-of-the-art greenfield manufacturing facility producing aluminium beverage cans, an infinitely recyclable packaging. We chose to expand in Poços de Caldas because of its strong economy and very business-friendly environment.” Construction of the facility is expected to begin later this year, and the plant is slated to begin operations in the first quarter of 2024.

Emmi Roth is breaking ground on a cheese conversion facility in Stoughton, Wisconsin, that will also become the company’s new US headquarters. According to Emmi Roth, the site will add conversion capabilities, increase distribution capacity and create 100 local jobs. Jordan Ehlen, Emmi Roth’s director of manufacturing, said: “The primary purpose of this facility is cheese conversion. Conversion is the process of taking cheeses from their original, larger form, and crumbling, shredding, or portioning them into their end form. “Conversion allows us to provide different packaging options to customers and consumers based on their needs – which may be a cup, bag, chunk, wedge or other forms.” The project follows Emmi Roth’s acquisition of the Athenos business in 2021, which created the need for more conversion and distribution capabilities. Ehlen continued: “This facility ultimately allows us to be agile so that we can quickly react to changes and get our new cheese innovations to market faster”. Emmi Roth’s current corporate headquarters in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, will remain operational until the building project is complete.

Woodbridge has announced the launch of new ready-to-drink beverages that combine Californian white wine with the flavour of classic sodas. Woodbridge Wine Soda aims to provide the convenience of a hard seltzer, while helping to make wine more accessible. The 7% ABV drinks are available in grapefruit, lemon lime and orange soda flavours as part of a variety six-pack. “We at Woodbridge want to liberate drinkers to 'wine your way' – to enjoy wine whenever, wherever and however you want," said Serena Shrivastava, brand vice president of Woodbridge. “We know many drinkers want something other than traditional varietal wines, which inspired us to create Woodbridge Wine Sodas to provide consumers with a new way to experience and enjoy wine, that is less formal and more fun.” Woodbridge Wine Soda is available on Drizly, Instacart and at local retailers across the US.

Nestlé has expanded its KitKat Chunky range with the launch of a limited-edition caramel flavour. KitKat Chunky Caramel features a thick layer of "runny caramel" on top of the brand's signature wafer, with all being covered in milk chocolate. Callum Smith, assistant brand manager for KitKat, said: "Caramel is officially the nation's number one flavour, and we've taken it to the next level by combining a delicious layer of runny caramel with our crisp KitKat wafer to create a taste sensation. When we trialled the newest Chunky flavour at Nestlé House, we got a rapturous response, so we can’t wait to hear what everybody thinks." The new flavour is available across UK supermarkets and convenience stores for an RRP of £0.79 per 43.5g bar. Last year, Nestlé released a limited-edition salted caramel popcorn-flavoured KitKat Chunky bar.

Pilgrim's UK has announced plans to invest over £10 million into sustainability projects over the next year. The funds will support the roll-out of a series of process and operational developments, helping the business reach its goal of becoming net zero by 2030. Projects include the full transition to LED lighting across all of its sites and switching out equipment with energy-efficient alternatives, such as gas boilers with heat pumps and improved refrigeration systems. The company already uses local solar and wind energy at some of its facilities, and will now extend these to the remainder of its manufacturing plants in the UK. Combined, the projects will help to reduce Pilgrim's carbon emissions by 11,000 tonnes annually. Morten Knudsen, chief financial officer at Pilgrim’s UK, said: “The sector has grappled with significant challenges over the past few years, which we continue to help our farmer network and supply chain partners to navigate. But our unwavering commitment to our sustainability roadmap remains at the heart of our business. We recognise as one of the leading farming and food businesses here in the UK, we have a responsibility to be trailblazers in this space, supporting our global ambitions.” He added: “We want to accelerate our progress, working with the entire value chain, so that we can continue to go further and faster to becoming a net zero business and that means investing in vital sustainability projects like these to help us get there”.

Danone has reported a "strong first half," after recording €13.33 billion in net sales, up 7.4% on a like-for-like (LFL) basis. The LFL sales growth included a 6.1% contribution from price and 1.3% contribution from volume/mix. Meanwhile, the owner of Evian and Activia saw its H1 operating income increase by 62% to €1.38 billion. For the second quarter, Danone recorded 7.7% LFL sales growth, with a 6.8% contribution from price and 0.9% contribution from volume/mix. The company's Waters unit grew its net sales 7.9% to €1.3 billion, while Danone's Specialized Nutrition business registered an 11.4% increase to €2.1 billion. Meanwhile, the Essential Dairy and Plant-based (EDP) division saw 5.6% LFL sales growth in Q2. In Europe, sales rose by 5.4% in H1 and 5.1% in Q2. In North America, Danone posted 7.2% LFL sales growth in H1 and 8.9% in Q2, driven by both price and volume, while in China, North Asia and Oceania, the company saw an 8.3% LFL sales increase in H1 and a 3.3% increase in Q2. Danone CEO, Antoine de Saint-Affrique, said: “This strong first half, with broad-based progress despite an unprecedented external environment, is a testimony to the resilience, the focus and the engagement of all Danoners. We started deploying our 'Renew Danone' agenda with discipline and consistency, further accelerating our growth in Q2: we show good momentum across many facets of the business, from Aptamil to Waters or North America, to name a few." "While the quality of our first half delivery is encouraging and leads us to now expect +5 to +6% like-for-like sales growth for the full year, this is only the start of our 'Renew' journey: we believe there is still much we can do to bring Danone where we want it to be and deliver on both our purpose and our business ambition.”

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) has reported a 13.2% rise in revenue to $3.55 billion for its second quarter, and raised its sales guidance for the full year. The company said that its “strong” performance reflected balanced growth in all segments, with both pricing and volumes up in Q2. For the three months ended 30 June, the beverage giant posted a 22.1% decline in GAAP operating income to $572 million, reflecting inflationary pressures, supply chain disruption and the unfavourable impact of items affecting comparability. Both of KDP’s largest units saw overall net sales growth in Q2 – with packaged beverages growing its net sales by 12.8%, while coffee systems saw an 8.5% increase. KDP says that its in-market performance in the liquid refreshment beverages (LRB) category remained “exceptionally strong” in the quarter, with market share growing or holding across 92% of the company's cold beverage portfolio. In Q2, net sales for KDP’s Latin America beverages division increased 26.5% to $210 million, driven by higher net price realisation of 14.5% and increased volume/mix of 12%. Meanwhile, the company’s beverage concentrates division also recorded double-digit growth in Q2 – with net sales up 22.7% to $460 million. The company has raised its 2022 forecast for constant currency net sales growth to the low-double-digit range – up from its previous guidance of high-single-digit growth. Keurig Dr Pepper chairman and CEO, Bob Gamgort, said: "We successfully recovered from supply chain disruptions in coffee and non-carbonated beverages, implemented additional pricing to offset inflation and continued to accelerate growth across our broad portfolio, leading to another quarter of strong market share performance. We remain confident that our 'all-weather' business model will enable us to deliver in the ongoing volatile macro environment." Ozan Dokmecioglu, who will succeed Gamgort as chief executive later this year, added: "I am pleased with the continued strength of our business and remain confident in our ability to deliver our plans for the second half of this year”.

UK beverage brand Upbeat has unveiled two lines of clear whey isolate protein drinks, Protein Hydration and Protein Energy. Protein Hydration is available in two flavours: Mixed Berry and Zesty Orange. The range comprises 10g of protein, 3000mg of BCAA, vitamin B and zero sugar. Protein Hydration is available for £1.65 per 500ml bottle. Meanwhile, Protein Energy, which is available in Tropical flavour, contain 15g of protein, 180mg of caffeine and 4000mg of BCAA. The new flavour is available for £1.99 per 500ml bottle. The ready-to-drink whey isolate protein beverages are sugar- and lactose-free. Upbeat CEO Mark Neville said: “We are incredibly excited to launch the UK’s first clear whey isolate bottled drinks. As a world leader in clear whey protein for over a decade, we make advanced protein technology accessible to all." “Our clear whey technology is the clearest, purest, most refreshing way to effortlessly fuel your body. Operating with simplicity, clarity and transparency, Upbeat continues to harness the most advanced protein technologies to ensure everyday athletes are boosted, focused, energised and hydrated.” Protein Hydration and Protein Energy will be available at Sainsbury's, Ocado and Holland & Barrett stores.

Capri Sun has announced that it will reduce the sugar in its juice drinks by an average of 40% by using monk fruit concentrate. The reformulated drink will now contain, on average, 8g of sugars and 5g of added sugars. “Sugar, especially in the beverage category, is a major pain point for parents,” said Erica Watkins, associate brand director for Capri Sun. “As a category leader and kids' number one favourite juice drink, it was critical that the renovation meet our brand’s size and scale without compromising either our iconic taste or our commitment to using all-natural ingredients.” The new version will be available on retail shelves from next month in a new packaging that highlights the reduction.

US chickpea snacks manufacturer, The Good Bean, has announced the launch of a line of Black Edamame snacking beans. Black Edamame is available in three flavours, Thai Chili & Lime Leaf, Wasabi and Sea Salt. The plant-based snack provides 11g of protein and 4g of net carbs per serving, as well as being all-natural, gluten-free and non-GMO. The company said: "Black Edamame snacking beans are deliciously crispy, low-carb, high-protein plant-based snacks that offer carb-conscious snackers a simple, whole-food alternative to highly processed snack offerings with few nutritional benefits other than the 'low-carb' claim". The new range will be available at select Sprouts stores for an SRP of $4.99 per 113g bag.

IFF has invested $15.8 million in three of its innovation centres in Latin America – located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Bogota, Colombia and Santiago, Chile. With the investment, the company says it will be better positioned to serve each local market. The sites feature research, application and sensory labs and pilot plants, offering customers access to full product-design capabilities. “This substantial investment is consistent with IFF’s strategy to support the growth potential of Latin America,” said Zacarias Karacristo, country leader of IFF Brazil and regional president of Nourish division, IFF, Latin America. “It is also a testament of our commitment to being a key innovation partner to our regional customers.” “These regional innovation centres allow us to co-create so that we can help them transform ideas into essential solutions that address the latest consumer needs and market trends with agility and purpose,” he added. IFF's Brazil facility houses laboratories and pilot plants that serve categories including bakery, confectionery, beverages, culinary and snacks, meat, fats and oils, dairy and ice cream. Its Columbia site aims to support the product development of food and beverage, home and personal care, and health and wellness segments and will serve customers in Colombia, South Central America and the greater Andean and Caribbean regions. Meanwhile, IFF's Chile centre will focus on product development in the bakery, bars, confectionery, beverages, dairy, culinary and snacks categories.