The Collective is adding to its plant-based dairy portfolio with the launch of new dairy-free kids 'suckies' yogurt pouches. The plant-based children's offerings are made from the brand's creamy oat and coconut yogurt alternative blended with real fruit. These will be available in two flavours including strawberry and peach and apricot. The pouches contain live cultures and calcium for strong bones and Vitamins D and B12 for immune support. The releases are free from artificial flavours, colours and preservatives, as well as soy and nuts. Sarah Smart, CEO of The Collective UK, said: "Our 'suckies' range has always proven to be incredibly popular among kids and we saw a particularly huge increase in sales during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, again spurred by a rise in families trying to opt for the most nutritional snacks that crucially still deliver on taste". "With so few dairy-free options available for children, we are delighted to be launching this new range that will address this gap in the market, ensuring that delicious and healthy snacks are available to all" Smart continued. The new dairy-free ‘suckies’ range is set to launch across UK retailers nationwide in September.

Dried fruit snacks brand Rind Snacks is releasing limited edition Peach Chips exclusively into healthy e-commerce store, Thrive Market. Rind Peach Chips contain a single ingredient of California peaches while also including healthy sources of vitamins A and C, as well as 9g of fibre per bag and only 100 calories per serving. The new offering includes no added sugars or preservatives and are naturally vegan- and gluten-free, kosher certified and non-GMO verified. The brand uses upcycled, rescued produce while retaining fruit's natural, nutrient-rich skin through a proprietary, low-heat dehydration process. Matt Weiss, Rind's founder and CEO, said: "The idea of taking one of the most beloved staples of summer, like yellow peaches, and creating a tangy, thin-cut chip was there for the picking! We're thrilled to be partnering with the online leader in sustainable, healthy and affordable shopping, Thrive Market, for our first-ever exclusive launch." Rind's limited-edition Peach Chips are available exclusively in 3oz bags at Thrive Market while supplies last.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to work with foreign formula manufacturers to allow them to sell their products in the country on a permanent basis. Amid a nationwide shortage, the FDA announced in May that it would temporarily exercise enforcement discretion for certain requirements applying to infant formula. The agency's current guidance, which makes it easier to import some formula products, remains in effect until 14 November. The FDA says that these flexibilities have resulted to date in the equivalent of more than 400 million 8oz bottles being shipped into the US from nine countries. The agency now says that it will work with manufacturers looking to enter the market to make it easier for them to navigate the FDA’s regulatory review process. It will host meetings with manufacturers to establish next steps, and intends to "provide a pathway for companies that import, sell and/or distribute formula under the FDA’s temporary enforcement discretion policy to continue to supply infant formula to the US past November".

Fomento Económico Mexicano, known as Femsa, has announced a CHF 1.1 billion (approx. $1.15 billion) cash takeover of Swiss kiosk operator Valora. Femsa operates the largest convenience store chain in Mexico and Latin America, controls Coca-Cola Femsa, the world's top Coca-Cola bottler, and is the second largest shareholder in Heineken. Valora has around 2,700 small-scale points of sale located across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, with brands including Brezelkönig and Caffè Spettacolo. The company is also one of the world’s leading producers of pretzels. Femsa is looking to use the takeover as a means to expand into Europe. The company's CEO Daniel Rodriguez said in a conference call, cited by Reuters, that Femsa sees Valora as "an entrance gate" to the continent. The registered office and headquarters of Valora will remain in Muttenz, Switzerland, and the company will continue to operate under its current name. In a separate statement, Rodriguez said: "Femsa and Valora have each been around for well over one hundred years and both companies have developed successful business models and strong corporate cultures". "Having built a significant store base and convenience and logistics expertise in Latin America during the past four decades, Femsa has been looking for a platform to grow and develop our proximity retail business in markets outside of Latin America." He continued: "Valora has earned an excellent reputation in the international convenience and foodservice business with its sophisticated concept of innovative formats at high-traffic locations and we look forward to further expanding on this strategy with the continued support of Valora’s management, who will together with the Valora team members play a key role in our plans for the company’s future". The offer, which is subject to customary terms and conditions as well as regulatory approvals, is expected to be settled at the end of September or the beginning of October.

Japanese snacks business Calbee Group has announced its acquisition of a 75% stake in Greenday Group for an undisclosed sum. Greenday Group is a holding company that controls Greenday Global, a Thailand-based healthy snack manufacturer specialising in products made using fruit and vegetables. The acquisition will see Calbee – in which PepsiCo owns a minority stake – expand exports of Greenday's Jagabee brand globally. Calbee said that it "will create synergies with existing joint ventures in Thailand and make it function as an important production and development base in Southeast Asia and Oceania". In Thailand, through joint ventures with local partners, Calbee has focused on sales of snack products for the Thailand, Australia, North America and Singapore markets.

Lithuanian food tech company Divaks has secured €3 million in a seed funding round, as it looks to develop its insect-derived ingredients for food applications. Divaks is creating a range of sustainable, traceable ingredients from the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio monitor). The insect is said to provide a complete protein source, containing all essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and can be used in applications across meat alternatives, sports nutrition, snacks and confectionery. According to the company, insect farming offers environmental benefits over livestock farming, including generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions and requiring less water and land. Kęstutis Lipnickas, Divaks’ co-founder and CEO, commented: "Yellow mealworm is an exceptional protein source, combining the nutritional quality of beef with the sustainability credentials of many plant-based alternatives". Lipnickas continued: "Our focus from day one has been on using these insects to create added-value ingredients, solutions and specialities for the food industry. With our unique, vertically integrated technology, we can provide high-quality insect protein products that are tailored to the demands of both clients and consumers." The company plans to use the investment to support the launch of its pilot manufacturing facility, secure Novel Food authorisation with the European Commission, and carry out further research and development in the field.

Borg & Overström has unveiled its new B6 water dispenser, which instantly dispenses water in up to four ways: chilled, ambient, sparkling and hot. The B6 features Borg & Overström’s signature innovations, such as its Dry Chill, a cooling technology that provides freshly chilled and adjustable water temperatures between 2° and 11°C; Totality, a hygiene-assured refreshment that provides water safety and quality cleanliness; and Eco mode, a software that helps end-users save energy by automatically regulating B6's idle state without having to overuse an on/off switch. Available in black and silver, the company said B6 "boasts elite-level dispensing capacity", with its chilled and sparkling output reaching 50 litres per hour. A spokesperson for Borg & Overström told FoodBev: " been prepared to suit a global launch to all countries where we currently have a customer base. But due to it being 100% our own in-house design and manufacture it can be developed to suit any country’s requirements, and therefore our first truly versatile dispenser – suitable for any nationality and environment."

PepsiCo is expanding its convenient Pasta Roni brand mealtime offerings with the launch of Pasta Roni Heat & Eat microwaveable pouches. The new releases are available in Penne Alfredo and Rotini Marinara variations and can be heated up in 60 seconds. The offerings join PepsiCo's Rice-A-Roni Heat & Eat pouches which are available in five flavours – Chicken, Beef, Herb & Butter, Garlic & Olive Oil and Spicy Spanish. Michelle McAlister, senior director of marketing for the meals portfolio at Quaker Foods North America, said: "We know the most irreplaceable asset for families is time, which is why we keep innovating to help make meal prep less chaotic. With its familiar and dependable flavours similar to the other Heat & Eat varieties, Pasta Roni Heat & Eat will help make meal prep a breeze for busy families in search of delicious and convenient dinner options with less hassle." Pasta Roni Heat & Eat pouches will be available at US retailers nationwide starting this month for a suggested retail price of $2.39 per pack.

Mexico-based dairy company Lala has introduced a new line of traditional Mexican breakfast smoothies, called Licuado. Lala's Licuado, which features milk, fruit and oats, is available in three flavours: papaya, mango-carrot and vanilla honey. Each bottle contains 8g of protein and is a good source of fibre and vitamin A and D. “Lala Licuados are the perfect way to start your morning,” said Matt Okeson, head of marketing for Lala US. “With the goodness of oats, real milk, and a blend of real fruits, Lala Licuados are a Hispanic breakfast standard in a convenient ready-to-drink format.” The new range will be available in the dairy sector in Walmart and at Hispanic-speciality stores from this month.

Diageo has partnered with The Vita Coco Company to launch a line of premium ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails. Crafted with a blend of Captain Morgan rum and Vita Coco coconut water, Vita Coco Spiked with Captain Morgan is available in three flavours: Piña Colada, which features flavours of pineapple, creamy coconut and dark rum notes; Strawberry Daiquiri, contains flavours of strawberries, juicy lime and fruity rum notes; and Lime Mojito, finished with the flavour of garden mint, juicy lime and syrup. Diageo North America's president, Debra Crew, said: “Cocktail drinkers are looking for convenient ways to enjoy high-quality classic tropical drinks, especially rum-based ones. As we continue expanding our ready-to-drink portfolio, we consider ways to elevate the category, and it just made sense to marry together two premium brands that are loved by consumers around the world.” The Vita Coco Company's co-founder, Mike Kirban, added: “Consumers in tropical regions have been enjoying coconut water as a great-tasting, high-quality mixer in their cocktails for generations. Now that coconut water is becoming a household staple across the United States, we wanted to make creating a delicious cocktail a few steps easier. We're so excited to partner with Diageo to offer some great, ready-to-drink options featuring the best of both worlds: Vita Coco and Captain Morgan." Vita Coco Spiked with Captain Morgan, which offers an abv of 5%, will be available across the US from early 2023 for an SRP of $14.99 per 4-pack of 12oz cans.

The Fruit Factory, part of natural snack company Humdinger Foods, is adding to its portfolio with the launch of its Fruit Twists kids snack. The new snack is available in four flavours of apple, blackcurrant, strawberry and orange and contains no artificial colours or flavours. Tara Stevens, brand manager at The Fruit Factory, said: "As the brand continues to grow, we wanted to add innovation to the current range by tapping into playability and flavour. Research shows that strings and peelers are the largest percentage spend for formats across our target audience and the new Fruit Twists allow consumers to twist, peel and chew as well as showcasing multiple flavours." Stevens continued: "With the popularity of mixed fruit flavours growing in the kids’ fruit snacking category by 34% vs single flavours at 13.2%, we wanted to make sure that we were playing on this growing trend and giving consumers a different offering to what we already have on shelves as part of our existing range." Each multipack of Fruit Twists contains five portioned 2x9g packs inside each individual pack. The Fruit Factory’s Fruit Twists will be available from August at Morrisons and Tesco nationwide in multipacks (5x18g packs) for an RRP of £2.

Bardstown Bourbon Company has entered into an agreement to acquire US distiller Green River Spirits Company for an undisclosed sum. The deal will see the bourbon producers join forces to create a "strong, independent spirits company with a commitment to Kentucky whiskey". The transaction includes the Green River brand, the Green River Distilling Co site in Owensboro, Kentucky, and its production facility in Charleston, South Carolina. Bardstown Bourbon's CEO, Mark Erwin, said: “We’re excited to forge this new partnership, which brings together two world-class teams and expands the breadth of our portfolio and the number of customers served. Bardstown Bourbon Company was founded to honour the traditions and history of Kentucky bourbon while taking a wholly modern approach. The addition of one of the oldest distilleries in Kentucky allows us to offer a comprehensive assortment that showcases the state’s flagship industry.” The deal, which is scheduled to close this month, is subject to customary closing approvals and conditions.