Japanese beverage company Kirin Holdings has agreed to sell its 51% stake in Myanmar Brewery back to the joint venture for JPY 22.4 billion ($165.4 million approx.). The transaction will leave Kirin's military-linked local partner, Myanma Economic Holdings, with full control of the company. Last February, the Myanmar military seized control of the country from the elected government. Kirin announced shortly afterwards that it intended to pull out of the Myanmar Brewery business but reported problems in reaching an agreement with its JV partner on how to withdraw. According to Reuters, Kirin and Myanma Economic Holdings agreed to terminate their venture in February this year after protracted negotiations. Kirin said in a statement: "Kirin Holdings has decided on a share transfer to MBL in a share buyback transaction to quickly terminate the joint venture, while taking into consideration the impact on local employees, business partners and others in the local Myanmar communities". The deal has been criticised by rights group Justice for Myanmar as a "windfall for the Myanmar military," according to Reuters. The transaction is subject to the approval of the Myanmar government.

Coca-Cola has extended its Creations line with the launch of a new limited-edition flavour in partnership with electronic music producer and DJ, Marshmello. The new flavour, which fuses strawberry and watermelon with Coke, is the company's first-ever beverage co-created with an artist. Also available in a zero-sugar version, Marshmello’s limited-edition Coca-Cola will be released in black-and-white slim cans. Oana Vlad, senior director, global strategy at The Coca-Cola Company, said: “The novelty and unexpectedness of these innovations are driving curiosity and inviting people to engage with the brand". "We’re also seeing that taking a more experiential route with our marketing through digital experiences, licensing partnerships and creative collaborations is a meaningful and fresh way to reach younger consumers.” The limited-edition drink will roll out in the US this month.

Danone has introduced its first Dairy and Plants Blend infant formula, developed to meet the needs of parents wanting more vegetarian, flexitarian and plant-based options for their baby. According to the company, this is the first blended formula for babies that combines nutrients found in plants and breastmilk. More than half the required protein in the formula is derived from high-quality soy combined with key dairy ingredients, such as lactose, casein and whey protein. The blended formula contains 60% plant-based and 40% dairy-based protein and will have approximately a 30% lower carbon footprint per pack than other powdered formulas. Manuela Borella, vice president of global plant-based strategy and business acceleration, said: "As a mother of four, I appreciate parents want the very best nutrition for their baby’s healthy growth and development". Borella continued: "At Danone, we also recognise many parents want to introduce plant-based, vegetarian and flexitarian options into their baby’s diet, while still meeting their baby’s specific nutritional requirements. Our new Dairy and Plants Blend baby formula has been developed with these needs top of mind." Danone’s Dairy and Plants Blend formula is being launched first in the Netherlands – under the Nutrilon brand – and in other countries later this year under the global Aptamil brand.

Chocolate Works has announced its acquisition of "substantially all of the assets" of US chocolate brand Moonstruck Chocolate. Founded in 1993, Moonstruck Chocolate is an Oregon-based brand, known for its premium chocolates. The company has "lifetime sales of over $50 million," according to Chocolate Works. Joe Whaley, founder and CEO of Chocolate Works, which manufactures branded and private label speciality chocolates and confections, said: "To satisfy our current demand, and in order to capture the many opportunities in front of us, this acquisition will not only add to further our capabilities but will also give us a West Coast presence to better serve our customers". Moonstruck Chocolate's former owner, Russell Sneddon, added: "Leading Moonstruck has been the highlight of my professional career...We look forward to watching the brand's growth and transformation under Chocolate Works as the brand expands from a regional favourite to the national stage." Terms of the deal, which closed last month, were not disclosed.

US food marketer and distributor, MamaMancini's Holdings, has signed an agreement to acquire a 24% interest in Chef Inspirational Foods (CIF). The company is paying $1.2 million for the stake and has the option of purchasing the remaining 76% of the business for $3.8 million within the next 12 months. Founded in 2008, CIF is a developer, marketer and sales company selling fresh and frozen prepared foods to supermarkets across the US, including prepared salads, entrées and olives. Carl Wolf, MamaMancini's CEO, said: “Our investment in a minority interest in CIF brings an experienced, dynamic team which complements our logistics, product development and innovation capabilities with a robust sales presence...We expect our investment into CIF to be immediately accretive to net income, while our option to purchase the remainder of the company at a set price provides significant optionality and upside potential." He continued: "We are excited about the opportunity this acquisition provides to advance our capabilities with a national, innovative, fully integrated food development company with exceptional marketing and sales teams driving incredible penetration across its retail channels".

Consumer-packaged-goods brand Madison Brown is launching its first line of premium ice creams which includes six variants. The brand's ice cream flavours include Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Mint Chocolate Chip and Red Velvet. Jay Jay Brown, owner and co-founder of Madison Brown, said: "Inspired by my family, Madison Brown reminds me that a great scoop of ice cream brings people together. As I start my own business venture, my family is there every step of the way within Madison Brown’s origin story." "I’m so grateful for our incredible retail partners from H-E-B in Texas to BevMo in Arizona and California and of course Walmart.com for believing in this vision. After two years of developing the world’s most fabulous ice cream, we’d be nowhere without their enthusiasm for our brand and tremendous support," Brown added. Madison Brown Ice Cream will be priced at $8.99 per pint and are available on the Walmart website, as well as on GoPuff, at Ralphs, BevMo, H-E-B and in Walmart stores later this year.

Global tea business Ekaterra has announced the appointments of Nathalie Roos as CEO and Pierre Laubies as chair of the board. The leadership changes follow the €4.5 billion sale of Ekaterra by Unilever to CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII, which was completed at the beginning of the month. Roos is currently a non-executive director of Pret-a-Manger and Bel Group and succeeds John Davison as Ekaterra CEO. Meanwhile, Laubies brings 30 years of leadership experience, gained at companies including Mars and Campbell Soup Company. Ekaterra has a portfolio of more than 30 brands, including Lipton, PG Tips, Pukka, T2 and Tazo, and generates annual revenue of approximately €2 billion. Roos commented: "Tea holds an extraordinary role in societies around the world, steeped in tradition, culture and community spirit. It also has an incredible power to evolve and always be relevant to the times. Ekaterra’s future will embody these elements too, alongside ambitious plans to become a leader in sustainable tea production, in farming and distribution methods and also as a supporter of the communities in which we operate." Laubies added: "I am delighted that Nathalie has accepted the opportunity to become CEO of Ekaterra. She has precisely the right blend of skills for the role, with her strong commercial background, her ability to develop great teams and a passion for building consumer brands and delivering growth. Working alongside Nathalie, we have the opportunity to grow our world-leading tea business committed to reaching the highest sustainability goals."

Givaudan has partnered with Manus Bio to launch a natural, clean-label citrus flavour ingredient to be used in a wide range of food and beverages. BioNootkatone offers woody, citrus and "peely" notes. According to the companies, "BioNootkatone is the result of Givaudan’s analytical, flavour and processing expertise combined with the...application of Manus Bio's BioAssemblyLineTM Cell Factory engineering platform". The new ingredient uses a non-GMO sugar source and is made without using any citrus ingredients. The company describes BioNootkatone as the "most cost-effective and sustainable natural nootkatone available on the market". Additionally, BioNootkatone is said to be less impactful for climate change than nootkatone derived from citrus due to it being a comparatively lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emission ingredient. Fabio Campanile, global head of Science & Technology, Taste & Wellbeing at Givaudan, said: “We are thrilled to be able to offer this key ingredient to the market, giving our customers the peace of mind that comes from a sustainable product with a consistent and reliable supply. BioNootkatone will allow our customers to focus on what matters: creating delightful and refreshing citrus flavour experiences for their consumers with a clean label.” Manus Bio's CEO, Ajikumar Parayil, added: “Climate effects and agricultural diseases such as citrus greening have established a clear need for natural and sustainable citrus ingredients that are not reliant on agricultural citrus extracts. The launch of BioNootkatone is a major achievement in our successful, long-standing collaboration with Givaudan.”

France will ban the use of meat names like ‘steak’ and ‘sausage’ for plant-based protein foods from October, according to a newly published decree. The move makes France the first EU country to impose such a restriction on meat alternatives. French meat industry association Interbev welcomed the law, which was initially adopted in 2020 but is only this year being implemented. A spokesperson, cited by Reuters, said: “This provision is a first step on French territory, a pioneer in the protection of its names, which should be extended at European level”. According to Interbev, the word ‘burger’ will still be allowed as it does not specifically refer to meat. Published last week, the official decree states: “It will not be possible to use sector-specific terminology traditionally associated with meat and fish to designate products that do not belong to the animal world and which, in essence, are not comparable”. The regulation only applies to products made in France. As such, farm lobby Fédération Nationale des Syndicats d’Exploitants Agricoles (FNSEA) has criticised the decree for leaving the door open to imports. Terms like ‘milk,’ ‘butter’ and ‘cheese’ are already banned by the European Union on products that are not of animal origin. Last year, draft legislation that would have imposed further restrictions on the terminology used by the plant-based dairy sector in Europe was dropped by EU bodies.

Ecotone UK has expanded its Clipper Teas portfolio with the brand’s new range of super green teas, containing vitamin C sourced from natural ingredients. The organic and Fairtrade certified range includes Organic Green Tea Reviving, with orange, acerola, guarana and matcha, and Organic Green Tea Defending, with blackcurrant, acerola and matcha. Each tea bag is made from plant-based, biodegradable, unbleached and non-GM materials, while also containing at least 15% of the daily recommended vitamin C intake of 12mg. Bryan Martins, Clipper marketing & category director at Ecotone UK, said: "As the UK’s fastest growing green tea brand, Clipper is perfectly positioned to deliver exciting new flavour combinations that appeal to health-conscious consumers. Following the pandemic, products that provide immune-boosting properties are at the forefront of consumers’ minds." Martins continued: "Our functional teas perform for those are conscious about their health, tapping into the wellness trend while also catering to those new to the category with fresh and delicious taste profiles. They’re also 100% natural and organic – making it better for you and the planet." The two new teas have an RRP of £2.50 per 20-pack of teabags and are available to buy from Health Food Trade stores across the UK.

Kensing, a manufacturer of natural vitamin E and plant sterols, has announced its acquisition of Vitae Naturals. Founded in 2000, Vitae Naturals is a Spanish producer of ingredients for sectors including food and nutrition. The company offers plant sterol esters and natural vitamin E derivatives under the Vitasterol and Vitapherole brands. According to Kensing, plant sterol esters have been proven to naturally lower cholesterol and help fight heart disease when added to margarine spreads, yogurts and supplements. “We are pleased to bring Vitae Naturals into the Kensing family,” said Serge Rogasik, CEO of Kensing. “This acquisition is highly complementary, strengthens our footprint in Europe and enables further expansion in food ingredients. This is an exciting time for both companies and we look forward to partnering with the Vitae team to accelerate our growth objectives.” Vitae Naturals general manager, Rafael Cano Mariblanca, added: “Our businesses share similar values and we are delighted to become a part of the Kensing team. Kensing provides a strong platform to build upon our position in our existing markets and expand further into the personal care market.” Vitae Naturals' products are available in over 40 countries across five continents. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Unilever has sold off its Ben & Jerry's ice cream business in Israel to Avi Zinger, the owner of American Quality Products (AQP), the brand's current Israel-based licensee. The move marks an attempt by Unilever to extricate itself from a row over sales of the brand in settlements in the West Bank. The deal means that Ben & Jerry's will continue to be available across Israel and the West Bank, sold under the Hebrew and Arabic versions of the brand's name. The new arrangement follows a Unilever review of Ben & Jerry's in Israel after the brand announced last year that it would discontinue sales of its ice cream in the occupied Palestinian territories. In a statement, Unilever said that it had "used the opportunity of the past year to listen to perspectives on this complex and sensitive matter and believes this is the best outcome for Ben & Jerry’s in Israel. The review included extensive consultation over several months, including with the Israeli government." "Unilever rejects completely and repudiates unequivocally any form of discrimination or intolerance. Antisemitism has no place in any society. We have never expressed any support for the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement and have no intention of changing that position." Ben & Jerry's disapproved of its parent company's decision, saying: "We continue to believe it is inconsistent with Ben & Jerry's values for our ice cream to be sold in the occupied Palestinian territory". We are aware of the Unilever announcement. While our parent company has taken this decision, we do not agree with it. (🧵1/3)— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) June 29, 2022 Terms of the deal were not disclosed.