Carlsberg has announced the departure of its chief financial officer (CFO), Heine Dalsgaard, after six years in the position. In a statement, Carlsberg said that Dalsgaard was resigning from the post to take up the role of CFO at a private equity-backed company in a different industry. Carlsberg's CEO, Cees ’t Hart, said: “I have highly valued the partnership with Heine since he joined Carlsberg in 2016. He has been instrumental in driving the improvements that Carlsberg has delivered. While we of course regret Heine’s decision, we also respect his wish to pursue new opportunities outside Carlsberg. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.” Dalsgaard added: “Carlsberg is a fantastic company, and it has been a true privilege to be part of the team during the past six years. Together, we have created a much stronger Carlsberg with a clear strategy, strong results and continued significant value-enhancing opportunities.” Dalsgaard will continue in his role until 31 December 2022. Meanwhile, Carlsberg said it will start the search for a new CFO "in due course".

B2B tea and coffee supplier Finlays has launched a range of tea and botanical powder blends, in a move to meet consumer demand for functional beverages. The Just Add Water range consists of four recipe blends for morning, noon, evening and night-time use. These include Immunity, Antioxidant, Energy and Digestion. Immunity features a blend of green tea, apple and ginger flavours enhanced with baobab and acacia; Antioxidant contains purple tea rich in the antioxidant anthocyanin; Energy includes black tea, guarana and ginseng extracts; while Digestion consists of black tea and acacia extracts. Each blend contains no added sugar, is low in calories and is free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. The variants are packaged in white label single-serve sachets and dissolve instantly in cold water. Finlays marketing manager, Bethany Ruane, said: "Today’s consumers are increasingly mindful of their environmental impact and are turning away from single-use plastics towards refillable water bottles". Ruane continued: "Our expertly formulated blends contain a precise balance of tea extracts, which consumers associate with an array of health benefits, botanicals and natural flavours. Our blends give brand owners just what they need to be able to offer consumers healthy, flavourful and convenient ways to enhance their water on the go."

Foodtech start-up Sweet Victory has partnered with Givaudan to develop a flavourful botanical-infused chewing gum for children, designed to help reduce sugar intake. The company said that the "crave-stifling chewing gum works within two minutes by blocking the sugar receptors on the tongue," with its effect lasting up to two hours. Sweet Victory has already created a version for adults. The new sugar-free product features a tutti-frutti flavour. “The biggest challenge in developing this gum for kids was to create boldly fruit-flavoured chewing gum to overcome the bitterness of the herb gymnema,” said Shimrit Lev, co-founder of Sweet Victory. “In the gum designed for adults we used strong mint, but in the kid’s product we had to come up with other solutions.” Sweet Victory's co-founder, Gitit Lahav, added: “By producing a product so attractive to children that, regardless of its effect of blocking sweet taste, it can become a legitimate substitute for other sweets, simply because it's delicious. We turned to Givaudan to help us with that challenge. As a flavour expert, using advanced technologies, they helped us refine the product and develop a very flavourful, yet highly effective product – a sweet treat that can change eating behaviour and help parents control their kids’ daily sugar consumption.” Sweet Victory said that trials have been conducted on children in Israel, US and France, with results showing that they enjoyed the gum but could not eat sweet foods or beverages after, due to the change in their receptors. Although the product is still in the prototype stage, the company expects to launch the gum by the end of this year.

A ‘ketogenic diet’ is a diet that produces ketones, for example, chemicals our liver forms when breaking down fats. Ketones are a fast and healthy source of energy for the brain and muscles, without being stored as fat tissue in our bodies. MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) are fatty acids that are used by the body as an immediate source of energy themselves or to be quickly converted into ketones. Because of their features, MCTs are ideal for ketogenic diets, weight management, sports nutrition, functional food and nutritional products. They can be found mainly in coconut oil, a great source of C8 caprylic acid and C10 capric acid. Taiwanese company MCB manufactures a line of coconut MCT oil and powders in a palm-free and whole physical extraction production line. Thanks to an international patent for microencapsulation technology with selective digestibility and phased antioxidant protection, MCB’s MCT oil powders pass through the stomach and deliver MCTs to the intestine. Microencapsulated oil powders are more stable and deliver free-flowing with low surface oil for a better consumer experience. The technology also leads to lower oil leak-out, no caking and higher efficiency during production. Also, microencapsulation protects the active ingredients from oxidation caused by the external environment, ensuring product quality and a longer shelf life of 24 months. MCB recently obtained USDA organic certification. The company offers a series of clean label, vegan-friendly and USDA organic MCT oil powders beside a range of ketogenic multi-fat keto blends which provide a delicious and creamy taste that could be used as a keto coffee creamer. MCB microencapsulated MCTs – especially the clean label and vegan-friendly products – are ideal in several keto applications: • meal replacement • sports nutrition • coffee creamer • keto creamer • baking • keto collagen • functional bars • food fortification • formula milk powders • medical meals • pet food MCB and Faravelli offer a one-stop shop for nutritional fat powder solutions, especially for precise and comprehensive keto applications. MCT solutions by MCB are distributed in North America by Faravelli, Inc. Find out more here. #FaravelliGroup #fattyacid

Arla Foods is investing €41 million to expand the production capacity of its Esbjerg, Denmark, dairy to meet "increased global demand" for on-the-go, chilled coffee drinks. Arla manufactures and distributes Starbucks ready-to-drink coffee beverages under license. The expansion of the Esbjerg dairy is expected to start in the coming months and be completed by the end of 2023. In an emailed statement, Arla said: "We are investing €41 million in the dairy to expand production, packaging lines and cooling areas as the demand has outgrown the dairy’s capacity". In 2010, the company signed a production and distribution agreement with Starbucks. The agreement was extended for 21 years in 2018, giving Arla license to manufacture, distribute and market ready-to-drink Starbucks products in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for a further 21 years.

US spirits producer Sazerac has announced the acquisition of Hazelwood Demesne, owner of the Lough Gill Distillery in Sligo, Ireland. Sazerac – which produces premium brands such as Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Paddy Irish Whiskey, Michael Collins Irish Whiskey, Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon and Southern Comfort – will turn the Lough Gill Distillery into a "world-class" whisky facility. The spirits producer will also increase the distillery's capacity by adding warehousing space and expanding production and bottling lines. Sazerac will continue to develop and distribute Hazelwood Demesne's single malt Irish whiskey brand, Athrú. The deal will see all current distillery members remain within the business and more jobs are expected to be created after the expansion. Lough Gill Distillery founder, David Raethorne, said: “The acquisition will enable Lough Gill Distillery to fully develop as a world-class visitor destination and will have significant long-term economic and tourism benefits for , which, for me, was always a personal goal...This acquisition will ensure that Hazelwood House will be enjoyed and appreciated by generations to come, another key objective of the project.” Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Kellogg Company has announced plans to separate into three independent companies, as it looks to restructure its cereal and plant-based portfolios. The US food giant says it will separate its North American cereal and plant-based foods businesses via tax-free spin-offs, "resulting in three independent public companies, each better positioned to unlock their full standalone potential". The separated businesses, whose names are yet to be determined, will consist of Global Snacking Co, which is made up of brands including Pringles, Cheez-It and Pop-Tarts; North America Cereal Co, including Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes and Fruit Loops; and Plant Co, which will consist of the growing its MorningStar Farms brand. Upon separating its Plant Co business through the spin-off, Kellogg says it will also explore other strategic avenues, such as a potential sale. Kellogg chairman and CEO, Steve Cahillane, said: "Kellogg has been on a successful journey of transformation to enhance performance and increase long-term shareowner value. This has included re-shaping our portfolio, and today's announcement is the next step in that transformation." He continued: "These businesses all have significant standalone potential and an enhanced focus will enable them to better direct their resources toward their distinct strategic priorities. In turn, each business is expected to create more value for all stakeholders and each is well-positioned to build a new era of innovation and growth." The proposed plans will enable greater strategic, operational and financial focus for each business, ultimately enhancing their performance and value. Kellogg expects North America Cereal Co to precede the Plant Co spin-off, with both expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Coca-Cola Canada Bottling (Coke Canada Bottling) has announced a CAD 42 million (approx. $32 million) investment in its Lower Mainland operations to meet growing customer demand in British Columbia. The investment includes a CAD 24 million manufacturing line and an additional CAD 18 million sales, warehouse and distribution facility, both located in Richmond, British Columbia. The manufacturing line, which is expected to be operational in spring 2023, will enable the company to produce pre-form bottles, increase capacity and reduce packaging emissions. Meanwhile, the new sales, warehouse and distribution centre will combine the company's current distribution centres in Richmond and Coquitlam, offering expanded storage capabilities and enabling a transition of the products from production to placement. The facility, which is anticipated to open in spring 2024, will be home to Coke Canada Bottling's local fleet and equipment service operations. Todd Parsons, Coke Canada Bottling CEO, said: "We are a family business and, as the Lower Mainland's local bottler, we're very committed to investing in our local business for the long-term. We're guided by our mission to deliver optimism and create a better future for our customers, consumers and communities." "By increasing our manufacturing capacity and consolidating our warehouse and distribution operations, we're ensuring we're able to grow our business and continue to make, distribute, merchandise, and sell 's favourite beverages for many years to come."

Koloa Rum Company has entered the canned cocktail category with the launch of a new line of sparkling Hawaiian rum canned cocktails. Koloa's canned cocktails are available in four flavours: guava, pineapple, mango and coconut. The cocktails are blended with premium Kauai White Rum, which is made from pure cane sugar and rainwater from Mount Waialeale. Koloa Rum Company's president and CEO, Bob Gunter, said: "Over the past four years, we have watched the rising popularity of canned cocktails in the market, and we recognise that this is the opportune time for Koloa Rum to enter this product category. We're proud to first introduce it to our Hawaii ohana as a way to show our appreciation for years of endless support." Available in US retailers, Koloa's canned cocktails are packaged in a four-pack of 335ml cans.

Chickpea snack brand Hippeas is adding to its chickpea tortilla chip line with the introduction of a Sea Salt & Lime flavour. The new variant will be added to the core range which includes Straight Up Sea Salt and Rockin' Ranch. The better-for-you tortillas are USDA Certified Organic, gluten-free and vegan, containing 3g grams of protein and fibre per 1oz serving. Paul Nardone, Hippeas CEO, commented: "The improved Hippeas chickpea tortilla chip line fulfills direct consumer feedback and we are really proud about where we landed with this innovation. This product really stands up well next to its mainstream competitor from a taste and texture standpoint, but that's where the comparisons end because Hippeas chickpea tortilla chips are organic and vegan and contain both protein and fibre and no artificial colours, flavours or ingredients of any kind." Hippeas tortilla chips are available on the brand's website, as well as on Amazon and in-store at retailers nationwide.

Carlsberg is trialing the latest design of its Fibre Bottle, produced in collaboration with renewable chemistry company Avantium, in a move to commercialise bio-based bottles. The PEF (polyethylene furanoate) Fibre Bottle is made with a wood fibre outer shell and a plant-based and recyclable PEF polymer liner. The packaging enables the protection of the taste and fizziness of beer leading to longer shelf life. This year the companies signed a joint agreement to develop several PEF packaging applications, including the Fibre Bottle, with the bio-based material being produced in Avantium’s FDCA Flagship Plant. Avantium and Carlsberg developed the initial Fibre Bottle back in 2019 in partnership with Paboco. Carlsberg has revealed the latest design will sample 8,000 bottles across eight Western European markets throughout summer. The bottles will be introduced at selected festivals and events, as well as targeted product sampling, gathering large-scale feedback for future commercialisation. Stephane Munch, VP group development at Carlsberg, said: "We are delighted to be bringing our new Fibre Bottle into the hands of consumers, allowing them to experience it for themselves. However, this pilot will serve a greater purpose in testing the production, performance, and recycling of this product at scale." "Identifying and producing PEF, as a competent functional barrier for beer, has been one of our greatest challenges – so getting good test results, collaborating with suppliers and seeing the bottles being filled on the line is a great achievement," Munch added.

Pernod Ricard has signed an agreement to sell its Tormore Scotch whisky brand and distillery to premium spirits producer, Elixir Distillers. Located in Advie, Scotland, the Tormore distillery produces Scottish malt whisky with a capacity of nearly 5 million litres of alcohol per year. The facility, which was constructed in 1960, is an A-listed building and is known for its single malts, including 14- and 16-year-old editions. Elixir Distillers was co-founded by entrepreneurs Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh in 2017, who also created the online spirits retailer, The Whisky Exchange, acquired by Pernod Ricard in 2021. Alexandre Ricard, chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard, said: "Active portfolio management is an integral part of our long-term strategy. The sale of the Tormore brand and distillery follows the recent announcement of our investment behind the Aberlour and Miltonduff facilities, which will increase our Scotch production capacities by 14 million litres of alcohol per annum." He continued: "We are delighted to be handing Tormore over to Sukhinder and Rajbir, two friends and truly creative entrepreneurs and look forward to finding new ways to collaborate in the future". Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.