US private equity investor Atlas Holdings has announced its acquisition of California-based poultry company Foster Farms. Founded in 1939, Foster Farms provides fresh, frozen and prepared poultry products, which are available nationwide. The company employs around 10,000 people and operates processing facilities in California, Washington, Louisiana, Oregon and Alabama. "We are thrilled to welcome Foster Farms to the Atlas family of great global businesses," said Atlas partners Sam Astor, Ed Fletcher and Mike Sher. "We have a long history of partnering with proud family-owned companies to honour their past while driving additional operational, environmental and financial success for the next generation." In addition, Atlas has announced the appointment of former Tyson Foods chief executive Donnie Smith as Foster Farms' new chairman and CEO. Smith retired from Tyson Foods in 2016, having spent 36 years with the business. "I love the poultry industry, and I am proud that Atlas has asked me to become the CEO of Foster Farms," said Smith. "In this new era, we will maintain and further that legacy, rooted in animal welfare, superior product quality, customer service and community engagement." The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Kellogg's-owned brand Rxbar has announced the launch of its new range of protein bars, called Rxbar AM. Rxbar AM features three flavours: honey cinnamon peanut butter, chocolate and blueberry. The bars contain 10g of protein per serving and are made with ingredients such as soft-rolled oats, creamy nut butter, honey, egg whites, crispy brown rice and pumpkin seeds. "We know consumers today prioritise their wellness more than ever..." said Eileen Flaherty, senior brand manager at Rxbar. "Rxbar AM is bringing an approach to morning bars, offering everything you would expect from Rxbar, with 10g of protein and simple ingredients, in a new, soft and crispy texture. Each bar pairs perfectly with morning coffee and is easily enjoyed while on-the-go." Rxbar AM is available at Whole Foods and Target and will roll out at other national and local retailers throughout the summer. The protein bars are sold at an SRP of $2.49 per bar, $8.99 for a four-count and $9.99 for a five-count box.

The Urgent Company-owned ice cream brands Brave Robot and Coolhaus have partnered to launch a new range of animal-free ice cream sandwiches. Brave Robot x Coolhaus Animal-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches are available in two flavours: chocolate chip cookie dough and mint chocolate chip. The chocolate chip cookie dough flavour features a creamy vanilla animal-free ice cream, cookie dough and chocolate pieces, sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies. Meanwhile, the mint chocolate chip variant is made with creamy mint animal-free ice cream with chocolate pieces. "The new Brave Robot x Coolhaus Animal-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches are everything you want an ice cream sandwich to be: rich, creamy ice cream layered between freshly baked, decadent cookies," said Paul Kollesoff, CEO and co-founder of The Urgent Company. "When we brought these companies together, we envisioned our missions coming together, too. This collaboration extends our impact by giving devoted Coolhaus fans a taste of a more sustainable future with delicious animal-free dairy." Natasha Case, founder of Coolhaus, added: "By teaming up with Brave Robot and integrating Perfect Day animal-free protein into our ice cream, we can make Coolhaus accessible to more people by using animal-free dairy that is also lactose-free and even better for the planet. These ice cream sandwiches are the next step to making more inclusive products with even more meaning behind them." Made with Perfect Day’s cow-free milk protein, Brave Robot x Coolhaus Animal-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches are available to purchase at Kroger's stores nationwide. The ice creams are sold in two varieties at $7.99 per pack of three sandwiches. Each sandwich contains 290 calories and is lactose-free, hormone-free and cruelty-free. Late last year, The Urgent Company acquired Coolhaus, announcing plans to turn it into an animal-free brand.

The occupying Russian administration in the city of Kherson, Ukraine, is attempting to reopen a Danone plant that was closed amid the ongoing conflict between the two countries. Located in Kherson, Danone's Dnipro plant was closed in March to protect employees. "The plant has incurred significant damage as a result of Russian hostilities in the area and we do not believe that the Provisional Occupation Administration will be able to resume operations there," stated a spokesperson from Danone. The dairy giant added that if the Dnipro plant were made partially operational, it cannot "stand by the quality and processes that might be used, given the departure of most of the workforce and the damage to the plant itself". Danone says that it will not be responsible for the safety and quality of any products produced at the damaged facility.

Spanish biotechnology company Cocuus has raised €2.5 million in a pre-Series A funding round, as it looks to scale up its 3D bioprinting technology for the production of alternative proteins. The round was led by Big Idea Ventures, Cargill Ventures, Eatable Adventures and Tech Transfer UPV. Cocuus plans to use the capital to scale up its business and expand into other international markets. Cocuus founder and CEO, Patxi Larumbe, said: "We are very proud to have attracted the interest of international investors with this round of financing. Thanks to this capital injection, we will be able to bring our technology within reach of corporations that want to print proteins on an industrial scale." Big Idea Ventures founder and managing general partner, Andrew D Ive, added: “At Big Idea Ventures, we invest in technology which impacts the alternative protein industry’s entire value chain. Cocuus’ technology addresses a major pain point of structured plant- and cell-based meat production methods: scalability."

Canadian investment platform Cult Food Science has announced it has made an investment in animal-free dairy start-up Change Foods. Food tech company Change Foods uses microbes instead of animals to create real dairy proteins, fats and flavours through precision fermentation. The start-up uses traditional cheesemaking techniques to create cheese that tastes, stretches and melts like its conventionally produced counterpart. Cult CEO, Lejjy Gafour, said: "Cult appreciates the opportunity to invest in Change Foods, which is an exciting venture that is aiming to positively change the course of the food industry. We are highly interested in Change Foods' potential to make permanent and major improvements in the animal-free dairy industry." He continued: "In the cellular agriculture industry, we are searching for affordable and sustainable solutions to feed the next billion people on the planet. Cult is optimistic that Change Foods will help get the industry and the world one step closer to that goal."

Mars Wrigley has launched a dark chocolate version of its Maltesers brand. Dark Maltesers contains 65% more cocoa and 30% less sugar. Mars said that the brand sells a total of 187 million treats a year. Maltesers' brand director, Leah Dyckes, commented: “We are excited to be extending our Maltesers range to offer Maltesers fans a new twist on the chocolate malt confections, which we all know and love. We thought it was about time to finally create Dark Maltesers, as fans have been requesting us to bring out this flavour for years.” The new product will be available nationwide from 20 June in four-pack formats.

Ice cream producer Van Leeuwen has launched five new flavours to add to its portfolio, launching exclusively into Walmart's across the US. The exclusive launch includes Campfire S’mores, Summer Peach Crisp, Honey Cornbread with Strawberry Jam, Espresso Fior di Latte Chip and Grey Poupon with Salted Pretzels – in partnership with mustard brand Grey Poupon. New ice cream varieties such as Grey Poupon with Salted Pretzels consists of a blend of sweet ice cream, honey-dijon swirl and salted pretzels, as well as Honey Cornbread with Strawberry Jam which features vanilla ice cream with pieces of honey cornbread and strawberry jam. Van Leeuwen, co-founder and CEO of Van Leeuwen, said: "Refreshing our flavour selection at Walmart stores has allowed Van Leeuwen to create new unique flavours widely available to ice cream lovers in every corner of the country". "Staying true to our artisanal processes, like using single-origin coffee Arabica beans from Guatemala for our Espresso Fior di Latte Chip and highlighting the fresh and nostalgic flavours we all know so well. These pints offer something delicious for every member of your household whether they like their desserts savoury or sweet," added Leeuwen. The five new flavours are available in Walmart locations for a limited time only across the US.

Canadian brand Daiya Foods is adding to its portfolio of plant-based cheese with the release of Mediterranean-inspired cheese blocks. The releases include a Grilling Cheeze Block and a Feta Flavour Block. Daiya's Grilling Cheeze Block is inspired by traditional Halloumi cheese from Cyprus and is the "first" plant-based grilling cheese made from oats and chickpeas, with notes of garlic and herb. The cheese is designed to be grilled and pan-fried, with the ability to maintain its shape without melting. Daiya's Feta Flavour Block is made with certified gluten-free oats and olive oil and is "salty, tangy and bright with a semi-smooth bite". Dan Hua, vice president of marketing at Daiya, commented: "Our new artisan-inspired cheeze blocks, crafted with wholesome plant-based ingredients for an authentic Mediterranean taste, will inspire new tasty and robust creations and ensure those with dietary restrictions don't have to miss out". Daiya's portfolio of plant-based foods can be found in grocery stores across the US, including Kroger, Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Safeway and Publix, as well as Sprouts and most natural food retailers.

French savoury ingredient producer, Solina Foods, has announced its acquisition of a majority stake in UK condiments business Zafron Foods. Zafron, which works out of two manufacturing sites, produces mayonnaise, sauces, condiments, dressings, chutneys and deli fillers. The business's brands include Kenny’s, Zafron and Kromberg. Solina says that the acquisition will help it to "develop its product capabilities and portfolio across dry seasonings, coating systems and custom sauces, and a one-stop-shop approach". Solina CEO, Anthony Francheterre, said: “Quick service restaurants, dark kitchens and home meal replacement are driving growth in the sauce sector, particularly in the highly developed UK foodservice market. Yet, there remains a need for custom sauce capacity and capabilities. Solina, with our culinary heritage, and Zafron, with its complementary capabilities and channels, will address that unmet need while advancing our shared mission to make food matter for people and the planet.” The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Diageo has received planning approval for a major new solar energy farm, which will be located within its Leven packaging site. The company is set to commence work on the farm, which is being delivered in partnership with E.On and Emtec Energy and will occupy vacant land in the southeast corner of the Leven site. The solar operations will consist of 9,000 panels, covering an area the size of eight football pitches. Diageo's new solar farm is expected to be one of the largest of its kind in Scotland, and will produce 4.1 megawatts of electricity while reducing CO2 emissions by around 830 tonnes per year. Gavin Brogan, operations director at Diageo Leven, said: "It’s fantastic to make this project a reality, creating a more resilient and energy-efficient plant. Working in partnership with E.On and Emtec Energy, the solar array will generate nearly a quarter of our annual energy use and is a fantastic step forward towards meeting our net zero commitments." He continued: "Diageo is well-rooted in Leven, and we are committed to playing a positive role in our local community, so we will continue to invest in projects like this one to improve our impact on the environment and future-proof our operations. We have a number of those projects in the pipeline, including looking into sustainable heating solutions which the solar farm development will help to power." The project is scheduled to be completed and generating power by early 2023.

Are you looking for a partner to ride the new trend of nitro drinks? Rotarex Solutions offers turnkey solutions to create unique drink experiences. Below, the company answers the question: how does nitro provide a great differentiation opportunity and what does Rotarex Solutions offer? Nitrogen for a forever memorable drink experience Your customers will notice the difference, from creation to taste, each time they order a regular drink next to a nitro-infused pick-me-up. The latter gives a certain wow factor that simply isn’t common (yet) in the drinks industry. Nitro drinks make you feel you just had a mind-blowing experience worth talking about. Creamy foam Nitrogen helps you create a thick and creamy foam head. The shiny and foamy head is a significant part of what makes nitro drinks so irresistible. Traditional drinks featuring a mousse layer are made with egg whites or milk, which leaves vegans and vegetarians out of the equation. Offering vegan alternatives attracts a more diverse crowd, appeals to varying tastes and provides an inclusive drink option for cocktail or coffee lovers. Sweeter taste and smooth texture Like aerating wine, infusing beverages with nitrogen enhances its flavour profile and creates a sweeter, new aroma feeling. The need for added sugar or sweeteners is reduced, as the gas naturally exerts a sweet flavour. Plus, your drinks take on a refreshing velvety smoothness that’s truly distinct, memorable and delectable. Consumers will love the elevated taste and silky texture of their nitro drink. Unique visual effect How many times have you visited a bar or restaurant, ordered a drink and felt genuinely impressed when the server sat your drink on the table? Consumers desire those memorable moments, especially when it comes to presentation. Since nitrogen is a gas, it creates a cascade visual effect that draws the eye. Nitro delivers hypnotic, cascading bubbles that add flair to an otherwise standard drink. Endless possibilities served in a matter of seconds from the tap Something for every taste We are only at the beginning of the nitro drink era. Any drink looks fresher, creamier, tastier and sexier with nitrogen. Cold brew coffee has already made its mark. Young generations love it. With zero sugar, nitro coffee has a full-bodied flavour without the acidic bite of traditional iced coffee. Powerful, it gives a double kick compared to standard coffee. Nitro cocktails are slowly but surely appearing on the market. Nitro beer is also on the menu in some bars and restaurants. But have you ever tried tea, juice, wine or kombucha infused with nitrogen? Nitro infusion machines offer you the possibility to explore new recipes and precisely adjust the level of gas infused into the drink. Ultimately, all the above leave your business attracting new customers who crave new drink experiences. Purposeful innovation differentiates your business from others. Quality, speed and consistency One of the most interesting benefits of nitro beverage systems is how the product is served. Beverages can now come in boxes, kegs or concentrates and they can be drawn directly from the tap like a beer. Bars and cafes alike can benefit from having finished drinks on tap for quick serving time (less than 10 seconds). This brings us to the second benefit: speed. All it takes to make the drink is a pull of a lever (any garnishes beyond that are optional). Any bartender, barista or server will be able to serve customers in a fraction of the time, speeding up service times and boosting employee productivity as a result. Such simplicity leads to higher consistency in taste and appearance- the third benefit of nitro infusion. The drink will always have the same flavour from one server to another, and there is no need for a professional cocktail barmaid or barista. Rotarex Solutions – your partner for innovative beverage technologies Rotarex Solutions provides systems to the main leading brands in the world of coffee and cocktails. Our patented inline carbonation technology infuses nitrogen in a deep and pure (100% nitrogen) way. This creates a homogenous creamy foam of long-lasting tiny bubbles. The foam texture is almost liquid and you won’t find any large bubbles in the drink’s head. With Rotarex Solutions technology, you can also add more nitrogen to the beverages than with any other system in the world. Concretely, you can double the quantity of infused nitrogen to create the market’s longest cascade effect that lasts up to one minute and 30 seconds. Our team of experts can precisely meet any customer specifications: from the foam thickness (mm), through the cascade effect length, to the foam texture and other variables. Discover our plug&play, compact and customisable solutions here and contact us now for differentiating pours: solutions@rotarex.com. #Nitrocoffee #nitrogen #RotarexSolutions