Listen to this exclusive podcast interview with Ingredia, a company that manufactures functional and nutritional ingredients for a wide range of markets and applications. FoodBev Media's Lauren Ford is joined by senior product manager for Ingredia Nutritionals, Cécile Da Cunha, and Julie Auger, a specialist in applications for bioactive ingredients. Here, Cunha and Auger discuss Lactium, one of Ingredia's most dynamic brands, with regular efficacy studies being performed in various areas of the world.

Plant-based food brand Squeaky Bean is releasing new ready-to-eat Spicy Pepperoni Style Slices to add to its portfolio of meat-free alternatives. The Spicy Pepperoni Style Slices are 100% vegan, high in protein and are made from wheat and pea protein, chilli flakes and smoked paprika – designed to replicate the "flavours and texture of pepperoni". The pepperoni release will join Squeaky Bean's other new offerings: Spanish Chorizo, Doner Spiced Beef Style Kebab and Squeaky Bean Shawarma Chicken Style Kebab. Sarah Augustine, brand manager at Squeaky Bean, said: "Our fans speak and Squeaky Bean delivers! They told us they'd love to try a Squeaky version of a pepperoni pizza topping! We think it's so good, it'll probably be gone by the time the pizza oven pings." Squeaky Bean Spicy Pepperoni Style Slices will be available in 90g packs for an RRP of £2.50 and will roll into Sainsbury's stores nationwide from 27 April, alongside the brand's other new releases.

The Coca-Cola Company has reported net revenue growth of 16% for its first quarter, driven by higher prices and growth in concentrate sales. Net revenue increased from $9.0 billion in the year-ago quarter to $10.5 billion. On an organic basis, revenue grew 18%. The first-quarter revenue performance was driven by 7% growth in price/mix and 11% growth in concentrate sales. The owner of Fanta and Sprite recorded unit case volume growth of 8% during Q1, posting a double-digit rise for both its nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverages category and its hydration, sports, coffee and tea segment. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola's soft drinks business saw unit case volume growth of 7%, driven by high demand for its namesake brand and its zero-sugar version. Unit case volume grew 11% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, due to continuous investments in the market and "a benefit from cycling the impact of the pandemic in the prior year". In Latin America, unit case volume grew by 9% with a strong performance across most categories, driven by Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia. Coca-Cola's Asia-Pacific region saw unit case volume growth of 4%, led by India and the Philippines. Meanwhile, in North America, unit case volume increased by 5%. The Coca-Cola Company's chairman and CEO, James Quincey, said: “We are pleased with our first-quarter results as our company continues to execute effectively in a highly dynamic and uncertain operating environment. We remain true to our purpose and are staying close to consumers. We are confident in our full-year guidance, and we are well-equipped to win in all types of environments as we fuel strong top-line momentum and create value for our stakeholders.”

The world’s largest palm oil producer, Indonesia, has announced an export ban that will significantly disrupt global supplies of the commodity. In a video broadcast, cited by Reuters, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo said he wanted to ensure domestic availability of food products. The government's plans to halt shipments of the cooking oil come into effect on 28 April. The move has triggered further uncertainty in the global edible oils market, which has already been rocked by disruption to sunflower oil exports from Ukraine and Russia. However, the extent of the ban remains to be seen, with Bloomberg reporting that Indonesia will only halt exports of bulk and packaged RBD (refined, bleached and deodorised) palm olein, a higher-value, processed product. Meanwhile, exports of crude palm oil and RBD palm oil will still be allowed, according to the media platform, which cites people familiar with the matter. Industry sources have also reportedly told Reuters that the ban will not cover crude palm oil. Indonesia accounted for nearly 60% of global palm oil production in 2021, followed by Malaysia (25%), according to estimates from the US Department of Agriculture. The ingredient is used in a vast array of products, including ice cream, instant noodles, chocolate and crisps, and the ban could further raise costs for packaged food producers worldwide. According to Reuters, global prices of crude palm oil have surged to historic highs in 2022, amid rising demand and weak output from the two top producers, compounded by a previous move by Indonesia to restrict exports. The country’s government is under pressure to control cooking oil prices.

Perfect Day is set to begin construction of a new enterprise biology hub in Salt Lake City, marking its second US location. The animal-free dairy company's new facility will be part of The Gateway’s BioHive hub, a campus featuring commercial and laboratory space in Salt Lake City. The facility will serve as a base for Perfect Day's enterprise biology business, SBF, which provides technology development services for companies and helps businesses to develop, scale and commercialise "next-generation" products. The business works with partners from across a range of industries, including food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and personal care. Over the next four years, Perfect Day plans to add more than 60 new positions to its Salt Lake City team. TM Narayan, Perfect Day’s chief of business operations, said: "This second US base will expand and diversify our technology capabilities, allowing us to accelerate our impact and business reach with the addition of new infrastructure, resources and connection to the vitality of the biotech talent growing in the Salt Lake City community". Construction is set to begin immediately on the facility.

Plant-based and holistic wellness platform, Simply Better Brands Corp (SBBC), and US beverage company Jones Soda Co have reached a business combination agreement. The deal will see SBBC acquire Jones, which markets and distributes craft beverages under the Jones Soda and Lemoncocco brands. The merger will bring together Jones Soda's distribution network and SBBC's direct-to-consumer capabilities and brick-and-mortar customer relationships. SBBC is building a portfolio of brands across categories including CBD and plant-based foods and beverages. Last year, the company acquired Tru Brands, which specialises in nutritious snacks for women. Mark Murray, CEO of Jones Soda, commented: "We are very excited to be bringing together the two companies to ‎further accelerate top-line growth and bottom-line improvements. For Jones, this combination will deliver ‎diversification to our core business. We are bringing together not only strong consumer brands but also ‎two strong management teams that we believe will deliver growth and operational synergies." Following the transaction, SBBC will change its name to Jones Soda or a variation thereof.

Mars Wrigley has announced plans to build a new "multimillion-dollar" research and development (R&D) hub adjacent to its existing Global Innovation Center on Goose Island in Chicago. Following the expansion project, the Goose Island campus will become Mars Wrigley's largest innovation hub globally. The new facility will support the development of new products for Mars snack and treat brands, such as M&M's, Snickers and Twix, and the investment will create around 30 jobs at the site. Construction is expected to begin this summer and be completed by the summer of next year. Mars global vice president of R&D, Chris Rowe, said: "Mars has made Chicago home to innovation for nearly 100 years, producing some of the world's most beloved and iconic snacks and treats". He continued: "Creating new jobs and a world-class, multimillion-dollar research and development hub demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the Chicagoland area and accelerates our future for innovation. This facility brings exciting new capabilities and enhances the vibrant innovation culture Mars has on Goose Island."

UK flavoured protein water brand, Vieve, has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new range of vegan protein waters. The range is available in two flavours: Wild Cherry and Peach & Orange. The vegan beverages contain 10g of protein, zero sugar and 50 calories per bottle. Vieve's founder, Rafael Rozenson, said: "As the brand has grown, we have built a loyal consumer base and one of their number one requests has been for a vegan protein water". He continued: "The market for protein products in the UK has grown massively in the last decade, from about £50 million to an over £1 billion industry today and we feel there is lots of upside for growth as we bring a whole new segment of consumers into the market who are put off by traditional powders, drinks and shakes.”

Nestlé-owned Gerber has announced the launch of a new line of carbon-neutral, plant-protein baby food, called Plant-tastic. Plant-tastic features a selection of organic pouches, snacks and meals made using plant-based and nutrient-dense ingredients. Each Plant-tastic recipe is made with beans, such as chickpeas, black beans, navy beans and lentils. Gerber's president and CEO, Tarun Malkani, said: "We hear from parents they want more plant-based protein options that align with their food and climate values. Gerber Plant-tastic offers stage-based nutrition across milestones starting with organic toddler pouches, snacks and meals. We are proud the full range of Plant-tastic products is certified carbon neutral, furthering our commitment to climate forward nutrition." The range is available at retailers nationwide across the US.

Merchant Gourmet has added a new limited-edition Jamaican-style grains and pulses pouch to its portfolio for the summer season. The "healthy" grains and pulses mix has been cooked with an authentic scotch bonnet jerk paste, creamy coconut and fresh lime, inspired by flavours from Jamaica. The pre-cooked pouch consists of 169 calories per 125g serving, has no preservatives or artificial colours as well as being a source of protein, high in fibre and low in saturated fat. The grains can be used as a "quick side dish to summery BBQ meals" or served "alongside traditional Caribbean-style curry to give the dish extra texture". Merchant Gourmet’s Fiery Jamaican-Style Grains and Pulses will be available in Ocado and Morrisons from 22 May.

FoodBev Media’s Lauren Ford rounds up this week’s food and beverage news, including: AB InBev to sell stake in Russian joint venture, faces $1.1bn hit; Upside Foods raises $400m in Series C funding round; FDA investigates reports of illness linked to Lucky Charms; and more. You’ll find all this and more in this week’s podcast – click here to subscribe.

AB InBev has announced that it plans to sell its non-controlling stake in its Russian joint venture AB InBev Efes. The company is looking to divest the interest to its joint venture partner, Turkish brewer Anadolu Efes, and says that active discussions are underway. AB InBev says it will report a $1.1 billion impairment charge in its first-quarter results as a repercussion of the sale. According to Reuters, AB InBev has a 24% stake in Anadolu Efes. The companies formed the AB InBev Efes joint venture in 2018, combining their respective Russian and Ukrainian businesses. AB InBev said in a statement: "Together with its partner, AB InBev continues to support its employees, their families and the humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. Support for its displaced employees and their families includes counselling, housing and financial support." The statement continued: "In addition to donating to NGOs and the relief organisation Caritas, AB InBev is working in partnership with them, other companies and local NGOs to provide food, blankets, medical supplies and 3 million cans of emergency drinking water to Ukraine and surrounding refugee relief areas." AB InBev's decision to sell its stake in the Russian joint venture comes after similar moves from rivals Carlsberg and Heineken, which have also exited businesses in Russia.