Culligan-owned Quench has acquired point-of-use (POU) drinking water systems provider, Crescent Hills Water Company, for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 1999, Crescent Hills Water Company is based in Grapevine, Texas, and Quench says that the acquisition adds "significant density" in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Quench's VP of corporate development, Ryan Hartley, said: “We are proud to welcome Crescent Hills Water Company’s customers to the Quench family. This is our fourth acquisition in 2022 and enhances our capabilities in a key market.” Crescent Hills Water Company's former owner, Terry Williams, added: “Quench’s commitment to its customers is second to none and their extensive and growing product line will present exciting opportunities for the customer base of Crescent Hills Water Company”. The deal follows Quench's acquisition of POU water systems and coffee services company, Blue Caffe.

Lavazza has reported full-year turnover of €2.31 billion, driven by sales recovery in the out-of-home channel. The company's EBITDA stood at €312 million, up 23.3% on the previous year. Meanwhile, Lavazza's net profit came in at €105 million, an increase of 44% on the €73 million recorded in 2020. The Italian coffee manufacturer said it expects a challenging 2022, due to factors including the rising prices of raw materials. Having decided to suspend all its activities in Russia due to the war, Lavazza said that "besides international sanctions and the fall in value of the rouble, the main effects are being felt on the raw materials for which Russia and Ukraine are leading producers and exporters, such as gas, oil and metals". Lavazza CEO, Antonio Baravalle, said: “The excellent 2021 results are not only a significant milestone for our Group but also the springboard to tackle an extremely complex and challenging year, due to the rise in the price of all the raw materials we use – first and foremost green coffee, but also packaging, energy, logistics – and the risks deriving from the dramatic current geopolitical situation”.

Tyson Foods is investing $208 million in a new facility in Hanceville, Alabama, adjacent to the company's former rendering plant, which was destroyed in a fire last year. The new 121,000-square-foot rendering facility will serve many of the state’s poultry processors, as well as others in neighbouring states. The rendering process helps reduce waste by breaking down and cooking the parts of the chicken people do not eat into usable proteins and fats. Tyson says this process helps maximise food production while decreasing the use of energy and inputs. Jason Spann, complex manager at the Hanceville Tyson Foods facility, commented: "This investment signals our continued support to the agricultural industry and jobs in Alabama, and we look forward to a renewed relationship with the Hanceville community and its leaders". Tyson Foods plans to retain the 124 employees who worked at the previous Hanceville plant throughout the two-year construction period. The facility is expected to be completed in mid-2023.

Hostess Brands has added a new mint chocolate flavour to its bite-sized line of Hostess Crispy Minis, which was first launched in mid-2021. Mint Chocolate Hostess Crispy Minis combine mint with cocoa. The offering features two layers of mint filling sandwiched between crisp wafers and topped with a chocolate-flavoured layer. The new flavour is made with real mint and cocoa and is free of high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colours and flavours. "Consumers are increasingly craving multitextured snacks, and this trend was central to the original launch of our Crispy Minis," said Christopher Balach, general manager of Hostess Brands. Mint Chocolate Hostess Crispy Minis are available nationwide for an SRP of $3.49 per 7.3oz package.

Italian food brand Crosta & Mollica has expanded its range with the launch of a tiramisù. Offering two portions per pack, the new dessert "has been crafted using a traditional Italian recipe and authentic ingredients". It joins Crosta & Mollica's tartufi as part of the brand's frozen dessert range. The new offering features traditional savoiardi biscuits, soaked in a syrup of espresso coffee and Marsala wine, and layered with a creamy mascarpone filling. The tiramisù is packaged in a fully recyclable cardboard box and plastic tray, and is prepared simply by defrosting prior to serving. With an RRP of £4.50, Crosta & Mollica's latest offering is available to purchase exclusively from Waitrose.

Ice cream brand Halo Top is expanding its portfolio with the launch of its Chocolate Cake Batter flavoured ice cream, featuring a new recipe. The new ice cream features a chocolatey cake batter light ice cream including coloured sprinkles and will be Halo Top's first release following the alteration of its Dairy Light ice cream recipe. The new recipe includes ultrafiltered skim milk among other premium ingredients which delivers "an even creamier texture". Pete Gargula, Halo Top brand manager, said: "Throughout 2022, our fans can now enjoy their favorite Halo Top Dairy Light ice cream flavours with even creamier texture thanks to our latest reformulation. The new recipe will give fans all the delicious taste they know and love from Halo Top with an increase in creaminess." Halo Top's reformulated recipe will be available in its full line of flavours – including the new Chocolate Cake Batter – in the frozen aisle of US grocery stores nationwide for an SRP of $4.99.

PepsiCo has made the "difficult decision" to close its research and development site in Barrington, Illinois – a move that will reportedly see the company lay off 78 employees. The remaining 212 individuals employed at the site will be distributed to the company's other locations. Barrington is home to the beverage giant's research and development facilities for its Quaker Oats and Gatorade brands. A spokesperson for the company said: "A vast majority of the roles will be moving to our three key hubs: Chicago’s Old Post Office, Plano, Texas, and Valhalla, New York. There are a few roles that will not be relocated. For these impacted colleagues, we are offering a generous severance package, outplacement benefits and mental health resources." The expectation is for the site to be fully closed in June. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to invest $260 million into the expansion of its DeKalb County PepsiCo Beverages North America manufacturing facility.

Premium, non-alcoholic sparkling wine producer, French Bloom, has announced £2.5 million in fundraising, as it looks to expand globally. Investors included Jean Moueix, MD of wine estate Chateau Petrus, and Frédéric Biousse, co-founder of Experienced Capital and Les Domaines de Fontenille hotels. French Bloom's non-alcoholic wine is made from alcohol-free wine, grape juice and natural flavours. Designed as a healthy alternative to champagne, the brand's offerings are low in calories, contain no added sugar or sulphites, and are organic and vegan. The French Bloom range currently includes white and rosé variants, with a new cuvée in development. French Bloom plans to use the investment to expand globally and strengthen the brand's community. The company says that sales are forecast at 150,000 bottles globally this year, increasing to 1 million in 2023.

Plant-based meat company Nowadays has closed a $7 million seed round, as it looks to expand its portfolio and distribution. Based in California, the company offers plant-based chicken nuggets and is looking to introduce new products. Nowadays says that its technology combines simple ingredients “without any questionable additives” to create whole cuts of plant-based meat, which can then be processed using existing manufacturing finishing lines for animal meat. Nowadays’ seed round was led by Stray Dog Capital, and also received support from meat processing and packaging business, Standard Meat Company. Other participants in the round included existing backers VegInvest Trust, Tenacious Ventures, Cornucopian Capital and Good Protein Fund, as well as new investors. The funds will support the commercialisation of additional products, including a plant-based chicken cutlet, and help the brand expand its distribution in foodservice and launch into retail. Standard Meat CEO and co-president, Ben Rosenthal, said: "At Standard Meat, we are constantly looking ahead to the future, bringing innovation to every aspect of our business”. “Today, that means investing in and supporting Nowadays and their plant-based meats that will deliver the nutritional benefits flexitarians are craving. “We know that consumers want a variety of quality protein choices, and we are looking forward to lending our operational expertise and culinary credibility as Nowadays scales manufacturing and launches new products.”

Kellogg's-owned brand Eggo has unveiled a new range of on-the-go waffles that do not require a toaster. Eggo Grab & Go Liege-Style Waffles were inspired by Belgian street food and feature a golden brioche dough with pearl sugar bits. The waffles are available in two flavours: Buttery Maple and Strawberry. The new offerings are made with real butter, no artificial colours or flavours, and are already infused with maple syrup flavours. "We heard from parents that they often sacrifice their own needs, like skipping breakfast, in order to make sure their kids get a great start to the day," said Eggo's marketing director, Joe Beauprez. "That's why we created the new Eggo Grab & Go Liege-Style Waffles with busy parents in mind." Eggo Grab & Go Liege-Style Waffles are available at retailers nationwide in a four-pack box for an SRP of $5.99 and a 12-pack box for $12.99.

Diageo has unveiled an alcohol-free version of its Gordon’s Premium Pink brand. Gordon’s Premium Pink 0.0% Alcohol Free Spirit, which is part of the brand's innovation strategy, features flavours of raspberry, strawberry and redcurrant. Head of Gordon’s GB, Jessica Lace, said: “With the alcohol-free trend showing no signs of slowing down, we are delighted to offer a new alcohol-free alternative to Gordon’s Premium Pink Distilled Gin which allows consumers to enjoy the great flavours of Gordon’s but without any of the alcohol". Gordon’s Premium Pink 0.0% is available at Morrisons stores for an RRP of £15.00 per 70cl bottle, with plans to roll out across other retailers later this year.

Plant-based snack brand Outstanding Foods has launched flavoured dairy-free cheese ball snacks which are high in protein and nutrients. The new releases are available in four variants: Chedda, Bacon Chedda, Jalapeno Chedda and Garlic Parmesan. Outstanding Cheese Balls are free from soy, gluten and trans-fat while also containing four grams of protein and 20 vitamins and minerals per serving. Bill Glaser, CEO and co-founder of Outstanding Foods, commented: "We are thrilled to introduce our Outstanding Cheese Balls as the first dairy-free cheese balls on the market. Cheese balls are a nostalgic snack most of us grew up on, but for so many who avoid dairy for a variety of reasons, our Outstanding Cheese Balls will bring back those smile-filled memories with the great taste everyone loves and the nutrition we all need." The dairy-free snacks come in full-size 3oz size bags retailing for $4.39 and snack-sized 1.25oz bags retailing for $2.49. They are available on Outstandingcheeseballs.com with further rollout into US retailers nationwide within the next few months.