Mars Food UK-owned brand Dolmio  has launched 7 Vegetables Pasta Sauce in three flavours.  Mediterranean Roasted Veg, Sun Ripened Tomato & Basil, and Sun Ripened Tomato & Chilli each come in a 350g jar and are packed with vegetables. Mediterranean Roasted Veg, for example, features aubergine, red and yellow peppers, basil and courgettes.  The sauces are made with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, and contain two of the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables.   "We’re excited to launch Dolmio 7 Vegetables Pasta Sauce, a jar full of seven different varieties of delicious veg, designed to help the whole family pack more flavour, variety and vegetables into their diet," said Giulia Somma, marketing manager at Mars Food. "Our ambition at Dolmio® is to help more families enjoy drama-free dinnertimes together by providing healthy products which are quick to prepare and, of course, delicious. She added: "At the start of 2021, Mars Food committed to deliver 5.5 billion healthy meals globally by 2025 – including adding 4 billion servings of vegetables in the next 5 years across the world. Dolmio 7 Vegetables Pasta Sauce is a great example of some of the innovation we’re bringing to deliver on our goal and help the UK eat more fruit and vegetables as each serving contains two of your five a day.” Available in the UK with an RRP of £1.97.

Cargill has announced that it has expanded its global pectin footprint with a new $150 million processing plant in Bebedouro, Brazil. The new state-of-the-art facility will prioritise "sustainable production with advanced CO2 emission reductions and biomass reuse," a company statement said. It will also enable Cargill to meet increasing demand for clean label texturising ingredients.   Located in Brazil's citrus growing region, the new site provides a large supply of fresh fruit peels – the raw material used in pectin production. It will produce the full suite of Cargill's pectin offerings, enabling the global food corporation to expand its presence in South America and Europe.  "Demand for pectin is at an all-time high, fueled by global trends around sugar reduction and label-friendly formulation, as well as the popularity of fruit-flavoured dairy drinks," said Laerte Moraes, managing director for Cargill's starches, sweeteners and texturisers business in South America. "Adding a fourth pectin production facility to our supply network further secures our position as a reliable supplier of this sought-after ingredient." The HM pectin Cargill produces will be used to make products such as jams, fruit-flavoured beverages, acidic dairy drinks, yogurts, fruit preparations and confectionery, as well as personal care products. HM pectin fulfils a number of roles, including: a thickening and gelling agent, stabilising proteins in acidic environments and supporting the production of low sugar beverages. The facility will also help to meet Cargill's pledge to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions across its operations, using advanced technology and sustainably certified raw materials. The plant is powered by thermal energy generated from biomass and biogas.  "This new plant is the latest example of how Cargill is working to lower our environmental impact across operations," Moraes added. "Within the last five years, we've reduced the energy consumption of our European plants by 20%. Our Bebedouro plant will continue that commitment, using advanced technology to minimise our carbon footprint." Cargill says that initial shipments are expected to begin by the end of 2021.  You may also like:  Cargill teams up with vertical farming company AeroFarms for cocoa production-focused research Cargill and Continental Grain to buy Sanderson Farms for $4.53bn Cargill invests $45m into the production of soluble fibres in Europe

Little Moons, the popular Mochi brand, is launching a brand-new vegan Belgian chocolate and hazelnut flavour to add to its range. The London-based brand is introducing its signature gelato ice cream in chocolate with caramelized hazelnut chunks throughout. Free from artificial flavourings, colours and preservatives, this will be the third addition to its vegan range. Howard Wong, Co-founder of Little Moons, stated:  “Our goal was to create a rich and indulgent flavour that tastes so good you wouldn’t know it’s vegan, and judging from the reaction we’ve had from everyone who’s tried our brand new Belgian Chocolate & Hazelnut Little Moons we’re confident we’ve cracked it!” There is 14 flavours to choose from, including Vegan Tropical Passionfruit and Mango, Himalayan Salted Caramel, Creamy Coconut and Uji Matcha Green Tea.   This particular flavour will be available exclusively in Tesco for six weeks before being rolled out nationwide with an RRP of £4.50 per pack.

In the US, Dr. Kellyann is launching a new shelf-stable Classic Chicken Bone Broth, made with collagen.  The new product contains ingredients such as simmered chicken bones, organic vegetables and herbs, as well as 15g of protein and 5.5g of collagen per serving,  Dr. Kellyann’s Classic Chicken Bone Broth will be available in a 16.9fl oz carton in a shelf-stable tetra packaging from 1 September. The product will be stocked exclusively at Whole Foods Market nationwide, with a retail price is $7.69.

Tyson Foods has announced that it will invest $300 million to construct a new fully-cooked facility in Danville, Virginia.  The project aims to accelerate brand growth and is part of the company's commitment to meet the increasing demand for its products.  “As consumers actively look to add more protein to their diets, Tyson is uniquely positioned as a category leader to meet that growing demand,” said Noelle O’Mara, president, Prepared Foods at Tyson. “Our continued focus on consumer-driven innovation will accelerate this momentum and our investment in Danville-Pittsylvania County will help drive the long-term growth of the iconic Tyson brand.” The 325,000-square foot, state-of-the-art facility will primarily focus on the production of fully-cooked Tyson branded chicken products, including Any’tizer Snacks and Chicken Nuggets. Tyson has also pledged to buy 60 million pounds of Virginia-grown chicken over the next three years.  “When corporate partners reinvest in the Commonwealth, it is a strong endorsement of the many attributes that make Virginia the best state for business,” said Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. “Tyson Foods has been a major employer in Virginia for more than five decades and continues its growth trajectory with this new operation in Danville-Pittsylvania County, creating hundreds of quality jobs for the citizens of Southern Virginia. We look forward to many years of success.” “Our company has been successfully working in the Commonwealth of Virginia for decades,” said David Bray, group president of Poultry for Tyson. “We’re thankful for the invitation to become a part of the Danville and Pittsylvania County communities, the support from both state and local leaders, and the presence of such a strong workforce in the region.” Tyson Foods says that the new facility will provide nearly 400 jobs when production begins in spring 2023.

Danone-owned Horizon Organic has announced plans to terminate contracts with all its organic dairy farmers in Vermont and other parts of northeast US, effective next year.  Danone said that 89 producers across northeast US received a non-renewal notice, meaning they will lose their contracts by the end of August 2022. The company cited operational and transportation costs as a core reason for the termination.  "We greatly value our relationships with our farming partners and did not make this decision lightly," said a spokesperson for Danone North America. "Growing transportation and operational challenges in the dairy industry, particularly in the northeast, led to this difficult decision." "89 producers across the northeast received this non-renewal notice. To help facilitate a smooth transition, we are offering each producer the opportunity to enter into a new agreement for us to purchase their milk until August 31, 2022, to provide additional time and support." The spokesperson continued: "We will be supporting new partners that better align with our manufacturing footprint. We are committed to continuing to support organic dairy in the east, and in the last 12 months alone, we have onboarded more than 50 producers new to Horizon Organic that better fit our manufacturing footprint. This decision will help us continue providing our consumers with the products they love."

Young's Seafood has teamed up with children's food brand Annabel Karmel to create fish-based frozen meals, including Cheesy Fish Pie and Fish and Chip Shapes.  Designed for children under five, Young's hopes the meals will inspire healthy eating as well as support the UK government's recommendation of eating two portions of fish a week as part of a balanced diet.  Cheesy Fis Pie contains Atlantic cod and salmon fillets, which are naturally high sources of essential fatty acids, such as Omega 3. The meal comes with sweetcorn and a sweet potato and carrot mash. Fish and Chip Shapes are made with pollock, peas, carrots and mash in golden breadcrumbs. Marina Richardson, marketing controller at Young’s Seafood, said: “At Young’s we are driven by a belief that a nation that enjoys fish regularly is a happier and healthier nation, and this is something we want to pass on to the next generation too. We are excited to join forces with Annabel Karmel to launch dishes that will do just that. The Cheesy Fish Pie and the Fish and Chip Shapes are a great choice, and the convenient format is ideal for busy parents trying to fix their children a quick but healthy meal.” The frozen meals are being rolled out across selected Sainsburys, Tesco, Asda, and Booths stores from 2 September (rsp £1.75 200g).

Global cocktail and spirits provider Lucas Bols has announced the launch of Bols Ready to Enjoy Cocktails.  The latest addition to the company's portfolio will feature five signature cocktails: Bols Margarita Azul is described as "tangy and refreshing" (ABV 14.9%); Bols Espresso Martini is "rich and smooth (ABV 14.9%); Bols Red Light Negroni is "bittersweet and complex" (ABV 21.9%); Bols Very Old Fashioned is "aromatic and intense" (ABV 30%); meanwhile, Bols Pornstar Martini is "exotic and fresh" (ABV 14.9%).  Each cocktail comes in a unique 200ml tube made from sustainable packaging, as well as two larger sizes (375ml and 700ml).  Huub van Doorne, CEO Lucas Bols said: “Lucas Bols wants to inspire consumers by bringing the magic of cocktails home. With our Ready to Enjoy Cocktails, crafted with our famous Bols liqueurs, vodka and genever, we are tapping into the rapidly growing category of ready to serve cocktails. We prioritised superior quality, convenience and sustainable packaging to revolutionise the cocktail experience at home. Our Bols Cocktail Tubes illustrate our leading position in the development of the global cocktail market.” The new cocktails debut in the US and the company's native country the Netherlands this autumn.

Kellogg's latest launch combines Crunchy Nut's iconic nutty and honey flavours into a soft, creamy filling encased in a "crunchy pillow".  "Crunchy Nut Bites are the newest addition to the range, following on from the launch of the granola last year and Nut Butter Bars earlier this month," said Susann Heinz, senior brand activation manager at Kellogg’s UKI.  She added: "We understand the cereal has a huge fan base, so we’re continuously looking for ways to expand our offering and to meet our consumers’ needs. We are sure Crunchy Nut lovers will enjoy our latest innovation". Crunchy Nut Bites retails at £2.99 (per 375g box) and is available in major supermarkets across the UK.

Provider of processing and packaging solutions for food products Multivac has announced that it will invest approximately €20 million in the construction of a new multi-purpose building in Tsukuba, Japan.  Areas of expansion will include the company's integrated systems, as well as products from the Fritsch (a manufacturer of equipment for both large bakeries and smaller producers of bakery products) and Tvi (a meat portioning specialist) business units. The new building will also include a training centre for customers and staff, as well as showrooms for machines.  “Japan is a significant market for Multivac. The new building will expand the local production capacity and also optimise our logistics systems,” said Guido Spix, group president of Multivac. “In the future, we will therefore produce at one location, which will also enable us to increase our productivity.” Located on the ground floor will be the manufacturing and assembly departments, as well as the training & application centre for processing & packaging, together with the application centre for bakery technology. The upper floor will comprise a small-parts warehouse, as well as a canteen and the offices and meeting/training rooms, which are needed to meet the growing demand. “The new building will not only create additional capacity, but it will also enable us to provide new training facilities for the staff of our Japanese service network, as well as offering customers advice on all aspects of system integration, and bringing our solutions closer to them in our showrooms - including those from the Fritsch and Tvi business units, which will play an important role for us in future on the Japanese market,” says Kenichiro Onuma, managing director of Multivac Japan. Multivac now has 12 subsidiaries in the Asia-Pacific region, employing more than 300 staff.  The building will sit on 14,400 square metres of land and is set to open in summer 2022.

Nestlé has announced that it is upgrading its R&D facilities in Singapore, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of its opening.  The R&D centre has played a key role in developing new products and technologies for South East Asia and beyond over the last four decades.  Commenting on the centre, Chris Johnson, CEO for Zone Asia, Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa, said: "All food is local. If you want to be successful in our business, you need a good understanding of the flavours people love, the dishes they want to serve to their families, the food trends they want to try. That's why it's so important to have a research and development team in Singapore, here in the heart of South East Asia, a centre of excellence driving innovation and product development in Asia, for Asia."   The upgraded facilities feature state-of-the-art labs, experimental kitchens, consumer testing, sensory evaluations rooms, open working spaces, as well as Nestlé's fundamental research hub. The upgrade will also include a new regional R&D accelerator, providing a "world-class platform" for start-ups, students and Nestlé employees in the region to develop and test novel concepts in under six months. Thomas Hauser, head of global product and technology development for Nestlé added: "Our R&D centre in Singapore has a long history of developing innovative products for South East Asia that are inspired by the cultural diversity and different local cuisines". "Upgrading the centre with state-of-the-art facilities including the new R&D Accelerator is proof of our long-term commitment to the region. We will also be able to respond to food and beverage trends and challenges more quickly and efficiently," he said.  The R&D centre will continue trialling innovations and new products across brands such as coffee mixes, powdered beverages such as Milo, culinary products, plant-based foods & beverages and ice cream.

US-based premium ice cream company Serendipity Brands has appointed Bob Gorman as its new chief executive officer.  Gorman aims to focus on short- and long-term business strategy for the brand, as well as the brand's retail footprint and expansion into key markets. He will also collaborate with part-owner and investor, Selena Gomez, to grow the brand's offerings.  “Serendipity has seen tremendous growth over the past year and we are thrilled to have Bob join us as he has a proven track record of successfully developing and amplifying brands,” said Sal Pesce, co-founder of Serendipity Brands. “We look forward to his unique perspective and expertise as we continue growing and expanding Serendipity Brands.” Gorman brings with him over 20 years of marketing experience across the food, wellness, beauty and spirits industries. Most recently, he was chief marketing officer at  Kellogg -owned  Rxbar ; he has also held positions at Beam Suntory, Alberto Culver, and Procter and Gamble.   “Serendipity Brands is perfectly positioned to deliver exceptional growth,” said Gorman. “Serendipity has all of the ingredients for success – an iconic restaurant, award-winning ice cream, a team with over 100 years experience in the ice cream category, and amazing investors like Selena Gomez.”