Complan, which was acquired by Danone in 2011, has released a food supplement drink designed to maintain energy levels when needed.  Available in three flavours – strawberry, vanilla and cappuccino – the Complan On the Go! range comes in packs of four and contains 9.8g of protein and 21 vitamins, including B6, B12 and iron, which have been linked to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.  The range is available now in Tesco, and in selected Boots stores from March 2021.  RRP £6.00.

Duravant – a provider of engineered equipment and automation solutions to the food processing, packaging and material handling sectors – has acquired Votech, a manufacturer of bag filling machines and palletising technology.   Votech, headquartered in Reusel, The Netherlands, will join forces with Fischbein International – a Duravant operating company – to serve its global customer base.  The acquisition will bring together Votech's expertise in bag management and palletising, and Fischbein's portfolio of bag sealing and sewing equipment.  “There is a very complementary relationship between our two organisations,” said Olivier Hancotte, VP and general manager of Fischbein. “We’re thrilled to work closely with the Votech team to create a broader product offering for both companies’ customers. Fischbein and Votech equipment will both be available through the Fischbein global sales team.” The partnership will combine the two engineered equipment manufacturers' expertise and increase Duravant's ability to serve customers in over 190 countries worldwide.  “We’re excited to be a part of the Duravant group of world-class brands and automation solutions,” said Rolf Michiels, director of project sales. “Aligning with the Fischbein team to better serve our customers through a united and collaborative strategy is an exciting prospect for us. Duravant’s lifecycle management via the company’s SupportPro services also gives our customers broader access to value-added solutions that will help their operations achieve their productivity and efficiency goals.” Pierre Dierckx, director of operations, added: “Our partnership with Duravant opens the path for Votech’s geographic expansion and growth in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America. We’re thrilled to also collaborate with nVenia, Duravant’s US-based operating company serving customers across a wide array of industrial end markets and consumer packaged goods.”

Private investment firm Mill Rock Capital has announced that its portfolio company Mill Rock Packaging Partners has acquired All Packaging Company, a manufacturer of custom paperboard packaging.  All Packaging, which runs two facilities in Utah and Colorado, will continue to operate under the leadership of its president, Kenneth Pepper, who has made "significant investment" in Mill Rock Packaging.  Following the acquisition, All Packaging will become a sister company to Trojan Lithograph Corporation, which Mill Rock Packaging purchased in August 2020.  The acquisition is set to increase the scale and scope of Mill Rock's operations, which now comprise three converting facilities in western US. The combined platform will "offer a more robust suite of products, services and fulfilment capabilities to new and existing customers," a statement from Mill Rock Captial said.  "This combination creates a powerhouse in speciality paperboard packaging that represents a superior value proposition in the marketplace," said Mill Rock Packaging chairman Edward Rose. "We will continue to target growth with new and existing customers through the combined strengths of both companies and further planned investment in conversion capabilities, design innovation and automation." All Packaging's Mr Pepper added: "We are delighted to join forces with Mill Rock Packaging. Going forward we'll sustain our commitment to our customers' success, offering the same high-quality service with the combined resources of a broader platform." Terms of the transaction have not yet been disclosed.

Diageo has announced its latest move in the alcohol-free spirit category, as it prepares for the launch of Tanqueray 0.0%. The alcohol-free gin alternative is crafted from the same distilled botanicals as Tanqueray London Dry including juniper, coriander, angelica and liquorice. Individually immersed in water, the botanicals are heated and then distilled to create the ‘distinct flavours’ associated with Tanqueray. “This special distillation process is a closely guarded secret, known only to a handful of people and we are incredibly proud to be bringing gin drinkers that juniper and citrus led taste they’re expecting from Tanqueray when they choose not to drink alcohol,” said Tanqueray master distiller, Terry Fraser. Tanqueray 0.0% is also positioned as a low-calorie option, with only 6 calories per 50ml. The new product marks Diageo’s latest addition to its alcohol-free portfolio and follows in the footsteps of Gordon’s 0.0%. The alcohol-free alternative joins Tanqueray’s brand portfolio including No. Ten, Rangpur, Flor de Sevillaand recently launched Blackcurrant Royale. Pedro Mendonça, global reserve director, Diageo’s luxury collection, added: “We believe people shouldn’t have to compromise on quality and taste when they want to enjoy a drink that has no, or low, alcohol.” Tanqueray 0.0% will be available to purchase from March across Spain and the UK for an RRP of £16 per 70cl bottle in stores such as Waitrose, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s. The alcohol-free gin alternative will be rolled out to further markets later in the year.

Nestlé  has introduced two new limited-edition Starbucks coffees to its at-home portfolio for spring, which feature flavours such as vanilla, honey and dried fruits. Available in the US, the new seasonal range intends to “celebrate the magic of springtime and refresh your coffee routine”. The line includes Starbucks Honey & Madagascar Vanilla Flavored Coffee and Starbucks Spring Day Blend, which features a blend of black coffee from Africa and Latin America with notes of cocoa and dried fruits. Both products are made with 100% arabica coffee and are available as Keurig K-Cup pods and ground coffee. The seasonal additions follow the launch of a festive Starbucks coffee range last year . Starbucks’ new spring coffees are available for a limited-time online and in grocery stores nationwide.

Danone has reported a decline in net sales of 1.5% on a like-for-like basis, in what the yogurt maker has termed “a year marked by the health crisis”. The company posted full-year net sales of €23.62 billion, compared to 2019 net sales of €25.29 billion. Operating income stood at €2.798 billion for 2020, representing a 13.6% decline from last year. In the fourth-quarter, Danone saw its like-for-like sales fall by 1.4%, representing a “sequential improvement” from the two previous quarters. Danone’s Essential Dairy and Plant-based (EDP) division’s sales were up 3.4% like-for-like to €12.82 billion for the full-year. Plant-based sales amounted to €2.2 billion, growing at 15%. Meanwhile, the company’s Specialized Nutrition and Waters divisions were impacted by Covid-related channel disruptions including out-of-home channels – which declined by approximately 25% in Q4 thanks to new restrictions and lockdown measures. The firm’s Specialized Nutrition business recorded a 0.9% like-for-like decline in net sales to €7.19 billion in 2020, with a less significant drop in Q4 thanks to improvements in all regions. Infant formula sales in China from cross-border channels continued to decline sharply – given the ongoing Hong-Kong border closure and travel limitations with mainland China – at 45% in the fourth quarter, but showed a sequential improvement from last quarter. Meanwhile, domestic channels were back to growth in Q4 thanks to a strong performance by Aptamil. The owner of Evian and Volic saw its full-year Waters unit net sales fall by 16.8% like-for-like to €3.61 billion. Danone continues to reinvent itself with a profitable growth ambitionby reviewing and investing in its portfolio, funded by its €1 billion saving plans. Chairman and CEO Emmanuel Faber, who is under growing pressure as shareholders push for governance changes, says 2021 will be a year of recovery. In line with its plan, Danone has announced today the acquisition of Earth Island, maker of Follow Your Heart. “This is building further on our global leadership on plant-based, now representing 10% of our sales,” added Faber. For 2021, Danone expects a tough Q1 but to be back to growth as of Q2, with a return to profitable growth during the second half of the year.

Nestlé  has surpassed its full-year organic sales expectations with 3.6% growth, driven by strong demand for its pet food and health products in the Americas. In its third-quarter, the company raised its full-year organic sales growth guidance to around 3%; however with 3.6% growth, Nestlé records the highest level in the last five years. Main growth contributors include the Americas, Purina PetCare, at-home coffee and Nestlé Health Science. Full-year total reported sales decreased by 8.9% to CHF 84.3 billion ($94.1 billion), compared to CHF 92.57 billion ($103.3 billion) in 2019. Nestlé's net profit declined by 3.0% to CHF 12.2 billion ($13.6 billion). The Swiss giant witnessed high retails sales growth throughout 2020 due to increased at-home consumption, whereas out-of-home channel sales fell significantly. For 2020, Nestlé recorded sales of CHF 34 billion ($37.9 billion) in the Americas, representing 4.8% organic growth. Coffee, frozen food and home-baking products saw elevated consumer demand, while its Gerber baby food benefitted from strong sales development in ecommerce and for the organic range. The company witnessed 2.9% organic growth in the EMENA zone to CHF 20.23 billion ($22.57 billion), led by strong performances by pet food, portioned and soluble coffee, as well as vegetarian and plant-based food products. Each region recorded positive growth, with particularly strong momentum in Russia, Germany, the UK and Israel.  Sales in AOA grew organically by 0.5%, with declines in China more than offset by mid-single-digit organic growth in the other regions. Nestlé Health Science saw 12.2% organic growth as consumers turned to products with nutritional benefits. “The global pandemic did not slow us down,” said Mark Schneider, Nestlé CEO. "In this unprecedented environment, we achieved our third consecutive year of improvement in organic growth, profitability and return on invested capital." "We advanced our portfolio transformation, continued to build Nestlé Health Science into a nutrition powerhouse and expanded our presence in direct-to-consumer businesses," he added.  Dairy saw high single-digit growth, based on increased demand for home-baking products and fortified affordable milks; while Nespresso posted 7% organic sales growth – the highest level in the last six years – to CHF 5.9 billion ($6.58 billion).  Sales in confectionery and water decreased due to high exposure in out-of-home channels and on-the-go consumption. Yesterday, Nestlé announced that it had agreed tooffload its North American water business to One Rock Capital Partners, in partnership with Metropoulos & Co. for $4.3 billion. In 2020, Nestlé expects continued increase towards a mid-single-digit organic sales growth.

Confectionery brand Happi Free From has launched a new range of vegan and allergen-free Easter eggs. To ensure the range is completely allergen-free, Happi replaces soya lecithin with sunflower lecithin. The eggs feature gluten-free oat milk and rice syrup, as well as 47% single origin chocolate sourced ethically from farmers and growers with a full "farm-to-bar" supply chain. “Why should allergy sufferers and vegans miss out on delicious Easter eggs just because they can't or don't want to consume dairy?” said Gavin Cox, founder of Happi Free From. “Our newly-launched range of Easter eggs is made using oat milk, 47% sustainable cocoa and sunflower lecithin, making them allergen-free and accessible to all." "Not only that, but the chocolate is rich, creamy and delicious, with no compromise on taste; a fantastic alternative for anyone looking for a dairy-free Easter egg this spring,” he added. Available in 170g fully-recyclable boxes, which use zero single-use plastics, Happi Easter eggs come in three flavours: plain milk, orange and salted caramel. The eggs are now on sale in Selfridges and available to all retailers. RRP £9.99 per egg.

Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company has partnered with Encirc to trial a glass beer bottle that has the potential to cut the carbon impact of its bottles by up to 90%.  The trial – part of a series of innovations to reduce the carbon footprint of packaging across Carlsberg Group – will include the use of "100% biofuel and increases recycled content of the bottles to 100% while maintaining quality," a statement from brewing giant said.  Carlberg said the trial had significant potential to support its target to cut emissions across its supply chain, with the possibility to transform the bottle from "the highest-carbon impact packaging type to the lowest".    Mark Comline, senior category director group packaging materials, Carlsberg Group, said: “We are delighted this ground-breaking trial has successfully proven and produced ultra-low carbon Carlsberg glass beer bottles. Across Carlsberg, we are inspired to work together towards a zero-carbon future. Trials like this in partnership with Encirc are a massive leap towards making it a reality.” Adrian Curry, managing director at Encirc added: “This is a truly momentous occasion for glass. We have set the standard globally with this trial and now the glass industry needs to work towards realising what we’ve proved is possible. We now know that glass can be the most sustainable of all packaging types and must all work together to ensure that happens.”

Diageo has extended its Baileys portfolio with a new lighter option that is made with 40% less sugar and calories than its Original Irish Cream. Baileys Deliciously Light is made with Irish cream and whiskey and is said to offer the same rich cocoa and vanilla flavours as its flagship drink. The new light variant contains on average 139 calories, 3.7g of fat and 7.8g of sugar per 2.5fl oz serving; in comparison to 233 calories, 10.1g of fat and 13.3g of sugar in the same pour of Baileys Original Irish Cream. With a 16.1% ABV, Baileys says the new offering can be enjoyed over ice, chilled, in a smoothie or with hot, iced or whipped coffee. Baileys' lighter option joins its portfolio that includes a dairy-free variant made with almonds, salted caramel, and a strawberries and cream offering. Last year, the brand launched a limited-edition Apple Pie Irish Cream Liqueur for Autumn. "We're delighted to offer a lighter version of our beloved Baileys Original Irish Cream," said Stacey Cunningham, director of Baileys & Liqueurs, Diageo North America. "We all deserve a little treat and with the launch of Baileys Deliciously Light, it's the perfect reminder for us to take that well-deserved time for ourselves this year." The brand has also partnered with Cocktail Courier to offer four custom ‘light break’ packages in the US, featuring a cocktail (combining the new Baileys with espresso or green tea or Belgian chocolate) and other assorted goodies such as a yoga towel, coffee mug, head massager and socks. Baileys Deliciously Light is available now in the US nationwide for an RRP of $24.99 per 750ml bottle.

Snack company Made For Drink has announced that it is expanding into the UK potato crisp category with the introduction of two new products. The brand's new Chicken Salt Fries feature thin-cut potato fries paired with popular Australian seasoning chicken salt and are designed to be enjoyed with a cold beer. Made For Drink worked with seasoning house Mitani, which has been producing chicken salt for more than 40 years, to create the vegetarian-friendly offering. ‘Made for aperitivo’, the brand’s new Tapas Fries feature a mix of thin-cut straw fries and crisp slices of Spanish chorizo, seasoned with olives, sun-ripened tomatoes and paprika.  “Having taken the time we needed to bed down as a business, team and a brand, we felt 2021 was the perfect moment to build upon a blossoming off-trade/online reputation by taking an ambitious ‘next step’ into the £1 billion potato crisp category,” said Made for Drink founder, Dan Featherstone. “We have shown our ability to bring new foodie shoppers into the snacks category through our unique brand proposition, products and reputation. We’ve had this idea for a range of ‘fries’ products for some time, in fact we’ve been buzzing about it for ages and they are absolutely delicious. They will be our biggest and best-selling products; they are that good.” Both lines launch in April into Sainsbury’s and will also be available from the independent sector.

AB InBev ’s Mexican arm Grupo Modelo has filed a lawsuit against Constellation Brands , accusing the US company of breaching its Corona brand licensing agreement with the launch of Corona Hard Seltzer. Grupo Modelo filed the lawsuit in the US district court of the southern district of New York. Constellation Brands acquired the rights to the Corona name and trademark in the US in 2013, after it bought Grupo Modelo’s US beer business. Following the divestiture, AB InBev retained the rights to Modelo’s brands elsewhere. In February last year, Constellation Brands launched Corona Hard Seltzer and according to Reuters , said in October that the brand had a 6% share in the US seltzer market, making it the fourth-biggest in the sector after White Claw, Truly and Bud Light. Grupo Modelo claims the new product breaches its licensing arrangement for Corona, which only extended to beer and did not include hard seltzer. A Grupo Modelo spokesperson told FoodBev in an emailed statement: “Constellation’s newest product in the US – Corona Hard Seltzer – improperly uses our Corona name for a spiked sparkling water featuring flavors like cherry and blackberry lime. “We never agreed that Constellation could use our Corona name for products such as hard seltzer. Corona has a rich history and authentic Mexican heritage, and we are filing this lawsuit to protect our rights to this iconic brand.” Meanwhile, Constellation Brands told FoodBev that it had "fully and completely complied with the terms of our sublicense agreement" and that it will "vigorously defend" its rights. In an emailed statement to FoodBev, a company spokesperson added: "We find these claims, including the insinuation that Corona Hard Seltzer should not be classified as beer or a version thereof, to be completely without merit, a blatant attempt to restrain a strong and well-established competitor in a high growth segment of the US beer category, and completely misaligned with general industry and legal standards." The case marks the latest in an increasingly competitive US brewing market and comes after an Oregon-based brewer sued Anheuser-Busch over marketing its Michelob Ultra Organic Seltzer as the first and only seltzer certified as organic by the USDA.