Tiny Organics has raised $11 million in a Series A funding round, as it aims to increase consumer awareness of its baby and toddler food brand and expand its team. Headquartered in New York, Tiny Organics claims that its mission is “to shape the palates of a generation to prefer and love vegetables from the earliest days”. The brand – which launched nationwide just over a year ago – offers 100% organic and plant-based, home-delivered baby and toddler meals. According to Tiny Organics, its meals are created in collaboration with the Tufts University school of nutrition to suit baby and toddler developmental milestones. They are said to contain no added sugar or salt, and not more than 5g of natural sugars per serving. Led by Springdale Ventures, the brand’s latest funding round also received participation from InvestEco, Silas Capital, Human Ventures, VegInvest, Babylist and Gaingels, among others. The baby food producer will use the new capital to scale its team, build the Tiny Organics brand and customer awareness, and develop new product categories and sales channels. The company also says that the funding will enable it to build on the momentum of its partnerships, including with former first lady Michelle Obama's Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA). “Tiny Organics' vision in the marketplace is compelling: to positively impact a generation of adventurous eaters by shifting away from sugary purees to a whole food, savoury-forward, nutrient-dense foundation with meals that are both convenient and comprehensive for the modern parent,” said Genevieve Gilbreath, co-founder and general partner of Springdale Ventures. “While that vision is inspired, what separates Tiny Organics from the other companies in the sector we looked at is the world-class execution of this vision by Betsy and Sofia to bring Tiny Organics to all communities across the nation.” Tiny Organics co-founders, Betsy Fore and Sofia Laurell, said: “As moms and as a women-led company, we've seen first hand how Tiny Organics has helped develop our children's love of vegetables and healthy, nourishing food. “Together with Tufts and PHA, we will continue to build on the momentum of the last year and strengthen our commitment to unlocking the nutritional power of food to build healthy, strong and adventurous eaters. We want to make feeding babies and toddlers easy and convenient for parents everywhere.”

Kellogg'sPringles brand has added a fourth new ‘fiery’ flavour to its Scorchin’ collection in the US: sour cream and onion. Available in select retailers nationwide, the new product is described as boasting a hint of smoky cayenne pepper flavour. The Scorchin’ range was introduced to the US last year and features spicy versions of Pringles original flavours: BBQ, cheddar, and chili & lime. "The debut of Pringles Scorchin' Sour Cream & Onion gives a kick to the classic tangy and zesty Pringles flavour – and gives those looking for some spice in their life another reason to enjoy the new Scorchin' collection,” said Gareth Maguire, senior director of marketing for Pringles. "We know that unique and spicy flavours are the top two things zillenials look for when trying new snacks, and those qualities happen to be a speciality of ours at Pringles.”

Princes has completed phase one of a planned £60 million investment into the expansion of its Cardiff soft drinks manufacturing site. The first phase of the project saw the installation of seven new ambient mini and chilled soft drink production lines, as well as an upgrade and refurbishment of two existing lines. The three new mini lines can reportedly process 24,000 cartons an hour, while for chilled, Princes says the four new Elopak gable top fillers can produce 14,000 cartons an hour. 80 employees have now joined the team, with up to another 50 jobs set to be recruited later this year. Princes’ Cardiff factory currently produces 1 litre cartons and multipacks of ambient fruit juice under its Princes and Jucee brands, in addition to own label products. The entire upgrade – which marks the company’s largest ever investment into soft drinks – is set to double production capacity at the site. Princes says the project will enable it to offer additional packaging sizes and formats, as well as expand its product range beyond fruit juice and enter new markets. The project – which will also boost the facility’s warehousing and logistical capabilities – remains on track to be completed in 2021 and the site will remain fully operational during this time. Barry McDonnell, chief operations officer at Princes, said: “This is an important milestone in our £60 million investment programme at Cardiff, which will future-proof the site and our manufacturing capabilities, increase production and enable Princes to enter new markets. “Through this development programme, we are firmly committed to contributing to a sustainable and successful future for the soft drinks industry and British manufacturing overall, and providing long-term, high quality employment opportunities in the area.” Princes also says the investment will reduce its carbon footprint through increased efficiencies and the use of more environmentally-friendly carton materials. In 2019, Princes installed a new squash bottling lineat its manufacturing site in Bradford, UK.

Fever-Tree has announced the launch of a new Distillers Cola in the US, designed for mixing with the 'finest' rums and whiskeys. The new expression follows the success of Fever-Tree’stonic waters for gin, ginger ales for vodkas and sodas for tequilas. Fever-Tree Distillers Cola is made with Caribbean kola nuts, Tahitian limes and a selection of distilled botanicals and spices such as Jamaican pimento berries, Sicilian lemon and Madagascan vanilla. Fever-Tree says its new mixer enhances rum and whiskey instead of masking the subtle flavours of the brown spirits. Each bottle contains 70 calories and no high fructose corn syrups, artificial sweeteners or GMO ingredients. Charles Gibb, Fever-Tree North America CEO, said: “In the same way Fever-Tree has revolutionised the gin and tonic, Moscow mule and most recently, tequila drinks such as the paloma, we have created Fever-Tree Distillers Cola with the same devotion to quality as the most acclaimed distillers. It is one that will do justice to the premium whiskeys and rums it has been designed to pair with.” The new expression is available nationwide at top bars, restaurants and hotels, as well as spirit retailers and online for an RRP of $4.99 per pack of four bottles.

Drinkworks has unveiled three new co-branded cocktail pods for use in the Drinkworks Home Bar system, as part of its latest partnership with Pernod Ricard USA. The new products come as part of a new licensing agreement between Drinkworks, Pernod Ricard USA and The Absolut Company to develop signature cocktails with the company’s spirit brands. The first two cocktail offerings will include Absolut Pineapple Martini and Kahlúa Espresso Martini, which are expected to launch in late 2021. Meanwhile, a Malibu cocktail is currently in development for a planned release in 2022. "Pernod Ricard has one of the most unique and comprehensive brand portfolios on the market, and we look forward to the opportunity to bring additional Pernod Ricard brands into Drinkworks' open system," said Nathaniel Davis, CEO of Drinkworks,a joint venture between AB InBev and Keurig. The new pods will join Drinkworks’ portfolio of more than 30 varieties of cocktails including Brown-Forman’s co-branded Jack Daniel’s Lynchburg Lemonade pod. Kate Pomeroy, Pernod Ricard USA head of innovation, said: "The trend of elevated at-home consumption is expected to have a lasting impact on consumption habits. The partnership between Drinkworks and Pernod Ricard USA, specifically with Absolut, Malibu and Kahlúa, is consistent with our drive to become a truly consumer-centric organisation." Amy Karayannis, director, corporate strategy and mergers and acquisitions at Pernod Ricard USA, added: "Absolut Pineapple and Kahlúa Espresso Martinis are classic bar favourites, and we can't wait to delight both cocktail enthusiasts and those new to enjoying cocktails at home with the premium ingredients and bar-quality experience they expect from our brands and Pernod Ricard." The new cocktail pods will be available on Drinkworks.com and at select retailers across the US.

Arla Foods has announced plans to build a new commercial dairy farm in northern Nigeria, in an effort to support local milk production in the country.   Located in Kaduna State, the 200-hectare farm will house 400 dairy cows, modern milking parlours and technology, grassland, as well as living facilities for 25 employees. The dairy cooperative has said it will train and support up to 1,000 local dairy farmers to improve milk yields and quality, animal welfare and farm profitability. The investment forms part of Arla’s long-term commitment to increase local food production in the country.   According to Arla, Nigeria’s population is set to reach nearly 400 million people by 2050; yet the country’s dairy sector is currently only able to supply less than 10% of its demand – a gap that is expected to grow in line with the growth of its population. The farm – scheduled to open in 2022 – is eventually expected to produce over 10 tonnes of milk per day, which will then be processed by Arla’s dairy plant in Kaduna State to supply locally produced dairy products to Nigerian consumers. Executive vice president and head of Arla Foods International, Simon Stevens, said: “There is a great need for nutritious food and dairy products to satisfy the growing demand from Nigeria’s fast-growing population. “This requires a complementary approach where imported food is crucial to ensure food security, while also supporting the government’s long-term agricultural transformation plan to build a sustainable dairy sector in Nigeria. Our new dairy farm is our next step in our commitment to Nigeria.” Since 2017, Arla has been the lead business partner in The Milky Way Partnership, which was formed in collaboration with the Danish Agricultural and Food Council, Care Denmark, Seges and the Nigerian pastoralist organisation Coret, in order to develop a sustainable dairy value chain in Nigeria. In 2019, Arla entered a new public-private partnership with Kaduna State government to offer 1,000 nomadic dairy farmers permanent farmland. Arla Foods chairman, Jan Toft Nørgaard, said: “To collaborate with farmers in many parts of world, sharing knowledge and supporting local dairy industries is a key part of our cooperative mindset and our farm in Nigeria is the next important step. When it is built, we can support local dairy farmers to create better livelihoods and it is a key enabler to growing dairy and food production on a local scale.”

Haribo is investing £22 million at its manufacturing facility in Castleford, West Yorkshire, as it looks to strengthen its position in the UK market. The investment will be used to enhance technologies at the purpose-built UK site and deliver additional capacity, greater efficiencies and reduced costs. In addition, Haribo will strengthen its product reformulation efforts, with sugar reduction as a key focus. The company has already launched a number of reduced-sugar products such as its Fruitilicious gum sweets and reformulated its Jelly Babies to reduce sugar content. The £22 million investment will be rolled out throughout this year and is said to reiterate Haribo’s commitment to the UK market. “As we continue to face tough challenges following the ongoing impact of Covid-19, we are showing our resilience and commitment to world-class production in an increasingly competitive market,” said Jon Hughes, managing director of Haribo UK.  “Investing £22 million into our already world-class manufacturing facility will give us greater opportunity to produce the variety of sweets that we know bring childlike happiness to our customers. We focus on making great-tasting treats that are just sweet enough and will continue to look for ways to reduce sugar content where we can.” Last year, Haribo Group announced that it would be beginning construction of its first-ever manufacturing plant in the US, stating that it would invest over $300 million in the project.

Kellogg’s Pringles brand has unveiled a new sweet and spicy flavour, which is available in the US for a limited time only. Pringles Wavy Pineapple Habanero is said to be inspired by tropical destinations and combines ‘sweet and tangy’ pineapple with smoky habanero peppers in thick, wavy crisps. “We love epic flavour combinations at Pringles, and these new tropical-inspired crisps are no exception,” said Gareth Maguire, senior director of marketing for Pringles. “The sweet and spicy flavour will have snackers in vacation mode all summer long, making backyard grills and local beach trips feel like a getaway.” Pringles Wavy Pineapple Habanero is available now at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores, as well as online, while supplies last. Earlier this year, Pringles released a limited-edition pickle-flavoured snack.

Unilever has announced its new partnership with food-tech company Enough, which produces fungi-based mycoprotein, as it looks to bring more plant-based meat products to market. Formerly known as 3F Bio, Enough produces Abunda mycoprotein using what it claims is a zero-waste fermentation process that feeds natural fungi renewable feedstock such as wheat and corn. Based in Scotland, Enough supplies Abunda as a food ingredient to consumer brands and retailers. According to Unilever, the ingredient contains all essential amino acids and is high in dietary fibre. With the new partnership, Unilever intends to explore the use of Abunda mycoprotein in the manufacture of foods under its meat alternative brand The Vegetarian Butcher, which it acquired in 2018. “Plant-based foods is one of Unilever’s fastest growing segments and we’re delighted to partner with Enough to develop more sustainable protein products that are delicious, nutritious, and a force for good,” said Carla Hilhorst, executive vice president of R&D for foods & refreshment at Unilever. “We’re excited by the potential that this technology has for future innovations across our portfolio, and we can’t wait to launch more plant-based foods that help people cut down on meat, without compromising on taste.” The partnership marks a step by Unilever towards its annual global sales target of €1 billion from plant-based meat and dairy alternatives by 2025-2027, as part of its ‘Future Foods’ ambition. Last July, Unilever partnered with Algenuity to explore ways of bringing plant-based foods made with microalgae to the market. In 2020, The Vegetarian Butcher reportedly grew over 70%. The meat alternatives brand’s portfolio is currently available in 45 countries and is used for vegan Burger King menu items such as the Plant-Based Whopper, Nuggets and Vegan Royal. Andrew Beasley, commercial director of Enough, said: “Producing vast quantities of healthy and sustainable protein is one of the most urgent global priorities. There’s a rapid transition in the food industry and we are excited with this collaboration with Unilever and The Vegetarian Butcher, which truly supports our aim to create impact and scale.”

Huhtamaki has announced that it is establishing a new manufacturing facility in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, which will serve egg packaging customers in the region. The site will supply new and existing Huhtamaki customers with a range of locally produced packaging solutions and is expected to begin manufacturing operations during the fourth quarter of this year. Employing around 30 people when fully operational, the facility will be located close to one of South Africa’s main export ports. Eric Le Lay, president, fibre foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania, said: “The addition of a unit in KwaZulu-Natal is an important addition to our fibre packaging footprint in South Africa, not only providing efficiencies in our service to customers in South Africa but an additional benefit in terms of proximity to a major port which will drive access to markets across East Africa. “The new facility sets us up to better meet the growth of the fibre packaging sector and future demand for sustainable packaging. It also strengthens our position in the region significantly.” Huhtamaki says that the investment underlines its commitment to the South Africa and East Africa markets. The company has operated in South Africa since 2000 and currently employs around 530 people across four manufacturing units, producing fibre packaging for a range of applications. Earlier this year, Huhtamaki announced a €10 million investment in a new manufacturing site in Malaysia, in order to better serve its customers in Southeast Asia.

Mondelēz International  has agreed to acquire Chipita, a manufacturer of croissants and baked snacks in central and eastern Europe, for $2 billion. Established in Greece in 1973, Chipita manufactures a range of croissants and baked snacks – including cakes, biscuits and spreads – under its brands 7Days, Chipicao and Fineti. The company’s baked goods, which are produced in 13 manufacturing plants, are distributed to more than 50 countries. In 2020, Chipita recorded annual revenues of approximately $580 million. Mondelēz says the deal will enable it to meet growing consumer demand for the baking products segment including biscuits, cake and pastry. The acquisition builds on the multinational company’s expansion into the fast-growing snacking segment, following the purchase of UK performance nutrition brand Grenade , premium cracker company Gourmet Food Holdings , and plant-based snack brand Hu . “Welcoming Chipita’s delicious pastry products into the Mondelēz International family advances our strategy to become the global leader in broader snacking,” said Dirk Van de Put, chairman and CEO of Mondelēz International. “Their iconic brands and significant scale across so many attractive geographies make them a strong strategic complement to our existing portfolio and future growth ambitions in Europe and beyond.” With the acquisition, Mondelēz will also utilise Chipita’s distribution network capabilities in central and eastern Europe, increasing its presence in the regions. According to Mondelēz, the transaction could also lead to innovation and co-branding opportunities as it looks to bring its chocolate brands to new categories.   Chipita CEO, Spyros Theodoropoulos, said: “Chipita, for more than 40 years, based on quality and innovation created a new category of snacks loved by consumers internationally. I am certain that the acquisition of Chipita by Mondelēz International, one of the world’s leading snacking companies, will create new prospects for its people and products.” The transaction is subject to certain antitrust approvals and closing conditions.

Barry Callebaut-owned Dutch brand Van Houten has announced the launch of a new powdered chocolate drink made from ruby chocolate. The Swiss chocolatier says it is the first to introduce ruby chocolate in a powdered form. The ruby chocolate drinking powder will initially be made available to the hospitality sector, specifically to baristas and coffee bars across the UK. Ruby chocolate was the fourth type of chocolate to be introduced by Barry Callebaut in 2017, described as having a naturally occurring fresh berry fruitiness and reddish colour. “The new Van Houten ruby chocolate drink confirms the brand’s status as a cocoa pioneer,” said Freek van der Knaap, vice president of vending & beverages EMEA at Barry Callebaut. He added: “This chocolate drink has all the flavour and colour of ruby chocolate and the powder dissolves very easily in any type of milk, or hot and cold applications. It’s the perfect option for when speed and preparation is important. “This is a real innovation for the beverages industry, and we are proud to be the first company to offer this brand-new product.” Owned by Barry Callebaut since 1998, Van Houten is known for its range of confectionery bars and cocoa powders used to make chocolate drinks.