Montreal-based dairy company Saputo has announced two strategic acquisitions in the dairy alternatives and value-added ingredients sectors, representing a combined investment of CAD 187 million ($72.6 million approx). Saputo has acquired Bute Island Foods, a manufacturer and distributor of vegan cheese for the retail and foodservice industries. Bute produces the popular Sheese brand, as well as private label brands. Located on the Isle of Bute on the west coast of Scotland, the company employs 180 people. “We are delighted to welcome the Bute Island Foods team and the wealth of knowledge they bring to our global family,” said Lino A Saputo, chair of the board and CEO of Saputo. “Our commitment remains to expand our footprint in the dairy alternatives space to meet the changing demands of our customers and consumers.” He continued: “This investment marks an important milestone that will allow us to accelerate our growth in this area globally, putting innovation at the forefront of our priorities”. In addition, Saputo has pledged more than CAD 5 million over five years to support local Bute Island community initiatives and organisations. Saputo’s second acquisition is for the Reedsburg facility of Wisconsin Specialty Protein, which manufactures value-added ingredients such as goat whey, organic lactose and other dairy powders. The transaction is expected to close at the end of May and will enable Saputo to expand and accelerate its ingredients offering in the US and internationally.

The shortlist of finalists for the World Dairy Innovation Awards 2021 has been announced. The winners in all 20 categories will be announced as part of a special virtual ceremony hosted in association with the Global Dairy Congress live on YouTube on June 23 at 6pm (BST) 2021. Be sure to register for the premiere, subscribe and turn notifications on so you don't miss out! FoodBev Media’s Awards Marketing Executive, Lily Benham, said: “This is the seventh annual World Dairy Innovation Awards, and despite all of the challenges the global dairy industry has faced over the past year, we are once again amazed by the number of exciting, innovative entries shown within this year’s entries.” “From new flavour concepts, to sustainable packaging designs and game changing manufacturing technologies, it is fantastic to see both household names and small challengers alike from every continent taking pride and celebrating their success. This year’s awards really showcase some of the most exciting new products and developments of the year and we can't wait to see who will be crowned the winners in June." A full list of finalists in each category follows below. Best brand extension or reformulation Inner Mongolia Group - AMBROSIAL AMX Brownes Dairy - Barista Milk CP-Meiji - Grape Flavored Yoghurt with Nata De Coco,Peach Flavored Yoghurt with Nata De Coco Biotiful Dairy - Kefir Coffee Best butter/dairy spread Posh Cow Dairy - Flavoured Butter Milkio Foods Limited - A2 Organic Grass-fed Ghee from New Zealand Moose Maple UK Ltd - Moose Maple Butter Land O'Lakes - Butter Spread with Seeds – Flax, Chia and Hemp Best cheese ALDI - exclusive Emporium Selection Limoncello Wensleydale and Lemon & Honey Wensleydale Norseland Ltd. – Ilchester® Spiced Blueberry Hot Cross Bun Wheeler Meiji – Hokkaido Tokachi Fresh Mozzarella Cheese Meiji – Quark Fresh Cheese Primula – Spicy Cheese ‘n’ Jalapenos Best children’s dairy product  YILI - QQ star zhengao kids formula Horizon Organic - Growing Years  Ingenuity Brands - Braniac Kids Yogurts Biotiful Dairy - Kefir Slurpy Yum Actually – Fruit & Veggie Ice Cream Snack Cups Best dairy alternative  Silk – ULTRA  The Live Green Co – Plant-Based Ice Cream Sesamilk – Sesamilk Eclipse Foods – Eclipse Ice Cream Happy Cheeze GmbH – Camembert Alternative based on Cauliflower Best dairy dessert  English Cheesecake Company - Cheesecake Range CP-Meiji Co., Ltd. - Meiji Brown Yoghurt Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams - Everything Bagel Ice Cream Ice Cream Cloud & Joy - Better-for-You Frozen Dessert Best dairy drink Ballyvolane House Spirits Company Ltd - Bertha's Revenge Gin Maple Hill Creamery - 100% Grassfed Organic Reduced Sugar Chocolate Milk WNS Group - WDOM Organic A2β-casein Milk Meiji Co - Savas for Woman Milk Protein Dairy Farmers of America - Siips Inner Mongolia Yili Group - Cute Star Rub Your Tummy dietary fiber yogurt drink Best dairy ingredient Glanbia Nutritionals - OptiSol 1005 & 1007 Two Good ‘Good Save’ - Meyer Lemons DĒRĺNĺCE LLC - Ice Cream with Collagen Peptide Chr. Hansen - Next-generation FreshQ® cultures Best dairy protein product Dairy Farmers of America - Kemps Bold Cottage Cheese Nadec - Protein Based Milk Perfect Day - Perfect Day Responsible Foods - Næra™ Power Protein Crunch Best dairy snack  Dairy Farmers of America - Kemps Mixed-In Cottage Cheese  Icelandic Provisions - Fruit & Nuts Cheesies Ltd. - Cheesies Range Responsible Foods - Næra™ Icelandic Skyr Snacks WNS Group - WDOM Donno & Donna Milk Beans Best functional dairy  YILI - ShuHua Selenium Fortified Lactose-Free Milk Cp-Meiji - Pasteurized Milk Meiji B Complex Biotiful Dairy - Kefir Shots Biolactive IMMUNE - Lactoferrin Sparkling Water (no added sugar) YILI - Black Milk Powder Best ice cream/frozen yogurt  The Food Shop - Gallivant Mawa Ice Creams ChurnBaby - Boutique Style Ice Cream Sandwiches N!ck's - Ground Breaking Low Calorie Ice Cream Brand Dairy Farmers of America- Ittibitz Red, White, & Pop! Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams – Sunshine Ice Cream Best infant nutrition  Blueriver Nutrition Co Ltd - Sheep Milk Growing-up Formula China Feihe Limited - Astrobaby A2 Formula China Feihe Limited - Astrobaby Platinum Formula Wyeth Nutrition - Wyeth BELSOL Spring Sheep Milk Co - Gentle Sheep Best intolerance friendly dairy product  Ausnutria Dairy (China) - Holisure Lactoferrin Formulated Milk Powder Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams - Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns Milk Academy - Al Nutrica Organic Lactose Free Labneh Mixed Fruit WNS Group - WDOM Lactose Free Milk Best manufacturing/technology innovation  GEA Westfalia Separator Group GmbH - IDEAL Whey Separation SwissDeCode - DNAFoil® A2 Family of Tests TMV SS - Veterinary SPXFLOW Technology - Cheasly Technology for Cheese making Lely International – Lely Orbiter Best marketing campaign or initiative  Dairy Farmers of America - Kemps Giving Cow Campaign Inner Mongolia Yili Group - Cool Either Way Campaign China Feihe Limited - Yun Su Yuan (tracing the source through live streaming) project in 2020 Brownes Dairy - School Tours Incursions Best new brand or business  DFA Rebranding - DairyPure Transition to 19 Regional Brands Cheesies Ltd. - Cheesies Range Responsible Foods - Næra™ Icelandic Dairy Snacks ChurnBaby – Boutique Style Cookie Cups Best packaging design  Dairy Farmers of America - Live Real Farms Dairy+ Elopak - Pure-Pak® Imagine carton Inner Mongolia yili group - AMBROSIAL new high-end curd spoon eating yogurt(5G yogurt) EcoTensil® - Sustainable Grab-and-Go TabLock©, EcoSpoon® & EcoTensil® YILI – SATINE X Palace Museum Product of Special Edition Best sustainability/ CSR initiative  EcoTensil ® - AquaDot ™ EcoSpoon for packaging and food service Müller UK & Ireland - Müller Advantage Fonterra Cooperative group - NZMP Carbonzero™ Certified Organic Butter Glenisk - #OneMillionTrees Best yogurt Brownes Dairy - Cacao Natural Yoghurt Inner Mongolia yili group -AMBROSIAL new yogurt (5G yogurt) Biotiful Dairy - Kefir Yogurts Icelandic Provisions - Fruit & Nuts

Jealous Sweets has launched a new gluten-free confectionery, Foams.  Foams come in two variants: Berry Foams (featuring strawberry, cherry and blackberry flavours) and Juice Foams (featuring peach, mango and raspberry flavours), each available in a 125g sharing bag.  The company said the Foams are filled with micro-bubbles that retain flavour, and include pectin (instead of gelatin) for a smooth soft sweet with "no nasties".  Imran Merza, co-founder of Jealous Sweets said “Our mission is to make life sweeter for our customers, retailers, animals and the planet. I am delighted that the new Foams range delivers a consistent, high-quality, sophisticated taste profile while maintaining zero toxins, no animal derivatives, and using ethically sourced premium ingredients." "We’re dedicated to creating products that are plant-based, gluten-free, real fruit juices, no palm oil, no synthetic flavours, no artificial colours,” she added.  RRP £2.

US-based Köe Kombucha has added two new flavours to its product lineup: Köe Watermelon (with a dash of lime) and Köe Tropical (which features pineapple, citrus and guava).   Each better-for-you beverage is crafted with billions of probiotics and will be available in 12oz recyclable cans at the beginning of July.  “We are sparking a broader interest in kombucha and will heighten our reach with the launch of our Tropical and Watermelon,” said Louisa Lawless, chief strategy officer at Köe. “We’re seeing strong growth in cities like Atlanta, where our dollar velocities are double those of the legacy kombucha brands, and San Diego, where three of our SKUs are in the top 10, according to IRI. "We’re excited to launch these amazing new flavours to support a future where healthy probiotic drinks are more accessible – in taste, price point and availability,” she added.  The new flavours will join Köe’s current lineup of Lemon Lime, Mango, Strawberry Lemonade, Raspberry Dragonfruit and Blueberry Ginger.

Lindt & Sprüngli has achieved an important milestone in its sustainability efforts, as the company announces that 100% of its cocoa beans are traceable and externally verified by non-profit organisation, Earthworm Foundation.  The chocolatier set up the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program back in 2008 with the aim of ensuring traceability and sustainability in its cocoa bean supply chain. The Program promotes the ecological and socially responsible cultivation of cocoa beans and aims to support farmers, their families and communities.  Initially launched in Ghana, the Program is now running in all five countries where the company sources its cocoa beans.  "The challenges in the cocoa-growing countries for Lindt & Sprüngli, as well as for the entire chocolate industry, are very complex," said Dieter Weisskopf, CEO of the Lindt & Sprüngli. "It is therefore extremely important for us to address the issues in a targeted manner with our own Farming Program to directly achieve sustainable improvements." "Reaching the interim goal of 100% traceable and verified cocoa beans is an important milestone for us. We will continue to pursue our path with great energy and continuously expand and improve the Program. It is clear – there is still a lot to do," he added.  The Farming Program focuses on four key pillars: traceability and farmer organisation; training and knowledge transfer; farmer investments and community development; and verification and continuous progress (internal control system and external evaluation).  In 2020, approximately $12 million were invested into the Program.

Kellogg's Pringles brand has joined forces again with Wendy’s to launch a new crisp flavour inspired by the restaurant’s original Spicy Chicken Sandwich. Available across the US, the new limited-edition flavour is said to replicate the fiery spicy blend and pack the savoury taste of Wendy’s spicy fried chicken. The new flavour marks the second collaboration between the companies, following the launch of Pringles Baconator last year. "Our partnership with Wendy's is a match made in flavour-heaven, so we're thrilled to have another collab with an equally talked about, fan-favourite menu item," said Gareth Maguire, senior director of marketing for Pringles. Each can features a code that gives consumers access to a free Spicy Chicken Sandwich at Wendy’s when ordered via mobile. Carl Loredo, chief marketing officer of Wendy's, added: “Wendy's fans can now enjoy our insanely flavourful Spicy Chicken Sandwich in their crisps to satisfy taste-buds until their next restaurant visit." The limited-edition Pringles Wendy'sSpicy Chicken variety will be available to purchase from retailers nationwide starting in June.

Häagen-Dazs has announced the launch of an exotic new cocktail-inspired ice cream collection across the UK, just in time for summer.  The General Mills-owned brand has combined ice cream and cocktails to offer an indulgent solution and grow the luxury ice cream category. The collection features two varieties inspired by iconic rum-based cocktails: Lime Mojito Sorbet and Piña Colada ice cream. The Lime Mojito Sorbet is a vegan lime sorbet infused with a touch of rum and mint; while Piña Colada features coconut and pineapple ice cream, with shavings of real coconut and a swirl of pineapple rum sauce. With its new cocktail collection, Häagen-Dazs aims to meet the demand for ice cream containing alcohol, following its line of spirit-infused ice cream productsthat includes Irish cream brownie and bourbon vanilla bean truffle. The new products also come shortlyafter the launch of Duo, a two-in-one ice cream range. "Just in time for summer, the new cocktail collection will open up incremental consumption occasions day-to-night, like social events, celebrations, or even an alcoholic substitute,” said Kat Jones, marketing manager at Häagen-Dazs UK. “With these flavours we’re directly responding to the trend of no and low alcoholic beverage intake. Consumers still enjoy the taste and occasional tipple, so we’re sure our cocktail flavours will go down a treat.” The new Häagen-Dazs collection is available exclusively in Asda stores from 23 May for an RRP of £4.99, as well as frozen wholesale through DWF & Consort.

Pladis has unveiled that its latest product launch fuses McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes with doughnuts. McVitie’s Jaffa Jonuts marks the biggest format innovation for the brand in two years and aims to shake up the biscuit aisles. Jaffa Jonuts will feature the familiar three layers of McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes (a sponge base, orange flavoured filling and a coating of dark chocolate) in a doughnut-shaped ring. The new mash-up will come in sharing boxes of four, as well as an individually-wrapped Jaffa Jonuts snack pack. “McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes are adored by households across the country – with 54.2% of shoppers buying them again and again – so we know there’s widespread appetite for alternative formats which incorporate the great taste of Jaffa Cakes,” said Emma Stowers, brand director for McVitie’s at Pladis UK&I. With the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, McVitie’s aims to tap into the resurgence of on-the-go snacking with its individual packs. Stowers added: “We have huge ambitions for McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes and in order to meet these, we’re going to continue to give Jaffanatics what they want – and that’s even more ways to enjoy this iconic product. McVitie’s Jaffa Jonuts are just the start and we’re confident that this launch will help us increase household penetration, by making McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes part of even more snacking occasions.” McVitie’s Jaffa Jonuts will first launch into Tesco stores from 16 May, followed by a further roll out in other retailers, convenience stores and wholesalers from the end of June. The sharing box will retail for £1.99, while the indvidual 43g packs will retail for 60p.

Mondelēz's SnackFutures venture hub has announced the nine snacking start-ups selected for its inaugural CoLab accelerator programme. According to Mondelēz, each of the selected 'better-for-you' snack brands will participate in a 12-week programme that aims to accelerate the growth of healthy snacking brands, with all participants receiving a $20,000 grant. SnackFutures will reportedly provide the participating start-ups with tools, technologies and access to networks and industry expertise to stimulate their growth. Meanwhile, Mondelēz will gain insights and prospective investment opportunities from the programme. The 2021 CoLab accelerator programme will begin in June 2021 with a number of virtual programmes. The selected 2021 CoLab accelerator in full: Better Bites Bakery : A producer of allergen-free bakery products founded by Leah Lopez to provide choices for her son who had life-threatening food allergies. Chasin’ Dreams Farm : A popped sorghum snack start-up founded by Sydney Chasin, which aims to bring more options and flavours to gluten-free snacking. Elite Sweets : Maker of keto-friendly doughnuts founded by Amir and Amin Bahari, who wanted to create low-calorie versions of their favourite snack. Love Corn : A producer of crunchy corn snacks made with non-GMO ingredients that was founded by family members Jamie, Gavin & Missy McCloskey. Numa : A 'better-for-you confectionery brand created by Jane Xie and Joyce Zhu, to introduce healthier versions of their favourite childhood candies from Asia. NuSkool : A low-sugar snacking platform co-founded by Joe Christensen and Kevin Healy after seeing friends and family members struggle with obesity and heart disease. Snacklins : A producer of plant-based crisps, including plant-based 'pork rinds' founded by former radio personality and chef Samy Kobrosly. Sourse : A vitamin-infused confectionery brand founded Jenne Moore and Andrew Remlinger to make supplements more accessible. 12 Tides : A kelp-based snacks brand founded by Pat Schnettler and Lindsey Palmer to create 'ocean-friendly' and nutritious snacking options. Brigette Wolf, global head of SnackFutures at Mondelēz International, said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better representation of what the future of snacking holds. “The founders are so inspiring and passionate about what they are doing. Working with them as part of the CoLab program is going to move the needle on their brands, support our innovation agenda, and ultimately help deliver on consumers’ desire for people and planet-friendly snacking.”

UK retailer Co-op has partnered with Unilever to launch a new smart ice cream vending machine in its Battersea Bridge Road store in London. According to the retailer, the machine is the UK's first and only consumer-facing smart ice cream vending machine. The Walls branded machine stocks a range of ice cream products including Co-op’s Fairtrade Choc Stick; Magnum Vegan Stick; Walls Twister; Solero and more. To buy ice cream products from the machine, consumers need to tap their phone on the “NFC” tag on the vending machine. Customers are then prompted to confirm their payment method, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. Once payment is confirmed, the freezer door unlocks to allow the customer to select their chosen ice cream, with a combination of cameras and sensors ensuring the machine charges customers for only the products they have picked once they close the freezer door. The launch of the machine comes as the retailer continues to explore ways to make shopping more convenient for consumers. Previous schemes included a trial of pay-in-aisle technology in 2018. Rebecca Oliver-Mooney, Co-op’s head of category for dairy & frozen, said: “We continue to explore innovative ways to provide access to our products quickly, easily and more conveniently helping to delight and inspire our shoppers. "With warmer, summer months now just around the corner, we are delighted to team up with Unilever to bring this smart vending machine to our store for shoppers to pop in for ices. Over the coming months, we aim to have more than 20 of the machines in selected stores or at outdoor events.” Neil Mirtle, Unilever customer business manager, added: “We are delighted to see the Walls Smart Vending Machine go live in Co-op. "Collaborating on this project started with the goal of making ice cream more accessible for shoppers and then testing and learning at pace. We look forward to partnering with Co-op on the further rollout”.

Unilever has revealed that an ‘overwhelming majority’ of its shareholders voted in favour of its climate transition action plan, according to Reuters. The company first announced that it would seek shareholder approval for its plan back in December, claiming that it was the first ‘major global company’ to voluntarily commit to putting its climate transition plans before a shareholder vote. The vote took place at a virtual meeting on 5 May, in which Unilever intended to strengthen its engagement and dialogue with its investors. According to Reuters, Unilever said that over 99% of shareholders who voted, backed its plan to become a net-zero business by 2039. The company’s climate action plan includes transitioning to renewable energy sources, eliminating fossil fuels from its cleaning products, as well as reducing corporate travel and refrigeration emissions. "Climate change represents a clear and present danger to our value chain," said Unilever CEO, Alan Jope at the virtual meeting, as cited by Reuters. "The overwhelming vote shows support to our ambitious emission reduction targets,” he added. Unilever first plans to become net zero within its own operations and halve the impact of its products across its supply chain by 2030.

UK fruit cider brand Brothers Cider is entering the alcohol-free category with the introduction of a new 0.0% ABV variant. Toffee Apple Alcohol Free is gluten free as well as vegan, and will be available via Morrisons, independent retailers and the Brothers online shop. The new variant offers an alcohol-free version of the existing Brothers Toffee Apple flavour and comes in a 500ml bottle.  Nicola Randall, senior marketing manager at Brothers, said: “At Brothers, we have always sought to provide meaningful innovation in the cider category, which not only has appealed to our core set of customers but piqued the interest of all consumers with our unique set of flavours.  “We’ve entered the alcohol-free category to ensure our customers can continue to explore and experience our exciting flavours and enjoy the quality and taste of a Brothers Cider whatever the occasion. Empowering consumers with the choice to go alcohol-free when they wish, will foster greater loyalty with our brand and further consolidate our position for long-term success.”