Cereal Partners UK, the maker of Nestlé cereals in the UK, has announced the launch of Organic Honey and Chocolate Cheerios, which will launch nationwide in the UK this month. The product marks Cheerios UK's entrance into the UK’s organic market, with the certified organic cereal featuring organic honey hoops from five whole grains and chocolate cereal pieces. Cereal Partners UK claims that all ingredients used in the cereal are sourced from farmers that follow organic farming practices. Alongside the product launch, Cheerios UK has also announced a new partnership with The Bee Friendly Trust – a charity dedicated to creating habitats for honeybees and pollinators – with Cheerios raising awareness of The Bee Friendly Trust and its work through consumer activations throughout the year. Toby Baker, regional marketing director UK & Australia – Nestlé Cereals: “Given that £200m a month is now spent on organic food and drink in the UK, it’s clear that sustainably conscious consumers are looking for products that are good for our planet. This growing interest has intensified during the pandemic, with many families placing greater emphasis on leading better lifestyles, focused on wellbeing and sustainability. “As a business, our promise is to make breakfast better as well as doing our bit to help protect the planet. Our breakfast cereals already come in packaging specially designed for a lower environmental impact- with cereal boxes that can be easily recycled. "The launch of Cheerios UK’s first organic cereal is yet another milestone in our own journey, which will also help meet growing consumer demand for organic products.” The Organic Honey and Chocolate Cheerios cereal will initially be available exclusively nationwide from Waitrose stores in the UK from 13 January 2021, and will launch in Sainsbury's stores in May 2021.

Luxury ice cream brand H äagen-Dazs is launching a new two-in-one ice cream at the end of January.  The Duo range (RSP £4.99, 420ml) will come in three flavours: Belgian Chocolate & Vanilla Crunch, Dark Chocolate & Salted Caramel Crunch and Belgian Chocolate & Strawberry Kat Jones, marketing manager at Häagen-Dazs UK, said: “This new format sees two worlds collide and we’re confidently predicting consumers will absolutely love it! Product quality and distinctiveness are most important to buyers seeking a luxury experience and our Duo range responds to that demand and provides an ideal offering." “This launch is one of our most sophisticated, it really taps into the opportunity to fulfil shoppers’ increased desire for chocolate indulgence, of which 77% of consumers assuage with ice cream.”

AB InBev’s Bud Light brand is expanding its portfolio with the addition of new Seltzer Lemonades, which will be available in the US as a variety pack. With an ABV of 5%, the new offering comes in four flavours: original lemonade, black cherry lemonade, strawberry lemonade and peach lemonade. Bud Light Seltzer Lemonade is brewed with cane sugar and natural fruit flavours, and contains just 100 calories and less than 1g of sugar per drink. “After launching Bud Light Seltzer last year, it quickly became one of the top innovations in the entire category and in the history of the brand,” said Andy Goeler, vice president of marketing, Bud Light. “We are excited to continue expanding our portfolio with the new Bud Light Seltzer Lemonade variety pack. “Our Seltzer Lemonade marries the bold flavours of lemonade with the refreshing bubbliness of seltzer; this new offering is perfect for both established seltzer fans and those who are looking to give seltzer a try.” Bud Light Seltzer Lemonade will be available nationwide in 12oz slim can variety 12-packs, starting 18 January. Last year, Bud Light unveiled new limited-edition hard seltzer varieties for the holiday season, featuring ‘ugly sweater’ designs and festive flavours.

Dutch food and biochemicals company, Corbion , has closed the sale of its frozen dough business (located in East Rutherford, New Jersey) to Frodo Baking Company, with immediate effect.  Frodo Baking Company will take over all operations, and is expected to hire most of the employees already working at the frozen dough business.  The sale follows a portfolio assessment conducted by Corbion as part of its 2025 strategy, which was announced in March 2020.  "Being the only (semi-)finished product line delivering to consumer outlets, whereas Corbion is a global leader in ingredients and strong in B-t-B markets, the frozen dough business’s fit with the new strategy was limited," the company statement read.  “This divestment allows us to further increase our focus on our preservation and functional systems ingredients," said Corbion’s president of sustainable food solutions, Andy Muller. "And we can do so in full confidence that our colleagues in the frozen dough business will be better positioned to flourish in this growth market under the new owner, with a clear, singular focus. "Finally, I would like to thank our colleagues from the frozen dough business for their valuable contribution to Corbion over many years,” he added.

GEA has unveiled its new PowerPak Plus thermoforming packaging machine that enables the use of paper-based packaging alternatives to meet sustainability demands. Following technical modifications, the machine is now able to use paper in its range of solutions – including vacuum, MAP and shrink packaging – for a variety of food products such as meat, dairy, bakery and convenience foods. The new packaging option is made from a moldable paper composite consisting of more than 80% paper and a residual amount of plastic for features that deliver barrier properties. The machine produces thermoformed packs of around 20mm in height with a thin top film to close and seal each pack. Volker Sassmannshausen, senior product manager of thermoforming packaging systems at GEA, said: “While consumers and food retailers are demanding reductions in plastic usage, the food industry must ensure safe packaging from beginning to end of the supply chain. “Not only must all hygiene and quality standards be met, but also legal requirements which call for a significant reduction in the amount of plastic used in packaging. When developing our machines, we always take our cues from what our customers need, so this was an obvious focus area for us.” According to GEA, the packaging machine’s newly-developed multi-zone heating system and sealing capabilities ensure that fresh foods are safely and hygienically packaged. The heating system warms the coated paper to the precise temperature required so that it’s ready for molding via vacuum and compressed air. As a result, GEA says the new features make it easier for consumers to separate the paper from the plastic for disposal into their respective recycling stream. Sassmannshausen added: “It’s great to see that we can mold paper-based materials without any difficulty. Our paper-composite packaging solution is already successfully used and these products are now on supermarket shelves there. We’re proud that we’re able to make an important contribution to producing more sustainable food packaging.”

British dairy exporter Somerdale International has acquired the blended cheese business of Abergavenny Fine Foods (AFF) for an undisclosed sum.  The transaction includes AFF’s blended cheese processing assets, brands and associated trademarks. The deal sees Somerdale take over the full rights to brands including Tintern and Harlech, which AFF previously produced in partnership with the company. Somerdale says that the acquisition will enable it to grow its portfolio of blended cheeses developed specifically for the international marketplace. As a result of the deal, Somerdale will transfer the production of blended cheese to its other cheese making partners, which include Cheshire-based Joseph Heler.  “We are delighted to have acquired the assets of AFF’s blended cheese business,” said Alan Jenkins, director of Somerdale International.  “In particular, it will strengthen our position as the leading exporter of British blended cheeses and, working closely with our award-winning cheese makers, it will enable us to give greater focus to the development of brands such as Red Dragon, which is already one of our largest-selling brands in the US market." According to Somerdale, the acquisition comes at a time when its range of blended cheeses is experiencing strong growth, with branded sales up 10.4% year on year. “Across both established international markets such as North America and Australia, and new emerging markets such as China, sales of our branded blended cheeses are growing strongly. “Our acquisition of the AFF blended cheese business will reinforce both our capacity and capabilities in this fast-growing and dynamic part of the market.”

International Delight has partnered with Post Pebbles cereal to launch Pebbles coffee creamers in two new flavours: Fruity and Cocoa. Inspired by the much-loved cartoon, the Flintstones, the new coffee creamers celebrate Pebbles' 50th birthday and are available for a limited time only.  "At International Delight, we are always looking to give our fans innovative, can’t-get-it-anywhere-else flavours to enhance their coffee,” said Marie Dobson, marketing director for International Delight. She continued: “We want to make that first cup of joe a delicious and fun experience – which is why we are excited to partner with Pebbles cereal to bring these favourite flavours from your bowl to your cup. We hope coffee lovers everywhere shout ‘Yabba Dabba Doo!’ with every sip!”

General Mills and got milk? have teamed up to debut limited edition packaging, with cereal box characters featuring the iconic got milk? moustache.  The company's popular Big G cereal box characters will all don the milk moustache, in a bid to combine fun with essential nutrition.  “We believe in the power of cereal and milk to be an easy, affordable and delicious way to deliver the nutrients people need with the taste they love,” said Amy Cohn, senior nutrition manager at General Mills. “And for kids who eat cereal, 53% of their daily milk consumption comes from pouring cereal and milk together. "So, while General Mills cereal and milk have been a perfect pairing for a long time, we’re thrilled to officially come together to share this important message through our iconic characters,” Cohn continued.  The limited-edition milk moustache boxes of Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Trix are now available nationwide.

Sustainable ingredients company, EverGrain, has now launched its nutrient-rich barley ingredients with the backing of AB InBev .  EverGrain utilises saved grain from brewing and transforms the barley into protein and fibre-based ingredients, enabling them to be used in a variety of food and beverage products.  After five years of R&D, the team – with support from AB InBev – is now ready to showcase its range of barley ingredients and products.   “Our unique barley ingredients will transform plant-based products , delivering better tasting and more nutritious options to consumers who seek a healthier and more sustainable future,” said founder and CEO of EverGrain, Greg Belt. “EverGrain’s innovative and circular approach, which we’ve honed over the past five years, offers a scalable, local and reliable solution for the global food industry to help address the world’s food security and sustainability challenges,” Belt continued.  By committing to a circular economy, EverGrain hopes to partner with some of the world's leading organisations to encourage and support them to turn barley into an essential ingredient.   “AB InBev is proud to support such a remarkable, purpose-driven venture with a mission to create incredible ingredients to nourish the world through the transformative power of circularity,” added Tony Milikin, chief sustainability and procurement officer, AB InBev. “EverGrain marks an important milestone in our ultimate goal of building a better world as we look to the next 100 years and beyond.” With this launch, the ingredients company will commercialise its first-generation of ancient-grain products to market, EverPro and EverVita. EverGrain ingredients can be found in products such as Take Two plant-based barley milk, with product launches planned in the US and Europe in the first quarter fiscal year 2021.

PepsiCo’s has expanded its Mountain Dew portfolio with the addition of a new watermelon flavour in both original and zero sugar varieties. Mountain Dew Major Melon is now available nationwide in the US and marks the latest addition to the brand’s permanent flavour line-up, the first in more than a decade. The beverage joins Mountain Dew varieties such as diet, Code Red (cherry), Voltage (raspberry citrus flavour and ginseng) and a zero sugar version of its original drink, which was launched this time last year.   "Watermelon is a truly transportive taste, evoking feelings of freedom and nostalgia," said Nicole Portwood, vice president of marketing at Mountain Dew. She added: "We found watermelon to be the number one choice of flavours tested amongst our fans, and Mountain Dew Major Melon is our answer for those who are looking for a refreshing charge to keep them invigorated all day long." Mountain Dew Major Melon and Major Melon zero sugar are available now nationwide at retailers and online in a variety of single and multipack sizes.

Ball Corporation has announced plans to boost its beverage packaging capabilities with a new aluminium end manufacturing facility. Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the plant will supply aluminium ends to regional and national customers, and aims to support growth in the Midwest aluminium beverage packaging market. The company says that it plans to expand the facility – which is scheduled to begin production in early 2022 – over a number of years with the installation of additional end modules. “Our new Bowling Green, Kentucky, facility will provide aluminium end supply to Ball's expanding North American network of beverage can manufacturing plants,” said Colin Gillis, Ball's president, beverage packaging, North and Central America. The facility will join Ball's network of more than 20 North American plants, including two new beverage can manufacturing plants currently under construction in Glendale, Arizona, and Pittston, Pennsylvania. Ball chose Bowling Green as the location for its new end facility because of the city's proximity to main distribution routes and existing supply chain partners, among other factors.

Food technology start-up, Air Protein , has announced a $32 million Series A funding round led by  Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), with participation from Barclays and GV (formerly Google Ventures).  Air Protein, which produces meat made from elements of the air, will use the funding to launch an R&D lab and accelerate its product development and commercialisation.   Led by founder and CEO Dr Lisa Dyson, the start-up's unique technology can be used to produce protein in sustainable, vertical farms that can be built virtually anywhere on Earth. Air Protein meat can be produced in days, making it scalable and planet-friendly.   “With this funding, we will be able to accelerate our work towards providing innovative, environmentally-friendly, highly nutritious alternatives that will play an important role in meeting the growing global demand for alternatives to animal protein,” said Dr Dyson. “We are commercialising a novel technology platform that is capable of scaling to large-scale production to help feed the world’s 10 billion people by the year 2050, in the most sustainable approach available today.” Darren Streiler, managing director of ADM Ventures (ADM's corporate venture capital arm), added: “It’s essential to explore a variety of alternative solutions and options to help meet the growing global population’s demand for protein. "ADM is a global leader in alternative proteins, and we are excited to help leverage our vast experience with fermentation solutions to help bring Air Protein’s innovative new ideas to the market.”