Hancock Natural Resource Group (HNRG), a company of Manulife Investment Management, has acquired a majority stake in David Del Curto (DDC), on behalf of its third-party clients. David Del Curto is a Chilean fruit production, packing and export company, which produces more than ten different types of fruit across 11 farms, while also managing ‘one of the largest’ nurseries in the country. In addition, the company operates three packing facilities with a capacity of nine million boxes of fruit. Manulife Investment Management says that the acquisition aligns with its aim of growing its private markets offering across sectors including agriculture. Fernando Cisternas, CEO of DDC, said: “By joining the Manulife Investment Management and HNRG team, we are able to rely on their extensive agricultural experience to expand our operations and further the reach of the firm. We feel the acquisition will bring tremendous additional resources to our teams and partners.” Supplying a global customer base, DDC currently packs and markets fruit for approximately 90 third-party growers, as well as fruit from its own farms. "David Del Curto is a well-respected firm with more than 65 years of success in fruit production and extensive sales relationships throughout Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East," said Stephen J. Blewitt, global head of private markets at Manulife Investment Management. "The acquisition strengthens and diversifies our existing portfolio as DDC is in a solid position; both currently with market-leading characteristics and for the future with state-of-the-art farmland facilities and opportunity for additional strategic growth." The Corso Group (TCG), which acquired an ownership stake in DDC in 2005, will maintain a minority holding in the firm. DDC will continue to be led by its current CEO Fernando Cisternas. “We are very excited to work on the ownership transition with the strong DDC management team that is already in place and value The Corso Group's continuing partnership,” said William E. Peressini, CEO of HNRG. The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

CSM Bakery Solutions is expanding its range of Cadbury retail bakery products with the introduction of new Mini Bite Grab Bags. Available from next month, the new offerings include: Cadbury Dairy Milk Flapjack Bites, Cadbury Dairy Milk Mini Cookies and Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel Flapjack. CSM – which holds the license for Cadbury retail bakery products in the UK – says that the new range will launch in Sainsbury's on 10 February, priced at £1 per bag. The bites can be enjoyed as part of a picnic, packed lunch, or as an after-dinner treat, while the grab bag design is said to be “perfect for a life on the go”. Cadbury Dairy Milk Flapjack Bites feature a ‘velvety chocolate’ topping, while the caramel equivalent offers the addition of smooth caramel. Meanwhile, the Cadbury Dairy Milk Mini Cookies are baked with Cadbury chocolate buttons and caramel pearls. “We’re so pleased to be extending our grab bag offering into Sainsbury’s stores,” said Peter Duncan, European licensing director at CSM Bakery Solutions. “We’re always looking for ways to bring a moment of joy to chocolate fans and these bags do just that. We hope people think they’re as tasty as we do.”

Biotech company Ukko has raised $40 million in Series B funding to help accelerate the development of healthier food and therapies for food allergies. The Israel-based company aims to eliminate the world’s most prevalent food allergies and sensitivities including peanuts and gluten. Ukko uses a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) platform that engineers food proteins to eliminate their allergenicity, while keeping their good biochemical and nutritional characteristics. Through its platform, the company says it uses patient samples, computational biology, immunology and protein engineering to make proteins that do not trigger the immune system. The round was led by Leaps by Bayer – the investment arm of Bayer – and was joined by Continental Grain Company, PeakBridge Ventures, Skyviews Life Science and Fall Line Capital, as well as existing investors Khosla Ventures, Innovation Endeavors and Time Ventures. Currently, Ukko is working on improved gluten proteins that are designed for people with celiac and other gluten sensitives, which will allow food companies and home cooks to make products such as bread, pizza and pasta that are suitable for everyone. In addition, the firm is using its protein design platform to develop a new and promising investigational therapy for peanut allergy. The company says the funding will allow it to enter clinical trials with its investigational therapeutic for peanut allergy, as well as accelerate the development of Ukko’s gluten that is designed for those with celiac and other gluten sensitives. Yanay Ofran, chairman and co-founder of Ukko, said: “Big data allows us to understand the underpinnings of food sensitivities. Computational tools allow us to precisely design the proteins that make up our bodies and our food. “New genome editing technologies allow us to rewrite DNA to produce these new proteins in living cells. Ukko sits at the intersection of these breakthrough technologies, allowing us to redefine healthy food at the molecular level, based on real data." Anat Binur, CEO and co-founder of Ukko, added: "Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer from food allergies and experts see it as a global epidemic. Ending food allergy is critical and is only the beginning. Ukko's tech has the potential to leverage science and human data to redesign our food and medicine." Ukko plans to address additional major food allergens in the future.

Post Consumer Brands is marking Pebbles’ 50th birthday with the introduction of two light ice creams inspired by the brand’s cereals. The new Fruity Pebbles light ice cream features a fruity cereal milk light ice cream with rice cereal bits and a fruity swirl. Meanwhile, the Cocoa Pebbles offering is made with both chocolate and cereal milk light ice creams swirled together, with chocolatey rice cereal pieces. “Fans of Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles cereal who also savour the milk at the bottom of their bowls are going to love these new Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles light ice creams,” said Amy Brothers, Pebbles Cereal brand manager at Post Consumer Brands. “As a brand that has inspired kids and kids-at-heart for 50 years, we thought it would be fun to churn fans’ favourite flavours into a frozen treat that will take the Pebbles cereal eating experience to a new level.” According to Post Consumer Brands, the new Pebbles light ice creams contain half the fat and one third fewer calories than regular ice cream. The new offerings will be available at retailers nationwide in the US, beginning in February. Both ice creams come in a 48oz container (SRP $5.99), while the Fruity Pebbles light ice cream will also be available in a 14oz container for $2.99.  Post Consumer Brands recently introduced new on-the-go cereal snacks that are inspired by its Pebbles and Honeycomb brands.

Unilever-owned Ben & Jerry's has introduced its new Topped ice cream line in the US, which features seven new flavours covered with a chocolate ganache. Inspired by sundaes, each Topped flavour is paired with a layer of semi-soft chocolate ganache on top. Whiskey Biz features brown butter bourbon ice cream with blonde brownies and whiskey caramel swirls, which is topped with white chocolate ganache and white fudge chunks. The flavour has been produced in partnership with Vermont spirit brand WhistlePig Whiskey, featuring its PiggyBackRye whiskey cooked into the caramel swirls. Meanwhile Chocolate Caramel Cookie Dough consists of chocolate ice cream with caramel swirls and ‘gobs’ of chocolate chip cookie dough, which is topped with caramel cups and chocolate ganache. The remaining five flavours include: PB Over the Top  - Chocolate ice cream with peanut butter swirls and peanut butter cups, topped with mini peanut butter cups and chocolate ganache Salted Caramel Brownie  - Vanilla ice cream with salted caramel swirls and fudge brownies, topped with caramel cups and chocolate ganache Strawberry Topped Tart  - Sweet cream ice cream with strawberry swirls and pie crust pieces, topped with white chocolate ganache and candy sprinkles Thick Mint  - Mint ice cream with chocolate cookie swirls and mint chocolate cookie balls, topped with chocolate cookies and chocolate ganache Tiramisu  - Mascarpone ice cream with fudge swirls and shortbread pieces, topped with espresso fudge chunks and chocolate ganache "We wanted to dial up the indulgence level with this unique line of flavours, which entirely challenges how you eat this ice cream," said Dena Wimette, Ben & Jerry's innovation guru. "We started with sundaes and all the things you add to sundaes to make them great as our inspiration. You could say we ended up going over the Topped." Ben & Jerry’s new Topped ice cream line is available now at retailers nationwide for an RRP of $4.99-5.49. Earlier this month, the company launched Cookie Dough Twist tubs in Rain-dough and Dough-ble Chocolate varieties.

Pladis has announced that after 21 years, it is relocating its global head office from Hayes, Middlesex, to Chiswick, London. The owner of brands such as McVitie’s and Carr's says that its new head office in Chiswick Park will support 16,000 employees and 25 bakeries worldwide. The move will take place in the summer of 2021. Spread out over approximately 28,000 square feet, the new office will also serve as home to Pladis’s UK&I regional office, led by David Murray.  “We have been looking for an office space which better reflects our needs and our ambition to be a defining snacking company of the 21st century,” said Pladis CEO, Salman Amin. “The new office will be much more than just a place for us to work, it will be a space where we can truly showcase our exceptional portfolio and grow and inspire our ambitious team. “Chiswick Park is in a great location that will be appealing for current and future talent, and we are looking forward to welcoming our Pladis colleagues and partners to our new home.”  Pladis will join a number of other brands already situated in Chiswick Park, including Danone and Pernod Ricard.

La Tortilla Factory has announced that Flagship Food Group has invested in its business and will become a majority stakeholder. The manufacturer of tortillas and Mexican food says the investment will support its future growth strategy. Established by the Tamayo family in 1977, La Tortilla Factory is a manufacturer and distributor of better-for-you tortillas and Mexican food products including a wide range of corn, flour and speciality tortillas – such as grain-free cauliflower, low carb and protein – as well as side dishes, sauces and snacks. The firm operates a manufacturing facility in Northern California and operates distribution facilities in multiple cities on the West Coast. Following the transaction, Flagship will hold a controlling interest in La Tortilla Factory, while the third generation Tamayo family members will continue to remain valued partners. The company’s 300 employees will also remain. "We are excited and eager to embrace Flagship Food Group and its entire family of companies and brands as supporters of La Tortilla Factory's strategic growth plan. Their investment acumen and broader experience in the food industry will support and accelerate our strategy, especially given their success and enthusiasm within the Mexican food category," said Jeff Ahlers, CEO of La Tortilla Factory. Upon completion, the La Tortilla Factory brand will join Flagship’s portfolio that consists of the 505 Southwestern, Lilly B’s, TJ Farm’s and Hatch Kitchen brands. Rob Holland, the founding partner at Creo Capital Partners – the majority owner of Flagship Food Products – said: "As Flagship has continued to focus on premium-oriented food brands, and in particular in the Hispanic foods sector, it became clear to us that La Tortilla Factory was a perfect addition to our platform.   “Being one of the leading brands in the better-for-you segment of the tortilla and Mexican food space, LTF further enhances our ability to execute on our growth strategy.” Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Mondelēz International has reported a 2.8% increase in net revenue for 2020, as the company was boosted by its performance in developed markets. The owner of Cadbury and Oreo recorded net revenue of $26.58 billion for the year, while net earnings attributable to the company decreased to $3.56 billion on a non-adjusted basis. Mondelēz says that the rise in net revenue was primarily driven by organic net revenue growth of 3.7% and incremental sales from its acquisitions of Perfect Snacks and Give & Go, partially offset by unfavourable currency impacts. In North America, the company reported net revenue growth of 14.8% for 2020, while its Europe unit saw a 2.4% revenue increase. However, Mondelēz’s Latin America and Asia, Middle East and Africa units recorded declines in net revenue of 17.9% and 0.5%, respectively. Organic net revenue grew in all four regions, but was weaker in the company’s emerging markets. This contrasts to Mondelēz’s 2019 full-year results, when the company was helped by its performance in emerging markets. “2020 was a successful year for Mondelēz International and I am proud of our performance, including record share gains, in a challenging operating environment. Our categories were resilient, with the exception of gum which represented 5% of our revenue in 2020,” said Dirk Van de Put, Mondelēz chairman and CEO. Van de Put continued: “We made meaningful progress with our strategic agenda in 2020, continuing to increase investment in brands and capabilities, simplifying our portfolio, expanding into adjacent categories and making acquisitions in high-growth areas of snacking. We moved quickly to mitigate incremental Covid-related costs and delivered on our commitment to generate strong cash flow.” Mondelēz delivered fourth-quarter revenue and earnings ahead of Wall Street estimates, according to Reuters. The company reported 5.6% growth in net revenue for Q4 2020, with its North America unit seeing a particularly strong performance. Van de Put added: “We enter 2021 in a strong position financially and in the marketplace which gives us confidence that we can deliver on our long-term growth targets in 2021 and beyond.”

Hormel Foods has announced its aim to match 100% of its global energy use with renewable sourcing by 2030, as part of its new set of sustainability goals. The new environmental targets form part of the company’s challenge to achieve 20 corporate responsibility goals by 2030. Other commitments include establishing science-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets by 2023 and taking action across its supply chain to improve water quality, including the support of regenerative agriculture initiatives. The targets follow the Minnesota-based corporation’s previous set of sustainability goals in which it achieved significant reductions in its packaging, non-renewable energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use and solid waste sent to landfills. For example, Hormel Foods says it surpassed its goal to reduce product packaging by 25 million pounds by 2020. In 2019, the company announced its aim to become powered by almost 50% wind power and signed a virtual power purchase agreement for wind energy with Kinect Energy Group. Hormel Foods aims to release further targets that are part of its 20 By 30 Challenge in future announcements, including goals surrounding education, community and food security. "For nearly 130 years, Hormel Foods has continued to showcase its citizenship and stewardship by using its size and resources to make a difference. From sustainable packaging initiatives to water and energy stewardship, our global team of inspired people is committed to making lasting and measurable progress in protecting our natural resources," said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and CEO of Hormel Foods. Mark Coffey, senior vice president of supply chain and manufacturing at Hormel Foods, said: "Our worldwide team of professionals and supply chain partners are ready to step up to the challenge to help us achieve these important sustainability goals." Hormel Foods owns brands such as Spam, Justin’s, Hormel Black Label and Skippy.

Crown has announced that it will inaugurate a new aluminium beverage can manufacturing facility in Henry County, Virginia. Located in Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre, the plant will expand Crown’s North American supply network as it aims to address the growing market for standard and speciality beverage cans. The company will invest $145 million in the 355,000 square-foot facility, which will supply cans to customers serving a variety of categories including sparkling water, energy drinks, carbonated soft drinks, teas, functional beverages, hard seltzers, beers and cocktails. "This investment further demonstrates Crown's commitment to support its customers in meeting the increased demand for aluminium beverage cans," said Timothy Donahue, president and CEO of Crown. The Virginia plant will also mark the company’s third greenfield beverage can manufacturing investment in North America over the last five years. Last year, Crown announced it was building a beverage can plant in Kentucky. "The Henry County plant will give Crown a stronger position in the speciality can market, while allowing Crown to better serve the needs of customers and consumers for more sustainable packaging,” added Donahue. The new plant is expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2022 and will create 126 jobs. Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, said: “We are thrilled to see a long-time Virginia employer and Fortune 500 company like Crown Holdings select Henry County for its new East Coast manufacturing operation. “The addition of 126 high-quality jobs is a huge opportunity for the people of Southern Virginia, and the region’s tireless efforts to build a skilled workforce pipeline will benefit the company for decades to come." Earlier this month, Crown announced plans to build its sixth beverage can plant in Brazil.

The Laughing Cow is launching two new products this January – The Laughing Cow Blends and The Laughing Cow & Go portable cups.  The company's Blends cheese spread wedges are infused with spices and/or herbs and come in three flavours: Chickpea & Cheese with Herb, Lentil & Cheese with Curry, and Red Bean & Cheese with Paprika. Each of the eight wedges contains 2g of protein and is a source of calcium and vitamin E. The Laughing Cow & Go portable snack cups pair creamy dippable cheese with whole wheat breadsticks. Each serving contains 150 calories, 5g of protein and is a source of calcium, and the range comes in three flavours: Creamy Original paired with whole wheat breadsticks, Creamy White Cheddar paired with pretzel breadsticks and Creamy Herbs paired with multigrain breadsticks. "We're thrilled to kick-off the new year with new and exciting innovations," said The Laughing Cow USA brand director Zach Fatla. "The launch of these products shows the evolution and adaptability of The Laughing Cow to consumer snacking trends – we're bringing big flavour, real ingredients and portability forward as part of a strong line-up of products, including our current variety of original wedges." The two new lines will be available in the refrigerated section of retailers nationally in early 2021. The Laughing Cow Blends cheese spreads can be purchased for an RRP of $3.29; while The Laughing Cow & Go come in a two-pack for an RRP of $2.49.

Chemical and ingredients distribution company, Brenntag, has announced its acquisition of China’s Zhongbai Xingye Food Technology (Beijing) Co. Brenntag plans to purchase the entire share capital of the speciality ingredients distributor, starting with a 67% stake at an enterprise value of around €90 million. The company will then acquire the remaining 33% by the end of 2024. Zhongbai Xingye distributes a wide range of speciality food ingredients, including dairy products and proteins. The company generated sales of approximately €146 million over the 12-month period up to June 2020, according to Brenntag. Brenntag aims to expand its food and nutrition business in China through the acquisition, describing the move as an “important step for our company to become a full-line distributor of food ingredients in the Asian market”. Yaqi Liu, managing director of Zhongbai Xingye, added: “On behalf of Zhongbai Xingye, I extend a warm welcome to Brenntag. We are very pleased to become a part of the Brenntag family and to be such an important cornerstone in their expansion strategy. “The food supplements industry has extraordinary potential worldwide and especially in China that we will leverage together.” Henri Nejade, member of the management board of Brenntag Group and COO Brenntag Specialties, added: "Headquartered in the capital of China, the company offers Brenntag the platform to extend our business of speciality food ingredients in the country." The acquisition of the initial majority stake in Zhongbai Xingye is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021. Closing of the transaction is subject to contractual conditions and regulatory approvals. Brenntag Food & Nutrition – a unit of Brenntag Group – recently opened a new food ingredients facility in Padua, Italy.