PepsiCo has revealed that its latest product innovation will combine its original Pepsi cola with hot chocolate. Pepsi “Cocoa” Cola will arrive in winter 2021, marking the latest concept from the Pepsi Test Kitchen. Inspired by “the unofficial beverage of winter”, the new drink is a blend of cocoa (and a hint of marshmallow) mixed with Pepsi cola. Pepsi initially announced the innovation on Twitter yesterday, requiring 2,021 retweets for the drink to officially launch in the new year. The launch marks the latest limited-edition flavour to the brand’s portfolio and comes on the heels of its Pepsi Apple Pie unveiled earlier this season. “There is nothing more classic than hot cocoa on a winter day, but this year has been anything but typical,” said Todd Kaplan, vice president of marketing at Pepsi. He added: “So why not bring together the delicious taste of a Pepsi with the delicious, wintery taste of chocolate and marshmallow and bring some unexpected joy to our fans this season? We are confident we nailed Pepsi “Cocoa” Cola and can’t wait to get this in the hands of cola fans this winter.”

The World Food Innovation Awards 2021 , in association with IFE, are a celebration of innovation and excellence across every category of the global food industry. We asked the judging panel what they are hoping to see from entrants. There are 28 trophies to be won in total, and being shortlisted provides a hallmark of success that will prevail long after the awards draw to a close. The judges’ criteria points will hopefully offer inspiration and help in crafting the winning entry. The deadline is Friday 29 January. Stefania Pérez Beltrán Food Packaging Designer and Engineer It’s an honour and pleasure to be part of the judging panel at the World Food Innovation Awards 2021. As a gastronomy expert, I find out it's been amazing how cultures, flavours and people connect. I believe that passion and respect for culture is the main path to understand the food environment; creating value through ingredients, sustainability, innovation, awareness and nutrition. This recipe makes the experience of taking food to another level. I will take into consideration the following attributes: Wellness & Consciousness: Products must be practical and tasty, but one of the most relevant attributes must be focus on health and nutritive impact. Is your product delivering health and nutrition to your consumers? Taste and Flavour : Your product must transmit experience through flavour, texture, aroma and off course connection with your consumers! Memorable taste and flavour are what I'm looking for. Innovation & Creativity : The concept of your product must be developed into 360° process, considering the environment, supply chain, ingredients, communication, wellness and people. Does your product address consumer needs? Make it sustainable : The sustainable process involved in ingredients and materials (packaging) are the best formula to keep the planet and people in balance. I want to see it in your product! The WOW Effect:  Looking for products and packaging that really have the WOW Effect! Does your product/packaging have the WOW Effect? Good luck to everyone! Louis Bedwell Co-founder & Head of Operations, Mission Ventures The COVID-19 pandemic has upended nearly every aspect of life, from how people live and work to how customers choose and purchase products and services. Crisis often leads to creation, and we are witnessing more innovation in food and drink than ever before as brands pivot to meet consumers ever-changing needs – it's a fascinating time to be part of the industry. Before you apply for these awards, I'd start with these questions: Is your product better for consumers? Consumers make purchases to fulfil needs both specific to their situation and guided by broader trends. We're looking for products that are on-trend and meet the needs of its intended audience.  Is your product better for health? 2020 has shone a spotlight on how our food and health are so closely interlinked. Does your product add value to your consumer's health either physically or mentally?  Is your product better for the environment? Beyond its functional benefits, does your work make a positive impact on society? Whether it makes a dent to tackling the climate crisis, reduces food waste or uses more sustainable manufacturing technologies. Is your product better for business? Does your product or service have the ability to scale efficiently within a market?  Does your brand express and live its purpose? The most innovative challenger brands have an authentic voice and strong values which provide them with an edge against Big Food.  Mella Frewan Director General, FoodDrinkEurope European food & drink companies fully support the ambition for more sustainable food systems and are committed to contributing towards a greener planet, healthier living and a thriving economy. In order to achieve truly sustainable food systems, the industry must be inventive. The transition to more sustainable food systems will include: Consumer power: product innovation must be a clear response to what consumers want and need. Importantly, new forms of communication with consumers must be developed to enhance transparency and provide the information consumers demand in a clear and understandable manner. Packaging improvements: packaging must not only ensure it protects and preserves the product, it should also be sustainable and reusable, recyclable or compostable. Environmental sustainability: innovative food and drink products should help improve the environmental performance of the manufacturer. Unique: new products should really stand out in the market place or on the shelf; the huge diversity of culinary traditions in Europe provides a framework that is ideally suited to foster creativity and innovation. Final check: no matter the innovation, pleasure and affordability must always be taken into account. Eric-Alan Rapp Partner, Vækstfonden Here are a few of the concepts that will be top of mind for me as we review the candidates this year: Themes for our planet.  I am particularly interested in companies that… Either reduce or re-purpose packaging and food waste, or even help design packaging and waste completely out of our supply chain. Either incorporate or facilitate the development of protein and nutrient sources that minimize our planetary impact. Promote or enhance biodiversity. Help ensure a more secure food supply chain. Think big.  Founder teams that get my attention are driven by huge ideas to feed our planet in the face of the growing impact of climate change and our increasing population. Walk the talk.  I pay the most attention to companies with… Mission-driven founders who possess the skills and experience to execute on their ambitious plans – and who have access to missing skills. Customers or business partners that are showing strong indications of market pull for the products or services. Compelling stories that can educate and inspire many, many people to become aware of – and act upon - the urgency of adapting our behaviour for a sustainable future. Team DNA that incorporates an ability to generate attention, build awareness, and attract world-class stakeholders. Think you've got what it takes to win? Enter your innovative food and beverage products in the World Food Innovation Awards 2021 now!

Ben & Jerry's has partnered with social activist and professional American football player Colin Kaepernick to release a new ice cream flavour called Change the Whirled. Change the Whirled is a vegan, dairy-free ice cream, which features a caramel non-dairy sunflower butter base with fudge chips, graham cracker swirls and chocolate cookie swirls. According to Ben & Jerry's, the new flavour "celebrates Kaepernick’s courageous work to confront systemic oppression and to stop police violence against Black and Brown people". Kaepernick’s portion of the proceeds from each sale will support the work of the non-profit organisation Know Your Rights Camp – founded in 2016 by Kaepernick – which aims to advance the wellbeing of Black and Brown communities through 'education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilisation and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders.' Kaepernick said: "I'm honoured to partner with Ben & Jerry's on Change the Whirled. Their commitment to challenging the anti-Black roots of policing in the United States demonstrates a material concern for the wellbeing of Black and Brown communities." Matthew McCarthy, CEO of Ben & Jerry’s, added: “Colin Kaepernick and his Know Your Rights Camp is the perfect partner for Ben & Jerry’s to continue to advance our work on issues of racial justice. “Ben & Jerry’s is proud to diversify our flavour portfolio by honouring Kaepernick with a full-time flavour. We deeply respect how Colin uses his voice to protest racism, white supremacy and police violence through the belief that ‘love is at the root of our resistance." Change the Whirled ice cream will be available nationwide in the US from early 2021, with a suggested retail price of $4.99-$5.49. The flavour will also be available to consumers in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Mondelēz International has partnered with Lady Gaga to develop a new limited-edition range of Oreo cookies, which are inspired by the artist's album 'Chromatica'. Taking design cues from the album, the Chromatica-themed Oreo cookies are pink-coloured Golden Oreo cookies with green coloured creme, with three Chromatica-inspired designs embossed onto the wafer. The cookies will be available in the US from 2021 for a limited time, in both full-size and six-cookie packs. This release forms part of a new partnership between Lady Gaga and the Oreo brand, which will reportedly lead to further product offerings and musical programming in the US, Canada and Europe in the near future. Oreo will also become a sponsor of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation – co-founded and led by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta – a non-profit organisation that aims to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Justin Parnell, US senior director, Oreo, said: “Over the last few years, music has become a key element of our purpose to spread more joy and playfulness in the world through partnerships and entertainment properties alike. We’re absolutely thrilled over our newest collaboration with one of the biggest pop culture icons of a generation. “Together with Lady Gaga, we cannot wait to unleash her world of Chromatica on our Oreo cookie and encourage fans to spread musical messages of kindness to create a brighter and more connected country.” Lady Gaga, added: "This collab is inspired by the world of Chromatica, where kindness rules all things. “I love these pink cookies with green creme, and hope they brighten your day as much as they do mine!”

Unilever-owned Ben & Jerry’s has released a new limited-edition ice cream flavour as part of its latest comedy-themed collaboration with Netflix. Ben & Jerry’s has launched Punch Line in partnership with Netflix’s comedy platform Netflix Is A Joke. The new flavour features a duo of brown butter bourbon and almond ice creams, with added roasted almonds and cherries. In addition to the ice cream itself, the two companies are teaming up to provide a comedy hotline, which will feature comedic headliners like Wanda Sykes, Fortune Feimster and Aparna Nancherla. Punch Line marks the ice cream brand’s fourth Netflix collaboration flavour in 2020, joining Netflix & Chill’d – available in both dairy and non-dairy variants – and Boots on the Moooo’n, inspired by Netflix comedy series Space Force. A limited batch of Ben & Jerry’s Punch Line can be found across the US for an RRP of $4.99-5.49.

Arla Foods Ingredients has saved around 60,000 tonnes of CO2 a year and aims to help infant formula manufacturers cut their greenhouse emissions. The ingredients company has achieved the savings by using energy from biogas. Meanwhile, it is investing in its dry blend lactose production capacity, in order to help infant formula manufacturers cut their emissions by as much as 25%. The two initiative form part of its Green Ambition 2050, the sustainability strategy launched by Arla Foods, as it aims to become carbon net zero by 2050. Since 2019, Arla Foods has received methane from a biogas plant which processes manure from Arla farms, as well as production waste. To date, green sources such as biogas supply over 30% of the energy needs of the company’s production facilities in Denmark. Arla Foods Ingredients’ two largest production plants has two 4000 horsepower biogas engines that convert methane into electricity. In 2019, CO2 emissions from the two plants totalled 105,000 tonnes, representing a reduction of 62,000 tonnes. “Arla Foods Ingredients has always been an example of a circular economy because we convert whey, which used to be considered waste, into high-value food and nutrition products,” said Henrik Andersen, CEO at Arla Foods Ingredients. He added: “Now we’re taking new steps to reduce our carbon footprint and help protect the environment for future generations. Reducing our use of fossil fuels and investing in greener energy sources such as biogas is an essential element of this ambition.” According to Arla, lactose is usually supplied in a wet blend which has to be heat-treated and spray-dried before packaging, which is a highly energy-intensive process. By using its dry blend lactose version, Arla estimates that customers will save as high as 24,400 tonnes of CO2, while also increasing their output. Andersen continued: “Like us, our customers are increasingly focused on becoming more energy-efficient, and the use of dry blend lactose is a great way for formula manufacturers to reduce their emissions.”

Mars has added a new limited-edition sugar cookie flavour to its M&M's range to mark the holiday season. Featuring a white chocolate, sugar cookie-flavoured shell and a crispy centre, M&M's Sugar Cookie can be added to festive baked treats. "Both the flavour and texture of the new M&M's Sugar Cookie evoke the warmth and nostalgia associated with homemade holiday cookies," said Tanya Berman, Mars Wrigley's head of seasonal marketing.   "We know our fans will love the taste of holiday magic M&M's Sugar Cookie brings and we look forward with excitement to see all of the bite-sized holiday wishes our fans have to share." The M&M's Sugar Cookie flavour is available nationwide in the US, from stores and via the brand’s website, in a sharing-sized (3.22oz) bag and a larger 7.44oz format. Last year, Mars expanded its M&M’s range with a new hazelnut spread variant, also available in the US.

PepsiCo has expanded its Pepsi soft drinks range with a new seasonal offering, Pepsi Apple Pie cola. Inspired by the classic fall dessert, Pepsi Apple Pie aims to invoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia.  The drink will be packaged in a redesigned version of PepsiCo’s two-litre bottle, announced by the company earlier this week. “Failing at baking - especially this year – is nothing to be ashamed of, and we’re celebrating those amateur bakers that are truly trying their best during a unique holiday season,” said Todd Kaplan, vice president marketing of Pepsi. “With Pepsi Apple Pie, we’re providing a refreshingly delicious twist on the traditional slice of apple pie, while making sure people have some fun and don’t take themselves too seriously in the process.” Pepsi Apple Pie will be available via a competition that involves submitting a photo or video of a ‘baking fail’. PepsiCo recently redesigned its Pepsi Zero Sugar soft drink can, providing it with a new matte black finish.

Mondelēz International  and JAB majority-owned subsidiary Maple Holdings are selling a total of 60 million shares held in Keurig Dr Pepper . Conducted through a secondary public offering, the shares will be priced at $28.45, representing a total price of approximately $1.71 billion. According to Keurig Dr Pepper, the transactions represent a major milestone in it becoming a widely held modern beverage company.  Mondelēz will sell 40 million shares, reducing its ownership stake to approximately 8.4%. This follows the sale of 12.5 million shares earlier this year for a total consideration of approximately $362.7 million. The company will continue to maintain two seats on the board. Meanwhile, Maple will sell 20 million shares for the benefit of its minority partners. Maple has also indicated that it expects to convert the final portion of its minority partners’ shares in itself into shares held directly in KDP. It will distribute approximately 119 million shares of KDP common stock – representing approximately 8.5% of KDP's outstanding common stock – to such minority holders.  Following this transaction, Maple will be renamed JAB Bevco and, through JAB Bevco, JAB and its affiliates will hold approximately 34% of KDP's outstanding common stock. Upon the completion of the sales, KDP's public float will increase to approximately 58%, as compared to approximately 13% at the time of the completion of the merger of Keurig Green Mountain and Dr Pepper Snapple Group in 2018.

Mondelēz International  has announced that it has removed 1.1 million plastic trays across its entire adult selection boxes range in UK and Ireland this Christmas. By swapping plastic trays for carboard, the confectionery giant has removed the equivalent of 33 tonnes of plastic. The move will affect boxes of Cadbury’s Classic Collection, Cadbury Darkmilk, Cadbury & Oreo, Bournville and Toblerone. The announcement marks the company’s latest move towards its vision of creating zero net waste packaging through its ‘Pack Light and Pack Right’ strategy. It follows a 15% packaging reduction of its Cadbury large share bags such as its Cadbury Giant Buttons and Bitsa Wispa. According to Mondelēz, it has already eliminated over 64,000 tonnes of packaging globally since 2013, made 100% of its paper-based packaging sustainably sourced and is on track to make all of its packaging recyclable by 2025. Louise Stigant, UK managing director at Mondelēz International, said: “Reducing the amount of packaging we put into the world, and making it easier for consumers to recycle our products, is vitally important to us. “The steps we are taking on our adult selection boxes, which follow the recent packaging reduction on our Cadbury large share bags, is an example of the varied approaches we are taking to tackle the shared problem of packaging waste.”

Cargill has announced that it is expanding its supply of segregated certified palm oil in North America to help customers meet sustainability commitments. With the move, Cargill aims to become one of North America’s first large-scale suppliers of segregated palm oil certified by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The company’s new offering meets certification standards for RSPO, which verifies that forests are protected, and that social and environmental safeguards are met during the oil’s production and harvest. To carry the “segregated” certification, all products must be kept separate from commodity palm oil supplies and be traceable throughout the supply chain. The plantations and refinery facilities are RSPO certified and the RSPO ensures the palm oil is used by certified manufacturers. From December 2020, all palm oil production from the company’s Charlotte, North Carolina refinery will be solely dedicated to providing the sustainably-sourced product. By supplying North American food manufacturers with product, Cargill says the expanded supply means consumers may soon see the sustainable palm oil used in foods such as bakery, snacks, confectionery and dairy, as well as non-dairy creamers. Cargill has been supplying RSPO-certified palm oil since 2005, currently reaching customers in Europe, Mexico, Australia and Malaysia. However, the company previously offered its North American customers mass-balanced sustainable palm oil. “More than ever, brands and consumers care about the standards behind the products they buy,” said Reid Kinde, North American commercial leader for Cargill’s global edible oils business. He added: “People want assurance that the raw materials used are sourced in a sustainable, environmentally conscious way. By significantly increasing the supply of segregated certified-sustainable palm oil, we’re giving our customers and consumers’ confidence in our sourcing practices and reaffirming our commitment to supporting sustainable practices throughout our operations.”

Mondelēz International has reported a 4.9% increase in net revenue for Q3, as the company bounced back to growth in a number of markets. The owner of Cadbury and Oreo posted Q3 net revenue of $6.67 billion, beating analysts’ estimates of $6.49 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv, cited by Reuters. The company, which withdrew its full-year guidance in its Q1 results , forecast organic net revenue growth of 3.5% for 2020. Organic net revenue, which excludes the impact of acquisitions, divestitures and currency, rose 4.4% for Mondelēz’s third quarter ended 30 September. In Q3, Mondelēz witnessed 12.9% growth in net revenue in North America. Following a 4.9% decline in Q2 , Europe recorded a 6.3% year-over-year rise in net revenue for Q3. The region also generated the largest amount of revenue for the company overall, with nearly $2.53 billion worth of sales. Across Mondelēz's emerging markets, net revenue was down 15.6% in Q2. This moderated in the company’s third quarter to a 3.1% decline, while on an organic basis, the region bounced back to growth delivering a 5.3% increase on the previous year. Mondelēz’s Asia, Middle East and Africa unit delivered 3.6% growth in net revenue for Q3; meanwhile, Latin America witnessed a 17.1% decline (but returned to low-single-digit growth on an organic basis). “Our third quarter performance was strong across all key metrics, with broad-based revenue growth as demand remained elevated in developed markets and sequentially improved in emerging markets,” said Dirk Van de Put, Mondelēz chairman and CEO. “Our teams are executing well and we continue to deliver share gains by meeting the needs of customers and consumers, despite the uncertainties caused by Covid-19. “Our strategy remains unchanged and we are accelerating certain initiatives and increasing the investment behind our brands to further support long-term sustainable growth.”