GEA is expanding its digital dairy farming capabilities with the opening of a new software lab in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The facility will add 20 research and development (R&D) roles focused on advancing the company’s AI-powered livestock monitoring platform, CattleEye, alongside other digital solutions within GEA’s DairyNet farm management portfolio. The Belfast lab reflects the company’s broader push to scale digital technologies across dairy production, using data analytics and AI to improve animal health, operational efficiency and sustainability outcomes. Andreas Seeringer, CEO of GEA Farm Technologies, said: “With our new software lab in Belfast, GEA is strengthening its role as a technology leader in digital dairy farming. By improving animal health and well-being through AI-based solutions like CattleEye, dairy farms become more efficient, more sustainable and ultimately more profitable.” The CattleEye platform uses computer vision and machine learning to detect early signs of lameness in dairy cows and assess body condition scores, enabling farmers to intervene earlier and manage herd health more effectively. According to the company, the system is currently deployed on more than 140 farms across the UK, Europe, the United States and Australia, monitoring over 200,000 cattle across 23 countries. GEA acquired CattleEye in 2024 as part of its strategy to integrate advanced digital technologies into its next-generation dairy equipment and farm management solutions. The new Belfast facility will support further AI integration and expand the system’s capabilities, while also enhancing the functionality and user experience of the DairyNet mobile app used by farmers to manage herd data. The investment highlights Northern Ireland’s role in GEA’s global digital agriculture strategy, combining a strong dairy farming heritage with a growing technology sector. “The new software lab will be a significant milestone in integrating CattleEye fully into our state-of-the-art herd management systems and will extend our digital footprint in farming,” said Terry Canning, CattleEye co-founder and senior director at GEA. The technology is also expected to support sustainability goals by helping farms optimise animal health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project has received financial support from Invest Northern Ireland, the region’s economic development agency. The funding is partly backed by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund. Speaking at the opening, Vicky Kell, director of innovation, research and development at Invest NI, said: "This investment in R&D is a vote of confidence in our talent, infrastructure and capabilities in Northern Ireland. The CattleEye solution shows how innovation can deliver competitive advantages in the global agri-tech market.”

Müller Yogurt & Desserts and sports nutrition brand Myprotein have expanded their collaboration with the launch of Müller x Myprotein Mixers, a new high-protein yogurt range designed to bring greater texture and flavour variety to the growing protein segment. The new range combines high-protein yogurt with separate high-protein mix-ins, creating a dual-compartment format intended to deliver contrast in flavour and texture while maintaining strong nutritional credentials. The products will launch initially in Morrisons this month, with additional retailers expected to follow. The launch builds on the partnership between the two brands, which began in September 2024 and has already delivered strong performance in the chilled yogurt and potted dessert (CYPD) category. According to Müller, the Müller x Myprotein range has recorded sales growth by value more than ten times higher than the wider CYPD market over the same period last year, highlighting continued consumer demand for protein-enriched dairy products. The new Mixers range is aimed at consumers seeking functional nutrition combined with indulgent taste and texture, reflecting broader shifts in the protein category beyond traditional sports nutrition. The Müller x Myprotein Mixers range will launch with three flavours: Banana Split with Chocolate Crunch, Strawberries & Cream with Vanilla Biscuits and Cookies & Cream with Cookie Crunch. Each 140g pot contains 15g of protein and is low in fat, with a recommended retail price of £1.50. Richard Williams, CEO of Müller Yogurt & Desserts, said: “Today’s protein shoppers want functional nutrition, but they’re not stopping there – they’re looking for products which provide added value and elevated benefits. With Mixers, we’re bringing new textures and flavour combinations into the protein fixture.” Neil Mistry, CEO of THG Nutrition, which owns Myprotein, added: “Consumers still want the functional benefits of protein, but they also expect great taste and enjoyable formats. By combining Myprotein’s expertise in performance nutrition with Müller’s strength in dairy innovation, we’re bringing products to market that deliver both.” The launch marks the latest step in the companies’ strategy to drive further growth in high-protein dairy and expand the reach of protein products among everyday consumers, as demand for functional yet indulgent chilled snacks continues to rise.

Fonterra has announced that its chief executive officer, Miles Hurrell, will step down after eight years in the role and a 25-year career with the dairy co-operative. Miles Hurrell Chair Peter McBride said Hurrell decided the time was right to leave the company, having overseen a turnaround in the co-operative’s financial performance and a strategic refocus on its core dairy operations. Hurrell was appointed CEO in 2018 with a mandate to improve financial discipline and rebuild trust with the co-operative’s farmer shareholders. According to McBride, the leadership team has since strengthened performance and positioned the business for its next phase of strategy. Hurrell said the role had been “an incredible privilege,” noting that the co-operative’s financial results directly affect thousands of New Zealand farming families. He said stepping down now would allow a new leader to guide the company through the next stage of its strategy. Hurrell will remain in the position during a six-month notice period to support the transition. The board has begun a succession process to appoint a new CEO in the coming months.

Sirio Europe has announced the launch of LifeChews – a patented, plant-based, chewable ‘jelly tablet’ format suitable for delivering a wide range of active ingredients. According to Sirio, the new nutraceutical format is clinically proven to improve bioavailability, as well as delivering ‘excellent’ dispersibility across a variety of oil-soluble actives while enabling high nutrient payloads. Research from ITC shows that 43% of consumers want greater efficacy from their supplement purchases, while up to 45% cited pleasant taste as a key format driver. While traditional formulation challenges like poor dispersibility, oxidation and unwanted aftertastes have limited development of lipid-based nutrient formulations in chewable formats, Sirio aims to address this and meet growing demand for convenient and tasty options. LifeChews’ jelly tablet format is suited to ingredients such as omega-3 oils, fat-soluble vitamins, coenzyme Q10, and carotenoids such as lutein and astaxanthin. The company has developed four concepts using the format, with the range addressing key consumer health priorities including brain health, heart health, immunity and longevity. Sirio said its patented technology ensures uniform dispersion of 5 μm oil droplets, comparable to lipid particle sizes found in human milk, for optimised absorption. In studies, LifeChews was shown to achieve a 161% higher blood plasma DHA concentration versus a control, the company stated, representing a 198% improvement bioavailability. Additionally, digestion studies confirmed even distribution of DHA during simulated gastric and intestinal conditions, highlighting stability and efficiency. Sara Lesina, general manager at Sirio Europe, said: “LifeChews are a gamechanger in how consumers experience supplements”. “By bringing together clinical validation and a high payload capacity, LifeChews give our partner brands a powerful new way to stand out in key trending categories and deliver real added value to consumers.”

A proposed class action lawsuit accuses Linus Technologies, owner of the David Protein brand, of significantly understating the calorie and fat content of its protein bars. The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that the nutritional information given across several flavours of the company’s bars, marketed as containing 150 calories and about 2-2.5g of fat per serving, is materially inaccurate. According to the lawsuit, independent laboratory testing found that the bars contained approximately 263 to 275 calories per serving – roughly 78% to 83% higher than the labelled value. The same testing allegedly found 11 to 13.5 grams of total fat, compared with the 2-2.5g listed on packaging, a difference of roughly 368% to 400%, the complaint states. The plaintiffs say the testing was conducted by an accredited laboratory using commonly accepted industry methods, including Atwater factors to calculate caloric value and the AOAC 945.44 method for fat analysis. Under US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, calorie values on nutrition labels must fall within a 20% tolerance threshold of the actual value when determined through approved methods. Peter Rahal, founder of David, has disputed the claims, citing inappropriate testing methods for the types of ingredients used in the products. In a statement on social media platform X, he said: " The confusion comes from how calories are being measured. When food is burned in a device called a bomb calorimeter, it measures the heat released. But nutrition labels aren’t based on how much heat something produces when burned. They’re based on what the human body can actually absorb and use for energy." He continued: " That distinction matters for ingredients found in David, such as fibre, sweeteners and fat substitutes like EPG. Burning them in a bomb calorimeter treats them as fully digestible calories, even though they are not. That’s why the FDA requires different calculation methods for these ingredients when determining calories. David is 150 calories." Three consumers, from California, Illinois and New York, filed the suit, claiming they purchased the bars based on their low-calorie and low-fat positioning. They argued that the nutritional claims were material to purchasing decisions and allowed the company to charge a price premium. The plaintiffs allege the products are “misbranded” under federal food-labelling rules and violate several state consumer protection statutes, including New York’s General Business Law and California’s Unfair Competition and False Advertising laws. The complaint also includes claims for breach of express warranty. The case highlights the importance of robust nutritional validation and labelling compliance for brands competing in the health-positioned snack market. The plaintiffs are seeking class-action status, damages, restitution and injunctive relief that could require changes to labelling and marketing practices if the accusations are proven.

Lipton Ice Tea is expanding its flavoured iced tea line-up with the launch of a new Tropical variant, blending mango and passionfruit to tap into growing consumer demand for bold and exotic soft drink flavours. Rolling out now across grocery and convenience channels, the new product is designed to bring additional flavour variety to the iced tea category while targeting younger consumers seeking vibrant taste profiles. The launch also aims to broaden consumption occasions for iced tea, from meal deals to at-home refreshment. According to the brand, tropical flavours continue to perform strongly in the UK soft drinks market, providing an opportunity to extend the Lipton range beyond established variants such as peach. Clare Brosnan, brand director – hydration at Carlsberg Britvic, said: "Lipton has always championed great-tasting flavours that give shoppers a truly refreshing experience, and Tropical is no exception. With the existing popularity of tropical flavours across the category already, we’re confident shoppers will love our latest addition.” The new Lipton Ice Tea Tropical flavour will be available in several pack formats designed to capture different consumption occasions, including: 500ml bottle, 500ml price-marked pack and 1.25-litre bottle. The company said the range is intended to support both on-the-go purchases, such as lunchtime meal deals, and at-home consumption with meals. Lipton Ice Tea is produced and distributed in the UK by Carlsberg Britvic under licence from PepsiCo.

The Hershey Company has expanded its Dot’s Pretzels portfolio with a new snack product, Dot’s Original Snack Mix. The mix marks the first time Dot’s signature Original seasoned pretzel twists have been incorporated into a snack mix format. According to Hershey, the product combines four components designed to deliver varied textures and flavours. Dot’s Original Snack Mix includes Original seasoned mini pretzels, Original seasoned corn cereal, cheese-seasoned pita chips and garlic rye chips. Eric Bowers, VP of salty marketing at Hershey, said: "Dot's has never been about blending in. We believe snacks should feel crafted, surprising, and worth reaching for. Dot's Original Snack Mix brings that same bold mindset to every handful: no filler, no letdowns, it's a bold combination of snacks that create the ultimate Snack Mix." The product is rolling out at retailers across the US and will be available in 31oz, 14oz and 4.4oz packs.

Flora Food Group has agreed to sell its Latin American operations to Alicorp, a major player in food and beverages across South America. The proposed transaction is expected to close later in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. It includes Flora’s brand portfolio and commercial operations across seven Latin American markets, excluding Mexico and Brazil. It also includes Flora’s manufacturing facility located in Cali, Colombia. The deal will see Flora Food Group – headquartered in the Netherlands, and a major player in plant-based spreads, alongside other food and nutrition products – sell 100% of its shares of its businesses in Guatemala, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile to Alicorp. Flora’s Latin America portfolio includes margarine brands such as La Danesa, a renowned brand in several regional markets, as well as Dorina and Bonella, which are well-known in the Ecuadorian market. Alicorp, headquartered in Peru and part of Grupo Romero, has an established presence in Latin America, offering a range of brands across food and other categories. Its portfolio includes major brands such as AlaCena, Don Vittorio and Nicolini. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Hellmann's is expanding its fast-growing ranch range in the UK with the launch of two new flavours, Blue Cheese Ranch and Buffalo Ranch, as demand for American-style sauces continues to rise among British consumers. The new products build on the momentum of the brand’s ranch line, first introduced in 2025 with Creamy Ranch and Spicy Ranch. According to the company, Creamy Ranch became the biggest new launch in the UK flavour sauces category in the past two years. Owned by global consumer goods group Unilever, Hellmann’s says the new additions respond to growing interest in bold, US-inspired flavours driven partly by the popularity of American restaurant chains in the UK. The Blue Cheese Ranch variant combines the sharp flavour of blue cheese with a creamy buttermilk ranch base, targeting consumers seeking richer, cheese-forward sauces. The company says the launch addresses a market gap, noting that 91% of UK stores currently do not list a blue cheese sauce despite strong consumer interest. Meanwhile, Buffalo Ranch blends buffalo-style hot sauce, made with smoky fermented chillies, with a creamy buttermilk ranch base. The flavour aims to deliver a spicy, versatile condiment suited to a range of dishes from wings to sandwiches and wraps. Buffalo-style sauce is currently the leading hot sauce flavour in the UK, and Hellmann’s says the product marks the first time a major brand has launched a Buffalo Ranch in the country’s ambient table sauce category. Both sauces will be available in 430 ml bottles with an RRP of £3.50, although final pricing remains at the discretion of retailers. The products are scheduled to launch across major UK supermarkets and online retailers from 16 March. Richard Vaughan, marketing manager for foods at Unilever, said: “The launch of our Creamy Ranch and Spicy Ranch sauces last year was a huge success, and we are excited to build on this momentum by expanding our ranch range with two bold new flavours." With the expansion, Hellmann’s continues to leverage the broader premiumisation and flavour experimentation trends shaping the UK condiment market, particularly as consumers seek restaurant-inspired flavours for at-home cooking.

Pukka Herbs has expanded its range with two new fruit and herbal tea blends: Night Time Apple Chai and Citrus Yerba Mate & Green Tea. Night Time Apple Chai is positioned around sleep support, which remains a key consumer wellness priority. According to research cited by the company, 57% of consumers say good sleep is more important to them now than five years ago. The blend combines the sleep-focused positioning with a flavour profile designed to appeal to younger consumers, as 62% of Gen Z and Millennial tea drinkers report seeking new or exotic flavours. Citrus Yerba Mate & Green Tea targets demand for natural energy drinks. Green tea is growing at 17.3%, while consumers are increasingly turning to natural caffeine sources such as yerba mate and matcha. The blend combines green tea, yerba mate and guarana to deliver a natural energy boost. Jonny Briscoe, general manager UK & Ireland at Lipton Teas and Infusions, said: “Pukka continues to lead the way in functional, organically certified beverages that help consumers support their wellbeing naturally. From better sleep to digestion and calm, our blends are crafted to fit seamlessly into busy lives while delivering exciting, trend-led flavours". "These latest launches offer retailers a strong opportunity to tap into growing shopper interest in natural, beneficial and nourishing health and wellness products.” Each pack contains 20 individually wrapped tea bags that are home-compostable, with recyclable outer packaging made from FSC-certified materials and printed with vegetable inks. The teas are rolling out via Amazon, Ocado and Holland & Barrett, with Night Time Apple Chai also available in Tesco. Waitrose is expected to launch both products shortly.

French spirits group Rémy Cointreau has created a new Prestige Division aimed at accelerating the global development of its high-end wine and spirits portfolio. The new unit will be led by industry veteran Ludovic du Plessis, who will also join the group’s executive committee.  Ludovic du Plessis The division will oversee the international growth, brand strategy and awareness of the company’s most exclusive maisons: Louis XIII Cognac, Champagne Telmont and Maison Psyché. According to the company, the move reflects a strategic push to strengthen its position in the ultra-premium and luxury segment of the wine and spirits market. Group CEO Franck Marilly said: “This division has to be at the forefront of luxury trends and aims to drive new business opportunities with boldness and the highest standards of luxury knowledge." Du Plessis has been with the group since 2014, when he joined as executive director of Louis XIII Cognac, one of the company’s flagship luxury brands. In 2020 he was appointed president of Champagne Telmont, where he spearheaded the house’s sustainability-focused strategy known as “In the Name of Mother Nature”. The initiative positioned Telmont as a major player in environmentally conscious champagne production and drew attention from sustainability-focused consumers and industry stakeholders. Marilly said: “I am convinced the experience and vision of Ludovic, nourished by more than 25 years of expertise in the luxury wines and spirits industry, will be key assets to achieve this ambition.” By grouping Louis XIII Cognac, Champagne Telmont and Maison Psyché under a dedicated leadership structure, the company aims to capture emerging opportunities within the premiumisation trend that continues to shape the beverage alcohol sector.

As reported by Reuters , a judicial investigation in France has found no evidence linking the death of an infant to a recalled batch of Nestlé infant formula, according to the Bordeaux prosecutor’s office. The inquiry was launched following the death of a baby who had consumed infant formula produced under Nestlé’s Guigoz brand. Authorities were examining whether the case was connected to a broader food safety concern involving cereulide, a toxin associated with nausea and vomiting that had been detected in ingredients supplied from China to several infant formula manufacturers. The discovery of the toxin prompted precautionary recalls of infant formula products across dozens of countries, raising concerns among parents and regulators worldwide. However, investigators said laboratory tests conducted on both powdered and reconstituted samples of the Guigoz formula consumed by the infant detected no traces of cereulide. “Based on the current state of the investigation, the infant’s death does not appear to be linked to the formula used for feeding,” the Bordeaux prosecutor said in a statement. Nestlé said it remains fully available to authorities and is cooperating transparently with the investigation to support any necessary clarification. The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of global infant formula supply chains and ingredient sourcing, particularly where suppliers serve multiple manufacturers across international markets. While the precautionary recalls underscored the sensitivity of the infant nutrition sector to potential contamination risks, the latest findings may ease immediate concerns regarding the specific case under investigation.