Packaging and injection moulding technology provider, Husky Technologies, has appointed long-time executive Robert Domodossola as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Domodossola, a 30-year company veteran, most recently served as president of systems and tooling. His promotion signals a strategic push to accelerate Husky’s global growth and operational performance, supported by the continued deployment of the Resolute Operating System. The leadership change comes at a time when demand for advanced manufacturing solutions in food and beverage packaging continues to evolve, particularly as producers seek efficiency, sustainability and high-volume production capabilities for containers and closures. Domodossola joined Husky in 1996 and has held a series of engineering, design and executive leadership roles across the business. His previous positions include vice president of engineering and business development, president of medical and speciality packaging systems and president of rigid packaging. In his most recent role overseeing systems and tooling, he worked across key product and service lines central to Husky’s packaging manufacturing technologies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto. David Cote, executive chairman of GPGI – the parent company of Husky – said: “Rob brings a long and tremendously successful Husky career to the position. His background in technology, engineering, sales and marketing adds a lot to our increased growth focus. He is admired internally and externally for his relentless commitment to the customer.” Domodossola added: “I am honoured to lead Husky at such a pivotal moment in our transformation. With the foundation we have built over the decades at Husky, combined with GPGI’s support, I look forward to driving continued innovation, operational excellence and growth for our customers, shareholders and employees.” Founded in 1953, Husky is a major supplier of highly engineered equipment used to manufacture plastic products such as beverage bottles, food containers, medical devices and components for consumer electronics. Its integrated systems include injection moulding machines, moulds, hot runners, controllers and auxiliary equipment. Domodossola succeeds outgoing CEO Brad Selleck, who will remain available through mid-April to support the leadership transition. Cote thanked Selleck for guiding the company through several strategic transitions and helping position the business for future growth.

Mars Drinks & Treats is expanding its Snickers ice cream portfolio with the launch of a new Snickers Peanut Butter Creamy ice cream bar, targeting continued growth in the premium handheld ice cream segment. The launch follows strong momentum in the UK ice cream category, which recorded a 12.7% rise in sales in 2025 to reach £1.6 billion. Mars’ branded ice cream portfolio mirrored that growth, increasing sales by 11.2% to £51.5 million during the same period. According to Mars Drinks & Treats, the Snickers brand continues to perform strongly within its frozen range, prompting further innovation within the line. Kerry Cavanaugh, general manager at Mars Drinks & Treats, said: “Snickers has long been a hero brand for our ice cream range in the UK, and after the successful introduction of Snickers White ice cream bar in 2025, we see further opportunity to appeal to Snickers and peanut butter fans alike with the launch of Snickers Peanut Butter Creamy ice cream bar in 2026.” The new product combines roasted peanuts, nougat and caramel with a layer of creamy peanut butter ice cream, all coated in milk chocolate. The formulation aims to deliver the signature Snickers flavour profile while tapping into growing consumer demand for peanut butter variants in frozen treats. Snickers Peanut Butter Creamy ice cream bars will launch in Iceland stores from March in multipacks of six, with a recommended retail price of £3.00.

The Hershey Company has launched a new flavour of Twizzlers Straws inspired by the ‘dirty soda’ trend. The limited-edition Twizzlers Straws feature vanilla, lime and coconut notes and are designed to be used both as an edible straw and as a snack. The product builds on a long-standing consumer habit of using Twizzlers as a straw for soft drinks. Dirty soda – a non-alcoholic beverage trend that mixes soda with flavoured syrups, cream and fruit add-ins – has gained popularity on social media and among younger consumers seeking customisable drinks. Rachel Starr, sweets innovation manager at The Hershey Company, said: "Dirty soda, a non-alcoholic beverage trend that mixes soda with flavoured syrups, cream and fruit add-ins, has become a fun, customisable ritual for fans". "Twizzlers Straws let people sip, snack and customise their drinks all at once, making the experience a little more playful and unmistakably Twizzlers. Whether as part of everyday routines, gatherings or watch parties, these Twizzlers Straws are the perfect addition." The new Twizzlers Straws will launch in limited quantities from 12 March. They will be available nationwide via Hershey’s online store and on delivery platform Gopuff in select cities including Boston, New York and Philadelphia. The product will also be sold at select Hershey’s Chocolate World locations, including the Hershey, Pennsylvania site during three weekends in March and at the Times Square location on 31 March, while supplies last.

UK premium soft drinks producer Belvoir Farm is expanding its alcohol-free mocktail range with the launch of a ready-to-drink Hugo Spritz, as the brand looks to capitalise on the rapid growth of the no- and low-alcohol category ahead of the summer trading period. The new SKU will roll out into Sainsbury's from 8 March and Waitrose & Partners from 19 April 2026, with a recommended retail price of £3.50 for a 750ml bottle. Inspired by the classic elderflower and sparkling wine cocktail, Belvoir Farm’s alcohol-free version combines handpicked elderflowers from the company’s family farm with sparkling white grape juice, lemon juice, botanical extracts and garden mint. The drink is positioned as a premium, low-calorie sparkling serve made without artificial ingredients. Charlotte Rogers, senior brand manager at Belvoir Farm, said: “The Hugo Spritz is fast becoming one of the UK’s most exciting drinks trends, and as the nation’s favourite mocktail brand, we set out to capture its crisp, refreshing character – without the alcohol.” The launch strengthens Belvoir Farm’s position within the adult soft drinks and alcohol-free categories, offering retailers a new line designed to drive incremental sales during peak summer demand. The Hugo Spritz joins the company’s existing mocktail portfolio, which includes flavours such as Lime & Yuzu Mojito, Peach Bellini and Raspberry Margarita. Founded more than 40 years ago, the family-run drinks producer focuses on traditional production methods and natural ingredients. The business, which became a certified B Corp in 2025, has also set sustainability targets, including achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2035 and generating more than half of its site energy from solar power by the end of 2025.

Nestlé Confectionery is adding a brand-new, limited-edition Salted Caramel Pretzel variant to its Yorkie chocolate bar range in the UK and Ireland. The new Duo bar combines chunks of salted caramel-flavoured milk chocolate with crunchy pretzel inclusions. It caters to growing demand for confectionery with sweet and salty flavour profiles, a rising flavour fusion trend as consumers seek out more complex and layered sensory experiences. Like the other products in Yorkie’s range, the new variant is made without artificial colours or flavours and is made with Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa. Rachel Beaufoy, marketing manager for Nestlé Confectionery, commented: “We know that Yorkie fans love a chocolate bar with substance, and the new Yorkie Salted Caramel Pretzel Duo delivers just that”. “The combination of smooth caramel flavour milk chocolate and crunchy pretzel pieces brings extra texture to the bar while staying true to the brand’s chunky format.” Yorkie Salted Caramel Pretzel Duo is launching in stores nationwide from this week (9 March 2026), priced at an RRP of £1.29.

Japan-based confectionery manufacturer Morinaga & Co has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire My/Mochi Ice Cream, one of the largest mochi brands in the US. The acquisition brings together two companies rooted in Japanese confectionery traditions while strengthening Morinaga’s presence in one of its priority global growth markets. The deal follows the company’s recent announcement that it will expand production capacity for its Hi-Chew sweets in the US, with a second factory scheduled to open in 2027. Morinaga said the addition of My/Mochi aligns with its long-term strategy to accelerate growth in the States, while advancing its global business goals. Teruhiro Kawabe, chief representative for the USA and president and CEO of Morinaga America, said: “We will honour the heritage and innovation behind My/Mochi while combining the strengths of our brands to bring even more fun and excitement to consumers and customers across the US.” My/Mochi is known for its signature format of premium ice cream wrapped in soft, sweet rice dough, creating a multi-textural frozen treat inspired by Japanese tradition. Launched in Los Angeles in 2017, the brand has grown into a category leader, gaining traction among US consumers seeking globally inspired snacks. “We are thrilled to partner with Morinaga & Co, a globally reputable company, whose scale and research and development capabilities will enhance our ability to innovate and grow,” said Craig Berger, president and CEO of My/Mochi. “We’re looking forward to reaching a broader group of consumers and driving meaningful impact together in the years to come.” Following the completion of the acquisition, My/Mochi will remain headquartered in Los Angeles and continue operating under the leadership of Berger. The brand will join Morinaga America’s growing portfolio, which includes Hi-Chew, Hi-Soft and Chargel, and is expected to create new synergies across product development, marketing and distribution. Founded in Tokyo in 1899, Morinaga & Co is one of Japan’s most established confectionery manufacturers. Its US subsidiary, Morinaga America, opened its first manufacturing facility in North Carolina in 2015 and has played a key role in expanding Hi-Chew’s footprint across the American market.

Associated British Foods (ABF) has appointed Joana Edwards as group chief financial officer with immediate effect. Joana Edwards Edwards has served as the company’s interim finance director since 31 March 2025. She previously held the role of group financial controller after joining the company in 2020. She brings more than 30 years of international finance experience across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with a background in FMCG and consumer-facing industries, including retail. Prior to joining ABF, Edwards was group financial controller at L’Oréal and held several senior finance director roles across the company’s regional and business units. Edwards will join the ABF board as an executive director with immediate effect. George Weston, chief executive of ABF, said: “Joana is a highly experienced financial leader who over the past twelve months has demonstrated a clear understanding of ABF’s business and operating model, rigour in the execution of her role and a passion for building high performing teams". "Joana will continue to play a key role in delivering the group’s strategic priorities. Her experience will be invaluable as we continue to drive long-term, sustainable growth.” Michael McLintock, chairman of ABF, commented: “The board and I have been very impressed by the capability and strength Joana has brought to the interim position. She has demonstrated both the judgement and the skillset required for the role of CFO. We are delighted to welcome her to the board.” Commenting on her appointment, Edwards said she will focus on capital allocation, cost management and cash generation while supporting investment in areas with the strongest strategic potential. Top image: © Associated British Foods

Investor Starboard Value has delivered a letter to Lamb Weston, urging the potato product producer to double its current cost savings targets and review its portfolio. According to reporting by the Wall Street Journal , investor Starboard Value has significantly increased its stake in Lamb Weston and is now one of the company’s biggest shareholders. Lamb Weston, headquartered in Idaho, US, is a major player in the production of frozen food products including French fries and potato sides, as well as a range of other appetisers. It supplies foodservice chains including fast food giant McDonald’s, as well as retailers and distributors in over 100 countries. In a letter delivered to Lamb Weston's CEO, Michael Smith, Starboard said the company should expand on its previousy announced cost savings programme and conduct a strategic review of certain international operations, particularly within the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Starboard's managing member Jeffrey Smith describes Lamb Weston's current goal of $250 million in cost savings by the end of FY2028 as "a welcome first step," but notes that there is a larger opportunity to cut costs within selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) and overheads. "Most of the company’s revenue growth since IPO has been price-driven, as opposed to volume-driven. Therefore, we would expect Lamb Weston to have realised significant operating leverage," the letter reads. "You have not. It is time to catch up." Starboard states that Lamb Weston should target approximately $500 million in total cost reductions, bringing adjusted SG&A to approximately 4.5% of net sales. It describes the company's current SG&A burden as "striking," given its high proportion of revenue from foodservice – a channel that "should support a leaner go-to-market model and lower SG&A intensity". Additionally, Starboard's letter recommends that the company considers a divestiture of certain APAC operations, which face "increasing competetive pressure" that weighs on profitability and adds "unnecessary distraction" to the company's onoing turnaround efforts. "We believe a deliberate assessment of these operations will sharpen capital allocation, improve consolidated margins, and unlock additional value," Starboard stated. Starboard said the measures outlined would "provide a clear path" to restoring Lamb Weston's EBITDA margins to 25%, proposing that the company introduces this as a medium-term goal. In February, the French fry producer announced several leadership updates with the appointment of Jan Craps as executive chair and James Gray as chief financial officer. The changes came as Lamb Weston reiterated its fiscal year 2026 guidance and continued the execution of its long-term growth strategy, aimed at improving returns. "We are encouraged by the meaningful progress made since the leadership transition, including improved pricing discipline, a clear volume inflection and deliberate capacity curtailments that have begun to restore utilisation toward normalised levels," Starboard's letter says. "Lamb Weston remains a strong business with durable competitive advantages in a concentrated industry. We look forward to engaging constructively as the company moves into this next phase of value creation and stand ready to support actions that strengthen Lamb Weston’s performance and long-term shareholder value." A spokesperson for Lamb Weston commented: " Lamb Weston values ongoing and constructive dialogue with its shareholders and appreciates productive feedback to drive long‑term shareholder value". " The board and management are acting with urgency and have taken significant steps to position Lamb Weston for long-term success in a dynamic marketplace."

PepsiCo is bringing one of its most recognisable snack brands into the culinary world with the launch of its first restaurant concept dedicated to Lay’s, opening in Madrid, Spain. The concept, called Pilla Tortilla, centres on Spain’s iconic tortilla (potato omelette) reimagined with Lay’s potato chips as a signature ingredient. Developed in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Miguel Carretero, the restaurant represents the first time PepsiCo has launched a full dining concept around one of its food brands. The opening forms part of PepsiCo’s Food Ventures initiative, a global business unit designed to expand the company’s presence in the away-from-home channel and create new meal occasions for its brands. “Pilla Tortilla is the first restaurant project by PepsiCo and Lay’s anywhere in the world,” said Pol Codina, general manager and senior vice president of PepsiCo Food Ventures. “With this opening in Madrid, PepsiCo is expanding its food and culinary focus and delivering on our diversification and growth strategy in the away-from-home channel.” The Food Ventures unit, based in Barcelona, aims to develop ready-to-eat concepts that connect PepsiCo’s snack brands with consumers in new contexts, both on-the-go and in foodservice environments. The Pilla Tortilla concept will debut with two formats: a full bar-restaurant offering dine-in, delivery and takeaway, and a separate takeaway-only kitchen. The menu focuses on tortilla served in different formats, including slices (pinchos), sandwiches and whole tortillas, with customisable toppings such as spicy sausage with brie and honey, anchovies with Lay’s, crispy pork belly with alioli and salsa brava, Iberian ham with gazpacho and pulled pork. The restaurant also incorporates Lay’s into other menu items, from starters like fish and chips with Lay’s Salt & Vinegar and marinated mussels with lime mayonnaise and Lay’s, to side dishes and desserts that combine sweet and savoury flavours, such as chocolate with Lay’s or goat’s cheese with honey and dulce de leche ice cream. Menu development was led by chef Miguel Carretero, who heads the restaurant Santerra and earned a Michelin star in 2024. Carretero worked with the PepsiCo brand team to refine the tortilla recipe and integrate Lay’s chips in a way that complements the dish while preserving its traditional character. “Lay’s is part of the collective imagination of many generations, and bringing its identity into such an emblematic recipe as tortilla was an exciting challenge,” Carretero said. “The result is a tortilla that’s instantly recognisable, but with a twist.” Erica Lascorz, senior director of innovation marketing at PepsiCo Europe, added: “We wanted to go beyond the typical snack moment and turn something as familiar as eating tortilla into a unique concept, ‘grabbing a tortilla’, a special shared moment with an authentic brand experience.”

Hain Celestial-owned Linda McCartney Foods has announced the addition of a new Chicken Style Dippers product to its vegan range, designed to bring familiar formats to school catering. The new dippers aim to offer schools a convenient meat-free option that can support inclusive menus without compromising on taste, quality or nutrition. This follows recent research from the brand, finding that four in five (80%) of parents say it is important for vegetarian school meals to be offered in familiar formats children already enjoy – such as dippers, nuggets and bites. Linda McCartney Foods’ new Chicken Style Dippers contain 29g of protein per recommended school serving, and are free from dairy, egg and other animal-derived ingredients. This positions the product to support schools in meeting the UK government’s School Food Standards in England, which require a non-dairy protein option on three or more days each week. The brand’s research found that when vegan 'chicken-style' dippers look and taste similar to traditional chicken dippers, 69% of parents say their child is likely to choose them at school. Rebecca Fairbairn, marketing and strategy director at Linda McCartney Foods, said: “. For vegan and vegetarian options to be successful in schools, children need to genuinely enjoy them. We've created a dipper that kids will actually want to eat, which means better uptake for caterers, less waste, and more children benefiting from nutritious meat-free meals.” The product has launched in 8 x 200g foodservice packs, now available nationwide via catering wholesalers. Last week, it was announced that EU policymakers have agreed to go forward with a ban on using animal-associated words like ‘chicken’ in the names and marketing of plant-based products . This looks set to impact the UK market due to a recent trade deal made with the EU, and due to companies standardising products across markets. Though use of the word ‘chicken’ would be prohibited under the regulation, as well as cut-specific names like ‘breast’ and ‘thigh,’ widely used, generic format-based names like ‘burger,’ ‘nuggets’ and ‘sausage’ will be spared from restrictions. Products like Linda McCartney Foods’ latest launch would therefore be permitted to use names such as ‘Vegan Dippers,’ but ‘Chicken Style Dippers’ would not be allowed. Major industry players are currently petitioning for lawmakers to reconsider the ban, arguing that it will stifle innovation across the plant-based sector and create unnecessary complexity for both businesses and consumers.

Talking Rain Beverage Company has expanded its Sparkling Ice portfolio with a new Sparkling Ice Caffeine Soda Shoppe collection, introducing three nostalgic soda-inspired flavours designed to offer a zero-sugar alternative to traditional carbonated soft drinks. The new line-up includes Orange Cream, Root Beer and Cherry Cola, drawing on classic soda fountain flavours while delivering the brand’s signature sparkling water base with caffeine, vitamins and antioxidants. Each drink in the Soda Shoppe range contains 70mg of caffeine per 16oz can, positioning the line as a crossover between carbonated soft drinks and functional beverages such as energy drinks and ready-to-drink coffee. “Fresh out of the soda shoppe, each of the new Sparkling Ice Caffeine flavours brings back the charm of classic fountain drinks with a modern twist,” Lisa Holcomb, vice president of brand at Talking Rain Beverage Company, said. “With this new collection, consumers will enjoy a refreshing pick-me-up that they can feel great about.” The drinks are formulated with zero sugar, naturally sourced colours and flavours, and exclude ingredients commonly associated with traditional sodas such as caramel colouring, phosphoric acid and aspartame. The Cherry Cola variant first debuted last autumn through a limited preview at Casey's General Stores convenience stores, where it was introduced as part of a trial launch. The flavour has since gained traction with consumers and received a “best new product” award, praised for its layered spice notes and soda-fountain-style flavour profile. The Soda Shoppe collection builds on the existing Sparkling Ice Caffeine lineup, which includes flavours such as Black Raspberry, Blue Raspberry, Cherry Vanilla, Citrus Twist, Strawberry Citrus, Tropical Punch and Watermelon Lemonade. Ken Sylvia, CEO of Talking Rain Beverage Company, said: "Our Sparkling Ice Caffeine Soda Shoppe line offers a more refreshing, better-for-you alternative for anyone ready to move beyond traditional sodas and enjoy a blast from the past." The new flavours are available now in 16oz cans via Amazon, with a broader rollout planned across major retailers and convenience stores in the United States. Based in Preston, Washington, Talking Rain is a family-owned beverage company known for its flavoured sparkling water portfolio, including Sparkling Ice and other functional beverage lines.

Beyond Meat has received a letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department, warning that the company now faces a delisting risk after its stocks fell below the minimum $1 per share price for 30 consecutive business days. Beyond has been given until 31 August 2026 to regain compliance and boost its stock prices, with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement stating that common stock must be at least $1 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days before this date. The letter, received by the alt-meat giant on 4 March 2026, has ‘no immediate effect’ on the listing of the company’s common stock, Beyond Meat stated in an SEC filing disclosing the news. The company said it now intends to closely monitor the closing bid price of its common stock and may consider a reverse stock split – a consolidation of shares into fewer, higher-priced units – as an option to regain compliance. California-headquartered Beyond has faced a challenging few years marked by declining revenues and significant losses, with CEO Ethan Brown citing weaker demand for plant-based meat alternatives as the broader category faces headwinds. The company has been embarking on a series of transformation efforts aimed at streamlining operations and boosting productivity in recent years. Notably, its recent expansion out of meat alternatives  and into functional beverages sparked widespread discussion around the future of the brand and the implications of this diversification. Last year, Beyond revealed it would suspend its operations in China and cut 64 jobs as part of a strategy to reduce operating costs. It also reduced its workforce in North America and the EU by approximately 44 employees, representing 6% of its global workforce. If Beyond does not regain compliance by the August deadline, it may qualify for an additional 180 days. This would require transferring to The Nasdaq Capital Market and continuing to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares. It would also need to notify Nasdaq of its intent to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period by effecting the reverse stock split if necessary. In its most recently published financial results  (for the third quarter of 2025), the company reported a 13.3% decrease in net revenues year-over-year, alongside a $110.7 million net loss for the quarter. It revised its 2025 outlook, projecting net revenues in the range of $60 million to $64 million for Q4, and is yet to provide an update on the release of its Q4 and full-year earnings for 2025. Top image:  © Beyond Meat