Mars Wrigley has unveiled its 2025 festive line-up, tapping into the growing trends of nostalgia, gifting

innovation aims to bring ‘bold, balanced and natural’ heat to modern cocktail menus, rolling out from this month found that more than a third of consumers say easy-to-follow recipes make them more likely to shake up

range is available through Goodles’ website, with a wider retail rollout at select retailers later this month

Monster Energy is adding a globally inspired flavour to its ready-to-drink coffee portfolio with the launch of Java Monster Dubai Chocolate, set to arrive on shelves in October. The new SKU combines coffee and cream with cocoa, pistachio and a crisp, phyllo-inspired note designed to evoke the increasingly popular Dubai-style chocolate profile. The flavour is paired with Monster Energy’s signature energy blend and delivers 200mg of caffeine per serving. Jordi Gayola, CMO of the Americas at Monster Energy, said: “Dubai chocolate has a distinctive flavour, and the job was to capture it and make it unmistakably Java Monster. The result does both: the signature taste, with the coffee and cream experience Java fans expect.” Java Monster Dubai Chocolate joins the brand’s existing ready-to-drink coffee range, which includes Mean Bean, Loca Moca and Salted Caramel.

Numerous businesses across the food industry – from small start-ups to huge international household brands controller at FBC, said the company discussed the Dubai chocolate biscuit product concept just a few months initially at Tesco stores from 16 July, priced at £2.35, with all other major retailers following this month chocolate style espresso martini in a can , debuting exclusively in Morrisons UK supermarkets last month this month.

In the lead-up to Valentine's Day, food and beverage brands have sweetened their offerings with the much-loved ready-to-drink flavoured coffee and provides a source of fibre. 🍓 Mr Kipling's Strawberries and Cream tart 🍓 UK cake brand Mr Kipling launched a new four-pack tart format in January, featuring a new Strawberries The Strawberries and Cream tarts consist of a strawberry and cream sponge, strawberry jam layer and fondant Tarts are typically popular among consumers aged 55 and over, however, the company said that this launch

Unilever has confirmed that it is seeking a buyer for its Colman’s mustard brand as it looks to address potential competition concerns surrounding the planned combination of its food business with McCormick. The move comes as US food group McCormick prepares to acquire Unilever’s food operations in a $15.7 billion deal, which would bring together a portfolio including Hellmann’s, Knorr, Marmite and Pot Noodle. McCormick already owns French’s, one of the world’s leading mustard brands. A Unilever spokesperson told FoodBev: “A decision has been taken to market the Colman’s brand and assets to potential buyers in order to proactively seek to address potential competition concerns from the planned combination of Unilever Foods and McCormick. Discussions are ongoing and the operations continue as usual.” Sky News reported that the sale process was initiated while competition regulators scrutinise the proposed transaction. The valuation of the Colman’s brand is currently unclear. Under the deal, which is expected to close next year, Unilever shareholders will hold 65% of the combined company, with McCormick shareholders owning the remaining 35%. According to Sky News, the planned McCormick transaction is expected to create a global food business valued at approximately $66 billion. Top image: © Unilever

Ritter Sport and Haribo are joining forces for their first-ever UK collaboration, combining milk chocolate with fruity sweets in a new limited-edition chocolate block. The Ritter Sport x Haribo Balla Bites is a 100g block featuring Ritter Sport's signature milk chocolate alongside the fruity chew of Haribo Balla Bites. The product will launch nationwide from September, rolling out across thousands of retail outlets. The collaboration is being supported by what Ritter Sport describes as its largest-ever UK retail activation, with more than 4,500 branded shipper displays planned across stores. A further 21,000 distribution points across grocery, wholesale and convenience are expected to stock the product, with the activation designed to introduce more than one million new shoppers to the Ritter Sport brand. Benedict Daniels, managing director of Ritter Sport UK & Ireland, said the collaboration was intended to create a product that was “genuinely surprising and fun”, while supporting the brand's growth in the UK block chocolate category. “This is much more than a product launch. It is a major investment in growing the Ritter Sport brand,” he said. “We're putting millions of limited-edition bars into the market, expanding distribution and giving retailers a launch that's designed to excite shoppers and bring new energy to the category.” Phil Murphy, chief marketing officer of Haribo UK & Ireland, said the partnership combined the fruity chew of Balla Bites with Ritter Sport's chocolate to create a new way for consumers to enjoy the two brands. The launch will be supported by a ‘Happiness Squared’ campaign, centred on the idea that consumers are seeking small moments of enjoyment in their everyday lives. The campaign will run across multiple retail touchpoints, with the companies aiming to maximise in-store visibility and encourage shoppers to try the collaboration. Ritter Sport said the launch will see millions of limited-edition bars enter the UK market as the two confectionery brands seek to drive trial and excitement within the category. Founded in 1912, Ritter Sport is a family-owned German chocolate company, while HARIBO was founded in Bonn in 1920 and now operates 15 factories worldwide, supplying sweets to more than 120 countries.

Vita Coco has acquired super-premium Thai coconut water producer Copra in a deal that will expand its presence across the coconut water category and give it access to a fast-growing premium segment. The acquisition, which closed on 22 July 2026, includes Copra’s production facility in Thailand and its sourcing capabilities for Nam Hom coconuts, a variety known for its sweet, aromatic flavour and distinctive, slightly pink appearance. Copra operates in the super-premium, cold-chain coconut water segment, using an extract-and-fill-on-site model. The company also has an emerging branded business and a significant private label operation. According to Vita Coco, Copra’s net sales have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 48% over the past three years in the cold-chain coconut water segment. Copra expects full-year 2026 net sales to exceed $100 million. The transaction comprises $175 million in upfront consideration, subject to customary closing adjustments, with an additional earnout payment linked to Copra’s 2028 financial performance. The earnout has a floor of $45 million and a cap of $100 million. The initial purchase price was funded through 80% cash on hand, with the remainder paid in Vita Coco common stock. Michael Kirban, co-founder and executive chairman of The Vita Coco Company, said: “Copra brings specialised capabilities, deep sourcing expertise and a super-premium offering that can help us serve more consumers, and expand our market share while continuing to help shape and lead the category’s continued global growth." The acquisition is expected to broaden Vita Coco’s addressable market while strengthening its supply chain capabilities through Copra’s Thailand-based operations and access to Nam Hom coconuts. Vita Coco said it plans to expand Copra’s capacity, improve operational efficiency, support existing customer demand and develop new customer relationships. It also intends to invest in building Copra’s branded business, which the company believes has significant growth potential. Copra’s sales are currently concentrated in the Americas, with Vita Coco identifying opportunities to expand the business internationally and grow its branded presence. Martin Roper, chief executive officer of The Vita Coco Company, said: “We believe it is a perfect add-on to our coconut water capabilities, expands our total addressable market, strengthens our participation in coconut water, and gives us another way to help shape the category’s continued growth." Vita Coco expects the acquisition to be accretive to its adjusted EBITDA margins once the business is fully integrated. Evercore acted as financial advisor to Vita Coco, with Ballard Spahr LLP serving as its legal advisor. Whipstitch Capital acted as financial advisor to Copra, while Cooley LLP served as its legal advisor.

Cheez-It is partnering with Coors Light to launch a limited-edition beer cheese-flavoured cracker ahead of the US football tailgating season. The new Cheez-It Coors Light Beer Cheese-flavoured crackers are baked with 100% real cheese and are designed to replicate the taste of a classic beer cheese spread. The product features a savoury and tangy sauce profile alongside toasted spices. The collaboration marks the first partnership between Cheez-It and a beer brand, as the snack brand looks to tap into the connection between snacking and sporting occasions. Nicole Sorensen, vice president of marketing for Cheez-It, said: “Our fans are constantly looking for bold new ways to enjoy Cheez-It, and we had the golden opportunity to bring one of America's favourite dips to life in a whole new way.” The limited-edition product is positioned as a snack for the transition from summer barbecues to autumn football tailgates, combining the familiar flavour profile of beer cheese with Cheez-It's established cracker format. Matt Carpenter, vice president of marketing, Coors Family of Brands, said: “Fans already love reaching for a cold Coors Light when they're snacking on game day, so finding a way to bring our crisp, refreshing beer flavours to life in a real-deal beer cheese flavoured snack just made sense." Carpenter continued: “Cheez-It was the perfect partner to help pull this off. Made with 100% real cheese, their crackers are the ultimate canvas to capture our crisp, clean notes in a baked-to-perfection way, elevating the entire tailgating experience.” The Cheez-It Coors Light Beer Cheese-flavoured crackers will be available at retailers across the US from August, with a suggested retail price of $4.99 per box. The product will be available while supplies last. The collaboration brings together Cheez-It, owned by Mars following its acquisition of Kellanova, and Coors Light, part of the Molson Coors Beverage Company portfolio.

Daniel Distillery has launched Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry, the newest addition to its line-up Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire and Tennessee Apple within the brand’s flavours line-up Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry hits US shelves this month in 750ml bottles, for a suggested retail

said: "With Spicy Queso, we're answering consumers' demands for exciting, bold flavours and turning up The new addition will be available in 3oz snack-sized bags at convenience store locations starting this month.