Primo Brands Corporation has broken ground on a new production facility in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to expand capacity for its premium bottled water brand, The Mountain Valley. The 200,000-square-foot site will include new production, logistics and warehouse space, featuring one small-format and two large-format bottling lines. The company said the multi-million-dollar investment will enhance efficiency and flexibility to meet rising demand for The Mountain Valley, with the plant expected to be fully operational by spring 2026. The project marks Primo Brands’ first new factory since its merger in November 2024 and represents a significant milestone in strengthening The Mountain Valley’s long-standing operations in Arkansas. Robbert Rietbroek, CEO of Primo Brands, said: "This facility will advance our ability to meet growing demand for the premium water brand with greater efficiency, speed and flexibility, while creating economic opportunities in the Hot Springs community." Kenny McBride, director of manufacturing at Mountain Valley Spring Water, added: "The Mountain Valley has proudly bottled its iconic spring and sparkling water in the Ouachita Mountains since 1871. With this announcement, we are thrilled to strengthen our long-term commitment to the local community."

Made Uncommon, the parent company behind Coco Chocolatier, Up-Up and Otherly Oatm*lk, has announced the acquisition of three ethical chocolate brands: Seed & Bean, Love Cocoa and H!p. The acquisitions will double the company’s market share and position it as a powerhouse in the premium, sustainable chocolate sector. Founder of Coco Chocolatier and CEO of Made Uncommon, Calum Haggerty, said: “This isn’t about consolidation, it’s about curation. We’re assembling the most exciting brands in chocolate and gifting, giving each one the platform and creative freedom to thrive, while building a group that is far greater than the sum of its parts.” The integration of Love Cocoa and its plant-based sister brand H!p Chocolate, both founded by James Cadbury, alongside Seed & Bean, marks a key milestone in Made Uncommon’s growth strategy.   “By supporting chocolate crafted closer to its source, we’re shortening the supply chain, improving transparency and ensuring that more benefit stays within cocoa-growing communities,” Haggerty added. With a portfolio that now includes seven brands, Made Uncommon is well-positioned to expand its domestic and international presence from its base near Edinburgh. The sum of the three acquisitions was not disclosed. Top image: © Seed & Bean

Ready-to-drink brand VK has unveiled VK Squashka, a new still, resealable 500ml drink inspired by the student-led squashka pre-drinks trend. The launch marks VK’s first non-carbonated and enhanced RTD and is available nationwide from the end of November. The move sees VK expanding on its appeal within the rapidly growing enhanced RTD segment, which has seen 19% year-on-year growth with 500ml formats now making up more than half of category sales. Building on the viral trend of students mixing their own squashka ( a blend of vodka and squash) before nights out, VK has created a convenient, grab-and-go product tailored towards Gen Z consumers. VK Squashka combines vodka and fruit juice at 7% ABV in a fizz-free resealable Tetra Pak format – the first of its kind in the UK RTD category. The design offers portability and usability, catering to on-the-go and at-home occasions. Available in three fruit flavours – Apple & Blackcurrant, Orange & Pineapple and Cherries & Berries, the range taps into current flavour trends, with cherry-based RTDs up by 225% year on year. Holly Bolus, senior brand manager at VK, said: “VK Squashka brings something genuinely new to the market and a fresh solution that meets what our Gen Z drinkers are looking for right now. It’s got all the flavour, with a higher ABV and none of the fizz – plus it’s in a resealable and recyclable carton you can take anywhere.” With an RRP of £3.49, VK Squashka also offers strong value and impulse appeal. VK Squashka will be available throughout the UK from 24 November 2025.

Food-tech start-up Atlantic Fish Co has closed its seed financing round, raising $1.2 million to accelerate development of its cultivated seafood platform. The round drew participation from a number of investment firms, as well as receiving a Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Science Foundation, bringing its total funding to date to $2.3 million. It is reported that 90% of global fish stocks are at or beyond sustainable harvest levels, something Atlantic Fish Co aims to address with its proprietary cell-cultivation platform. The technology is capable of producing high-quality seafood fillets without the environmental and health risks associated with wild or farmed fish. Doug Grant, CEO of Atlantic Fish Co, said: “We’ve stayed capital-efficient with disciplined milestones and focused on seafood, the category best positioned to break through. This $1.2 million enables us to finalise our go-to-market product and secure the regulatory greenlights to launch in the US.” Atlantic Fish Co plans to use the new capital to refine the texture, flavour and nutritional profile of its cultivated fish fillets and establish distribution channels. The company’s technology can be used across of range of species, with a commercial focus on premium whitefish, starting with sea bass. The cultivated fillets are designed to replicate the texture and flavour of wild-caught seafood, while eliminating exposure to mercury, microplastics, antibiotics and parasites. Sam Selig, investment manager at Katapult Ocean – one of the participants in the funding round – said: “The Atlantic Fish team have demonstrated outstanding execution in the nearly two years since our first conversation. Their platform represents what we believe is breakthrough technology in cultivated protein.” Selig added: “Supporting the initial commercialisation of their sustainable whitefish fillet, and their broader vision to expand across proteins, aligns perfectly with our mission to back ocean and health-friendly blue foods.” Founded in 2023, Atlantic Fish Co partners with chefs, distributors and technology leaders with the aim of building a more resilient, sustainable seafood supply chain.

Nestlé Health Science has announced a new partnership with Australia Catholic University to accelerate start-up innovation through its incubator programme in women’s health, longevity and weight management. The partnership with the university, based in Melbourne, will bring together researchers and start-up companies on campus with the goal of transforming nutrition and health research into innovative and scalable solutions. Leonidas Karagounis, a researcher in human nutrition science and metabolism at Australia Catholic University’s Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, established and will lead the incubator programme. Karagounis has more than two decades experience investigating the effect of nutrition and lifestyle across the human lifespan. He described the initiative as a “game changer” for the next generation of health science leaders in Australia. “This strategic partnership with Nestlé Health Science is a fantastic opportunity that will help drive innovation in nutrition and health research into real-world impact,” Karagounis commented. This partnership follows another academic partnership between Nestlé and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Innovation Institute for Food & Health (IIFH), announced last month. Nestlé Health Science and UC Davis’ IIFH will leverage their combined expertise to help address critical health challenges such as healthy ageing, women’s health, metabolic health, gastrointestinal conditions and disease-specific areas including chronic kidney disease, oncology and pediatric health. Hans Manning, vice president of innovation and strategy at the R&D centre for Nestlé Health Science in New Jersey, US, said: “The strategic partnerships with the universities allow us to work with entrepreneurs to help them bring highly differentiated products to the market in three key areas: women's health, healthy longevity and weight management”. “The ultimate aim is to provide science-based, groundbreaking nutritional solutions to advance the health status of consumers and patients.” Nestlé also recently announced the third edition of its Innovation Challenge with the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute at the Gerald J and Dorothy R Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, Massachusetts, focusing on women's health intersecting with healthy longevity. Winners will receive support from Nestlé Health Science and Tufts University to drive their innovations.

Kelly’s of Cornwall has expanded its ice cream portfolio with the launch of four new flavours. The new range includes Raspberry Cheesecake, Millionaire’s Shortbread, Mocha and Vanilla Bean, each made with Kelly’s signature Cornish clotted cream and whole milk sourced from local dairy herds. The brand, which continues to use the original Kelly family recipe developed over three generations, said the new products build on its heritage of crafting indulgent ice creams with authentic provenance. According to brand manager Danielle Bell, the launch responds to consumer demand for “high-quality treats they can enjoy at home, without the restaurant price tag”. She added: “With flavours inspired by classic desserts and crafted with our signature Cornish clotted cream, Kelly’s offers a more sophisticated at-home experience – premium ice cream indulgence at an accessible price point, perfect for creating special moments any day of the week.” The new recipes feature rich inclusions and dessert-inspired textures, including biscuit pieces, caramel swirls and fruit ripples. Alongside the flavour launch, Kelly’s has also introduced updated packaging across its range, featuring new design elements inspired by Cornish heritage to enhance shelf appeal and brand coherence. The four new 425ml tubs are available in Morrisons, Co-op and Iceland, with listings in Waitrose and Asda to follow, at an RRP of £4.50.

Sports nutrition brand Warrior has expanded its Raw range with two new indulgent flapjack flavours: Strawberry Cheesecake and Cherry Bakewell. The latest additions extend the brand’s healthy snacking portfolio, delivering high protein, high fibre and low sugar options. Each bar combines a hearty oat flapjack base with a creamy biscuit crunch, providing 20g of high-quality milk protein and just 3.7g of sugar per bar. Made with 45% Scottish oats, Warrior Raw flapjacks offer sustained, slow-release energy in a convenient snack format. Kieran Fisher, founder of Warrior, said: “Consumers want high-protein, low-sugar options that fit their busy lifestyles, and they don’t want to pay a premium for it. These new flavours are a perfect example of our mission to bring affordable, high-quality functional snacks to market.” The new Strawberry Cheesecake and Cherry Bakewell flapjacks join a growing portfolio of Warrior products and retail at £18 a box.

Unilever has this week provided a further update on the timetable for the separation of its ice cream business, expecting to complete the demerger on 6 December 2025. In a stock exchange filing released on 4 November, Unilever said the spin-off of its ice cream unit, The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), is on track to be finalised by the early December date following an earlier revision of its timetable. The company released a statement in October, revealing that factors including the US federal government shutdown had resulted in a delay of the €15 billion demerger. TMICC was originally planned to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange on 10 November 2025. However, following this announcement, the F&B giant reaffirmed that it was still confident the separation would be complete by the end of 2025 , with all preparatory work ‘on track and progressing well’. While the timeline could still be subject to change, Unilever expects to complete the demerger on 6 December, with admission of the TMICC shares to listing and trading, and the commencement of dealings in TMICC shares, on 8 December 2025. Following the demerger, Unilever will retain a 19.9% stake in the newly independent TMICC for up to five years. The move is part of a wider strategy for Unilever to streamline its portfolio and operations, concentrating on its core brands with the goal of enhancing efficiency and increasing value for shareholders.

FoodBev Media is thrilled to unveil the highly anticipated shortlist for the Global Water Drinks Awards 2025! This year's entries showcase the phenomenal innovation, sustainability and quality driving the global water industry. The shortlist reflects the cutting edge of water development, from groundbreaking packaging and ethical sourcing to innovative new products and compelling marketing campaigns. The FoodBev team sends huge congratulations to all the companies who have been shortlisted, recognised for their commitment to excellence. Winners will be announced from 11-13 November at the Global Water Drinks Congress in Budapest, Hungary. FoodBev would also like to extend sincere thanks to our esteemed judging panel, whose expertise was vital in navigating a highly competitive field to determine this outstanding shortlist. Global Water Drinks Awards Shortlist Aqua Carpatica Best Brand Extension - Aqua Carpatica Flavours Best in PET - Aqua Carpatica Natural Mineral Water Best in Can - Aqua Carpatica Sparkling Mineral Water Best Natural Sparkling Water - Aqua Carpatica Sparkling Natural Mineral Water Best Natural Still Water - Aqua Carpatica Still Natural Mineral Water Ball Corporation / Compagnie des Pyrénées Best Brand Extension - Sant' Anna & Eau Neuve Be Wtr Best CSR Initiative - A Purpose-Driven Approach to Water ​ Premium Water - Redefining Premium Water for a Conscious Generation Best Sustainability Initiative - Rethinking Water for a Sustainable Future Britvic Ireland (part of Carlsberg Group) Best Brand Extension - Ballygowan Hint of Fruit Best Flavoured Water - Ballygowan Hint of Fruit Charlie's Sparkling Water Best Brand Extension - Charlie's Fibres Best Functional Water - Charlie's Fibres Best Flavoured Water - Charlie's Organics Best in Can - Charlie's Organics Best in Glass - Charlie's Organics Best Packaging/Label Design - Charlie's Organics Clearly Canadian ​ Best Premium Water - Clearly Sparkling Mineral 11oz Sparkling Water Best Natural Sparkling Water - Clearly Sparkling Mineral 11oz Sparkling Water Best Flavoured Water - Essence Grapefruit 11oz Sparkling Water Best Flavoured Water - Essence Limon 11oz Sparkling Water Best Flavoured Water - Mountain Blackberry 11oz Sparkling Water Eira Water Best Natural Sparkling Water - Eira Sparkling Best Natural Still Water - Eira Still Best in Glass - Eira Water Best in PET - Eira Water Best Marketing/Social Media Campaign - Eira Water Best Packaging/Label Design - Eira Water Gentlebrand Best New Brand Water - Zelda Smartweight Water HopWtr Best Brand Extension - HopWtr Iced Tea & Lemonade Icelandic Glacial Best Packaging/Label Design - 750ml Slim Sportscap Best in Glass - 750ml Sparkling Glass Best in Glass - 750ml Still Glass Best Marketing/Social Media Campaign - 'You Are What You Drink, Be Exceptional' featuring Julianne Hough Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Best in PET - Inikin No Label Changbai Mountain Natural Mineral Water Best in Can - Inikin Volcano Natural Mineral Spring Moisturizing Spray Jääde Best Brand Extension - Jääde Sparkling Mineral Water Jove Wellness Best Functional Water - Jove Deep Hydration Water Alkaline pH 9.5+ Best in Can - Jove Deep Hydration Water Alkaline pH 9.5+ Best Marketing/Social Media Campaign - Jove Wellness Lajthiza Best Brand Extension - Natural Mineral Water, Carbonated Soft Drinks Lofoten Arctic Water Best in Can - Lofoten Arctic Water Aluminium Bottle Best in Glass - Lofoten Arctic Water Glass Bottle Best Natural Sparkling Water - Lofoten Arctic Water Sparkling Water Best Natural Still Water - Lofoten Arctic Water Still Water Nestle Water Best Packaging/Label Design - Air Plane Bottle Best in PET - Sohat Airplane bottle O'cean Drinks Best Packaging/Label Design - O’cean Plus – Wellness Water Best Brand Extension - O'cean Fruit Water Zero Edition Best Packaging/Label Design - O'cean Fruit Water Zero Edition Best Marketing/Social Media Campaign - O'cean Fruit Water: High in Vitamin C, Higher on Prizes One Water Best New Brand Water - One Water - Canadian Rockies Peridot Best Functional Water - Naturally Alkaline Super-Premium Low Deuterium Ice Age Mineral Water Best Natural Still Water - Naturally Alkaline Super-Premium Low Deuterium Ice Age Mineral Water ​ Best Premium Water - Naturally Alkaline Super-Premium Low-Deuterium Ice Age Mineral Water QuenChill Best Functional Water - Cozy Water Best New Brand Water - Cozy Water Tetra Pak & Cie Best Sustainability Initiative - Tetra Top carton package with plant-based polymers Best Packaging/Label Design - Water in carton package Tetra Top - Eau Neuve Theoni Best Natural Still Water - Theoni Natural Mineral Water Best Packaging/Label Design - Theoni Natural Mineral Water *with Braille writing on the cap Best Packaging/Label Design - Theoni Natural Mineral Water in Carton Box 2L Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages Best Sustainability Initiative - Hawaiian Volcanic Water (OceanPlast Collection) Water Plus Supplements Best Functional Water - Water Plus Supplements Yili Best Brand Extension - QuanAi Baby Each shortlisted entry will be recognised as either a Winner, Finalist or Commended. Results will be revealed at the Global Water Drinks Congress, and online here at foodbev.com . The Global Water Drinks Congress 2025 Designed for industry leaders, suppliers, customers and advisers, the Congress offers attendees a complete overview of the latest market trends, developments, innovation and issues, alongside extensive networking opportunities. The event will feature two days of conference sessions, a tour of Mattoni 1873’s Szentkirály bottling facility (the leading mineral water brand in Hungary), extensive networking opportunities, a gala industry dinner and presentation of the Global Water Drinks Awards 2025, highlighting the best in global water drinks innovation worldwide. Leading international and regional manufacturers, industry suppliers and advisers will present on the latest market and strategic developments, as well as topical issues ranging from packaging and sustainability to water stewardship and innovation. About FoodBev Awards FoodBev Media awards schemes have been running for more than 20 years and are now recognised as the most credible and respected awards schemes to influence the international food and beverage industry. For more information about our selection of awards programmes, please visit foodbevawards.com  or email awards@foodbev.com .

US-based mochi ice cream brand My/Mochi is expanding its global flavour inspiration line-up with the launch of what it claims is the first Dubai Chocolate Style Mochi ice cream in the US. The latest innovation features creamy pistachio ice cream, crunchy kadayif and chocolate bits, all wrapped in chocolate-flavoured mochi dough. Inspired by the viral Dubai Chocolate dessert trend, each mochi contains just 80 calories. “Dubai chocolate has become a standout flavour across food and beverage categories, but it hasn’t made its way into mochi ice cream,” said Bridgette Wolf, chief marketing officer at My/Mochi. The Dubai Chocolate Style Mochi ice cream will debut in select US stores this month, followed by a national rollout in spring 2026. In the UK, retailer Aldi also unveiled a Dubai Chocolate Style Mochi product this summer, highlighting the global popularity of the viral food trend.

Indian food brand Aagrah Foods has expanded its range of premium cooking sauces with a vegan-friendly Butter Chicken Tarka Paste. The paste combines a smooth, creamy tomato base with a balance of aromatic spices and subtle sweetness. Unlike a finished curry sauce, which offers a heat-and-serve solution, a tarka pasta provides the foundation for a convenient, freshly cooked dish while enabling consumers to engage more in the cooking process. Aagrah’s latest offering is made with slow-cooked onions, tomato, garlic, ginger and its signature bled of spices, giving home cooks the flexibility to customise dishes without the complexity of cooking from scratch. The brand said the product is ideal for consumers seeking authentic, restaurant-quality dishes that can be prepared at home within minutes. Though Butter Chicken is traditionally made with meat and dairy, the fully plant-based paste also caters to consumers seeking to make vegetarian and vegan alternatives to the dish by substituting chicken for a plant-based chicken alternative or tofu, and using plant-based dairy alternatives. The launch comes as the UK ambient cooking sauce category continues to grow, now valued at over £1 billion and driven by rising interest in world cuisine and premium at-home dining. Aagrah Foods was founded by family-owned Yorkshire-based Aagrah Restaurant Group, established in 1977. Beyond its sauces, the brand offers a broad range of Indian products including chutneys, spice blends and marinades, and breads and snacks such as naans, popadoms and an onion bhaji mix. Shezad Aslam, managing director of Aagrah Foods, said: “Butter Chicken has long been a crowd pleaser in our restaurants, and we wanted to make that same flavour experience available for consumers at home”. “Our new tarka paste is rich, indulgent and true to our Northern Indian roots. We’re continuing to see a strong appetite for people wanting to cook authentically at home using premium-quality ingredients that offer both convenience and credibility, and this new addition to our ever-expanding range meets that demand perfectly.” The new Butter Chicken Tarka Paste is available across the UK grocery, speciality and convenience channels for £3.76 per 270g jar.

Hormel Foods, the company behind brands such as Spam and Hormel Black Label Bacon, has announced a series of significant developments designed to position the business for long-term growth and operational efficiency. As part of these plans, Hormel Foods has initiated a corporate restructuring aimed at aligning resources with strategic priorities and strengthening the business, announced yesterday (4 November 2025). As part of this initiative, Hormel Foods as introduced a voluntary early retirement programme and will reduce around 250 corporate roles across its office-based workforce. It is expected that this restructuring will result in up to $25 million in charges, most of which will be recognised in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first of 2026. Speaking about the changes, John Ghingo, president of Hormel Foods, said: “We’re directing resources toward technology, innovation, food safety and quality and the people capabilities that will shape our future“. The company has also recently announced the appointment of an interim chief financial officer and revealed that its nut butter brand, Justin’s, will now operate as a stand-alone company. On 27 October 2025, Hormel announced the appointment of Paul Kuehneman as interim chief financial officer and controller, succeeding Jacinth Smiley and reporting to Jeff Ettinger, interim chief executive officer. Hormel Foods plans to conduct a comprehensive search for a permanent CFO in the coming months. Kuehneman has held multiple leadership roles at Hormel, including as VP and controller. Ettinger praised him as “a respected leader with deep knowledge of our business and a proven track record of results.” In a move reflecting Hormel’s broader strategy to optimise its brand portfolio, the company also revealed a strategic partnership with Forward Consumer Partners, a private investment firm, on 28 October 2025. Under this agreement, Justin’s – which Hormel acquired in 2016 – will once again operate as a stand-alone company, owned 51% by Forward and 49% by Hormel Foods. Since acquiring the brand, Hormel has expanded its product line of nut butters and organic chocolate snacks, with the aim that the new partnership with unlock further growth. As part of the deal, Justin Gold, the brand’s founder, will return as a strategic advisor and Peter Burns, who previously led the company prior to its sale to Hormel, will return as Justin's CEO. Despite restructuring costs and other challenges, Hormel Foods continues to emphasise long-term brand investment, operational modernisation and strategic portfolio management. “We remain confident in the relevance of our portfolio and our brands,” Ettinger said, “Our focus is on sustainable, profitable growth and delivering long-term value for our shareholders.”