Froneri has announced plans to acquire the European ice cream operations of Food Union, expanding its footprint across Northern and Eastern Europe. The proposed transaction, which remains subject to regulatory approval, covers all of Food Union’s European ice cream markets – Denmark, Norway, Estonia, Latvia (excluding its dairy division), Lithuania and Romania – and is expected to close in the coming months. Food Union’s Latvian dairy operations are not included in the sale and will remain under existing ownership. Following completion, Food Union’s existing management team will continue to lead the business. Froneri said the acquisition will unlock new growth opportunities and reinforce its commitment to delivering high-quality ice cream to consumers worldwide. Froneri's CEO, Phil Griffin, said: “Food Union has built a portfolio of locally loved brands which we plan to invest in to further develop the significant potential of the business. We look forward to welcoming the Food Union team to Froneri to support our ambition to be the world’s best ice cream company.” Food Union's executive chairman, Soren Lauridsen, added: “Froneri is the global benchmark in ice cream, and we’re delighted that our loved brands have found a perfect home with a truly world-class leader". "Under Froneri’s stewardship, these brands will gain broader reach and the strengths of a global portfolio and capabilities, while preserving the local character and quality consumers love. We look forward to building the next chapter together.” Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Coca-Cola will be hit with a $1 billion impairment charge as part of a major restructuring of its bottling operations in Africa . Coca-Cola reported the charge in a regulatory filing yesterday (23 October 2025), following news that it had agreed to sell a significant portion of its stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA). This marked another step in the company's long-term strategy to streamline ownership and focus on brand-building rather than bottling. The impairment charge will be incurred due to the significant negative net foreign currency translation adjustments that will be reclassified to income upon sale, the beverage giant said in the SEC filing, requiring it to reduce the carrying amount of the assets held for sale. The transaction sees Coca-Cola HBC acquire a 75% stake in CCBA for $2.6 billion, purchasing Coca-Cola’s 42% share and the remaining holdings from Gutsche Family Investments. The deal values CCBA at roughly $3.4 billion and is expected to close by late 2026. Once completed, Coca-Cola HBC will become the second-largest Coca-Cola bottler worldwide by volume, trailing only Coca-Cola FEMSA. The acquisition will also give HBC a significant foothold across 14 African markets, where rising disposable incomes and a youthful consumer base are fuelling rapid beverage demand growth.

US-based olive oil brand Pompeian has introduced Pompeian Squeeze, a new packaging innovation designed to deliver cleaner, more precise olive oil dispensing. The flexible, recyclable PET bottle features a precision-control spout and mess-free flip-top cap, allowing users to drizzle, sauté or finish dishes without spills or greasy residue. The squeeze design dispenses oil only when gently pressed and instantly returns to shape, offering improved portion control and ease of use. Available in two flavour profiles, Smooth, with a delicate buttery finish ideal for sautéing and everyday cooking and Robust, a full-bodied extra virgin olive oil suited for drizzling and dressing. “Pompeian Squeeze combines precision and convenience in a way the category hasn’t seen before,” said Casey Smith, director of innovation at Pompeian. “It’s designed to make cooking cleaner and more joyful, while giving home chefs total control.” Each bottle is crafted with recyclable materials and all oils undergo daily freshness testing at the company’s Baltimore-based Quality Control and R&D Centre. “With Squeeze, we’re bringing control, convenience and joy to the olive oil experience,” added Michael Vercelletto, VP of marketing at Pompeian. “It embodies our mission to help people eat, live and feel better every day.” Pompeian Squeeze is now available nationwide at major retailers across the US, including Walmart, Publix, Amazon Fresh, Sam’s Club, Kroger and more.

Nestlé has completed the first part of a major upgrade to its global digital core, designed to improve operational efficiency and accelerate its response to evolving consumer trends. The upgrade comprises what Nestlé said is the ‘world’s largest ever’ SAP upgrade to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private edition. According to the F&B giant, this will strengthen its ability to drive growth and free up resources to invest in its global brands. This upgrade will enable the deployment of AI at scale to achieve better insights, as well as the automation and improvement of processes across the company’s business operations. It includes embedding SAP’s AI copilot directly into the group’s core business systems to help employees access insights, automate routine tasks and make faster, more informed decisions. Nestlé said this will help it better respond to changing consumer trends and retailer needs, while improving efficiency in areas like supply chain management, procurement, order fulfillment for retailers, and investment prioritisation. The SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software connects core business processes – from manufacturing and sales to supply chain, finance and human resources – end-to-end in a single system, enabling streamlined operations and improved decision-making. The move enables 50,000 Nestlé users across 112 countries in the company’s Asia, Oceania and Africa regions to benefit from the new system’s capabilities. The company said it will be able to complete the upgrade across the rest of the group within two years, a timeline it said is ‘significantly faster’ than similarly sized peers. Anna Manz, Nestlé CFO and responsible for Integrated Business Services, said: “Driving growth through innovation is a top priority. We are transforming our business to invest more boldly in the best opportunities.” She added: “We need to combine great consumer insights and innovation with flexibility and scale, to provide great quality products to consumers around the world when, where and how they want them. This upgrade will help us build multi-year innovation pipelines, more agile production and digital-first marketing and sales platforms for areas like cold coffee, therapeutic pet food and modern cooking aids.”

Yannick Verry Artificial intelligence is quietly revolutionising the food and beverage industry – from spotting defects faster than human inspectors to discovering novel ingredients at lightning speed. Yannick Verry, brand director at FI Europe, explains how companies are harnessing artificial intelligence to boost efficiency, reduce waste and innovate smarter, showing that the future of food isn’t just digital...it’s intelligent. While consumers use artificial intelligence (AI) for recipes or meal plans, its real revolution in food unfolds behind the scenes, from satellite systems monitoring deforestation across cocoa supply chains to computer vision detecting food contamination faster than human inspectors. Companies deploying AI across their operations are pulling ahead, while those relying on traditional methods risk being left behind in an industry where milliseconds can now mean the difference between profit and waste. The AI revolution in ingredient discovery and formulation One of the most transformative applications of AI lies in ingredient discovery, a process that traditionally takes decades and costs millions. Nuritas exemplifies this shift, using AI to identify novel peptides such as PeptiStrong, derived from fava beans, which required analysing 18 billion potential sequences. What once seemed impossible can now be achieved in years rather than the estimated 30 millennia Nuritas estimated it would have taken manually. This capability isn’t limited to one company. Across the industry, AI is being deployed for numerous uses, from mapping functional ingredients to creating sensory experiences. Brightseed, for instance, links plant bioactives to specific health benefits by scanning molecular data at scale, eliminating the need for brute-force testing. "AI collapses the traditional trial-and-error cycle: Instead of testing countless combinations in the lab, it allows companies to design with intent, matching molecules to function, health or flavour with unprecedented speed" Shiru mines vast protein databases to design ingredients with tailored performance, like plant-based fats that mimic oil-holding capacity. While NotCo’s Giuseppe applies similar logic to taste and texture, reverse-engineering the molecular profiles of animal foods and rapidly finding plant-based equivalents. Together, these approaches illustrate how AI collapses the traditional trial-and-error cycle: instead of testing countless combinations in the lab, it allows companies to design with intent, matching molecules to function, health or flavour with unprecedented speed. AI is creating a structural shift in how the food industry discovers and develops the building blocks of its future. Manufacturing precision meets artificial intelligence Inside food processing facilities, AI has become the invisible quality controller, scanning products with superhuman speed and accuracy. Computer vision systems can achieve 97% accuracy in detecting defective products, revolutionising quality control processes that traditionally relied on human inspectors. The technology's capabilities extend far beyond simple defect detection. Modern systems analyse colour, texture, size and shape variations to grade products into specific categories, detect contamination and assess freshness levels. Advanced deep learning models can achieve false positive rates as low as 0.03% and false negative rates of 0.07%, ensuring that defective products are caught while minimising waste from false rejections. "AI systems are revolutionising food safety by providing real-time detection capabilities or predictive models that identify potentially dangerous environmental factors, foodborne pathogens and chemical contaminants long before products reach consumers" Processing lines now integrate multiple AI technologies simultaneously. Computer vision systems inspect packaging seals, robotic systems adjust cutting processes based on product characteristics and predictive maintenance algorithms monitor equipment health to prevent unexpected breakdowns. Advanced AI systems are revolutionising food safety by providing real-time detection capabilities or predictive models that identify potentially dangerous environmental factors, foodborne pathogens and chemical contaminants long before products reach consumers, significantly reducing public health risks compared to traditional testing methods. This orchestrated approach has transformed manufacturing from reactive troubleshooting to proactive optimisation. Supply chain intelligence and waste reduction The global challenge of food waste, estimated at $1 trillion annually, has found its most promising solution in AI-driven supply chain management. Real-time tracking systems now monitor products from processing facilities to retail shelves, using predictive analytics to optimise distribution routes and reduce spoilage. In supply chains, real-time tracking supports managers to make informed decisions about sourcing while maintaining sustainability commitments. Businesses like Ofi deploy AI-powered carbon measurement tools created in partnership with geospatial specialists, using artificial intelligence analysis to provide high-quality data on forest cover and tree loss across different agricultural plots. Kraft Heinz uses AI ‘watch towers’ to forecast demand and reroute deliveries in real time, while Kellanova and Danone are embedding process-control systems and machine-vision tools inside factories to catch defects and inefficiencies at their source. The technology's impact extends beyond environmental monitoring. AI systems analyse historical sales data, weather patterns and market trends to predict demand fluctuations, enabling companies to adjust production schedules and inventory levels accordingly. This predictive capability helps prevent both shortages and surpluses that traditionally drove waste throughout the supply chain. Marketing revolution through consumer intelligence Beyond production infrastructure, AI has transformed how food companies understand and reach their customers. Consumer insight platforms like Puratos' Taste Tomorrow use semantic AI technology to track global consumer behaviours, attitudes and choices through continuous monitoring that combines interviews with analysis of millions of social media posts. Kerry's Trendspotter, developed in collaboration with IBM, analyses social trends to predict nutrition trends, with both businesses demonstrating how established ingredient companies are integrating AI into their market intelligence capabilities. This consumer intelligence enables companies to predict emerging food trends before they reach mainstream markets, informing product development decisions and marketing strategies. The platform monitors conversations in seven languages across more than 50 markets, providing unprecedented insight into global food preferences and emerging demand patterns. Meanwhile, consumer marketing departments are using AI to create over 400,000 variations of personalised messages and product recommendations, as demonstrated by companies like Starbucks through its mobile application. These systems analyse purchase history, location data and even weather conditions to deliver targeted offers that drive both customer satisfaction and sales conversion. The implementation reality Despite AI's transformative potential, adoption remains uneven across the food industry. Potentially high implementation costs, fragmented data systems and skills shortages create significant barriers, particularly affecting smaller producers who lack the resources for comprehensive digital transformation. The costs extend beyond initial technology investment. Companies require specialised personnel to manage AI systems, ongoing training for existing staff and robust data infrastructure to support real-time analytics. Many smaller food manufacturers find themselves caught between the necessity of AI adoption and the financial reality of implementation costs. Where AI excels and where it struggles The evidence reveals distinct patterns in AI's effectiveness across different food industry applications. Computer vision systems excel at repetitive inspection tasks, consistently outperforming human inspectors in speed and accuracy for defect detection. Predictive analytics proves most valuable in scenarios with large datasets and clear patterns, such as demand forecasting and equipment maintenance scheduling. "Food companies deploying AI must navigate questions about data ownership, algorithmic fairness in pricing decisions and the transparency of automated quality assessments." However, AI systems struggle with contextual decision-making that requires an understanding of complex, interrelated factors. Traditional expertise remains superior for handling unexpected situations, managing supplier relationships and making strategic decisions that involve subjective judgements about quality or market positioning. Ethical implications, including data security, algorithmic bias and transparency concerns, present ongoing challenges that require careful management. Food companies deploying AI must navigate questions about data ownership, algorithmic fairness in pricing decisions and the transparency of automated quality assessments. The competitive divide widens…or does it? The data suggests AI adoption is accelerating the formation of distinct competitive tiers within the food industry. Companies with comprehensive AI integration report significant improvements in new ingredient and product development, efficiency, quality control and market responsiveness. Meanwhile, traditional producers face mounting pressure to modernise or risk losing ground. This technological stratification has implications beyond individual company performance. At the moment, large corporations with resources for AI investment are expanding their market share while smaller manufacturers struggle to compete on efficiency and innovation. "Companies that identify high-impact, limited-scope AI applications can achieve meaningful improvements without comprehensive digital overhauls" Yet opportunities remain for strategic AI adoption that doesn't require massive upfront investment. Cloud-based AI services, modular implementation approaches and industry-specific platforms are lowering barriers to entry. Companies that identify high-impact, limited-scope AI applications can achieve meaningful improvements without comprehensive digital overhauls. The question facing food industry leaders is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how quickly they can implement systems that deliver measurable returns while avoiding the pitfalls of rushed digitalisation. Success requires understanding where artificial intelligence adds genuine value versus where a human approach remains superior. Looking ahead: Fi Europe 2025 These developments in AI-driven food innovation will be explored in depth at Fi Europe 2025, where industry leaders will gather to discuss the latest technological advances. The conference features dedicated sessions on AI's role in food development, including ‘AI driven food: the next frontier’ and a panel discussion on ‘Responsible AI: how the food industry can accelerate innovation’ featuring experts from Big Idea Ventures, AKA Foods and Qina. The Innovation Hub will showcase cutting-edge solutions from companies pioneering AI applications in ingredient discovery, manufacturing optimisation and consumer insights. As the industry continues its digital transformation, events like Fi Europe provide crucial platforms for sharing knowledge and fostering the collaborations that will define the future of food innovation

The European Commission has proposed ‘targeted simplifications’ that aim to ensure the smooth implementation of the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The EUDR, first announced in 2021, has been developed to ensure that products sold in the EU do not contribute to deforestation. It will impact the sourcing of commodities such as palm oil, cocoa and coffee, aligning with the EU’s sustainable sourcing goals and broader climate-related ambitions. Its implementation, however, has faced setbacks – initial deadlines were postponed from 2024 to December 2025, and the EU announced it would consider a further delay last month. These moves have drawn criticism from concerned stakeholders across the F&B supply chain, including environmental organisations and major food businesses. The Commission cited complications with its IT platform, designed to manage compliance data, as the reason for proposed delays. However, this week (21 October 2025) it has put forward a new proposal for targeted adjustments designed to simplify the process and its impact on the IT system, aiming to ensure the EUDR can be successfully implemented this December. The proposal, drafted up following feedback from stakeholders, aims to reduce obligations for downstream operators and traders that commercialise the relevant EUDR products once they have been placed on the market – such as retailers, or large EU manufacturing companies. It also seeks to reduce the impact for micro and small primary operators from low-risk countries worldwide who sell their goods directly on the European market, which it says cover ‘close to 100% of farmers and foresters in the EU’. Changes to due diligence reporting The Commission proposes that downstream operators and traders should no longer be obliged to submit due diligence statements, with only one submission in the EUDR IT system required for the entire suppy chain, made at the entry point in the market. For example, cocoa beans would need only one due diligence statement to be submitted by the importer bringing them into the EU. Downstream manufacturers of chocolate products using the beans would not be required to submit a new due diligence statement in the IT system. Micro and small primary operators would only submit a simple, one-off declaration in the system. When the information is already available, for instance in a member state database, the operators do not have to take any action in the IT system themselves. This replaces the previous need for regular submissions of due diligence statements. Transition period The EUDR compliance deadline will remain 30 December 2025 for ‘large and medium’ companies – but they will benefit from a six-month grace period for checks and enforcement, to ‘ensure a gradual phase-in of the rules’. Additionally, for ‘micro and small’ enterprises, the EUDR will enter into application on 30 December 2026. The Commission said these new application dates, as well as the simplification of obligations, aim to ensure the IT system can sustain the level of expected loads following a ‘substantial reassessment’ of the projected impact on the system. Next steps and industry response The European Parliament and the Council will now discuss the Commission’s proposal and would need to formally adopt the targeted amendment of the EUDR before it can come into effect. Teresa Ribera, executive vice president for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, said: “This approach provides certainty and stability, streamlining the tracking process for micro and small producers who, while individually posing little risk, collectively provide critical data for maintaining overall traceability”. “We offer a clear implementation schedule that ensures the regulation will take effect seamlessly starting end of this year, allowing large operators to progressively adapt while giving micro and small producers more time to adjust.” The Rainforest Alliance released a statement of ‘relief’ in response to the European Commission’s clarification, commenting: “We commend the Commission for maintaining the implementation date of 30 December 2025 for large companies (though we have reservations about some of the arrangements proposed to facilitate compliance).” The organisation described the earlier delay as “highly concerning,” expressing worry that the regulations would be “watered down even further”. However, it called on companies and governments to ensure that smallholders are “meaningfully and adequately supported to adapt to the EUDR”. “While the Commission has proposed some simplifications to benefit small operators in low-risk countries, in practice, that only helps EU forest owners and farmers – it does nothing for the majority of smallholder farmers who don’t fall in that category,” the Rainforest Alliance stated. “We reiterate our call to action to also address collectively the specific challenges millions of smallholders face in producing EUDR-compliant products, and the disproportionate burden placed on their shoulders to do so – despite the fact that they are not considered operators under the EUDR.” The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), however, described the move to simplify the EUDR as a “shameful surrender to political pressure”. Anke Schulmeister-Oldenhove, senior forest policy officer at WWF European Policy Office, said: “Let’s be clear: proposing a partial delay and further changes is a deliberate choice, not an absolute necessity. It does not seem that the European Commission ever explored other options to fix any IT issues; it feels like the perfect scapegoat to water down the regulation.” She added: “The Commission may win a few political points, but the losers are clear: companies that have invested in deforestation-free supply chains, and forests that will continue vanishing at a breathtaking pace”. WWF is calling on the EU parliament and member states to uphold the regulation as initially agreed and “provide real support” for implementation.

Saputo USA’s Frigo Cheese Heads brand has added two new flavours to its Snack Sticks portfolio. The Snack Sticks string cheese range aims to provide a fun everyday snacking option for consumers. Joining the range are two new varieties, Sharp Cheddar and Pepper Jack. The line-up also includes popular existing favourites Colby Jack and Gouda. Jenny Englert, director of marketing at Saputo USA, said: “Snack Sticks are a household snacking staple and our second-most popular product following our original string cheese”. “We're committed to ensuring snacking is anything but boring for families and dairy snackers everywhere. These innovations are just some of what you can expect from Saputo USA in the coming year.” Saputo USA produces a vast range of cheeses, as well as dairy and non-dairy extended shelf life products, under a variety of brand names as well as customer brand names. Its new Snack Sticks flavours are now available at retailers nationwide, including Albertsons, Raley’s, Winco Foods, Flying J and Jacksons Food Stores, with SRPs starting at $5.39.

Mission Foods, a player in the global tortilla market, has launched its latest innovation: the Mission Zero Net Carbs Spinach Tortillas. This new addition to the company’s 'Better for You' product line aims to cater to the increasing consumer preference for low-carb, health-conscious food options without sacrificing flavour. As the market for healthy eating options continues to expand, Mission Foods is strategically positioning itself to meet the needs of consumers who are increasingly focused on dietary goals such as reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing fibre consumption. The new spinach tortillas are designed to be compatible with popular dietary trends, including keto and GLP-1 friendly lifestyles, which emphasise nutrient-dense foods. “Eating well looks different for everyone,” said Sathish Mohanraju, VP of sales and marketing at Mission Foods. “Our Zero Net Carbs Spinach Tortillas are crafted to support today’s most important wellness goals, whether that’s reducing carbs, increasing fibre or fuelling up.” The tortillas are made with real spinach and contain no added sugars or artificial flavours. Each tortilla is packed with fibre, making them an appealing choice for health-conscious consumers looking to enhance their meals with nutritious ingredients. The product’s versatility allows it to be used in various applications, from wraps and tacos to snacks, addressing the diverse culinary preferences of consumers. The introduction of these tortillas comes at a time when dietary supplements like GLP-1 medications are influencing food choices for many Americans. According to a recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, approximately 1 in 8 US adults report using GLP-1 medications, which often necessitate a focus on high-fibre and protein-rich foods. “With food intake often reduced for those on GLP-1s, every bite counts,” Mohanraju noted. “These tortillas help make meals more balanced and are easy to pair with lean proteins.” Mission Zero Net Carbs Spinach Tortillas are now available in major grocery retailers across the United States, joining an expanding portfolio of health-oriented products that includes Carb Balance, Zero Net Carb, and Protein tortillas, as well as flavoured options like Sundried Tomato Basil and Sriracha Ranch.

Freshways, one of the UK’s largest independent dairy suppliers, has unveiled plans for a £25 million investment in a state-of-the-art dairy processing facility in West Bromwich. This new hub is set to increase the company’s processing capacity by 25%, enabling the handling of up to 500 million litres of fresh British milk annually. The investment comes in response to a significant uptick in orders from Freshways' food service and retail customers, following the successful relaunch of its main dairy products earlier this year. The new facility is expected to create at least 200 jobs and will play a crucial role in supporting the Mayor of West Midlands’ Youth Employment Plan by providing local employment opportunities. Bali Nijjar, managing director of Freshways, highlighted the necessity of the new plant: “Our business is growing fast as we continue to win new customers every day. We needed to add additional processing capacity while maintaining the quality and freshness Freshways has become known for.” The new processing hub will feature bespoke machinery sourced from India, marking one of the first major deals completed since the recent UK-India Free Trade Agreement. Over 200 pieces of specialised dairy processing equipment have been manufactured by IDMC in Gujarat, including five stainless steel silos, each weighing 17 tonnes and capable of holding a total of 625,000 litres of milk. This collaboration not only enhances the technological capabilities of the facility but also positions Freshways as a key player in fostering international trade relationships. The West Midlands dairy hub will serve as a critical node in Freshways' national distribution network, processing milk sourced from hundreds of British dairy farms before distributing it to over 15,000 food service and retail customers through 15 distribution centres. This investment is expected to bolster the UK’s dairy supply chain, ensuring a steady supply of quality British milk and dairy products. In addition to traditional retail and foodservice channels, the new capacity will support Freshways’ Milk & More doorstep delivery service, which has already signed up over 30,000 customers in its first quarter since acquisition. As construction of the facility progresses, Freshways is preparing to launch a recruitment drive aimed at filling various roles, including engineering, quality assurance, food safety, logistics and support services. The company is committed to engaging with local schools, colleges and universities to promote career opportunities within the dairy sector, aligning with the mayor’s initiative to foster youth employment. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker praised the investment: “This major investment in West Bromwich will support British dairy farming, bolster our food supply chain, and create at least 200 new jobs for local people”.

Maple Leaf Foods has unveiled Musafir, a new food brand that marries South Asian culinary traditions with modern convenience, responding to the growing consumer demand for global flavours and protein-rich foods. This launch comes as the Canadian food market increasingly embraces diverse cuisines, particularly those inspired by the South Asian community, which is the country's fastest-growing visible minority. Musafir, meaning 'traveller' in several languages, including Hindi and Urdu, is designed to resonate with the evolving tastes of Canadian consumers. The brand features a range of products, including vegetarian and chicken options, presented in familiar formats such as burgers, nuggets and savoury bites. This approach not only caters to the rising interest in plant-based diets but also addresses the demand for high-protein foods. Jitendra Sagili, chief R&D and food technology officer at Maple Leaf Foods, said: "Musafir was developed to explore how food can connect people to culture, memory and new experiences". The product line aims to deliver authentic flavours while ensuring convenience, making it easier for consumers to enjoy traditional tastes in a modern format. The Musafir product range showcases key ingredients prevalent in South Asian cooking, particularly paneer cheese and masala spice blends. Key offerings include: Paneer Burgers and Paneer Nuggets: These vegetarian options combine paneer, potato, onion and red pepper with masala spices, delivering 9-10g of protein per serving, ready in 12 to 15 minutes. Masala Paneer Bites: Featuring a blend of paneer and chickpea flour, these bites offer 12g of protein and can be microwaved in just two minutes or air-fried in 12 minutes. Popcorn Paneer: Available at Costco, these snackable bites mix paneer with traditional spices for a protein-packed option. Masala Omelette Bites: A convenient breakfast choice with 11g of protein, ready in 90 seconds. Butter Chicken Bites: Tender chicken in a rich butter chicken sauce, ready in just 90 seconds in the microwave. These products are now available in the frozen aisles of major grocery retailers across Canada. The introduction of Musafir aligns with demographic shifts in Canada, where second-generation Canadians are increasingly blending their cultural heritage with contemporary lifestyles. This demographic change is driving a growing appetite for bold, convenient flavours that reflect diverse culinary traditions.

Mowi, a global seafood company, has revealed that its acquisition of a controlling stake in Nova Sea has received approval from the European Commission. This development comes as Mowi seeks to increase its ownership in Nova Sea from 49% to 95%, reinforcing its strategic position in the aquaculture market. The approval by the EU Commission marks a crucial step in Mowi's plans to consolidate its stake in Nova Sea, a prominent player in the Norwegian salmon farming industry. The transaction, initially disclosed in a stock exchange notice on January 30 2025, is now awaiting final approval from the Norwegian competition authority before it can be fully executed. Mowi's decision to enhance its investment in Nova Sea aligns with its broader strategy to optimise production capabilities and expand its operational footprint. By taking full control of Nova Sea, Mowi aims to leverage synergies in production, distribution and innovation, ultimately enhancing its competitive edge in the global seafood market. This acquisition comes at a time when global demand for sustainably farmed seafood continues to rise. Mowi's expansion into Nova Sea is expected to bolster its capacity to meet this demand, particularly in the European market, where consumer preferences are increasingly shifting towards high-quality, responsibly sourced seafood products. The integration of Nova Sea's operations is anticipated to enhance Mowi's overall production capabilities, allowing for better resource management and cost-effectiveness. With the EU's approval secured, Mowi is now focused on obtaining the necessary clearance from the Norwegian competition authority. Once this final hurdle is cleared, Mowi will be poised to finalise the acquisition and implement its strategic plans for Nova Sea.

Hulo, a Netherlands-based water technology company developing AI tools to identify leaks in water networks, has raised €2.3 million in seed funding to support international growth. The round was led by VP Capital and Lumo Labs, with participation from Vanagon, Rabobank, the FOM and the Netherlands Enabling Water Technology fund (NEW). Hulo provides a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that uses pressure and flow data from existing utility systems to detect, localise and prioritise leaks and other anomalies. The system combines AI and physics-based models to analyse how each network behaves dynamically, and can integrate into existing utility operations without additional hardware or the need for district metered areas (DMAs). The funding will enable HULO to accelerate deployments in Europe, the UK and Latin America, and expand its capabilities in AI, network analytics, cybersecurity and customer success. Traditional leak detection methods often depend on physical inspections or hydraulic modelling. Hulo's approach instead draws directly from real-time operational data, learning from network flow and pressure changes to surface actionable insights. The company’s hardware-agnostic design allows utilities to adopt the technology without new infrastructure investments. Hulo was spun out of Wetsus, the European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology in Leeuwarden, and has grown alongside the Netherlands’ strong water management ecosystem. Erica van Eeghen, senior manager ventures of VP Capital, said: "Water scarcity is emerging as one of the world's most pressing environmental constraints, with around 30% of treated water lost globally, often through ageing water network infrastructure". "Hulo's ability to detect leaks early, using advanced AI rather than expensive sensors, is exactly the kind of lean, scalable innovation that fits our investment lens. This is a domain where measurable environmental impact and efficiency go hand in hand. We're glad to join forces with such thoughtful co-investors and a technically sharp founding team." Robbert Lodewijks, co-founder of Hulo, added: "The future of water infrastructure requires that digital innovation integrates with the operational reality of today's networks. We're building solutions that are both powerful and practical – enabling water utilities to take action without overhauling their systems."