Archer Daniels Midland has agreed to pay $40 million to settle a US Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into how it reported sales between business units. According to ADM, the settlement draws a line under a probe that centred on the performance of its fast-growing nutrition business, a key pillar of the agribusiness group’s food and beverage strategy. In addition, the US Department of Justice has separately closed its criminal investigation into ADM without taking action. The SEC settlement, which ADM entered into without admitting or denying wrongdoing, relates to how the company reported intersegment transactions that affected the financial performance of individual business units, including its nutrition segment. The regulator had alleged that the practices materially inflated the results of the nutrition division, which ADM has promoted to investors and customers as a major growth engine supplying flavours, proteins, sweeteners and functional ingredients to food and beverage manufacturers. ADM said the accounting issues did not affect its consolidated earnings, cash flows or balance sheet, but required restatements of segment-level reporting. The company corrected prior-period errors in March 2024 and restated its 2023 annual results as well as first- and second-quarter 2024 filings later that year. The SEC has also brought civil charges against three former ADM executives, alleging they oversaw or approved adjustments to transactions between business units when the nutrition segment fell short of internal financial targets in 2021 and 2022. Two of the former executives have agreed to pay civil penalties, while a third case is being litigated. The outcome removes a lingering source of uncertainty around one of the world’s largest suppliers of ingredients spanning plant proteins, flavours, sweetening systems and speciality nutrition. ADM has invested heavily in higher-margin nutrition and value-added ingredients in recent years as it seeks to reduce exposure to more volatile commodity trading. Following the internal investigation, ADM said it overhauled its financial leadership team and strengthened internal accounting controls and reporting processes. The company voluntarily disclosed its findings to regulators after the issue was identified by its audit committee. Chief executive Juan Luciano said the settlement allows ADM to move forward, adding that the company had taken “extensive actions” to improve the accuracy of its financial reporting and reinforce governance. ADM is due to report fourth-quarter and full-year results next week, with investors and industry customers likely to scrutinise performance in its nutrition and ingredients businesses, which supply multinational food, beverage and health brands. Shares in ADM were little changed in late trading.

FoodNerd, a Buffalo-based food start-up focused on nutrient-dense snacks for toddlers, has closed a $7.5 million Series Seed round led by Selva Ventures. The new capital will support FoodNerd’s upcoming commercial launch on 17 February and accelerate its mission to raise the bar for children’s nutrition in a category long dominated by highly processed options. Founded by parents and built with a science-forward approach, FoodNerd is best known for its flagship product, Mega Puffs, toddler-friendly snacks formulated with whole food ingredients such as sprouted seeds and real fruits and vegetables. Depending on the SKU, each serving delivers 6-9g of plant-based protein and 7-8g of dietary fibre, a nutritional profile that significantly exceeds most conventional toddler snacks. At the core of FoodNerd’s product development is its proprietary Nutrient Lock Cold Processing technology. The process is designed to preserve key phytonutrients and macronutrients that are often lost during traditional high-heat manufacturing, allowing the company to deliver clean-label snacks without sacrificing nutritional integrity. The fresh capital will be used to scale manufacturing, expand distribution and invest in research and development as FoodNerd builds out its portfolio. The financing also included participation from Spacestation Investments, S2 Venture Partners, Cistern Capital, and several strategic angel investors. With its official launch set for mid-February, FoodNerd enters the market backed by experienced investors and a growing coalition of partners aligned around a shared vision: better food for kids, built for real life and long-term health. As the company looks ahead, FoodNerd aims to challenge legacy assumptions in the kids’ snack aisle and help define a new standard for what early childhood nutrition can look like. Top image: © FoodNerd

Lindt & Sprüngli, the Swiss premium chocolate maker, is rolling out a series of new Easter products across the UK and selected European markets, expanding its seasonal portfolio with indulgent twists on classic offerings. The 2026 Easter collection introduces nine new lines, including the Lindt Gold Bunny Dark, Gold Bunny Glamour 200g, and Gold Bunny Crispy Biscuit Easter Egg. Other launches include Lindt Nocciolatte and Popcorn Easter Eggs, Dubai-Style Filled Eggs, and a range of Lindor mini and multipack eggs in Pistachio, Assorted and Milk-filled formats. Lindt’s Easter Little Chicks Milk also joins the seasonal line-up. These products combine Lindt’s signature Swiss chocolate with innovative flavour and texture profiles, such as caramelised popcorn, roasted hazelnuts, pistachio truffle centres and crispy biscuit inclusions, designed to elevate seasonal gifting and indulgence. Retail-ready packaging emphasises gold foil wrapping, decorative ribbons, and premium Easter-themed designs, aiming to capture attention in both physical and online retail channels. The launches target both mainstream and premium consumers, with RRP for individual items ranging from £3.25 for Lindor Mini Eggs to £85 for a 1kg Gold Bunny. All items will be available via Lindt stores, Lindt.co.uk, and selected retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Ocado. For retailers and foodservice buyers, the collection reflects Lindt’s strategy of combining seasonal relevance with product innovation, leveraging its brand equity to drive incremental sales during the peak Easter period. The Dubai-Style Filled Eggs, for instance, adapt a successful bar format into a chocolate egg, aligning with trends for exotic and premium textures in confectionery. Lindt & Sprüngli, which operates 12 factories across Europe and the US, reported sales of CHF 5.92 billion (approx. $7.58 billion) in 2025. The company emphasises sustainable sourcing through its Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program, supporting responsible cocoa supply for its premium products.

JPL Flavours, one of the UK’s fastest-growing flavour companies, has announced an £11 million investment in a new state-of-the-art facility in Bromborough, UK, alongside senior leadership appointments aimed at scaling its operations and digital innovation. The privately owned flavour house, founded by flavourist Jake Lavelle, opened its 75,000 sq ft premises in September 2025. The site features automated manufacturing, 16 dedicated flavour labs, and a forthcoming digital innovation suite, which includes augmented and virtual reality tools to help customers simulate how flavours perform in different consumption environments, such as cafés, fast food outlets, or outdoor settings. The investments support JPL’s ambitions to become the most technologically advanced flavour house in the UK, combining bespoke flavour creation with automation, AI and analytical technologies. The company, which posted turnover exceeding £10 million in 2024, counts established brands including Krispy Kreme and Fox’s Burtons among its customers. Tony Havvas, newly appointed managing director, said the focus is on operationalising Lavelle’s vision for growth while retaining JPL’s reputation for tailored, high-quality service. A new director of digital innovation, Dr Jim Mooney, will lead technology initiatives designed to enhance product development and customer experience. “Automated manufacturing at this scale is almost unheard of in the UK flavour industry,” Lavelle commented. “We reinvest around three times the industry average in capital equipment, R&D and technology, enabling us to deliver bespoke, application-ready flavours with industry-leading speed and consistency.” JPL Flavours’ bespoke model differentiates it from traditional flavour houses that focus on volume production. Typical sample lead times are around 72 hours, supported by a dedicated customer lab where brand teams can collaborate directly with flavourists and application technologists. The investment in technology and digital innovation positions JPL to capture demand from both established and emerging food and beverage producers seeking customised, high-quality flavour solutions, while strengthening its competitiveness in a market increasingly focused on speed, responsiveness, and innovation.

Sabert Corporation Europe has launched PULPUltra, a next-generation, no-intentionally-added-PFAS food packaging solution, across Europe and the UK & Ireland. The new solution aims to meet tightening EU regulatory standards while addressing commercial demand for high-performance, sustainable foodservice packaging. The bagasse-fibre-based platform, already trialled in Ireland and France, combines over 95% renewable fibres with a minimal barrier coating to deliver enhanced oil and grease resistance for hot and ready-to-eat foods. The packaging is freezer- and oven-safe, compatible with microwaves and commercial MerryChef ovens, and recyclable or industrially compostable under EU standards. Home compostable certification is expected later this year. “The launch of PULPUltra positions our customers ahead of upcoming regulatory changes on PFAS and sustainability, while offering superior strength and heat resistance,” said Alex Noake, senior vice president and managing director at Sabert Europe. PULPUltra comes as the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) tightens limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as 'forever chemicals,' with new measures taking effect from August 2026. Sabert has already evolved its broader pulp portfolio into a home-compostable range and has integrated the technology into bespoke children’s meal packaging in Ireland and the Gastronorme range in France. The launch underlines the company’s strategy to combine compliance with functional performance in a market where foodservice operators increasingly demand sustainable, PFAS-free solutions without compromising strength or heat resistance. It follows Sabert’s 2025 acquisition of UK-based Colpac Limited, a manufacturer of sustainable paperboard packaging, and complements its 40-year track record in pulp and fibre-based packaging. “Every product we make is rigorously tested for food safety and performance,” added Isabelle Ernotte, Sabert quality, environment, health and safety manager. “PULPUltra demonstrates how innovation in material science can deliver both regulatory compliance and operational reliability for our customers.”

Euricom, a European rice specialist, has signed binding agreements to acquire 100% of Ebly, the joint venture between Mars, Incorporated and Axéréal Participations, including the Ebly brand and its Châteaudun production site in France. The deal strengthens Euricom’s position as a pan-European supplier of rice-based products, particularly in the private label and B2B sectors, by adding Ebly’s ready-to-heat (RTH) rice pouches to its portfolio. The Châteaudun facility is the largest RTH rice plant in the EU, with an installed capacity exceeding 100 million units per year, and also produces pre-cooked wheat products under the Ebly brand. Bruno Sempio, Euricom’s chairman, said the deal would allow the company to leverage Ebly’s “state-of-the-art facility to further develop the RTH sector and provide a comprehensive product offering to our customers across Europe.” Sempio added that the company also plans to expand the Ebly brand’s direct retail presence while maintaining existing partnerships with Mars and Axéréal. The transaction builds on Euricom’s recent acquisition of Polish rice and snack brand Sonko in 2024, consolidating its leadership across both retail-packed rice and rice-based snacks. In addition to rice, the deal strengthens Euricom’s wheat portfolio, complementing its existing offerings in dry pasta, flour and semolina. Ebly pioneered the EU’s RTH rice category and maintains a direct presence in France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The Châteaudun plant also manufactures Ben’s Original RTH rice products under a co-manufacturing agreement. Completion of the deal is contingent on consultation with Ebly’s works council, with finalisation expected by the end of April 2026. Galaet Limited acted as financial advisor to Euricom, with BDGS Associés providing legal counsel and EY-Parthenon advising on due diligence. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Hotel Chocolat has launched a new limited-edition drinking chocolate, Fire & Ice, to mark National Hot Chocolate Day on 31 January 2026. The product blends the brand’s 70% dark chocolate with Tasmanian peppermint and habanero chilli, combining cooling and warming flavour notes in a single formulation. Made with real chocolate flakes and natural ingredients, Fire & Ice is designed exclusively for use with Hotel Chocolat’s Velvetiser. According to the company, the flavour is inspired by its existing Fire & Ice chocolate selector, which has now been adapted into a hot chocolate format following the launch of the updated Velvetiser last year. Yiotis Panagiotou, specialtiy cocoa chocolatier (product development) at Hotel Chocolat, said: “Fire & Ice is originally a chocolate selector, but we’d never tried it as a drinking chocolate until now. After launching the all-new Velvetiser last year, I was inspired to invent a new and unexpected drinking chocolate flavour that ‘shouldn’t’ work, but it does." "Fire & Ice does just that – it’s the epitome of ‘opposites attract’ in drinking chocolate form. The two flavours get their own time to shine so you get to experience both. The chilli brings the heat and drama, whereas the peppermint balances it out bringing cool and calm. I can talk about it all day, but the fun really begins when you try it for yourself – which is why I’m excited for people to sip our complimentary samples in stores on National Hot Chocolate Day.” The launch forms part of Hotel Chocolat’s wider hot chocolate portfolio, which includes flavours such as 100% dark, ginger, chilli, coconut white, black forest gateau, peanut butter and mint. Fire & Ice will be available for a limited time in-store and online, priced at £14.95 for a box of ten sachets.

Danone is entering the fast-growing meal-replacement category with the launch of a new range of on-the-go drinks under its Alpro brand, marking a further expansion of its plant-based portfolio in Europe. The French food and beverage giant has begun rolling out the products, branded Alpro Meal To Go, in select European markets, including Belgium and Germany, with plans to extend distribution across the region. In a LinkedIn post, Guillaume Millet, vice-president of Danone’s plant-based business in Europe, described on-the-go meal-replacement drinks as “one of the most exciting and fastest-growing segments in Europe,” while acknowledging shortcomings in many existing products. “Too often, people don’t finish the bottle,” Millet said. “They’re either too heavy, too sweet or simply not truly ‘meal-worthy’, meaning they don’t get all the nutrients they are being promised and end up being hungry again soon after.” The beverages are made from a blend of soy and oats and are launching in four flavours. Each 500ml bottle delivers 20g of plant-based protein, positioning the product as a nutritionally balanced option for busy consumers seeking a convenient meal alternative. In Germany, the drinks carry a suggested retail price of €3.99 ($4.72).

Berrington Pure Spring Water-owned aluminium bottled water brand Re:Water is investing £2 million in a new production facility in Herefordshire as it looks to scale output and support growing grocery, retail and hospitality demand for plastic alternatives. The new site, due to become operational in February, is located a few miles from the company’s existing base and is five times larger than the current facility. The expansion will allow Re:Water to add additional production lines, increase on-site stockholding and bring more of its operations in-house. The move is intended to strengthen supply chain resilience and improve capacity at a time when retailers are placing greater emphasis on scale, reliability and security of supply. Re:Water bottles its spring water in 100% recycled and fully recyclable aluminium, including the cap. The brand sources its water locally in Herefordshire and said it chose to remain in the area to protect water quality, retain its workforce and minimise disruption. The new facility will also support product development, with a 750ml bottle scheduled to launch in 2026 following the introduction of a 330ml format. The investment is expected to support future export growth, following the brand’s King’s Award for Innovation in 2025. According to the company, demand for aluminium bottled water continues to rise as consumers seek alternatives to single-use plastic without sacrificing convenience, while retailers and foodservice operators face increasing pressure to offer more sustainable packaging formats. Benjamin Rendell, director at Berrington Pure Spring Water, said: “We’re growing at pace and were forecast to reach capacity at our existing site. This investment is about staying ahead of that growth. The new site gives us the space to scale properly – adding production lines, increasing stock holding and making sure everything remains in-house and under our control.” Rhodri Lewis, director at Berrington Pure Spring Water, said the larger site would also help reduce the company’s carbon footprint by increasing on-site warehousing and cutting transport movements. With expanded capacity, on-site warehousing and BRC-compliant operations under one roof, Re:Water said the investment positions the business to continue growing across grocery, retail and hospitality channels while maintaining product quality and consistency. Re:Water’s spring and sparkling water is currently stocked in over 5,000 locations across the UK, including Marks & Spencer, Pret A Manger, Itsu, the National Trust and London Zoo. Recent contracts include Transport for Wales, which has moved to stock Re:Water exclusively, and the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour through the brand’s custom-print offering.

Häagen-Dazs is expanding its US portfolio with six new ice cream products as the premium brand leans into indulgence-led innovation to sustain growth in a pressured consumer environment. The launches include take-home cartons, ice cream bars and mini formats, led by a Dark Cherry Truffle tub and Cherry Dark Chocolate bars. Other additions include Coffee Almond Toffee and Peanut Butter Brittle 14-ounce cartons, Toasted Coconut Crunch bars and Dulce de Leche mini bars. The new flavours emphasise layered inclusions and textural contrast – a strategy increasingly used by premium ice cream brands to differentiate products and defend pricing. Dark Cherry Truffle combines cherry vanilla ice cream with tart cherry sauce and soft cocoa truffles, while the Cherry Dark Chocolate bar pairs cherry ice cream and sauce with a dark chocolate coating, offering a balance of sweetness and acidity. Coffee Almond Toffee features Brazilian coffee ice cream with buttery toffee pieces and California almonds. Peanut Butter Brittle blends peanut butter ice cream with praline peanuts and caramel ripples. The Toasted Coconut Crunch bar combines coconut ice cream with milk chocolate, toasted coconut flakes and crunchy cone pieces, and the Dulce de Leche mini bars deliver a caramel-forward profile in a portion-controlled format. The move reflects a broader strategy among premium ice cream makers to focus on value growth rather than volume, as higher input costs and cautious consumer spending continue to weigh on the wider food sector. Richer flavours, layered inclusions and premium formats allow brands to defend margins while positioning ice cream as an 'affordable luxury'. “This year, we’re inviting consumers to slow down and savour,” said Rachel Jaiven, head of marketing at Häagen-Dazs, adding that the new products were designed to encourage more deliberate, indulgent consumption. Premium ice cream has remained relatively resilient compared with mass-market ranges, with shoppers more willing to trade up within discretionary categories even as they cut back elsewhere. The expanded range also underscores the importance of format diversification, with Häagen-Dazs adding to both its core 14-ounce cartons and its mini bars range. Portion-controlled premium products have become an increasingly important lever for manufacturers seeking to balance indulgence with moderation trends, while maintaining higher price points. In the US, the new 14-ounce cartons are priced at $6.99, while three-count bars retail at $6.49 and six-count mini bars at $7.49, according to the company. Häagen-Dazs operates in the US under Froneri, the ice cream-focused joint venture formed by Nestlé and private equity firm PAI Partners in 2016, with US operations run by Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream. Froneri has been expanding its premium offerings globally as manufacturers navigate rising ingredient, energy and logistics costs.

Nichols is stepping up its expansion in the energy drinks category with the launch of Vimto Energy Tropical Cooler. The new SKU will launch on 19 February 2026, following a seven-week exclusivity period with Spar, and will be available in a 500ml can. Angela Reay, marketing director at Nichols, said: “We are really excited by the launch of Vimto Energy Tropical Cooler, the latest product in our growing Energy range, which has been developed to specifically target the convenience and wholesale channels". Energy drinks now account for over 5 billion drinking occasions annually in the UK, generating £3.8 billion in value, with the category forecast to grow by £678 million between 2024 and 2030. Flavoured energy remains a key growth driver, representing one in five energy drinks sold, while tropical flavours are growing at +12% year on year. Vimto Energy has already demonstrated strong momentum, with sales up +85% year on year, and is delivering incremental value for retailers by appealing to a broader audience, including lighter and non-energy drinkers. The brand is positioned around more accessible, everyday energy occasions, targeting Morning Energy and Afternoon Boost demand spaces that align closely with convenience shopping missions. "Flavoured energy and price-marked packs are delivering strong growth in impulse, and this launch brings both together in a trusted, mainstream brand," Reay continued "The Tropical Cooler flavour delivers a sense of escapism while staying true to Vimto Energy’s inclusive proposition, helping retailers attract new shoppers, drive repeat purchase and unlock incremental category growth". The product has been developed to meet the growing ‘Enhance My Body & Mind’ consumer need, combining functionality with taste and refreshment. Key credentials include being zero sugar, high in vitamins B6 and B12, and made with natural caffeine and real fruit juice, supporting more health-permissible choices without compromising on flavour.

A former senior risk manager at Mars has been sentenced to more than five years in prison after defrauding the global confectionery group of over $28 million through a long-running scheme that exploited agricultural export credits, internal controls and dividend payments. Paul R Steed, 59, of Stamford, Connecticut, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and tax offences linked to his role at Mars Wrigley, where he oversaw aspects of the company’s global cocoa and sugar price risk management. The case highlights how food manufacturers’ reliance on complex commodity risk management functions, government-backed export incentive schemes and third-party administrators can create blind spots if oversight and verification processes are weak, particularly when responsibilities are concentrated in a single senior role. Court documents show Steed used his position to divert funds between 2011-2023 by setting up shell companies that closely resembled legitimate Mars entities, enabling him to redirect payments from suppliers, financial intermediaries and US government-backed programmes into accounts he controlled. The case highlights vulnerabilities facing large food manufacturers that rely on complex commodity sourcing, hedging strategies and export incentive schemes – particularly when these are managed remotely and across multiple jurisdictions. Steed’s most significant fraud involved the US Department of Agriculture’s Sugar-Containing Products Re-Export Program, which allows manufacturers to earn credits for exporting goods containing US-sourced sugar. Prosecutors said Steed created a company, MCNA LLC, designed to mimic Mars Chocolate North America, and instructed sugar refiners purchasing Mars’s re-export credits to pay the shell entity instead. More than $15 million was siphoned off through the scheme. The programme, widely used by large confectionery and processed food manufacturers, relies on credit trading between exporters, refiners and intermediaries, creating multiple payment touchpoints that can be vulnerable to misdirection if controls are insufficient. In a separate strand of the fraud, Steed diverted more than $700,000 in dividend payments linked to Mars’ ownership stake in Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the operator of global commodities and derivatives markets. He later used forged authorisation letters to sell Mars’s ICE shares outright in 2023, depositing proceeds of more than $11.3 million into the same fraudulent account. Mars also paid more than $700,000 to another Steed-owned company, Ibera LLC, for services that were never provided, prosecutors said. Steed failed to declare the stolen income on his federal tax returns for nearly a decade, resulting in more than $10 million in unpaid taxes, according to the Internal Revenue Service. US District Judge Kari A Dooley ordered Steed to pay $28.4 million in restitution to Mars and $10.3 million to the IRS. Authorities have already seized more than $18 million from Steed’s bank accounts and are seeking to recover a Greenwich, Connecticut, property purchased with stolen funds, as well as money transferred to Argentina, where Steed holds dual citizenship. Mars, one of the world’s largest food companies with brands spanning confectionery, pet food and packaged foods, was not accused of wrongdoing. The company has not publicly commented on the case. Law enforcement officials said the investigation underscored the importance of forensic accounting and cross-agency cooperation in uncovering sophisticated corporate fraud. Large F&B manufacturers are increasingly participating in government export programmes and financial markets to manage volatile input costs, particularly for commodities such as sugar and cocoa, underscoring the importance of robust governance and independent oversight of pricing, hedging and incentive mechanisms. Steed was arrested in March 2025 and is due to report to prison in March.