Co-op has announced the launch of its own-brand range of GLP-1 friendly ready meals as part of a new

Arla Foods has moved all of its European manufacturing sites onto renewable electricity, using long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) to lock in supply and prices as energy volatility and decarbonisation pressures intensify across the dairy sector. The farmer-owned dairy cooperative says that from the end of 2025 all electricity consumed at its 46 European sites is now sourced from renewables, covering around 93% of its total global electricity use. The shift has been achieved through a mix of renewable energy certificates and long-term PPAs linked to new wind and solar projects across Germany, the UK, Denmark and Sweden, allowing Arla to secure supply while supporting additional renewable capacity in the region. “For energy developers, long-term offtake agreements are often the condition for committing capital to large renewable projects,” said David Boulanger, executive vice president of supply chain at Arla Foods. “By signing PPAs over many years, we are reducing our exposure to fossil fuel volatility while contributing to the build-out of renewable energy in Europe.” Food manufacturers across Europe have been accelerating renewable electricity sourcing as electricity prices remain elevated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while regulators and customers increasingly scrutinise Scope 2 emissions across supply chains. Arla’s PPAs include a 44 gigawatt-hour (GWh) annual agreement linked to wind and solar plants in Pronsfeld, Germany, near the company’s largest dairy, 20 GWh per year from two solar projects in the UK, 43 GWh from a Danish solar park and 90 GWh annually from what the company described as Sweden’s largest solar PPA to date. The remaining electricity demand is covered by renewable certificates, including some purchased directly from Arla farmers who generate power on-site, such as through wind turbines. The move comes alongside significant investment in electrifying Arla’s production processes, particularly in Denmark, Germany and the UK, as the company shifts away from fossil fuels. Electricity now accounts for almost 30% of Arla’s total energy use, a figure expected to rise as further electrification projects come online. For dairy processors, electrification presents both technical and economic challenges, particularly for heat-intensive processes, but is increasingly seen as critical to long-term decarbonisation strategies as carbon pricing and reporting requirements tighten. “Reducing energy consumption remains our first priority, but electrification is essential to future-proofing our operations,” Boulanger added. “Using renewable electricity allows those investments to deliver real emissions reductions.” Arla said it is now assessing options to increase the share of renewable electricity used at its operations outside Europe. Arla Foods is owned by more than 7,600 dairy farmers across seven European countries and supplies brands including Arla, Lurpak, Castello and Puck.

Brekki has launched its latest limited batch flavour: orange ginger. This introduction not only diversifies the brand’s offerings but also highlights a growing trend toward innovative flavour profiles that cater to health-conscious consumers. The new orange ginger flavour is crafted using Brekki’s signature blend of ancient grains, almonds, oats, chia seeds and organic coconut nectar. Each serving promises a unique combination of citrus and spice, designed to provide a refreshing yet warming experience – ideal for consumers seeking nutritious and convenient meal options during the colder months. Aimee Tsakirellis, executive vice president of marketing at Cedar’s Foods, said: “Our orange ginger flavour strikes a perfect balance between bright, citrusy notes and a warming, spiced finish". This flavour addition reflects Brekki’s ongoing efforts to meet the evolving preferences of health-focused consumers, who increasingly seek out products that are both delicious and nutritious. The launch of the orange ginger flavour aligns with broader industry trends towards plant-based, gluten-free and non-GMO products. The product is now available at Market Basket locations in the US, catering to a demand for convenient, nutrient-dense meal solutions. Founded in 2017, Brekki draws inspiration from Australian breakfast culture, aiming to provide a convenient and tasty alternative for meals at any time of day. The brand currently offers ten flavours, including vanilla cinnamon and dark chocolate, alongside seasonal offerings such as pumpkin spice.

UK food brand The Gym Kitchen has debuted several new offerings in the chilled ready meal and food-to-go

US biotech company Checkerspot has successfully developed what it claims is a ‘world-first’ ingredient: a high-oleic palm oil alternative produced entirely through the fermentation of microalgae. Checkerspot leveraged classical strain improvement techniques to enhance oil yield and composition using the microalgae Prototheca moriformis . According to the company, its resulting oil closely matches the fatty acid profile of conventional high-oleic palm oil, offering over 55% oleic acid and 32% palmitic acid. The achievement was accomplished without genetic engineering, aligning with growing demand for non-GMO ingredients. The fermentation process has demonstrated scalability from laboratory to industrial levels, achieving oil titers up to 145g per litre and oil content comprising approximately 70% of the dry cell weight. Checkerspot’s oil can therefore be used across multiple applications, including food and nutrition, where high-oleic palm oil is widely used as a key ingredient. Scott Franklin, chief scientific officer and co-CEO of Checkerspot, said: “This milestone underscores our commitment to developing domestically produced, sustainable, high-performance alternatives to conventional oils”. “By leveraging microalgae fermentation, we’ve created a scalable solution that addresses both environmental concerns and the supply chain vulnerabilities associated with the production of tropical fats such as high-oleic palm oil.” Traditionally, high-oleic palm oil is cultivated in Latin America – particularly in Colombia and Ecuador – where reliance on hybrid pollination systems poses challenges due to high costs, labour intensity and environmental impact, including deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Checkerspot therefore aims to offer a consistent and scalable alternative by bypassing conventional agriculture and producing oil directly at the molecular level. This aligns with its mission to harness biotechnology for creating renewable, high-performance ingredients. The company has already scaled the production of several other alternative oils developed in its lab and has confirmed that it is moving toward commercial viability with work already underway alongside partners in the palm oil alternatives market.

Cold brew coffee brand Hunt and Brew, owned by Brownes Dairy, has become the first Australian dairy company The new site gives Hunt and Brew end-to-end control of production and logistics, enabling the brand to Since its UK launch in 2024, Hunt and Brew has positioned itself as a low-sugar alternative in the ready-to-drink Brownes is also preparing to introduce a Hunt and Brew range made with Australian-grown coffee beans. said: “This is a watershed moment for Brownes Dairy and a powerful vote of confidence in the Hunt and Brew

Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a ready-to-stir beta-lactoglobulin whey protein designed to address Unlike conventional medical nutrition powders and ready-to-drink products, which are typically milky, used in juice-style drinks as well as milky formats – a segment that remains largely restricted to ready-to-drink To demonstrate commercial applications, Arla has developed two ready-to-stir concept products: a juice-style

Ready-to-eat oats brand Brekki has added two new flavours to its line-up: Lemon and Choco Coconut.

food brand that offers gluten- and dairy-free products for families, has introduced a new range of ready

The meal options – Truffle Parm, Cacio e Pepe and Velvety Cheddar – are ready in just five minutes, combining the comfort of a pasta dish with the ease of a ready meal. It's Skinny's new pasta ready meals are available at HEB stores across Texas, US, or nationwide from

deal that facilitated the export of more than 30 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain to global markets via According to Reuters, Ukraine had been exporting up to 3 million tons of food per month via the corridor You may also like to read: Bacardi labelled “international war sponsor” as Russian business operations

The new meal pouches, which are ready to eat in just 90 seconds, include three distinct flavours: Chilli Heinz Beanz Meal pouches are now available in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide and online via Ocado, with