Lipton Teas and Infusions has agreed to transfer ownership of its two tea processing factories in Türkiye’s Rize region to local tea producer Öz-Gür Çay, pending approval from local authorities. The facilities, which handle drying and cutting of a minority portion of Lipton’s locally sourced tea, would continue to process tea leaves for the company under the proposed arrangement. Lipton said the move aligns with its global strategy to focus on its core activities of selecting, blending and selling tea, rather than owning processing factories. All finished Turkish tea, including that from the Rize sites, is already sent to Lipton’s blending and packaging facility in Sakarya. The €30 million state-of-the-art site opened earlier this year and remains central to the company’s operations in Türkiye. Top image: © Lipton Teas and Infusions

Mars and Cargill are accelerating the development of more than 224MWac of new renewable energy capacity through five virtual power purchase agreements (PPA) in Poland, signed with GoldenPeaks Capital. The collaboration builds on the existing renewable energy work from the two food industry giants. The project is claimed to be the largest multi-buyer renewable energy agreement in Poland and the Central and Eastern Europe region, which is Europe’s most carbon-intensive grid. Independent renewable energy producer GoldenPeaks Capital will develop the new solar projects, which are expected to come online in 2027 and generate enough clean energy to power an estimated 200,000 households each year. The initiative aims to demonstrate how supplier and customer partnerships can drive emissions reduction at scale and accelerate progress toward shared climate goals, offering a replicable model for the broader food and agriculture sector. Kevin Rabinovitch, global VP of sustainability at Mars, said: “These solar PPA agreements will create new solar projects that enable Mars to reduce and eliminate its current scope 2 electricity emissions in Poland, and also a portion of our scope 3 emissions as part of our Renewable Acceleration program, where Mars is driving progress on renewable electricity in our value chain”. He added: “Having a supplier like Cargill also working directly on its electricity use complements our approach. In Poland, by aggregating with our supplier, we gained scale and delivered a huge win for both of our organisations as we join forces to advance our individual companies’ climate goals.” Christina Yagjian, senior director of global renewable energy at Cargill, said that the project deepens Cargill’s commercial relationship with Mars, showing how partnership across the value chain can “drive meaningful climate action,” while also lowering procurement costs.

Campbell's cracker graham brand Goldfish has partnered with Peanuts – the classic comic strip created by Charles M Schulz – to release a limited-edition snack celebrating Peanuts’ 75th anniversary. The new product combines peppermint and cocoa flavours in graham snacks shaped like the signature Goldfish, alongside two new designs inspired by Snoopy – his face and paw. The brand says the seasonal product blends “holiday nostalgia with festive flavour”. Mike Fanelli, senior director at Goldfish, said: “Goldfish lovers look forward to our limited time offers, and we’re excited to give them something new to celebrate this holiday season. Goldfish and Peanuts bring together two family favorite brands. The nostalgic charm of Snoopy and the comforting taste of peppermint cocoa deliver a snack that will get the whole family into the holiday spirit.” The collaboration follows other themed partnerships from Goldfish, including tie-ins with Hello Kitty, Elf and Harry Potter. The limited-edition Goldfish Snoopy Peppermint Cocoa Grahams will be available from November at national retailers across the US for a suggested retail price of $3.69 per 6.1oz bag.

The Compleat Food Group’s Vadasz brand has expanded its range with a trio of live cultured, naturally fermented dips, claimed to be a first-to-market innovation in the UK. The brand’s entry into the dips market follows consumer research showing that 83% of existing pickles and kimchi shoppers would purchase Vadasz-branded dips if available. The range includes Kimchi Houmous, Super Beet Kimchi Dip, and Garlic & Dill Pickle Dip. It has been developed to meet growing demand for healthier and flavourful snacking options. Each dip is plant-based, made with 100% natural ingredients and contains naturally fermented or live cultured and cold brined vegetables as the base. The range aligns with increasing interest in functional, clean label and gut-friendly products. Kimchi Houmous combines chickpeas and seasoned vegetables with Vadasz’s kimchi to create a ‘rich, creamy and perfectly balanced’ dip that offers an umami take on the classic houmous format. It also provides a source of protein, fibre and healthy fats. Super Beet Kimchi Dip blends naturally fermented beetroot, red cabbage, carrot and apple with high-protein, fibre-rich cannellini beans. Vadasz describes the dip as ‘earthy and creamy,’ well-suited for pairing with wholegrain or seed crackers, or as a side with cheese boards. Finally, Garlic & Dill Dip is inspired by Vadasz's well-loved pickles. It combines sauerkraut, pickles and cannellini beans for a tangy and savoury flavour profile. The dip is topped with garlic and dill pickled cucumber, providing the nutritional benefits of cold-brined vegetables. Yvonne Adam, chief marketing officer at The Compleat Food Group, said: “Dips remain a high-volume, high-frequency category, but many products are still dominated by added sugar, preservatives and artificial ingredients”. “With this launch, we’re bringing the Vadasz magic of gut-friendly ingredients and bold flavour to a new part of the chiller with a UK-first. These dips will appeal not only to our core pickle and kimchi shoppers, but also to consumers looking for better-for-you snacking that doesn’t compromise on taste.” The dips are the latest addition to Vadasz range following the launch of its Smacked Cucumbers and Kimchi Shot products earlier this year. The new dip line is available from Sainsbury’s and Ocado now, with an RRP of £3.50 per 200g dip.

Kerry Group is set to open its first Pennsylvania manufacturing facility in Hanover Township, Northampton County. The multi-million-dollar plant will focus on coffee roasting and extraction and is expected to create 61 new jobs. The company is leasing a former Martin Bauer Group building and will retain 16 employees from the previous operation. The state of Pennsylvania is supporting the project with $516,880, including a $316,880 Pennsylvania First grant and a $200,000 WEDnetPA grant for workforce training. Kerry has also been encouraged to apply for the Manufacturing Tax Credit Program. John Cahalane, president and CEO of Kerry North America, said: “With this acquisition, Kerry is enhancing production capabilities and leveraging advanced technologies to meet the rising demand for all-natural coffee ingredients across multiple markets, ultimately driving business growth and innovation". "We are especially proud to partner with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, whose support has been instrumental in making this expansion possible. This collaboration reinforces our belief that Bethlehem is the right place to grow our coffee business and deepen our commitment to sustainable nutrition and local community development.” Lehigh Valley hosts more than 100 international companies, with food and beverage producers forming a major part of the region’s manufacturing sector. Other global brands in the area include Coca-Cola, Ocean Spray, Boston Beer Co, Freshpet, Just Born, Bakerly/Norac Foods and Bimbo Bakeries. Gov Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania secretary of community and economic development, Rick Siger, highlighted the Kerry investment as a boost to the state’s manufacturing and food production industry and local job market.

PAI Partners, a private equity firm, has announced the completion of a €3.6 billion equity transaction to establish a new ownership structure for its roughly 50% stake in Froneri, the global ice cream giant jointly owned with Nestlé. As part of the deal, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) has become a significant minority co-investor in Froneri, joining PAI and a new single-asset continuation vehicle (CV) led by Vintage Strategies at Goldman Sachs Alternatives. The transaction ranks among the largest single-asset CV deals ever completed in Europe. Formed in 2016 through a joint venture between PAI’s R&R Ice Cream and Nestlé’s European ice cream business, Froneri has evolved from a mainly European, private-label producer into a brand-led global business, now generating €5.5 billion in annual revenue across 25 countries. The company’s portfolio includes leading brands such as Häagen-Dazs, Nestlé, and various regional favourites, supported by a strong innovation pipeline and a well-invested supply chain. “Froneri is a clear example of PAI’s ability to create and grow global champions in the consumer sector,” said Frédéric Stévenin, co-managing partner at PAI Partners. “Since we first partnered with Nestlé in 2016, the business has successfully expanded into new markets, strengthened its branded portfolio and established itself as a global leader.” Phil Griffin, CEO of Froneri, added: “The renewed commitment of our partners, combined with the addition of new investors and capital, reflects confidence in our business and reinforces the strong partnership that underpins our growth.” ADIA’s involvement marks a significant addition to the shareholder base. Hamad Shahwan Aldhaheri, Executive Director of ADIA’s Private Equities Department, said the investment “offers a compelling opportunity to support Froneri for its next phase of growth alongside experienced and proven partners.” Gabriel Mollerberg, managing director at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, cited Froneri’s “attractive financial characteristics, exceptional operational execution and strong alignment with all key shareholders” as key factors behind investor demand. Advisers on the transaction included Evercore for PAI, Rothschild for Froneri, and Deutsche Bank for ADIA. Froneri employs over 12,000 people globally. The company is expected to pursue further organic growth, operational efficiency, and strategic acquisitions under its next phase of development. Top image: © Froneri

Javvy Coffee has expanded its Protein Coffee line-up at Sprouts Farmers Market with the launch of two new products. The new offerings include Collagen Creamer Sweet Cream and Coffee Concentrates in original, French vanilla and caramel flavours. The Javvy Sweet Cream Collagen Creamer (priced at $26.99) is a coconut-based creamer designed for both hot and iced coffee. Each serving provides 11g of collagen and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which support hair, skin, nails and joint health. Meanwhile, the Javvy Coffee Concentrates (priced at $24.99) allow consumers to make customised coffee drinks quickly by adding 1-2 teaspoons to water or milk. Each serving contains 80mg of caffeine and is made with 100% real coffee, with no added sugar or artificial ingredients. The new products are available at all Sprouts Farmers Market locations across the US.

PepsiCo is bringing a sweet twist to the savoury snacks aisle this Christmas with the launch of Doritos Gingerbread, the brand’s first-ever limited-edition festive flavour. Available from 6th October, Doritos Gingerbread combines the brand’s signature crunch with the warming spice of gingerbread. PepsiCo says the unique flavour pairing aims to blur the lines between sweet and savoury snacking, driving category disruption and impulse purchases during the key holiday trading period. The limited-edition Doritos variant headlines a wider seasonal line-up that also includes two new Walkers flavours – Emmental Cheese and Beef Wellington – both launching in five-pack multipacks. Meanwhile, Sensations Honey Glazed Ham returns to shelves in 150g sharing bags following strong seasonal demand in previous years. “Christmas is a time of togetherness and joy – and our festive snack range is designed to reflect just that,” said Rob Pothier, marketing director at PepsiCo. “With bold new flavours like Doritos Gingerbread, Walkers Emmental Cheese and Walkers Beef Wellington, we’re tapping into consumer curiosity for special flavours and formats while supporting retailers in driving sales during the festive season.” The limited-edition range will be available from 6th October. The Walkers 5-pack Emmental Cheese and Walkers 5-pack Beef Wellington will both retail at £2.15, while the Sensations Honey Glazed Ham will be available as a 150g share bag at £2.50 and the Doritos Gingerbread is a 180g share bag, also at £2.50.

Morinaga Milk has announced that it will suspend production at its plant in Akita, Japan, in March 2026 as part of a restructuring initiative. The Japanese dairy group said it has been making progress in optimising its production systems through ongoing efforts to strengthen its business base through streamlining its operations. In accordance with its medium-term business plan, the company said it will suspend production at the Akita plant – which operates under its Tohoku Morinaga Milk Industry business – in March, with its operations to be transferred to another site. The nearly 32,000-square-metre Akita plant, which produces a range of Morinaga milk products, has been in operation since March 1951 and employed a workforce of 54 employees as of 30 September 2025. FoodBev has approached Morinaga for further information on the closure and its impact on the site’s employees.

Join us for an introduction to the ReadyStream system, a revolutionary solution for preparing and dispensing culture media. After providing a general overview on the working principle and features of the system, this session will focus on Merck's newly launched, first-of-its-kind 5x concentrated ReadyStream Half FRASER medium, designed for the primary selective enrichment of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria spp , according to ISO 11290. The ReadyStream system allows for the delivery of large volumes of Buffered Peptone Water (BPW), Half FRASER and Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) with minimal preparation time, at a desired volume, temperature and concentration for pre-enrichment of samples. Discover how this innovative system works and the numerous benefits it offers in terms of efficiency, convenience and sustainability through reduced energy, water consumption, as well as significantly less plastic waste. In this webinar, you will learn: How the ReadyStream system simplifies culture media preparation and dispensing. The benefits of using this innovative system over traditional methods. Overview of the new ReadyStream® Half FRASER medium for  Listeria  detection Register here .

Swedish food-tech start-up Saveggy has introduced an additive-free, edible plant-based coating for fresh produce, designed to provide an alternative to plastic packaging. The solution is made from two simple ingredients: rapeseed oil and oat oil. Saveggy believes that scaling the solution could help to significantly reduce plastic use in packaging while contributing to reducing food waste across fresh produce. Founded in 2020 by Vahid Sohrabpour and Arash Fayyazi, Saveggy was born out of frustration over food waste and plastic pollution. Its technology has been developed in close collaboration with Lund University and stakeholders across the value chain. According to Saveggy’s own research, more than 3,000 tonnes of plastic are used for cucumbers each year across the EU. Its technology aims to address this plastic overuse, supporting the EU’s 2030 targets and aligning with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.  Saveggy is also partnering with Aarhus University and is supported by EIT Food, an organisation backed by the EU’s European Institute of Innovation and Technology. The company is launching a one-month pilot for cucumbers in Sweden together with retailer ICA and vegetable grower Odlarna. The test marks a key milestone in the start-up’s journey, transitioning from R&D to commercial scale. With the first industrial machine in place at Odlarna’s facility, and capacity ramping up, Saveggy is preparing for broader launches across Sweden and Europe. Though initially focusing on cucumbers, the solution can also be applied to a wide range of fruits and vegetables, with product development ongoing. Arash Fayyazi, co-founder of Saveggy, said: “Cucumbers highlight the challenge: food waste on one side, plastic-wrapped shelves on the other. Our goal is to reduce food waste and plastic pollution together – with respect for nature, people and the resources that make our food possible.”

DSM-Firmenich has inaugurated its new Van Marken Food Innovation Center in Delft, the Netherlands, marking a major step in the company’s food and biotechnology innovation strategy. The new site will serve as the headquarters of DSM-Firmenich’s Taste, Texture and Health business unit and brings together more than 400 employees. Facilities include a co-creation kitchen, tasting areas and application laboratories for the dairy, bakery and brewery industries. The centre will support developments across plant-based alternatives, sugar reduction, taste and texture enhancement, and nutrition solutions. Patrick Niels, president of the Taste, Texture and Health business unit, commented: “The future of food is not just a vision, it's a reality that we're creating right now together with our customers. Our commitment to innovation and sustainability is unparalleled." "Strategically positioned at the Dutch Biotech Campus Delft – the global food and biotechnology hotspot – the Van Marken Food Innovation Center underlines our ongoing dedication to contributing to the local environment and to the Netherlands, while honoring our 155-year legacy of food and biotechnology innovation in Delft." The centre is named after Jacques van Marken, founder of the Yeast and Spirits Factory – later Gist-Brocades, acquired by DSM in 1998. Van Marken was recognised as an early Delft entrepreneur and social reformer whose approach to business and society continues to inspire the company today. DSM-Firmenich and its predecessors have operated in Delft since 1869, contributing food innovations such as reduced-sugar and reduced-salt formulations, natural antifungal preservatives and lactose-reducing enzymes.