UK dairy brand All Things has today (28 April 2026) announced an equity investment into its supply partner Yester Farm Dairies, aiming to support the growth of its cottage cheese range. The brand was established as All Things Butter in 2023, and rebranded in January to reflect its expansion into the cheese category. Earlier this month, the company revealed a successful multi-million-pound funding raise, led by The Equity Studio, to support its international expansion. This latest investment will fund machinery upgrades and increase production capacity, aiming to create a stronger platform for future innovation. Yester Farm Dairies, based in Scotland, is run by Simon and Jackie McCreery and began producing cottage cheese for All Things in December 2025. All Things reported strong performance of its cottage cheese line in the 12 weeks since its launch, and highlighted Yester Farm Dairies’ shared ambitions for the category. The cottage cheese range taps into growing interest in high-protein and low-fat dairy options, with cottage cheese recipes trending on social media and All Things noting an opportunity to modernise the category through innovation and quality improvements. The investment into Yester Farm also centres around supporting domestic processing capacity, regional employment and UK supply chain resilience, All Things added. It marks the first step in the brand’s vertical integration strategy, aiming to build a more resilient British dairy industry. All Things’ entire supply chain and production is UK-based. Simon McCreery, founder and MD of Yester Farm Dairies, said: “All Things has brought fresh energy into the category and connected with a younger, more food-engaged consumer in a way that is genuinely exciting”. He added: “Their ethos of supporting the primary producer really resonated with us as farmers ourselves, and we see real value in partnering with a business that combines cultural influence with a clear commitment to product quality, innovation and long-term category growth”.

Spanish nutraceutical specialist Pharmactive Biotech Products is entering the beauty-from-within space with the launch of its first nutricosmetic, Kyoh, formulated to support hair growth. The single-ingredient, pure extract is designed to help support hair follicle function, with recent lab trials producing positive results. Approximately 50% of women and 70% of men experience hair thinning in midlife, while young people are also actively seeking natural solutions that can prevent hair loss and boost hair thickness and appearance. Kyoh is a proprietary extraction of rocket leaves, from the Brassicaceae family of cruciferous vegetables that is commonly used in salads. Characterised by their dark green leaves, they contain vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants. Pharmactive noted that research has increasingly associated these botanicals with supporting hair thickness and growth, with rocket seed oil traditionally used as a hair tonic in South Asia. In a recent lab trial, Kyoh was demonstrated to stimulate dermal papilla cell activity and modulate the activity of genes involved in hair follicle function. Kyoh is a pure extract of Eruca sativa leaf, standardised to more than 1.5% Erucosides, a definitive group of active compounds naturally present in rocket species. These compounds were quantified by HPLC analysis to ensure a total content of 1.5% to 3% flavonol glycosides, Pharmactive said, mainly from quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin guaranteeing batch-to-batch consistency and reproducibility. These actives are thought to be behind the plant’s stimulating effect on hair follicle cells growth. The ingredient has displayed capabilities in modulating gene activity closely associated with hair growth and follicle cycling – in particular, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is involved in the stimulation of the blood vessels supplying oxygen and vital nutrients to the scalp. Growth factor ‘FGF7’ was also activated. This protein contributes to keratinocyte proliferation critical for keratin formation, the main material of the hair strand. In addition, an antioxidant regulator, NRF2, which pre-conditions cells to boost their resistance to oxidative stress was activated. FGF7 also sends signals to the follicles to start a new hair growth cycle. A clinical trial demonstrating Kyoh’s positive impact on hair integrity is due to be published later this year. Marina Diez-Municio, head of R&D and QC at Pharmactive, said: “These results suggest that Kyoh may support hair growth through multiple complementary mechanisms, including protection against oxidative stress which negatively impacts hair growth by damaging hair follicle cells”. Pharmactive sources its raw material from European farmers, and the ingredient is non-GMO and non-irradiated, aligning with today’s consumers’ expectations around naturalness. The company recommends a 300mg daily intake at the beginning, followed by 100mg for maintenance. Pharmactive will introduce Kyoh at Vitafoods Europe from 5-7 May 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, next week.

UK functional beverage brand Trip is expanding its presence in the sleep supplements category, launching a new Dream Blend range featuring powder and gummies. The products are designed to support calming evening routines, formulated with ingredients associated with sleep and relaxation. These include tart cherry, magnesium glycinate, L-theanine, chamomile and lavender, aiming to help consumers unwind at night and wake up feeling refreshed. Dream Powder blends tart cherry with magnesium glycinate, L-theanine, chamomile and lavender to create a powder that can be stirred into hot or cold water before bed. Meanwhile, the Dream Gummies offer a convenient, on-the-go format, combining magnesium with vitamin B6, chamomile and lavender alongside a broader botanical blend. Both products are low in sugar and free from artificial colours or additives. This launch comes as consumers increasingly prioritise sleep health, impacted by busy modern lifestyles, rising stress levels and constant digital stimulation. Social media trends such as ‘sleepmaxxing,’ involving optimised routines for sleep improvement, are gaining traction with younger people on social media platform TikTok. This reflects growing interest in mental wellbeing and self-care, particularly from Gen Z consumers. Trip’s latest launch builds on its wider Calm portfolio, with the brand revealing it received frequent requests for dedicated evening products as part of consumer feedback over the last year. Olivia Ferdi, Trip founder, said: “We’ve brought calm to the daytime, and Dream Blend is an exciting step in allowing us to show up in even more moments when consumers are looking to unwind. Our community has been asking us for a sleep-focused product for a long time, and we’re proud to have created options that fit easily into everyday routines, while helping people unwind at night and wake up ready for the day ahead.” The Dream Blend range is launching into Boots stores across the UK, as well as via the company’s website and TikTop Shop. Dream Powder is priced at £29.99 per 30 servings, while the Dream Gummies are £24.99 per 60 gummies.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams has appointed David Stever as chief executive officer, as the US ice cream brand looks to accelerate national expansion and grow its retail and franchising presence. David Stever Stever joins the Ohio-based company with more than 25 years of leadership experience in consumer packaged goods. He previously served as CEO and chief marketing officer of Ben & Jerry's, where he oversaw growth initiatives, product innovation and international brand development. Brian Knez, chairman of Jeni’s, said Stever brings "a rare combination of operational excellence and business leadership," alongside experience scaling global brands. He noted that Stever’s leadership would help the business expand while maintaining its culture and artisanal roots. Stever added that Jeni’s had built momentum across scoop shops, grocery and franchising through its focus on creativity, community and customer connection. He added that he looked forward to building on that foundation and broadening how consumers experience the brand. The appointment comes as Jeni’s continues to expand across multiple channels. The company operates more than 90 scoop shops across 30 markets and is growing its franchising network through its Fellowship Model. Its products are also stocked in around 15,000 retail locations across the US, including Whole Foods Market, Target, Kroger and Albertsons. Jeni’s said it remains focused on flavour innovation, with more than 20 new flavours planned for launch this year, alongside new product formats and consumer experiences.

Yoshihiko Hani, publisher of Beverage Japan, and Steve Galloway, of Galloway & Associates, highlight some of the stand-out beverage innovations recently launched in the Japanese market. This time – aligning with FoodBev's latest 'Health and Wellness' special focus issue – the spotlighted innovations centre around wellbeing, functionality and flavour. Lactic acid bacteria beverages Kirin Beverage is expanding its healthcare beverages with the launch of three new lactic acid bacteria drinks under its iMUSE and Oishii Meneki Care brands, and its new Tsuyoizo! Mutekids brand for children. iMUSE Fruits Refresh Grapefruit Mix (pictured above left) and iMUSE Fruits Refresh Apple Mix are functional drinks containing 100 billion plasma strain lactic acid bacteria and under 10% juice content, aiming to attract fruit juice consumers with a refreshing, thirst-quenching taste. They come in 500ml PET bottles. Oishii Meneki Care Ceramide Plus (above centre) is targeted at women and offers immune support through its plasma lactic acid bacteria strain, and skincare through 1.8mg of rice-derived glucosylceramide. It is available in 100ml PET bottle format and in multipacks of six. Tsuyoizo! Mute Kids (above right) is a new dairy-based beverage for children containing plasma lactic acid bacteria. After test marketing a 125ml paper carton version in 2025, it has now been fully launched in a 100ml round PET bottle format, each formulated with 50 billion plasma lactic acid bacteria and 1.2mg of iron. The packaging features characters developed in collaboration with monthly comic Koro Koro. Spiced white cola Yamasa Shoyu (or Soy Sauce) has launched Mikado White Cola for the foodservice market. The second product in the company’s cola-based beverage series, it follows the Mikado Craft Cola released in 2024. It contains amazake, aloe extract and a blend of spice extracts (cinnamon, bitter orange peel, nutmeg and coriander), and uses the company’s soy sauce as a subtle ‘secret ingredient’. The product’s name is derived from the milky-white colour of the liquid itself. Designed for single-use consumption and intended for mixing either with carbonated water at a 5:1 dilution ratio or with alcoholic beverages, the label features a fusion of triangular motifs and traditional Japanese aesthetics. It is available in a 50ml glass bottle. Functional yogurt drink Takanashi Dairies has renewed the package design of its functional Drink Yogurt Onaka e GG!. A fermented milk designated as a Food for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU), it is marketed for its ability to help regulate intestinal health. Each 100ml round PET bottle contains over 14 billion LGG lactic acid bacteria (the product’s key functional ingredient), finished with a taste that suppresses acidity. The label has been updated to a light blue colour scheme to highlight the product’s functional benefits and flavour profile. Japan’s Beverage Innovations have been brought to you for over 15 years by Yoshihiko Hani, publisher of Beverage Japan, and Steve Galloway of Galloway & Associates. Galloway & Associates is a UK and Asia-based strategic management consultancy covering international food and drink markets and specialising in the fast-evolving Japanese and Asian beverages sectors. Reporting on emerging consumer trends, pioneering ingredients and the breakthrough technologies shaping Japan’s drinks landscape, these insights help brands identify growth opportunities, adapt to cultural nuances and bring Japanese-inspired innovations to international markets. For companies seeking to decode the Japanese market or adapt its best ideas for new audiences, Galloway & Associates can support senior management teams to develop market entry strategies, and to apply innovative concepts to their products and brands in other markets. To get in touch and discuss how Galloway & Associates might support you, please contact Steve. Email: steve@gallowayconsult.com | Telephone: +44 (0)7815 563473

Ferrero has opened a new $75 million Nutella Peanut production line in Franklin Park, Illinois, creating 50 new jobs and marking the first new flavour extension for the Nutella brand. The launch also represents the first Nutella product to be manufactured in the US, according to the company. Michael Lindsey, president and chief business officer of Ferrero North America, said: “Nutella Peanut and this new facility showcase Ferrero's dedicated and talented teams, commitment to growth in North America, and the company's ability to thoughtfully and effectively evolve brands that have been loved for generations. We're thrilled to see Nutella Peanut roll off the line right here in the US.” Ferrero North America celebrated the opening with local officials including Don Harmon, Norma Hernandez and Franklin Park mayor Barrett Pedersen, alongside representatives from Walmart. The Franklin Park site expands Ferrero’s existing manufacturing operations in Illinois, where the company also operates a manufacturing campus in Bloomington, an innovation centre and R&D labs in Chicago, and a facility producing Keebler products. Ferrero said Nutella Peanut is made using hazelnuts sourced from Oregon and peanuts from Georgia and other southeastern states. The company added that the Franklin Park site already produces Butterfinger and Baby Ruth products, with manufacturing facilities also located across Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, Arizona, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Nutella Peanut, which was launched earlier this month, is available at Walmart and other retailers nationwide.

Celsius has unveiled Electric Vibe, a limited-edition Sparkling Tropical Freeze flavour inspired by football culture and fan communities. Electric Vibe combines notes of pineapple, orange, cherry and grape, with Celsius adapting its Live. Fit. Go. tagline to Live. Fit. Goal. for the launch. To support the launch, Celsius has introduced “The Surge,” a football-themed campaign featuring Weston McKennie, Declan Rice, Hirving Lozano, creator Marlon Garcia and Diplo. Kyle Watson, chief brand officer at Celsius, said the launch was designed to celebrate the energy, passion and connection surrounding football culture. Electric Vibe is available at major US retailers, including Target.

German life-science start-up Evanium has raised €2.2 million in seed funding to address one of the nutraceutical sector’s most persistent and costly challenges: poor bioavailability of active ingredients. The round was led by FoodLabs and Feast Ventures, with additional backing from existing angel investors. The capital injection will support scaling of Evanium’s proprietary Optisolv platform, expansion of its ingredient portfolio and further clinical validation as the company targets growth across nutraceuticals, functional foods and nutricosmetics. According to Evanium, despite commanding premium price points, many supplements deliver limited efficacy due to low absorption rates. Evanium’s Optisolv technology is designed to overcome this barrier through a dual coating system that enhances solubility and uptake. The platform combines a cyclodextrin-based inner core with a phospholipid outer shell, stabilising ingredients in a highly dispersible, crystal-free form. This approach is said to significantly improve solubility and digestive release, particularly for challenging compounds. Felix Rolka, co founder and CEO of Evanium, said: “The future of nutraceuticals lies not in higher dosages, but in smarter formulations. Optisolv turns promising bioactives into high performance ingredients, enabling truly effective products. With this funding, we are able to accelerate the scale of our impact.” Evanium has already begun translating this technology into market-ready applications. In 2025, the company launched an Optisolv Curcumin product in partnership with Hevert-Arzneimittel, marking its first commercial deployment and validating the platform in a real-world setting. The company has since expanded its pipeline to include four functional ingredients, Curcumin, Berberine, Boswellia and Passiflora, while continuing to build out its intellectual property portfolio, with four patents filed to date. Benedikt Stöckert, Partner at Feast Ventures, said: “With a proven technology, early commercial traction, and a dedicated platform strategy, EVANIUM is well-positioned to become a key technology partner for next generation ingredients in applications across food, supplements, nutricosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.” This latest funding round underscores growing investor confidence in technologies that improve ingredient performance, especially as consumer demand rises for effective, clean-label solutions. Following this funding round Evanium is increasing its visibility, with planned appearances at Vitafoods Europe and Food Ingredients Europe this year.

Laird Superfood has completed the acquisition of Terrasoul Superfoods for $48 million in cash. The deal includes an additional earnout of up to $5 million tied to performance milestones and brings into Laird’s portfolio a vertically integrated superfoods platform with strong positioning in e-commerce and retail channels. Terrasoul generated approximately $65.8 million in net sales in 2025, highlighting its scale within the category. Terrasoul’s business spans a wide range of high-growth product segments, including nuts, seeds, dried fruits, powders, baking ingredients and functional beverage mix-ins. Its vertically integrated model, covering global sourcing, in-house processing and packaging, and fulfilment from its Texas facility, was a key factor in the acquisition. Laird Superfood CEO Jason Vieth described the transaction as a “significant step forward” in building a leading platform in superfoods and functional nutrition. He noted that Terrasoul’s supply chain infrastructure and strong online marketplace presence align closely with Laird’s long-term growth strategy. The acquisition is expected to enhance Laird’s ability to scale across channels, particularly as demand for clean-label, nutrient-dense products continues to rise among health-conscious consumers. For Laird Superfood, the acquisition represents a continuation of its strategy to broaden its portfolio beyond core plant-based creamers and beverage enhancers into a more comprehensive superfoods offering. The addition of Terrasoul strengthens its position across both everyday pantry staples and functional ingredients. Dennis Botts, co-founder and chief executive officer of Terrasoul, said: “Terrasoul was built with a commitment to delivering high-quality superfoods through a transparent and vertically integrated model. Our partnership with Laird Superfood marks an exciting next chapter for the brand, and we look forward to continuing to grow and scale the Terrasoul platform.” The transaction was funded through a $60 million private placement of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock to affiliates of Nexus Capital Management LP. Following the investment, Nexus will hold approximately 71.7% of Laird Superfood on a fully diluted basis, reinforcing its role as a key strategic backer.

UK plant-based food brand Gosh! has unveiled a new range of vegetable croquettes, responding to demand for at-home premium sharing occasions. Gosh! said the new range is the ‘first of its kind’ for the brand, made with ‘high-end’ ingredients while retaining Gosh!’s veg-led, clean label focus. Each pack is paired with a dip designed to complement the flavours of the croquettes, which tap into the growing global-inspired trend, and simplify hosting for consumers. The Bengali-inspired Beetroot Croquettes with a Mango and Nigella Seeds Chutney create a ‘soft warmth’ boosted by the sweet chutney, while the Italian-inspired Cannellini Bean & Mozzarella Croquettes with a Balsamic and Tomato Dip contain a dairy-free, mozzarella-style cheese. Caroline Hughes, marketing director at Gosh!, said: “With more people choosing to entertain at home amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures, we saw a clear opportunity to offer something special with our premium, all-natural and plant-based croquettes”. She added: “They deliver on every front: a chef-inspired fusion of elevated flavours from India and Italy, designed for a standout at-home sharing occasion. They feel indulgent, yet remain veg-powered and thoughtfully made, so people can enjoy a treat without compromise.” The new croquettes will be available first in Morrisons stores nationwide from 24 May, priced at an RRP of £3.50.

Cargill has officially opened a new canola processing facility in Regina, marking a significant investment in Canada’s agri-food infrastructure as demand rises for both edible oils and low-carbon fuel inputs. The site, located within Saskatchewan’s Global Transportation Hub, has the capacity to process up to 1 million metric tonnes of canola annually. It is designed to increase domestic processing of the crop, enabling the production of higher-value outputs such as food-grade oil, renewable fuel feedstocks and high-protein meal for animal feed. The new facility is expected to play a key role in shifting more value-added production into Canada, reducing reliance on raw seed exports while improving supply chain efficiency. By expanding local processing capacity, Cargill aims to better connect Western Canadian farmers with global demand across food and energy markets. Jeff Vassart, president of Cargill Canada, said: “This facility strengthens our ability to connect Canadian farmers to growing global demand for food and renewable fuels. By expanding processing capacity in Saskatchewan, we’re creating more opportunities for farmers while helping ensure Canada remains competitive in rapidly evolving global markets.” The facility will serve farmers across Saskatchewan and Western Manitoba, increasing local demand for canola and supporting more stable market access for producers. The launch comes amid growing demand for lower-carbon energy solutions, with canola increasingly used as a renewable feedstock in biofuel production. By processing more crops domestically, the Regina site is positioned to support both the food industry and the expanding renewable fuels sector. This dual-use demand reflects broader shifts in agricultural markets, where crops like canola are becoming strategically important across multiple value chains, from packaged foods to sustainable aviation fuel and biodiesel. Cargill has incorporated several operational features aimed at improving efficiency for growers, including dual receiving lanes, appointment scheduling and streamlined logistics systems. These enhancements are designed to reduce wait times and provide more predictable delivery processes. The site is also supported by strong rail connectivity, enabling efficient distribution to both domestic and export markets. Beyond its supply chain role, the facility is expected to contribute to the regional economy, supporting more than 100 jobs across full-time roles and contracted services. The investment is also likely to generate additional activity in transportation, logistics and related sectors in Regina and surrounding areas. The Regina plant adds to Cargill’s existing canola processing network, which includes facilities in Camrose, Alberta and Clavet, Saskatchewan. The company continues to invest in Canadian agriculture as part of a broader strategy to strengthen supply chains and help farmers maximise crop value.

The Coffee Canopy Partnership, initiated by JDE Peet's, has launched with the aim of improving the identification and remediation of coffee-related deforestation. Developed alongside major coffee sector players including Louis Dreyfus Company, Sucden, Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, Touton, Sucafina and Tchibo, the initiative aims to create what it describes as the world’s first comprehensive, openly accessible map of global coffee production. The project will use satellite technology from Airbus to map coffee farms, identify areas of forest loss and support restoration efforts, while helping to protect the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The first phase is an East Africa pilot covering Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda, spanning 1.2 million square kilometres of coffee-growing landscapes. The partnership plans to expand to all coffee-growing regions globally in 2027 through wider industry and institutional investment. Laurent Sagarra, VP of engagement at JDE Peet’s, said the initiative was designed to move beyond fragmented company-led deforestation programmes by supporting landscape-scale collaboration. He added: “This is not another certification scheme; it is a sector-led initiative aimed at strengthening collective action to help keep forests vibrant and reduce the risk of coffee-driven deforestation over time". The pilot phase is backed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and endorsed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The programme also addresses mapping issues linked to the European Union Deforestation Regulation, under which coffee grown on land classified as forest after December 2020 cannot enter EU markets. The Partnership said inaccurate land classification has risked excluding smallholder farmers, particularly those operating shade-grown and agroforestry systems, from key export markets. To address this, the project plans to develop two datasets: a 2020-2021 baseline map showing the extent of coffee cultivation, and a 2024-2025 updated map highlighting potential new production land and areas where forest change has occurred since 2020. These maps are expected to feed into an open geospatial platform intended to support farmers, governments and the wider coffee sector with sustainability planning and forest protection.