Age of industry Age of industry INTERNATIONAL Ingredients spotlight Transport and logistics Mixing and blendingIncorporating Automation Robotics Vision Automation UK 7 – 8 May 2025 Coventry Building Society Arena Automation UK, incorporating Vision UK, is a two-day exhibition that highlights the important role automation, robotics and machine vision play in powering the UK economy. Exhibit at Automation UK to: •Build Ņāīěʇ¿ě¨ûÆʇ¨ûÆʇě¨åğÊʇŅāīěʇĘěāœõÊ •Engage ĿåĦâʇ¿īŅÊěğʇÜěāúʇĦâÊʇJɶğʇõʨÆåûÝʇåûÆīğĦěŅʇğÊÀĦāěğ •Network ĿåĦâʇõåóÊɨúåûÆÊÆʇĘěāÜÊğğåāû¨õğ •Discover ĦâÊʇõ¨ĦÊğĦʇåûÆīğĦěŅʇĦěÊûÆğ automation uk theautomationukautomationukshow automationukshow Scan the QR code to book your stand, or visit automation-uk.co.uk Join the movement... by exhibiting at the UK’s leading event for automation, robotics and machine vision. Book your stand todayContents April 2025 This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. FoodandDrinkInternational @fdiforumwww.fdiforum.net company/fdiforum News 4 • General news • On line - production news • On the shelf - new products and initiatives Import and export10 The popularity of Japanese cuisine is on the rise, with the country’s food exports seeing new highs year after year. This growth, however, is under threat due to complexities on the international stage. Ingredients spotlight14 Sugar taxes, bans on ingredients and a push toward greater health are all shaping the industry. • GoodMills Innovation Q&A End of line packaging 20 As more manufacturers move toward automated systems, the end of line packaging industry stands in a position to reap the benefits. Gears, drives and controls24 Labour shortages and advancing technology are pushing manufacturers to embrace greater levels of automation. Now the focus is on the gears and drives that propel these processes, and how to get the most out of them. Mixing and blending28 From AI-driven precision to enhanced hygiene and sustainability, food factories are transforming mixing and blending to meet rising consumer expectations and industry demands. Group Editor: Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor: Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor’s PA: Angela Sharman (a.sharman@blmgroup.co.uk) Journalist: Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales Director: Teri Cooper (t.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales: Angela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310302 Accounts & Subscriptions: John Downes (j.downes@blmgroup.co.uk) Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson (studio@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial: Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310305 Email: fdi@blmgroup.co.uk Part of the Business Link Magazine Group: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE England All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. Main: stock.adobe.com/ThienThu • Top: stock.adobe.com/Dionisvera • Middle: stock.adobe.com/ Alienmarsh • Bottom: stock.adobe.com/ MP Studio Beverages 32 Rising demand for healthier beverage options is fueling market growth and innovation. With projections reaching USD 22.81 billion by 2030, brands must address regulation, production challenges, and competition to stay ahead. Transport and logistics 36 A confluence of crises—geopolitical, economic, and environmental—is disrupting the global food supply chain, demanding urgent action to secure the movement of essential goods. Automation UK 40 Taking place from the 7-8th May at the CBS Arena in Coventry, Automation UK is a renowned event recognised for bringing industrial automation and robotics to life. Events 42 Your chance to keep abreast of forthcoming exhibitions and food fairs from around the world. Food and Drink Diary46The Delicious Dessert Company puts a zing in your spring with new Zesty Lemon Eclairs Spring has sprung, and The Delicious Dessert Company is celebrating with a citrus sensation that perfectly aligns with people changing seasonal preferences. The brand-new Zesty Lemon Eclairs have hit Tesco shelves, just as 51% of Brits say they’re craving that “citrus joy” as the sun returns. These tangy treats are filled with smooth lemon curd and cream, and finished and topped with rich white chocolate icing and delicate vibrant yellow lacing. Perfect for those looking to refresh their dessert palate, these zingy eclairs come in a pack of 2 and will be available at Tesco stores from March 10th. The timing couldn’t be better, as The Delicious Dessert Company’s research shows a clear seasonal shift away from winter comfort flavours like sticky toffee and dark chocolate toward fresher, fruit-forward flavours. More information about The Delicious Dessert Company can be found at https://www.thedeliciousdessertcompany.com/ 4 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news ULMA Packaging to showcase innovative automation and sustainable solutions at Foodex 2025 Packaging machinery manufacturer, ULMA Packaging UK, is set to make a strong impression at Foodex 2025, taking place at NEC Birmingham on 7-9 April. Located at Stand Q90 and Stand Q100, ULMA will showcase a selection of high- performance packaging solutions designed to improve efficiency, automation and sustainability across multiple food sectors. Visitors to their stands will have the opportunity to see live demonstrations of ULMA’s latest packaging technologies in action. James Couldwell, managing director at ULMA Packaging UK, said: “Foodex is a fantastic opportunity for us to demonstrate the breadth of our packaging solutions and how we are supporting businesses with automation, digitalisation and sustainable innovations. Our stand will feature some of our most advanced technologies, allowing visitors to see first-hand how we can help improve efficiency, reduce waste and enhance overall packaging performance. With our full team in attendance, we look forward to engaging with customers and industry professionals to explore how ULMA can support their packaging needs.” To find out more about ULMA Packaging UK’s offerings, visit ulmapackaging.co.uk. Newly branded Akona to showcase food industry solutions at FoodEx Akona Process Solutions is set to make its first appearance at a UK exhibition under its new branding at FoodEx Manufacturing Solutions, taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 7-9 April. Akona will be exhibiting on stand G91 with a range of processing equipment from its portfolio and expert advice from the team on your unique material requirements. Akona was created from the merger of Advanced Material Processing (AMP) and Automated Handling Solutions (AHS) and unifies the capabilities of Cablevey, Kason, Marion and Spiroflow. At the show, Akona will feature its Cablevey tubular drag conveyor in action, demonstrating gentle and efficient material movement - a key requirement for food processing applications. The Akona sales team will be on hand throughout the show to discuss how the company’s integrated solutions across the four brands can optimise productivity, reduce waste and enhance hygiene in food production environments. For more information, visit www.akonasolutions.com. PET multilayer film supplier Evertis to make $100m investment in new US production plant Evertis, the PET multilayer film supplier for the food industry, has unveiled plans to build a new leading edge production plant in Columbia, South Carolina. With a total investment of $100 million, the new facility is scheduled to be operational in Q2 2026, with its first commercial sales to customers anticipated later that year. The initial phase of the expansion will add 30,000 tons of new capacity to the North American packaging market and is projected to create more than 100 full-time jobs in the region. In Q2 2028, a second phase will increase production capacity by an additional 30,000 tons, raising the total capacity to 60,000 tons. “This is truly another important milestone on our journey to deliver our packaging to the doorsteps of our customers,” said Thomaz Gruber, Executive VP Operations of Evertis USA. “The asset addition to our global Group production footprint will enable us to offer shorter lead times, reduce supply chain risks, and better align with the increasing market demand for packaging solutions that prioritize circularity and environmental responsibility.” © stock.adobe.com/Dusan PetkovicPepsiCo acquires Poppi in £1.54bn deal to expand functional drinks portfolio PepsiCo has acquired prebiotic soda brand Poppi for $1.95 billion (£1.54 billion), aiming to strengthen its presence in the growing functional beverage market. The deal includes $300 million (£237 million) in anticipated cash benefits, bringing the net purchase price to $1.65 billion (£1.3 billion). Austin-based Poppi, co-founded by Allison Ellsworth, gained traction after a 2018 appearance on Shark Tank led to investment and rebranding. The brand, known for its fruit-flavoured prebiotic sodas, will leverage PepsiCo’s distribution network to expand further. Despite its success, Poppi has faced legal challenges. In 2023, multiple class-action lawsuits alleged misleading health claims. The company denied wrongdoing but removed “gut health” references from its packaging and recently agreed to an $8.9 million (£7 million) settlement. A court hearing is scheduled for May. Food & Drink International 5 www.fdiforum.net news Revolutionising ready meal assembly: 30 years of innovation Over thirty years ago, WMH introduced its first ready meal assembly line, setting the standard with a basic yet functional design that paved the way for future innovations. Over the decades, these designs have undergone significant refinement, incorporating advanced features and technologies. True to WMH’s commitment to customisation, all their ready meal assembly lines are built to order, allowing bespoke features tailored to each buyer’s unique needs. For example, WMH can provide twin-lane assembly lines for high-throughput requirements or where space constraints limit the length of the line. These twin-lane systems can seamlessly merge two product streams into a single lane via an integrated merge section. Alternatively, when space is tight, the twin lanes can operate independently, enabling parallel assembly of two distinct products. For customers handling a variety of tray sizes, WMH has an interesting solution. Utilising two chains in place of one enables multiple pitches to be set, optimizing throughput for different products. From concept to completion, WMH designs assembly lines that not only meet expectations but consistently redefine industry standards. Hugo Beck celebrates 70 years of packaging innovation with Open House events Packaging machinery specialist, Hugo Beck, celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2025. To mark the occasion, the company will host two Open House events on 7th and 8th May as well as on 14th and 15th May at its headquarters in Dettingen/Erms, near Stuttgart, Germany. Since its founding in 1955, Hugo Beck has been at the forefront of horizontal packaging technology. The two Open House events will feature live demonstrations across Hugo Beck’s full machine portfolio. Guests will be able to explore the showroom and production areas, with experts on hand to provide insights into machine capabilities. A key part of the events will be expert lectures from the Sustainable Packaging Institute (SPI) of the Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, addressing crucial trends in sustainable packaging and regulatory developments. Timo Kollmann, Managing Director at Hugo Beck, said: “We’re excited to open our doors to partners, customers and prospects for this milestone event, showcasing how our solutions will keep on shaping the future of packaging.” For more details on Hugo Beck’s 70th Anniversary Open Houses and to register attendance, visit: https://www.hugobeck.com/en/company/newsroom/events/open-houses-2025 Dantex strengthens partnership with Spectrum Digital Labels through second PicoJet installation L-R: Richard Dimmock, International Sales Manager, Dantex, Joe Preddy, Managing Director, Spectrum Digital Labels, and Adam Goodliffe, Print Operator, Spectrum Digital Labels Digital and conventional printing solutions specialist, Dantex Group, has helped existing customer, Spectrum Digital Labels, expand its digital printing capabilities by adding a second digital press – the impressive PicoJet 1200 DRS with CMYK + white and advanced inline flexo and lamination capabilities. The latest investment highlights the ongoing relationship between the two companies and reinforces Spectrum’s commitment to high-quality digital label and packaging production. Following the successful installation of a PicoJet 330 in 2021, which has since produced over 100 million labels, Spectrum wanted to increase its existing capacity while extending its reach into the food packaging sector. Joe Preddy, managing director at Spectrum Digital Labels, said: “Our first PicoJet has been a fantastic investment, proving to be an absolute workhorse in production. As our business continues to grow, particularly into new markets such as food packaging, it made complete sense to invest in a PicoJet 1200 DRS. The support we’ve had from Dantex has been first-class throughout.” For more information about the PicoJet 1200 DRS and Dantex’s range of digital solutions, visit https://dantex.com/meet-the-family/ © stock.adobe.com/AskarSaputo Dairy Australia sells King Island Dairy Saputo Dairy Australia (SDA) has entered into a binding agreement to sell its King Island Dairy business. As part of the agreement, impacted employees will receive an offer to transfer their employment to the new owner to help support the future of King Island Dairy and its specialty cheese products. Following last September’s closure announcement, work with the Tasmanian Government has been ongoing to identify a more favourable outcome. Gerard Lourey, SDA Director of Operations and Supply Chain, said that while the pathway to achieving a sale has not been straightforward, Saputo took care to find a suitable buyer committed to continuing the manufacturing operations and preserving jobs on King Island. “We are very pleased to have reached a sale agreement for the buyer to purchase the King Island Dairy facility and brand, the onsite Cheese Store and two local farms that provide a guaranteed milk supply.” The buyer is a newly formed entity, King Island Dairy 2 Pty Ltd, led by two experienced Australian businessmen with supply chain and manufacturing expertise. 6 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Xact Prepack and Termoformas partner on recycled food packaging Sustainable packaging provider Xact Prepack has partnered with Spanish manufacturer Termoformas to supply the UK food industry with plastic punnets and trays made from at least 80% recycled content. The packaging, designed for fresh produce, meat, and fish, is manufactured at Termoformas’ new facility in Alicante, Spain. In addition to standard options, Termoformas offers custom packaging solutions for retailers. The partnership responds to increasing demand for sustainable packaging, driven by environmental concerns and the UK plastic tax. The collaboration aims to provide businesses with cost-effective, recyclable alternatives that align with circular economy principles. Unilever offloads The Vegetarian Butcher to JBS-owned Vivera Unilever has agreed to sell its plant-based meat brand, The Vegetarian Butcher, to Dutch company Vivera, which is owned by global meat giant JBS. The deal is expected to be finalised by the third quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and consultation processes. Unilever, which acquired The Vegetarian Butcher in 2018, is selling the business as part of its ongoing portfolio restructuring under its Growth Action Plan 2030 (GAP2030). The company aims to divest brands worth approximately £1 billion in annual sales to focus on its 30 core brands, including Hellmann’s, Dove, and Knorr. Investment bank Piper Sandler is handling the transaction. The Vegetarian Butcher operates in 55 countries and supplies products to over 40,000 retail locations, including partnerships with fast-food chains like Burger King and Subway. Vivera, founded in 1990 and one of Europe’s largest plant-based meat companies, was acquired by JBS in 2021. The company’s CEO, Willem van Weede, stated that the acquisition of The Vegetarian Butcher would strengthen its ability to drive the shift toward plant- based protein. pladis searches for food tech, health and sustainability start-ups of the future pladis, the company behind McVitie’s, GODIVA and Ülker, has launched its new Accelerator Programme to nurture early-stage companies within the UK and internationally. The Programme will support start-ups in food tech, health and sustainability in response to key consumer trends including the ageing global population and the demand for sustainable food sourcing. Founded in 2016, pladis will use its entrepreneurial and fast growth experience to support start-ups with tailored mentorship from pladis’ senior team. Advice will be given on global expansion, product design and branding, as well commercialising breakthrough ideas. Start-ups will also be given the opportunity to pilot projects or co-develop solutions with pladis, providing real-world validation and market exposure. The hope is innovative solutions will be unearthed that will have a transformative impact on the industry. The Accelerator Programme seeks to find visionary start-ups that are pioneering innovations across three key areas: * Personalised nutrition for over 50s and younger generations: Functional and fortified snacks specifically tailored to meet the dietary needs of consumers aged 50+, supporting long-term health and vitality and essential nutrition for children’s growth and development. * Advancing functional foods: Innovations such as functional snacks, nutraceuticals and AI-driven product development that enhance beauty, wellness and overall well-being. * Future ingredients: Breakthrough solutions including precision fermentation, upcycled ingredients and plant-based products that deliver sustainable and nutritious snacking experiences. The open call for applications closes 31 May 2025, with final selections made by 30 June 2025. © stock.adobe.com/OlekAdobe © stock.adobe.com/Elnur © stock.adobe.com/Felix © stock.adobe.com/N.Van DoninckJBS invests $100m in Vietnam for two new meat processing plants JBS is investing $100 million to build two meat processing plants in Vietnam. The move expands the company’s presence in Southeast Asia and supports growing regional demand for beef, pork, and poultry products. The facilities will primarily process imported raw materials from Brazil, supplying both Vietnam and neighbouring markets. The agreement was formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Vietnamese government during Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s state visit. The first plant will be built in Nam ?ình V? Industrial Park in northern Vietnam, featuring a logistics centre and processing operations. The second facility, planned for southern Vietnam, will follow two years later with similar infrastructure. JBS expects the investment to boost Vietnam’s economy through job creation and increased food security. The expansion aligns with the company’s global strategy to strengthen its foothold in high-growth markets and enhance Brazil’s meat exports to Southeast Asia. Food & Drink International 7 www.fdiforum.net Verner Wheelock celebrates 35 years in business Food industry training company Verner Wheelock Associates (VWA) is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. The company was founded in 1990, the same year the Food Safety Act came into force. “Back in the early days we delivered fewer courses and focused much more on consultancy and conferences,” explains Alison Wheelock, Managing Director of VWA since 2012. Nowadays the calendar is full to bursting with open and in-house training with the option to attend face-to-face or remotely. There are currently 28 different courses from HACCP, food safety and auditing to labelling, allergen management and sustainability, as well as bespoke in-house courses tailored to specific customer requirements. VWA has earned a reputation for top quality training and excellent exam results. Many courses are accredited by either RSPH or FDQ and all are delivered by experienced trainers with prior food industry experience. Several longstanding customers are household names. “We strive to be the best we can be,” says Alison. Visit vwa.co.uk for more information. news Training the Food Industry Since 1990 Deliverect launches Pulse Sentinel globally; prevents 4,000 monthly downtime incidents for Burger King UK Deliverect, the global food tech SaaS company, has launched Pulse Sentinel, a powerful feature designed to eliminate unnoticed downtime on delivery platforms. Pulse Sentinel addresses a hidden threat that many restaurant operators overlook—unnoticed downtime that quietly drains revenue and disrupts operations. Through immediate alerts and automatic re-opening options, Pulse Sentinel improves uptime across all delivery apps, effectively boosting restaurant performance, fuelling growth, and protecting guest loyalty. Burger King UK relies on Pulse Sentinel to combat downtime across 321 locations. They have seen a significant sales uplift, and lost sales recovered. “Downtime used to be a silent killer. Lost revenue, frustrated guests, and missed opportunities to build loyalty were adding up behind the scenes,” said Jon Longobardi, Head of Digital Operations Burger King UK. “It’s not just about saving lost revenue; it’s about protecting our reputation and staying ahead of the competition. Last week alone, Pulse Sentinel brought our restaurants back online 892 times.” To learn more about Pulse Sentinel, visit https://hubs.ly/Q03bbwgW0. Spanish beer company secures distribution agreement with independent UK craft brewery Damm, the Spanish beer company, has secured a distribution agreement with Northern Monk, one of the UK’s largest independent craft breweries. Under this partnership, Damm will assume distribution of Northern Monk’s key brands, Faith (5%) and A Little Faith (4%) in the UK On Trade, effective from May 2025. This strategic decision will allow Northern Monk to tap into Damm’s extensive on-trade distribution whilst enhancing the Damm portfolio with a UK craft brand to complement its Spanish and Japanese brands. Northern Monk’s production processes will remain the same, with all to be brewed in Leeds, and the brand will retain its identity as an independent craft brewer. “This is a significant milestone for us as we expand our presence and solidify our super premium beer offering here in the UK,” said Luke White, Managing Director at Damm in the UK. “Both companies share a dedication to delivering exceptional, high-quality beer to elevate consumer consumption occasions, and this agreement represents a new chapter in our mutual commitment to excellence in the craft beer sector.” © stock.adobe.com/nordrodenUrban Farm-It brings fresh Lion’s Mane mushrooms to shoppers Urban Farm-It, Kent’s pioneering organic mushroom farm, has launched its fresh, hand- harvested Lion’s Mane mushrooms in Sainsbury’s superstores across the country – marking the first time this unique UK-grown food is available fresh to consumers through the supermarket. The striking, fluffy-white, individual mushrooms are available in 200g punnets, priced at £5, and are perfect for adding a gourmet twist to everyday dishes. This launch represents a significant step forward in bringing this rare produce to British households. Founder of Urban Farm-It, Elliot Webb, said: “We’re incredibly excited to launch our fresh UK-grown Lion’s Mane mushrooms in Sainsbury’s – a first for a UK supermarket. Bringing this unique ingredient to consumers across the country is a huge milestone for us. Lion’s Mane is gaining recognition for its versatility in plant-based cooking, with its meaty texture making it an excellent alternative to seafood and meat. Urban Farm-It are passionate about growing exceptional produce and we can’t wait to see how shoppers embrace the unique flavour and culinary potential of Lion’s Mane.” 8 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net on the shelf Lucky Saint launches alcohol- free lemon lager Lucky Saint, the alcohol-free beer brand, has launched its latest product: the Alcohol-Free Superior Lemon Lager. Focused on making Lemon Lager the daytime drink of the summer, Lucky Saint founder Luke Boase has been on a mission to create the world’s most refreshing drink. Combining the crisp notes of Lucky Saint’s original Superior Unfiltered Lager with a squeeze of lemon juice, it’s the drink to deliver you from thirst this summer. Remaining true to Lucky Saint’s brewing values and fulfilling a desire to create a product which is both healthy and refreshing, the Superior Lemon Lager uses only natural ingredients – the beer is low in sugar and contains 80 calories per can. The beer is left unfiltered for maximum flavour and body. Luke Boase, founder of Lucky Saint, said: “We have seen Lucky Saint stretch into new occasions over the past 6 years, so much so that 76% of people think it’s acceptable to enjoy an alcohol-free beer at their desk at work. For the other 24%, now there’s Lemon Lager - the perfect drink all-day long, all-week round.” Franklin & Sons expands portfolio with apple & pear flavour Franklin & Sons is expanding its portfolio with the addition of a new Apple and Pear soft drink. A light, refreshing product with a strong flavour profile, the new launch blends crisp apple and juicy pear with sparkling water, offering a strong flavour profile that celebrates two British orchard fruits. With orchard fruits rising in popularity within carbonated soft drinks, cocktails, and mocktails, this new product caters to consumer demand for premium, authentic, and naturally crafted soft drinks. The new product launch was driven by a 23.4% year-on-year growth in apple and pear flavour variants within the category, which is currently valued at £75.8m. Pear, in particular, is seeing great momentum, with a +36.84% increase in popularity, positioning it as a leading flavour according to the IFF. The growing nostalgia for orchard fruits, especially apple (+7.96%) is driving this trend, with seasonality playing a key role in consumer preference, indexing towards warmer months. Eurostar Foods launches Green Farm Collective RE:GEN flour line The four farmer founders of The Green Farm Collective (TGFC) have teamed up with Eurostar Commodities to develop a line of flours produced using regenerative farming practices. RISE RE:GEN Flour has the strapline Farmed with Nature and its launch underpins the intent of TGFC, to encourage the food industry to value sustainable farming both financially and ethically. The farmers behind TGFC, Jake Freestone, Angus Gowthorpe, Michael Kavanagh and Tim Parton, formed the regenerative farming community four years ago to support other growers in their regenerative practices, promising to create new and lucrative end markets for TGFC members. The flour is sold in 16kg paper sacks as Strong or All Purpose Flour. “The market for regeneratively farmed flours is growing because consumer demand is growing, so it is a proud moment for our business to partner on such an important range,” says Diane Crabtree, Sales Manager at Eurostar. Fever-Tree and Papa Salt launch vibrant Blood Orange Gin Spritz Fever-Tree, the mixer brand, and Papa Salt, Australia’s new gin founded by Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, Josey McNamara, Regan Riskas and Charlie Maas, have launched Blood Orange Gin Spritz. This ready-to-drink (RTD), presented in sleek 250ml cans, promises a fresh and invigorating twist on the classic spritz, perfectly crafted for long summer days. The Fever-Tree x Papa Salt Blood Orange Gin Spritz is a vibrant blend of Fever-Tree Blood Orange Soda, made from Sicilian oranges, and Papa Salt’s distinctive Coastal gin, featuring zesty Australian botanicals. The resulting Blood Orange Spritz is a delicious, easy to drink cocktail with bright citrus notes and herbaceous finish. At 5% ABV, with only 107 calories and significantly less sugar than many other spritzes, it’s the perfect daytime drink for BBQs, pre-drinks, festivals, or wherever summer takes you. The launch will be supported by a comprehensive summer marketing campaign encompassing PR initiatives, captivating social media content, influencer collaborations, festival activations as well as wide scale sampling opportunities. IFF to expand Cedar Rapids, Iowa ingredients facility IFF has unveiled plans to expand its Cedar Rapids, Iowa facility to capture a larger share of the healthy snacks market both in the U.S. and globally. The 47,000-square-foot expansion represents a nearly $70 million investment. When fully operational in the latter half of 2026, the expansion is projected to create up to 40 new jobs. “Our Cedar Rapids plant will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies, allowing us to provide U.S.-made TAURA by IFF fruit ingredients that can be easily integrated into food manufacturing processes,” said Andy Muller, president of Food Ingredients. “Additionally, sustainability is at the forefront of this project, aligning with our commitment to Do More Good.” The facility will feature high automation, advanced packaging and ergonomic designs. Its proximity to U.S. customers will enhance supply chain efficiencies. Moreover, the new facility will prioritize sustainability, incorporating efficient heat recovery systems, minimizing energy and water consumption, and utilizing reusable methods for raw material handling. Speciality Breads makes £20m investment in “bakery of the future” Speciality Breads is to move into a new state-of- the-art 180,000 sq ft bakery to help achieve its goal of becoming the most sustainable bakery in the UK. The new site is set to be operational by the end this year. The move represents a significant step change for the business as it sets its sights on adding retail to its growing portfolio, whilst at the same time enhancing the quality & range of its foodservice offering. The bakery will be capable of generating its own solar electricity and will feature a first-of-its-kind in the UK, electric/gas hybrid oven and state-of-the- art production line, both supplied by Royal Kaak. The business partnered with Wildfarmed last year, becoming the first large bakery to use their regenerative flour across its entire range. Managing Director Simon Cannell said: “This new facility is the ‘Bakery of the Future’. The bespoke built Royal Kaak production line enables us to retain our incredible flexibility and breadth of range whilst also providing a huge step change in both quality and efficiency.” on line Food & Drink International 9 www.fdiforum.net Oterra opens new color blending center supporting growth of natural alternatives Oterra has inaugurated a new color blending and application center in Kerala, India, to serve the growing Indian, Asia Pacific and Middle East markets. The facility in Kochi, Ernakulam district, is housed on the site of Oterra’s Akay Natural Ingredients subsidiary. It includes color blending and application labs to support customers in their journey to transitioning to natural colors. “India and the wider APAC region is a market that is growing in importance for us as consumers increasingly favor products made with natural ingredients,” said Oterra CEO Martin Sonntag. “India’s strategic location offers easy access to emerging sectors not only in India itself, but also in neighboring regions such as the Middle East. We have customers in all these locations and can now offer them an even better service.” Previously, the company exported raw materials to Oterra factories in Europe for processing and imported the finished blends for use in India. Arla Foods Ingredients signs contract manufacturing agreement with Valley Queen Arla Foods Ingredients has signed a contract manufacturing agreement with Valley Queen, strengthening its ability to meet the growing demand for protein-enriched dairy in the US. The South Dakota-based dairy processor will produce ingredients from the Nutrilac ProteinBoost product range. The patented microparticulate whey protein concentrate is used to increase protein levels in food and beverage products while retaining texture and taste. Production of Nutrilac ProteinBoost is expected to begin at Valley Queen’s plant in Milbank, South Dakota, in winter 2025/2026, after new specialty equipment has been installed. Luis Cubel, Group Vice President and Managing Director of Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “Demand for protein-enriched dairy products continues to grow in the US. In order to meet it, and to fulfil our ambitious plans for growth in North America, it was essential for us to significantly increase our capacity for the production of Nutrilac® ProteinBoost. “At the same time, it was important for us to choose a partner with the right values, history and expertise.” Image courtesy of Arla Foods Ingredients Image courtesy of Speciality Breads US meat plants to operate at higher speeds permanently The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to permanently increase processing line speeds for poultry and pork plants, which would benefit meat producers but raise concerns about worker safety and food standards. Facilities operating under waivers can currently process up to 175 chickens per minute, compared to the previous limit of 140. The USDA will extend these waivers and initiate a formal process to make higher speeds permanent, arguing there is no direct link between processing speeds and workplace injuries. Industry groups, including the National Chicken Council and the National Pork Producers Council, support the move, saying it will provide more excellent stability and reduce regulatory barriers. However, worker unions and advocacy groups warn that increased speeds heighten the risk of repetitive stress injuries, particularly in an industry that relies heavily on immigrant labour. A USDA-funded study found pork and poultry workers face a higher risk of musculoskeletal disorders than other manufacturing workers. © stock.adobe.com/gilitukha © stock.adobe.com/JPC-PROD © stock.adobe.com/pantovichNext >