Corporate Operations: Page 87


  • Mondelez
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    Retrieved from Grenade.
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    Mondelez buys majority stake in sports nutrition company Grenade

    The U.K.-based maker of high protein bars, shakes and spreads gives the Oreo and Triscuit owner a larger presence in better-for-you snacking. 

    By March 22, 2021
  • Deep Dive

    Help wanted: Food manufacturers compete over workers as big data, e-commerce stoke hiring frenzy

    While employers prioritize adding people who can pivot across multiple jobs, prospective employees are placing more value in what companies stand for before they accept a job.

    By March 22, 2021
  • Trendline

    Mergers and acquisitions

    Declining sales and slowing consumption have more companies divesting brands, opening the door for smaller players and private equity firms to expand their portfolios.  

    By Food Dive staff
  • Pepsi introduces mango-flavored cola with online dating push
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    Courtesy of PepsiCo
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    Column

    Leftovers: Pepsi combines cola and mango with newest flavor; Harpoon takes a swing at better-for-you beer

    Pepsi debuts its first permanent flavored cola in five years, and LaCroix adds three new "naturally essenced" varieties to its lineup. 

    By Food Dive staff • March 19, 2021
  • Brave Robot is the first brand from Perfect Day's spinoff, The Urgent Company
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    Retrieved from Brave Robot on July 17, 2020
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    $3.1B invested in alternative proteins in 2020, report says

    The record-breaking number represents more than half of all the cash raised by companies in the plant-based, fermented and cell-based segments in the last decade, the Good Food Institute found.

    By March 19, 2021
  • Corona barley straw packaging
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    Courtesy of AB InBev
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    Corona debuts circular packaging made from barley straw

    The beer brand's upcycled six-pack cartons will launch in South America in 2021. It hopes to eliminate the need to harvest virgin timber to produce cardboard.

    By Lauren Manning • March 18, 2021
  • Givaudan launches FlavorFinders to consider consumers' taste preference in product design

    How someone thinks about food has very little to do with traditional demographics, says the flavorings company. This system uses years worth of data to bring that aspect into new concepts.

    By March 18, 2021
  • energy drinks
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    Courtesy of PepsiCo
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    PepsiCo launches Mtn Dew energy drink amid push into functional offerings

    The beverage, which has vitamins, antioxidants and nearly twice the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, is being endorsed by NBA superstar LeBron James.

    By March 18, 2021
  • Chobani
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    Permission granted by Chobani
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    Chobani reaches distribution deal with PepsiCo for some products ahead of possible IPO

    The pilot program in the northeastern U.S. will allow the yogurt maker to tap into PepsiCo's large distribution network while giving the soda and snack giant an early look at products under development.

    By Lauren Manning , March 18, 2021
  • Benson Hill
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    Permission granted by Benson Hill
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    Benson Hill doubles down on plant-based ingredients with new business units

    The divisions will help the food technology company improve yellow pea and soy ingredients for plant-based offerings while maximizing the functional potential of produce.

    By Samantha Oller • March 18, 2021
  • Skittles roll off a production line at a Mars Wrigley factory in Yorkville, Illinois.
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    Courtesy of Mars Wrigley
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    Mars Wrigley strikes a deal to develop biodegradable candy wrappers

    Danimer Scientific is designing the new package for Skittles, which should be on shelves by late 2021 or early 2022, according to the confectioner. 

    By March 17, 2021
  • United States $100 bills
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    "Money" by Ervins Strauhmanis is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    How the COVID-19 pandemic has changed investing in food

    At a session at last week's Future Food-Tech virtual conference, leaders from venture firms and finance said while much of the strategy is the same, the target is becoming more defined through careful choices and the advent of SPACs.

    By March 17, 2021
  • SweeGen Bestevia Reb B
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    Courtesy of SweeGen
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    SweeGen receives GRAS status for stevia ingredient Reb B

    The company is expanding its portfolio of clean label sweeteners to target the growing demand for low- and no-sugar products that don't compromise on taste or texture.

    By Lauren Manning • March 17, 2021
  • Once Upon a Farm Logo Fruit and Veggie Blend
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    Courtesy of Jane Ablaza
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    Once Upon a Farm debuts brand refresh as it expands into children's snacks

    The company aims to move beyond organic baby food with a new look and revamped website, as the demand for healthier options for kids grows.

    By Barbara Smith • March 17, 2021
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    Permission granted by American Bakers Association
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    Aryzta sells North American bakery business to private equity firm for $850M

    The divestiture to Lindsay Goldberg comes as the owner of Otis Spunkmeyer and other brands focuses its operations in European and Asia-Pacific markets.

    By Lauren Manning • March 17, 2021
  • Bel Brands USA launched hybrid plant- and dairy-based varieties of The Laughing Cow cheese in 2021.
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    Courtesy of Bel Brands USA
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    Deep Dive

    Plant-based cheese is full of startups. Will dairy providers get into the segment?

    New companies and entrenched plant-based food makers are bringing growth and innovation to the sector, while most traditional cheese makers are hanging back. Are they missing an opportunity, or is it not worth their effort?

    By March 16, 2021
  • Spindrift Hard Seltzer pictured next to some of the drink's competitors.
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    Courtesy of Spindrift
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    Spindrift enters the alcoholic beverage space with new hard seltzer

    The new brand offers consumers a clean label option — but it has steep competition from established beverage manufacturers in the segment.

    By Lauren Manning • March 15, 2021
  • Molson Coors
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    Retrieved from Molson Coors.
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    Molson Coors 'illegally' touting health attributes of its Vizzy Hard Seltzer, consumer groups say

    CSPI and CFA say the beverage maker violates FDA rules that prohibit misleading claims and discourage companies from fortifying alcoholic drinks with vitamins.

    By March 15, 2021
  • Nick's launched a better-for-you keto-friendly snack bar in March 2021.
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    Permission granted by Nick's
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    Nick's gets into sweets with new keto-friendly bars

    The Swedish company known for its better-for-you ice cream is launching its healthier candy competitor on its website today.

    By March 15, 2021
  • The three Honest to Goodness Products
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    Courtesy of Honest to Goodness
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    Danone debuts Honest to Goodness creamer with locally sourced ingredients

    The plant-based offering prioritizes transparent farming practices and supports the communities that provide its organic sugar, coconuts, fava bean protein and salt.

    By Barbara Smith • March 15, 2021
  • peanuts
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    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
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    ADM agrees to pay $45M to settle price-fixing allegations in peanuts, WSJ reports

    The settlement comes as consumption of the popular legume reached an all-time high of 7.6 pounds per person in 2020, even as the price paid to farmers has stayed around 21 cents for years.

    By March 12, 2021
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    Courtesy of Suzette Plumley
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    Column

    Leftovers: Califia Farms brings mushrooms to plant milks; Dunkin' adds a coffee jolt to jelly beans

    The plant-based dairy company adds fungi and hemp options to its lineup, and Laughing Cow celebrates its birthday with a sweet spin in cake icing.

    By Food Dive staff • March 12, 2021
  • M&M's leads CPG brands on DTC strategy as more shopper dollars shift online

    A mix of engaging content, product personalization and clear loyalty offerings put Mars at the front of the pack, according to Forrester.

    By Peter Adams • March 12, 2021
  • Pillsbury Soft Baked Cookies
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    Courtesy of General Mills
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    General Mills' Pillsbury adds ready-to-eat cookies to its lineup

    The brand is entering the pre-baked cookie segment for the first time in more than 150 years, as consumers gravitate to sweet treats during the pandemic.

    By Samantha Oller • March 11, 2021
  • A scientist from Clara Foods works on animal-free pepsin.
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    Permission granted by Clara Foods
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    Clara Foods unveils first animal-free pepsin for commercial use

    The enzyme, which is being distributed by Ingredion, offers the same functionality as the pig-derived variety. It also provides a vegan option with greater price stability and sustainability.

    By Barbara Smith , Samantha Oller • March 11, 2021
  • Benson Hill
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    Permission granted by Benson Hill
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    Cargill invests $475M to increase soy processing capacity as demand surges

    The food processor is making its facilities more efficient and expanding operations to capitalize on increasing consumption due to population growth and plant-based eating.

    By Lauren Manning • March 11, 2021