This week in industry news, Loryma is expanding its Lory IsoCrisp range with a variant made from wheat. The extruded crispies are low in sugar but rich in protein. Barry Callebaut Group launched its second Chocolate Academy center in New York City and Azelis agreed to acquire the majority shares of Vogler Ingredients, a specialty distributor of food ingredients in Brazil.

In brief: Launches
The Barry Callebaut Group launched its second Chocolate Academy center in New York City. This new facility is a creative space wher chefs and artisans can develop their talent and skills. The Chocolate Academy center NYC is part of the wider Chocolate Academy center network, which now has 27 academies worldwide. 

Ingredient specialist Loryma expanded its Lory IsoCrisp range with a variant made from wheat. The extruded crispies are low in sugar but rich in protein. This means they not only add a pleasant crunch to biscuits, bars, muesli and granola, as well as other snacks but also provide a plant protein boost. The new Lory IsoCrisp variety is made from European wheat, has a neutral taste and can be individually flavored. The crispy, round extruded product consists of wheat protein, wheat starch, rice flour and cocoa powder. As a result, the new variant contains little sugar and saturated fatty acids and has a protein content of 71g per 100g.

Global Dairy Trade announced that Darigold, Inc. has confirmed it will be offering skim milk powder (SMP) on GDT Events from June 2023, with the potential to add further products at a later stage.

Country Archer Provisions launched a new protein-packed snack line: Zero-Sugar Smoked Sausages. Available in two flavors, Original and Fuego, Smoked Sausages deliver a smoky, savory, satisfying snacking experience in a bite-sized format. The company claims the innovation is the “first and only better-for-you smoked sausages on the market.” 

NutriLeads signed an exclusive agreement with Quadra Ingredients, a food and supplement ingredient distributor, to represent BeniCaros in the US and Canada. BeniCaros is NutriLeads’ award-winning, clinically proven immune-strengthening ingredient for functional foods, beverages and supplements. 

In brief: Business moves
Azelis signed an agreement to acquire the majority shares of Vogler Ingredients Ltda, a specialty distributor of food ingredients in Brazil. The acquisition represents a strategic expansion of the group’s footprint in the largest economy in Latin America, reinforcing its focus on executing its regional growth strategy. Vogler is active in the food & nutrition and animal nutrition markets.

CHS Inc and Mid-Kansas Cooperative plan to expand their current grain marketing joint venture to maximize the value of an end-to-end cooperative supply chain in the Southern Plains. This development will expand market access and patronage-eligible options to maximize owner value by connecting area farmers and cooperatives with end-use markets and customers.

In brief: Sustainability highlights
A new report from The Rockefeller Foundation provides constructive steps forward in leveraging resources to end hunger and build sustainable food security. The report recommends a shift in donor approaches to align more closely with solutions that strengthen food system resilience to climate change, conflict, and other shocks.

A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) revealed that women’s equality in agri-food systems could boost the global economy by US$1 trillion and reduce food insecurity by 45 million. The report notes that tackling gender inequalities in agri-food systems and empowering women reduces hunger, boosts the economy, and reinforces resilience to shocks like climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In brief: Other highlights
The KHSA has approved the use of the IFOS Logo on Korean Manufactured Omega-3 Product Packaging. In a first for Korean manufactured

supplement products, Nutrasource Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Services, announced that FMW Corp, a client of Certifications by Nutrasource, has received approval for labeling and advertising using the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) logo.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics in Malawi is partnering with the German Agency for International Cooperation to prevent and control aflatoxin contamination along the groundnut value chain to safeguard public health and boost farmer and export income. The project will mitigate carcinogenic aflatoxins – the toxic substances produced by fungi – from contaminating groundnuts resulting in threats to public health and lost revenue for farmers caused by export rejection.

Tackling gender inequalities in agri-food systems and empowering women reduces hunger, boosts the economy, and reinforces resilience to shocks like climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, reveals a new report by the FAO. The report highlights that 36% of working women are employed in agri-food systems, along with 38% of working men. However, women’s roles tend to be marginalized and their working conditions are likely to be worse than men’s irregular, informal, part-time, low-skilled or labor-intensive. Likewise, women engaged in wage employment in agriculture earn 82 cents for every dollar men earn.