This week in industry news, Canada-based Agropur revealed it is boosting sustainable dairy processing while Cambridge Commodities became a Certified B Corporation. Heineken completed its acquisition of Distell Group Holdings and Namibia Breweries as the beer company continues to increase its presence in Africa. Meanwhile, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is looking at areas of the world that are facing food insecurity as part of climate change.

In brief: Business moves
Sumitomo Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement with Nutrition Technologies with a portfolio valued at over US$100 million. The MoU allows Sumitomo to distribute Nutrition Technologies products into the Japanese market for use in various food sectors. Sumitomo Corporation recognizes the advantage of Nutrition Technologies’ low-energy, tropical production technology compared to other manufacturers of insect-based products. With increasing pressure on protein supply, Sumitomo Corporation sees the need for more sustainable products and the opportunity presented by Nutrition Technologies products, which are made from Black Soldier Fly Larvae.

Dairy cooperative Agropur revealed its commitment to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) generated by its North American plants by 2031. The company also says it is reducing its GHG emissions across the value chain by 24% per kg of milk processed within the same timeframe. In addition, Agropur is working actively with dairy industry leaders across Canada and the US to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Cambridge Commodities has become a Certified B Corporation. It joins a growing list of companies in the food and nutrition space that are also B Corps. 

In brief: Research 
A new survey by the British Nutrition Foundation revealed that concern about ultra-processed foods has increased. But some ultra-processed foods can be part of a balanced diet and help busy people 

get healthier meals. The survey, which YouGov carried out, looked at UK consumers’ views on processed foods and was previously conducted in 2021. Compared to 2021, more people had heard of the term ‘ultra-processed food’ (46% vs. 30%) and were trying to reduce these foods in their diet (33% vs 25%).

In brief: Launches
Jungle Kitchen – a Singapore-based start-up that uses heritage ingredients to create tropical vegan food products – has unveiled its debut range, which explores tropical ingredients and flavors, championing the quality and diversity of Southeast and South Asia. Jungle Kitchen’s inaugural range of six items includes Jungle Jack, a vegan mince made of 10 vegetables, roots and herbs; Jungle Fire, a hot sauce made from the distinctly tropical cobra chili and two Sri Lankan classics, Coconut Sambol, a Sri Lankan styled zesty and spicy coconut relish, Polos Curry, a creamy spiced jackfruit curry, Jack In Brine, fresh young jackfruit in a light brine, and Banana Blossom In Brine, fresh chunks of banana blossom chunks in a light brine.

Innophos, a global player in leavening agents for the bakery industry, unveiled its latest product addition to the Levair baking portfolio, Levair selec, a non-aluminum-based alternative to traditional sodium aluminum phosphate. Levair selec provides bakers with a calcium-based product to meet the preferences of consumers and retailers seeking cleaner labels.  

In brief: Acquisitions
Heineken completed its acquisition of Distell Group Holdings and Namibia Breweries, which have been combined with Heineken South Africa into a new Heineken majority-owned business to capture significant growth opportunities in Southern Africa. The combined businesses will be known as “Heineken Beverages.” According to the company, the rebranding reflects the business’s multi-category portfolio and commitment to delivering high-quality beverages to African consumers. 

In brief: Other highlights
After a three-year presence, La Niña has left the global atmospheric scene, making way for a likely imminent transition to El Niño, a meteorological event that typically oppositely distributes weather patterns. That could be relief for some drought-affected areas, such as the Horn of Africa, but may spell trouble for other regions. The FAO examines the areas especially vulnerable to El Niño and how anticipatory action could be taken to mitigate its risks. According to a new report, Southern Africa, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia are particularly concerned, as several countries in these regions already face high levels of acute food insecurity and key cropping seasons fall under the typical El Niño weather patterns of drier conditions. Northern areas of South America are also at risk of potential dryness, while Australia normally experiences suppressed rainfall.

The Non-GMO Project now verifies non-GMO products for sale in Mexico. This comes on the heels of Mexico’s efforts to ban imports of genetically modified corn for human consumption in products such as masa and tortillas, as well as the controversial herbicide glyphosate. This undertaking is the focus of intense pressure from US federal authorities in agriculture and trade.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) released a proposed determination to declare salmonella an adulterant in breaded stuffed raw chicken products when they exceed a very low level of Salmonella contamination. This announcement is a significant first step that builds on FSIS’ proposed regulatory framework to reduce salmonella infections linked to poultry products.

AHDB’s ‘Love BBQ’ campaign is back this summer with a month-long celebration of the taste and ease of barbecued British meat. From May 1 to June 4, the campaign will encourage consumers to fire up their grills and try easy barbecue pork, beef and lamb recipes. With King Charles’ Coronation celebration and the Bank Holiday weekends taking place next month, friends and families are expected to gather in gardens to enjoy the summer weather and indulge in barbecued meats.