NEWS

Natek Network fires up innovations for Interpack 2023
Natec Network – an international network of companies comprising Hochland Natec GmbH, Gold Peg International Pty Ltd and Natec USA LLC – are preparing to showcase a range of innovative technologies at the upcoming Interpack expo (Dusseldorf, Germany – 4–10 May 2023). read more

THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2023 set to empower future F&B industry as global leaders and innovators converge in Bangkok this May
THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2023 is set to host the F&B industry’s most influential leaders and innovators from 23–27 May at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand. The premier trade fair features 11 signature trade shows, 11 trends, and six special shows with a focus on innovative blueprints, bold ideas, and cutting-edge solutions. read more

Better-for-you crisp brand Simply Roasted launches subscription service
Simply Roasted, the UK-based fancier crisp brand, continues to shake up the mindful snacking world through its newest customer offering – a novel subscription service with exclusive access to new flavours, and stress-free sign-up and switching. read more

Savoia Americano adds another award to its clutch of industry accolades
Newly launched vino aperitivo SAVOIA Americano has just picked up the top award in the ‘Lite with Bite’ category (0.5% to 18% abv) at the People’s Choice Drinks Award 2023. Judged by both the UK public (vetted spirits lovers) and respected drinks writers, buyers, retailers and distillers, the renowned competition prides itself on being inclusive and relevant to today’s spirits industry. read more

The London Essence Co. is named UK’s fastest growing mixer company
Having experienced exponential growth across GB retail and hospitality in the last 12 months, premium mixer brand The London Essence Co. has become the fastest growing mixer company in the United Kingdom. read more

Distec to exhibit digital transformation solutions at Foodex Manufacturing Solutions 2023
Exhibiting this year at Foodex Manufacturing Solutions (24–26 April 2023 at the NEC in Birmingham, UK) for the first time, Distec will showcase a wide range of digital technology solutions developed specifically for the food industry. read more

ILIP launches innovative system for controlling the ripening of avocados in the room
Unveiled during fresh produce expo Fruit Logistica in Berlin, ILIP’S ‘Smart Ripe Trolley’ uses RFID technology linked to neuron-type software to increase the efficiency of the tropical fruit ripening process without opening the room or requiring invasive tests. read more

Desi Daru wins World’s Best Flavoured Vodka title
Launched just seven months ago, Indian-inspired and British-made, ultra-premium, Alphonso Mango-flavoured vodka Desi Daru has been named World’s Best Flavoured Vodka in the recently announced World Vodka Awards. read more

Macfrut 2023 tour strengthens fresh produce expo’s presence across three continents
Macfrut – the international trade fair for the fresh produce sector (3–5 May 2023, Rimini Expo Centre, Italy) – recently wrapped up the last leg of its international presentation tour in South Africa and Zimbabwe after travelling to 20 countries around the world, including Central and South America, Africa and Eastern Europe. read more

Tests reveal all major non-NZ ‘manuka honey’ brands sold in UK are not authentic
New scientific testing of the majority of non-New Zealand manuka honey brands sold in the UK has identified that 100 per cent of the brands tested are not genuine manuka and miss the key regulatory manuka honey identification indicators. read more

Thai Union's plant-based shrimp dumpling recognised across EMEA region
With Asian-inspired plant-based propositions, Thai Union is attracting global interest. For example, its plant-based shrimp dumpling – a world first – was recently made a finalist in the prestigious Gulfood Innovation Awards. read more

Anuga 2023 to focus on ‘Sustainable Growth’ as key theme
Following a digital communication campaign, the Anuga community has decided that ‘Sustainable Growth’ will be the key theme of this year’s Anuga expo, the leading global trade fair for the food and beverage industry, which returns to Cologne in October 2023. read more

USDA Pavilion brings the best of the US to Gulfood 2023
Spanning 150+ exhibitors and live cooking demonstrations, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s pavilion brings the very best that the US agricultural sector has to offer to this year’s Gulfood, currently taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre (20-24 February). read more

Inaugural Saudi Food Show sells out four months ahead of launch opening
Organisers roll out immediate expansion plan for Saudi Food Show in June 2023. Set to be the largest food event in KSA, the inaugural event has sold out four months ahead of its debut in Riyadh. read more

Fraunhofer IVV to present new tech for packaging and F&B industry at Interpack 2023
The Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging will be presenting its new technologies and solutions for business in the packaging and F&B industry at the interpack trade fair in Düsseldorf from 4–10 May 2023. read more

New Gulfood-powered events set to propel global F&B industry’s sustainability agenda in 2024
Due to debut in Dubai next year, new mega food events GULFOOD GREEN & GULFOOD AGROTECH are expected to propel sustainability and innovation to the fore when it comes to the agendas of the world’s biggest food companies and countries. read more

Meala FoodTech secures US$1.9m in pre-seed round
With prominent backers including DSM Venturing and The Kitchen FoodTech Hub, functional protein platform developer Meala is on mission to clean labels and improve plant-based foods. read more

ADM opens $30m state-of-the-art probiotics production plant in Spain
ADM – one of the world’s leaders in science-backed nutrition solutions – has announced the opening of a new production facility in Valencia, Spain, to help meet rising global demand for probiotics, postbiotics and other products that support health and well-being. read more

Global spectrophotometry leader, HunterLab, launches campaign to measure edible oil quality worldwide
A pioneer in spectrophotometry for over 70 years, US firm HunterLab has announced a new campaign to raise awareness for its cutting-edge spectrophotometers that can help the edible oil industries test purity and food quality for a wide range of refined oils used for human consumption. read more

Tropical alcohol-free drinks brand Caleño gains listing with Spinney’s
Tropical non-alcoholic spirits brand Caleño has launched in the UAE after gaining a listing with renowned supermarket chain Spinney’s. Containing two expressions in the range, Caleño brings joy to ‘not drinking' with sun-drenched alcohol-free drinks inspired by the vibrant flavours of Colombia. read more

Serious Sweets expands reach with acquisition of Mallow & Marsh
The Serious Sweets Company (SSC), a Harrogate-based independent confectionery business, has acquired the share capital and branded interests of Mallow & Marsh Ltd for an undisclosed sum. read more

TUTTOFOOD returns in May 2023 under ‘Sustainability’ banner
Adopting good supply chain practices to make the fight against food waste more effective – this was the objective of the conference organised recently in Milan by Fiera Milano and TUTTOFOOD, ahead of the Sustainability-themed return of TUTTOFOOD 2023 (8–11 May at Fieramilano). read more

UK’s leading halal-certified baby food brand launches new Oaty Bars
For Aisha, the UK’s pioneer of halal baby food, has announced the launch of nut- and gluten-free Oaty Bars – a brand new addition to the business’s existing portfolio of baby food pouch and tray meals, which encourage little ones to explore, embrace and taste new flavours. read more

Solvay launches first certified vanillin based on mass balance standards
French manufacturer Solvay announces the first certified vanillin based on mass balance standards in the market, meeting consumer and brand owner demands for enhanced sustainability, more renewable feedstock and reduced carbon footprint. read more

Apofruit Italia to showcase varietal innovation at Fruit Logistica 2023
Apofruit Italia – the fruit grower co-operative with around 3,000 members that market 100-per-cent Italian-made products all over the world – will be at Fruit Logistica 2023 in an even bigger exhibition space packed with even more content. read more

Crab and lobster welfare takes a step forward with first UK supermarket benchmark
Companies in the UK face the first assessment of welfare standards for crabs, lobsters and prawns since the creatures were legally recognised as sentient and able to feel pain. read more

Peckwater Brands acquires competitor eatclever, expands in DACH region
Peckwater Brands, Europe’s largest operator of virtual food brands, has acquired eatclever, the virtual delivery brand market leader in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). read more

SOLIDUS makes €11m investment in sustainable retail packaging for 2023
Europe’s leading sustainable packaging provider SOLIDUS launches three new retail and food service solutions – skin packaging, MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging), and fully recyclable punnets – as part of its innovative FUTURLINE® range. read more

Mondi expands range of FunctionalBarrier Papers with high barrier packaging solution
Mondi – a global leader in packaging and paper – is expanding its unique range of medium, high and very high barrier paper-based packaging to support customers on their journey to use more sustainable packaging solutions. read more

Farm carbon calculator Agrecalc appoints first CEO
Award-winning farm carbon calculator Agrecalc has appointed its first CEO, in a major step towards becoming a spin-out company that supports agriculture’s journey to net-zero. read more

Emerging World FZC inks land lease deal to establish PRAN manufacturing plant in UAE
Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group, has signed an agreement with Emerging World FZC – the sole importer of PRAN-RFL Group’s products in the Middle East region – to establish a PRAN manufacturing plant to cater to local and regional markets. read more

The Simple Root launches range of plant-based cheeses
Championing the humble root crop as their main ingredient, The Simple’s Root’s 100-per-cent plant-based cheese alternatives melt effectively and offer a no-compromise swap on plant-based menus, while containing 30-per-cent less fat and salt than competitor vegan cheeses. read more

Japan wins 2023 Pastry World Cup
The victory of Japan – represented by Moe Takahashi (chocolate), Naritoshi Suzuka (sugar), and Yusaku Shibata (ice) – was announced at the close of the Pastry World Cup’s 18th edition – held during the Sirha Lyon 2023 expo. read more

ICL invests in breakthrough sustainable protein ingredients startup Arkeon
Global speciality minerals company ICL has announced that its agri-food innovation and investment platform, ICL Planet Startup Hub, has invested €2.75 million in Arkeon GmbH with the aim of developing CO2- derived protein ingredients for food applications. read more

US pizzeria brand 800 Degrees makes UK debut
Californian-born pizzeria 800 Degrees Pizza is making its UK debut this month. The popular international restaurant will launch its very European first site in one of the UK’s fastest growing and innovative leisure and entertainment providers, Gravity Wandsworth. read more

There’s not enough fruit and veg to go round in UK, finds new study
Britain does not produce or import enough fruit and vegetables for its population to get the government-recommended five-portions-a-day 400-gram intake, according to a newly published analysis by the Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems (SHEFS) research group, which includes The Food Foundation. read more

Gulfood to tackle global food challenges and kick-start pivotal year for UAE
With major dialogues around food security, sustainability and investments in the lead-up to COP 28, 2023 is likely to be a critical year for the food & beverage industry – and bringing together F&B communities from across the world to Dubai, Gulfood (20–24 February) is set to chart the way forward. read more

Food-tech innovator Vgarden develops ‘tuna tins without the fins’
Vgarden, Ltd – a food-tech developer and manufacturer of plant-based alternatives – has launched a game-changing, clean-label, vegan tinned tuna. read more

Top Gum evolves gummy category with sugar-free, organic innovation
Innovative producer TopGum Industries Ltd has launched its latest offering of sugar-free, organic gummies to the nutritional health supplement category. read more

ACI Group secures exclusive UK and Ireland distribution deal with Soy Austria
ACI Group – a leading distributor working with some of the largest global food, as well as pharma, industrial and road brands – has entered into a new partnership with international market leader Soy Austria® to distribute its soy-based solutions in the UK and Ireland. read more
Interpack 2023
DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY
The Hotel & Hospitality Show 2023
Sandton Convention Centre, South Africa
THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2023
BANGKOK, THAILAND