Future Food-Tech’s next Innovation Challenge puts beans and pulses in the spotlight
The latest instalment of the Innovation Challenge series sees a collaboration with Kraft Heinz to scale up the stand-out submissions from forward-thinking startups.
Kraft Foods
Better-for-you indulgences: Sweet protein producer secures $6.9m funding from Kraft Heinz
Joywell Foods closed a $6.9m funding round led by Kraft Heinz’s investment arm Evolv Ventures, bringing the company’s total funding to $13.2m.
Mondelēz, Kraft granted partial win against CFTC in wheat manipulation settlement
Mondelēz and Kraft Heinz have been handed a win – ‘in part’ – in their battle with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over a $16m fine they had agreed to pay in August last year to settle a wheat manipulation case dating back to 2015.
Campbell Snacks chief returns to his roots
Carlos Abrams-Rivera is rejoining the FMCG giant that launched his career in the F&B arena more than two decades ago, this time as the new president for Kraft Heinz’ US division.
What’s new on the shelf – Back to School Edition: spoonable smoothies, sour raisins and handwritten notes on chips
As kids head back to the classroom, we scoured the snack-o-sphere for a sneak peek into what they’ll be enjoying in the cafeteria. From raisins to fruit cups, green cereal to customizable bags of chips, this school year has lots to offer in the way of...
Mondelēz and Kraft ordered to pay $16m penalty for alleged wheat futures manipulation
The civil decision wraps four years of litigation, after the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) charged the two CPG companies with noncompetitive trading and inflating wheat futures.
Global buyout bigwig wins bidding war for Arnott's
Campbell Soup has agreed to sell Australia’s biggest biscuits company to voracious US private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) - which purchased RJR Nabisco in 1988 - finally ending an auction process that lasted almost a year.
Kraft Heinz names new CEO, as Bernardo Hees steps down
Miguel Patricio’s appointment comes two months after the company took a $15bn write-down on two of its biggest brands, Kraft and Oscar Meyer.
What’s new on shelf: Lunchable Brunchables, gold-dusted potato chips and Protein Oat Cups with collagen
This week’s roundup of delectable goodies ranges from healthy oat and granola options with added functionalities, new breakfast formats, a nod to spring that allows consumers to express their ‘peepsonalities’ and an edible salute to the new emperor of Japan.
Next generation innovators, playful taunts and Friday fun: A brief roundup of happenings in the US bakery and snack sectors
Here, we reveal the stories from the US that have most engaged our readers this year to date.
Meet Kraft Heinz’s second Springboard Incubator Program class
Kraft Heinz’s platform to foster the next generation of F&B players has announced its second class of participants it believes will shape the future of food.
Kraft Heinz shaken to the core with a trifecta of financial blows
Shares in the heavily indebted company have plunged following the revelation of a trifecta of issues, including a $15.4bn write-down, a Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) probe into its accounting practices and a tepid 2019 outlook that means...
Super Bowl Sunday: The snacks that are snapping up the sales and the airwaves
According to Snac International, Americans purchase more than 80 million pounds of savory snacks in the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, which would need more than 1,000 18-wheel trucks to transport. Likewise, it’s a show winner for big food to punt...
Global eye-care campaign calls on bakery and snack producers, among other sectors, to end poor vision for 20 million workers
PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz, Pret a Manger and Cargill are among the raft of global companies that Clearly is calling on to provide eye tests for their employees in the developing world.
Veolia Water Technologies wins Kraft Heinz China contract
Veolia Water Technologies has installed a wastewater treatment plant for Kraft Heinz China for its soy sauce plant in Guangdong, China.
Mondelēz opens technical center in India
Mondelēz has built its latest technical center in Asia in Thane, India, to develop new snack products and improve consumer science, packaging and productivity.
Mondelēz to invest in snack startups through newly launched SnackFutures
The Oreo maker will launch an innovation hub ‘SnackFutures’ next month that will invest in snack startups through partnering with early-stage entrepreneurs.
Mondelēz’s specialty diet brand gains FODMAP Friendly certification
Mondelēz’s Enjoy Life Foods has obtained FODMAP Friendly certification for 19 of its products to capitalize on the growing dietary trend is expected take off in the US.
The NACS Show 2018
2018's hottest sweets and snacks in US convenience stores: Kellogg, Hershey, Mars, Conagra, Jack Links, and more
The NACS Show 2018 has released the hottest confectionery and snack products across US c-stores in Las Vegas.
Mondelēz CEO sketches out snack growth strategy and financial targets
Mondelēz’s CEO Dirk Van de Put has outlined his long-term strategic plans to drive the company’s top-line growth, including a new tagline ‘Snacking Made Right,’ which reflects its consumer-centric priority.
Mondelēz cuts saturated fat in Ritz crackers by 70%; launches new flavor and pack size
Mondelēz has cut the saturated fat in its Ritz original crackers by 70% in the UK to target consumers who are becoming more aware of what they consume.
Mondelēz China shatters ‘Oreo must be sweet’ stereotype by launching hot chicken and wasabi flavors
Mondelēz has launched two new Oreo flavors – spicy chicken wing and wasabi – in China to squash the misconception that ‘Oreos must be sweet,’ according to Yue Fu, VP of corporate and government affairs.
New Pillsbury company appoints Kraft exec as CEO
Private Equity firm Brynwood Partners has announced the new management team to lead its newly formed subsidiary, Hometown Food.
Hydrox vs. Oreo
Hydrox producer seeks $800m from Mondelēz for damaging its cookie sales
Hydrox cookies maker Leaf Brands is seeking $800m in damages, alleging Mondelēz sabotaged its sales by using a direct store delivery (DSD) model.
Heinz fined $1.65m over misleading health claim
The Federal Court of Australia has ordered H.J. Heinz Company Australia Ltd (Heinz) to pay an AU$2.25m (US$1.65m) penalty for misleading health claim that its Little Kids Shredz products were beneficial to the health of young children.
Yum, that’s good: Oprah and Kraft Heinz JV launch ‘better-for-you’ pizza line
Mealtime Stores – the joint venture between Kraft Heinz and Oprah Winfrey – is extending its O, That’s Good brand with premium frozen pizzas featuring a cauliflower crust.
Mondelēz on track to achieve 2020 sustainability and healthy snacking goals
Mondelēz has said it is on target to achieve its 2020 goals in healthy snacking and sustainability.
Cereal treats: The British breakfast is on the rise but ditch the sugar
Breakfast cereals are back on the menu as Kantar Worldpanel data reveals the breakfast category is showing healthy growth in the UK.
Kraft Heinz reports higher-than-expected Q2 sales, but can’t expunge Campbell Soup speculation
Kraft Heinz reported second quarter earnings that topped Wall Street’s forecasts amid persistent rumors of a Campbell Soup acquisition.
ACCC wants AU$10m penalty imposed on Kraft-Heinz for distorted claims on toddler snacks
Australia's consumer watchdog is urging the court to rule Kraft-Heinz pay a hefty fine for misleading customers to act as a deterrent against similar conduct by others.
Results
Truckers' strike in Brazil takes a toll on Mondelēz’s Q2 topline sales
Mondelēz has reported growth across all regions in Q2 ending June 30, although its topline was negatively impacted by the recent truckers' strike in Brazil.
Product recall
Mondelēz recalls Ritz Cracker Sandwiches and Ritz Bits over salmonella fears
Mondelēz has recalled certain Ritz Cracker Sandwiches and Ritz Bits products in the US due to the potential presence of salmonella in the whey powder.
M&A
Campbell Soup reportedly mulling acquisition proposal, although would possibly retain Snyder’s-Lance
Kraft Heinz has allegedly expressed an interest in acquiring Campbell Soup, but analysts believe the Goldfish crackers maker will retain some of its fast-growing businesses, including its recently acquired Snyder’s-Lance.
Deutsche Bank Global Consumer Conference
Mondelēz eyes Central and Eastern Europe for investment opportunities
Mondelēz plans to invest in Central and Eastern Europe by acquiring local brands in high-growth categories as these regions are showing a healthy growth trajectory, especially in the snacking space.
Market investment
Kraft Heinz investment arm eyes sugar-free jerky and egg white chips as future snack trends
Kraft Heinz has invested in Ayoba-Yo jerky and Quevos egg white chips for an undisclosed sum through its venture arm Springboard as it believes these brands represent the future of snacking.
M&A
Is Mondelēz in the market for more snack companies after its Tate’s Bake Shop deal?
Mondelēz's deal to buy New York-based Tate’s Bake Shop for $500m could soon be followed by more acquisitions in the premium snacks space, says one Edward Jones analyst.
News in brief
Mondelēz pairs Oreos with cheese to target UK’s growing number of snackers
Mondelēz has launched Dairylea Snackers, a snacking kit that pairs Dairylea with Oreo cookies and mini chocolate cookies, specifically for the UK consumer.
Pioneer Foods given green light on acquisition, with conditions
South Africa’s Competition Commission has conditionally approved Pioneer Foods’ acquisition of Heinz SA.
Top 10 2017 trendsetters: healthier-for-you indulgent snacking sets the pace
F&B launches that fused healthier-for-you attributes with indulgence raked in the most sizable year-one sales, according to IRI's 2017 New Product Pacesetters report.
Mondelēz opens state-of-the-art biscuit factory in Bahrain
The Oreo cookie maker has inaugurated its newest 'Factory of the Future' in the Kingdom of Bahrain to meet growing demand by local consumers as well as those in the Gulf region, the Levant and Africa.
Cereal giants Kellogg, Post and General Mills partner with Walmart to #fighthunger
Kellogg Company, Post, PepsiCo, Unilever, General Mills and ConAgra Foods are some of the suppliers to have joined with Walmart in its ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change’ program in the US and Puerto Rico.
Archived article of the week
Under pressure: Greenpeace names co's purportedly falling behind on environment commitments
Kellogg’s, PepsiCo, PZ Cussons and Kraft Heinz are among the companies listed by Greenpeace that are allegedly dragging their feet in eliminating Indonesian palm oil from their supply chains.
Snaxpo 2018
Kraft Heinz Ingredients eyes nuts as snacks to deliver health
Kraft Heinz Ingredients is planning to enter the nut snacking sector to capitalize on the growing demand for healthy snacks.
Kraft Heinz ends 2017 on low as US demand dwindles, but hints at M&A
Planters nut producer Kraft Heinz posted a decline in sales for its full year, mirroring those of rivals like Campbell Soup as more Americans opt for healthier meals.
Quarterly Earnings
McCain Foods president to become Mondelēz’s new CEO amid Q2 revenue decline
Dirk Van de Put will succeed Irene Rosenfeld as Mondelēz’s new CEO in November.
IFT 2017
Kraft Heinz Ingredients extends clean-label cream cheese to biscuits
Kraft Heinz Ingredients (KHI) showcased biscuits flavored with its clean-label cream cheese powder at IFT held in Las Vegas last month.
Brian Driscoll elected president and CEO of Snyder’s-Lance
Snyder's-Lance board of directors has permanently appointed interim president and CEO Brian Driscoll.
ATS wants factory workers to ‘smell’ disasters before they happen
Equipment malfunction should be dealt with proactively at snack food manufacturing plants, Advanced Technology Services (ATS) has said.
Snaxpo 2017
Kraft Food Ingredients ups clean label portfolio with dairy-based snacking prototypes
Kraft Food Ingredients (KFI) said the Kraft Heinz merger is a definite advantage in developing novel clean label snacks.
Unilever ranked at more than twice the value of KraftHeinz
Nestlé is the most valuable company in the world in terms of its corporate value and collective brand value while Unilever's total brand portfolio is over double that of KraftHeinz, according to a report.