What’s trending in tequila? Ten top trends to watch
From the rise of tequila tourism to the huge potential of agave alternatives, we take a look at ten top tequila trends driving the market forward.
Beverage
Nespresso Bloom: The sweet taste of an environmentally sustainable business model
Nespresso USA’s range of honey products launched last week opens the aperture for the potential return on investment in regenerative agriculture, which some may view through an important but limited lens of supply chain security or as a marketing play to...
SAMBAZON eyes growth opportunities for açaí products in Middle East
US-based SAMBAZON is looking to expand uptake of açaí products in the Middle East, where the firm says awareness about the superfruit still has much room for growth.
New tech and more data: Diageo's action plan for Latin America
Diageo’s first half results for fiscal 24 were dragged down by a 23% drop in Latin America sales. What happened – and how will the company shift its strategy moving forward?
What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
From coconut water to coffee, we take a look at some of the latest beverage launches around the globe.
FoodNavigator publisher William Reed acquires Future Food-Tech event organizer Rethink Events
William Reed – the publisher of award-winning B2B brands including FoodNavigator and NutraIngredients - has acquired a majority stake in agri-food summit organizer Rethink Events.
Brazil’s Lula’s comeback cheered as new research claims ‘deforestation-free’ supply chain pledges have barely impacted forest clearance in Amazon
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s presidential election win in Brazil will make it easier for food and beverage companies to comply with their zero-deforestation commitments, it has been claimed.
What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
From spooky seltzers to vodka made from unwanted beer, we take a look at some of the new beverages launching around the globe.
Tequila threats - and agave alternatives
Could agave shortages and rising production costs stop the trending drinks in its tracks? The good news is that agave alternatives are ready to step in and fill the gap.
Canpack to build new $140m beverage can manufacturing facility in Brazil
Canpack S.A., part of the Canpack Group, will increase its manufacturing capacity of aluminum beverage cans with a new production facility in Poços de Caldas, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Nestlé opens $340m coffee factory in Mexico
Nestlé has opened a new Nescafé coffee factory in Veracruz: creating 1,200 new jobs and making Mexico the company’s main coffee producer globally.
AB InBev pilots ‘climate-positive thermoplastic’ in Brazil
AmBev, the Brazilian subsidiary of AB Inbev, will incorporate UBQ Material’s waste-based plastic substitute UBQ into packaging materials.
De La Calle’s fermented tepache brings Mexican street food culture to US with $7m fundraise
With the help of a $7m fundraise, Startup De La Calle is bringing to more Americans nationwide a modern version of the beloved and naturally functional Mexican “street vendor treat” tepache – a probiotic beverage made from fermented organic pineapples...
NEWS IN BRIEF
ADM acquires Flavor Infusion International expanding reach into Latin America and the Caribbean.
ADM has acquired Flavor Infusion International, expanding its global reach and capabilities in the high-growth flavor segment.
Forgotten fermentation: Uncovering Mexico’s traditional beverages
Could Mexico’s traditional fermented beverages offer inspiration for healthy beverages today? Researchers are calling for the recovery and conservation of ancient fermented drinks, which could offer an 'outstanding reservoir' of genetic resources such as...
AmBev creates its first carbon neutral brewery in Brazil
AmBev’s first large brewery and first malting facility have become carbon neutral: with four more breweries set to follow by the end of the year.
News in brief
CP Kelco & IMCD expand distribution agreement into Mexico market
IMCD has become CP Kelco’s strategic distributor in Mexico across all market segments of food, plus consumer and industrial (C&I) applications.
Diageo invests $500m in tequila production in Mexico
Diageo will expand its manufacturing footprint in Mexico with an investment of more than $500m in new facilities in the State of Jalisco: supporting the company’s growth in the tequila category.
Nestlé and Starbucks to bring RTD coffee to Southeast Asia, Oceania and Latin America
Building on a global coffee alliance formed in 2018, Nestlé and Starbucks have announced a new collaboration to bring Starbucks RTD coffee drinks to select markets in Southeast Asia, Oceania and Latin America from 2022.
Coca-Cola reveals early learnings from Topo Chico Hard Seltzer launch
Coca-Cola’s Topo Chico Hard Seltzer has entered a buzzing – but also competitive – hard seltzer market. What has the company learned from its first months in the US and other markets? And with the brand representing Coca-Cola’s first global push into...
Food pairings 'ripe for innovation' as immunity mega-trend rolls on
Exploring unique food pairings offers food brands the chance to tap into consumer desire to improve immunity via functional food, according to a report.
Immunity, relaxation, energy and focus: Trending botanicals in food and beverage, from ashwagandha to ginseng
Once confined to dietary supplements and herbal teas, botanicals from ashwagandha to ginseng are springing up in a growing number of ready-to-drink beverages and snacks as brands seek to imbue their wares with functionality and an air of sophistication....
‘Coffee pulp can be a cost-effective forest restoration strategy’
Coffee pulp – a waste product in coffee production – could be used to speed up recovery of tropical forests on post-agricultural land, according to researchers.
Corona launches six-pack beer packaging made from barley straw
Corona is launching sustainable, renewable packaging made from surplus barley straw in South America this month, an innovation that it hopes to roll out globally in the future.
'Cachaça is far more than the Caipirinha!'
For those who know Cachaça, it is usually associated with a Caipirinha cocktail. But the drink has far more to offer: and promoting the diversity and versality of the Brazilian spirit to bartenders, distributors and consumers can help it achieve its...
Conquering the challenges: AB InBev's Brazil business
AB InBev’s Brazilian beer business delivered strong performance in 2020, despite the challenges of the year. A combination of speedy innovation, premium brand strength and digital developments have been the key to success in the country, says the company.
Brown-Forman: ‘RTD alcohol growth this year has exceeded expectations’
Growth in RTD alcohol has exceeded Brown-Forman’s expectations this year: with the spirits giant championing a boom in Jack Daniel’s RTD and recent acquisition Part Time Rangers. But is the growth in RTD alcohol just a reaction to coronavirus or a...
AI key to safeguarding food systems amid coronavirus: tech firm
A UK tech company claims AI holds the key to avoiding the risk of coronavirus destabilising the food system.
Latin America's food industry reacts to COVID-19 crisis: 'Our operations are indispensable to food security'
Brazil's Marfrig pledges to keep all its meat plants operating; Mercado Libre cuts commission for non-perishable food products; Ambev brewery is now producing alcohol gel. We take a look at how the food industry is responding to the coronavirus outbreak...
Custom-designed yeast can make food healthier, says biotech start-up
A Brazilian biotech start-up is custom-designing novel, natural yeast strains that can be used to make plant proteins, replace artificial additives and boost the bioavailability of minerals.
Make ultra-processed food more expensive, say Brazilian researchers
When ultra-processed food costs more, it is associated with lower prevalence of overweight and obesity in Brazil, suggesting taxes could be an effective tool to fight obesity, argue the authors of a recent study.
Tetra Pak on sustainable bioplastic from sugarcane: ‘We’re part of the success story Brazil has been driving’
We talk to Tetra Pak about its packaging made from “fully traceable” Brazilian sugarcane certified by Bonsucro. “The decision to source in Brazil is part of our sustainability commitment,” says the company’s director of sourcing and manufacturing.
'Nature-based solutions': Nestlé to plant 3 million trees in the Americas by 2021
Starting in Mexico and Brazil, Nestlé will plant three million trees, restore degraded ecosystems and help farmers switch to agroforestry methods in a bid to make its supply chain more resilient.
Ambev reduces CO2 emissions by 482 tons a year
Brazilian brewery Ambev has introduced new microturbine technology in its factories to reduce CO2 emissions by 482 tons a year.
Back on track? Court revokes Mexican nutrition label suspension but Concamin vows to fight on
Mexico's nutrition label is once again on path to enter into force as a court revokes the decision to provisionally suspend it, although industry says it will continue to oppose the regulation using "all legal means".
Judge suspends Mexico's nutrition label
A judge has temporarily suspended Mexico’s front-of-pack warning label following a request lodged by business lobbies on the grounds it was not widely consulted or based on scientific evidence.
Calls to abolish Brazil's mandatory GMO logo despite limited awareness
Brazil’s GMO logo has been mandatory since 2003 but three-quarters of Brazilians do not recognize it, according to a recent study. Should it be removed - as a draft law currently proposes - or redesigned?
Colombian government and food industry reveal mandatory warning label design
The Colombian government and food industry have agreed on warning nutrition labels that will become mandatory on unhealthy food and drink products sold in the country.
NPD trend tracker: From instant Starbucks to 'great tasting' CBD
FoodNavigator's weekly round up of new products from around Europe includes the launch of instant Starbucks coffee from Nestlé, a move the company says delivers a convenient premium coffee experience. Elsewhere, health and wellness drives saw the rollout...
Multi-functional cassava fiber shortens ingredient lists, says Fibervita
Using a patented technology, Brazil's Fibervita transforms co-streams from the cassava processing industry into a multi-functional ingredient that can clean up processed products' ingredient lists, it says.
'Emotional well-being' fuels healthy food purchases in Brazil: Mintel
Demand for food products that are beneficial to emotional health and well-being is strong among Brazilian consumers even across different socio-economic categories, according to Mintel.
Colombian coffee cherry startup Sanam to exhibit at Expo West 2020
Founded in 2007, Sanam has been upcycling the waste leftover after coffee production to create value-added products for food, beverage, and nutraceutical industries.
Warning labels set to enter into force in Uruguay: Is your product compliant?
Uruguay’s front-of-pack warning labels enter into force next month (March 1). We look at which products must comply and which are exempt.
Sweet success? Sugary drink sales plunge 23% in Chile, say obesity researchers
Sales of sugary drinks in Chile have plunged by almost one quarter (23.7%) after its raft of obesity-reducing strategies came into effect, according to a recent observational study.
AI software looks to drastically improve pathogen monitoring in food sector
Cutting edge artificial intelligence technology is promising to disrupt environmental monitoring in the food and drink processing sector by dramatically improving efficiency in the way pathogen monitoring programs are managed.
Kerry predicts LATAM taste trends for 2020
This year, consumers in Latin America will look to healthy, nostalgic, and indulgent flavors in all food and beverage categories, says taste and nutrition company Kerry.
Tomorrow Foods on its protein isolates: 'We're helping customers join the plant-based revolution'
Tomorrow Foods says its turnkey protein isolates made from sustainably sourced pea, rice, mung and chickpea can help Latin American food manufacturers “join the plant-based revolution” without having to invest in R&D.
Argentinian start-up develops 'novel compound' food colors from fungi
Operating in both Silicon Valley and Argentina, Michroma uses CRISPR-engineered filamentous fungi to create novel, natural food colors, and is already attracting interest from multinational food manufacturers.
Food industry opposes Mexican warning labels despite official approval
Food industry groups have criticized Mexico's newly approved nutrition label regulation, warning that the US, EU and Switzerland have voiced objections before the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The factors driving Brazil's healthy eating trend
From Brazil's food guidelines - and its advice to avoid 'ultra-processed' foods - to the influence of social media, a number of factors are converging to help make the country's food healthier and nutrition-based, says one expert.