Whole Earth Brands has entered an agreement to buy North American organic sweetener brand, Wholesome Sweeteners, marking its second acquisition since its merger in June. The company has made a deal to acquire WSO Investments, the holding company for Wholesome Sweeteners, for an initial price of $180 million. Founded in 2001, Wholesome produces organic, plant-based and fair-trade certified sweeteners including sugar, honey, agave nectar, allulose and other liquid sweetener products. The deal will further expand Whole Earth Brand’s existing portfolio of natural and alternative sweeteners, building its platform across the category in North America. According to Whole Earth Brands, Wholesome holds a 76% share in the organic granulated sugar segment of the organic and natural channel and has registered retail sales growth of approximately 52% over the 52-week period ending 1 November 2020. Wholesome marks the company’s second strategic acquisition since its business combination in June, following the purchase of Swerve, a manufacturer of zero-sugar, keto-friendly and plant-based sweeteners and baking mixes. Along with its pending acquisition of Wholesome, Whole Earth Brands says it has created a global platform that is expected to generate proforma revenue of approximate $500 million. Irwin Simon, executive chairman of Whole Earth Brands, says consumers are demanding more sweetener options that fit within individual health and dietary needs. “Whole Earth Brands is delivering on that expectation by becoming the leader in plant-based and alternative sweeteners around the world, and we are looking forward to integrating Wholesome and growing the world-class brands within our Whole Earth Brands platform,” he added. Albert Manzone, Whole Earth Brands CEO, said: “This transaction brings us additional scale that we believe will enhance our competitive position and help us expand consumers’ access to the delicious foods they love.” Nigel Willerton, CEO at Wholesome Sweeteners, added: “Our extendable brands create opportunities for significant growth through channel, product and category expansion. This combination with Whole Earth Brands brings together like-minded companies with complementary strengths to unlock powerful value in the organic and natural category.” Under the terms of the agreement, Wholesome will receive $180 million in cash and is eligible to receive up to $55 million of additional consideration under an earnout through the end of calendar year 2021. The acquisition is expected to close during the first quarter of 2021, subject to customary approval.

Functional ingredients distributor, Prinova, has released a range of dairy-free premixes aimed at helping manufacturers respond to the rapidly growing plant-based market. According to the company, the new premixes are made with 85% pea protein and offer a plant-based milk that is smooth and creamy with a full mouthfeel. It also offers a premix optimised for plant-based cheeses. Meanwhile, Prinova claims that its pea protein yogurt has a whiter hue than other plant-based alternatives on the market. A single serving of each recipe using 25mg of premix contains 5% of the recommended intake of vitamin B12 and 50% of the recommended intake of vitamin D. The premixes can all be adapted to include additional functional ingredients, such as probiotics, as well as flavourings. Tony Gay, head of technical sales & NPD for nutrition at Prinova, said: “The rise of plant-based diets is one of the most important trends in the food industry today. It has created a whole new consumer segment with particular nutritional needs, and new challenges and opportunities for manufacturers. Gay continued: “One of the best strategies they can adopt is the use of nutrient-rich premixes. Our new recipes demonstrate how easy it is to offer appealing dairy replacement products that meet the nutritional requirements of vegan consumers.” #dairyfree #plantbased #premixes #Prinova

Functional ingredients distributor, Prinova, has released a range of dairy-free premixes aimed at helping manufacturers respond to the rapidly growing plant-based market. According to the company, the new premixes are made with 85% pea protein and offer a plant-based milk that is smooth and creamy with a full mouthfeel. It also offers a premix optimised for plant-based cheeses. Meanwhile, Prinova claims that its pea protein yogurt has a whiter hue than other plant-based alternatives on the market. A single serving of each recipe using 25mg of premix contains 5% of the recommended intake of vitamin B12 and 50% of the recommended intake of vitamin D. The premixes can all be adapted to include additional functional ingredients, such as probiotics, as well as flavourings. Tony Gay, head of technical sales & NPD for nutrition at Prinova, said: “The rise of plant-based diets is one of the most important trends in the food industry today. It has created a whole new consumer segment with particular nutritional needs, and new challenges and opportunities for manufacturers. Gay continued: "One of the best strategies they can adopt is the use of nutrient-rich premixes. Our new recipes demonstrate how easy it is to offer appealing dairy replacement products that meet the nutritional requirements of vegan consumers.”

Hormel Foods has introduced a new line of plant-based protein puffs to the market, an on-the go snack under its Happy Little Plants brand. Happy Little Plants plant-based protein puffs come in three varieties: ranch, nacho cheese and cinnamon & sugar. The gluten-free snacks contain 16g of plant-based protein per serving and no preservatives. The launch comes after the meat company introduced the Happy Little Plants meat alternative line last year, with the debut of ground plant-based protein alternative. Hormel Foods has since added a pepperoni-style topping and Italian-style crumble topping to its plant-based brand. "Consumers today are looking for easy ways to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets, and we are very excited to bring these new great-tasting, Happy Little Plants plant-based protein puffs snack option to everyone," said Robbie Koons, Happy Little Plants brand manager at Hormel Foods. He added: "The new Happy Little Plants plant-based protein puffs were developed to make plant-based protein portable and snackable." Happy Little Plants plant-based protein puffs are available to purchase on Amazon.

Hormel Foods has introduced a new line of plant-based protein puffs to the market, an on-the go snack under its Happy Little Plants brand. Happy Little Plants plant-based protein puffs come in three varieties: ranch, nacho cheese and cinnamon & sugar. The gluten-free snacks contain 16g of plant-based protein per serving and no preservatives. The launch comes after the meat company introduced the Happy Little Plants meat alternative line last year, with the debut of ground plant-based protein alternative. Hormel Foods has since added a pepperoni-style topping and Italian-style crumble topping to its plant-based brand. “Consumers today are looking for easy ways to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets, and we are very excited to bring these new great-tasting, Happy Little Plants plant-based protein puffs snack option to everyone,” said Robbie Koons, Happy Little Plants brand manager at Hormel Foods. He added: “The new Happy Little Plants plant-based protein puffs were developed to make plant-based protein portable and snackable.” Happy Little Plants plant-based protein puffs are available to purchase on Amazon. #US #HappyLittlePlants #proteinsnacks #plantbased #HormelFoods

Plant-based meat company Moving Mountains is entering a new category with the launch of its plant-based fish fingers in the UK. Moving Mountains Fish Fingers join the brand’s line up of plant-based meat products including burgers, sausages, mince, meatballs and hot dogs. With its new product, Moving Mountains aims to tackle over-fishing with a sustainable alternative that is free from mercury and micro-plastics. Made with soy protein, the fish fingers are coated in golden breadcrumbs, offer 10g of protein per 100g and are described as having a “succulent, flaky texture”. With 70 calories per fish finger and zero cholesterol, the new product can be cooked in five minutes from frozen in a frying pan or 15 minutes in the oven. Simeon Van der Molen, founder of Moving Mountains, said: “To save the oceans, consumers need to reduce consumption of traditional fish. We have provided a solution by creating our first-ever plant-based fish to tackle this sustainability crisis and are really pleased to have partnered with Waitrose to launch this product.” The creator of the ‘UK’s first’ plant-based bleeding burger claims its plant-based fish fingers have the taste and texture of the real thing. Van der Molen added: “We use natural plant-based ingredients and scientific processes to recreate the taste and texture of the real thing so that they’re delicious as well as healthy, and provide a real alternative for meat-eaters, vegans, vegetarians and pescatarians.” Moving Mountains Fish Fingers will be available from 27th December in Waitrose for an RRP of £3.60 for a pack of ten.

Plant-based meat company Moving Mountains is entering a new category with the launch of its plant-based fish fingers in the UK. Moving Mountains Fish Fingers join the brand’s line up of plant-based meat products including burgers, sausages, mince, meatballs and hot dogs. With its new product, Moving Mountains aims to tackle over-fishing with a sustainable alternative that is free from mercury and micro-plastics. Made with soy protein, the fish fingers are coated in golden breadcrumbs, offer 10g of protein per 100g and are described as having a “succulent, flaky texture”. With 70 calories per fish finger and zero cholesterol, the new product can be cooked in five minutes from frozen in a frying pan or 15 minutes in the oven. Simeon Van der Molen, founder of Moving Mountains, said: “To save the oceans, consumers need to reduce consumption of traditional fish. We have provided a solution by creating our first-ever plant-based fish to tackle this sustainability crisis and are really pleased to have partnered with Waitrose to launch this product.” The creator of the ‘UK’s first’ plant-based bleeding burger claims its plant-based fish fingers have the taste and texture of the real thing. Van der Molen added: “We use natural plant-based ingredients and scientific processes to recreate the taste and texture of the real thing so that they’re delicious as well as healthy, and provide a real alternative for meat-eaters, vegans, vegetarians and pescatarians.” Moving Mountains Fish Fingers will be available from 27th December in Waitrose for an RRP of £3.60 for a pack of ten. #MovingMountains #Plantbasedseafood #UK

Customised protein products represent a key opportunity for continued growth. ADM offers a full portfolio of plant proteins, including soy, peas, beans, pulses, wheat, ancient grains, nuts and seeds, along with a suite of other functional health and wellness ingredients that – when combined – can deliver “better for you” food and beverages. ADM is here as the one-stop solution to help you solve the global nutrition challenges of today and tomorrow with unsurpassed expertise, technical ingenuity, and industry-changing innovations. Its global team of culinary, taste and texture experts has unmatched experience in alternatives, to exceed consumer taste and texture expectations. With proven know-how built on 75 years of plant protein experience and flavour craftsmanship, ADM partners with manufacturers to give them an edge in the global marketplace. To find out more about ADM’s plant protein solutions, visit go.adm.com/yourproteineu #ADM #ingredients #partnercontent #plantbasedproteins

To find out more about ADM’s plant protein solutions, visit go.adm.com/yourproteineu

Danone North America has launched its latest plant-based product offering, Silk Kids Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative. The product received its debut during Danone's Little Bites, Bit Impact virtual panel, during which leading experts discussed the challenges surround children's nutrition and food accessibility. The latest innovation from the Silk brand is fortified with calcium and vitamin D, is peanut-free, gluten-free, lactose-free and non-GMO Project verified. "This is a crucial time for parents across the country, and Danone North America has convened an important conversation with industry experts to discuss the current challenges in children's nutrition due to the Covid-19 pandemic," said Lia Stierwalt, senior director of marketing for Silk Plant-Based Yogurt Alternatives. "We are happy to announce the launch of Silk Kids Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative as part of the solution, expanding our company's kid's portfolio and platform with a delicious plant-based option that kids love, and parents can feel good about." The new yogurt alternative comes in three flavours – mixed berry, apple cinnamon and strawberry – and will be available in selected retail from December 2020.

Danone North America has launched its latest plant-based product offering, Silk Kids Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative. The product received its debut during Danone’s Little Bites, Bit Impact virtual panel, during which leading experts discussed the challenges surround children’s nutrition and food accessibility. The latest innovation from the Silk brand is fortified with calcium and vitamin D, is peanut-free, gluten-free, lactose-free and non-GMO Project verified. “This is a crucial time for parents across the country, and Danone North America has convened an important conversation with industry experts to discuss the current challenges in children’s nutrition due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Lia Stierwalt, senior director of marketing for Silk Plant-Based Yogurt Alternatives. “We are happy to announce the launch of Silk Kids Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative as part of the solution, expanding our company’s kid’s portfolio and platform with a delicious plant-based option that kids love, and parents can feel good about.” The new yogurt alternative comes in three flavours – mixed berry, apple cinnamon and strawberry – and will be available in selected retail from December 2020. #yogurt #DanoneNorthAmerica #plantbased #childrensnutrition #almondmilk

Ben & Jerry’s has partnered with social activist and professional American football player Colin Kaepernick to release a new ice cream flavour called Change the Whirled. Change the Whirled is a vegan, dairy-free ice cream, which features a caramel non-dairy sunflower butter base with fudge chips, graham cracker swirls and chocolate cookie swirls. According to Ben & Jerry’s, the new flavour “celebrates Kaepernick’s courageous work to confront systemic oppression and to stop police violence against Black and Brown people”. Kaepernick’s portion of the proceeds from each sale will support the work of the non-profit organisation Know Your Rights Camp – founded in 2016 by Kaepernick – which aims to advance the wellbeing of Black and Brown communities through ‘education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilisation and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders.’ Kaepernick said: “I’m honoured to partner with Ben & Jerry’s on Change the Whirled. Their commitment to challenging the anti-Black roots of policing in the United States demonstrates a material concern for the wellbeing of Black and Brown communities.” Matthew McCarthy, CEO of Ben & Jerry’s, added: “Colin Kaepernick and his Know Your Rights Camp is the perfect partner for Ben & Jerry’s to continue to advance our work on issues of racial justice. “Ben & Jerry’s is proud to diversify our flavour portfolio by honouring Kaepernick with a full-time flavour. We deeply respect how Colin uses his voice to protest racism, white supremacy and police violence through the belief that ‘love is at the root of our resistance.” Change the Whirled ice cream will be available nationwide in the US from early 2021, with a suggested retail price of $4.99-$5.49. The flavour will also be available to consumers in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. #BenampJerrys #icecream #US