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 Researcher Euromonitor says Nestlé’s launch of premium Turkish chocolate brand Damak, and increased investment in Italian brand Baci Perugina, indicate a shift in strategy away from mass brands. In addition, the company wants to increase its footprint globally, especially in the U.S., China and parts of Europe. The best example of the strategy is the investment in Baci Perugina, which encompasses €60 million for the first three years. Potential markets for its premium gift-type chocolates include Brazil and India, though the company faces stiff competition from Mondelez and Ferrero.
"Nestlé Reimagining Confectionery Unit by Creating Brand Leadership", Blog, Euromonitor International, March 10, 2016
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 The 18-month, 17-city partnership between Whole Foods Market and the Instacart delivery service has been successful enough that the two companies are extending it. They will launch services in ”several” metropolitan areas this year, beginning with Orange County, Calif., and Baltimore, Md. The companies also expect to create new e-commerce and delivery solutions, while adding more stores that offer the Instacart delivery option. The extended relationship means Instacart is Whole Foods’ largest online ordering and delivery partner.
"Whole Foods Market and Instacart announce new markets, growth plans", Whole Foods Market, March 10, 2016
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 Unilever has partnered with crowdfunder Indiegogo to collaborate with aspiring entrepreneurs seeking money to fund innovative ideas. Through its innovation platform Unilever Foundry, the company adds the possibility of crowdfunding investment to help speed development of solutions to sustainability challenges presented by Unilever brands. Ideas for solutions will be considered by the Indiegogo community and then shown to a panel of Unilever experts. The best will have an opportunity for an Indiegogo funding campaign, and further support from Unilever.
"Unilever Foundry And Indiegogo Launch Crowdfunding Partnership To Accelerate Innovation", News release, Unilever, March 09, 2016
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 Mintel is expecting big things for seaweed-flavored foods and beverages, in Europe at least, based on what’s been happening in the past five years. The researcher found that seaweed-flavored food and drink launches more than doubled in the period from 2011 to 2015, making Europe the “second most innovative” global region – after Asia/Pacific – when it comes to such launches. Seaweed remains a niche product in the Western world, but Mintel says it “it could become the next superfood,” thanks to the fact it is rich in natural vitamins, minerals, and plant-based protein. Fifty-eight percent of German consumers have either tried or would like to try algae as a protein source. Forty-four percent of Britons felt the same.
"Seaweed-Flavoured Food And Drink Launches Increased By 147% In Europe Between 2011 And 2015", News release, Mintel, March 09, 2016
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 To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its school breakfast initiative, the USDA announced grants of up to $6.8 million to support competitive Team Nutrition Training in schools and child care sites. The grants will help sustain the implementation of the healthier meals made possible by the bipartisan Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010. Participation in school breakfast programs has increased by almost 27 percent since the law was enacted. More than 14 million students eat school breakfasts each day. Grants awarded through the program are used to conduct and evaluate training, nutrition education, and technical assistance supporting USDA nutrition standards for snacks and meals, such as school breakfast.
"USDA Celebrates 50 Years of School Breakfast, Offers $6.8 Million in Grants to Support Healthy School Meals", News release, USDA, March 07, 2016
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 Multi-level diet supplement marketer Herbalife says it is once again giving companies an opportunity to become partners by sponsoring a product pitch event. At the May meeting, companies will tout their innovative product proposals in four main areas: meal/snack food bars; non-egg-based breakfast food/snack powder mixes; new delivery formats (e.g., chewables and orally-dissolving products); and plant nutrients and botanical ingredients. A similar meeting in 2014 led to four finalists being selected as partners from 120 proposals. Their products have already been launched or are in the final preparation stages.
"Herbalife seeks companies willing to pitch innovative ingredients, products", NUTRAingredients-USA.com, March 07, 2016
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 Costco announced plans to sell only cage-free eggs. According to Costco, the retailer expects to sell more than 1 billion cage-free eggs in calendar year 2016. It added that while in 2006, only 2 percent of the eggs it sold were cage-free, the figure now stands at 26 percent. Costco said it will take time before all the eggs it sells are cage-free; however, the Humane Society of the United States commended the company and said it believes Costco can achieve that goal quickly.
"After months of pressure, Costco commits to a cage-free egg supply", Quartz, December 28, 2015
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 Dunkin’ Donuts has clarified and strengthened its commitment to using only cage-free eggs in its U.S. menu. Earlier this year it said it would source ten percent of the eggs used in its breakfast sandwiches from cage-free sources by the end of 2016. In December, the donut chain and the Humane Society of the U.S. announced that the company would serve only cage-free eggs by 2025. The company also promised to “map” its worldwide egg supply chain to see whether it is feasible to transition to 100 percent cage-free eggs globally.
"Dunkin' Donuts, With The Humane Society Of The United States, Announces Timeline For Sourcing 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs", News release, The Humane Society of the U.S., December 07, 2015
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 The Hershey Company announced that, for the 2015 holiday season, it was introducing Kisses and Chocolate Bars made with “simple ingredients” and without artificial flavors. The idea behind the move is to provide consumers with chocolate candies containing ingredients that are “familiar.” The new products are made with fresh milk from Pennsylvania farms, pure cane sugar, natural flavors, and cocoa beans “sourced responsibly from West Africa.” The packages for the simpler chocolates feature the SmartLabel, a mobile tool with a QR code providing product information such as nutrition facts, ingredients, and allergen alerts.
"Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars with Simple Ingredients Roll Out This Holiday Season", News release, The Hershey Company, November 12, 2015
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 Noting that it has been working for ten years to “reduce antibiotic use and confinement” of food animals in its supply chain, Panera Bread announced progress among pigs, poultry and beef cattle in 2015. However, it said its laying hens would not be cage-free for another four years. This year, pregnant pig sows would be 100 percent gestation-crate free; all chickens and turkeys used in sandwiches and salads would be raised without antibiotics; and 89 percent of beef cattle would be grass-fed and free range. CEO Ron Shaich said there was more work to do, but “we are within reach of a menu without antibiotics and unnecessary confinement.”
"Panera Bread says it will move to cage-free eggs by 2020", News release, Panera Bread, November 05, 2015
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 Breakfast cereal giant Kellogg will phase out all artificial colors and flavors in its products by 2019. Paul Norman, president of the North American division of the company, told investors it has been working to remove artificial colors and flavors from its cereal and snack bar lines, and from the Eggo frozen foods as well. Half of Kellogg’s North American products are made without artificial flavors, he said, while 75 percent are made without artificial colors. Over the past year, the company has also introduced reduced-sugar Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks, and a line of mueslis and granolas with simpler ingredients.
"Kellogg to stop using artificial ingredients by 2018", USA Today, August 05, 2015
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 Subway promises to remove artificial flavors, colors and preservatives from its sandwiches in North America by 2017. The company says the process of “ingredient improvement” has been ongoing for several years. An example is the removal of caramel color from roast beef and ham. It will remove the preservative proprionic acid and replace it with vinegar by 2016. Last year, the company acknowledged it was removing azodicarbonamide from its bread after an online petition noted the chemical was used to make yoga mats. The company’s chief marketing officer says use of simple ingredients is becoming a "necessary condition" to satisfy customers.
"Eat fresher? Subway also dropping artificial ingredients", The Big Story, June 04, 2015
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 Kraft announced that beginning in January 2016 its original Mac & Cheese product sold in the U.S. will be dye-free and contain no artificial preservatives. Instead of synthetic dyes, the company will use paprika, annatto and turmeric to provide the familiar golden color. Another version of the product, Kraft Mac & Cheese Boxed Shapes, already sold in the U.S., contains no artificial flavors, preservatives or synthetic colors. The company says it took a while to introduce the new versions because they wanted to be sure there was no change in flavor. Kraft acted after an online petition gathered 365,000 signatures.
"Kraft Mac & Cheese shedding the dyes", Associated Press, Yahoo!, April 20, 2015
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 In a joint statement with the Humane Society of the U.S., hotel chain Hilton Worldwide announced it would eliminate caged egg-laying chickens and gestation crates for breeding pigs from its supply chain within two years. Affected by the announcement are 19 countries and all hotels in the Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts, Conrad Hotels and Resorts, Canopy and DoubleTree. They will have to switch all egg usage to cage-free by December 31, 2017. All pork products must be purchased from suppliers that house breeding pigs in groups rather than gestation crates by the end of 2018. A Humane Society spokesman said the Hilton commitment “will substantially improve countless animals’ lives.”
"Hilton Worldwide Commits To Improving Animal Welfare In Supply Chain", News release, Humane Society of the U.S., April 06, 2015
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