The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

FrieslandCampina Ingredients has announced a 90 million euro investment programme to strengthen its global position in high-value whey proteins, upgrading three key Dutch production sites to meet accelerating demand in the medical, performance, and active nutrition sectors.

Heineken UK is investing 44.5 million pounds to upgrade 647 pubs within its Star Pubs estate, a strategic move aimed at modernising community locals, enhancing sports-viewing infrastructure, and creating 850 new jobs nationwide.

ABF Ingredients (ABFI) has announced a major 65 million dollar investment to construct a state-of-the-art Ohly manufacturing facility in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, significantly expanding its North American production capacity and establishing a strategic regional campus.

Southern Co-op has formally dismissed an alternative partnership approach from independent society OurCoop, reaffirming its commitment to a proposed merger with the national Co-op Group to prevent administration and secure its retail estate.

The Marzetti Company has successfully acquired Japanese Barbecue Sauce brand Bachan’s for 400 million dollars, integrating a high-growth, clean-label product into its extensive retail and foodservice distribution network.

Global ingredient supplier Green Boy Group has led an early-stage investment in Fudi Protein to accelerate the commercialisation of RuBisCO, a highly functional, complete plant protein extracted from alfalfa using a localised processing model.

Sodexo has appointed industry veteran Ashton Sequeira as Chief Executive Officer of its U.S. Campus and Schools division, leveraging his 25 years of foodservice experience to navigate evolving challenges in the North American education sector.

Whitbread PLC has announced the closure of its remaining Beefeater and Brewers Fayre locations, cutting 3,800 jobs to focus on hotel room expansion and a streamlined food and beverage model.