June’s top news stories

Royal DSM introduces new benzoate-free cheese-ripening enzyme

Royal DSM introduced a new benzoate-free variant of Accelerzyme CPG, which is the company’s proprietary enzyme for accelerated cheese ripening.

The company claims that addition of benzoate-free cheese enzymes such as Maxiren XDS and Fromase to its portfolio will allow cheesemakers to meet the growing consumer demand for dairy products with clean and clear labels.

DSM has recently upgraded its entire cheese enzyme portfolio and incorporated new production technologies at its facilities.

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Bayer acquires agricultural solutions company Monsato for $63bn

US-based agricultural biotechnology firm Monsato was acquired by German life sciences company Bayer for a consideration of $63bn.

Bayer agreed to pay $128 per share to Monsanto’x shareholders as part of the arrangement.

The German firm previously received a conditional approval from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) for the acquisition, which stated that the integration of Monsanto into Bayer could take place as soon as the divestments to BASF were completed.

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Tyson Foods to divest Sara Lee Frozen Bakery and Van’s businesses

US-based meat producer Tyson Foods signed an agreement to sell its Sara Lee Frozen Bakery and Van’s businesses to New York-based private equity firm Kohlberg.

Financial details of the transaction were not been disclosed by either of the two companies.

Tyson Foods agreed to divest its Chef Pierre, Bistro Collection and Van’s brands as part of the arrangement, as well as license the use of the Sara Lee brand in certain channels.

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Chr. Hansen extends DVS SSC series with new cheese starter culture

Chr. Hansen extended its soft cheese starter culture range to help manufacturers produce soft cheese with the desired taste and texture.

With the launch of the DVS SSC series, the range now consists of four cultures.

In the conventional soft cheese markets, millennial consumers are seeking cheese that tastes mild and comes with a more aesthetic look.

As export opportunities are increasing, especially to new markets, there is a need for flavor and texture to remain the same throughout its longer shelf-life.

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HKScan invests in Kristianstad plant in Sweden

Nordic food company HKScan invested approximately €7m to carry out upgrade works at its Kristianstad plant in Sweden.

The investment is expected to modernise the pig slaughterhouse at the site and strengthen HKScan’s operational footprint.

HKScan operations executive vice-president Sami Sivuranta said: “HKScan’s investment increases production efficiency, enhances the work environment and improves food safety at the Kristianstad plant.

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Nomad Foods to acquire frozen food maker Aunt Bessie’s for €240m

UK-based frozen food manufacturer Nomad Foods signed an agreement to acquire Aunt Bessie’s from William Jackson & Son for approximately €240m.

Aunt Bessie’s is also based in the UK and is primarily engaged in the production and distribution of branded frozen food products.

The acquisition is slated to provide a new platform for Nomad Foods to expand its footprint in the frozen potato and frozen Yorkshire puddings categories.

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Mondelēz International invests $200m in Opava biscuit facility of Czech Republic

Mondelēz International invested $200m in its biscuit production facility in Opava, Czech Republic, which manufactures product brands such as Oreo, belVita, Milka and Cadbury for the European market.

The investment in the plant has been ongoing since 2014 and forms part of the company’s global growth strategy, which is focused on the creation of an integrated supply chain.

The development also builds on Opava’s history as a biscuit-manufacturing hub for more than a century.

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Mexico imposes punitive tariff of 10% on US pork products

The Government of Mexico imposed a punitive tariff of 10% on unprocessed pork, set to increase to 20% from 5 July, as a retaliatory measure for the recent tariff imposed by the US on its metal exports.

The unprocessed meat specification does not include variety meats.

Mexico’s decision comes after China imposed a similar punitive tariff on the US in early April.

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Orkla to close two biscuits production facilities in Latvia

Norway-based supplier of branded consumer goods Orkla’s board of directors announced plans to consolidate the company’s biscuit production activities and build a new biscuit factory, which will be located outside Riga, Latvia.

The development forms part of group’s strategy of focusing its production operations within fewer and more efficient plants.

Orkla executive vice-president Ann-Beth Freuchen said: “By investing in a new, modern factory and concentrating production in one location, we can strengthen our future competitiveness and innovative ability, and at the same time reduce our climate footprint.

“The new production plant will allow us to focus investments on new technology, increase cost-effectiveness and create a stronger production platform.”

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Barry Callebaut and COCOBOD sign LoI to strengthen cocoa farming

Chocolate and cocoa products manufacturer Barry Callebaut and the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) signed a letter of intent (LoI) to strengthen their cooperation on sustainable cocoa farming initiatives.

The LoI will see the two entities collaborate to design and validate a sustainable cocoa farming model, with particular focus on clearing and replanting cocoa trees infected with the swollen-shoot virus (CSSV) disease.

COCOBOD chief executive Joseph Boahen Aidoo said: “Through the clearing of CSSV-infected cocoa trees, we have the opportunity to further ensure a sustainable cocoa farming model in Ghana whilst exploring agroforestry at the same time, by replanting the cleared areas with young cocoa trees, shade trees and additional crops to diversify the income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers.”