Beyond The Headlines: DSM-Firmenich tackles methane, Morinaga’s probiotic milk approved in Brazil

08 Sep 2023 --- DSM-Firmenich has developed a more sustainable feed supplement for its dairy cows that can halve methane emissions and Sainsbury’s is swapping use-by dates for best-before dates to reduce food waste. In business moves, there has been a flurry of acquisitions, mergers and partnerships this week.

In brief: Sustainability
Trials conducted at Cerzoo, a dairy farm of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Piacenza, Italy, confirm efficacy of Bovaer, DSM-Firmenich’s methane-reducing feed supplement for ruminants, achieving reductions close to 50% in methane emissions. Two on-farm trials conducted by the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, the first of their kind in Italy, tested the efficacy of Bovaerin ruminants consuming Italian dairy cow diets that are rich in corn silage. At the recommended minimum dose, Bovaer reduced enteric methane emissions by 44% to 50% while maintaining milk production and composition, milk fatty acids profile, animal health and welfare, and feed efficiency. 

Sainsbury’s will swap use-by dates for best-before dates across its own-brand milk range. The move will affect 44 products in total, including all fresh and organic milk sold across England, Scotland, and Wales, and will apply to over 730 million pints of milk sold by the retailer every year. Research from WRAP has shown that milk is the third most wasted food in the UK, with over 490 million pints thrown away each year, often because the milk has passed its use-by date.

In brief: Regulatory approvals
Morinaga Milk Industry Co, a Japanese dairy product company, announced that its proprietary probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BB536 (Bifidobacterium longum BB536) has obtained approval from the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency. This approval allows for the utilization of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 in dietary supplements and conventional food products sold in Brazil. The strain has also been registered in ANVISA’s list of approved products.

Morinaga Milk announced that its proprietary probiotic milk has obtained approval from the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency.In brief: Business moves
Eigenmann & Veronelli SpA, a distributor of specialty chemicals and food ingredients, announced the acquisition of 100% of IMEA Technologies FZC, a regional specialty chemicals distribution company focused on the industrial market, based in the United Arab Emirates. The acquisition fits into E&V’s current operations and marks a strategic business expansion into the Middle East and Africa region, in addition to the Far East and Indian markets. In this way, E&V reinforces its international presence to consolidate its attractive portfolio and execute its growth strategy.

Viru Group, the largest producer of canned and frozen fruits and vegetables in Peru, and Superior Foods International, which supplies frozen products in the US, have announced they will join forces through Viru acquiring Superior Foods International.

Internationally renowned, multi-Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay has launched his first frozen entrée line, By Chef Ramsay. Each recipe is crafted with the chef’s culinary prowess and features eight iconic and recipes, like Ramsay Family Lasagna, Chicken Pot Pie, and Fish & Chips. They are exclusively available at Walmart stores across the US.

Bakery manufacturer and distributor Dawn Foods announced an extension to the Pak Perfect Non-Sticky range for the baking industry. Dawn Exceptional Pak Perfect Non-Sticky Icing is a patent-pending solution for bakery manufacturers that delivers perfectly iced bakery items, even when packaged. Similar to the Donut Glaze in the range, the Pak PerfectTM Non-Sticky Icing improves the appeal of packaged iced bakery items, guarantees a shelf life of at least five days and is freeze and thaw stable. It differs significantly from traditional fat-based icings in caloric value because it is fat-free. It can be applied on any bakery item that has high water activity, like cinnamon rolls and eclairs.

John B. Sanfilippo & Son signed a definitive agreement to acquire certain assets, including a manufacturing facility in Minnesota, US, and customer relationships, from Treehouse Foods, relating to its snack bars business unit for approximately US$63.0 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments.Bakery manufacturer Dawn Foods announced an extension to the Pak Perfect Non-Sticky range for the baking industry.

The Cultivated B and Denovo Matrix have entered into a collaborative partnership to conduct a feasibility study with implications that enable the scalable, economically viable commercial production of cultivated meats. Denovo Matrix will contribute its microcarrier technology to test the proliferation of suspended cells in TCB’s bioreactors and cell mediums and its coating technology for functionalizing scaffolding, which enables a structured final cultivated meat product.

DKSH’s Business Unit Performance Materials has partnered with Syngenta in Thailand. Under the agreement, DKSH will provide business development, marketing, sales, logistics, and distribution services for Syngenta’s livestock products, such as Zyrox, Demand Duo, and Advion.

Danone North America has joined the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance. This collaborative movement aims to revolutionize food waste recycling and expand renewable energy production across America. Founded in 2020 by Vanguard Renewables, Unilever, Starbucks, and Dairy Farmers of America, the Alliance has grown to include 17 industry leaders from various sectors.

Algalf Iceland and ImmuneRise Biocontrol France, two biotech companies specializing in microalgae, have announced their plans to form a long-term strategic partnership to build a large-scale microalgae industrial center. The partnership will enable them to produce new natural biocontrol products for plant protection in the growing global biocontrol market.

By Gaynor Selby