Weekly Roundup: AAK and Mars partner on sustainable shea initiative

11 Jun 2021 --- This week in industry news, AAK and Mars committed to a ten-year sustainable shea initiative to empower women in West Africa. Meanwhile, Yum China reinforced its climate action efforts, and Mondelēz International was recognized for advancing food safety and quality. In other developments, vegan fried chick*n brand VFC launched in Benelux, and Cambridge Commodities became a member of Friend of the Sea.

In brief: Sustainability
AAK joined forces with global confectionery giant Mars, several leading NGOs, and an impact investment fund to create a public-private partnership. This initiative aims to help improve the livelihoods of women working in Ghana’s shea supply chain. Running until 2030, the Women in Shea (WISH) initiative aims to reach 13,000 women shea collectors from more than 150 communities in northern Ghana.

Yum China Holdings has signed the Business Ambition for 1.5⁰C Commitment Letter, as part of the global Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), that helps companies establish science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and transform business operations to fit the future low-carbon economy. In committing to the SBTi, Yum China pledges to align its business with the most ambitious aim of the Paris Agreement, to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and reach net-zero by 2050. Specifically, Yum China will define a target and roadmap to reduce GHG emissions along its value chain based on SBTi criteria within 24 months.

In brief: Recognition
Mondelēz has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Black Pearl Award from the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) and sponsored by the F&H Food Equipment Company. The honor is given annually to one company for its efforts in advancing food safety and quality through consumer programs, employee relations, educational activities, adherence to standards, and support of the goals and objectives of IAFP.

In brief: Acquisitions
Flowers Foods, the producer of Nature’s Own, Dave’s Killer Bread, Wonder, Canyon Bakehouse, Tastykake, and other bakery foods, has acquired the assets of Koffee Kup Bakery, in Burlington, Vermont from the court-appointed receiver of the assets. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition includes three closed bakeries located in Burlington and Brattleboro, Vermont; North Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut; as well as the Koffee Kup Bakery and Vermont Bread Company brands.

Angel Yeast, a global yeast manufacturer, is actively planning industrial acquisitions and production capacity cooperation to implement the guarantee and development planning further. Angel Yeast has invested US$9.38 million to establish a joint venture company and acquire Bio-Sunkeen company with Shandong Lufa Holding co., Ltd, named Angel Yeast (Jining). Jining company will give full play to the company’s yeast manufacturing technology, sales channels, brand advantages to achieve environmental protection, and comprehensive resource utilization. It is responsible for yeast products, yeast extracts, food ingredients, biological feed, organic fertilizer and so on.

Cambridge Commodities is now a member of Friend of the Sea.Cosun Beet Company (CBC) has become the sole owner of the international sugar trading company Limako. It acquired the remaining 49 percent of shares from ED&F Man, one of the world’s biggest white sugar traders. Limako provides CBC maximum import-export flexibility and access to new business opportunities that have arisen since abolishing the EU sugar quota.

In brief: Plant-based highlights
VFC, the vegan fried chick*n company that launched in the UK in December and made its international debut in Spain in March has further spread its wings. From this week, VFC will be available in retail locations across Benelux, with 15 foodservice locations coming on board later this month via Brandplant’s wholesale partners. The move is the next step in the company’s aim to bring VFC to global consumers

In brief: Other highlights
UK-based ingredient supplier Cambridge Commodities is now a member of Friend of the Sea, a not-for-profit organization committed to certifying that all seafood is sourced from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Friend of the Sea has become a leading certification standard for products and services which respect and protect the marine environment. The certification awards sustainable practices in fisheries, aquaculture, fishmeal and omega 3 fish oil.

EFSA has assessed the risk of African swine fever (ASF) spreading through outdoor pig farms and has proposed biosecurity and control measures for outdoor farms in ASF-affected areas of the EU. Outdoor farming of pigs is common in the EU. However, there is no legislation at the European level for categorizing such farms, so information is limited, not harmonized and needs to be interpreted with care. The Panel on Animal Health and Welfare concluded that outdoor pig farms carry a substantial risk of introducing and spreading ASF, but installing single solid or double fences on all outdoor pig farms in areas of the EU where ASF is present could reduce this risk by at least 50 percent.

By Elizabeth Green

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