Weekly Roundup: Campbell completes sale of European Chips Business, Tic Tac Coca-Cola makes debut

18 Oct 2019 --- This week in business news, Campbell Soup Company completed the sale of its European Chips Business to Valeo Foods for approximately £66 million (US$80 million). The Ferrero Group launched Tic Tac Coca-Cola and Del Monte Foods launched Veggieful Bites, another new snacking innovation. Dunkin' Brands announced that Tony Weisman, Chief Marketing Officer for Dunkin' US, is stepping down from his position and the European Commission made a call for a research and innovation platform on food safety.

In brief: Business news
Campbell Soup Company has completed the sale of its European Chips Business to Valeo Foods, a portfolio company of CapVest Partners LLP, for approximately £66 million (US$80 million). The Campbell European Chips Business includes UK-based Kettle Foods and Netherlands-based Yellow Chips. Under the terms of the agreement, Campbell will retain the Kettle Brand business in the US and all other geographies, except for Europe and the Middle East. Campbell intends to grow the Kettle Brand as an essential part of its Snacks portfolio.

The Ferrero Group has launched Tic Tac Coca-Cola.In brief: Product launches
The Ferrero Group has launched Tic Tac Coca-Cola: the result of a collaboration between two iconic brands of the FMCG sector. Thanks to this collaboration, Tic Tac brings Coca-Cola into the Sweet Package Food market, creating the first mint with the refreshment of Coca-Cola. This new edition will be available over the next few months in more than 70 countries globally Tic Tac Coca-Cola is available in three different promotional packs, with a “distinctive and impactful” graphic.

US-based FoodStory Brands' Fresh Cravings is expanding beyond its salsas, with the launch of a new line of dairy-free dips made from almonds or cashews, in both savory and sweet varieties. Packed with nut-based protein and superfoods, including coconut aminos, chia and hemp, these vegan dips are preservative-, soy-, and gluten-free, says the company. They are available in the US, at Walmart, in keto-friendly, sugar-free savory varieties. With a smooth and creamy consistency, Fresh Cravings Plant Based Dips are an innovative alternative to hummus, dairy-based dips and other snacking condiments. Sold in 8 oz. tubs at a price competitive with or lower than the competition and other dip options, they are available in Kickin' Queso Style Cashew Dip, Zesty Ranch Cashew Dip, Creamy Dill Cashew Dip, Creamy Garlic Almond Dip, Spicy Garlic Almond Dip and Smokehouse Almond Dip. 

Meanwhile, California-headquartered Del Monte Foods has launched another new snacking innovation; Veggieful Bites. The product comes in three flavors: Broccoli and Cheddar, Spinach and Feta, Veggie and Mozzarella. Veggieful Bites contain a full serving of vegetables in every five bites, provide nine grams of protein and are made with real cheese without artificial preservatives or flavors. Made with a wholewheat and cauliflower crust, the dough creates a bite that is “deliciously tender and satisfying,” says the company. Veggieful Bites is the third of Del Monte Foods new snacking innovation products to be released this year, following Bubble Fruit and Fruit Crunch Parfait. Consumers can expect to see further developments from the 130-year-old heritage brand as it continues to diversify outside the canned food aisle and into the snack, refrigerator and frozen aisles of grocery stores.

In brief: Appointments & retirementsFoodStory Brands' Fresh Cravings has launched of a new line of dairy-free dips made from almonds and cashews.
Dunkin' Brands, the parent company of Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins, has announced that Tony Weisman, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for Dunkin' US, is stepping down from his position effective December 1, 2019. The company will immediately begin a search for his replacement, and Weisman has agreed to assist in the search. Until the appointment of a new CMO, the marketing department will report to Dave Hoffmann, Dunkin' Brands CEO and Dunkin' US President. 

International not-for-profit organization Bonsucro has appointed Benjamin Sandoval as the new Regional Coordinator for Mexico. In his new role, Sandoval will be the first point of contact for all Bonsucro's members and relationships in Mexico, supporting members with their sustainable production, processing and sourcing of sugarcane. Sandoval will coordinate with Mexico based stakeholders to continue the acceleration program, provide improvement support and deliver impact to strengthen Bonsucro in the region, notes the organization. 

In brief: Other highlights
This World Food Day, which was on October 16, Kraft Heinz held a 24-hour global meal-packing relay race in partnership with Rise Against Hunger, an international hunger relief non-profit organization. Starting in Sydney and ending in Chicago, 15 Kraft Heinz offices and factories around the world joined together to pack over one million meals destined for children and families in need. Employees from Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, the UK and the US participated.

Kraft Heinz held a 24-hour global meal-packing relay race in partnership with Rise Against Hunger on World Food Day.Finally, the European Commission has launched a call to develop a research and innovation platform on food safety. It will make it easier for national food safety authorities, EU agencies, policy-makers, the scientific community and civil society to coordinate research efforts. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publication looks at how research can stimulate innovation, how science can be communicated effectively to society and how to provide safe food for a growing world population. The platform will include information on food safety research and improve coherence between national and EU funding in food safety research. It will also facilitate new approaches to communication on food safety. The deadline for applications is January 22, 2020.

Edited By Elizabeth Green