Weekly Roundup: Carrefour Brazil and IDH achieve 100% traceable beef, Equality in global food systems highlighted

30 Jul 2021 --- This week in industry news, the first batch of 100 percent deforestation-free beef “traced from birth to shelf” became available in Brazil. Kalsec opened a new US center, while Feeding America and Starbucks secured US$1.7 million in new equitable food access grants to support communities affected by hunger. A joint report from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Global Health 50/50 flagged the importance of equality across food systems. Meanwhile, Cambridge Commodities launched a new clear rice protein, and a surge in the popularity of Japanese-inspired cuisine was observed in the UK.

In brief: Industry highlights 
The Carrefour Group Brazil, the Carrefour Foundation and The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) announced that the first batch of 100 percent deforestation-free beef traced “from birth to shelf” is now available in Brazil. Consumers will be able to access information through a QR Code stamped on the product’s label. When slaughterhouses buy mature cows as part of the traditional supply chain, their origins are no longer traceable. The increased traceability makes it possible to conform to and exceed the requirements of Brazil’s national Forest Code. With the Sustainable Production of Calves program, each calf is ear-tagged, and a sophisticated record is kept on each animal in a system, including information on the parents, date and place of birth, as well as all the transfers between farms during the animal’s life.

Kalsec opened its newest facility with a dedication ceremony this month. The Don Berdahl Center for New Technology is named in honor of Dr. Don Berdahl, who retired as the company’s chief technical officer in 2019. Kalsec has invested over US$10 million in the project, which will support deeper collaboration with its customers to deliver on consumer demands for natural and sustainable foods and beverages. The new 6,500 sq ft technology center is staffed with various resident scientists and visiting product developers to explore and test opportunities in green technology, biotransformation and natural ingredient production. This facility also enables new product discovery, advanced application testing and process engineering advancements.

Daring’s Original Pieces and Original Breaded Pieces are available to purchase in select Whole Foods Market locations across the US next month.Warrants in the long-term incentive program (Warrants Program series 2017/2022:2) implemented at AAK AB’s annual general meeting in May 2017 have been possible to exercise since September 2020. President and CEO Johan Westman has exercised warrants and has at the same time acquired an additional 18,000 shares in AAK. He now has a total holding of 54,000 shares.

In brief: Equality highlights
Feeding America has received a US$1.7 million investment from Starbucks in equitable food access grants to help increase access to nutritious food among individuals who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) residing in communities experiencing high food insecurity rates. These grants will be distributed to 16 member food banks to develop localized plans to address equity in food access and implement programs and initiatives, such as mobile pantries, child and senior hunger programs, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program outreach. In the US, BIPOC are more likely to live in food-insecure households, Native Americans by 2.9 times, Black people by 2.4 times and Latinos by two times. The pandemic and its economic effects compounded these disparities. Adults who identify as Black or Latino were almost three times more likely than white adults to report accessing charitable food in 2020.

Just 6 percent of CEOs and board chairs of a sample of organizations active in food systems are women from low- and middle-income countries, according to initial findings from a new joint report from the IFPRI and Global Health 50/50. While the initial findings also point to several positive trends toward more significant equity, such as widespread commitments to gender equality and policies to promote gender equity and diversity, researchers said that the lack of diversity in leadership positions indicates how much work remains to achieve equality in global food systems.

In brief: Plant-based highlights
Daring, a US-based company specializing in plant-based chicken, has revealed that its Original Pieces and Original Breaded Pieces are available for consumers to purchase in select Whole Foods Market locations across the US starting next month. Daring’s entry into Whole Foods Market is a significant retail growth moment for the brand, landing in the retailer just 18 months after launching. Daring will add to Whole Foods Market’s portfolio of premium ingredient products with its Original Pieces and Original Breaded Pieces, both available in 8 oz packages. Daring products are 100 percent plant-based, high-protein (11 to 14 g per serving) and made of all-natural non-GMO ingredients.

In brief: Partnerships
Edlong, a dairy and dairy-free flavor specialist, has announced its 2021 Feeding Tomorrow Edlong Scholarship recipients, including future food scientists Shruti Sharma and Brianna McBride. Edlong’s partner for this program, Feeding Tomorrow, has established this scholarship program to assist students who plan to continue their education by pursuing an undergraduate degree in food science on their way to careers in the industry. This year, Feeding Tomorrow awarded 44 scholarships to the brightest and most innovative young minds to help them achieve their Food Science and Dairy Science aspirations.

In brief: Ingredient launches Waitrose has seen a rise in Japanese-inspired cuisine.
Cambridge Commodities has launched its brand-new range of plant-based clear rice protein powders. This is the first in their range of clear plant proteins. The range initially has three ready-made flavors: Cherry Cola, Tropical, and Strawberry & Kiwi, with other flavors planned. There is also the opportunity to develop bespoke flavor blends upon request. Cambridge Commodities’ clear rice protein has an excellent amino acid profile and provides 10 g of protein per 14 g serving. 

In brief: Other highlights
With all eyes on Tokyo this summer, there has been a surge in popularity of Japanese-inspired cuisine, with sales of the Japanese range at Waitrose increasing by almost 10 percent compared to last year. UK consumers are recreating Japanese dishes at home, with sales of miso up 19 percent and soy sauce up 22 percent. Views of the category “easy Japanese recipes,” including Miso Maple Pork Ramen and Prawn Katsu Sando, have seen a 72 percent increase on Waitrose.com. Other popular recipes include Japanese-style Marinated Steak and Tuna Tataki Salad with views up 70 percent and 91 percent on last month, respectively.

On the heels of a US$6.1 million raise announced last month, RIND Snacks is expanding outside of the traditional chewy dried fruit category. The company has launched crispy thin-cut Fruit Chips in three Orange, Kiwi and Apple flavors.

By Elizabeth Green