Weekly Roundup: Corbion expands algae business, Paul McCartney pushes for more meat-free school meals

26 Jun 2020 --- This week, World Rainforest Day shone a light on Kenyan tea farmers switching to renewable energy. Mane is answering the growing demand for more transparency and naturalness in the chilled ready meals category and Corbion is expanding its algae business with strategic appointments. Meanwhile, Sir Paul McCartney is urging schools in England to offer meat-free meals.

In brief: Business
Symrise has firmly anchored sustainability in its corporate strategy. Governments around the world are currently putting together measures to get their economies back on a growth track after the COVID-19 pandemic. These reconstruction measures should take into account the latest climate science findings and the goals of the Paris Climate Convention – this was the unanimous opinion of a joint declaration under the leadership of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the UN Global Compact and the We Mean Business coalition. The signatories point out that the coronavirus and climate must be seen together. Symrise has recognized the high relevance of sustainability for business and society, as well as biodiversity, and is thus consistently pursuing its ambitious sustainability objectives. This includes being climate positive by 2030. This is why, along with 154 companies, Symrise signed the Science Based Targets initiative’s declaration “Recover Better,” the UN Global Compact and the “We Mean Business” coalition. 

The COVID-19 pandemic affects many Kenyan communities as the tea sector that they depend on is seeing falling output and demand. However, a Kenyan project running for three years is continuing to create thousands of healthier homes, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises while reducing the demand for firewood, which helps reduce deforestation. In light of World Rainforest Day (June 22), a report from Global Forest Watch confirmed that an area the size of a football pitch of tropical rainforest is lost every six seconds based on 2019 satellite data. The tea industry, Kenya’s biggest employer, is a heavy consumer of firewood – estimated at 29,000 meters cubed per year. However, Kenya currently only has enough wood to meet 70 percent of this demand through sustainable domestic supply. This shortage is putting immense pressure on Kenya’s forests and has led to a national deforestation crisis, which has also contributed to massive water shortages. 

Kashi has launched two new superfood cereals for its Kashi by Kids line, created by kids, for kids.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced improvements to the functionality and appearance of two types of export certificates issued for human food products exported from the US. Beginning June 29,, the “Certificate to a Foreign Government” and “Certificate of Exportability” for human food products will include a unique QR code to verify the authenticity of these certificates. This added security measure means that anyone who receives a certificate from a US exporter can scan the QR code and see a copy of it as issued by the FDA. 

The Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based organic food and farm policy research group, is launching a new campaign to showcase ethical, authentic organic dairy producers. The “Organic Innovators: Top-Rated Farmers You Can Trust” dairy campaign will empower consumers and wholesale buyers to support farmers who at risk because of surplus organic milk. This stems from the rise of factory farms certified under the USDA organic label. The campaign builds on Cornucopia’s Organic Dairy Scorecard, used by thousands of consumers monthly to make food shopping decisions that invest in responsible stewardship of environmental and human health. This consumer tool is based on up-to-date research of the organic dairy industry and rates over 160 organic dairy brands and private-label products.

In brief: NPD and launches
US-based Kashi has enlisted its Kashi Kids Crew to create two new superfood cereals for its Kashi by Kids line where every product is created by kids, for kids. Available in Chocolate and Berry, the cereals deliver 4 g of protein, single-digit sugar and superfood ingredients such as berries, lentils and cocoa. With the new Kashi by Kids Super Loops launch, Kashi wants to support parents and provide them with delicious, high-quality food. Instead of using single grain flour, Kashi chose to use a blend of different superfood ingredients such as brown rice flour and red lentil flour. The ingredients also enhance the texture and flavors of the cereal – which are key concerns for kids and parents. Both cereals are Non-GMO Project Verified and USDA Organic.

US-based Clean Juice announced the launch of its modified menu featuring five center-plate wraps made with fresh, organic ingredients. The company’s unveiling of its “Tastes of Summer” seasonal menu rollout featuring three fresh specialty items is in line with the launch, and its latest superfood plant protein ingredient, blue spirulina. The new wraps menu answers the calls from guests and franchise owners who desired a more substantive “grab-and-go” food option that was still organic, healthy and full of flavor to pair with one of the many cold-press, juice or smoothie beverages. 

Mane is answering the growing demand for more transparency and naturalness in the chilled ready meals category. One of the most appealing improvements that consumers expect from chilled ready meals is that they are “made with only natural ingredients.” At the same time, consumers ask for indulgent and traditional recipes. To answer these challenges, Mane has launched a roasted chicken juice and roasted onion juice in powder form. These ingredients are 100 percent natural, concentrated and made with fresh raw materials. They are easy to use and deliver an authentic, roasted culinary taste to processed meat, a sauce or juice. The taste solely comes from a singular raw material and its processing. 

Corbion has announced three strategic new appointments to its Algae Ingredients team, expanding the impact of the company’s omega 3 algae feed ingredient, AlgaPrime DHA. The expanded team will continue to lead business development and innovation with its customers and farmers internationally. With the proven success of AlgaPrime DHA’s adoption in the salmon industry, the new team will continue to drive commercialization of omega 3 ingredients in the shrimp, marine fish, pet and livestock markets. The appointment of Ruud Peerbooms as President of Algae Ingredients, and a member of the Corbion Executive team, demonstrates Corbion’s commitment to driving greater adoption of algae ingredients around the world. The new team members include; Geir Ivar Lanes as Senior Business Development Manager leading the application of Corbion’s AlgaPrime DHA ingredient in salmonid feed, and Paula Arriagada Strodthoff, Senior Business Development Manager leading Corbion’s AlgaPrime DHA to work with salmon farmers and feed companies in Chile. 

In brief: Other highlights The McCartneys want to see school children given more opportunities to choose vegan meals that do not include meat, fish and dairy.
Sir Paul McCartney and his family have joined a call to change guidance on England’s school meals. The McCartneys, founders of Meat-Free Monday, want to see school children given more opportunities to choose climate-friendly vegan meals that do not necessarily include meat, fish and dairy. They have signed a letter to the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, which has been written as part of the National Food Strategy consultation process, a landmark review of Britain’s food system. That strategy is an opportunity to revise School Food Standards, which make it mandatory to serve fish, meat and dairy, and replace them with nutritional guidelines “that allow schools to be more flexible.”

The UK could be set for a shortage of fruit and vegetables under a no-deal Brexit scenario unless new markets are found soon, experts at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) have warned. Cesar Revoredo-Giha and Montserrat Costa-Font, from SRUC’s Food Marketing Research team, say the pandemic has already led to disruptions in the food chain, the increased cost of several fruit and vegetables and changes in the origin of foods. However, in a blog, published by the London School of Economics and Political Science, they said these problems would be exacerbated by the no-deal Brexit looming on the horizon. “While COVID-19 has already had an impact on prices and imports, a no-deal Brexit may have far more severe effects on the food chain,” they wrote. They compared the price of 20 fruits and vegetables between March and April this year and the same months last year.

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-Shopper Track Footfall Monitor, UK footfall decreased 57.2 percent year on year during the first week of reopening. This was a slight improvement on the previous week at 76.2 percent. Footfall on high streets declined by 61 percent year on year. This was an improvement on a decline of 74 percent the last week. High streets have been struck hard as pubs, restaurants and other hospitality remain closed. Meanwhile, retail parks saw footfall decrease by 26 percent year on year. Retail parks continue to benefit from a higher proportion of supermarkets and ease of parking. Shopping center footfall declined by 64 percent year on year. Footfall was most substantial during the weekdays, with an average yearly decrease of 53 percent, while the weekend showed weaker footfall with an average decline of 60 percent.

With temperatures soaring in the UK this week, high-end retailer Waitrose predicts record-breaking demand for rosé and John Lewis has seen rising sales of BBQs. Rosé wine is predicted to have its biggest week ever at Waitrose with sales up 100 percent compared to the same time last year and sales of beers and cider also expected to rise by 50 percent. Preparing for socially distanced BBQ and picnics in the park has seen barbecues sales at John Lewis spike by 61 percent. Forecasters at Waitrose are predicting sales of ice and premium ice cream to increase by 32 percent and 72 percent. 

By Elizabeth Green