Weekly Roundup: Häagen-Dazs brings a Ruby experience to US ice cream, Givaudan, Firmenich and Symrise awarded for climate change action

24 Jan 2020 --- This week, ice cream and chocolate innovation has been in the spotlight, with Häagen-Dazs launching a limited edition Ruby Cacao collection for its US consumers and in the UK, Heston Blumenthal has teamed up with Waitrose and Partners for some “eggsciting” Easter launches. Sustainability has been high on the agenda this week with Givaudan, Firmenich and Symrise all named on the A List for their commitment to sustainability by the prestigious non-profit CDP. Nestlé was recognized in the 2020 Bloomberg Gender Equality Index (GEI) for its transparency in gender reporting and advancing women’s equality and Azelis completed the acquisition of Megafarma.

In brief: NPD
The Häagen-Dazs brand is bringing an intense new taste and color experience to its US premium ice cream for a limited time. Consumers can now look for Ruby Cacao Crackle Trio Crispy Layers and Ruby Cacao Ice Cream Bars inHäagen-Dazs is launching a limited edition Ruby Cacao collection for its US consumers.stores, while Häagen-Dazs Shops will offer Ruby cacao sundaes, dipped bars and cones. The Häagen-Dazs Ruby cacao collection is the first line of Ruby cacao ice cream products in the US. Ruby cacao beans can be found in Ecuador, Brazil and the Ivory Coast. From there, the Ruby hue and flavor are released during the bean's unique fermentation process. “The Häagen-Dazs brand encourages consumers to indulge in the finest, and the ruby cacao collection is an extraordinary new experience for people to try,” says Rachel Jaiven, Häagen-Dazs Brand Manager. 

In the UK, Waitrose & Partners shoppers are set for a surprise this Easter as the art of illusion is a playful theme in this year’s Easter selection, including a new addition from Heston Blumenthal, his new Eggstraordinary Chocolate Hen’s Eggs. The eggs have been created from white chocolate and house a soft two-tone banoffee center, with layers of fresh banana purée ganache and dark chocolate caramel ganache. Continuing with the theme of illusion, the Spring Lemon – complete with a leaf as if it’s just been plucked from a tree – looks like it’s ready to be sliced and squeezed. A surprising Easter treat, zesty lemon flavors fuse with smooth and creamy white chocolate for a unique sweet, yet citrusy flavor.

In brief: Recognition and awards
Givaudan has been named on CDP’s A List for its actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and develop the low-carbon economy. “Our commitment to sustainability is a fundamental part of our DNA, as confirmed by our newly defined Purpose. To be commended by CDP is great recognition and further encouragement to reach our ambitious climate targets,” said Gilles Andrier, CEO. In 2019, Givaudan was among the first few companies to align the 1.5°C trajectory with updated GHG emission reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company also joined the movement of companies fighting global warming and signed the UN Pledge “Business Ambition for 1.5°C.”

Firmenich has also been commended for its climate action, achieving a place on CDP’s A List for climate change, for the sixth consecutive year. Firmenich is ranked among the top 2 percent high-performing companies on the new A List for 2019, in recognition of its actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and accelerate a low-carbon economy. “We are very proud to be on the new CDP A List, for the sixth year in a row,” says Gilbert Ghostine, CEO Firmenich. “This is a testament to our inclusive capitalism business model, our colleagues’ hard work to be a force for good everywhere we operate in the world and our commitment to lead the charge against climate change.” 

Symrise has received a top score of A in an international climate protection rating. This has once again been honored by CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project). In the annual CDP evaluation of companies and governments, the Holzminden-based Group achieved an A-list climate protection rating. The rating is based on environmental data provided to CDP by more than 8,400 companies and over 920 states, regions and cities. Sustainability is an integral component of the Symrise corporate strategy, the company notes.  Givaudan, Firmenich and Symrise all named on the A List for their commitment to sustainability by the prestigious non-profit CDP.

Ingredion has been named one of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” in the food production industry by Fortune magazine for the 11th consecutive year. The company ranks fourth in the food production category. The company’s inclusion on the prominent list for more than a decade demonstrates its longstanding reputation as a preferred supplier, a purpose and values-driven employer, and a steward of sustainability. For 2020, Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” list ranked companies in 56 major industries, across categories that include: employee engagement, product quality, innovation, financial soundness, long-term investment value and social responsibility. 

Nestlé has been recognized in the 2020 Bloomberg Gender Equality Index (GEI) for its transparency in gender reporting and advancing women’s equality. This underscores Nestlé’s efforts to empower women across its value chain and to provide equal opportunities to all its employees. The GEI reference index measures gender equality across five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies and pro-women brand. 

In brief: Acquisitions and business
Azelis, a distributor of specialty chemicals and food ingredients, has completed the acquisition of Megafarma. Megafarma is a large specialty chemicals and food ingredient distributor in Mexico. Since 1973 Megafarma has served all of Mexico in the food, pharma and veterinary markets. It is headquartered in Mexico City with two additional facilities in Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Royal DSM has announced a new collaboration with Generation Unlimited, a global partnership hosted by UNICEF that identifies and grows solutions to link young people with quality education, skills and on-the-job training. Together with Sight & Life, a humanitarian nutrition think tank, the partnership aims to provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs through the development of agri-food businesses, to reach and improve the lives of an estimated one million young smallholder farmers. Contributing to one of Generation Unlimited’s “Global Breakthroughs” – innovative ideas that have the potential to tackle challenges facing young people across the world –the partnership aims to create a longer-term vision for sustainable food systems in Africa. The partnership will address the need for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access finance to scale up their businesses and build the capacity for youth to find employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Furthermore, the partnership will aim to increase demand and consumer awareness of how nutritious food can build a well-functioning food system.

By Elizabeth Green