The British multinational Coke bottler says it is accelerating the decarbonization of its business by reducing absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 percent from 2019 levels across its entire value chain – including scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions – by 2030. The overall goal is to become a Net Zero business by 2040. The emissions reduction plan affects its entire value chain: ingredients, packaging, operations, transportation, and refrigeration. A major focus will be on a commitment to support strategic suppliers as they set their own science-based carbon reduction targets and use 100 percent renewable electricity. CCEP is investing €250m ($303 million) over three years to implement the plan.

Among the Mississauga, Ont,-based food company’s new and updated cereal and snack products – including four new flavors of the iconic Cheez-It brand – are  a high-protein cereal and a variant of its Special K brand made with whole blueberries. The company’s Vector Maple Crunch Cereal contains 15 g of protein per 44 g serving of cereal (with 125 ml of milk), 14 g of whole grain per serving, and 11 essential nutrients, including vitamin B6. Special K Whole Blueberries Cereal is made with whole grain wheat and rice – 15 g per serving – with no artificial flavors or colors, and nine vitamins and minerals.

The Mondelez International innovation hub’s French cracker brand NoCOé meets the needs of younger consumers for snack brands that offer “values or purpose.”  According to the company, NoCOé is both carbon neutral and nutritious, free from preservatives and additives, and a source of fiber and plant proteins. The crackers are also low in sugar, saturated fat, and salt and have been awarded a green NutriScore rating of “B.” Plant-based ingredients include spelt flour, hemp, red quinoa, and pumpkin seeds. 

The Vancouver, B.C.-based health and wellness products company says the maker of granola and other plant-based foods will become a subsidiary of EuroLife, which very recently renamed itself Plant & Co Brands Inc. Holy Crap’s line of plant-based, gluten-free, and kosher products are available across Canada at retailers like Whole Foods Market and Save-On-Foods. The Canadian brand generated approximately $262,700 in revenue in the last six months, 

Market researcher Global Data says major food companies like Kraft-Heinz and Nestlé are heavily engaged in researching plant-based food technology while expanding rapidly into the space. An example of the priority is Kraft-Heinz’s recent deal to conduct research on fermented ingredients with APC Microbiome. The arrangement allows the company to try novel flavors and formulations without wasting time on internal, potentially dead-end, research. The recent surge in coronavirus cases, and the ensuing lockdowns, is pushing consumers to buy savory snacks and condiments and pushing companies to speed up development of new products, especially for at-home consumption. By focusing on ingredient and formulation innovations via the APC Microbiome partnership, Kraft-Heinz can better align with strengthening demand for “clean” and “safe” products “that will resonate with consumers during these trying times.”

The Taguig-based beverage company has named Antonio “Tony” V. Del Rosario, Jr. the country president starting in January.  The first Filipino to lead the Philippine operations in almost three decades, he will also serve as vice president of franchise operations for Coca-Cola East Region, representing the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Del Rosario is a 20-year veteran of Coca-Cola in the country, having served as general manager positions in Coca-Cola across Southeast Asian markets since 2008.

The London-based company, a unit of Salarius Ltd., has begun selling its SaltMe! low-sodium potato chips in four flavors on Amazon in North America. The chips are sold in six-count boxes of 5-ounce bags for $19.97 with free shipping. In January, the company plans to introduce 1-ounce bags on the platform, to meet consumer demand for a lunch bag option. SaltMe! potato chips are made with MicroSalt, a proprietary salt made with micron-size salt particles that dissolve in the mouth significantly faster than regular salt and, according to the company, contains 50 percent less sodium per serving than regular potato chips. SaltMe! chips are also Non-GMO, all-natural, kosher, and gluten-free. They are also sold in Central Market stores in the U.S. and Canada.

The company claims the product, introduced under the Yiyang Active brand, has been clinically proven to enhance mobility during aging by supporting bone health, muscle strength, and joint functionality. The move from the Swiss food giant comes as global consumers are increasingly concerned about healthy aging. The powdered beverage is the first Nestlé product with functional food approval in China. It was developed by Nestlé R&D and clinically tested in a collaboration between Nestlé and the Peking University Third Hospital.

The Boulder, Colo.-based BFY canister chip company is using augmented reality (AR) to transform its packaging into animated visions of “winter warmth, swirling snow, and even a selfie with Santa.” According to the company, the curved-image AR packaging is new in the snack industry. Consumers hold their smartphone up to a Good Crisp canister, scan a QR code linking the phone to its website, and immediately get “a cheerful message from Santa himself.” No app is required. Good Crisp Company chips are gluten-free, non-GMO certified, and free of eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and other potential allergens including sesame seeds, mustard and celery. The snacks are available at Whole Foods Market, Walmart, and other grocery chains nationwide.  

The Richmond, B.C.-based organic breakfast and snack food company’s nutty, protein-rich hot cereals blend plant-based watermelon seed protein with nutrient-dense, healthy fats. Available in Maple Almond Crunch and Cinnamon Apple Crisp flavors, the cereals feature chia seeds and pumpkin seeds instead of grain, and are rich in fiber, protein, antioxidants, and ALA omega-3 fatty acids. The cereals are also vegan and paleo friendly, certified USDA organic, and contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

The Loveland, Colo.-based maker of grain-free snacks has created a line of Keto Nut Mixes in six flavors for paleo diet fans, Debuting in January, the new flavors will be available on Amazon in three savory and three sweet varieties, each delivering 7 grams of protein and 3 grams of net carbs. The savory Keto Nut Mixes are made with seasoned walnuts, pecans, and healthy seeds, and sold in 1.2-ounce packs in flavors such as Pepperoni Pizza, Traditional Recipe, and Sour Cream & Chive. The sweet nut mixes, also sold in 1.2-ounce packs, are made with nuts and seeds in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Maple Cinnamon Praline, and Thai Sweet Chili flavors. The snacks are low-glycemic, grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and free of refined sugars, and artificial flavorings. Besides Amazon, the snacks will be sold at Whole Foods Market, Natural Grocers, Sprouts, The Fresh Market, King Soopers, and other retailers.

The Buffalo, N.Y. “sprouted mega-food” company says its SeeReal is a raw and sprouted cereal formulated for optimal nutrition that complements its OverNights line of sprouted overnight oat, chia pudding, and buckwheat breakfasts. SeeReal is made with real fruits and vegetables “deliciously disguised” to serve as the replacement for the most popular cereals. Available in Fruity Fantasy, Dark Chocolate, and Banana Bread flavors, the cereals are using a technology the company calls “positive processing:” sprouting to increase bioavailability; never using heat above 118 degrees F, the temperature at which nutrients begin to degrade; and never using chemical additives, preservatives, artificial ingredients, or “natural” flavors. 

Though a common practice in countries like India and China, eating insects has been slow to catch on in Western countries. But catching on it is, and insects mass-produced for human consumption, often sold dry roasted or in powder form, are increasingly available in stores, touted as nutritious and beneficial to the environment. Available from U.K. companies like Bugvita, Eat Grub, and EntoKitchen are: whole roasted crickets; herb- and spice-roasted grasshoppers and buffalo worms; and dried mealworms, eaten on their own, salted, sprinkled on salads, or added to soup. They can also replace nuts when making cookies or cakes “as they taste a lot like peanuts.” But there are some potential challenges caused by production and safety concerns: insects are capable of accumulating potential hazards, such as pathogens, allergens and pesticides.