Britvic-owned brand Pepsi has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new, limited-edition blue cola, Electric Blue. The new product was created to challenge what consumers expect from a cola, with the new launch providing a zesty taste encapsulated in a striking blue liquid. Ben Parker, Britvic’s retail commercial director in Great Britain, said: “Pepsi Electric embodies shopper preferences for fresh, special edition flavours while incorporating the unmissable vibrant blue cola liquid, which will grab shopper attention at shelf and capture the next generation…Pepsi Electric is set to help retailers increase basket spend and tap into the flavoured cola segment, a market which is growing three times faster than unflavoured cola.” Available for 12 months across the convenience, wholesale and grocery channels, Pepsi Electric is launching exclusively as a 500ml bottle format. The new product development is also sugar-free, designed to enable retailers to cater to growing preferences for zero sugar soft drink options, without having to compromise on bold flavour and taste. Pepsi Electric will begin rolling out across the UK convenience channel from May, following a broader launch across grocery, convenience and wholesale on 17 June.

In partnership with dairy giant Arla, Starbucks has unveiled its latest innovation, a new line of high-protein coffee-based RTD beverages. The #Starbucks Protein Drink with Coffee range contains 20g of protein per bottle and is made with low-fat milk and zero added sugar. The line has launched in three flavour varieties, Caffe Latte, Chocolate Mocha and Caramel Hazelnut. Adam Hacking, head of beverages at Arla, said: “We are passionate about finding new ways to provide our consumers with beverages that support their active lifestyles. Our new venture into the protein drinks space brings the delicious Starbucks taste to a high-protein beverage and does just that. By appealing to existing protein drinkers as a trade-up opportunity and by tapping into the penetration opportunity for new shoppers, Starbucks Protein Drink with Coffee will continue to drive growth in the milk-based beverage category.” Hacking continued: “This is a game-changing launch, so we have gone full strength, with not only one flavour but three. It is a whole new range that will further build our market-leading position and give consumers even more choice.” The new RTD high-protein coffees will be available to purchase in major UK retailers from 13 June.

Premium UK dessert brand Gü is making its foray into the frozen category, unveiling a new line of indulgent frozen sundaes that will debut exclusively at Waitrose supermarkets from 9 June. The range – featuring Double Salted Caramel & Mascarpone, Caramel, Chocolate & Hazelnut, and Clotted Cream & Chocolate Crunch – represents Gü’s first venture beyond its core chilled dessert offerings. “Gü is thrilled to introduce the new frozen sundae range, which opens up exciting opportunities for innovation,” said Emma Heeney, senior innovation manager at Gü. “These individual indulgent treats address a gap in the freezer aisle typically dominated by family-style desserts.” The move comes as Gü seeks to capitalise on a notable 12% increase in home indulgence over the past three years, as well as a 58% of UK consumers planning to reduce dining-out expenses due to economic pressures, according to industry data. The frozen sundaes, crafted by Gü’s master pâtisserie chef, Fred Ponnavoy, will be available in 253 Waitrose stores nationwide, with plans for broader distribution across other major UK retailers later this summer. Priced at £6 for a pack of four ramekins, the frozen range will be offered at an exclusive launch promotion of £4 from 10 June to 2 July 2024. Gü, owned by private equity firm Exponent, has established itself as a premium chilled dessert brand, with £73.3 million in sales and growing over 4.5% year-on-year. “We set out to create a new indulgence experience like never before with our sundaes, overflowing with our signature luxuriously smooth French salted caramel,” said Ponnavoy. “As masters of sweet temptations, we’ve crafted frozen delights that we believe redefine dessert. Our premium ingredients ensure exceptional flavour, whilst innovative textures add an extra layer of delight.”

Campbell Soup Company is tapping into the US’s love for pickles and spicy flavours with the launch of its new limited-edition Goldfish Spicy Dill Pickle crackers. The latest Goldfish flavour offering comes as pickle-related content on social media platforms like TikTok has surged past 300 million posts, while 53 million US consumers are actively seeking out spicier food options, according to the company. “Goldfish and pickle enthusiasts alike have continued to request this new flavour on social media – so much so, one single social post about pickle flavoured Goldfish received over 30,000 likes,” Campbell’s said in a statement. The new Goldfish Spicy Dill Pickle crackers aim to satisfy this growing consumer demand by coupling the tang of dill pickles with a spicy kick on the iconic fish-shaped snack. “With over 300 million pickle-related posts on TikTok and 53 million Americans requesting extra spice, Goldfish Spicy Dill Pickle crackers deliver on flavour and fandom with this latest LTO,” the company said. The limited-time offering will hit national retailers starting this June with a suggested retail price of $3.69. The move underscores Campbell’s efforts to innovate and expand its popular Goldfish brand to keep pace with evolving consumer tastes, particularly around flavour profiles that are generating significant social media buzz and engagement. Goldfish, first introduced in 1962, has become one of Campbell’s most recognisable snack brands, competing in the highly competitive $24 billion US cracker market.

Coffee maker brand AeroPress has released a new portable travel coffee system, the AeroPress Go Plus, designed to provide a convenient coffee experience for people on the go. The AeroPress Go Plus is designed as a complete travel coffee system, featuring a range of innovations backed by four pending patents. It combines AeroPress’s three-in-one brewing technology in a clear coffee maker that fits into a double-wall, lead-free, stainless-steel tumbler (available in black or cream) with a leak-resistant, magnetised slider lid. This cupholder-compatible system includes a travel scoop, stirrer and built-in filter holder, packing compactly and quickly for convenient use on the go. According to the company, the AeroPress Go Plus is the first product to feature the new AeroPress branding, including the ‘Press for Better Coffee’ tagline and a unique AeroPress-shaped slider on the lid. David Cole, AeroPress CMO, added: “People on the go have had a particularly difficult time finding good coffee on the road and there has never been a coffee solution that’s reliably delicious, convenient and fits their lifestyle — until now. The AeroPress Go Plus is a complete travel coffee system — you can unpack it, brew our velvety smooth, signature brew and repack it all in about two minutes. It brings the convenience and versatility AeroPress is known for to the car, office, campground, hotel, vacation rental or wherever adventure takes you.” AeroPress CEO Gerard Meyer added: “Over the past year, we have had a series of exciting new product launches, addressing community demand for variants and accessories of our existing line-up. The AeroPress Go Plus is a true innovation and a first-of-its-kind in the category. Our community is paramount, so in developing the AeroPress Go Plus, we incorporated their input to help shape the final product.” “A few of the features we prioritised are the ability to brew more coffee, the ability to watch the brewing process happen by utilizing a clear chamber and ensuring the tumbler was sized to fit comfortably in smaller car cup holders. For coffee lovers, worrying about a reliable, tasty cup of coffee while on the move — even if it is just a trip to the office — is now a thing of the past.” The AeroPress Go Plus currently retails for $79.95 at the brand’s website and will be available on Amazon in the coming weeks.

Kenco has expanded its Millicano coffee range with new barista-style drinks, aimed to recreate popular coffee shop orders at home. The range includes three variants: Creamy Cappuccino, Smooth Latte and Cadbury Mocha, which was developed in partnership with Mondelēz-owned chocolate brand Cadbury. The new recipes, blended with instant coffee, ground beans and creamy foam, offer a no-machine solution that is ready in an instant. Roberto De Felice, marketing director, UK & Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our market-leading Kenco Millicano range to include the UK’s most popular coffee shop orders. Our new range offers an elevated instant solution for consumers to personalise and recreate their favourite coffee-shop orders at home, giving retailers a unique opportunity to appeal to a new category of shoppers.” Kenco Millicano Creamy Cappuccino, Smooth Latte and Cadbury Mocha are available exclusively in Sainsbury’s for an RRP of £4.99 and at major retailers across July to October 2024.

Tapping into the growing cold coffee trend, #Nestlé-owned brand #Nescafé has introduced a new Espresso Concentrate, specifically designed for iced coffees. With 32% of coffee consumed out of the home being served cold in 2023, Nescafé has launched a new liquid coffee concentrate designed to bring barista-style iced coffees to consumers’ homes. Nescafé Espresso Concentrate is available in two flavours: Sweet Vanilla, for a touch of sweetness, and Espresso Black, for a bold, more intense coffee. The liquid coffee concentrates are customisable – consumers can choose whether they want a creamy iced latte or a more robust Americano, for example. They contain a blend of quality coffee varieties, specially selected, roasted and brewed to deliver a rich and bold taste, without the need for any special equipment or training. Philipp Navratil, head of Nestlé’s coffee strategic business unit, said: “Young coffee consumers start drinking their coffee cold. With the Nescafé Espresso Concentrate, we want to capture the growing out-of-home cold coffee trend and bring it in-home, with a quality premium cold coffee, in a convenient, simple and customisable way.” Damien Tissot, head of Nestlé R&D for coffee, added: “At Nestlé we leveraged our state-of-the-art coffee roasting and brewing technologies across roast and ground, soluble, ready-to-drink and portioned coffee formats. With the Nescafé Espresso Concentrate, we build on our expertise to create tasty and convenient coffee-at-home experiences for cold consumption.” The new coffee concentrates are initially launching into the Australian market in bottle format, and in e-commerce platforms in China as a single-serve pod to pour over milk, water or juice.

Mondelēz has announced the launch of its Regional Biscuit and Baked Snacks Lab and Innovation Kitchen in Singapore, marking a significant investment of over $5 million. This initiative builds on the company’s commitment to spearheading innovation and product development across Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The facility was inaugurated by Chan Ih-Ming, executive vice president of the Singapore Economic Development Board, in a ceremony attended by key dignitaries and Mondelēz executives. The new hub will serve as a Centre of Excellence, driving creative development in the biscuits and baked snacks category. Deepak Iyer, executive vice president and president AMEA at Mondelēz, said: “At Mondelēz International, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of food innovation and product development. Through collaborative efforts, we aim to create a dynamic space where creative ideas can flourish and contribute to the development of new innovative products for our consumers.” The facility expands the capabilities of the company’s existing Singapore Technical Centre, originally established in 2006 and expanded in 2018 to focus on gum and candy innovation. The new lab focuses on co-innovation, aligning with Mondelēz’s mission to offer ‘the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way’. It aims to enhance mindful snacking through portion control, flavour innovation and diverse product formats. The Singapore Technical Centre currently boasts expertise in product development, packaging, process technology development, consumer science, analytical science, ingredient research, and scientific and regulatory affairs. This expansion will bolster these capabilities, fostering deeper consumer-driven innovation and operational efficiency. Ih-Ming highlighted the strategic importance of this investment: “The expansion will capitalise on opportunities presented by the rising Asian middle class and a growing appetite for premium and responsible snacking experiences. Singapore, which is at the heart of Southeast Asia and boasts a vibrant food ecosystem, presents an ideal location for such endeavours.” He added: “We are proud to stand alongside Mondelēz International as they embark on this new and exciting journey to delight consumers with every bite!”

The European Vending and Coffee Service Association (EVA) has appointed Sergio Barbarisi as its new president. Barbarisi, who has been a member of the EVA Executive Committee since 2021, succeeds Paolo Ghidotti, who was in office from 2018 to 2023. He is the international key accounts manager of BWT water+more, a company that provides solutions to optimise local untreated water for use in speciality coffees. The new president brings extensive experience in the automatic distribution sector, having worked with various companies, including N&W Global Vending, Gruppo Evoca, Vending System and Brita. EVA Executive Committee said in a statement: “We very much look forward to working closely with Sergio as he provides new direction and leadership to European vending”.

German coffee company The Melitta Group has acquired a majority stake in the Caturra roastery in Cape Town, South Africa. The acquisition will be managed by Melitta Europe’s coffee division in Bremen, Germany, which oversees Melitta’s European coffee business. Managed by Annette Becker and Ryan Palos, Caturra sells machines and non-coffee products like tea, water and cocoa to hotels, restaurants and businesses. With around 25 employees, Caturra is said to be a small but well-connected player in the South African coffee scene. Matthias Rensch, managing director of Melitta Europe’s coffee division, said: “Growing in new markets and internationalising our business is important for Melitta Coffee in Bremen if we are to achieve the growth and earnings targets we have set ourselves. We are convinced that we can make excellent use of the Melitta Group’s extensive expertise for the growth and expansion of Caturra – and that we can also open up numerous new sales opportunities on the African continent for the Melitta Group’s business units.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Perfetti Van Melle-owned confectionery brand Airheads has launched an underwater vending machine that dispenses sweets while submerged in a pool. The vending machine is waterproof up to 8ft and includes an air propulsion system for dispensing sweets. Craig Cuchra, VP of marketing at Perfetti Van Melle, commented: “Our underwater vending machine is sure to get adults excited about jumping back in the pool and re-living the carefree long summer days. So many people have nostalgic memories of savouring Airheads at the pool on a hot day, and we want to bring this feeling back, and with a fun twist.” Perfetti is also selling a limited quantity of Airheads underwater vending machines for $7,000, which includes a lifetime supply of the sweets.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) has launched a new initiative to reduce single-use water bottles by installing hydration stations at two high-traffic areas in Central Manchester Hospital. This project, which is the first of its kind in the UK public sector, was developed in collaboration with MFT, Honest (the creator of the UK’s first reusable bottle made from locally sourced single-use bottles), and MFT’s facilities management partner, Sodexo. The stations, located in the main atriums of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital, provide free water refills for visitors and staff using reusable bottles. In addition, both units offer the option to upgrade tap water to ‘triple-filtered super chilled water’ at £0.45 or carbonated water at £0.55. Damian Sleep, business director at Sodexo Health & Care, said: “We are committed to doing all we can to reduce the use of single-use plastics and this new initiative will help encourage visitors and staff to move away from buying single-use bottled water to reduce the amount of plastic in circulation”. “This will only be successful if we make it easy to refill bottles and create long-term behavioural change by increasing the uptake of reusables so that we can then eliminate the sale of single-use plastic water bottles. This change represents a pioneering move on a site that typically has around 15,000 people on it daily.” Honest’s sales and marketing manager, Georgia Bell, added: “Each 500ml water refill eradicates, on average, 12g of single-use plastic. During the six months that the hydration stations have been in use, almost 50kg of plastic waste has been avoided.” “Considering that more than 2.5 billion units of bottled water are sold through UK retail outlets each year, there is an opportunity to eradicate 34,000 tonnes of single-use plastic, providing that water refill stations are in greater abundance than they are today. This is one small step that will facilitate this change” The stations also offer Honest bottles for purchase for those without a reusable bottle on hand.