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.

UK-based coffee roaster Lost Sheep Coffee has introduced a new range of barista quality, speciality grade RTD canned iced coffees. The milk-based iced coffees come in two varieties, mocha and latte, and are made using the brand’s Get To The Hopper coffee, a blend of beans from Paranaiba, Brazil and Huila, Colombia, which are hand-roasted at the brand’s roastery in Whitstable, UK, to create a smooth, chocolatey caramel blend. Both drinks are made with skimmed milk and are under 85 calories a can, appealing to consumer demand for lighter options. They are also traceable from ‘farm to can’. Stuart Wilson, founder of Lost Sheep Coffee, said: “With Gen Z consumers more likely to drink ready to drink coffee than hot coffee, the category is buzzing, yet right now in the UK there isn’t another brand using ‘farm to can’ traceable, speciality grade beans in a ready to drink milk-based coffee format.” He continued: “Many other ready to drink coffee products on the market use instant coffee as an ingredient, but ours uses speciality grade coffee beans, which are the highest grade you can get in the world. Our beans from Paranaiba in Brazil are grown at an altitude of 1100 meters above sea level with carefully sourced beans from Huila in Colombia, grown at altitudes of 1500 to 2000 metres.” “This level of traceability is unique in the ready to drink market, meaning we are perfectly positioned to turn the category on its head with a speciality grade product that is completely new, as well as being cost-competitive.” Wilson explained that, with 35% of consumers interested in RTD coffee with functional benefits, the brand expects to the range with products with added protein and vitamins in the next few months. The RTD iced coffees are available at various UK retailers for an RRP of £2.20 per can.

The KitKat brand has launched a new limited-edition flavour to its US line-up, Pink Lemonade. The new addition wraps KitKat’s classic wafer in a pink lemonade-flavoured creme, delivering a refreshing taste with hints of strawberry. The bar was designed to cater to the tastes of Gen Z and Millennials, as the brand says that more than 93% of these consumers express a preference for pink lemonade-flavoured treats. Hilary Long, KitKat’s brand lead, said: “Creating new, unexpected flavour experiences for our KitKat fans is at the core of what we do. The KitKat Pink Lemonade-flavoured bar delivers an immersive experience in every bite, reminiscent of a refreshing glass of pink lemonade as the weather heats up for summer fun.” This is the latest in a number of flavour innovations for the KitKat brand. In January this year, a new ethically-sourced KitKat was launched in the UK, made with cocoa mass from beans grown by farmer families participating in the Nestlé’s income accelerator programme. The same month, the brand unveiled a new 70% Dark bar. In November last year, Hershey – seller of KitKat in the US – introduced a new frosted donut-flavoured bar in the US, and in May last year, a new limited-edition churro variety was launched. The bars are available to purchase now across the US in standard and king size formats.

Coca‑Cola has launched a new platform, Coca‑Cola Lens, designed to provide retailers and foodservice operators with crucial consumer insights and industry trends. This initiative aims to assist businesses in navigating today’s rapidly evolving marketplace. Coca‑Cola Lens offers a comprehensive library of 16 articles, each delving into various aspects of shopper behaviour, supported by macroeconomic data and forward-looking insights. Developed by Coca‑Cola’s internal experts and enriched with data from proprietary tools and third-party sources, the articles cover pressing topics such as the rise of premium water, the influence of multicultural consumers and the impact of digital ordering technologies. In addition to these insights, the platform provides practical guidance on optimising restaurant menus and curating cold vault inventories. The content is presented in an accessible format, enhanced with visuals such as charts and graphics. Coca‑Cola plans to update the platform with four to six new articles each quarter, incorporating feedback from its customers and associates. Pamela Stewart, chief customer officer for Coca‑Cola North America, said: “We are launching Coca‑Cola Lens to deliver on the promise to create value beyond beverages to our customers, while serving as thought partners and consultants. Together, we will navigate this dynamic landscape, leveraging data and tools to drive our business strategies forward and accelerate growth.” Coca‑Cola North America, serving over 250,000 retail stores and 500,000 foodservice outlets, is building on its tradition of fostering growth through partnership. Coca‑Cola Lens is a testament to this commitment, providing customers with the tools to anticipate consumer needs and stay ahead of trends. Dagmar Boggs, head of Foodservice at Coca‑Cola North America, added: “With the launch of Coca‑Cola Lens, we’re taking our commitment to the next level. Customers will be able to self-serve the actionable insights they need, precisely when they need them, empowering our partners to navigate the evolving landscape with confidence and agility.” Coca‑Cola Lens will be officially introduced ahead of the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago from May 18-21.

Alpla has unveiled a new recyclable wine bottle made of PET, designed to enhance sustainability and cost-efficiency within the wine industry. This new bottle, which weighs just an eighth of its glass counterpart, can reduce carbon emissions by up to 50% and offers significant price savings, marking an advancement in eco-friendly packaging. The newly unveiled 0.75-litre PET wine bottle, which weighs only 50g, has already made its debut in Austria, containing white wine from Wegenstein winery. Now available in both 0.75-litre and 1-litre sizes, Alpla plans to manufacture several million units annually by 2025, with a focus on producing bottles entirely from rPET. This sustainable innovation joins the Europe-wide bottle-to-bottle recycling loop, reducing carbon emissions by 38% compared to traditional glass bottles, even before incorporating recycled PET (rPET). “PET is light, unbreakable, recyclable and requires minimal energy for moulding, making it an ideal packaging solution.,” said Daniel Lehner, global sales director for food and beverage at Alpla. “Winemakers can significantly improve their environmental footprint while also reducing costs. The PET bottles meet all quality standards, are available in transparent or green, and are suitable for various types of wine.” The shift to PET bottles also offers economic advantages. The lower material and energy consumption reduce carbon emissions, with the use of rPET further enhancing these savings. Even with 30% rPET, carbon emissions are reduced by 43%, and using 100% rPET halves the ecological footprint, achieving a 50% reduction in carbon emissions. The lightweight nature of PET also decreases shipping costs, and Alpla’s PET wine bottles are up to 30% less expensive than their glass counterparts. These PET bottles are compatible with conventional metal screw caps and existing bottling lines, ensuring a seamless transition for winemakers. Wegenstein winery, the pilot customer, has successfully integrated PET bottles into their bottling process alongside glass bottles. “The PET bottle is perfectly tailored to our bottling and shipment processes. Our collaboration with Alpla significantly accelerated the market launch,” said Sebastian Rosenberger, project manager at Alpla. Herbert Toifl, managing director of Wegenstein winery, praised the new packaging: “The PET bottle lives up to its promise. It is visually appealing, maintains our wine’s quality, and is practical. We are offering an innovative solution for environmentally conscious consumers.”

Canada-based sparkling water brand Perrier has unveiled Maison Perrier, a new collection of premium sparkling beverages, signalling the company’s foray into a fresh and sophisticated drinks segment. Maison Perrier introduces two distinctive lines: Maison Perrier Forever and Maison Perrier Chic. The Forever range, already available nationwide at Canadian retailers, features a fusion of bubbles and natural fruit flavours, delivering a zero-sugar taste sensation. Two new variants will be added to the Forever line-up – Lychee and Pineapple – alongside nine consumer favourites such as Lemon, Lime, Orange and Grapefruit. The Chic range, set to debut this summer, offers a selection of sophisticated mocktails. With a blend of concentrated juices, botanicals and natural flavours, these non-alcoholic cocktails present a luxurious alternative to traditional beverages, each containing less than 30 calories. Chic features two mocktails: The Peach Spritzer, marrying fruity peach with the warmth of rose wine, and The Mojito, blending citrus and natural aromas with subtle notes of mint and honey. “This marks a significant milestone for Perrier, a brand known for over a century for its commitment to quality and craftsmanship,” said Lisa Beausoleil, president of Waters for Nestlé Canada. “With Maison Perrier, we aim to provide our discerning consumers with modern, elegant and flavorful beverage options, elevating their refreshment experiences to new heights.” Maison Perrier Forever is available for purchase at major drugstores, and grocery and convenience retailers across Canada. The Chic range is slated for a nationwide launch at Canadian retailers later this summer.