FoodBev Media’s Rafaela Sousa rounds up this week’s food and beverage news, including:
Ireland becomes first country to introduce health labelling on alcoholic drinks
The legislation, signed by health minister Stephen Donnelly, will alert consumers to the calorie content, grams of alcohol in the product, the risks of cancer and liver disease, and the dangers of drinking while pregnant.
Donnelly said that the law is designed to give consumers a better understanding of the alcohol content and health risks associated with consuming alcohol, enabling consumers to make informed decisions about alcohol consumption.
Alcoholic drink providers will have to display the information and warnings on product packaging with a label that will direct the consumer to Ireland’s ‘Health Service Executive’ website. The law is expected to be applicable from 22 May 2026.
Avara Foods closure plan puts 400 jobs at risk
UK poultry processor Avara Foods has announced plans to close its Abergavenny, Wales, facility this autumn, putting 400 employees at risk.
The company said the closure is the result of rising prices following the Covid-19 pandemic, which “significantly reduced demand for UK-produced turkey in the retail market”.
Avara said that it had identified that volumes could be processed more efficiently in other operations and with lower capital investment, which resulted in the proposal to close the site.
Black Sea grain deal extended for two months
The Russian Federation has announced that it will continue its participation in the Black Sea grain deal for a further two months.
United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres confirmed the development, describing it as “good news for the world” in a statement.
The United Nations-brokered deal allows the exportation of Ukraine’s grains through the Black Sea. Guterres noted that “outstanding issues remain,” but representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations will continue discussing them.
Barry Callebaut and Maersk to build cocoa bean warehouse in Malaysia
Barry Callebaut has announced the ground-breaking of a new cocoa bean warehouse in Malaysia, as it enters into a long-term partnership with Maersk.
The partnership will see Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk and the chocolate giant build and operate the new cocoa bean warehousing and dispatching facility.
Once complete, the new multi-storey facility – located in southern Malaysia – will be “one of the largest” cocoa bean warehouses in Southeast Asia, spanning over five hundred thousand square feet and incorporating a “fit-for-purpose” design that prioritises operational efficiency.
Electrolit adds limited-edition mango flavour to portfolio
US hydration beverage brand Electrolit has added a limited-edition mango flavour to its portfolio.
Each Electrolit bottle contains three hundred and twenty-six milligrams of electrolytes alongside real glucose, which is a natural source of energy that aids in the body’s recovery from dehydration.
Electrolit is scientifically formulated with magni-sium, sodium, potassium, calcium and glucose, and provides “complete hydration when electrolytes and ions are low, to replenish the body”.
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