INDUSTRY NEWS
Arla Foods Ingredients targets protein bar innovation in South America
Arla Foods Ingredients’ bite-sized protein bar concept, Easy Bite, will debut in South America at the Nutri Ingredients Summit (NIS) from 31 March to 1 April in São Paulo, Brazil. Easy Bite is an 18g bar featuring Arla’s
customized protein solution, Lacprodan® EasyBar, delivering up to 40% high-quality protein. It is high in fiber, contains no added sugar or fat, and is made with just eight ingredients. Its formulation ensures stable softness throughout a two-year shelf life without added fats or water-binding ingredients. Designed for active, health-conscious
consumers, Easy Bite responds to growing demand for healthier snacks. Over the past year, 56% of Latam consumers have shifted from traditional snacks like chocolate to high-protein or low-sugar alternatives. Health-conscious choices, weight management, and taste are key drivers, with
Brazilian consumers prioritizing great taste, naturalness, and high protein. Ignacio Estevez, Application Manager, South America, at Arla Foods Ingredients,
said Easy Bite has been successful globally and provides manufacturers with easy-to- formulate, indulgent, high-protein options with extended shelf life.
Plant-Ex Ingredients launches multi-language website ahead of European hub
Acquisition Aromacolors
Aromacolorsl serve
Acquisition of Aromacolors
Plant-Ex Ingredients Ltd, a leading supplier of natural colours and flavours, has launched a new multi- language website to support its European expansion. This follows the company’s preparations to open its European innovation centre in Poland, reinforcing its presence across the continent. The website is now available in
Polish, French, US and UK English, providing localised product and service information for key European markets, with Turkish, Spanish, and German versions planned. The platform aims to simplify sourcing of high-quality natural ingredients, reflecting Plant-Ex’s growing role as a reliable supplier. The launch coincides with progress
in integrating Plant-Ex Polska and Aromacolors, following the October 2025 acquisition of the Polish food technology specialist. This merger has enabled EU distribution from the continent and strengthened supply
Aromaco ors cont nues tocontinuesi serve customers with its portfolportfolio,io, now enhanced by additional Plant-Ex products. The nitial ntegration of the two businesses has ensured uninterrupted order
ustomers with its now nhanced by
additional Plant-Ex products. The initial iintegration
he two
businesses has ensured uninterrupted order
fulfilment and strengthened elationships.
fulfilment and strengthened clclientient relationships.
Expansion
Expansion of Former Aromacolors Site
Aromacolors Site
PlanslP ans are nderway to enlarge he former Aromacolors
former Aromacolors site, to house a modern new product development
are underway to enlarge the ite, to house
modern new product development laboratory and raw
laboratory and raw materials warehouse. aterials warehouse. ormer
Full Launch of Plant-Ex Europe
Full Launch Plant-Ex
warehousing and sampling, in the
ompany’s mission recognised supplier and flavours to the urope European HQ for production,
warehousing and sampling, a key step in the company’s mission to become a recognised supplier of natural colours and flavours to the globallobal food & beverage market.
European HQ for production, key tep ecome
natural colours ood
beverage market.
oadmap
A Roadmap
to Launch to Launch absorbed
Optimisation of Services
Optimisation of Services
Sampling and production for European customers
Plant-Ex urope ite, streamlining services and minimising lead times across the entire region.
absorbed at the newly established Plant-Ex Europe site, streamlining services and minimising lead imes across the
Sampling and production for European customers will beill be he newly stablished
ntire egion.
Supporting Projects from
Supporting Projects from Start to Finish
art From market nsights inish
From market insights to ta lor-made flavour and colour solutions,
ailor-madei
flavour and colour solutions, Plant-Exlant-Ex Europe will offer for its customers.
Europe will offer end-to-end support for ts customers.
nd-to-end support
chains, with new technological and production facilities already under construction. Giles Drewett, Founder and
CEO, said: “Our goal is a single, innovative production hub serving Europe with a reliable, cost-effective supply of natural food ingredients. By combining Aromacolors’ expertise with Plant- Ex Polska’s operational strength, and upgrading our technological presence, we are positioned as a future-ready supplier.” With infrastructure in place and additional facilities underway, Plant-Ex Europe is on track for its official launch, offering shorter lead times, lower costs, and a broader product range.
Trilogue negotiations between the European Commission, European Parliament, and Council have agreed to new restrictions on labelling plant-based products, following talks concluding on 5 March. The agreement bans 31 animal-associated terms—including ‘beef’, ‘pork’, ‘chicken’, ‘bacon’, ‘steak’, and ‘liver’— while allowing terms like ‘burger’, ‘sausage’, and ‘nuggets’ if clearly labelled as plant-based. The rules are expected to cover emerging
foods, including cellular agriculture products. A three-year transition period will allow producers to adjust packaging. The Vegetarian Society and industry groups, including Linda McCartney Foods, Cauldron, Quorn Foods, and THIS™, have opposed the restrictions, warning of confusion, higher costs, and barriers to sustainable diets. Research shows 80–95% of EU consumers already correctly identify plant-based foods using familiar terms. Jenny Canham, Public Affairs Lead at the Vegetarian Society, stressed the potential impact on SMEs and international markets, urging policymakers to maintain clear, accessible terminology for plant-based products.
6 • KENNEDY’S BAKERY PRODUCTION • FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026 A Co Company
EU agrees restrictions on plant-based food terminology
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