Califia Farms,® an independently-owned, plant-based food and beverage company, announced national distribution for its new Plant Butters. The plant-based alternative to dairy butter is the first product outside the company's current beverage portfolio of plant-based milk, creamers, drinkable yogurts and cold brew coffee. Plant Butters are now available nationally at Whole Foods Market, Kroger, Stop & Shop, Target and other natural and major retailers.

Guilin Layn Natural Ingredient Corp, Ltd. (Layn), a vertically-integrated innovator of natural botanical extract ingredients and solutions, announced it has expanded its botanical extract portfolio through a majority acquisition of Chengdu Wagott Bio-tech Co.,Ltd. (Wagott), China’s largest exporter of green tea extract, and leading producer of tea and resveratrol extracts.

Ajinomoto Co., Inc., a producer of MSG committed to championing science and setting the record straight on the ingredient, announced a new campaign to address the heart of MSG's perception problem in the US: xenophobia-born misinformation.

KIND, a healthy snacking company, announced it has entered an agreement to acquire Nature's Bakery, a family-owned company that offers wholesome snacks, such as its beloved Fig Bars and other soft-baked foods.

Aqua ViTea, a kombucha brand on the East Coast, announced the expansion of its leadership team with three strategic executive hires: Chris Gallant, chief sales & marketing officer, Steve Konczal, chief financial officer, and Chip Nolin, chief operating officer.

Franklin Farms™, a division of Keystone Natural Holdings, entered a new partnership with Purple Carrot, the 100% plant-based meal kit company. As a prominent consumer brand and leading supplier of high-quality meatless offerings, Franklin Farms brings more than 20 years of expertise in plant-based protein foods and innovation to Purple Carrot’s meal kit offerings. 

To keep up with the rising demand of chicory inulin market led by growing consumer preference toward healthier food ingredients, Sensus committed significant capital for expansion of its production capacity starting in 2021. The planned investments will be matched by Sensus contracting increased acreage for chicory roots with its farmer base.

Tate & Lyle PLC, a leading global provider of food and beverage ingredients and solutions, announced the acquisition of Sweet Green Fields (SGF), a leading global stevia solutions business.

Lam has more than 25 years of experience with renowned multinational food companies. 

McCormick & Company Inc., a global leader in flavor, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the parent company of Cholula Hot Sauce®, a premium hot sauce brand that delivers authentic Mexican flavor, from L Catterton, for $800 million in cash.