Now, Australia examining contamination allegations against MDH and Everest spice mixes, potential recall looms

April 30, 2024

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) said that it is examining allegations of contamination involving spice mixes produced by Indian companies MDH and Everest. This could result in a recall of these products in Australia, as has happened in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Recently, Hong Kong suspended the sale of three MDH spice blends and one Everest mix designed for fish curry. Similarly, Singapore recalled the Everest mix due to high levels of ethylene oxide, a chemical associated with cancer when exposure is prolonged.

Continue Exploring: Singapore recalls Everest’s Fish Curry Masala due to high pesticide levels

In a statement, FSANZ mentioned, “We are collaborating with international counterparts to comprehend the issue and coordinating with federal, state, and territory food enforcement agencies to assess if additional measures are necessary in Australia.” The agency emphasized that ‘ethylene oxide is prohibited as a treatment for foods sold in Australia.’ Possible further steps may involve recalling affected products.

Continue Exploring: FSSAI launches quality checks on MDH and Everest spice mixes following reports of high ethylene oxide levels

Both MDH and Everest, well-established spice brands in India, maintain a substantial presence across Europe, Asia, and North America.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States is also conducting an investigation into the issue, while Indian authorities have recently conducted inspections at the production facilities of both MDH and Everest.

Continue Exploring: US FDA probes contamination allegations in Indian spices MDH and Everest

The rising scrutiny surrounding these spice brands reflects growing concerns regarding food safety standards and international regulatory responses to potential health risks. As the investigation unfolds, Australian consumers are advised to stay informed about possible recalls and ensure the safety of their food purchases.

Intense competition dents profits: Gillette India’s Q3 earnings dip by nearly 4%

SnackTeam

April 30, 2024

Gillette India saw a nearly 4% decline in third-quarter profits due to intense competition in the domestic market, which subdued demand.

Gillette India, renowned for its Mach 3 line of shaving razors, disclosed a profit of 990.9 million rupees ($11.9 million) for the January-March quarter, marking a decrease from 1.03 billion rupees reported in the previous year.

Consumer goods manufacturers are encountering heightened competition from smaller producers, who, benefiting from declining commodity prices, are better positioned to secure shelf space.

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Revenue from Gillette’s primary grooming segment, constituting 82% of the total, surged by almost 14% to reach 5.58 billion rupees, accompanied by a 6.3% decrease in the cost of raw materials utilized.

In April, Procter & Gamble Co, the parent company and consumer goods behemoth, revised its annual core profit forecast upwards, attributing the increase to price hikes and steadfast demand.

Gillette India’s shares dipped 0.8% ahead of the results, whereas they rose 1.2% in the March quarter, compared with a 5.3% fall in the Nifty FMCG index.

Continue Exploring: Korean skincare brand Skin1004 makes exclusive debut in India via Reliance Retail’s Tira Beauty platform

Malaysia’s Union Artisan Coffee enters Indian market, opens first cafe in Delhi’s Worldmark, Aerocity

SnackTeam

April 30, 2024

Union Artisan Coffee, the renowned artisanal coffee chain from Malaysia, has unveiled its first café in India, situated in the prestigious locale of Worldmark, Aerocity, New Delhi.

Led by Village Food Concepts as the master franchise, this significant launch marks a major milestone for the brand as it expands its presence into the dynamic Indian market.

Suraj Arora, Managing Partner at VFC, expressed, “The journey of Union Artisan Coffee from Malaysia to India showcases our commitment to spreading our passion for coffee across diverse global communities. We are excited to collaborate with Union in this endeavor, introducing their unmatched expertise and dedication to quality to the Indian market.”

Continue Exploring: Nothing Before Coffee expands with first cafe in Portugal, aims for 400 outlets in 2 years; targets INR 400 Crore revenue

Reflecting the fundamental principles of Union Artisan Coffee, the fresh establishment in Aerocity embodies the brand’s dedication to impeccable coffee craftsmanship and cultivating community spirit. With a steadfast focus on procuring the finest beans and highlighting the artistry of coffee preparation, every cup narrates a tale of passion and expertise.

Alongside its renowned artisanal coffees, Union Artisan Coffee in Aerocity presents a delightful range of culinary delights, extending from breakfast to dinner. Featuring a live pasta bar and freshly crafted sandwiches, guests are welcomed to indulge in a culinary adventure designed to delight their palates. Teaming up with Le Clairé Patisserie, the café offers a selection of exquisite pastries and desserts, enhancing the culinary journey even more.

Tham Lih Chung, Group CEO of Incite Innovations, commented, “Our debut in India signifies a thrilling phase in the Union Artisan Coffee narrative. We are thrilled to acquaint the Indian community with our distinctive coffee culture, accompanied by an imaginative and varied menu of culinary treasures, enhancing every moment for you.”

Continue Exploring: Chai Sutta Bar expands into premium café market with Kaffee-La launch, eyes nationwide growth

Bacardi India appoints Sameeksha Uniyal as regional brand head for AMEA

SnackTeam

April 30, 2024

In a bid to amplify business growth in the region, Bacardi India Private Limited has elevated Sameeksha Uniyal to the position of regional head of brand for AMEA (Asia, Middle East & Africa).

Having shaped the success of Bacardi India’s rum portfolio since 2016, Uniyal formerly held the position of Brand Lead for BACARDÍ in India, driving growth for associated brands within the country. Over her seven-year tenure, she has spearheaded numerous significant marketing endeavors, including overseeing the recent launch of BACARDÍ’s It’s A Mood campaign in India. In her new capacity, she will oversee marketing and business operations for BACARDÍ’s rum brands across the wider AMEA region.

Continue Exploring: Bacardi India intensifies focus on premiumization as demand for high-end spirits surges

Commenting on her new position, Uniyal remarked, “Throughout my career, my tenure at Bacardi has been fueled by passion and the drive to innovate; I am thrilled to be part of the collaborative effort to enhance the Bacardi brand portfolio throughout the AMEA region. This marks the start of an exhilarating new chapter, and I am eager to apply my expertise in working with our outstanding teams to cultivate deeper consumer connections and enthusiasm for our brands across a spectrum of cultures and markets.”

Stepping into Uniyal’s shoes, Ashish Jha will assume leadership of the BACARDI rum portfolio in India, advancing from his former role as senior brand manager for BACARDI rums and BREEZER.

Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately owned international spirits company, manufactures and distributes globally acclaimed spirits and wines. Established over 162 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, the family-run Bacardi Limited now boasts around 9,000 employees worldwide, runs production facilities in 10 nations, and markets its brands in over 160 countries. Bacardi Limited encompasses the Bacardi group of companies, which includes Bacardi International Limited.

Continue Exploring: India’s alcoholic beverage market surges to record highs, premiumization and home consumption drive growth

Plant-based milk brand OatMIK sees 21x revenue surge, eyes global expansion

SnackTeam

April 30, 2024

Akash Wadhwani & Rishabh Gupta, Co-Founders, OatMlk

OatMIK, a plant-based milk brand, is charting a path for growth by prioritizing four key avenues: target groups, geographical locations, distribution channels, and product line expansion. Additionally, the brand is gearing up to venture into international markets such as UAE, APAC, EU, and USA in the coming years.

In just a year since its market debut, OatMIK has experienced nearly a 21-fold increase in revenue. Presently, the brand has established a strong presence across major marketplaces including Amazon, Zepto, Blinkit, Flipkart, and more.

Akash Wadhwani and Rishabh Gupta, Co-Founders of OatMIK, reflected, “Our initial hurdles revolved around mastering food science, delving into the nuances of the industry, and crafting a product that not only tasted great but also stood up to global standards. Our next challenge was selling the OatMlk we had painstakingly developed. Without significant marketing budgets or a clear understanding of D2C brand operations, we lacked the know-how to drive sales.

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We were unfamiliar with running ads or acquiring our first customers. Our approach was simple: we put ourselves in the shoes of the consumer. We embarked on a mission to sample our product extensively, ensuring that every individual had the opportunity to taste, understand, and evaluate it. This grassroots strategy has remained integral to our brand identity and has facilitated the growth of a loyal customer base.”

With a valuation of $21 million, the plant-based dairy sector in India stands in stark contrast to the $140 billion animal-derived dairy industry. Forecasts predict a robust expansion, with the sector projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.7 percent, reaching $63.9 million by 2024.

“We’re progressively transitioning from the launch phase to a growth trajectory. This entails growing our user base by catering to various user personas, targeting tier I cities while also expanding into tier II and tier III towns. We’re using a variety of channels, including HoReCa, retail, and institutions, to engage chefs, celebrities, baristas, and influencers. Furthermore, our aim includes expanding our product line beyond unsweetened oat milk to include a few new options,” Akash explained.

The brand is presently focused on a substantial expansion strategy aimed at achieving a strong foothold in the Indian market.

Continue Exploring: Nestlé India collaborates with SOCIAL and BOSS Burger to debut MAGGI’s plant-based menu across major cities

Nestle India sets sights on 6 Million touchpoints, focusing on volume growth

SnackTeam

April 30, 2024

Nestle India is intensifying its efforts to boost volume growth in the face of an inflationary market. The company has announced plans to further expand its distribution network, a crucial driver of growth, aiming to reach approximately six million touchpoints within the next 4-5 years, up from the current 5.1 million touchpoints.

Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestle India, expressed that the consumer goods industry stands to gain from increased private consumption, driven by favorable monsoon conditions and the injection of capital into the market following the formation of the new government post-elections.

Continue Exploring: Nestle India’s Q4 net profit jumps 27% to INR 934 Crore amid strong sales growth

Narayanan noted that inflation continues to influence the market. While there were hopes for increased consumption due to elections, the hot summer weather might lead to it being perceived as “just another normal month.” He emphasized that the market eagerly awaits a good monsoon and the injection of capital by the new government, which would stimulate consumption.

The company, which achieved a domestic sales growth of approximately 9% in the March quarter, reported a volume growth rate of around 4-5%. “The success of consumer goods companies in the future will depend on their ability to reach more households with a wider range of products and for various occasions,” he remarked.

According to Narayanan, the company’s future strategy calls for faster volume growth. The company has adopted a penetration-led volume growth approach. I thus want to return as soon as possible to volume growth and not drag on with merely value growth,” he continued.

The company is enhancing its focus on premium offerings by investing in nutraceuticals and pet foods segments, as well as launching the Nespresso portfolio in India. Discussing the recent decision to establish a joint venture with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories in the health science nutraceuticals sector, Narayanan mentioned that currently, this business operates within a relatively modest space, generating revenue of approximately INR 50 crore. “We are aiming at doubling or tripling this business in the next 4-5 years,” he remarked.

Continue Exploring: Nestle and Dr. Reddy’s announce joint venture for nutraceutical brands in India

Carlyle Group in advanced talks to acquire Mitsubishi’s stake in KFC Japan, eyes privatization

SnackTeam

April 29, 2024

The Carlyle Group, an American private equity firm, is currently in talks to purchase Mitsubishi‘s 35% ownership stake in KFC Holdings Japan, which oversees the operation of the Kentucky Fried Chicken brand within the country.

Mitsubishi is in the advanced stages of a deal for its shares, anticipated to be concluded by the end of next month.

Carlyle plans to privatize KFC Japan thereafter.

Japanese restaurant operator Colowide and other interested parties participated in the bidding process, but Mitsubishi opted to move forward with Carlyle.

Continue Exploring: KFC to debut five new saucy nugget flavors and apple pie poppers across US stores from April 1st

If Carlyle finalizes the deal, it is anticipated to initiate a takeover bid for the remaining shares.

This development comes after Mitsubishi’s announcement in February 2024 of its intention to divest its 35% equity stake in KFC Holdings Japan, as part of a strategic reshuffle of assets aimed at strengthening its earnings capacity.

The sale is expected to yield tens of billions of yen.

KFC Japan’s roots can be traced back to 1970 when it was established as a joint venture between the then-US-based KFC Corporation and Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi took over as the parent company in 2007 but reduced its ownership to 35% in 2015.

Yum! Brands, the owner of the KFC brand, and KFC Japan have no financial ties. Their franchise chain agreement permits them to utilize the same brand and certain products.

As a result of the agreement with Yum!, KFC Japan’s operations are limited to Japan.

As of December 2023, KFC Japan operates 1,230 outlets, approximately 40% of the total number of McDonald’s outlets in Japan, with only a 5% increase over the past decade.

Continue Exploring: KFC to boost UK and Ireland operations with acquisition of 218 franchised eateries

Trent’s Q4 net profit soars to INR 712.09 Crore, fueled by strategic expansion efforts

SnackTeam

April 29, 2024

Tata Group‘s subsidiary, Trent Limited, has reported a surge in consolidated net profit, reaching INR 712.09 crore in the fourth quarter (Q4) ended March 2024. This increase can be attributed to accelerated expansion efforts and focused execution strategies. According to regulatory filings, the company’s consolidated net profit in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year was INR 44.95 crore.

In Q4 FY24, the company’s total income surged by 48.7 percent, reaching INR 3,374.57 crore, compared to INR 2,268.06 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year.

According to the BSE filing, Trent’s total expenses rose to INR 3,073.54 crore in Q4 FY24, compared to INR 2,207.89 crore in Q4 FY23.

Continue Exploring: Tata Group eyes expansion with potential stake purchase in Fabindia’s apparel business

Regarding the overall performance, the company stated, “The shift in revenue distribution among our formats is in line with our strategic goals and initiatives. The gross margin trends for Westside and Zudio remain consistent with previous patterns. In Q4 FY24, the Operating EBIT margin stood at 8.2 percent, compared to 2.8 percent in Q4 FY23.”

The growth of Westside.com alongside the company’s offering on the Tata Neu platform has remained profitable. This joint online presence has contributed to over 6 percent of Westside’s revenues.

According to a media release, the company’s fashion concepts experienced a like-for-like (LFL) growth of well over 10 percent in Q4FY24 compared to Q4FY23. The release also stated, “We are committed to delivering consistent value to customers through appealing product offerings across all our brands. Additionally, despite accelerated expansion, our stores maintain an elevated brand experience.”

The categories of beauty & personal care, innerwear, and footwear have continued to attract customers’ interest. These emerging categories now account for over 20 percent of Trent’s standalone revenues.

Continue Exploring: Tata Group’s Zudio makes big move with first flagship store launch in Noida

Bisleri International collaborates with Gauri Khan to launch limited edition sparkling water

SnackTeam

April 29, 2024

Gauri Khan and Jayanti Khan Chauhan, vice chairperson, Bisleri International.

Bisleri International, the packaged drinking water company, has teamed up with Indian film producer and fashion designer Gauri Khan to introduce a special limited-edition label for the Vedica Himalayan Sparkling Water line.

In this partnership, Khan infuses her design expertise to craft an exclusive label for Vedica Himalayan Sparkling Water. The brand unveiled the creative process behind the label’s inception with a short film.

“Gauri Khan, known for her embodiment of grace and modern aesthetics, perfectly complements this collaboration. Her designs, blending contemporary flair with timeless elegance, reinforce our positioning of Vedica Himalayan Sparkling Water among our discerning audience,” stated Jayanti Khan Chauhan, Vice Chairperson of Bisleri International.

Continue Exploring: Bisleri enlists Deepika Padukone as brand ambassador, unveils refreshing #DrinkItUp campaign

The exclusive bottle will be accessible through specific channels and markets nationwide.

“I’m thrilled to collaborate with Bisleri Vedica, which is recognised for its seamless adaptability to changing trends and customer expectations. Inspired by my recent mountain excursion, the label design includes golden elements that represent the celestial beauty of the night sky, providing a sumptuous touch,” Khan explained.

In 2023, Bisleri’s high-end beverage category, Vedica, broadened its range with the introduction of Vedica Himalayan Sparkling Water.

Continue Exploring: Bisleri’s Vedica launches Himalayan Sparkling Water, expanding premium portfolio

Footwear brand Skechers expands footprint in India with new store in Gujarat

SnackTeam

April 29, 2024

Skechers, the renowned footwear retailer, has inaugurated a new store in Gujarat, as shared by an industry official on social media on Monday.

Situated at Shyamal Crossing in Ahmedabad, the latest store marks the retailer’s 21st establishment.

Dinesh U Khangani, Director of Business Development at Shivera Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd, took to LinkedIn to share the exciting update, “Great news for all shoe enthusiasts in Gujarat! Skechers has launched its 21st store at Shyamal Crossing, Ahmedabad.”

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In his post, he added, “Congratulations to the incredible team responsible for this successful launch, including Rahul Vira, Manish Chandra, Samson Budden, Hemant Maitey, Nikhil Shwetabh, Kailash Gianani, and the KS Ruchilifestyle team. Here’s to your hard work and dedication!”

Recently, Skechers and Kanika Goyal collaborated to unveil their streetwear apparel capsule collection, “Retroverse,” during Lakme Fashion Week, which was organised by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).

Established in 1992, Skechers South Asia operates as a subsidiary of Skechers USA. Specializing in lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and children, the retailer designs, develops, and markets its products globally, catering to 180 countries.

Continue Exploring: India’s footwear market set for double-digit growth, expected to reach INR 191K Crore by FY 2028: 1Lattice Report

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