All articles by Dean Best

Dean has reported on the international food and beverage industries for 20 years. He became editor of Just Food in 2007 and Just Drinks in 2022.

CapVest-backed Natra buys chocolate peer Gudrun

Natra, the private-label chocolate manufacturer backed by private equity, has acquired fellow confectioner Gudrun. The deal, announced by Natra’s private-equity…
A fresh start? Danone swoops for factious Lifeway Foods

Might we be nearing the end of one of the industry’s more notable family feuds in recent years? Lifeway Foods…
Nissin Foods buys ABC Pastry in Australia

Nissin Foods Co. is targeting what it says is demand in Australia for Asian cuisine with a deal to buy…
Mondelez aims to “accelerate” use of gen AI in marketing

Mondelez International has set out plans to work with Accenture and Publicis on stepping up its use of generative AI…
Grupo Bimbo’s closures again take in Canada

Grupo Bimbo’s reshaping of its manufacturing network in North America continues with the closure of another site in Canada. In…

Freshways buys fellow UK dairy supplier Totally Welsh Dairy

UK dairy company Freshways Group has snapped up Totally Welsh Dairy, a deal made to support its recent acquisition of…
Premier FMCG strike continues after legal action fails

Strike action at a Premier FMCG confectionery plant is now in its fourth week after the South African group failed…
Unilever invests in US supplements business Create Wellness

Unilever, which has been steadily investing in the vitamins and supplements market in recent years, has backed US gummy business…
Cargill, Hormel settle wage claims but deny wrongdoing

Major US meat processors Cargill and Hormel Foods have settled a lawsuit claiming they fixed workers’ wages. Confirming the settlements,…
Starting to bite: Just Food’s new digital magazine issue out now

It’s no secret the plant-based meat category has lost its momentum, with sales coming under pressure in markets on both…