Health

MINNEAPOLIS — General Mills, Inc. has introduced Pillsbury ready-to-bake Lucky Charms cookie dough. The cookie dough comes pre-sliced in 12 big cookies that feature marshmallow bits in the shapes and colors of the hearts, horseshoes, clovers, blue moons and rainbows included in the brand’s ready-to-eat cereal. The 14-oz packages are...

KANSAS CITY — Burgers boosted with barbecue sauce are beefing up fast-food restaurant menus. New from McDonald’s is the Bacon BBQ Burger, made with a quarter-lb 100% beef patty topped with applewood smoked bacon, bourbon barbecue sauce and crispy fried onion strings all served on an artisan roll. Burger King...

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — A federal court blocked the state of Arkansas from enforcing its meat labeling law against The Tofurky Co. The law makes it illegal for plant-based meat companies to use “meat” or other meat-derived terms like “burger” or “sausage” to describe their products. The law includes products...

PARIS — Do the French fancy plant-based burger alternatives? Has the overall plant-based category taken hold in Europe? Judging by ingredient supplier booths at Food Ingredients Europe held Dec. 3-5 in Paris, the answer is oui. Plant protein samples on the exposition floor came in several forms, including alternatives for...

CANTON, MASS — Scott Murphy, formerly chief operating officer of Dunkin’ U.S., has been elevated to the role of president of Dunkin’ Americas for Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. He assumes the responsibilities from David L. Hoffmann, who remains chief executive officer of Dunkin’ Brands. A 15-year veteran of the company,...

SAN FRANCISCO —Zippin, a start-up focused on cashierless checkout for brick and mortar retail, secured $12 million in a Series A funding round led by Evolv Ventures, Kraft Heinz Co.’s $100 million venture fund. Zippin uses a combination of computer vision, artificial intelligence and sensor fusion technology to create a...

LONDON — McDonald’s U.K. is rolling out its first vegan meal. Veggie Dippers, made with red pepper, rice, sundried tomatoes, pesto and split peas surrounded by breadcrumbs, will launch Jan. 2 in McDonald’s U.K. and Ireland restaurants. Customers will be able to order the chain’s first fully vegan meal by...

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Coffee and cola collide in Pepsi Café, a new beverage from PepsiCo, Inc. set to launch in April 2020. Featuring a blend of roasted Arabica coffee and Pepsi cola, the drink contains nearly double the amount of caffeine found in a regular Pepsi soda. Pepsi Café is...

SAN FRANCISCO — Eat Just Inc. is expanding its protein manufacturing operations. The company announced plans to acquire a 30,000-square-foot facility and 40 acres of land in Appleton, Minn. The plant has operated as Del Dee Foods, a custom spray drying facility, for more than 30 years. Just partnered with...

NEW YORK – Siggi’s, maker of Icelandic-style yogurt, is debuting its first plant-based recipe. The new yogurt alternatives contain more protein than sugar. Made with a blend of coconut milk, macadamia nuts, tapioca flour, pea protein and live active cultures, the non-dairy products are sweetened with cane sugar and contain...

SAN DIEGO — The search for a new chief executive officer is underway at the Jack in the Box Inc. Lenny Comma, chairman and c.e.o., announced he is leaving after six years at the company’s helm. “I’m proud of what the company has been able to accomplish during my tenure...

WAYZATA, MINN., and KING OF PRUSSIA, PA. — A proprietary, water-based technology from Renmatix, Inc. turns feedstocks into upcycled material, or more valuable material. Bill Gates has invested in the company and its technology, and a former governor of Pennsylvania serves as a Renmatix executive. Now, Cargill will work with...

KANSAS CITY — Boosting demand in the market for gluten-free foods are new product launches featuring flours based on nuts, seeds, beans, fruits and vegetables that appeal across a range of diet trends. Cassava, coconut and cauliflower are among ingredients replacing wheat in tortillas, pizza crusts and snacks. Such products...

BERKELEY, CALIF. — Perfect Day, a producer of animal-free dairy proteins, has closed a $140 million Series C funding round led by Temasek with significant contribution from existing investors. The start-up plans to expand production capacity, enhance partner opportunities and extend its product portfolio. The recent round brings Perfect Day’s...

VEVEY, SWITZERLAND — Nestle S.A. has entered into an agreement to sell its U.S. ice cream business to Froneri for $4 billion. Froneri is a joint venture created in 2016 between Nestle and PAI Partners, a European private equity company. Once completed, the transaction will make Froneri the second largest...

GLENDALE, CALIF. — IHOP Restaurants will launch a new fast-casual concept in spring 2020. The brand, called Flip’d by IHOP, will focus on freshly made breakfast foods and beverages. Popular lunch and dinner items, including Ultimate Steakburgers and Buttermilk Crispy Chicken, also will be available. Other menu items include a...

BELLVUE, COLO. — Noosa Yoghurt, L.L.C. is introducing Noosa HiLo, a yogurt made with higher protein and lower sugar. Containing 12 grams of protein and 12 grams of sugar per 5.3-oz cup, the yogurt is made with rBST-free milk sourced from within a 40-mile radius of its production facility. Noosa...