Consumables

SEATTLE  — The coffee giant has entered into a deal for Unilever to acquire the assets of the Tazo brand, including its recipes, intellectual property and inventory, for $384 million. Starbucks said the move will allow it to drive a single tea brand strategy focused on its Teavana brand.

Tazo was founded in 1994, and purchased by Starbucks in 1999 for $8.1 million. It is sold primarily in grocery, mass and convenience channels, available in packaged teas, K-Cup pods, and bottled ready-to-drink teas.

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — Sabra Dipping Company is expanding its line of Guacamole products. The joint venture between PepsiCo and Strauss Group has introduced new Classic Guacamole with Lime. The recipe for this dip starts with a chunky, flavorful fresh Haas avocado for a homemade taste, the company said, noting that a strong burst of lime is then added as a final touch.  

LONGMONT, Colo. – Left Hand Brewing Company is celebrating the start of stout season with the launch of new Milk Stout Nitro cans. Technology from Ball’s Widget Inside allows consumers to take the beer on the go in the can while it remains perfectly smooth and creamy.  

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The number one Halloween candy in America by Hershey, Reese’s has unveiled its newest product. The Reese’s Outrageous Bars. Debuting next year, caramel and crunchy Reese’s Pieces candy will be surrounded by peanut butter covered in smooth milk chocolate.

The candy bar made its official debut at the Royal Oak, Mich., annual Spooktacular celebration. Noted for its legendary holiday celebrations, the brand decided there was no better time or place to sample the product.  

HANOVER, PA. — Utz Quality Foods announced Friday that it would be acquiring Inventure Foods in a deal valued at $165 million.

With manufacturing facilities in Arizona, Inventure’s portfolio includes such brands as Boulder Canyon Foods, TGI Fridays and Nathan's Famous.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever’s Pure Leaf tea brand has announced the release of the company’s first home-brewed Matcha tea. Sourced from the Rainforest Alliance Certified tea states in Kagoshimama, Japan, the brand will offer the tea sachets in two flavors — Pure Matcha and Matcha with Ginger

DEERFIELD, Ill. — This week Mondelez announced a shift in its leadership. Glen Walter has been named EVP and president North America beginning in November. Walter was previously the CEO of Coca-Cola Industries China. In joining Mondelez, he will now be leading the company's $7 billion business in the United States and Canada, which includes such brands as as Oreo, belVita biscuits, Triscuit and Good Thins crackers, Trident gum and Halls cough drops.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Fully embracing the cooler temperatures ahead, PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division has launched two new flavors from the SunChips and Smartfoods brands.

Consumers will now be able to indulge in the fall seasonings with SunChips Sweet Potato and Smartfood Delight Rosemary and Olive Oil snacks.