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August 2025 Recycling’s Hidden Champions: Meet the Women Turning Waste into Wonder FROM FARM TO FORK: The Software Powering Traceability NEW RULES, NEW PROTEINS: Analogue Labelling Overhauled FASTER THAN EVER: Inside Coca-Cola’s High-Speed Beverage Line If there’s one thing South Africa’s food and beverage industry does best, it’s proving that creativity and excellence can thrive side-by-side. This month, we celebrate a wave of innovation, hard-won accolades, and a regulatory breakthrough that cements our position as a global leader. After months of consultation, the updated meat analogue labelling regulations have been finalised — a move welcomed by pioneers like LIVEKINDLY Collective Africa and Fry Family Foods. This isn’t just about names on packaging; it’s about giving plant-based and analogue proteins the respect they deserve as a standalone category. It’s a progressive step that supports transparency, fosters innovation, and places South Africa at the forefront of redefining protein for a sustainable future. Our excellence doesn’t stop at legislation. From Westfalia Fruit’s gold- and-silver winning avocado oils, to KWV Brandy’s portfolio-wide triumph at the International Spirits Challenge, to Darling Brew’s bold leap from craft beer to boutique whisky — we’re seeing homegrown brands compete, win, and lead on the world stage. Add to that Sasko’s milestone of 1,000 playground upgrades, and you’ll agree: this is an industry that’s not only feeding the nation, but building a brighter tomorrow. Here’s to the innovators, the risk-takers, and the everyday champions who make South Africa’s F&B landscape one to watch — and one to be proud of. Simon From the editor f od beverage REPORTER Editor Simon Foulds WhatsApp +447840535794 editor@fbreporter.co.za Advertising Wendy Breakey wendy@fbreporter.co.za 083 653 8116 Design & Layout Jane Prinsloo Contributors Eddie Le Roux Published by Food & Beverage Reporter 47 Tugela Terrace Jacaranda Street Linden Ext 2195 www.fbreporter.co.za Endorsed by the SA Association of the Flavour &Fragrance Industry. Endorsed by SAAFoST06 Industry News Technology centre scales up food tech Westfalia wins big Health starts in the gut Celebrate SA brandy's world class pedigree Sasko supports early learning A great start to inaugural Preserve Championship Kerry expands innovation footprint 12 Product News Modern refreshment boom for PURA Beverages New Dilmah range available in SA Turning whisky into beer 15 Legislation Discover the updated analogue labelling regulations 16 Event Coca-Cola Beverages invests in high speed line Fair Cape turns 30 A new era for Vinimark to celebrate 4 decades of growth 20 Drinktec New ultrasonic micro flow sensor automates beverage production Perfecting rPET bottle production 24 Pumps & Valves Pump innovation key to sustaining growth in beverage processing fbr Contents26 Traceability Matrix Software enhances traceability 28 Processing Tech PepsiCo boosts sustainability with Sidel Keep production lines moving Biomass builds up more steam Safe, efficient and adaptable bulk handling solution fbr Contents 35 Take a look at our Packaging Reporter6 August 2025 | Food & Beverage Reporter www.fbreporter.co.za fbr Industry News New Food technology centre boosts alternative proteins’ scale-up in the US The $20 million facility is the company’s second global Center of Excellence dedicated to alternative proteins and sustainable food solutions as alternatives to traditional foods such as meat, dairy, seafood and eggs. GEA’s first ATC was launched in Hildesheim, Germany, in 2023. The new facility expands the GEA Janesville campus, which has served as a site for production, repair, logistics, and training since 2024. The Janesville ATC bridges the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial-scale production. The facility combines core GEA process technologies that are essential to producing next-generation proteins at scale. Pilot-scale bioreactors for precision fermentation and cell cultivation simulate industrial conditions, allowing companies to validate and optimise production processes early. Thermal processing and aseptic filling ensure food safety and stability, while membrane filtration, spray drying, and centrifugation support downstream separation and formulation – critical steps to achieving product quality, texture, and cost-efficiency. Advanced lab capabilities complete the centre’s offering, enabling microbiological, cell-based, and analytical testing under one roof. “The food industry is at a crossroads. To feed future generations sustainably, we must turn vision into scalable reality. Our new centre in Janesville is a key milestone on our shared journey – both for our customers and for us as a company,” says Stefan Klebert, CEO of GEA Group. “With this investment, we are helping our customers scale up the production of novel foods such as precision- fermented egg white and cultivated seafood. At the same time, we are strengthening our North American footprint, where our 1,600 employees at 16 locations support manufacturing, sales, service, training, and testing.” A Gold and Silver for Avocado Oils at inaugural SA Food & Beverage Awards 2025 Westfalia Fruit, a multinational supplier of avocados and fresh fruit, has emerged as a standout winner at the inaugural South African Food and Beverage Awards 2025, picking up four major accolades for its avocado oil range. Westfalia’s Lemon Flavoured Avocado Oil and Lemon variant oil claimed Gold while both the Garlic Flavoured and Plain Avocado Oils received Silver Certificates. Winning both gold and silver awards reflects not only the quality of the ingredients but also the skills and dedication of the producers. This recognition highlights the ongoing commitment to food safety, excellence, health, and sustainability in every bottle. Known globally as the “AvoExperts” Westfalia Fruit continues to set the standard in the avocado industry, growing, sourcing, and processing avocados and related products for markets worldwide. The latest recognition highlights Westfalia’s commitment to quality and innovation, with a diverse range that includes avocado oil, low-preservative guacamole, frozen avocado, and dried fruit. ““This success reflects the passion and hard work of our entire team. It’s a proud moment that validates our shared vision of bringing world-class avocado products to our customers. It reaffirms our commitment to quality and innovation,” says Hans Boyum, Customer Director at Westfalia Fruit. “We are incredibly proud of our award- winning oils, which exemplify the quality and care that define our entire product range. This recognition strengthens our belief in the value we bring to our customers through consistent excellence. As a responsible corporate citizen, we remain committed to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and uplifting the communities we serve,” concludes Hans. Dr. Rebecca Furbeck and Dr. Saritha Chauhan are leading the customer tests at the new GEA ATC in Janesville. Source: GEA/Kayla Wolfwww.fbreporter.co.za Food & Beverage Reporter | August 2025 | 7 fbr Industry News Supporting health and learning- Starting with the gut South Africa’s leading yoghurt manufacturer, Danone, with over 100 years of expertise in producing fermented products that promote healthy gut bacteria, understands the central role of the gut in supporting nutrient digestion and absorption, influencing overall health and the Gut-Brain connection. Empowering learners through education on healthy eating and gut health, Danone has embarked on a School Nutrition Roadshow reaching 24 000 learners and has developed an educational story book for children in Grades 1 to 3. The story book was written by experienced writers who aligned it to the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). This book takes the reader on an engaging journey, tracing the path of yoghurt from farm to spoon, to health, by understanding how yoghurt was first made and why eating two tubs (200 g) every day promotes daily health. Leanne Kiezer, Registered Dietitian and Head of Public Affairs at Danone, encouraged parents and guardians to read the book together with their children. She noted that, in South Africa, many children have insufficient intake of key nutrients such as Vitamin A, Zinc, Iron, and B vitamins (including Folic acid and B12), all of which are vital for optimal brain health. Kiezer explained that consuming yoghurt can support the development of a healthy gut environment, facilitating the absorption of these essential nutrients. KWV Brandy has achieved portfolio-wide acclaim at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) – one of the most respected spirits competitions in the world - including four coveted Double Golds. The double-distilled KWV XXO 20 and KWV 15 were among the top performers, alongside export-only expressions KWV XO and KWV VSOP. KWV’s standout performance provides compelling evidence of South African brandy’s ability to not only compete with but surpass its international counterparts - positioning the brand as a proud ambassador for the category. With this latest recognition, KWV cements its status as one of the globe’s most celebrated and consistently top-performing brands — a true icon of excellence in the world of spirits. The ISC is the longest- running dedicated spirits competition in the world, thanks to its reputation for precise and independent judging at the highest level. It receives entries annually from over 70 countries. KWV has been the one of the most consistent champions at the ISC. It has been named overall champion on several occasions, most recently last year as recipient of the ISC Trophy for Best Brandy / Cognac Producermin the World. A triumph which underscores KWV Brandy’s position as the world’s best brandy / cognac producer. The ISC awards also come at an auspicious time for KWV Brandy, just ahead of its centenary of brandy making. KWV produced its first brandy in 1926, making it one of the country’s longest-running commercial brandy distilleries. “We are honoured that KWV brandy has again been recognised by judges of the International Spirits Challenge,” says KWV Master Distiller Pieter de Bod. “These awards reflect the pride we take in consistent excellence at every tier, from our accessible blends to our finest aged expressions." Global recognition affirms South African brandy’s world-class pedigree8 August 2025 | Food & Beverage Reporter www.fbreporter.co.za fbr Industry News Sasko celebrates 1,000 playground upgrades across South Africa In just two years, Sasko’s Siyasizana play better initiative has reached a milestone that speaks to the power of purpose and collective action. 1,000 playgrounds at early childhood development centres and primary schools have been upgraded across South Africa, providing safe and engaging play spaces to more than one million children. To mark this historic 1,000 playgrounds milestone, Sasko hosted a Mandela Day celebration at Ikaneng Combined School in Diepkloof, Soweto – one of the many schools uplifted through the Sasko Siyasizana initiative. Sasko Siyasizana, was launched in 2023, to address the stark inequalities in access to quality play resources at ECD centres and schools. In many communities, children aged 5 to 9 have no formal and safe space to play: according to the South African early childhood review, more than 60% of young children in the country do not have access to safe, age-appropriate play facilities. — yet play is a cornerstone of healthy development and early learning. “Sasko believes every child deserves the right to play safely, and to feel like they matter,” says Vilosha Soni, chief marketing officer at Pepsico South Africa. “These playgrounds represent more than structures — they are symbols of dignity and hope and care.” The Sasko Siyasizana programme is grounded in care, with an investment of over R10 million, and supported by our Sasko consumers, customers and communities who nominated deserving schools and participated in various schools collection programs, has enabled us to reach areas that have long been overlooked. Schools from Limpopo to Khayelitsha, Soweto to Gqeberha, now boast colourful play zones designed for inclusivity, imagination and joy. Thank you to our trusted partners Buco, who helped us bring positive impact in our schools through providing building material for our playground structures. “As a brand deeply rooted in local communities, Buco understands that real impact happens when we create spaces that enable children to thrive,” says Lesego Moagi, group marketing executive at Buco. “We’ve seen how the absence of safe, functional infrastructure continues to hold learners back, particularly in the foundation years where care, safety, and stimulation matter most. Contributing to the Siyasizana playgrounds has been aligned with our broader commitment to supporting education as a driver of social and economic development.” As part of the celebration, Sasko hosted a panel discussion with key stakeholders to discuss the impact of this and other initiatives which aim to address the needs of children in underserved communities. Nico Moloto, Pepsico South Africa’s corporate affairs director, highlighted the value of partnerships when aiming to boost nutrition and food access in our schools. “As Pepsico South Africa, we are proud to be able to partner with the department of basic education to supplement its efforts to avoid malnutrition amongst scholars, by running our own breakfast nutrition programme across 35 schools nationally”. But this is only the halfway point. Sasko’s long- term vision is clear: reach 5 million children by 2030, turning play into a right, not a privilege. The brand plans to continue fostering relationships with NGOs and government partners to build on this momentum and help scale impact where it's needed most.Next >