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.

Dean Best
Newlat, financial investors ‘eye Princes’
A fresh media report has suggested the Italian food group is among a series of possible suitors for the UK food and drinks business.
Iceland Seafood International names new CEO
Bjarni Ármannsson, who has been at the helm for almost five years, is stepping down.
Growtheum Capital invests in Indonesia’s Kin Dairy
The private-equity firm has joined Japan’s Mitsui & Co. as a backer of the dairy business.
US vegetables supplier NatureSweet sold
The Texas-based business, which sells into major US grocery retailers, has a new owner.
“We’re still on the same express train” – Ethos Pet Brands’ Greg Shearson is confident US demand for premium pet food will continue
The former Merrick Pet Care executive now heads the new business created from the merger of Natural Balance and Canidae.
Signal: Nestlé’s long-term future in chocolate questioned even amid M&A
Nestlé has made a rare acquisition in chocolate. There remains, however, some speculation about its long-term plans.
Upside Foods to build “commercial-scale” plant for cell-based meat
The California-based business is selling its cultivated meat in restaurants after receiving regulatory approval in June.
Danone eyes ageing populations with latest capex
The French giant is investing in its medical nutrition business, which makes foods for patients with specific needs.
NotCo CEO outlines “innovation” tie-up with Mars
The Chilean plant-based business, which has developed products with Kraft Heinz, is now also working with another US food giant.
J.M. Smucker confirms deal to buy Hostess Brands for $5.6bn
The Smucker’s jam and Meow Mix cat-food owner said acquiring Hostess is “a compelling expansion of our family of brands”.