Adrianne DeLuca

In this week’s Checkout: NotCo secures AI patents to develop emotion evoking plant-based flavors; Daily Harvest served with class action suit for alt-protein crumble illnesses; and Hormel invests in regenerative agriculture and renewable energy projects.

After a successful first year of operation, refugee-employment initiative UNSTUCK has announced a slew of new partnerships and co-branded SKUs to support its growing supplier network which is composed of companies committed to hiring refugees, helping them economically integrate into their new host community.

After debuting its flagship, sushi-grade plant-based tuna products earlier this year, alt-seafood maker Current Foods is set to accelerate distribution efforts and expand its product range after closing an $18 million seed funding round.

Mondelēz International announced that it will buy The Clif Bar Company for at least $2.9 billion last week. While the move marks a significant step in the company’s plan to reshape its portfolio, it also aligns the strategic with one of the oldest and largest brands in the crowded bar space. Once it closes, the eight leading nutrition bars brands in the U.S. will be owned by large CPG conglomerates.

The Clif Bar Company announced Friday it has reached a $10.5 million settlement agreement in a class action case alleging the brand misleadingly labeled its Clif Kid ZBars and “Classic” Clif Bars to convey messages of health and wellness, even though 37% of the calories in the product come from added sugar.

In this week’s Checkout: FMI finds loyalty for private label products is on the rise; Gorton’s fights back on definition for sustainably sourced fish; SFA Trendspotters report the top themes recognized at this year’s show and Moolec announces its roadmap to an IPO.

Brands are trying to find new ways to accurately communicate their environmental commitments, and for many, that has required the development of a new set of certifications that extend beyond the older, established classifications.

The adoption of measures to reduce plastic pollution, a motion to join an organization working to enhance protections for U.S. agricultural workers, and eliminating the output of hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs) from refrigeration were among the most contested shareholder proposals presented during Kroger’s annual investor event today.

Plant-based meat maker Mrs. Goldfarb’s Unreal Deli is looking to scale its production capacity as the demand for alternative-deli slices gain momentum. According to founder and CEO Jenny Goldfarb the products have garnered positive impressions from consumers and higher than expected order volumes from retailers. Just last month, the company entered Costco with new multipack and bulk formats and the retailer has already ordered 2,000 more units than originally expected.

Daily Harvest is asking consumers to dispose of its recently launched alternative meat product after multiple reports that it is causing severe gastrointestinal issues. The D2C frozen food brand, announced on Sunday that it was aware of the issues. The product is French Lentil + Leek Crumbles, which launched at the end of April and also comes in a Walnut + Thyme variety. That SKU has not been linked to any reports of illness.