Sensient Natural Ingredients LLC (SNI), a processor and supplier of dehydrated vegetable products and natural food ingredients, announced that it has finalized a transaction to acquire New Mexico Chili Products Inc., a dehydrated chili production facility in Deming, N.M., that processes capsicums and a variety of specialty chilies for commercial sale to CPG food manufacturers, spice blenders, and foodservice customers.

Alt-Meat innovator Redefine Meat announced the completion of a $29 million A-series funding round led by Happiness Capital and Hanaco Ventures.

Santa Monica Seafood, a national seafood processor and distributor headquartered in Southern California, announced that it has closed a purchase agreement for the equity interest in its Ethos Seafood Group division that had been owned by an outside, unaffiliated group. Santa Monica Seafood now owns 100% of Ethos Seafood.

To keep up with the rising demand of chicory inulin market led by growing consumer preference toward healthier food ingredients, Sensus committed significant capital for expansion of its production capacity starting in 2021. The planned investments will be matched by Sensus contracting increased acreage for chicory roots with its farmer base.

COVID-19 has been the great disruptor of 2020 and it shows in the sauce and marinade flavor profiles currently trending. With many restaurants on either hiatus or using abbreviated menus for dine-in or take out, grocery retail trends are leading the way for manufacturers.

Earlier this year, MFI began managing the next edition of PROCESS EXPO®. Now, as part of a joint venture, FPSA’s longevity within the industry will be supplemented by the expertise of event management, marketing and sales provided by MFI.

As part of ongoing efforts to increase the availability of sustainably sourced ingredients, Cargill will become one of North America’s first large-scale suppliers of segregated palm oil certified by the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Beginning December 2020, all palm oil production from the company’s Charlotte, North Carolina refinery will be solely dedicated to providing the sustainably sourced product.

Ingredion Incorporated, a global provider of ingredient solutions, announced the completion of its rice manufacturing expansion in Banglen, Thailand. The expansion is part of the company’s ongoing investment strategy to support customers globally through the growth of its speciality food ingredients business.

As a result of this transaction, Sensient will be named a core supplier of flavors, colors, and other related products used by Frulact in its fruit preparation business. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2020.

Construction of Merit Functional Foods’ 94,000-square foot production facility is underway.Merit’s facility will produce the high purity and quality pea and canola protein