Inside FMCG

Chobani is expanding into Australia’s high-protein drinks market with the launch of High Protein Yogurt Drinks. The range features five flavours: Vanilla, Mixed Berry, Tropical, Mango and Strawberry, all available in 270ml and 400ml formats. The drinks come in 20g and 30g protein variants, with protein sourced from 100 per cent fresh milk. They contain no milk powders, added sugar or artificial sweeteners, and are lactose-free.

Peters Ice Cream has expanded its dessert portfolio with a line of Lotus Biscoff frozen products, in partnership with Belgian snacking brand Lotus Bakeries. The rollout introduces two distinct formats: Biscoff Sandwich and Biscoff 425ml tub. The Biscoff Sandwich features Biscoff-flavoured frozen dessert set between two Biscoff biscuits, while the 425ml tub version offers a creamy frozen base blended with biscuit pieces and Biscoff spreads.

New Zealand dairy co-operative Fonterra reported a triple-digit profit increase last fiscal year, fuelled by the divestment of its Mainland consumer products business. Profit after tax for FY26 soared 142 per cent to NZ$2.6 billion, while operating profit jumped 97.6 per cent to $3.4 billion, including a $1.2 billion benefit from the Mainland divestment. The co-operative completed the divestment of Mainland Group, which owns brands such as Mainland, Anchor, Perfect Italiano, and Anmum, in March.

Wholesale distributor Metcash has expanded its partnership with Coveo to bring AI-powered conversational experiences to its B2B customer communications portal, AskRoss. The expansion builds on Metcash’s existing deployment of the AI enterprise and a global technology hub, Publicis Sapient, in other areas of the business.

The weekly grocery shop can be an hour of comparing prices, checking labels and remembering what the household needs. Richard Rome thinks AI could eventually take on much of that work, but says the industry should resist calling the result “humanless shopping”.

Who Gives A Crap has launched a limited-edition Halloween range, bringing seasonal designs to its bathroom tissue portfolio ahead of October 31. The Spooky Edition is made from 100 per cent bamboo and features seven Halloween-inspired designs, including Frankenstein’s Monster, a Jack O’Lantern, vampire, mummy, skeleton, black cat and spiders. The range is priced at an RRP of $42.50 for a 24-pack or $69.50 for a two-pack, totalling 48 rolls. It is now available online.

The industry landscape is changing faster than many businesses can adapt. Consumer expectations are evolving, perceptions of value are shifting, technology is accelerating change, and the signals that once helped businesses anticipate what was coming next are becoming harder to read. For brands and retailers, the challenge is knowing which changes matter, which signals to ignore, and where to act with confidence.

CJ Foods Oceania, a subsidiary of South Korea-based food giant CJ Foods, has appointed Jamie Henderson as its new MD. Henderson brings extensive commercial and leadership experience across the Australian fast-moving consumer goods sector to the role. He joins CJ Foods Oceania after holding senior leadership positions at Inghams.

Streets, part of The Magnum Ice Cream Company, has partnered with children’s television series Bluey to launch Streets Bluey Frozen Treat in Australia. The launch follows research commissioned by Streets, which found more than half of Australian parents enforce some form of rule around children eating ice cream. Only 37 per cent allow their children to eat it however they want, mess and all.

Widely stocked Australian ready-made meal brand Fast Fuel Meals has collapsed into administration, owing creditors more than $20 million. The parent, trading as Fast Fuel Meals Holdings, appointed Dane Skinner as administrator on September 8. Creditors met again on September 18. Skinner spoke to 7News last week to reveal the scale of Fast Fuel’s debts. This included $7.43 million owed to secured creditors, $879,303 to priority creditors and $12.52 million to unsecured creditors.