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Topspin Acquires Division of Three Dog Bakery Dog Treats

Topspin Consumer Partners, an operationally driven private equity firm focused on the consumer sector, has acquired the consumer products division of Three Dog Bakery, the creator of humanized dog treats sold at traditional and online retailers. TDB’s existing management team will continue to lead the Company in their current roles. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Based in Kansas City, Mo., TDB is a leading manufacturer and marketer of branded, humanized dog treats whose product portfolio disrupted the indulgent dog treat category with real ingredients, fresh-baked aromas and texture, and innovative products, many of which are inspired by human snacks and cookies. TDB has achieved strong growth through its longstanding relationships with key retail partners and innovative products including Lick’n Crunch, a sandwich crème cookie, Assort“Mutt”  Trio, a soft baked cookie, and Quiche Bites, a savory breakfast treat. TDB bakes many of its products in-house, enabling quick-to-market newness of soft-baked, aromatic treats as well as small batch runs of specialty items.

“Topspin has extensive experience building consumer brands and a strong network within the pet sector, making them the perfect partner as we enter our next phase of growth,” said Jerry Dear, president of Three Dog Bakery. “Pet parents are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of providing their best furry friends with more wholesome options, and we are confident that our unique product offering, which directly taps into pet humanization trends, is changing the way people think of dog treats. As the pet food industry continues to evolve, we will be well-positioned with Topspin’s support to expand our brand and increase our market share in the U.S.”

“We see enormous opportunity in the pet consumables sector, and are excited to partner with Three Dog Bakery, whose innovative products have generated an avid consumer following,” said Leigh Randall, Managing Partner at Topspin. “TDB’s management team has successfully scaled the Company through its product launches, established customer relationships, and thoughtful distribution expansion, and we look forward to partnering with the team to enter new categories and provide even more pet owners with unique, high-quality treats for their dogs.”

Lowenstein Sandler LLP served as legal advisor to Topspin.

ince 1989, when the original dog bakery opened in Kansas City, Three Dog Bakery has continued making dog treats worthy of the word “treat,” crafted with love and real ingredients. Find Three Dog Bakery dog treats, such as Lick’n CruncTopspinh! and Assort“Mutt” Trio in the treat aisles of pet stores, grocery markets, mass retailers and select online retailers in the United States and Canada.

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Kraft Singles Apple Pie Debuts in Time for July Fourth

What’s more American than apple pie? Apple pie with cheese melted on top. This Fourth of July, Kraft Singles is partnering with Little Pie Company, known for its dedication to crafting exceptional handmade pies, to create the Kraft Singles Apple Pie. The single-serve pie combines two of the most iconic American foods: the undeniably perfect melt of Kraft Singles, with the sweet classic flavors of a traditional apple pie. With its simple irresistible taste, the iconic yellow square slice makes all foods more delicious, including a decadent dessert-like apple pie.

The pairing of cheese with apple pie has long been a tradition. In fact, apple pie has been served with a cheese topping since the 1800s as a sweet and salty treat. The pie is a one-of-a-kind pie featuring hand-cut golden delicious apples mixed with cinnamon, nutmeg, light brown sugar and of course, melty Kraft Singles baked within. Each 5-inch pie is topped with a delicious Kraft Single, resulting in a dessert that is both intriguing and mouthwatering.

“Kraft Singles is a small ingredient that makes a big difference, and we are on a mission to make simple irresistible and reignite America’s love for Kraft American Cheese,” said Kelsey Rice, associate director for Kraft Singles at the Kraft Heinz Company. “Melting cheese on top of apple pie is a tradition we see many of our fans enjoy, so we wanted to remind people that Kraft Singles multiplies the enjoyment of whatever food you are eating and inspire new ways to enjoy our product beyond the grill.”

Cheese lovers can indulge in the Kraft Singles Apple Pie in-store at Little Pie Company in New York City and can also purchase for nationwide fresh delivery via Goldbelly, while supplies last. The Kraft Singles Apple Pie in store will be sold for $10.95 and on Goldbelly for $44.95 (before shipping), which includes a recipe card, two single 5-inch pies and two packs of Kraft Singles for melting.

“At Little Pie Company, we take pride in our pies made from scratch, and are always thinking of ways to bring new flavors and experiences to our fans,” said Arnold Wilkerson, creator of Little Pie Company. “When Kraft Singles approached us about creating a limited-edition pie featuring their iconic square, we were so excited and confident we could nail the recipe. Simply good and ready to eat, the Kraft Singles Apple Pie is sure to be a delight for all this Fourth of July.”

The campaign is the latest example of bringing the brand’s platform, “Square It” to life, reminding fans about all the wonderful ways consumers can use Kraft Singles in the kitchen.

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GOOD Meat Gets OK for Cultivated Chicken Sales in US

GOOD Meat, the cultivated meat division of food technology company Eat Just, Inc., has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its first poultry product, cultivated chicken, to enter interstate commerce. This landmark clearance means the firm’s chicken, which is made directly from animal cells, can now be sold to American consumers.

Today’s watershed moment for the burgeoning cultivated meat, poultry and seafood sector, and for the global food industry, comes on the heels of the USDA’s approval of GOOD Meat’s label – and four months after the company received its “no questions” letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The March milestone indicated the FDA accepted the company’s conclusion that its cultivated chicken is safe to eat and allowed the USDA to begin its part of the regulatory process outlined in a 2019 agreement between the agencies.

“This announcement that we’re now able to produce and sell cultivated meat in the United States is a major moment for our company, the industry and the food system. We have been the only company selling cultivated meat anywhere in the world since we launched in Singapore in 2020, and now it’s approved to sell to consumers in the world’s largest economy. We appreciate the rigor and thoughtfulness that both the FDA and USDA have applied during this historic two-agency regulatory process,” said Josh Tetrick, co-founder and CEO of GOOD Meat and Eat Just.

GOOD Meat won multiple regulatory approvals for its chicken in Singapore in 2020 and 2021, and in January 2023 received a key clearance that paves the way for greater scalability, lower manufacturing costs and a more sustainable product. Since its Singapore launch, the company’s chicken has been featured on menus at fine dining establishments, popular hawker stalls, via the foodpanda delivery platform and most recently by reservation at Huber’s Butchery, one of Singapore’s premier producers and suppliers of high-quality meats.

In the United States, under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act, all meat and poultry sold commercially must pass inspection to ensure that it is safe, wholesome and properly labeled. To accomplish this, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service places inspectors in slaughterhouses and processing plants — and for the first time in history, will assign inspectors to GOOD Meat and other cultivated meat and poultry facilities that follow.

As part of the USDA’s approval, GOOD Meat received a grant of inspection for its demonstration plant in Alameda, California, as has its contract manufacturing partner, JOINN Biologics. The comprehensive vetting includes facilities and equipment; standard operating procedure for sanitation; and the systematic approach to identification, evaluation and control of food safety hazards known as HACCP.

Immediately after receiving the grant of inspection, production started for the first batch of cultivated chicken that will be sold to celebrated restaurateur and humanitarian Chef José Andrés. Andrés, who is owner of José Andrés Group, which operates more than 30 restaurants across the country, previously shared that a yet-to-be-disclosed restaurant in Washington, D.C., would be the first in the country to serve GOOD Meat’s cultivated chicken.

Additional Statements

“Serving as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture afforded me the opportunity to work with countless individuals at the USDA who were committed to accelerating agricultural innovation and economic opportunity as well as promoting initiatives to better nourish Americans and feed people around the globe. I commend the agency’s current leadership for working collaboratively with their FDA colleagues and the GOOD Meat team to reach this significant regulatory milestone. Today’s approval demonstrates that the United States is a global leader in the promising alternative protein space while also continuing to support family farmers’ efforts to feed the world through conventional food and agriculture techniques.” Dan Glickman, GOOD Meat Advisory Board member; former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and member of the U.S. House of Representatives

“Today’s groundbreaking announcement marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards building a safer, more efficient food system. GFI applauds U.S. regulatory agencies and GOOD Meat for their strong collaboration throughout this rigorous process. American consumers are now closer than ever to eating the real meat they love, that uses far less land and water than conventionally produced meat. By undergoing a comprehensive facility review process and meeting the highest regulatory standards, cultivated meat will provide consumers with a safe and trusted source of protein. As we navigate a future with increasing global demand for meat, it is crucial that governments worldwide prioritize cultivated meat as a solution that satisfies consumer preferences, supports climate goals, and ensures food security for generations to come.”  Bruce Friedrich, President, The Good Food Institute

“GOOD Meat’s grant of inspection is a historic moment for the global food industry as we prepare for the first cell-cultured/cultivated chicken products to be sold in the United States, following rigorous and science-based evaluations by the FDA and USDA. AMPS Innovation members continue to make ground-breaking advancements that will, in partnership with the entire food and agriculture sector, help meet increased demand for protein as the world’s population continues to grow.”Robert Rankin, Executive Director, Association of Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Innovation

Eat Just is a food technology company with a mission to build a healthier, safer and more sustainable food system in our lifetimes. The company’s expertise, from functionalizing plant proteins to culturing animal cells, is powered by a world-class team of scientists and chefs spanning more than a dozen research disciplines. Eat Just created one of America’s fastest-growing egg brands, which is made entirely of plants, and the world’s first-to-market meat made from animal cells instead of slaughtered livestock. The company has been recognized as one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies,” Entrepreneur’s “100 Brilliant Companies,” CNBC’s “Disruptor 50” and a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. JUST Egg has been named among Popular Science’s “100 Greatest Innovations” and Fast Company’s “World Changing Ideas” and the history-making debut of GOOD Meat was heralded as one of 2020’s top scientific breakthroughs by The Guardian, Vox and WIRED.

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