Plant-powered plates: Emirates shifts focus for vegan cuisine to meet customers' desire for minimally processed food Emirates now has 488 vegan recipes in rotation across 140 destinations, representing a 60% increase in total recipes from 2024 and showing

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, January 21, 2026/ -- As global consumers increasingly focus on nutrition, health and wellbeing with a back-to-basics approach of consuming minimally processed food, this Veganuary Emirates (www.Emirates.com) confirms new concepts are in development to celebrate real, whole, and farm-to-fork plant foods. The current development project sees a team of chefs create dishes that feel authentic, vibrant and rooted in culinary tradition, without replacing typical proteins with engineered plant-based meats and substitutes. The new dishes are set to be onboard for customers in 2027.

Emirates Vice President of Food & Beverage Design, Doxis Bekris, confirms the philosophy;

‘Our focus now is on legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and seasonal vegetables as the heroes of the plate. These ingredients offer natural depth of flavour, texture, and nutrition without relying on ultra-processed alternatives. Instead of replicating meat, we want to draw from cuisines that have always been plant-forward like Mediterranean mezze, Levantine grain salads, Asian noodle bowls, and African stews such as South African chakalaka, Kenyan sukuma wiki, Ugandan groundnut stew, Tunisian lablabi, Senegalese thieboudienne, Ivorian attiéké with vegetables, Guinean peanut stew, , Egyptian koshari, and Tanzanian mchicha. In our view, this approach feels genuine and culturally rich.

‘Although there are many commendable lab-based alternatives available, real food aligns with our sustainability goals and guest expectations for health-conscious choices. It’s about transparency for our customers who want to know what they’re eating, as well as have confidence that it’s good for them and the planet. We want to shift from substitutes to a celebration of plants, where it’s not about what’s missing - but instead what is gained in authenticity, flavour, and creativity.’

Emirates serves half a million vegan meals each year across Africa and globally

Emirates now has 488 vegan recipes in rotation across 140 destinations, representing a 60% increase in total recipes from 2024 and showing dedication to vegan customers.

Emirates currently serves half a million vegan meals each year. Vegan meal consumption grows in line with passenger volume increases, and last year the top destinations with customers ordering vegan meals were London in first place, followed by Sydney, Bangkok, Melbourne, Frankfurt, Manchester, Mumbai, Bali and Singapore. Emirates attributes some of the demand to non-vegan customers opting for vegan cuisine when flying, as a lighter option often considered easier to digest. Across its African markets, Emirates notes growing demand for vegan meals in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tunisia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, , Egypt and Tanzania, reflecting increased interest in plant-based cuisine across the continent.

Vegan options are available to order and pre-order onboard, as well as in Emirates Lounges. Customers can request vegan meals on all Emirates flights and across all classes of travel up to 24 hours before departure. However, on high-demand routes, plant-based meals are also provided as part of the main menu options.

Emirates’ vegan cuisine in every class

Highlighting its commitment to culinary excellence for all customers, Emirates offers vegan meals across all classes, as well as complementary products like vegan milk. Supporting the farm-to-fork philosophy, Emirates incorporates fresh produce from Bustanica - the world’s largest hydroponic vertical farm. The farm is a joint venture with Emirates Flight Catering that delivers pesticide and chemical-free leafy greens like lettuce, arugula, mixed salad greens, and spinach, directly to Emirates’ catering facilities.

In Economy class, Emirates customers can enjoy dishes like pumpkin frittata with sautéed mushrooms and tomato concassé, or spinach cannelloni served with tomato basil sauce, toasted crumbs and parsley, and desserts like vegan chocolate mousse cake drizzled in chocolate sauce and biscuit crumbs, or carrot cake dashed with coconut cream.

In Premium Economy class, customers choosing vegan cuisine will be served dishes like kimchi fried rice served with roasted pumpkin and sautéed oyster mushrooms, followed by desserts like coconut cake with pineapple compote and pistachios.

In Business class, a range of creatively curated dishes is offered, including braised mushrooms with vegetables in five-spice soy sauce, served with steamed jasmine rice and blanched pak choi. Customers who have room for dessert can feast on coconut panna cotta with raspberry mousse with fresh berries or chocolate tofu cheesecake.

In First class, customers will be treated to elevated vegan cuisine like pumpkin and barley risotto served with rocket, caramelised walnuts, vinaigrette and vegan cheese. Dishes offering a burst of flavours include quinoa salad with grilled aubergine, courgette, sautéed Swiss chard and red pepper coulis. Decadent desserts include strawberry tart with vanilla custard and pistachios, served with berry compote, or a tempting sticky date pudding served with salted caramel sauce, vegan cream cheese, candied pecans and almond butter.

Crafted vegan options in Emirates’ Lounges Dubai

At Dubai International Airport, Emirates has 7 lounges located in its flagship Terminal 3 - 3 for First Class and 3 for Business Class customers, as well as the Emirates’ Lounge catering to all premium customers. The lounges offer a wide array of vegan options, from Baharat and turmeric-spiced kofta in coconut gravy at the buffet area, to an à la carte breakfast of warm amaranth porridge with compressed green apples, red grapes, raspberries and walnuts in the First-Class Lounge, amongst many others. In addition to an array of popular vegan salads, the most in-demand vegan dish in the lounges is the Emirates Green Burger – a soya and flaxseed green burger, with a signature sauce and pickled cucumbers.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.

SOURCE
The Emirates Group

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa recognised as a Top Employer in Africa for 2026

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, January 15, 2026/ -- Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) (www.CCBAGroup.com) is proud to announce its recognition as a Top Employer in Africa for 2026 by the Top Employers Institute (https://apo-opa.co/45b21Rr). In addition to this regional accolade, seven countries in the CCBA footprint – Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda – have been certified as Top Employers at a country level.

This marks the second consecutive year that CCBA has achieved regional-level certification, with its operations in Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda also certified at a country level. Notably, all these countries have improved their performance compared to last year. Furthermore, this year represents the first certification for CCBA’s operations in Botswana, Kenya, and Mozambique.

The Top Employers Institute, active in 125 countries/regions, is considered to be the global authority in HR certification, benchmarking and advisory. Its programme (https://apo-opa.co/4sI5vF7) certifies organisations based on the results of its HR Best Practices Survey which covers six domains including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Wellbeing. 

“This certification demonstrates our commitment to unparalleled professional growth for our people, providing an exciting journey of learning and development within a passionate, caring team,” said Natasa Prodanovic, CCBA Chief People and Culture Officer.

“We thrive on delivering beloved Coke brands, making a positive impact on communities, and achieving market success together. We invest in our people to foster an inclusive and thriving workplace that accelerates our growth.”

Prodanovic added: “At CCBA, we don’t hand you a role, we create an opportunity, give you the tools and we challenge you to build a career, to make it yours.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.

ASEAN Food & Beverage Exhibition 2025 Concludes with Record Attendance and Dynamic Industry Events

Bangkok, Thailand – 2025.9.2-4 – The ASEAN Food & Beverage Exhibition 2025 has successfully concluded in Bangkok, attracting 19,868 industry professionals from across the globe. Exhibitors from countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India, China, Russia, Israel, and the United States showcased the latest trends and innovations in the food, beverage, packaging, and vending machine sectors. The event continues to solidify its reputation as one of the leading international trade shows for the F&B industry.

The exhibition presented a diverse range of products, including food, snacks, beverages, spirits, food packaging solutions, and vending machines, offering attendees a comprehensive view of the cutting-edge developments shaping the global food and beverage market.

A key highlight of this year’s edition was the ASEAN Shop Leader Industry Conference, which brought together experts and industry leaders from food, retail, and vending machine sectors to discuss the latest market trends, emerging technologies, and strategies for growth. The conference served as a critical platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration within the industry.

Additionally, the event featured a series of exciting live competitions, including:

The Mega Food Competition 2025, co-hosted with the Thailand Chef's Federation Association, which highlighted the culinary creativity and skill of top chefs from across the region.
The Mixologist Competition and Flair Bartending Competition, organized in collaboration with the Food and Beverage Management Association of Thailand (FBMA), showcased dynamic cocktail-making skills and high-energy bartending performances.

With attendees hailing from regions such as Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India), as well as Korea, China, Japan, the United States, Australia, Spain, Turkey, and Nepal, the exhibition underscored its global appeal and importance to the F&B industry.

Looking ahead, plans are already in motion for ASEAN Food & Beverage Exhibition 2026, which will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The upcoming edition promises even greater innovations, a broader international audience, and more diverse participation from industry leaders around the world.

International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-cola to arrive in South Africa For the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, The Coca-Cola Company will work with local teams and bottling partners to support its sustainability

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, December 19, 2025/ -- The Coca-Cola Company (www.Coca-ColaCompany.com) invites fans in South Africa to see the most coveted Trophy in the world ahead of FIFA World Cup 26™. The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will arrive in Johannesburg for two days on 30 and 31 January and Cape Town on 1 February, giving South African fans the chance to experience football's most desired prize, the FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy.

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola returns to South Africa for the first time since it’s last visit to the country in 2018, marking the second stop on the continent after Egypt.

“We’re excited to bring fans closer to the heart of the action with the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola. This year’s tour offers fans an incredible opportunity to experience the thrill and connection of football up close,” said Mickael Vinet, vice president, global assets, influencers and partnerships, The Coca-Cola Company. “We are inviting fans to celebrate of the full spectrum of emotions one experiences when watching a football match, starting with building excitement and anticipation by bringing the original FIFA World Cup Trophy to South Africa.”

FIFA World Cup 26™ is set to be the biggest yet—spanning three host nations, Canada, Mexico and the United States, with more teams, more matches, and more celebrations than ever before. During its global journey, the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will visit 30 FIFA Member Associations across 75 stops and more than 150 tour days, giving fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the original FIFA World Cup Trophy for themselves.

“The FIFA World Cup Trophy is recognized around the world as the greatest symbol in sport, and Coca-Cola is one of the world’s most recognized brands,” said Romy Gai, FIFA’s Chief Business Officer. “For two decades, our partnership with Coca-Cola has united fans and brought them the magic of the FIFA World Cup through the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola. Over five editions, the iconic trophy has visited 182 of our 211 Member Associations, and this tour will be particularly special—not only are we marking the 20th anniversary of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, but we are also preparing for the biggest FIFA World Cup in history, with three host nations: Canada, Mexico and the United States.”

FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola is also a platform to promote positive impact in local communities. For the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, The Coca-Cola Company will work with local teams and bottling partners tosupportitssustainabilityinitiatives, includingpackaging collection and recycling efforts. 

As a longstanding partner of FIFA, Coca-Cola has the exclusive rights to the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, giving thousands of fans across the globe the opportunity to see the most coveted Trophy in the world ahead of FIFA World Cup 26. The Coca-Cola Company has had a relationship with FIFA since 1976 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ since 1978.

For more information on the global trophy tour visit http://apo-opa.co/4allYIJ and updates on the South Africa leg, visit https://apo-opa.co/3XZuVjz.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca-Cola.