PepsiCo and Strauss Group have completed their joint venture
partnership to operate fresh dips maker Sabra, a move that confirms
both companies' plans to extend their presence in the growing
healthy Mediterranean foods market.
Two dried fruit specialists have joined forces to create Shoreline
Fruit, a new company positioned to benefit from growth in
fruit-derived ingredients, and to offer security of supply from
farm right through to finished products.
A new report published by the Scottish Food Standards Agency urges
children to reduce the amount of cakes and biscuits they are
eating, warning that they currently have too much sugar in their
diets.
Over the last two weeks alone, Cadbury Adams has recalled Mini Eggs
because of a nut trace, Wholesnax failed to label the presence of
soya in its nuts, and a Korean company may have surprised one poor
consumer with a rat's head.
In financial news this week, Sara Lee sells its Mexican business to
focus on core brands, Dunkin' Donuts increases franchises in
Tennessee, and Dorset Cereals is purchased by Wellness Foods.
In these uncertain times for the bakery business the Finsbury Food
Group's profits have soared by giving people what they want, says
Chief Executive Dave Brooks.
The use of biomass for fuel should not jeopardise the food supply,
EuropaBio has proclaimed, but more European investment is needed in
second generation technology that does not compete with food
sources.
Two innovative new packaging machines from TNA are set to make
their debut at Interpack next month: a transfer and distribution
system and an automatic inserter.
UK bakery chain Greggs climbed back after a disappointing
performance in 2006 with its three-year plan helping it offset the
impact of rising raw material and energy costs.
Foods with a high glycemic index (GI), such as most white breads,
lead to a higher risk of certain health problems, according to
researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia.
Vivartia, Greece's largest food production company, yesterday
announced it is breaking into the US bakery market with its
acquisition of biscuit and cookie firm Nonni.
The global snack market will be worth almost $300bn (€197.8bn) by
2010, as manufacturers move towards healthier products as well as
developing markets, a new report predicts.
While the world's media is bemoaning rising food prices, the French
government is sniffing around the food industry for signs of
gleeful profiteering. If it is right, the long-term losses of the
nouveau cher will be far greater...
An increase in commodity and marketing costs led Heinz to yesterday
report slightly lower margins for the third quarter 2008, despite
sales and operating profit growth.
Associated British Foods (ABF) yesterday forecast that profits from
the grocery division, which includes bakery products, will be much
higher than the £20m loss posted last year.
In financial news, Canada Bread keeps profits steady through frozen
bread sales, Campbell suffers from high input and commodity costs,
and Barilla may be looking to sell its German bakery division.
Cadbury today said the demerger of its beverage arm will no longer
result in any capital return to its shareholders, as the company
reported profit losses for the tax year 2007.
Givaudan achieved savings by integrating Quest International ahead
of plan, increasing its product portfolio and allowing it to
refocus on higher value-adding ingredients.
While most consumers agree that ethically-sourced cocoa is no bad
thing, an ever increasing number of different schemes risks
muddying the issue and puzzling chocolate fans.
Beverage and snack company PepsiCo last week posted a 10.3 per cent
increase in operating profit for the tax year ending 30 December
2007, but higher overall costs led to a slight decrease in
margins for the group.
Global confectioners Mars and Nestle have joined a sustainable
cocoa programme, which aims to establish a traceability system for
all farmers in the Ivory Coast.
US-based food and body care company Sara Lee yesterday posted
profit gains for the second quarter of the fiscal year 2008, with
particularly strong performances from the international beverage
and bakery divisions.
A panel of experts recommend that more countries be
recognised as fine or flavour cocoa producing countries in order to
provide new opportunities for trade.
Only one year after moving into Taiwan, US bakery firm Dunkin'
Donuts plans to open 100 new shops in Shanghai and the surrounding
provinces over the next ten years, the company announced last week.
Cadbury today launched a fund to aid its cocoa suppliers
in Ghana, after research suggested that average production in
the region is now 40 per cent lower than the potential yield.
The headlines are sensationalist: twenty-four people have died in a
probiotic trial. Therefore, probiotics may be fatal. Throw those
yoghurt shots away!
High saturation in the US sandwich market will force manufacturers
to focus on niche age and ethnic markets in order to boost market
share, predicts a new Mintel report.
The UK government unveiled the first steps it will take in its
national strategy to fight obesity, earmarking £372m for the cause.
Steps include addressing food issues, as well as increasing
education and encouraging physical activity.
UK-based confectionery and snack firm Zetar today said that
pretax profit fell to £1.09m for the half year from £1.3m
in the previous year, as losses incurred by the recently
established Baked Snacks group offset improved sales.
Cereal producer Kellogg has acquired the Russia-based United Bakers
Group as part of plans to expand its global footprint, the company
announced yesterday.
In bakery news from the other side of the Atlantic, Archer Farms
removes trans fats, Canada bread acquires a Quebecoise sandwich
firm, and Flower Foods buys one of its production sites back from
Schwan.
New research suggests that regular consumption of chocolate may
weaken bone density and strength, which in turn could increase the
risk of health problems such as osteoporosis and fracture.
Strains of probiotic bacteria can affect metabolism, says a new
study from Nestle and Imperial College London that could help the
development of new probiotic products tailored for individuals.
The refusal by regulators to provide a formal definition of the
term 'natural' will ultimately lead to confusion for consumers and
a legal headache for manufacturers.
Number one snack company PepsiCo yesterday said it has acquired
Bulgarian nuts and seeds firm Penelopa, targeting both the health
and wellness trend as well as the promising Eastern European
market.
Pork belly, watermelon and goji are amongst some of the more
unusual soup flavours predicted to be popular in 2008, according to
Campbell's Kitchen and Swanson Broth.
Crispy Green develops dried fruit snacks; US scientists adapt
blueberry crops for hot weather; and legal action is looms over
bread that doubles up as crockery.
Although the overall US cookie market has increased 14 per cent in
value between 2002 to2007, manufacturers will have to focus on
niche trends in order to boost individual consumption, according to
a new Mintel report.
As phase two of the UK's new rules on TV advertising of unhealthy
foods targeted at children came into effect this week, the food
industry is preparing to lock horns with campaigners over a 9pm
watershed.
Danisco has said it is reviewing the strategic direction and
priorities of its core ingredients business, as a result of its
decision to de-merge its sugar and ingredients operations.
'Antioxidants' crop up every where, from beverage cans to cereal
packets. But industry must wake up to over use of the antioxidant
tag before the term loses meaning for consumers.
While 85 per cent of US consumers still eat dessert once a month or
more, healthier options such as fruit and yoghurt are an
increasingly popular choice, according to a new consumer trends
report.
Irish-based Greencore has moved to strengthen its position in the
convenience food sector by purchasing a UK cake manufacturer, after
exiting the sugar business because of EU reforms.