Canadean asked 2000 UK consumers whether they would be willing to eat on bugs. 803 of them said they would try insects of which 127 said they would be interested in eating them regularly.
Naturally Homegrown Foods’ Hardbite Chips brand has received non-GMO verification on two products, with the rest of the portfolio soon to follow, its CEO says.
Frito-Lay has been granted a US patent for its manufacturing process to bake snacks that maintain the taste and texture of a fried product using a hydration step.
Universal Robina Corporation (URC) has snapped up New Zealand snack giant Griffin’s Foods for NZ$700m ($606.6m) in a move it says should bolster its presence in the Asian snack sector.
Michigan State University (MSU) has been awarded almost $400,000 by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reduce the Salmonella risk of low-moisture foods.
US retail sales of gluten-free products surged 47% in 2013, with a significant chunk of the growth coming from snacks, according to flour milling giant Ardent Mills.
Andean Grain Products has received a positive draft novel food opinion from the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) for its chia seeds – deeming them sufficiently ‘equivalent’ to those already approved for market in the EU.
Bakery giant Grupo Bimbo believes the UK arm of Canada Bread - the business it bought in May - together with Spanish and Portugese divisions can strengthen European sales after further investment.
Cereal makers should consider moving NPD away from the breakfast table and introducing milk-free snack bags to be eaten like crisps, according to Canadean.
Swedish-Danish oils and fats giant AarhusKarlshamn (AAK) has acquired Colombian company Fabrica Nacional de Grasas (FANAGRA), which specializes in vegetable oils and fats for the bakery segment.
Paper cup and container producer, Seda has teamed up with Dilly & Wolf to launch a range of 200ml pots in the UK, which are lined with an aluminium barrier layer to keep snacks fresh.
DIGGING INTO WHEAT TRENDS WITH ARDENT MILLS: PART II
The grain-based industry is late to the protein game and they need to catch up because opportunities are vast, says Ardent Mills’ director of consumer insights.
Unhealthy foods are being promoted to children in everyday children’s television programmes, new research published in the British Medical Journal suggests.
The expansion of oil palm plantations may also pose a threat to water quality in fresh water streams that millions of people depend on, according to new research.
The European Snack Association (ESA) says it welcomes EFSA’s recent draft opinion on acrylamide in food, but will push for greater clarity on safe levels and product categorization in the final document due in September.
H.U.M.A.N., the company behind better-for-you vending machines and healthy micro markets, has taken its business-to-business healthy snack distribution model into corporate offices with the launch of SnackNation.
Amica Chips and ICA Foods have pledged to stop advertising to under 12s and communication with primary schools unless asked as part of a voluntary EU scheme.
Food scientists at Bühler Aeroglide report they have come up with a method to dry-roast peanuts that significantly reduces the risk of Salmonella contamination.
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) will buy WILD Flavors for €2.3bn citing fast-growing demand for natural food and beverage flavors and ingredients as the rationale.
Since it was created in 2012, Chapul Inc. has been on a mission to integrate edible insects into Western diets, using its cricket energy bars as the vehicle.
Liquid snacking is a healthy, convenient alternative to snack bars – a segment many consumers are bored of, according to the co-founder of NUWI Quinoa Snacks; a drinkable snack.
Snacks - particularly those using ancient grains – and baking mixes have been pushing the gluten-free sector forward, according to market research firm Mintel.
Eating almonds may reduce the risk of heart disease by increasing levels of the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol in the blood stream, reducing blood pressure and improving blood flow, according to UK researchers.
Synder’s-Lance will kick-start a restructuring plan to improve margins and drive focus on its branded products following the completion of its private brands divestment to Shearer’s Foods.
Amid “disappointing” fiscal 2014 results, General Mills has kick-started a cost-cutting plan to boost efficiency and support growth – a move that can’t be faulted but isn’t necessarily a ticket to success, a consultant says.
The market for gluten-free children’s food will be a big area for growth, predicts market research firm Mintel – but mainstream brands are yet to capitalize on the opportunity.
Food and beverage manufacturers are holding their collective breath in anticipation of the proposed changes to the Nutrition Facts panel put forth by the Food and Drug Administration and likely to be finalized next year.
Picking through ideas with Saatchi & Saatchi X on shopper behavior: Part III
Successful shopper marketing campaigns must be developed using a breadth of knowledge from data and depth from a human perspective, says the VP of shopper psychology at Saatchi & Saatchi X.
Peanuts, wheat and egg are among several allergens that continue to be a global public health issue, and so industry must act with caution when developing allergen-free products, warns a scientific expert.
Picking through ideas with Saatchi & Saatchi X on shopper behavior: Part II
Snacks have the power to drive positive emotional shopping behavior, but too much focus on health and a lack of in-store innovation could kill the joy factor, says the VP of shopper psychology at Saatchi & Saatchi X.
It is vital that the yeast industry is not forgotten in European sugar and energy policies if Euro-firms are to remain competitive on an increasingly international stage, according to the Confederation of European Union Yeast Manufacturers (COFALEC).
Picking through ideas with Saatchi & Saatchi on shopper behavior: Part I
Manufacturers must understand the difference between consumers and shoppers, tailoring marketing accordingly to secure purchases, says Saatchi & Saatchi X’s VP of shopper psychology.
Over 20 major food firms have signed up to health and wellness pledges on advertisement to children, consistent product information, open access to formulation policies and employee wellbeing as part of their commitment to Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) targets.
PepsiCo has inaugurated its first R&D facility in Mexico – a baking innovation center that will be dedicated to strengthening its better-for-you portfolio across brands like Quaker, Lay’s and Sabritas.
KP Snacks has gone pub-themed for the 2014 FIFA World Cup; recreating a local UK pub in Rio for the games and running a consumer competition fronted by celebrity pub landlord Al Murray.
Popcorn has exploded over the last few years with start-ups popping up left, right and center, but is there room for more competition? And can growth be sustained? Industry is torn.
“My background is in sales, so I’m used to dealing with disappointment,” observes the founder of quinoa-based snacking brand eatKeenwa. But for every door that’s been shut in Blake Niemann’s face in the past 18 months, another one has opened. And his...
Healthier products remain a top consumer demand, interpreting and communicating health claims is an ongoing challenge, and food safety is top of mind amid eco-friendly advances, according to Leatherhead Food Research.
Savory snacks are a perfect fit for the World Cup and industry has injected huge efforts into flavor development, pack design and marketing campaigns to draw the punters in, says the director general of the European Snacks Association (ESA).
Pecan Deluxe Candy (Europe) has invested in a €300,000 Yamato multihead check weigher, which can operate up to 100 bags per minute, to meet increasing demand for inclusions in products such as ice cream, desserts, cookies and donuts.
The Carolina Nut Company has rolled out a peanut butter & jelly (PBJ) peanut variety that it says bucks the trend in nut flavors and should help US expansion plans.
Merchandizing gaps in convenience stores need to be plugged and snack makers must collaborate to drive progress forward, says the category development head at General Mills Convenience as it launches Nature Valley c-store tailored products.
