Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - Europe

DoH and FDF move up a gear in struggle against obesity

10-Nov-2008 - New steps in food’s role in the fight against obesity in the UK are being taken today by the DoH and the FDF.

Weekly comment

Beijing Olympic Games clean-up a dirty business

10-Nov-2008 - This year’s Beijing Olympic Games may have been good for China’s public image but the smooth running of the event was built on multiple state-prompted sacrifices and the food ingredients industry was one of the lambs that copped it in the neck for ‘the greater good’.

Kerry anticipates five-year growth story in Russia

10-Nov-2008 - Kerry Ingredients and Flavours is expecting to see considerable growth in its business in Russia over the next five years, as a result of both its global customers investing in the country and its own investment efforts.

News in brief

Entrepreneurs have chance to pitch retailers

07-Nov-2008 - The first UK Food and Drink Entrepreneur Forum will take place in London this month, and four start-ups will have the coveted chance to present their products to a panel of retailers.

Splenda bounces back as Tate & Lyle releases figures

07-Nov-2008 - Tate & Lyle’s sucralose product has recovered from a drop in demand to see a sales increase after the opening of the firm’s Singapore production plant, albeit with a reduced operating profit.

UK salt concern at a five year low, FSA survey

07-Nov-2008 - UK consumers have worried less about salt and additives this year and more about saturated fat in their food, according to the latest barometer of food views conducted by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Yoghurt drink makers wary of soft drink challenge

06-Nov-2008 - As drink manufacturers strive to provide innovative functional products to increasingly health focused consumers, dairy goods such as yoghurt may be an emerging route able to help bridge demand.

News in brief

Lecture to tackle issues of food trust

06-Nov-2008 - A lecture planned to take place in London in December will show how companies that make raw materials and process, distribute and sell food rely on accreditation and certification when implementing new systems.

Dispatches from Health Ingredients Europe

Solbar revamps Bontex for broader food uses

06-Nov-2008 - Solbar is exploring new applications for its Bontex steam textured soy proteins, and believes that attention to their nutritional benefits could make them attractive for bakery and confectionery goods geared towards health.

Why one lecithin quality does not suit all

05-Nov-2008 - Cargill Texturizing Solutions explains why there is a need for lecithin in various quality grades, and how lecithin can be used to meet market needs.

Danisco rolls out plant emissions plan

05-Nov-2008 - Danisco is introducing measures to boost its ethical and environmental record with plans to cut CO2 emissions at five of its largest plants worldwide, starting with Denmark.

Credit crisis cuts M&A activity in food industry

04-Nov-2008 - Consolidation in the food industry shifts down several gears as the global credit crisis cuts into financing opportunities for merger and acquisition activity and cash-rich firms with strong balance sheets sit and wait.

News in brief

European backing for US food label

04-Nov-2008 - A new nutrition label launched in the US will make it easier for consumers to make better food and drink choices, according to the Brussels based, Choices International Foundation, a global, cross industry initiative to promote healthier eating.

Synergy flavour engineering boosts sports nutrition taste

04-Nov-2008 - Meeting the taste challenge for protein-based sports nutrition products, flavour and ingredients firm Synergy has teamed up with protein parent company Carbery to delve deeper into flavour engineering.

Health outlook for food is stable, says report

04-Nov-2008 - The market for low-fat and reduced-sugar foods rose 6.7 per cent in value in 2007, moving up from a 4.7 per cent rise in 2006, claims a new report from UK market researcher Key Note.

EU recognises erythritol as zero calorie sweetener

03-Nov-2008 - Opportunities for low-calorie formulations open up for food makers as Europe officially recognises erythritol as a zero calorie sweetener.

News in brief

Tesco asks suppliers for cash, say reports

03-Nov-2008 - Tesco has contacted some of its suppliers to ask for cash contributions to help keep down prices or to accept lower prices for products, according to media reports.

News in brief

Costa Rican bananas to net zero GHG by 2012

03-Nov-2008 - Corbana, the association of Costa Rican banana producers, has formally presented a pledge to cut its net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2012.

CSM announces 200 jobs cuts by the end of the year

03-Nov-2008 - Dutch bakery supplies business CSM has announced that it will cut 200 jobs from its workforce across Germany, France and the US in the next two months in response to plummeting sales and falling consumer confidence.

Competition watchdog extends probe of Danisco-Nordzucker deal

03-Nov-2008 - The Danisco deal to spin-off of its sugar arm to Germany's Nordzucker faces delays after German competition authorities take their review into a second phase, opting to investigate the €750m takeover further.

News in brief

Choices appoints ex-Commissioner as chair

31-Oct-2008 - The organisation behind the Choices nutrition logo has appointed former EC Commissioner Pavel Telička as its independent chairman.

News in brief

ADM completes purchase of rapeseed plant

31-Oct-2008 - Archer Daniels Midland has received antitrust approval to acquire Campa’s rapeseed crushing plant in Sraubing, Southern Germany, a plan originally announced in August.

Defra traces UK food price story for 2008

31-Oct-2008 - Defra has published its annual Food Statistics Pocketbook, which traces the precise direction of food prices in the UK over the last 12 months and gives insight into the tough implications for low income households.

Falling vegetable oil prices to improve AAK cash flow

31-Oct-2008 - Specialty fats firm AAK has said that the falling price of vegetable oils will help keep its financial situation in good health – especially useful when acquisitions and organic growth in food ingredients are on the horizon.