FoodNavigator RSS

Getting a taste of flavor chemistry

Claire.VIDEAU@wrbm.com (Claire VIDEAU) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:25:00 +0100

From nature to the laboratory to supermarket shelves, FoodNavigator-USA takes a journey behind the scenes of flavor development. IFF flavorist Rich Dandrea tells us about his 20-year career in the industry.

FrieslandCampina seizes Balkan takeover opportunity under route 2020 'spearhead'

Ben.Bouckley@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:15:27 +0100

Dutch dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina has signed a memorandum of understanding with a UK-based venture capital firm to acquire Serbian dairy producers Imlek and Mlekara Subotica, and sees great potential to grow sales in the region.

Tight supermarket milk margins set Dairy Crest stock ‘in doldrums’, analysts

Ben.Bouckley@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:49:08 +0100

Dairy Crest has issued a mixed trading update for the first nine months of its fiscal year, with persistent tight margins in its dairies business sector offset by strong performance across its branded portfolio.

FSA publishes priorities on science and evidence

Nathan.GRAY@wrbm.com (Nathan GRAY) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:04:56 +0100

Microbiological food safety, allergen risk, and novel technologies are among the top areas of priority for the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the forthcoming year.

Low-fat ingredients delivering for Russian group EFKO

Jane.BYRNE@wrbm.com (Jane BYRNE) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:03:30 +0100

Last year saw sales of food ingredients jump nearly 10% for supplier EFKO, a Russian manufacturer of industrial fats, including cocoa butter substitutes, used in confectionary, diary, bakery and other food industries.

Commission regrets Parliament's blocking of nutrition claims revision

Jane.BYRNE@wrbm.com (Jane BYRNE) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:51:45 +0100

The European Commission said it strongly regrets the European Parliament’s decision yesterday to veto the ‘percentage less’ claims on foods, claiming its proposal, if backed, would have favoured industry efforts to reformulation.

Intersnack's seven figure investment in UK snacks

Frederick.Dawson@wrbm.com (Frederick Dawson) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:46:11 +0100

European giant Intersnack is challenging PepsiCo and United Biscuits brands in the UK as it prepares to dramatically increase its profile, with a seven-figure investment in UK production.

What does healthy snacking mean? Mintel asks

Caroline.SCOTT-THOMAS@wrbm.com (Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:57:05 +0100

Most people consider fresh fruit and raw vegetables healthy snack choices, according to a recent survey from market research organization Mintel, but a surprising number think cookies and ice cream are also healthy snacks.

Some 'at-home baristas' see single-cup coffee as costly, Mintel

Ben.Bouckley@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:08:11 +0100

While single-cup coffee made using pods is still a popular choice among devotees of the drink in the developed world, recent Mintel research suggests that cost may be a barrier to further uptake of the technology.

Daily dose of diet soda may increase heart attack risk: Study

Nathan.GRAY@wrbm.com (Nathan GRAY) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:43:03 +0100

People who drink diet soft drinks could be at an increased risk of suffering from heart attacks or stroke, according to new research findings.

Nestle ups stake in Israeli firm Osem with €75m investment

Oliver.NIEBURG@wrbm.com (Oliver NIEBURG) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:11:33 +0100

Food giant Nestle has increased its stake in Israel-based food manufacturer OSEM by around 5% in a deal worth €75m (ILS 371.7m).

Unilever results leave analysts with mixed impressions; volumes hit in food

Jane.BYRNE@wrbm.com (Jane BYRNE) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:16:39 +0100

The volumes decline in Unilever’s food business of nearly 4% is a concern, claims an analyst adding that the full year results are slightly below expectations.

EU Parliament veto on nutrition claims is 'bitter pill' for industry to swallow, FDE

Jane.BYRNE@wrbm.com (Jane BYRNE) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:07:58 +0100

The European Parliament has blocked a proposal to amend food labelling laws that would have allowed new 'percentage less' claims on nutrition content, such as sugar, salt and fat - a move the food industry says is a bitter pill for the food sector to swallow.

Hovis and Kingsmill stuck in British bread ‘slugfest’, analyst

Ben.Bouckley@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:32:48 +0100

After Premier Foods’ announced this week that it plans to up its spend on ‘power brands’ such as Hovis, Investec analyst Martin Deboo told BakeryAndSnacks.com that UK bread was a “terrible industry” to be in due to industry overcapacity.

DMK boosts turnover and spreads Chinese wings with new sales office

Ben.Bouckley@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:57:00 +0100

Germany’s largest dairy processor Deutsche Milchkontor (DMK) has opened a new sales office in China to pursue regional growth, and has hinted at further investments in the country.

UK ad watchdog dismisses complaint against Kellogg

Jane.BYRNE@wrbm.com (Jane BYRNE) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:41:26 +0100

The UK advertising watchdog has ruled in favour of breakfast cereal giant Kellogg’s in relation to a complaint that a TV advert for a cereal was misleading in relation to its nutritional content.

Unilever sets out ambitious sustainability goals

Jane.BYRNE@wrbm.com (Jane BYRNE) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:58:16 +0100

Unilever has announced the launch of The Unilever Foundation, an organisation that the Anglo-Dutch food and household care group said is dedicated to enhancing the provision of hygiene, sanitation, access to clean drinking water, basic nutrition in emerging countries.

Tate & Lyle plug gap in the market with low-moisture starches

Jane.BYRNE@wrbm.com (Jane BYRNE) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:18:28 +0100

Tate & Lyle has extended its native starch portfolio to include GMO-free extra dry starches with low moisture content to aid dry mix producers in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Monsanto scraps GM maize in France

Nathan.GRAY@wrbm.com (Nathan GRAY) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:27:55 +0100

Agriculture and biotechnology giant Monsanto has announced it will scrap plans to sell genetically modified maize in France this year, or anytime in the future.

Stevia chocolate bags ISM innovation award

Oliver.NIEBURG@wrbm.com (Oliver NIEBURG) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:58:54 +0100

Stevia chocolate firm Cavalier has scooped an award for innovation at this year's International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM).