Double-digit growth in underlying profits in the first half have
left the UK's number two food retailer Sainsbury bullish about its
prospects for full-year growth. And new store formats, an increase
in the range of non-food items...
The decision to focus on franchised outlets, and to close two
overseas operations, took its toll on nine month results at Spanish
fast food chain Telepizza. But the worst may now be over for the
troubled company.
In light of the 18th session of the Codex Committee on Fats and
Oils to be held in London, UK on 3-7 February 2003, the US
Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration said
this week that they are to sponsor a public...
In the second story of the day on herbal products, we report that
the US American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), in a bid to
curtail all deceptive advertising, has unveiled a draft framework
for voluntary advertising practices...
The UK Food Standards Agency last week held its first open board
meeting in the heart European bureaucracy, Brussels. On the agenda?
An action plan on food labelling, GM labelling, and consumer
involvement in policy making. Commission...
As the EU discusses new, much tougher, legislation on the labelling
of potential allergens on food products, a new study from the Isle
of Wight, UK, substantiates current fears over the mounting cases
of allergic reactions.
Budgens, the UK convenience store operator, has called on the
regulators to investigate Tesco's proposed takeover of T&S on
the grounds of its affect on sales rather than simply marekt share
- an analysis which it claims...
More news to suggest that governments in Europe must continue to
curb the growing tide of obesity as the burden of heart disease,
long linked to obesity, weighs heavily on the purse-strings of
treasuries. A new study reveals previous...
This year has been something of an annus horribilis for
Dutch retail group Ahold, with the weakness of the economies in the
Americas taking a particularly heavy toll on profits. With third
quarter results falling heavily compared...
Many people recognise the dangers of binge and heavy consumption of
alcohol during pregnancy but new research suggests even moderate
drinking during pregnancy is harmful as it can cause both
behavioural and physiological deficits...
The Board of the Academy of Finland announced this week that it has
taken the decision to launch seven new research programmes in 2003
- one of which will focus on the societal and health effects of
genetically modified organisms.
Danish enzymes company Novozymes has linked up with a major
breeding ground for food scientists, the Technical University of
Denmark, to set up the 'Novozymes Bioprocess Academy'. The move is
a bid to enhance chemical engineering...
The consolidation of the German beer market continued this week
with Belgium's Interbrew strengthening its position as the
country's leading foreign player, adding the Hannover-based Gilde
brewery to its Beck's and...
In light of recent proposals from the European Commission to
establish pan-European regulations for the use of health claims on
food products, the UK Food Standards Agency this week published a
new report that examines the impact...
The different characteristics of grapes and the soil they are grown
in help give wines their character, but according to Sri Lankan
firm Dilmah, the same is true of tea. The company has launched a
new range of teas under the Watte...
In a bid to compete on a more even footing with their larger rivals
on the international stage, Auchan and Casino have formed a new
company which will negotiate with both major brand owners and small
and medium-sized companies on...
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week re-launched the
thorny debate on the use of trans fatty acids in food processing,
and the labelling thereof, when it reopened the comment period for
a proposed rule first published...
European food manufacturers will soon have to label the complete
content of all foodstuffs as the European Commission's proposal for
an end to the '25 per cent' rule was endorsed yesterday by the
European Council.
Green Apple is the latest flavour variant to join the Smirnoff
vodka range from Britain's biggest drinks group, Diageo. The vodka
is being launched this month in the key US market, and is the fifth
flavoured variant of the Smirnoff...
Food additives will come under the spotlight in December in the UK
as food industry representatives meet to analyse the development of
this massive business - forecast to be worth €25bn by 2010.
Cargill Dry Corn Ingredients, a subsidiary of privately-owned US
agribusiness giant Cargill, continues to make inroads into Europe
with the announcement this week that its €6.05m state-of-the-art
masa flour plant is officially up...
Recent research work carried out at the Trollhättan/Uddevalla
University College in Sweden suggests that, although consumers feel
a commitment towards the environment, this is not enough to make
them choose eco-labelled food products.
Products made by small and medium-sized food producers will form
the backbone of Systeme U's ongoing development following the
signing of an agreement with FEEF.
Krispy Kreme, the US doughnut manufacturer and retailer is heading
to Europe with 25 stores planned in the UK over the next five
years. Spain is also on its hit list, but cracking the rest of
Europe may prove a tough task.
Convincing our taste buds that summer is, in fact, an all year
event has long been the challenge of food scientists. A new range
from flavour manufacturers Ungerer seeks to do just that.
The thorny issue of 'health' claims on consumer food products
continued this week with the publication of a new report from the
UK Food Standards Agency. The findings, that consumers are confused
or unclear about the properties...
Netherlands-based edible oils company Loders Croklaan Lipid
Nutrition announced this week that the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has confirmed GRAS status for its omega-3
fatty acid product Marinol C-38.
Britain's leading supermarket group Tesco opened a store geared
solely to health and natural alternative products in London last
week. The Nutri Centre chain, in which Tesco has a majority share,
is designed to meet growing consumer...
US ingredients company MGP Ingredients suffers a net loss for the
current year's first quarter as higher grain prices and reduced
sales in distillery products take their toll - but speciality
ingredients witness strong growth.
The American arm of Danish ingredients company Danisco announced
this week that in order to capitalise on the most influential
segment of US shoppers in America - women - the company has
launched a new juice bar novelty idea, Elevations...
A new method for frying snacks is keen to tap into the current
trend towards healthy eating. US company Harvest Bay has come up
with a cooking method whereby by vegetable sticks and chips are
vacuum fried leaving the product with...
Last week we reported on the possible downgrade in share ratings
for Ocean Spray following the resignation of the cranberry
co-operative's CEO. Troubles continue this week with Northland
Cranberries, a fellow cranberry grower...
In a move that reflects the growing popularity in the UK towards
the consumption of a vegetarian diet, the Food and Drink Federation
(FDF) has launched a new voice for the £500 million (€786m)
vegetarian food and drink industry -...
The Famous Grouse, the favourite blended Scotch whisky among the
ever-demanding Scots, is investing heavily in marketing and
promotions this Christmas in a bid to garner a greater shares of
the market at a time of year when whisky...
Britain is still a nation with a sweet tooth, with chocolate
reigning supreme when compared to other European countries.
According to a new report from market analysts Datamonitor, the
popularity of chocolate and sweets continues...
Reports last week of the possible downgrade in share ratings for
Ocean Spray following the resignation of the cranberry
co-operative's CEO have been followed by more bad news this week.
Northland Cranberries, a fellow cranberry...
Arla sets out its stall as the leading speciality cheese producer
in the UK with the acquisition of HT Webb for an undisclosed sum.
The Scandinavian company said the deal reinforced its commitment to
the UK market where it has already...
Research on a regular basis appears to endorse the benefits of the
much-acclaimed Mediterranean-style diet. A recent study suggests
that taking a leaf out of the Mediterranean people's book could
help reduce cardiovascular disease...
Are organic foods better for us? This is the question on the lips
of many a consumer, food manufacturer and scientist. For what,
exactly, is the consumer paying a higher price? The US Institute of
Food Technologists took a refreshing,...
Cranberry sales for US co-operative Ocean Spray Cranberries may be
booming in Europe but news this week that its CEO of three years,
Robert Hawthorne, has resigned led US ratings agency Moody's to
review a possible downgrade...
A scheme designed to promote ethical labour practices in the Cape
wine industry has been praised by wine retailers in the UK, which
have also pledged substantial financial support.
Year-to-date sales at French soft drinks group Teisseire declined
by 3 per cent, but this is only to be expected as it reorganises
itself as a producer of innovative juice drinks and revamps its
traditional cordial business.
We reported yesterday that voters in the US state of Oregon had
voiced a resounding 'no' to Measure 27, an initiative that would
have required labels on food containing genetically engineered
material. Clearly a sensitive...
Caprabo, the Catalan retailer, has become the leading supermarket
group in Navarra following the opening of 22 Caprabo-branded stores
there this week. The stores were all converted from the Super Mabo
fascia in just three days.
Growth from new format stores notwithstanding, Iceland's poor
performance pulled down overall sales at the Big Food Group in the
UK during the first half. Another disappointing performance given a
positive spin by chief executive...
Since Swedish scientists revealed earlier this year that the
potential carcinogen acrylamide could be present in high-heated,
starchy foods, scientific and government bodies the world over are
seeking to calm the consumer.
Food and biotechnology industries in the US breathed a collective
sigh of relief this week as the voters of the US state of Oregon
voiced a resounding 'no' to Measure 27, an initiative that would
have required labels on...
A month of promotions in October helped lift French retail sales in
October compared to the previous year, but September's figures from
Spain show a marked decline in food sales, at least compared to the
previous month.
Swiss Dairy Foods, which went into receivership in September, has
announced that production and marketing of speciality dairy
products under the Toni brand will be transferred to fellow Swiss
dairy group LRG.
