Reorganization activities in Europe caused a dip in International
Flavors & Fragrances' earnings in the third quarter of 2004,
but North America continued to see strong growth, particularly in
its flavors division.
Natural, plant-derived ingredients have been the source of
inspiration for some of this year's most innovative new food
products, often being used to boost the healthy image of
traditional products.
Improved margins and risk management tools help the world's biggest
oilseed processor Bunge more than double its profit for the third
quarter, despite a knock back from soybean trade in China.
Food manufacturers using pecan nuts in their food products can
expect a hike in price as recent hurricanes in the US destroyed
nearly half the crops in major producing states.
The European Commission has adopted a proposal to deregulate pack
sizes for a whole range of consumer products such as ice cream,
frozen food, low alcoholic drinks and soft drinks.
The glycemic index, a method established to rank foods based on the
rate of carbohydrate absorption they trigger, is seeing increasing
interest from researchers and the food industry, but there is still
much confusion as to what it...
Hungary has banned sales of its ubiquitous national spice paprika
after high levels of potential carcinogenic aflatoxins were found
in warehouse stocks, writes Lindsey Partos.
Food manufacturers using pecan nuts in their food products can
expect a hike in price as recent hurricanes in the US destroy
nearly half the crops in major producing states.
Russia is a bread country - it has been a staple part of the diet
there for centuries, and to many people it is as much a part of the
Russian way of life as tea or vodka. But even a product with such
an impressive heritage needs to...
Russian agricultural processing giant Razguliay is to create a new
holding company called Kubani Ris, which will process 83 per cent
of all the rice grown in Russia and help the company clamp down on
illegal rice production at the...
A UK report has concluded that the safety of the tiny particles
created by the emerging nanotechnology industry has not been fully
assessed, write Anthony Fletcher and Phil Taylor.
Hungary's competition watchdog has fined French dairy giant Danone
HUF10 million for manipulating and misleading consumers with its
advert for Danone Activia yoghurt, writes Chris Mercer.
Changes to the new food code in Australia and New Zealand are
underway as the food agency for the two countries calls for comment
from industry, government and consumers on a raft of fresh
proposals.
Evidence backing the health promoting benefits of chocolate
continues to mount, bringing dynamism to slacking sales, reports
Lindsey Partos. Researchers from Spain have discovered that
polyphenols found in cocoa extract influence...
A fall in bread consumption in the US impacts sales for food enzyme
leader Novozymes in the third quarter with the Danish firm
reporting a 7 per cent fall in sales for this segment to DKK373
million (€50 million) this year from DKK399...
Fonterra intends to make an off market takeover offer for all of
the shares of National Foods Limited [NFD] in a bid to open up the
lucrative Asian food and beverage market, writes Anthony
Fletcher.
Maslenitsa, one of Russia's best known frozen food brands, has been
sold by its owner, Morozko, to the Kairos group for a sum thought
to be around $100,000. The move is part of a growing trend in
Russia towards the separation...
The world's number one caramel colour supplier DD Williamson is
driving deeper into the Nordic countries, signing a deal with
Swedish food distibutor Norfoods to build growth in the
increasingly mature caramel colour market.
Europe tackles levels of cadmium contaminated foods, particularly
in children, finding that cereals and vegetables contribute two
thirds of the consumption of this toxic heavy metal that can cause
kidney disease.
Nearly 150,000 visitors streamed through the doors of Europe's
major food fair SIAL 2004 in Paris last week that presented more
than 460 product innovations from 40 countries.
A new chocolate bar which claims to be made from sustainable cocoa
plantations was launched in New York late last month with high
hopes of building on the growing awareness of ethical products
among today’s consumers. Chris Jones...
Russian food group Razguliay has launched a new range of
grain-based products under the Divnitsa brand, the first stage of a
strategy aimed at allowing the agricultural processor to compete
for the first time with value-added imported...
GM starch and corn oil are cleared for use in European food
formulations after Brussels gives the green light on a genetically
modified maize line from US biotech giant Monsanto, reports
Lindsey Partos.
DSM expects to see full year profits rise 50 per cent on last year,
said chairman Peter Elverding, after stronger than expected growth
in the third quarter continued the positive trend.
The Danish Brewery Group, Denmark's second largest beer maker, has
strengthened its position in the Baltic markets through the
acquisition of a controlling stake in Lacplesa Alus, Latvia's
number three brewer.
Squeezed margins from 'fierce competition' have hit profits at
Swedish oils and fats firm Karlshamns, which this week announced
job cuts in the context of a cost saving programme.
Kellogg reported a solid 7 percent increase in its earnings for the
third quarter with the North America region also putting up a
strong performance thanks to the successful introdution of new
product lines.
United International Enterprises Limited (UIE), the majority
stakeholder in vegetable oil firm Aarhus United, confirms it will
sell its considerable stake in the Danish firm, due to be divested
by January 2005.
In line with growing consumer demand for organic products, Butter
Buds Food Ingredients has introduced a certified organic line of
natural butter, cream and cheese concentrates.
Food makers will be encouraged to use green and black tea in their
food formulations as science builds a picture of the possible
health benefits, most recently that they could improve memory.
United International Enterprises Limited (UIE), the majority
stakeholder in vegetable oil firm Aarhus United, confirms it will
sell its considerable stake in the Danish firm, due to be divested
by January 2005.
Number two cultures player Danisco will ramp up production of
frozen pelletised cultures clearing a €7 million investment to
expand facilities in Niebull, Germany.
The US election has been dominated by Iraq and fears over
international terrorism, but whoever wins next Tuesday will also
have to deal with pressing domestic issues such as improving food
production and safety. Anthony Fletcher reports.
Tea rivals vodka in the affection of Russian consumers, it seems,
with a new survey showing that 98 per cent of the population drink
the beverage on a regular basis - on average, at least two cups a
day. But while consumption levels...
Wal-Mart is the world's largest retail group, more than twice the
size of its nearest rival Carrefour, but until recently it was
virtually unknown outside North America. Recent moves into Latin
America and Europe, however, have...
Investigations into benefits of low calorie diet lead scientists to
pinpoint the gene responsible for an increase in life span in flies
on calorie-restricted diet, paving the way to further elucidate the
health and longevity benefits...
Bolt-on acquisitions move ambitious Israeli flavours firm Frutarom
a step closer to its ambitions to reach the top ten flavour club
with the firm closing down on the purchase of IFF's fruit
preparations business in Europe.
Stronger flavoured onions could be better cancer-fighting foods
than their mild-flavoured cousins, find researchers in the US that
analysed an array of common varieties.
Brazil's main association of soybean crushers and exporters last
week warned farmers and co-operatives of the importance of
honouring forward contracts, according to media reports last week.
The most successful health foods of the future are likely to be
functional, and particularly those targeted at children and
seniors, predicts a new report.
The FDA published this week the final 2004 Produce Safety Action
Plan aimed at minimizing the number of foodborne illnesses that are
contracted each year through the consumption of fresh produce.
After a slightly slow start to the year, the confectionery group
Hershey Foods, saw sales rise and the gross margin expand in the
third quarter, despite rising commodity costs.
Health promoting compounds found in honey could make this
ingredient a more attractive option for food makers currently using
bulk sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup, say scientists in
the US, and looking to jump on board...
Health-promoting compounds found in honey could make this
ingredient a more attractive option for food makers currently using
bulk sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup and looking to
jump on board the growing health foods trend,...
An international task force meeting in Brazil last week under the
aegis of Codex Alimentarius, the global food standards body,
cleared a decision after difficult discussions on defining the
identity of reconstituted orange juice.
Japanese researchers explain how herbs and spices can cover the
odour of rotten food, finding that these foodstuffs seem to
activate an area in the brain's olfactory bulb that is similar to
that signalled by the smell of rotten...