The world's leading cocoa processor Barry Callebaut said yesterday
that it had new evidence to support the anti-cancer and anti-ageing
benefits of its healthy chocolate Acticoa.
Fierce price wars between the UK's leading supermarkets has
squeezed grocery prices, saving consumers £3 billion in shopping
bills but impacting on suppliers' profitability, according to new
research by Verdict.
Australia and New Zealand's food authority has published new
proposals for a health claims standard that would allow disease
risk reduction claims for the first time.
The world's leading retailer may be set to move into Germany's
discount market in a bid to salvage its position in the country and
strengthen its presence in Europe.
From 25 November, the new rules, introduced by EC Directive
89/2003, will require pre-packed foods sold in the European Union
to show clearly on the label if they contain any of 12 listed
allergenic foods as an ingredient.
Commoditisation and the dominance of price over all other
considerations has driven hydrocolloid prices downwards for the
last 20 years, according to an industry expert.
Unilever said yesterday that it had signed a deal with Maaf
Assurances that will see the French insurer reimbursing
policyholders for consumption of its cholesterol-lowering Pro-Activ
range.
If the EU keeps hiding its agriculture sector behind huge pay
cheques instead of devoting more time to food research funding, the
bloc's whimpering and wailing will only get worse.
The European Commission has extended it inquiry into US ingredients
firm Cargill's acquisition of the food ingredients unit of German
chemical giant Degussa, it emerged today.
Cargill Juice Beverage Applications believes it can help beverage
companies capture new trends and develop products in categories
they may not have tackled before.
The EU is confident that the sugar reforms announced last week give
producers a long-term competitive future, though firms such as Tate
& Lyle remain cautious.
UK sales of organic products continue to grow much faster than
sales in the non-organic grocery market, though imports could
threaten local production.
Wheat breeders in recent years have been increasingly working on
the development of waxy wheat varieties. Yet the commodity has not
yet hit the mainstream market as no one seems to know what to do
with it. FoodNavigator-USA speaks...
Global retail giant Carrefour has issued €750 million worth of
bonds to refinance debts, suggesting that the company is still
struggling under European market pressure.
Sugar users in the UK have cautiously welcomed the Council of
Ministers' agreement to lower European sugar prices, but have
demanded a more competitive future marketplace.
Tate & Lyle's new range of starches, proteins and polyols
suggest that added-value ingredients will be a major feature of
next week's FiE show in Paris.
Declining profits at Greencore's ingredients and agribusiness
division suggest that the Irish food company might consider
focusing on its more profitable convenience sector.
Sue Davies' appointment as chair of the EFSA's Stakeholder
Consultative Platform is one more step towards the achievement of a
coordinated food safety policy in the EU.
The Codex nutrition committee made little headway on draft health
claims recommendations this week but discussion looks set to
advance more rapidly next year, with new input from member
countries.
Fresh produce is catching up with chicken as a major culprit of
Salmonella infections in the US, according to an analysis of
food-poisoning outbreaks by a consumer lobby group.
In the face of rising production costs, global food producer Heinz
defied sceptics to announce a better than expected quarterly profit
rise, thanks to a major European reshuffle and ambitious
acquisition programme.
Denmark is to pay compensation in cases where conventional or
organic production has suffered economic losses following
genetically modified (GM) material contamination.
The resumption of trade negotiations between the EU and
Mediterranean countries is vital for the expansion of lucrative new
markets, according to the CIAA.
Marks & Spencer's commitment to remove all hydrogenated fats
from its entire food range by mid 2006 suggests that awareness of
trans fats has now fully hit Europe.
UK retail giant Tesco is today playing down rumours of a
multi-billion pound deal to acquire 49 per cent of leading American
grocery chain Meijer, amid growing concern that the company's
domestic dominance is damaging British...
The chief executive of the UK's Food Standard Agency (FSA) used
last week's keynote speech to discuss food safety detached from the
everyday context of media hype and public scare stories.
The Florida citrus industry is struggling to recover from a string
of disease and natural disaster, but with production forecasts down
and likely to fall further, and with no carry-over supplies from
last season, it looks likely that...
As Nestlé recalls two million litres of baby milk in four European
countries due to a packaging problem, the company is attempting to
calm consumer fears that their children were in danger ofingesting
a printing chemical from drinking...
DSM Food Specialties' extended range of yeast extract-based
reaction flavours is designed to tap demand for healthier
ingredients and add value to products.
The FAO director-general's call for support to reform the
bureaucracy of the organisation and make it more responsive follows
years of criticism of the UN agency.
Using RFID and improving packaging design could help UK
supermarkets save £1.9 billion (€2.7bn) in lost sales every year
because of supply chain problems, says a new survey from the
Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD).
Sweden-based Gyros' laboratory automation system has received an
endorsement from analyst Frost & Sullivan, which has awarded
the company the top prize in the category for this year's
annualinnovation awards.
Innovative dairy ingredients are increasingly being used in
nutritional-focused applications and are showing significant growth
rates according to a new study.
Biotech associations from five European countries have joined an
initiative aimed at creating and developing globally competitive
R&D-driven companies.
Four key factors will determine whether this week's EU discussions
regarding the sugar regime have been a success or a failure, says a
key industry body.
A dairy research body in Australia will get $300,000 of government
money to examine bioactive material in milk that could be used to
develop novel functional foods.
Frutarom's continuing trend of increased sales and profitability
vindicates the Israeli flavour firm's rapid expansion within
certain strategic geographic regions.
Online grocery pioneer Ocado believes it has the most innovative
business model to tap the booming e-tail sector, as the UK's top
supermarkets compete for custom.
UK speciality cake and bread maker Finsbury Foods has snapped up
two Scottish bakers following an impressive financial performance
which allowed the company to amass a £10 million war chest to spend
on acquisitions.
Allegations that DuPont hid studies showing the high health risks
of a chemical used to line grease-resistant packaging for candy,
pizza, microwave popcorn and hundreds of other foods, could affect
processors on both sides of the...
