Evolving Canadian habits reflect Asian influence
A growing Asian population in Canada is having a strong influence on Canadian eating patterns, according to a new report from market research organization The NPD Group.
Archives for October 24, 2011
Wrigley and Kraft opt for smaller gum packs for cash-strapped US consumers
Gum titans Wrigley and Kraft Foods plan to introduce smaller five-piece chewing gum packs at reduced rates to boost US sales and reflect consumer spending trends.
DNA-based pathogen database can provide food safety assistance – DuPont
A DNA-based pathogen detecting database could provide assistance in the fight against seemingly increasing foodborne contaminations.
Vitasoy opens new China plant
Hong Kong-based soy milk-producer Vitasoy has opened its seventh global production plant in mainland China to address capacity constraints.
Fat tax in New Zealand is a bad idea, says food body chief
Calls for imposing a Denmark-like ‘fat tax’ in New Zealand defies common sense and would add a heavy financial burden on the common Kiwi, said the head of the country’s food council.
Global association for omega-3s ventures into Asia
Asia is the fastest growing omega-3 market and global association, GOED, plans to cultivate a responsible market through education and quality controls, with a specific focus on China.
Mintel notes potential for Thai chocolate market
Thailand’s chocolate confectionery segment showed it jumped 20% last year to reach THB3.360bn ($0.1bn), notes UK market analysts Mintel in a new review.
Study shows stevia-derived rebiana has greater potency when cold
Stevia plant derived Rebiana is significantly more potent in cold water, finds a US based team who flag up their findings as critical for developers of low-calorie products to get the right sweetness level when replacing sugar with the natural sweetener.
Industry should develop working definition of ‘natural’ if FDA won’t, expert
A co-ordinated industry-led effort to produce a working definition of the term ‘natural’ on food packaging would help firms navigate one of the most contentious areas of food marketing, according to one labeling expert.
IOM front-of-pack labels are step in right direction but need more work, says Guiding Stars advisor
The Institute of Medicine’s (IOM’s) proposed front-of-pack (FOP) labeling scheme is a positive step forward, but "needs much more work”, according to supporters of one leading FOP scheme already up and running in the marketplace.
Soaring butter demand sees supply shortage hit Finland, Sweden and Russia
Shops in Finland, Sweden and Russian will suffer some ‘scarcity’ of butter supplies for the rest of this year, as leading Finnish dairy processor Valio struggles to meet soaring demand.
UK consumers want single retailer animal welfare standard, claims poll
UK consumers are confused by ‘an abundance’ of animal welfare labels on fresh meat and would prefer a single retailer-own substitute, according to the findings of a new poll.
Scant raw poultry promise for pulsed electric fields, study
Pulsed electric fields (PEF) may not be suitable for controlling Campylobacter levels in raw chicken, but could potentially be used to control levels in scald or chilled processing water.
Continued volatility expected for EU sugar market but deregulation could ease supply shortfall – report
Instability in the European sugar market is set to continue in the near future though further deregulation anticipated for 2015 could help bakery and confectionery manufacturers, according to a report from financial services provider Rabobank Group.
Consumer groups file complaint over ‘stealth’ PepsiCo ads
Consumer groups have filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against PepsiCo and its subsidiary Frito-Lay, claiming that it uses deceptive and unfair marketing techniques to attract teenage customers.
Sara Lee sells foodservice coffee business to Smucker
Sara Lee has said it will sell the majority of its foodservice tea and coffee business to The J.M. Smucker Company for $350m, continuing its efforts to streamline the business.