Hostess warns of mass layoffs in union negotiations
Hostess Brands has sent letters to its 18,500 employees warning of possible liquidation and job losses, after a federal judge ruled on Friday that the company could cancel all union contracts.
Archives for May 9, 2012
Snyder’s-Lance eyes acquisitions to add to high-selling core brands
North American snack firm Snyder’s-Lance plans to foster future growth through mergers and acquisitions to complement its core brands which helped it marginally improve sales in its Q1 results
Cocoa waste may become valuable source of pectin, suggest researchers
Cacao pod husks – a major by-product of cocoa processing – could provide industry with a new, environmentally friendly source of pectin, say researchers.
Animal welfare concerns grow for food industry investors
Food processors across the globe face increasing pressure from investors to improve poor animal welfare standards, a leading financial expert and Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) have warned.
Chewing gum impairs short-term memory, says study
Chewing gum harms short-term memory contrary to previous studies that suggested gum could improve recall, according to researchers.
Glanbia dismisses Dairy Ireland spin-off ‘speculation’
Demand for whey products underpinned a strong first quarter for Glanbia with analysts hailing an ‘encouraging start’ to the year, but the firm has dismissed talk that it plans to spin-off its Dairy Ireland business as 'speculation'.
Russia becomes top Brazilian pork importer
Russia has reclaimed its place as the first importer of Brazilian pork, representing 29.15% of the country’s exports in April, according to the Brazilian Association of Pork Producers and Exporters (ABIPECS).
Declining raw milk prices support ‘strong’ Dean Foods Q1 results
US processor Dean Foods has reported 'stronger than forecasted' results for the first quarter of 2012 – citing the declining price of raw milk and solid growth across its segments as defining factors.
Grain Processing Corporation opens new Iowa center for product development
Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) has opened a new ‘solutions center’ at its headquarters in Muscatine, Iowa, to provide its technical and research teams with a new kitchen, laboratory and presentation area for new product development and customer training.
Blommer predicts looming cocoa supply crisis
Demand for cocoa is expected to climb 30% in the next 10 years creating a 25% shortage of current supply, according to North American cocoa processor and chocolate ingredients supplier Blommer Chocolate Company.
UK to introduce Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA)
The UK has confirmed the introduction of its Groceries Code Adjudicator, a legislative device meant to correct the power imbalance between farmers and supermarkets.
Foreign capital needed to boost Kiwi food and beverage sector: Government agency
New Zealand’s food and beverage industry must shift to producing end products in a bid to drive its export market, but this transition will require hefty foreign capital, a Ministry report said.
Smartphone testing means headaches for food technologists
Food technologists face more work once new smartphone technology takes hold enabling consumers to test the quality of food on supermarket shelves, according to experts.
Health Canada mulls prebiotic labeling and advertising rules
Health Canada is considering new rules for the labeling of prebiotics in foods, which could mean some food companies have to drop or modify existing health claims, the agency has said.
Snacks account for a quarter of kids’ calories: Study
Changing children’s snacking intentions and behavior could be crucial in reducing childhood obesity rates, as US children consume about a quarter of their daily calories from snacks, according to a new study published in International Quarterly of...
Australia turns significant corner in children’s food advertising: AFGC
New research has shown that advertisements for high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) foods have fallen to almost zero in Australia, according to the country’s Food and Grocery Council (AFGC).
Scientific evidence for advertised claims will be mandatory in India
India is a month off issuing new regulations which will clamp down on misleading food advertisements and labelling, bringing an end to unsubstantiated claims on food products.
Validated, gut-tailored probiotics needed in Asia: Frost & Sullivan
Developing demographic-specific formulations and validating health claims must be a focus for probiotic manufacturers targeting Asian markets, according to an industry analyst.