Why are private labels successful in some markets but not in others?
Private label food and drink products have encroached on brands’ market share – but what are the factors that lead to own-brand success, and why do they only apply in some regions?
Archives for March 2, 2015
Chicken sales fall amid consumer health concerns
Negative media publicity surrounding infections in poultry flocks and farming practices in Norway has sparked a 15% to 20% drop in domestic chicken meat sales in the last six months, to mid-February.
Currency headwinds, weakness in North America depresses Herbalife's results
Herbalife seems to have put the specter of activist investor Bill Ackman behind it. But emerging out of a mixed earnings report is another cloud for the company: slowing sales in North America, a phenomenon that has afflicted other network marketing...
Australia
Industry applauds new food code, but does it go far enough?
Australia’s food and grocery champion has applauded the release last week of a new government code of conduct that will govern it.
Arctic Apples firm to be acquired by AquaBounty owner Intrexon Corp
Okanagan Specialty Fruits – the company behind the non-browning ‘Arctic Apple’ – is to be acquired by Intrexon Corporation, which also owns a majority stake in GE salmon firm AquaBounty Technologies.
Marfrig achieves target revenue in 2014
Brazilian meat giant Marfrig Global Foods has achieved full-year revenue of R$21bn, as a favourable currency exchange and growth in exports pushed up sales across the business.
Will WHO nutrient profiles spur reformulation?
Public health advocates have welcomed the WHO’s recently unveiled nutrient profiling model, while the food industry has said blocking some categories from marketing was unlikely to encourage reformulation.
GUEST ARTICLE
GUEST ARTICLE: Investing in our future: Why the time is right for an organic check-off
As organic pioneers recognized more than twenty years ago, there is something keenly satisfying about controlling your destiny.
Beyond Meat CEO: ‘We’re building one of the great American meat companies (from plants)’
Beyond Meat - the California-based firm that claims to have unlocked the secret to making ‘near-perfect’ replicas of meat from plants – says that in future, meat-free products won’t be confined to a ‘vegetarian’ section, but just part of the broader...
Fruits & veggies take on packaged food with FNV ad campaign endorsed by the First Lady and celebrities
The threat posed by fresh foods and produce to sales of packaged foods is about to increase exponentially with the launch of a star-studded, national marketing campaign to encourage teenagers to eat more fruits and veggies.
Swedish agency asks for government support to fight food fraud
The Swedish National Food Agency (NFA) has called on the government for more legislative changes and better support from courts to fight food fraud.
Positive predictions for EU meat sector despite Russian impact
Prospects for the European meat sector remain strong, despite the continued impact of the Russian ban, according to the latest USDA report.
Norway warns companies against improper halal labelling
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (FSA) said some companies risked losing their credibility after an annual audit found 12 of 40 businesses had “dishonestly” labelled their products as halal.
Food-borne bacteria showing increasing resistance
Food-borne illnesses such as Salmonella and Campylobacter could become harder to treat as resistance to antimicrobial drugs remains at significant levels.
EFSA manual for reporting foodborne outbreaks
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has updated guidance on reporting foodborne outbreaks.
CULTURED VIEWS FROM PROBIOTA 2015 IN AMSTERDAM
Biased by industry? Do academic and business collaborations work?
Like many areas of nutrition research, probiotic and prebiotic science relies on strong collaboration between academic experts and businesses. But there are some who say such links create biased science.
The next dimension: Chocolate art possible with 3D-printed molds, says design firm
3D chocolate printing is not yet quick enough for industrial production, but chocolate molds created using the technology can produce surfaces with intricate detail, says Lehrmitt Design Studios.
Southeast Asia
Positive sentiment hints Asean economic bloc is starting to take shape
What would Asean look like if it were re-imagined as a single bloc, and what characteristics would it have if all 10 countries were aggregated into an economic unit?
Aussie dairy Warrnambool to acquire Lion everyday cheese business
Saputo-owned Warrnambool Cheese and Butter (WCB) has agreed to acquire the "everyday cheese" business of Australian rival Lion Dairy and Drinks (LDD) for AU$137.5m (US$107m, €95m).