Breaking News on Food Marketing and Retailing

Guilt-free indulgence is what consumers want, says Datamonitor

24-Sep-2007 - Snack manufacturers need to develop convenient products that offer a mix of indulgence and health benefits in order to meet changing consumer demands, according to a new Datamonitor report.

Study examines benefits of healthy eating in school

24-Sep-2007 - A new study by the University of Northumbria will assess how healthy eating affects children's behaviour and achievement in primary schools.

Walkers warns of skills shortage

19-Sep-2007 - The government must do more to boost workers' skills if the food and drink industry is to remain competitive, according to a general manager of Walkers Shortbread.

Soft drinks makers claim reformulation commitment

18-Sep-2007 - As manufacturers continue to react to the consumer backlash from new findings linking artificial additive use to child hyperactivity, the beverage industry claims companies are moving to reformulate products accordingly.

Confectionery giants cut use of artificial additives

14-Sep-2007 - In the wake of a damning scientific report on the health effects of artificial additives, Cadbury Trebor Bassett and Mars UK today said they are cutting the chemicals from their products.

Sara Lee plans coffee kick to beverages

12-Sep-2007 - Food and beverage group Sara Lee has announced plans for the future growth of its hot beverage operations with an increased focus on premium brands and emerging markets like Russia.

Sugar-free impacts overall confectionery markets, says Palatinit

11-Sep-2007 - Palatinit is taking heart from market data indicating strong potential for the sugar-free confectionery market in Europe, as it steps out of a diet and diabetic-only niche and into the mainstream.

Coca-Cola reports progress on environment, workers rights

06-Sep-2007 - The environment, corporate governance and workers rights are transforming the way managers oversee their global manufacturing operations, as demonstrated in Coca-Cola's second report on its progress in these areas.

Weekly comment

Food prices and the death of the productionist model

04-Sep-2007 - Last week saw a string of communications about food price rises: first warnings were aired about wheat, then meat, then dairy. It's a vertiginous view from the heights of the commodity markets, and it's clearer than ever before that we need to re-jig our basic food supply systems if we are to feed the world in the future.

Nestle Waters springs for Henniez

04-Sep-2007 - Nestle will expand its dominance in the bottled water market after today agreeing to the acquisition of a majority share in Switzerland-based Sources Minérales Henniez.

Good-for-you ready meals drive category, Mintel

03-Sep-2007 - The ready meals market is anything but on its way out, as manufacturers tap into healthy trends and revitalise products once seen as favoured by 'couch potatoes' and people with no time to pay attention to proper healthy eating.

Danone acts over Romanian dioxin fears

23-Aug-2007 - Danone has played down fears over the safety of some of its yoghurt products as it becomes the latest European company to be hit by concerns over possible dioxin contamination in guar gum.

Salt per serving tricks consumers, regulator says

23-Aug-2007 - Some manufacturers are deliberately 'hoodwinking' consumers over salt content, claims a new report from UK regulators that says more action needs to be taken for salt reduction targets to be met by 2010.

Internet campaign encourages a Cadbury re-launch

21-Aug-2007 - Cadbury last week said it will be re-launching its Wispa bar in the UK following pressure from social-networking sites.

New pregnancy research could cause another bump for food industry

16-Aug-2007 - The snacks industry has taken another hit this week after researchers suggest eating junk food during pregnancy and breastfeeding may lead to obese offspring.

Sports nutrition just for athletes - a thing of the past

16-Aug-2007 - The sports nutritional market sector is set to surpass growth expectations in the run up to 2011, hoisted up by emphasis on more mainstream consumers, according to a new report.

McCain invests in wind turbines for chip plant

16-Aug-2007 - In a sign that the UK's push to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions is working, McCain Foods has announced it will install wind turbines at its potato chip plant in the country.

Weekly Comment

A helping hand to the confused consumer

13-Aug-2007 - Consumers are bombarded with an overload of nutritional advice and product marketing - be it from magazines, television shows, and product advertising - and without a degree in nutritional science, it's a wonder they can make sense of it at all.

Campbell reviews Godiva chocolate business

10-Aug-2007 - Campbell Soup is considering selling its Godiva Chocolate business in order to focus upon its simple meals and healthier options, the company said yesterday.

European sports nutrition to hit 4bn

08-Aug-2007 - The sports nutrition market in Europe is set to surpass the €4bn mark by 2010 and is outstripping growth in North America, a report has said.

Weekly Comment

Reflections from IFT

06-Aug-2007 - As the dust settles on this year's IFT Food Expo 2007 in Chicago, health and wellness and food safety came through as the star performers, and drivers for the future of the industry.

Bird's Eye switches fingers from cod to pollock

06-Aug-2007 - UK food manufacturer Bird's Eye has said it will use pollock in place of cod in some of its fish fingers as of September, in a bid to counter sustainability issues

Chocolate biscuit sales hit by obesity concerns

02-Aug-2007 - Sales of chocolate biscuits in the UK fell 17 per cent between 2001 and 2006 as consumers made the switch to healthier varieties, according to new figures.

Danone restructures senior management

01-Aug-2007 - Danone yesterday announced a major restructuring of its senior management as it continues to refocus its operations towards being a leading player in health and nutrition.