Breaking News on Food Marketing and Retailing

Premium crisps drive growth, says report

13-Jul-2007 - A developing demand for premium products such as those made with alternative ingredients is keeping the UK crisps market on a steady 2.5 per cent growth rate, Mintel says in a new report.

Weekly comment

The aspartame science kerfuffle

09-Jul-2007 - The publication of a new animal study on aspartame last month has - as expected -sparked yet another bout of head butting from the two opposing sides of the debate. But it also highlights a bigger issue: one of transparency.

Cadbury to cut CO2 emissions by 50 per cent

03-Jul-2007 - In a bid to boost its green credentials, Cadbury Schweppes yesterday unveiled a programme to cut down on its use of energy, packaging and water in response to climate change.

Health drive lifting UK soft drinks

03-Jul-2007 - Carbonated beverage sales may slowly going flat within the British soft drinks industry, but they still continue to dominate the market with a 41.8 per cent share according to consumer analyst Zenith International.

Cadbury should continue targeting niche markets, says report

28-Jun-2007 - Niche markets offer the UK company better profit opportunities than the traditional chocolate and sweets sectors, according to a Euromonitor report on Cadbury's strategy.

Raisio halts Russian margarine production

28-Jun-2007 - Raisio is to cease production of margarine at its plant in Istra, Russia from September, when it will transfer the operation to a subcontractor in an effort to reduce over-capacity and boost profitability.

Scottish cookie company to adopt traffic light labelling

26-Jun-2007 - Paterson Arran claims to be the first manufacturer in Scotland to use the Food Standard Agency's traffic light labelling system on its products.

Diageo mulls Guinness move

21-Jun-2007 - The future for Guinness's historic Dublin-based production site seems as unclear this week as the popular beverage itself, after Diageo announced that it was reviewing the effectiveness of its production network in Ireland.

Vivartia expands into Saudi Arabian bakery market

20-Jun-2007 - Greece's largest dairy and food processor yesterday announced its expansion into the Saudi Arabian bakery market.

Advocacy group raises spectre of 'blood chocolate'

14-Jun-2007 - A UK-based pressure group campaign against companies that buy cocoa from the Ivory Coast has accused the industry of funding conflict and civil unrest.

The rise of functional water

14-Jun-2007 - It seems that mineral water just isn't healthy enough, as a growing number of manufacturers move to tap growing demand for H2O products that boast enhanced nutritional benefits.

Indian joint venture turns tables on Danone

11-Jun-2007 - Group Danone is experiencing further set backs to its plan to expand its presence into Asia's booming dairy markets, as an Indian joint venture partner turns the tables on the dairy giant, according to press reports.

UK superfood sales soar

11-Jun-2007 - Sales of superfoods like beans, blueberries, broccoli, spinach, tea, tomatoes, and walnuts are soaring in the UK as consumers continue to seek the health benefits linked to the foods.

Nestle sets out 10 year health and wellness model

07-Jun-2007 - Nestle is eyeing organic growth in health, wellness and nutrition of five to six per cent over the next ten years, the chief financial officer was due to told investors at a seminar today.

Starbucks trims fat to meet dairy demand

05-Jun-2007 - Starbucks is cutting the fat in its milk beverages to tap growing consumer demand for lower calorie products.

Ireland recommends vitamin D supplements for infants

29-May-2007 - The Irish Food Safety Authority (FSAI) has recommended the implementation of a national policy of vitamin D supplementation in all infants aged 0-12 months.

Ethnic foods drive innovation from manufactures, flavour cos

24-May-2007 - Growth in the retail ethnic foods in Europe is outpacing overall growth in the foods and drink sector, according to Leatherhead Food International, offers new challenges and opportunities to manufacturers and ingredient companies.

Groups aim to double UK vegans by year-end

24-May-2007 - Twenty-five UK groups have joined forces to form a Super Vegan Dream Team to promote the vegan diet, say the organisers of a vegan event in Bristol, buoyed by attention to the animal-product-free lifestyle in consumer media.

Non-GMO driving Russian food price increase

22-May-2007 - New voluntary screening and voluntary 'No GMO!' labelling is driving up food prices in Moscow, according to reports, with food manufacturers complaining that the voluntary certification is becoming mandatory for companies to remain competitive.

Dairy exports set to fall, says EU

22-May-2007 - Rising demand for dairy in the European Union is likely to see the bloc's dairy industry lose market share in several export markets over the next decade, a Commission report says.

Functional foods need closer monitoring - experts

18-May-2007 - Functional foods need systematic monitoring because not enough is known about their long-term safety and effectiveness, Dutch scientists have stated.

Snack makers urged to target health nuts

16-May-2007 - Manufacturers of nut snacks could boost lacklustre sales by marketing the products from a health platform and being more vociferous in publicising the nutritional benefits of a diet rich in nuts, according to the American Peanut Council.

Campina re-jigs dairy for added value future

15-May-2007 - Dutch dairy co-operative Campina has said it will close one factory and sell off another in order to free up more funds for added value cheese and milk, two sectors set to grow strongly in the EU.

Mars maker angers vegetarians with product reformulation

14-May-2007 - Confectionery company Masterfoods has come under fire in the UK for altering the formulation of some of its best-known chocolate brands.