Breaking News on Food Marketing and Retailing

Industry wants more moves on food sector competitiveness

Plans to help the smoothing the European food supply chain function more efficiently do not go far enough in addressing unfair practices, says the CIAA, and initiatives should be fully integrated with other efforts to boost competitiveness.

Nestlé aims to add value to cereal box with 3D game

Smart packaging is a growing marketing tool and next week Nestlé cereal boxes sold in France will have an integrated 3D animation function that encourages consumers to log onto brand websites.

UK supplier brings out sweet nut line

A new line of sweet flavours for hazelnuts, almonds and cashews that enhance the nut taste have been developed by a leading supplier to the UK bakery and snack industry.

News in brief

Kellogg's reports rise in 3Q profits

Brand loyalty to its cereal and snack brands are some of the factors behind a growth in profit, claims cereal manufacturer Kellogg as it posted third quarter results.

Kraft rolls out sustainable chocolate range

Kraft Foods said its premium dark chocolate range is the first to carry the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal, showing it contains cocoa from farms that meet the sustainability standard.

Climate change to strike UK food prices, claims report

The price of staple foods in the UK could soar to four and a half times above inflation by 2030 unless developed countries slash their greenhouse gas emissions, warns a new report from Friends of the Earth.

Commission tackles food price transparency and fair practices

The European Commission has laid out a series of steps to improve supply chain relations in the food chain, and has launched a new tool to help ensure price transparency between actors.

Mum’s veggie-rich diet may protect baby from diabetes

Mothers-to-be should eat a vegetable-rich diet in order to protect their babies from type 1 diabetes, according to results of a new Swedish study.

Use sustainable palm oil or suffer consequences, warns WWF

Many manufacturers and retailers are not using sustainable palm oil as much as they should to stimulate supply and lead to long-term environmental benefits, says a damning report from the WWF.

Use sustainable palm oil or suffer consequences, warns WWF

Many manufacturers and retailers are not using sustainable palm oil as much as they should to stimulate supply and lead to long-term environmental benefits, says a damning report from the WWF.

Barry Callebaut to help steer cocoa programme

Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut’s decision to join the UTZ Certified sustainable cocoa programme will bolster efforts to scale up the project and help to get all parts of the supply chain on board, claims the non-profit group.

News in brief

Coca-Cola omega-3 superjuice can nourish brain (but not memory), says NAD

Coca-Cola-owned Minute Maid has been told to discontinue TV advertising that suggested an omega-3 DHA-fortified pomegranate and blueberry superjuice could give an immediate memory boost.

Asda green packaging scorecard to launch next year

A leading UK packaging figure has welcomed a move by Asda confirming it will be rolling out its own version of Wal-Mart’s packaging scorecard next year.

Kellogg's refutes sugar laden cereal claims

Consumers should stick to the facts and look beyond the hype in terms of the salt and sugar content of cereals, claims Kellogg’s as UK cereal manufacturers are taken to task in a Channel 4 programme.

Meat substitutes could combat climate change: Report

Meat and dairy substitutes could play a major role in cutting global emissions and present opportunities to food companies – but they need marketing investment to attract consumers, says a World Watch report.

Weekly comment

Tackling E.coli – legislation or self-regulation?

Everybody wants food to be safe - but the recent slugging match over how best to protect US consumers from E.coli-tainted meat highlights whether legislation or self-regulation is the answer to mending the country's flawed safety system.

Investors put price on Cadbury, Kraft deal - report

One of the leading investors in Cadbury has revealed he would consider a bid from Kraft if it were in the region of 820p per share, according to recent media reports.

Ethical food purchases set to rise

UK consumers are likely to become more interested in purchasing ethically produced foods as the country emerges from recession, according to research from IGD.

Tetra Pak's 1.5 billion eco-cartons in UK & Ireland

Tetra Pak has given a boost to its green credentials after announcing that more than 1.5 billion of its cartons on sale in the UK and Ireland in the next year will carry the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label.

Study fails to find omega 3 benefit for depression

New research, contrary to previous studies, shows augmenting antidepressant therapy with an omega-3 fatty acid supplement does not result in improvement in levels of depression in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

EFSA publishes probiotic guidance

Genetic typing, internationally recognised naming protocols and evidence of consistency in the final product have been highlighted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as critical factors for probiotic health claim submissions.

Chocolate proving winner for Nestle

Growth in sugar confectionery weakened but the chocolate sector continued to perform well for Nestlé, according to the global food giant’s third quarter results.

Study tests emulsifier vs. enzyme performance in bread

A new study has pitted use of a Datem enzyme against three generations of lipase enzymes, and found that action on bread volume is similar - but with some differences depending on fermentation times.

News in brief

Gallani appointed FDF director, food science and safety

The UK’s Food and Drink Federation has promoted Barbara Gallani to the post of director, Food Science and Safety.

Pressure on Kraft as Cadbury upbeat on results

Cadbury’s upwardly revised revenue forecasts are a strong defence to the bid from Kraft, claim industry analysts.

Baby food recalled on botulism fears

Plum Organics has recalled a batch of baby food over fears it may be tainted with botulism.

Attitudes divided on BOGOF offers

UK shoppers are divided on ‘buy one get one free’ offers: Nearly three in ten say they create too much food waste, but nearly a quarter use them to try new products, according to specialist grocery researchers IGD.

News in brief

UK sees surge in food and drink exports

New research from the Food and Drink Federation indicates that exports of UK-made foods and non-alcoholic beverages were up over 10 per cent in the first part of the year – and could break through the £10m barrier by December.

Coca-Cola shrinks cans to fight obesity

Coca-Cola has introduced a 90-calorie mini can - billed as a better way to help consumers manage their calories.

Kraft sale could help with Cadbury bid - report

Kraft may look to sell its brand Maxwell House to generate a higher offer to Cadbury, the world's second largest confectionery group, claim media reports.

Health claim rules gag freedom of speech, says EU lobby group

Pan-European better nutrition advocate, the Alliance for Natural Health (ANH), says the European Union health claims system is going way beyond its remit to protect consumer interests and curtailing freedom of speech.

Weekly comment

Branded Corn Flakes are great for branding

Will we all be waking up bleary-eyed to bowls of tattooed Corn Flakes any time soon? Probably not, but by suggesting that we could, Kellogg’s has hit on a winning marketing ploy.

Nostalgia boosts UK food market growth

Nostalgic and ‘retro’ foods have helped drive continued sales value growth in the UK food and beverage market even as the country entered recession, according to a new report from Leatherhead Food Research.

News in brief

Food companies celebrate their community commitment

The UK Food and Drink Federation announced the winners of its 2009 Community Partnership Awards this week.

Report breaks down slowing global beer market

Growth in the global beer market is slowing as the economic downturn quickens the decline in Europe and North America, according to a new report.

July 2010: When EU health claim compliance reaches store shelves

The European Commission has set itself the goal of processing the 94 generic article 13.1 health claim opinions issued by EFSA recently by the end of January, meaning claim rulings could be enforceable at retail level by July, 2010.

EFSA not reconsidering new preservative ADI

EFSA has found no grounds to justify a re-evaluation of preservative ethyl lauroyl arginate following the presentation of new information on toxicology – even though its ADI is lower than those set by other authorities.

News in brief

Campbell Soup Company named to Dow Jones Index

Campbell Soup Company has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) for the first time.

CP Kelco innovation to give one-shot multi-layered desserts

A three layered dessert formulation from one processing stream that subsequently self-separates into layers has been developed by CP Kelco.

UK censors Danone probiotic TV ads

The voluntary UK advertising watchdog has told Danone to cease broadcasting TV adverts that stated its one-shot probiotic drinking yoghurt, Actimel, could boost the immune system of children.

Novel foods rules harm development, report

Novel food regulation functions as an unintentional trade barrier to heritage foods and affects supply chain development and poverty alleviation in developing countries, according to a new report.

Thai truck drivers put brakes on energy drink growth

Out of work truck drivers in Thailand may partly explain a deceleration in the global market for energy drinks, suggests a new report.

Red Bull: EFSA taurine rejection won’t affect energy claims

Global energy drinks leader, Red Bull, says the recent rejection of taurine-based energy health claims by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) won’t have any bearing on its own claim-making.

Industry efforts help contain UK packaging use

The amount of packaging used per capita in the UK has remained almost frozen over the past decade while recycling rates have more than doubled, said an industry body quoting new EU figures.

News in brief

RSSL offers GM linseed test

Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) says it can now offer testing for GM linseed to companies in the UK, following the discovery of an unapproved variety in products in Germany.

Weekly comment

Soda tax: A lot of froth over freedom

Is taxing soda really an evil plan to curb your individual freedom? Conspiracy theories aside, perhaps it’s simply a sensible scheme to tackle obesity when personal choice has failed.

Red Bull makes European energy shot debut

The UK’s emerging energy shots market has lured Red Bull into selecting the country for the European launch of its own energy shots products.

Protests overshadow plans for dairy taskforce

Agriculture ministers heard plans for an expert group to study the future of the dairy sector at a meeting in Brussels on Monday - marked more by protests outside than events inside.

Dispatches from IBA

Sustainability and energy reduction rewarded at IBA

The IBA show is widely regarded as one of the most important bakery expos in the world – and so unsurprisingly the 12 awards handed out in the IBA Trophy give a strong indication of the direction of innovation in the industry.

ADM buys Czech oilseed plant

Archer Daniels Midland has made a new move to increase its precence in the Eastern European oilseed processing by acquiring assets of ViaChem Group in Olomouc, Czech Republic.

Yoghurt group unfazed by mass probiotics rejection

The European Food Safety Authority’s mass rejection of probiotic dossiers is not the disaster it appears if ‘technical’ obstacles can be overcome, according to a group that represents the biggest yoghurt players in the world.

Scientists protest as EC validates omega-3 labelling rule

The group of international scientists that last week petitioned the European Commission to amend a mooted omega-3 labelling regulation they believe would confuse consumers, have vowed to continue their fight in the European Parliament, after the EC backed the regulation.

News in brief

Health claims convention ponders uncertain future

About 80 representatives from some of the biggest functional foods and ingredients companies in Europe attended a health claims seminar in Brussels yesterday, with the need for better trial design high on the agenda.

News in brief

Northern Foods results match expectations

The first six months of 2009 will match ‘management expectations’ for Britain’s Northern Foods, with strong performance in chilled products offsetting a decline in frozen.

Government support for UK food sector is 'a strategic priority': FDF

The next UK government must recognize that the food sector is “a strategic priority” by delivering greater “cohesion, clarity and consistency,” in policy-making, said the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Consumer press highlights probiotic health claim failures

Last week’s European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claim opinions have received a lot of mainstream media attention in the UK national consumer press, with the probiotic claim rejections gaining the most attention.

Weekly comment

Bad day at the EU health claims office

October 1 was not a good day for many in the functional foods and food supplements business in the European Union as the meaning of life under a highly restrictive health claims regime came more into focus.

Nestle and General Mills build cereal innovation centre

Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW) is building a new innovation centre for breakfast cereals in Switzerland at a cost of CHF 50m (€33m).

Weight management shifts from ‘food minus’ to ‘food plus’: Euromonitor

The market for foods and beverages that claim to address weight management is set for a shift in focus – from the omission of certain ‘bad’ ingredients to the addition of other ‘good’ ones, suggests Euromonitor.

Devil not so bad in EFSA health claim details

At first glance yesterday’s publication of the first batch of 94 article 13.1 health claim opinions, is a worst-case scenario for industry, with claims for the likes of omega-3s, beta-glucan, folate, probiotics and taurine all drawing negative opinions from EFSA scientists.

Could sweets every day as kids make adults aggressive?

As new study suggests that eating sweets every day in childhood could make adults more aggressive, the food industry warns against trivialising of complex social issues.

Food prices could triple with climate change: Report

Food prices could more than triple by 2050 as the climate changes, according to a new report from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).