Breaking News on Food Marketing and Retailing

Weekly comment

Krill conflict could threaten omega-3 potential

The krill category and the science backing it are still emerging, but there are many who believe krill extracts have the potential to 'go big' in the healthy foods arena. Very big.

News in brief

Kraft closes Romanian confectionery plant

Kraft Foods has moved confectionery production from Brasov, Romania to Svoge, Bulgaria with the loss of more than 220 jobs, the company has said.

Consumers want better GM labelling: Report

Consumers think that current labelling regulation for genetically modified (GM) foods is inadequate, according to a new report from the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Business opportunities in sustainable ingredients

Developing a sustainability strategy makes sense for food ingredients companies to ensure security of supply, to leverage brand opportunity in innovations, and to realise returns on investment in agriculture, says an Oxfam expert.

SABMiller strikes up partnership to fight water scarcity

SABMiller has launched the Water Futures partnership with WWF after drawing attention to the water scarcity problem in a new report out earlier this week.

Size matters! Green potential of more milk pack sizes

Providing a variety of milk packaging sizes could be more fruitful environmentally than switching to “greener” materials.

Sucralose safe from natural trend, says JK

The strong trend toward natural products is unlikely to encroach significantly on the market for artificial sweeteners, according to sucralose manufacturer JK Sucralose.

New rules offer protection for Scotch Whisky

New UK legislation protecting Scotch whisky makers, including a requirement to only bottle Single Malts in Scotland, has come into force.

Bakery firms can become recession proof, claim analysts

Baked good companies should look to discount chains, control distribution, develop a broad product portfolio, manage input costs and tap into newer markets in order to ensure resilience over the next five years, stresses a report on the European bakery sector.

Ocean Spray rejects cranberry mislabeling claim

Ocean Spray has denied claims by the National Consumers League (NCL) that the company’s Choice sweetened dried cranberry product is more sugar than cranberry and therefore falsely labeled.

Weekly comment

Food prices face a welcome perfect storm

There’s a perfect storm building for food prices. You don’t have to scan the horizon to see the signs; the clouds are developing all around us - at a faster rate than anyone expected.

Irish company fined for serious safety breaches

An Irish seafood company has be ordered to almost €55,000 after admitting flouting 10 safety standards that led to 219 reported food poisoning cases in France and contaminated product being shipped worldwide.

Chocolate market set to consolidate, says analyst

The chocolate sector looks set for further consolidation with the smaller players struggling to offset higher cocoa prices, claims one market analyst as the rumour mill goes into full gear over potential rivals to Kraft for a Cadbury takeover.

Food firms: cash number one barrier to innovation

More than one in two food and beverage businesses cite cash as the number one barrier to innovation, finds a survey of decision-makers.

Dispatches from FIE

Managing the great Southampton switch-out

The industry is under time pressure to remove artificial Southampton food colours from products before European warning labels are required next year. Helene Moeller, group product manager for ingredients at Wild, explains the challenges.

Hershey confirms interest in Cadbury

Hershey has confirmed that it is “reviewing its options” regarding a possible joint bid with Ferrero for British confectioner Cadbury, following media speculation about talks yesterday.

Dispatches from ADICT by SIAL Paris

Food innovation success demands consumer perception of benefits

Innovation can differentiate, generate new markets and create value in a competitive marketplace but to clinch the sale the consumer must clearly understand the benefits of a new product design

News in brief

FSA announces GM steering group members

The FSA has named the group members of a steering group that will shape and manage forthcoming consumer dialogue work on genetic modification (GM) in food.

French sweet tooth holds sugar opportunities

Opportunities for low-sugar formulations could potentially reside in France with a new study showing eight out of ten French people consume a reduced sugar product at least once a week.

Price pitched high for organics in France

Organic products sold at France's big retailers can cost up to 72 per cent more than their non-organic equivalent, finds fresh research that brings the price-organic debate into sharp focus.

Europeans’ Christmas food spend to remain stagnant

Food and drink makers in Europe can expect little change from last year's fallen Christmas figures but food spending could suffer less than other consumer goods, predicts a report from Deloitte.

Coke reveals ambitious 2020 growth targets

Coca-Cola has outlined key business goals for 2020 including plans to more than double system revenue from $95bn to $200bn.

Weekly comment

Alleviation of hunger should top CSR agenda

Climate change dominates the CSR agenda but new USDA figures on food insecurity are a sharp reminder that alleviating poverty and hunger should always be the top priority.

Barry Callebaut profits grow as chocolate market shrinks

Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut has reported increased profits and sales volumes for the full 2008/09 fiscal year, despite shrinking global chocolate consumption.

CASH turns spotlight on salty sauces

A new study of pasta sauces has drawn attention to huge differences in salt levels per portion between products, and big gaps in information given on the labels.

EU competition watchdog to rule on Kraft bid next month

The European Commission has set a one-month deadline to rule on the possible hostile takeover of Cadbury by US food giant Kraft, the EU competition regulator said on Wednesday.

AAK seeking acquisitions

The growth and savings made by AarhusKarlshamn (AAK) since its merger have set it up to start casting about for new acquisitions.

Plastic additive firms face €173m price fixing fine

Dozens of companies that produce plastic additives for food, beverage and cosmetic packaging have been fined more than €173m for their part in price fixing and market sharing cartels over a 13-year period.

News in brief

Launches defy downturn, says Innova

The economic downturn has not slowed food and beverage product launches, according to the Innova Database, but companies are releasing developments in the pipeline since before the crash, and low cost products developed since.

Recessionary dynamics boost private label soft drink sales

Sales of private label soft drinks are accelerating as consumers go out less and therefore drink more at home, according to a new report.

Kraft’s bid is ‘contemptuous’, says analyst

Even if Kraft intends to increase its bid for Cadbury, its latest offer has probably managed to upset both the board and shareholders, says Andrew Wood, senior research analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein.

Sales success for new Danone bone health yoghurt

Early sales figures for Densia yoghurt suggest that Danone has found a winning niche in the bone health market.

Flavour and function triumph in bottled water market

Sales of flavoured and functional waters are growing strongly in Europe despite anti-bottled water campaigns, according to new figures from Zenith.

Nestle may move Fairtrade with Kit Kat

Media reports have suggested that Nestlé's leading chocolate brand Kit Kat is set to become Fairtrade certified, in a move that would mirror Cadbury’s recent move to Fairtrade for its Dairy Milk chocolate.

Weekly comment

Life in a European health claims wasteland

Ka-CHING! Hear that? No it’s not the sound of overflowing cash registers as consumers throw endless wads of euros at scientifically-backed, healthy foods in greater numbers than ever before.

Kraft launches hostile takeover bid for Cadbury

Kraft has formally made a £9.8bn ($16.3bn) hostile takeover bid for British confectioner Cadbury, just hours before the 5pm GMT deadline imposed by the UK Takeover Panel.

Consumers and regulation demand scientifically backed beauty foods

A combination of consumer pressure and a regulation overhaul is set to drive a more scientifically substantiated beauty foods, drinks and supplements sector.

Antioxidant levels in chocolate show stability - study

The levels of antioxidant activity and flavan-3-ol levels in chocolate products are stable over a controlled shelf life of one year, according to a new study.

News in brief

Report indicates drop in child obesity stats

A new report from Oxford University has found a drop in forecast obesity rates for children in the UK, which the government has interpreted as indicating obesity is “levelling off”.

Cadbury cites eco concerns for tin swap

Confectionery giant Cadbury is playing up its sustainability initiatives in its seasonal packaging to appeal to consumer demand for a 'green' Christmas.

Move away from Western diet to reduce disease risk, says study

Compounds produced by frying, grilling, or pasteurizing may be driving inflammation and ageing, according to a new study from the US.

Industry backs bisphenol A safety in can linings

The use of bisphenol A (BPA) in can linings is both safe and vital for food protection, a host of industry bodies and companies have said in rejecting the conclusions of a report calling for a ban on the chemical.

Weekly comment

Clinical trials are EFSA’s fool’s gold

There’s gold to be found in them health claims mountains, but prospectors from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) must be happy with the little chunks that add up to a lot, and stop searching for nuggets the size of your fist.

Processed food could have role in depression, says study

People reporting a high consumption of processed foods could be more likely to experience depression in middle age, says a new study that suggests food should play a greater role in preventing depressive disorders.

News in brief

Sale of Yogho! Yogho! and Choco! Choco! approved

The acquisition of the Yogho! Yogho! and Choco! Choco! brands from RoyalFrieslandCampina by Belgian Dairy Cooperative, Inza Cvba, has been approved by the European Commission.