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All news articles > December 2007

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20-Dec-2007

General Mills counts cost of pizza recall

US-based manufactuer General Mills yesterday said a pizza recall in November knocked $20m off its Q2 operating profit. .

19-Dec-2007

Deadline imposed on S&N acquisition

UK trade authorities have given a consortium formed between Carlsberg and Heineken a four-week window in which to outline a "firm" intention to acquire brewer Scottish and Newcastle (S&N) or cease any further action relating to the deal.

CSM sells US bakery ingredient group

Dutch firm CSM has reached an agreement on the sale one of its North American bakery ingredients operations to Kerry Group, the company revealed today.

Peltz threatens Cadbury, pushes for change

The Trian investment group, led by Nelson Peltz, yesterday called for Cadbury to make a raft of improvements to its operations, threatening to take matters out of management's hands if the requests are not met.

Callebaut extends origin chocolates range

Switzerland-based Barry Callebaut this week claimed it now offers the largest selection of origin chocolates having extended its portfolio to include more than 40 different varieties.

18-Dec-2007

Wimm-Bill-Dann profits despite dairy cost crunch

Russian group Wimm-Bill-Dann posted a 40.4 per cent increase in sales to $1.75bn (€1.2bn) during the nine months of its current financial year, on the back of a strong performance from both its dairy and infant nutrition brands.

Zetar acquires Lir luxury chocolates

UK confectionery firm Zetar today said it is expanding its range of luxury and premium products thanks to the acquisition of Lir Chocolates in Ireland.

Pernod shortlists Absolut or Stolichnaya for acquisition

Pernod Ricard has says it will purchase either Absolut or Stolichnaya in its attempts to add an premium vodka label to its portfolio, though it has not yet finalised any acquisition plan.

17-Dec-2007

Weekly comment

Time for antioxidants v2.0

'Antioxidants' crop up every where, from beverage cans to cereal packets. But industry must wake up to over use of the antioxidant tag before the term loses meaning for consumers.

Eastern promise for European water sales

Bottled water consumption continues to rise drastically in Eastern Europe, increasing by 15 per cent during 2006, new research has found.

Greencore acquires UK cake firm

Irish-based Greencore has moved to strengthen its position in the convenience food sector by purchasing a UK cake manufacturer, after exiting the sugar business because of EU reforms.

13-Dec-2007

Nestle partners luxury chocolatier Pierre Marcolini

Swiss-based food giant Nestle today announced going into partnership with Belgian company Pierre Marcolini, as the company aims to move further into the premium and luxury chocolate market.

Briefs: Coca-Cola, Absolut and Pepsi

In this week's briefs, Coca-Cola Enterprises lifts sale expectations for the year ahead, the Absolut vodka brand will go the highest bidder at an upcoming auction, and Pepsi consolidates its bottling presence in the US.

Kerry ingredient tackles ice-cream cost, output issues

Kerry Bio-Science is launching a new functional system called Sherex Enlite to improve creaminess, stability and shelf life of ice-cream - and which has proved particularly effective in low-fat ice creams.

12-Dec-2007

Renamed Cadbury beverage arm faces brighter future

Cadbury Schweppes says that its American Beverages division is defying the increasingly challenging conditions in the global carbonated soft drinks market by performing above the company's expectations for the year.

News briefs: Hershey, Wrigley and Cadbury

Hershey may remove mint packaging that looks like drug pouches; Wrigley's credit rating is improved by analyst; and internet viewer vote the Cadbury gorilla ad the best commercial of 2007.

11-Dec-2007

Carlsberg stands by S&N offer

Carlsberg and Heineken will stand by a rejected joint-offer made last month for British-based rival Scottish and Newcastle (S&N), despite recent research suggesting that an improved bid would likely be accepted by shareholders.

Producers need to 're-think' responsible drinking ads

Drinks groups may stepping up their efforts to promote responsible alcohol consumption, but some of their latest advertising campaigns have been labelled as "catastrophically misconceived", according to new research.

Nestle, Kellogg et al sign junk ad pledge

Major global food companies have this week signed a pledge to stop advertising 'junk' food to children under 12, in an effort to self-regulate and avoid a ban being imposed by the European Commission.

10-Dec-2007

Weekly Comment

Infant nutrition: Too close for comfort?

Industry has to walk a tightrope between lending a benevolent hand to support infant nutrition for the good of public health, and cynical marketing that seems to cash in on sensitivities.

Trian group increases Cadbury share

The US hedge fund group Trian, run by active investor Nelson Peltz, has increased its stake in Cadbury from 3.47 per cent to approximately 4.5 per cent, the confectionery company announced earlier today.

Further sugar production difficulties ahead, says ABF chairman

The chairman of Associated British Foods (ABF), a major European-sugar producer, says that the industry will have to weather the storm over the coming year before producers can reap the benefits of EU-wide sugar reform.

06-Dec-2007

Revised Carlsberg offer may sway S&N shareholders - survey

Up to 20 per cent of Scottish & Newcastle's (S&N) shareholders may be ready to support Carlberg and Heinekin's bid to buy the UK-based brewer, according to an independent survey.

05-Dec-2007

Confectioners look to exotic, functional flavours

Manufacturers will increasingly turn to unusual confectionery flavours such as pomegranate, eucalyptus and goji in order to make their products stand out from the competition on supermarket shelves, according to a new report.

Nestle, Vivartia fined in Greek milk price probe

European dairy giants Nestle and Vivartia are among a number of companies facing fines imposed by the Greek competition authority for allegedly fixing dairy prices in the country, press reports have said.

Coca-Cola makes Aussie beer buy for profit push

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA), a major soft drinks producer in Australia and Asia, has acquired the country's Bluetongue brewery brand to extend its premium beer focus in a bid to further diversify its revenue stream.

News briefs: Hershey, factory fire and brain power

Hershey may be forced to withdraw mint pouches; A chocolate factory fire kills a worker in Denmark; and yet another book promotes the health benefits of dark chocolate.

04-Dec-2007

Education and enlargement behind EU spirits concerns

Effectively educating consumers about alcohol misuse in an enlarged EU is one of the main issues facing spirits companies in the year ahead, according to an industry report.

Briefs: Anheuser-Busch, Nestle and cannabis booze

In the latest news roundup, Anheuser-Busch will continue to step up pricing in the US, Coca-Cola is considering Indian expansion, Nestle take a controlling stake in bottled water group Henniez, and the number could be up for cannabis gin.

03-Dec-2007

Snack bars outsell confectionery, report

Thanks to the health and organic trends, sales of cereal bars in the EU will experience average compound annual growth of 7.2 per cent up to 2010, far outstripping sales of candies and chocolate, a new report claims.

Weekly comment

Industry's role against HIV/AIDS

Following World AIDS Day, the food industry should reflect on its own potential to advance the fight against a disease that continues to sweep a devastating toll.

Nutritek announces dairy divestment for profit push

Nutritek, a leading Russia-based manufacturer of infant nutrition products, is selling off its dairy and agro business operations in the country to focus on functional baby food production in Asia and Eastern Europe.

News briefs: Kraft, Heinz and Lotte

Heinz posts a nearly 10 per cent increase in operating profits; Kraft finalises the acquisition of Danone's biscuit division; and Korean company Lotte moves into the Japanese cake market.

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