Breaking News on Food Marketing and Retailing

How will organic food hold up in the recession?

Market analysis have expressed concern that demand for organic food will shrink in the tight economic situation, as consumers become less willing to part with a premium.

Weekly comment

Obesity: A taxing solution

Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing is certain in life but death and taxes, conveniently forgetting the human race’s desire to avoid both inconveniences at any cost.

Video season's greetings from Decision News Media

The Decision News Media team would like to bring you its seasonal greetings in person and show you around the offices.

Ocean Spray builds European presence

€70+m Ocean Spray Ingredient Technology Group has signed a distribution deal that demonstrates its commitment to educating southern and eastern Europeans about the health benefits of the cranberry and cranberry-infused foods and beverages.

More companies move into stevia market

A flurry of activity has followed the FDA no objection letters for the stevia-derived sweetener, Reb A, to be used in food and beverages as two companies announce self-affirmed GRAS.

News in brief

Allied Bakeries changes omega-3 bread fortification brand

Allied Bakeries has collaborated with Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (ONC) to supply omega-3 fortification in its Kingsmill 50/50 with Omega-3 loaves.

Cadbury’s crushes Heroes' white chocolate Dreams

Cadbury has changed the mix of chocolates in its Heroes selection but denies cost-cutting.

Campina and Friesland get merger green light

Dairy co-ops Campina and Friesland are to become one at the end of this year, following competition clearance subject to conditions, and a favourable final vote by the councils of both.

InBev upbeat despite losing latest ‘Budweiser’ battle

Anheuser-Busch Inbev, the newly formed brewing power house, insists that a ruling in favour of a Czech Republic-based rival over marketing will not set back its global aims for the Budweiser beer brand.

Girls lick boys on taste sensations: Study

There may be a shred of truth to sisters telling their brothers that they have better taste than them but we’re not talking about fashion or music, according to findings of a new study.

Food manufacturers mislead parents, claims BHF report

Manufacturers of children’s breakfast cereals and lunchbox snacks have been accused of misleading parents about high levels of salt, sugar and fat in a British Heart Foundation report.

Explosion costs impact on Imperial Sugar’s full year results

The rebuilding of Imperial Sugar’s Port Wentworth refinery following an explosion in February is expected to total $200m-$220m, taking its toll on the company’s full year results, despite stronger sugar prices.

Carbonated drinks braced for ‘economic storm’

While leading soft drink groups continue to pledge a path towards product diversification, the often-criticised carbonated drink will continue to undergo sales growth despite wider economic worries, says a new report.

Weekly comment

Why is food science the ‘baddie' for consumers?

It sometimes seems as if life is a pantomime, and food science is the baddie, complete with boos and hisses from the audience.

Euro ‘cow tax’ talk is all hot air – says EDA

Ongoing talks in the US over a potential tax on methane emissions from dairy cows and other livestock farming is unlikely to be rolled-out globally and would not be welcomed within European dairy, according to one industry expert.

ABF reaches acquisition agreement on Ebro Spanish sugar business

Associated British Foods (ABF) has announced that it has reached an agreement with Ebro Puleva for the acquisition of its Spanish sugar business, Azucarera Ebro, for €385 million.

Coca-Cola could launch stevia drink ahead of FDA GRAS

Coca-Cola is expected to launch a drink sweetened with stevia in the US this week, according to reports, but there is still no word from the FDA on GRAS status.

News in brief

Premier Foods in talks with investors to cut debt

Premier Foods has announced that it has held talks with private investors in an effort to shore up its debt and reassure shareholders.

Emmi gets steamy with new eco-commitments

European processor Emmi has become the latest dairy group to attempt to play up its environmental credentials after announcing a new scheme to make greater use of what it calls ‘greener’ energy in its operations.

New bid for competitive EU food prices

The European Commission is proposing a package of ways to safeguard affordable food for consumers, including investigation of retailer payment practices, EU-wide price monitoring, and examination of commodity market regulators.

Processors to bear brunt of supermarket slashing - expert

Beverage and food manufacturers are likely to have to bear the brunt of a price war that is driving leading global retailers to increasingly turn to suppliers of discounted brands, according to one industry expert.

Innovation to spur on sports drink demand

Worldwide consumption of sports drink products is expected to grow by a further 33 per cent up to 2012, though further product innovation is required for the industry to meet its potential, says a new report.

Rival UK bagel companies in price-fixing investigation

Canada Bread has launched an investigation following an allegation that the managing director of its UK-based New York Bagel subsidiary attempted to fix prices in the UK.

Nut allergy fears becoming hysterical: BMJ

Fears over the dangers of peanut allergy, a potentially deadly allergy for certain people, are becoming sensationalist and hysterical, according to a Harvard professor.

News in brief

Walkers crisps contaminated with rubber - again

Walkers Snack Foods has recalled batches of its crisps for the second time this year due to possible contamination with rubber pieces.

Report claims spirit-ad responsibility success

The ongoing debate on the effectiveness of self regulating responsible advertising for European sprits manufacturers rages on with a new report suggesting the industry in generally is living up to its commitments.

‘Most expensive bread’ may reflect consumer resilience

Sourdough bread combining Roquefort cheese and almonds has become the UK’s most expensive loaf in uncertain financial times, though the product may yet reflect consumer resilience for higher value baked goods.

Australia agrees Euro wine protection deal

European and Australian wine makers will kick off the New Year potentially toasting each other’s health after agreeing a new deal to respect geographical indication (GI) like champagne and sherry alongside other trademarks.

Fazer eyes expansion in Swedish confectionery market

Newly de-merged Finnish confectionery company Fazer Konfektyr has announced plans to expand into Sweden while underlining its environmentally friendly credentials.

Weekly comment

Coping with health claim hurt

One of the most fiercely debated and amended pieces of European Union food law history is playing out before our eyes, and its effects are beginning to be felt.

Could consumers suffer from green logo overload?

Food and beverage manufacturers are adopting more sustainable practices and seek to communicate these to consumers. But are well-meaning consumers confused by the many different green and ethical logos in use?

News in brief

Heineken follows rivals in Irish brew shake-up

Up to 120 jobs could be lost as a result of Heineken’s acquisition of the western operations of Scottish & Newcastle (S&N), as it opts to close the recently acquired Beamish & Crawford brewery in Ireland.

Premium chocolate sales predicted to remain buoyant

The global market for premium chocolate looks set to remain strong despite a worsening economic climate, according to new market research.

Kids of all ages targeted next in soft drink shift

While a new child soft drink consumption study in the UK suggests some industry health drive success, nutritionists predict further scrutiny lies ahead for higher sugar, carbonated products, which are still popular with all age groups.

Real Good Foods asks what ‘necessary’ means on reduced profits

The Real Good Food Company has forecast reduced profits and announced that it will move from its London office in order to cut costs.

Unilever's R&D shake-up results in job losses

Unilever is cutting 70 jobs at a UK plant but the consumer goods giant said the future of the site is safe.

Nestle junk food ad pledge approved

Nestle has agreed to a raft of restrictions on the promotion of its products to children as it switches from advertising its “best-selling” Wonka candy to 100 percent juice and low-fat chocolate milk.

Report spies smugglers ahoy in EU beer tax variance

Smuggling and undermined public health policies are just some of the impacts resulting from varying policies on beer taxation in an ever-expanding EU, claims a new report.

Czechs feel liberalising effect of EU food laws

The implementation of European Union food regulations into Czech law is benefiting the country’s food supplements and functional foods markets, according to a Czech trade association.

News in brief

Facebook kicks off UK online booze store

After being linked to reviving once popular confectionery items like the Wispa bar, social networking sites are set to try and revolutionise alcohol buying in the UK.

Weekly comment

Why farm support puts food on plates

“Four legs good, two legs bad.” When the pigs take over the land in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, they have no hesitation; any creature with four legs is beyond reproach and any human is bad, mad and dangerous to know.

Additive-free leads beverage launches, says Mintel

The top claims used on beverages over the past four years reveal a distinct shift in focus towards drinks with no additives or preservatives, according to statistics provided by Mintel this morning.