FoodAndDrinkEurope RSS

222 EU health claims become law; experts predict “tsunami of cheap innovation”

Shane.STARLING@wrbm.com (Shane STARLING) — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:18:24 +0200

It’s official. Companies have six months – until December – to comply with the controversial European Union article 13, general function health claims register which today won final approval from the European Commission.

Vitafoods: EU nutra space wriggles into new health claims clothes

Shane.STARLING@wrbm.com (Shane STARLING) — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:42:17 +0200

Vitafoods celebrates its 15^th birthday next week. It’ll be my 11^th consecutive May visit to Geneva for the jamboree and promises to be one of the most intriguing chapters with the (partial and belated) resolution of years of ambiguity regarding health claims in Europe.

Kellogg’s revamps brand, but significantly?

Kacey.CULLINEY@wrbm.com (Kacey CULLINEY) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:41:46 +0200

Global cereal giant, Kellogg’s is investing in a ‘significant’ revamp of its 106-year-old brand in a bid to resonate better with today’s tech savvy consumers, but analysts say it won’t be anything significant.

Plastic pieces in Sainsbury’s teacakes sparks product recall

Oliver.NIEBURG@wrbm.com (Oliver NIEBURG) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:01:03 +0200

UK supermarket Sainsbury’s has initiated a recall of its own-brand Basic Tea Cakes over fears the products may contain pieces of plastic.

PET bottle to replace glass for Asda salad dressings

joe.whitworth@wrbm.com (Joseph James Whitworth) — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:51:33 +0200

A polyethylene terephthalate (PET) manufacturer has developed a bottle for retail giant Asda which will replace current glass packaging.

2011 UK carbonate sales fizz while fruit juice stalls

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:23:27 +0200

UK volume sales of fruit juices and dilutables fell last year, according to a new report from the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) but carbonates, smoothies and sports drinks all saw growth.

International Cocoa Initiative partners with ILO to tackle child labour on cocoa farms

Oliver.NIEBURG@wrbm.com (Oliver NIEBURG) — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:15:14 +0200

The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), has entered a public-private partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to target 5,000 children in child-labour or at high risk of falling into child labour on cocoa farms in West Africa.

UK to begin consultation on food labelling

Nathan.GRAY@wrbm.com (Nathan GRAY) — Mon, 14 May 2012 01:48:15 +0200

The UK government today launches fresh talks which could lead to a new universal way to label the nutritional content of food.

‘Drink milk if you know what’s good for you!’ Vinnie Jones unveiled as new face of UK milk campaign

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:14:37 +0200

Footballer turned Hollywood hardman Vinnie Jones has been unveiled as the latest face of the UK ‘Make Mine Milk’ campaign.

Rexam reveals Pepsi trial of 'unique' FUSION aluminium bottle in Italy

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:57:54 +0200

Rexam has revealed to BeverageDaily.com that its FUSION aluminium bottle has established a foothold in Europe, with PepsiCo even trialing it in Italy this year, the first launch using a carbonated soft drink (CSD).

United Biscuits cools ‘rumours’ of milk chocolate Jaffa Cakes

Kacey.CULLINEY@wrbm.com (Kacey CULLINEY) — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:56:49 +0200

United Biscuits has cooled reports that it is developing a milk chocolate version of its traditionally dark chocolate orange-flavoured treat, Jaffa Cakes, casting it off as ‘rumours’.

Coca-Cola Hellenic hit by perfect political and economic storm

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:03:24 +0200

Economic and political uncertainty across its markets and ‘persistent’ input cost pressures have hit Coca-Cola Hellenic's first quarter results, with volume sale declines of two per cent and significant losses for the quarter.

Online food sales: ‘perfect’ for M&S – but not yet

Michael.STONES@wrbm.com (Michael STONES) — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:30:12 +0200

Online food sales are a “very big opportunity” for Marks & Spencer (M&S) but realising that potential may be several years off, warns financial specialists Shore Capital.

BrewDog slams ‘jealous’ Diageo for trying to fix innkeeping awards

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:27:49 +0200

Diageo has ‘apologised unreservedly’ after Scottish independent BrewDog accused it of ‘overbearing and blackmailing behaviour’ in leaning on a judging panel to prevent its smaller rival from winning an award.

Sainsbury claims fastest web food retailer growth

Michael.STONES@wrbm.com (Michael STONES) — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:40:17 +0200

The UK’s third largest supermarket Sainsbury claims to be the country’s fastest growing online food retailer in a statement published with its financial results for the year to March 17.

Red Bull hopes new ‘Total Zero’ variant will give it wings after analysts warn of limited portfolio

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:09:59 +0200

Red Bull is launching a new variant of its eponymous energy drink with no calories, sugar or carbohydrates, adding to a limited product portfolio that analysts had identified as a weakness.

Pepsi NEXT risks re-hashing failed concept with new flavour: analyst

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:21:15 +0200

PepsiCo’s new mid-calorie cola brand ‘NEXT’ risks 're-hashing a failed concept behind a new flavour', despite data supporting low-calorie cola growth, according to Euromonitor International.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate enters Asia

Oliver.NIEBURG@wrbm.com (Oliver NIEBURG) — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:17:29 +0200

US-based manufacturer and store franchise Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has signed a licensing agreement enabling it to enter Japan.

AAK posts record high Q1 results as food ingredients segment shines

Oliver.NIEBURG@wrbm.com (Oliver NIEBURG) — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:10:59 +0200

Swedish-based firm AarhusKarlshamm AB (AAK) has recorded its highest ever first quarter (Q1) results driven by its food ingredients arm and its Golden Foods/Golden Brands acquisition.

Milk giants slash supplier price

joe.whitworth@wrbm.com (Joseph James Whitworth) — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:33:11 +0200

Dairy Crest and Robert Wiseman Dairies are cutting the price they pay suppliers for milk, with both citing the current ‘challenging’ market environment.