Parmalat eyeing double digit growth for 2012
Parmalat has reported double-digit revenue and profit growth for the first nine months of 2012, driven by strong performances by its US, Canadian, Australian and Russian segments.
Archives for November 12, 2012
French palm oil tax could increase trans fat consumption, says MPOC
A proposed 300% increase on French palm oil imports could lead to increased consumption of harmful trans fats and ignores the primary sources of saturated fat in the French diet, says the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC).
Food and drink firms ‘braced for tough Christmas’: FDF
Britain’s food and drink manufacturers are bracing themselves for difficult Christmas trading, according to the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
Green tea and coffee extract in donuts slashes acrylamide: Study
Donuts fortified with green tea and green coffee extract have heightened antioxidant properties and lower acrylamide levels, a new study finds.
Yakult and Danone in talks in Japan
Reuters reports that Japanese drink maker Yakult Honsha has confirmed it has agreed with Danone SA to continue talks on the possibility of the French food company to take a bigger stake in Yakult.
Hostess Brands strike prompts three bakery closures; 627 jobs cut
Hostess Brands has permanently shut down three bakeries today as a result of nationwide union strikes; equating to 627 job losses.
Goldfish Crackers targeted in ‘natural’ lawsuit over genetically engineered soy as Prop 37 supporters launch ‘GMO inside’ initiative
While Prop 37 did not pass, the failure to disclose the presence of GMOs in foods that are marketed as ‘natural’ is still generating a steady stream of civil litigation, with Goldfish Crackers the latest brand to be targeted in a class action lawsuit...
Asian retail growth mitigates poor performance in the West
The rise of the Japanese owner of 7Eleven is synonymous with the charge of grocery retail in Asia, and backs up the latest study by Euromonitor into the subject.
HanAll to distribute AB-Life in South Korea
AB-Biotics has signed an agreement with HanAll BioPharma to distribute its cholesterol-lowering probiotic in Korea. The deal will give the Korean company a 10-year licence to exclusively distribute the AB-Life probiotic across the country.
Egypt cattle row provoking a storm in Australia
In a move to calm an issue that is threatening to turn into a populist political bun fight, Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has issued a statement relating to cattle exports to Egypt, confirming that Australian...
Not too late for confectioners in China, says Rabobank
Opportunities exist for confectioners yet to enter China, but they must come with a targeted distribution strategy, according to Rabobank.
Global aloe market estimated at $13 billion
The global market for aloe vera products is estimated to have reached $13 billion, according to information presented at a recent workshop held by the International Aloe Science Council.
Tea consumption linked to lower diabetes risk: Unilever study
Populations which drink high quantities of black tea have a significantly lower prevalence of diabetes, according to new research backed by Unilever.
High glycaemic load linked to cancer recurrence
Consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods with a high glycaemic load could increase the risk of disease recurrence in people with colon cancer by up to 80%, warn researchers.
Danish government scraps fat tax, cancels planned sugar tax
The Danish government has officially scrapped its tax on saturated fat just a year after it was introduced, and has cancelled a proposed sugar tax.
SGS boosts inspection services
SGS announced today (Monday) that it has acquired the Ware Care Group, based in The Netherlands for an undisclosed amount.
Colour-changing label set for mid-2013 launch, says Insignia Technologies
The firm behind a colour-changing label has told FoodProductionDaily.com that its first product will launch commercially next year aimed at boosting food safety.
Why do you buy? Three French dads launch personalised food info tool
A website and mobile phone app to give French consumers personalised information on a range of food attributes has attracted 11,000 subscribers within its first month and a half, according to one of the site’s founders.
PGI protection for European meat products
The European Commission has granted legal protection to speciality Portuguese goat and sheep meat and a Slovene pork product. This prevents meat traders using their names in marketing unless these products are made in their home area by traditional...
Canada sets sights on priority export markets
Canada has increased trade opportunities for meat processors by focusing on 10 priority markets, according to a new report from the Harper government.
EU call to clamp down on livestock antibiotics
A motion from the European Parliament’s health committee has called on the European Commission to introduce tough new controls, restricting the availability of new third- and fourth-generation antibiotics to the livestock sector.
Commercial vegetable soups could have up to 50% less salt without changing liking
Salt levels may be reduced by up to 48% in commercial vegetable soups without affecting consumer liking, says a new study from Ireland.
DISPATCHES FROM PACK EXPO 2012
Looking at packaging life cycle is key to eliminating food waste, says DuPont
The life cycle approach to eliminate food waste is to become a growing issue and might result in more packaging to gain a better overall footprint, according to DuPont.
Skippy suitors include ConAgra and B&G, says report; but Unilever remains tight-lipped
ConAgra Foods and B&G Foods have both shown interest in Unilever’s peanut butter brand Skippy, according to weekend press reports.
Return and rebuild or leave voluntarily: Hostess Brands tells strikers
Twinkies-maker Hostess Brands has called on its striking union workers to either return to help rebuild the struggling firm or leave voluntarily.
Fat-blocking Pepsi will launch in Japan this week
This week will see the launch of a fat-busting new Pepsi variant that is targeting the health conscious.
Ridley takes on Australian BPL meat renderer
One of Australia’s leading animal nutrients suppliers, Ridley Corporation, has announced it will acquire BPL, Victoria’s largest red meat and poultry renderer for AU$77m.
Flavorchem opens new liquid production facility in Downers Grove, Illinois
Flavors and colors specialist Flavorchem Corporation has opened a new 44,000 square foot liquid production facility in Downers Grove, Illinois.
Consumer confidence critical in food safety battle, says FDA representative
Consumer confidence in food safety is an important goal, said an FDA representative, who outlined five themes during a speech at a conference in China.