Danish industry to promote health benefits of pork
Denmark’s pig meat industry is trying to promote pork as a nutritious alternative to chicken, which can be even healthier if the right cuts are consumed, an industry expert said.
Archives for August 12, 2015
Listeria traced to Hjerting Laks despite fish products passing tests
Four people have been sickened by Listeria linked to a fish producer in Denmark but authorities have not found high levels of the pathogen in products on the market.
DS Smith fined £400k after worker is crushed to death by falling into machine
DS Smith has been fined £400k and ordered to pay £34k costs by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a worker became trapped in unguarded machinery and died.
Flowers Foods to acquire Dave's Killer Bread in $275m deal
Georgia-based Flowers Foods has struck a deal to acquire Oregon-based Dave's Killer Bread - the largest organic bread company in North America – for $275m.
Key events in the Maggi affair
On June 5, India’s food regulator, the FSSAI, ordered nine lines of Maggi, the Nestlé noodle brand that dominates the market, to be removed from shelves in India.
Maggi given all clear by high court pending further tests
The Bombay high court has ruled that the chief executive of India’s food regulator, the FSSAI, had “acted in an emergent, drastic and arbitrary” fashion in ordering Nestlé to withdraw its popular Maggi noodles from the shelves in June.
Dateline Southeast Asia
EU and Vietnam close to concluding a free-trade agreement
Argentine beef tops China’s export sources, but for how long?
China’s increasing appetite for beef products has left the country as a top export destination for Argentine beef. Argentina’s ministry of agriculture, livestock and fisheries has reported that China received 17,051 tonnes (t) of beef from Argentina by...
Coca-Cola defends $1m gift to scientists who shift obesity blame away from soda
The Coca-Cola Company says it wants to set the record straight on its role in funding scientific research, after coming under fire for funding a program which says there is ‘no compelling evidence’ that sugary drinks and diets are responsible for obesity.
Food safety concerns are changing how consumers shop and retailers stock food
Americans increasingly are concerned about food safety and it is changing the way they shop, retailers stock and manufacturers produce and package food and beverages, according to a new survey.
Nutrigenomix expands access to personalized nutrition, outlines opportunities for manufacturers
University of Toronto start-up Nutrigenomix is a pioneer in the personalized nutrition space that is helping consumers understand how variations in their genes influence their bodies’ response to food, beverages and supplements, and in doing so is...
India
Nestlé sued for $99m in government class action over Maggi noodles
Nestlé India has voiced its disappointment at the “unprecedented step” by the Indian government of going to the courts to seek nearly US$100m in damages for “unfair trade practices” in the wake of the Maggi noodles affair.
Frozen food giant: Nomad confirms €702m deal for Findus Europe
Nomad Foods has confirmed it will acquire the European operations of Findus Group for €702 million (£500m), adding further scale to its frozen-food business just months after a 2.6bn deal for Iglo Group.
87% of consumers globally think non-GMO is ‘healthier’. But where’s the evidence?
A large consumer study* from market researcher Health Focus International spanning 16 major consumer markets includes this pretty jaw-dropping statistic: 87% of consumers globally think non-GMO foods are ‘somewhat’, or ‘a lot’ healthier.
Nomad to buy Findus for £500m
International frozen foods company Nomad Foods has agreed to buy the European arm of Findus for approximately £500m.
€6m bust for vinegar price fixing: 'This is a very serious cartel'
Two Dutch vinegar firms have been fined over €6m for cartel arrangements lasting over a decade – but the whistleblower sidestepped payment under EU rules.
Colony counting software for E&O’s chromogenic media
Synbiosis has launched the Chromogenic ID software module for the ProtoCOL 3 and Protos 3 colony counters.
Investor blasts Omega Protein's human nutrition diversification plans, calls for breakup, sale of company
Omega Protein Corporation has received a harsh critique of its diversification strategy from a major investor. Wynnefield Partners filed a Form 13D with the Securities and Exchange Commission calling for the company to seek alternatives—up to and...
Strong second quarter for Marfrig Global Foods
Brazil’s Marfrig Global Foods, one of the world’s largest beef, lamb, poultry and fish-based food companies, has seen a strong second quarter in 2015, with a free cash flow of R$136 million.
Nestlé beats H1 sales growth target, but sees profits slip
Better-than-expected first-half sales growth has allowed the world’s biggest food company, Nestlé, to confirm its 2015 outlook despite poor exchange rates leading to decreased profits.
Analysis
As Maggi affair nears a conclusion, questions need to be asked
Over the last few days it feels like we’ve written about little more than the Maggi noodles affair in India. Thankfully it is now reaching a conclusion. But still it raises some vitally important questions that must surely be addressed.
Organic meat demand soars in China
Demand for organic-certified meat is reaching fever pitch in China, with local firms battling for sales to consumers still worried about food safety, and a high-profile spat between two meat firms engaged in the trade.
India court lifts Maggi ban but orders further tests
The ban on Maggi noodles has been lifted by an Indian court but more testing must be done before it is allowed to return to the market.