KSA to sell flour mills, UAE’s Al Ghurair may buy
As Saudi Arabia prepares to privatise its public flour mills, the UAE’s Al Ghurair may become a purchaser, while Agthia plans to enter the kingdom’s wheat flour market.
Archives for December 7, 2015
US food exports to GCC hit $3bn
US food producers saw record exports to the GCC of US$3bn last year according to new figures, as American trade associations organised events in Kuwait and around SIAL ME.
Veggie and kosher candy conundrum: Dispatches from FIE in Paris
Halal and kosher candy cracked? Roquette says it’s found answer for gelatine-free chewy candies
Roquette has introduced a starch-based ingredient it claims can be used to make the first gelatine-free chewy candy with a long-lasting chewiness.
Green claims from discount brands not trustworthy, say consumers
Discount brands have more to gain from marketing their sustainability credentials than premium ones, but they’ll have a much harder time convincing consumers their claims aren’t just greenwash.
Brussels ponders EU limits on trans fats
The European Commission has raised the possibility of setting European Union (EU) limits on trans fats in processed and cooked meat products.
Pest management software U-Trap-It updated
In-Quiz-It Software has released version 7 of the U-Trap-It System to strengthen management of pests and environmental issues.
US beef competes with Australia for rule of Japan’s market
American beef faces “intense competition” with Australia for the lion’s share of exports to Japan, the US Meat Export Federation’s (USMEF) senior vice-president of marketing Dan Halstrom has said.
AB InBev pledges to ‘vigorously defend’ lawsuit on SABMiller acquisition
A lawsuit brought by a group of US consumers is trying to block Anheuser-Busch InBev’s planned acquisition of SABMiller, saying it could mean higher prices and fewer beer choices - claims AB InBev rejects.
The Right Cup positions plain water as a desirable alternative to sugary drinks
A self-proclaimed “sugar-fighter,” the founder and CEO of The Right Cup is taking on America’s addiction to sweetened beverages with the upcoming launch of a scented cup that tricks the brain into thinking plain water is a fruit-flavored beverage.
Nissin buys Jinmailang out of Chinese noodle joint-venture
Nissin has ended its joint-ventures with Jinmailang so it can focus on supplying premium products to the Chinese market.
'When people first try our popcorn, one of the things they notice right away is the flavor.'
Tiny but Mighty taps into consumer demand for heirloom varieties: 'It tastes completely different to regular popcorn.'
Size matters, and when it comes to popcorn, the smaller it is, the better, says one Iowa-based farm, which has carved a niche in the market with its unique ‘Tiny But Mighty’ heirloom corn, which is tiny, but intensely flavorful (hence ‘mighty’), and...
FoodChain ID to take over training delivery
Cert ID has relaunched its programme of training courses for food industry professionals and is moving all its training delivery to sister company FoodChain ID.
Can modified starch be clean label? It's all about perception, says Cargill
Recently showcased at FiE, Cargill's modified starch can reduce the fat content of yoghurt by at least 50% while keeping the taste and mouth feel of full fat yoghurt - but can it meet consumer demands for clean label?
Sugar awareness improving, but UAE parents must do more, says doctor
There is a growing awareness of the need to reduce children’s intake of sugary foods in the UAE, but parents still need to do more, according to a UAE paediatrician.
Food fraud: Honey a monster; fish better schooled
Levels of fish fraud across the EU have fallen to below 6%. But initial results for honey suggest 19% – and perhaps even up to 32% – of products tested are not compliant with EU food regulations.
Indian poultry producers struggle with low prices and rising costs
Southern India’s key poultry hub in the state of Telangana is struggling to deal with a 50% rise in chicken feed prices within the past year because of drought conditions in the region.
HK online food retailers to get new safety guidelines
Hong Kong’s food authorities have reacted to various food scandals this year by issuing new guidelines for online sales.
Nestlé leads on anti-slavery action, but will others follow?
An anti-slavery charity has welcomed Nestlé’s action plan to tackle human rights abuses in the Thai seafood supply chain, and says it hopes other food companies will follow suit.
Norwegians’ appetite for meat declines
Norwegians ate less meat in 2014, and market experts agree this is a medium-term trend.
Free-from in demand in UAE, says Lootah GM
Free-from and organic products are in increasing demand from UAE retailers, in a significant shift over the last two years, according to Lootah Premium Foods’ general manager.
Scottish rapeseed oil producers eye Middle East
Scottish premium rapeseed oil producers are looking to the Middle East for export growth, as they reap the benefits of a new export collaboration project and rising olive oil prices.
Al Dahra and Usher announce $78m rice processing projects
Ports in Abu Dhabi and Oman are set to host major new rice and pulse processing facilities, as Al Dahra and Usher announce projects worth a total of US$78m.
Lessons from craft: What the movement tells us about today’s consumers
The word ‘craft’ may be most strongly associated with beer: but its influence is much wider and reveals a lot about today’s consumers, says Richard Hall, chairman of Zenith International.
Investor group acquires Keurig Green Mountain for $13.9 billion
After struggling with slumping stock prices, increased competition and consumer complaints, Keurig Green Mountain stockholders received some good news for a change Dec. 7 when an investor group led by JAB Holdings acquired the single-serve coffee pod and...
Fruzio frozen berries recalled in Hepatitis A investigation
FSL Foods has recalled frozen berries imported from China as part of the investigation into four Hepatitis A cases in New Zealand.
Far East digest
Chinese GMO firm could face off against Monsanto in US
Origin Agritech is the latest Chinese agricultural biotechnology company to seek its fortunes overseas as a means to get round a local ban on genetically modified produce when it launches in America.