Qalaa sells off F&B assets in $10m deal
Egypt’s Qalaa Holdings has sold a mothballed cheese company and the Sudanese division of its sweets producer in deals totalling almost US$10m, the group announced this month.
Archives for December 16, 2015
Peek inside Probiota 2016: Amsterdam, February 2-4
What’s fermented food and can it help make probiotics sexy?
When we say ‘fermented’ you say beer? Bread? Sauerkraut? But one start-up is coupling the concept with probiotics for a much needed sector make-over.
Dispatches from FIE 2015
Digitalisation, fragmentation and the new food landscape – will your firm survive?
The digital age has changed everything – fragmenting both consumer taste and industry response to it. Is your business tuned in to a shift that is pushing start-ups front and centre like never before or are you soon to be swept away?
Plum Organics sales surge 44% in 2015 as ‘food-forward’ formulations tap into needs of Millennial shoppers
Dollar sales of Plum Organics surged 44.2% in measured channels* in the past 52 weeks, 3.8 times the average rate of growth for brands in the organic baby food segment, says the company, which has secured a 7.2% share of the $1.6bn US baby food and...
Snyder’s-Lance faces 'no barriers' to Diamond deal as antitrust period expires
Snyder’s-Lance’s acquisition of Diamond Foods has moved a step closer this week with the expiration of an antitrust waiting period.
Dispatches from fie 2015
Busting the myth of the magic superfood protein
Insects, ancient grains and algae. There is no such thing as a perfect protein and we must bust this myth of the ultimate ‘superfood’ protein, says researcher.
Feature
Sole superfood supplier tips hat to Oprah and Jamie for demand surge
Global demand for an ancient superfood backed by Oprah Winfrey and Jamie Oliver is being met by a single company in South Australia.
This week Down Under
Woolworths repeats ‘Mind the Gap’ demand while drawing heat from ACCC
A supermarket giant is preparing to fight Australia’s consumer watchdog after being accused of acting “unconscionably” in negotiations with its grocery suppliers.
Saudi to see $8bn in aquaculture bids while Kuwait shrimp costs soar
Saudi Arabia will see US$8bn in new aquaculture investment according to the Ministry of Agriculture, while Kuwait’s fish market troubles continue as shrimp prices rise.
Egypt scraps poultry imports, talks up wheat harvest prospects
Egypt has made a U-turn on importing poultry after a backlash from domestic producers, as the government says cuts to the wheat production subsidy will not reduce production.
Meat industry must lobby to protect interests after Paris climate change deal
The meat industry has been warned to lobby to protect its interests among governments charged with implementing the international climate change treaty agreed in Paris last weekend.
Brazil producers close $9m in new Middle East food deals
Brazilian food producers have closed more than US$9m in new export deals to the Middle East in the last two months, as Brazil’s trade body plans to exhibit at more Arab trade shows.
FDF defends ‘competitive salaries’ of food industry
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has defended the industry’s “competitive salaries” with clear career progression against claims low wages could deter new recruits.
Starlinger grabs Salalah Mills bags project
Starlinger has won a US$5m contract to provide bag-making machinery to Salalah Mills’ new packaging project, as the miller aims to become Oman’s largest packaging producer.
FSIS targets poultry and beef safety improvements
Revised guidelines to help poultry processors control Salmonella and Campylobacter in raw food products have been published by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS).
Australia’s cattle methane emissions figure downsized by 24%
New data analysis has found that cattle methane emissions in Australia are 24% lower than had been previously estimated—equivalent to 12.6m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
Pejnovic named CMA president
The chief executive of Lipa Pharmaceuticals has been named president of the Australian complementary industry’s representative body.
Omnibus spending package does not contain 11th hour GMO labeling provision
A $1.1 trillion omnibus spending package released late last night does not contain a much-anticipated policy rider on federal GMO labeling that would pre-empt state GMO-labeling laws, although it does seek to block the sale of genetically engineered...
Think long-term to succeed in Iran, says trade promo firm
Iranian consumers are eager for foreign food products, but international firms need to have a long-term mentality to succeed in Iran, according to food trade promotion firm PSDC.
Wages for EU farmers fall
Farmers in Europe are suffering from a loss of confidence as real-term wages across Europe’s agriculture sector have fallen by 4.3% compared to 2014, with Germany registering the largest fall of any EU state.
Children’s sweet satisfaction levels determined by gene trio
Genes have a large part to play in sensitivity to the sweet taste, with research revealing the variation in response to the ‘sweet signal’ among children.
Honeywell expands research chemicals portfolio
Honeywell has completed the acquisition of the Seelze, Germany-based laboratory research chemicals business from Sigma-Aldrich.
Sparkling trajectory: Metal cans on the rise in packaged water
Metals cans have the highest growth by volume out of all packaging formats in the packaged water category, with the success of flavored sparkling water driving growth in a number of markets, according to Canadean.
New York start-up to launch chaga ‘mushroom tisane’ for the health conscious
There’s a new ‘shroom coming out of the storied grounds around the Woodstock Festival 1969 site. It comes in tea form, and it will hit the shelves of New York City health food stores and gourmet delis this coming January.
Label Insight: SmartLabel is not just about QR codes…
While the media coverage of the new SmartLabel initiative has focused on shoppers’ enthusiasm (or lack, thereof) for scanning QR codes as they shop, or whether it’s just an elaborate ruse by ‘big food’ to avoid mandatory on-pack GMO labeling, the real...
Food for kids!
Go Gourmet helps pouches grow-up from baby food to snacks for school-children
Go Gourmet wants to “up the ante” in the applesauce and fruit cup aisle with its “superfood snack” Slammers – premium fruit and veggie purees for school-aged children in pouches that pose a triple threat with taste, nutrition and personality, says CEO...
US toughens ability to track mince virus outbreak
The US department that safeguards the industry and consumers from dangerous foodborne illnesses has launched a protocol to improve virus detection in a bid to protect consumers from future outbreaks.
Optimum aims at hole in market with launch of Trusource sports brand for Kroger
Optimum Nutrition is seeking to reach a new set of average consumers with a sports brand called Trusource that will launch at Kroger stores nationwide.
Kazakhstan launches major halal meat processing plant
Kazakhstan’s LLP Aktepa Company has opened a major meat processing plant in the Aktobe region in the west of the country. The new facility is certified to halal standards and will process 7,200 tonnes of beef annually.
Toyo Ink Group to expand into packaging with DYO Printing Inks acquisition
Toyo Ink Group is to acquire 75% of shares of DYO Printing Inks in Turkey to expand its inks and coatings in the packaging market, including materials for food packages.
Start-up incorporates microgel technology in probiotic drink
A Queensland start-up is testing the market for a non-dairy, low-kilojoule probiotic in selected stores in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.