Self-regulation has become the mantra of food groups who argue that
laws are not always necessary - but can industry be trusted when it
has failed so spectacularly in the past?
The market for smart packaging for food and beverage products using
such technologies as radio frequency identification (RFID) will
grow to $8.8 billion in 2013 from the current $160m, according to a
forecast report.
The Slovak government has launched criminal proceedings against
Tesco over allegations the retailer sold out-of-date meat products
in Central and Eastern European (CEE) stores.
Mergers and acquisitions in Europe's food sector bounced back last
year, boosted by increased activity at the top end of the market
and the growing influence of ethical sourcing, according to
PricewaterhouseCoopers.
State governor Jodi Rell has pledged to sign a bill that would make
Connecticut the fourth US state to ban sales of sodas and other
sugary beverages in state elementary, middle and high schools.
Icelandic manufacturer Bakkavor has purchased two British food
producers in as many days, securing its position as the UK's
largest chilled foods supplier.
Flavours and plant extracts firm Frutarom is investing in clinical
trials in South Korea to tap into the strong growth of functional
food and beverages in this market.
Cargill's finalised acquisition of a major Thai tapioca flour
business in Thailand underlines its commitment to establishing a
globalised ingredient-sourcing network.
Cargill plans to highlight its growing focus on texturising and
sweetness functionality solutions at a series of major events
across Europe this spring.
Health professionals need to use more than tape measures and scales
to define and tackle obesity, according to a paper in the
British-based Journal of Advanced Nursing.
Europe's largest retailer Carrefour has chosen a buyer for its
South Korean operations, whilst in Slovakia fresh controversy
surrounding a Tesco store-swap may jeopardise its expansion plans.
British consumer watchdog Which? has branded the new junk food
advertising ban a "sham", saying broadcasting regulator Ofcom
wasted its opportunity to veto food industry commercials that
target young children.
French supermarket Casino has announced a 17 per cent rise in
first-quarter sales, as domestic performance improves and
international sales smash records.
Palsgaard, which has launched a range of ingredients designed to
ensure the stable production of low-fat and cost-effective ice
cream coatings, explains why emulsifiers are so important.
Food processors are waiting with bated breath for the release next
week of an EU regulatory review either confirming or rejecting the
results of a scientific study claiming that aspartame poses a
cancer risk.
It is unrealistic to expect the European Union to make more big
concessions at the upcoming World Trade Organisation talks, argues
the European Dairy Association against critics of Europe's stance.
Firmenich is unveiling the first innovation to come out of its
newly formed nutrition and health unit - Duralife Omega 3, which
uses microencapsulation technology to overcome stability issues of
working with the healthful ingredient.
The UK food and drink industry has welcomed the publication of
Defra's Food Industry Sustainability Strategy (FISS), which sets
out proposals on how the food industry can tackle some serious
challenges ahead.
Cargill is looking forward to exhibiting a range of new
health-focused ingredients at next month's Vitafoods exhibition
following its successful acquisition of Degussa Food Ingredients.
The National Uniformity for Food Coalition this week released a
legal analysis that claims the proposed legislation would only
affect 11 state laws as part of an effort to set national standards
for food safety regulations.
Holes in the test data for new anti-microbial agent SAN-PEL mean it
is impossible to tell how effective it will be when used on animal
carcasses, says Europe's food safety watchdog, withholding its
support.
Chr Hansen has developed a natural cure for meats that can be used
in place of added nitrite, helping food makers to develop
clean-label meat products.
Groupe Danone's growing interest in the Algerian dairy market
underlines the importance of the North African / Middle East region
to European milk processors.
Just a few months after its approval in the US, a natural tomato
food colorant claims to have attracted strong interest as food and
beverage manufacturers look to clean up their labels.
Gadot Biochemical Industries has developed a new calcium citrate
compound that could help formulators overcome fortification issues
with soy milk, fluid milk, smoothie, infant formula, and other milk
replacement products.
European agriculture ministers have approved a plan for the EU to
offer more compensation to poultry farmers affected by a falling
sales in the wake of bird flu.
The distribution of rice, the main staple of more than half the
world's population, will be the focus of debate at the upcoming
International Rice Commission meeting in Peru.
Sustainable development will steadily advance over the next 10
years according to a new PricewaterhouseCoopers report - an issue
that the food industry must positively address.
Some of the vegetables sold in Hong Kong's leading supermarket
chains are dangerously high in pesticide residues, revealed
Greenpeace last week, confirming that much still needs to be done
to improve the way pesticides are used...
Dutch supermarket Laurus has reported a 3.6 per cent drop in
like-for-like sales for the first quarter, but insists the company
is set for recovery this year.
Britain's largest retailer has once again beaten analyst
expectations, hitting a new sales record of £41.8bn. But as it
unveils plans for greener technologies, environmental campaigners
fail to back the strategy.
Solbar's selection of Danetto Food as its distribution partner for
soy proteins in Finland is the latest initiative designed to
strengthen the firm's position in the European soy protein sector.
Swiss food giant Nestlé has announced a first-quarter sales rise of
14.1 per cent to CHF22.8bn (€14.5bn), beating analyst expectations
and reconfirming its full-year target of a five to six per cent
growth rate.
When a company 'gives back' to the world through charitable
donations, should we wholeheartedly commend it for being a good egg
or sniff cynically at the profit potential that underlies every
business decision?
A new study has revealed how molecular mechanisms and taste
perception can be combined to make sucrose more effective, which
means that products could contain less sugar but taste just as
sweet.
Sugar giant Sudzucker must work hard to guard against falling
revenue this year despite internal restructuring programmes and
expansion into other food sectors, warn analysts.
The EU trade commissioner has today attacked the US as the 'biggest
single block' to the successful completion of the Doha round of
trade negotiations, casting doubts that a successful conclusion can
ever be achieved.
