Higher raw material and energy costs, matched against a weak US
currency, sent sales for Swiss fine chemicals producer down 3.7 per
cent with operating profit plunging by 16.5 per cent.
Innovation continues to drive new product development. Recent
highlights from Mintel’s GNPD (Global New Products Database) reveal
a pint of ale ice-cream, rice-based FABs and bubble-gum tea.
Environmental campaigners yesterday condemned the European
Commission's recommendation on co-existence between genetically
modified (GM) and non-GM crops, claiming it 'could lead to the
death of organic food and farming.'
Agribusiness giant ADM will dissolve a joint venture with US corn
sweetener company after the two companies stuck an agreement under
the auspices of a federal judge, reports the Washington
Post.
US food manufacturers this week spoke out against new European
rules on the labelling and traceability of GMOs, describing the
legislation as "a brick wall blocking international trade".
The Agriculture Council yesterday decided on new official controls
to ensure the hygiene of food of animal origin destined for human
consumption within the European Union.
Funds topping €17,5 billion will be poured into food-related
research as the European Commission announces first slice of
investment in the first year of the EU 6th Research Framework
Programme (FP6).
Lock Inspection Systems is to preview its Compact Vertical Fall
metal detector for the first time at the forthcoming PPMA, to be
held in the NEC, Birmingham, UK this September.
Sainsbury has been investing heavily in revamping its business for
the last two years, but its latest quarterly results show that
there is still an immense task ahead of the UK's number two
supermarket group. So much so that...
The retail price war currently being waged by the major Swiss
retail groups has hit sales at the convenience store operations
owned by the Bon appétit group.
Sales of non-dairy drinks are rising at a rapid rate in Scandinavia
on the back of marketing efforts of retailers and new product
launches, reports market analyst Organic Monitor. Future innovation
- shying away from organic -...
Welsh lamb has joined Cornish clotted cream, West Country farmhousecheddar cheese and stilton cheese on the list of 34 UK productsrecognised by the EU for their quality and regional identity.
French acacia gum supplier Colloïdes Naturels International (CNI)
continues to drive its quality management spirit with the news this
week that it is now certified ISO 9001 (Version 2000).
The two franchise operators for the Carrefour retail group had
differing performances in the first half. Guyenne & Gascogne
showed solid growth during the six months, while Hyparlo's sales
suffered as a result of the disposal...
A network of scientists in Europe, co-ordinated by NIZO food
research, are developing a design tool to clarify the relationship
between the configuration of the drying installation, process
conditions, product composition and final...
The US Food and Drug Administration has teamed up with the
Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) to conduct an in-depth review
of preventive measures that food processors should be taking.
Scientists across the globe continue their mission to map the
genomic sequence of crop varieties. A team in the US could now have
the solution to a rogue fungus that is the enemy of beer brewers.
A rising tide of imports of pig meat is coming into the UK but much of it which claims to be produced to UK specifications is not, according to the British Pig Executive (BPEX).
Levels of dioxins and dioxin-like environmental pollutants PCBs in
food have fallen by around 50 per cent in the UK over three years,
according to a recent study from food safety agency, the Food
Standards Agency (FSA).
Eating in between mealtimes is fundamentally ingrained in
Europeans' eating habits, claims a new report that encourages
manufacturers to concentrate on healthy snacks and meal-snack
'hybrids' to meet the needs of this...
Engineers at the Russian company Izobretatel in Moscow have
designed and patented a new device for rapid and cost-effective
analysis of the consistency of various food- and non-foodstuffs for
future standardised replication.
The Russian starch market could be on the road to recovery after
dipping sharply in the 1990s. When at its peak, up to 180,000 tons
of starch were manufactured in the USSR, while today maize and
potato starches combined make up about...
Kemin Foods has earned expanded GRAS status for increased amounts
of its lutein in the current GRAS food categories and for use as an
ingredient in new foods such as bottled water, chewing gum and
salad dressings.
Unilever is to target the chilled dairy and ready meals markets in
a number of European countries from September as it pushes
aggressively into sectors with significant growth potential.
Newly-formed food agency, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand
(FSANZ), is inviting public comment on a gamut of possible changes
to the Food Standards Code, including infant foods labelling,
artificial sweeteners and GM soybeans.
Russia, Slovakia and Hungary are just three of the markets tipped
for major international retail expansion this year by consultancy
firm AT Kearney. But previous favourites such as China and Mexico
should be avoided because of increasing...
Sensient Technologies Corporation, US manufacturer of colours,
flavours and fragrances, reports boost in second quarter revenue,
up 9.3 per cent for same period last year.
Revenue reached $261.9 million (€233.6m) in the second quarter...
Researchers have identified a flavour enhancer that could be used
to reduce salt, sugar and monosodium glutamate levels in our foods.
The new compound is said to be the first to be found possessing
salty, sweet and savoury flavour...
A Eureka-funded project claims it has the answer to future tighter
regulations on the presence of chemicals in foodstuffs in the form
of a commercial analytical software called MUSAC.
The proposed EU Regulation on Health Claims will damage European
business and restrict consumer choice, according to a number of
leading food industry bodies.
The popularity of new food concepts and volume growth in sports
nutrition means vitamins supplements continue to enjoy good growth
in most markets, despite a drop in price levels, according to a new
global report.
New European regulations on health claims approved today in
Brussels have been criticised by the UK food industry for
restricting consumer choice and burdening the industry with yet
more red tape.
Two European industry associations have named Archer Daniels
Midland subsidiary ADM Cocoa's De Zaan cocoa liquor as the standard
in joint research on chocolate production.
Marks & Spencer has reported food sales growth ahead of the
market for the first quarter of the year, boosted by excellent
like-for-like sales growth, the late Easter period and the roll-out
of its new Simply Food outlets.
Europe has introduced additional measures to prevent Brazil nuts
contaminated with unnacceptable levels of aflatoxins - a potential
carcinogen - from entering the union.
The annual meeting of food technologists kicked off in Chicago at
the weekend, and with it the opportunity for debate. 'Customised
nutrition' came under the spotlight at a symposium on Sunday.
While currency translation continued to reduce sales growth at
Carrefour in the second quarter, the company posted its first
quarterly sales increase in six quarters last week. A sign that the
worst is now over for the group's...
Cargill and Riceland Foods have announced their intention to link
up to manufacture, market and sell lecithin products to food,
pharmaceutical, and technical customers.
Spar, the German retail group, dropped deeper into the red last
year after restructuring costs of €272 million. But a positive
performance from the Netto discount chain gave some cause for
optimism to Spar's French owner, Intermarché.
As the UN's Codex Alimentarius Commission announces an agreement on
international guidelines for food trade and production, farmers and
commodity traders in southern Indian state of Kerala know that good
standards mean better...
A poor performance in the domestic market was offset by good volume
growth in export markets for the Swiss food industry last year. But
with cheap imports taking market share at home, and the strength of
the franc impacting value...
Consumer health concerns are driving them towards guilt-free
versions of 'naughty-but-nice' bakery and confectionery products.
Ingredients manufacturers respond - starch manufacturer explains
development of whole egg replacer.
