As discussions continue at a European level on the proposed new
reform to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), farmers in the UK
are to launch a cross-industry campaign that aims to bridge the gap
between consumer and producer.
Reports in last week's Wall Street Journal linking the
troubled Ahold company US Foodservice with two of the biggest food
companies in North America have met with fierce denials from the
companies concerned - Sara Lee and ConAgra...
Why can vitamin A help immune systems to fight back when under
attack by some food-poisoning organisms but not, for example, the
common cold? Researchers in the US try to unravel the mystery.
The International Association for Food Protection has announced two
workshops to be held in conjunction with IAFP 2003, New Orleans,
Louisiana, US, 8-9 August.
Bread fortified with a variety of vitamins and omega-3 DHA has been
launched by independent UK bakers Warburtons. The loaf is designed
to help increase DHA intake among pregnant women.
More researchers with business heads are needed if Europe is to
become the most competitive knowledge-based economy by 2010, said
Dimitris Deniozos, the Greek General Secretary for Research, on 24
March.
New insights about the foundations of our health could soon be
revealed thanks to the recent completion of the genome sequence of
one of the most prevalent bacteria that live in the human intestine
- Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron.
Recent food and drink highlights from Mintel's GNPD (Global New
Products Database) include fruity cappuccino, confectionery
products packaged like hair mousse and chocolate CDs featuring
Elvis Presley songs.
Price discounting by retailers and the strength of the Swiss franc
severly reduced exports of biscuits from Switzerland to Germany, by
far the most important foreign market. The situation is no better
at home, with cheap imports reducing...
Improving food safety 'the natural way' would certainly appeal to
the increasingly health vigilant consumer. Scientists in the UK
have been looking at a variety of natural antimicrobials that could
extend food shelf-life...
In a difficult economic climate, Scotch whisky exports topped the
£2 billion mark for the 10th year in a row last year, helped by
increasing interest in malts. There were strong gains in Asian
markets such as Korea and Taiwan, which...
Swiss retailer Migros launched a 'probiotic butter' last month,
designed to promote health and offer a good taste sensation at the
same time as tapping consumer demand for healthier products.
Are recent trials in the UK on genetically modified crops a sham ?
A new analysis published by environmental group Friends of the
Earth yesterday suggests that the four year long evaluations
'will fail to provide any conclusive...
The United States and western Europe combined account for 58 per
cent of the global market of the flavour and fragrance industry,
highlights a recent article from Frost and Sullivan analyst Vivek
Tapuria. But with growth slackening,...
Dieting and over-eating - two potent issues at the heart of today's
health driven society. One slice of the population - women - is
particularly bombarded by images of the ideal weight. But exactly
how much energy do they actually...
Sainsbury's, the UK's number two food retailer, has reported
preliminary figures for the fourth quarter and full year 2002 which
show that the company's programme of restructuring over the last
few years is continuing...
Evidence keeps on mounting to suggest that fruit and vegetables are
good for our health. New research from the UK suggests that upping
the intake of vitamin C consumption could help prevent arthritis.
The United States and western Europe combined account for 58 per
cent of the global market of the flavour and fragrance industry,
highlights a recent article from Frost and Sullivan analyst Vivek
Tapuria. But with growth slackening,...
Researchers in Canada are developing a natural antibody cocktail
that they claim can help prevent the most common foodborne germs,
including E. coli and Salmonella, which cause thousands to become
ill or even die each year.
Freshly squeezed orange juice is as good for us as pasteurised
orange juice, report scientists this week, which begs the question
- is fresh orange juice worth the greater expense?
Will the launch of a new logo help UK consumers gain a clearer
understanding of the 5-a-day scheme? Well, possibly, but there is
still a long way to go before the average Briton has a clear
picture of just what constitutes a portion...
The new and emerging science and technology (NEST) programme from
the European Commission is an opportunity for the research
community to communicate what is important, said William Cannell,
head of unit for NEST in the Commission's...
Guyenne & Gascogne, the retail group which is the leading
franchise holder for Carrefour in France, has reported a solid
increase in sales for 2002 helped by store expansions and synergies
created by Carrefour's 2000 merger...
The CIAA, otherwise known as the voice of the European food and
drink industry, this week clearly expressed its support for
legislative proposals that would reform the Common Agricultural
Policy (CAP).
CUB, the Australian beer arm of Foster's, is to extend its
marketing partnership with Diageo to include the latter company's
premixed spirit brands for the first time. The deal should see the
rapid growth of the draught...
A research team which forms part of the UK Department of
Agriculture is to hold a conference to highlight its work in the
area of High Pressure Processing for food safety.
US food company Kraft Foods has put its powdered soft drink
concentrate plant in Hyderabad, India up for sale, reports the
Indian paper Financial Express.
Aquentium CEO Mark Taggatz has emphasised key strategies on how the
company's wholly owned subsidiary, Food Safe, is aiming to
alleviate current fears within the food industry - an area of
growing interest given the current political...
A specially developed scanning technology for olive producers has
helped to improve harvest quality and predictability, claims Danish
safety systems provider Foss.
US-based ADM Specialty Ingredients is restructuring its sales and
marketing organisation "to better serve customer needs for
comprehensive and innovative food ingredients".
A strong performance from its cash & carry and electronic goods
units helped German retail company Metro to a 4 per cent increase
in sales for 2002 - a good performance in light of declining
turnover in the German retail sector...
Decoupling would secure significant income gains for EU farmers,
writes the European Commission this week. The comment on the link
between production and subsidy - so called 'decoupling' - is in
response to the release of...
Dutch life science company presented its sustainable strategy
yesterday and emphasised the company's progress in the fields of
'People, Planet and Profit' through a new medium - the 'Triple P'
report.
Products are often marketed to specific segments of the population
- although the best ones tend to have a general appeal - but the
artificial segmentation of the market means that some groups are
missing out, claims Datamonitor.
UK-based Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST), through
its Public Affairs and Technical & Legislative Committees, has
authorised an Information Statement on 3-MCPD
(3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol).
German retail group Metro is run a series of ads in the German
press to promote its new image as a vibrant, international business
- part of an ongoing process of streamlining the company and
generating growth.
Dutch ingredients company CSM completes the acquisition of Carpro,
increasing its market penetration in North America. The acquisition
of Carpro - a US manufacturer of bakery supplies in the United
States - brings the H.C. Brill and...
Understanding the enterococci bacteria family - mostly found in
non-heat treated foods - formed the prime objective of a recent
European funded project. Primary objective? To investigate the
relationships between food, veterinarian...
'A landmark meeting' is how Stuart Slorach, the chairman of the
European Food Safety Agency board described the first presentation
of their newly elected executive director, Geoffrey Podger.
The UK Institute of Food Science & Technology, through its
Public Affairs and Technical & Legislative Committees, has
authorised an updated information statement on salt that replaces
that of September 1999. Read below for...
Can fruit really reduce the risk of death from cancer? According to
an extensive study in Japan, daily or almost daily fruit
consumption was associated with a significant 12 per cent reduction
in total cancer mortality.
Selling off its loss-making units over the last year has put
troubled Portuguese retailer Jeronimo Martins on the road to
recovery. But with a high debt level still in need of reduction,
the company still has a way to go before it...
How to tackle 'Generation Y', or the 'Net generation', and even
'tribal groups'? Such an array of segmentation, far from benefiting
marketers, is limiting their ability to consistently target the
youth...
Food ingredients giant Danisco invests further in Mexico, and
pectin, with the announcement this week that is to construct a DKK
40 million production plant for speciality pectin in Tecomán,
Mexico.
The BHJ Group has made and agreement with Danpo and Rose Poultry to expand cooperation regarding utilization of by-products from the Danish poultry slaughterhouses through a joint venture.
Investing in brands, even in times of recession, is the best way
for smaller food companies to ensure their survival once the
economic situation improves. But this investment need not be in
classic advertising formats, and can take...
Enzymes, wholegrains and esters are on the agenda as newly formed
food safety agency Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
continues to tackle the Food Standards Code with the
invitation this week for public comment on a number...
SureBeam - provider of electron beam and x-ray irradiation
technology - has been awarded a US patent that extends its current
two-pass patented x-ray system to a four-pass system.