Leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) firms active in dairy have been particularly successful in increasing margins since 2006, despite rising commodity costs and a hostile economic environment, according to a new report from Rabobank.
From nature to the laboratory to supermarket shelves, FoodNavigator-USA takes a journey behind the scenes of flavor development. IFF flavorist Rich Dandrea tells us about his 20-year career in the industry.
Most people consider fresh fruit and raw vegetables healthy snack choices, according to a recent survey from market research organization Mintel, but a surprising number think cookies and ice cream are also healthy snacks.
While single-cup coffee made using pods is still a popular choice among devotees of the drink in the developed world, recent Mintel research suggests that cost may be a barrier to further uptake of the technology.
Agriculture and biotechnology giant Monsanto has announced it will scrap plans to sell genetically modified maize in France this year, or anytime in the future.
Tate & Lyle has extended its native starch portfolio to include GMO-free extra dry starches with low moisture content to aid dry mix producers in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
The role of on-pack health claims, images, information on how food is processed, health logos and nutritional labelling on the perceived healthiness of a food product has never been systematically evaluated but a new project, if funding is secured, could...
Premier Foods CEO Michael Clarke says he is pursuing a strategy of 'category blur' to revive the company’s disappointing trading performance, as he announces new marketing ammunition for the bakery and snack ‘power brands’ central to the approach.
Criminality, the global supply chain and the unpredictable nature of food adulteration for financial gain mean it can pose a greater public health risk than traditional safety threats such as pathogen contamination, according to new research.
Food manufacturers have backed the government’s new plan to boost UK food and drink exports to emerging markets such as India and China, which aims to help towards the drive for 20% industry growth by 2020.
The involvement of the private sector in child nutrition has proved contentious at a recent meeting of the World Health Organisation’s executive board (EB).
The overall global market for organic food and drink is in good shape but dairy sales in the sector fell during the recession, due to high 2008 milk prices in particular, according to Euromonitor International.
Tight supply and high prices in guar gum are set to continue until at least the end of 2012, and probably beyond, claims a leading hydrocolloid industry analyst.
SIG Combibloc says the runaway Chinese success of its drinksplus technology is ‘going global’, with top food firms impressed by its premium beverage applications.
An all-natural, clean label brine system has been developed through a collaborative project with three major UK and Irish ingredients companies to offer an improved solution to phosphate replacements in poultry applications.
International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) has set up a scientific advisory board, with the aim of broadening its scientific knowledge and accelerating innovation at the firm.
A UK expert claims that a suggested 10% tax on sugar-sweetened soft drinks in the UK would be an ineffective means of tackling a rising obesity epidemic, but that an industry-led end to ‘pricing parity’ between sugared and sugar-free soft drinks could...
Big beer brands face something of a double bind in trying to stem the tide of declining UK beer sales and entice new consumers to the category, in a market where simply taking over small, successful craft brands risks diluting their appeal, according...
Ingredients and chemicals giant BASF has announced it will pull the plug on its European operations in genetically modified plant development due to a lack of acceptance in the market.
Industrial bread sales in Sweden, Denmark and Finland will decline in the next five years as a result of a low-carb trend and changing consumer habits, according to an analyst from Euromonitor.
An extension of its FroZen Viniflora range of malolactic starter cultures range for smaller scale red wine makers is set to revolutionise production through the faster rate of fermentation, claims Denmark based Chr. Hansen.
Bakery manufacturers can capitalise on an emerging Scandinavian dietary trend with new low-carb offerings, according to an analyst from Euromonitor International.
The value of Irish food and drink exports has increased by €1 billion, representing a 12% surge in 2011 and driving the country’s overall export revenue, according to Irish food board.
DuPont confirmed it has reached a settlement with an Italian company after launching legal action to protect a patented refrigerant product used in commercial applications.
The global food preservative market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% in the next five years, according to a new report from Markets and Markets.
There is currently an oversupply of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) in Malaysia due to a lack of demand from industry players, according to leading politician in that country.
Wheat prices in 2012 are likely to be volatile and will be dictated by the global maize market and weather conditions, according to an analyst at the UK’s Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
Industry must embrace and provide for mobile technologies, as ‘smart barcodes’ look set to replace the confusing mass of eco labels currently found on food products, says Organic Monitor.
The balance of power in global food production is shifting away from national governments to multi-national firms and from western economies to emerging nations, warns a new report from SAC’s Rural Policy Centre. In the first of a two-part series, we...
World sugar prices are likely to stay high in 2012 due to external factors such as government policies, oil prices and instability in the Eurozone, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The majority of European consumers do not attain the fruit and vegetable intake levels recommended by the Wold Health Organisation, according to the European Food Information Council (EUFIC).
Current volatility in food markets is likely to continue however prices could begin to ease into 2012, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
UK-based polymer firm Revolymer has gained novel foods approval in the EU for a gum base that degrades faster than conventional bases and is seeking commercial partners to launch chewing gum products in the EU.
Comax Flavors has released its predictions for 2012 flavor combination trends under four categories: Ethnic Fusion, Pickled Paradise, Wine Whimsy and Regional Reverie.
The outlook for the European meat manufacturers and processors will be positive for most players in 2012, although significant differences exist between sectors, says Rabobank.
Is there appetite for M&A activity in 2012? Food market watchers reckon the sector could see some heavyweight deals next year despite the on-going credit lending challenges.
Swedish confectioners Cloetta and Leaf have sealed a €753m merger making it the largest confectionery company in Scandinavia, according to an analyst from Euromonitor.
Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) says it is focusing on the London 2012 Olympics to spur sales, but admits that any French soda tax could lead to retail price rises there of around 10 per cent.
Leading members of the UK food industry have announced a partnership to fund and deliver a new comprehensive report on reformulation and sodium reduction methods.
