The decision by Unilever to slash the salt content of its
ubiquitous Pot Noodle snack underlines the current trend in the UK
- but is this trend based on sound science or just political
pressure?
Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at St
George's University of London, tells FoodNavigator why the salt
content of food must be reduced.
Soft drinks firm Britvic has issued a profit warning following a 32
per cent drop in first-half profit, as demand for sugary carbonates
declines sharply.
Until recently China was the favourite destination for foreign
retailers, but the country has slipped to fifth place as market
saturation has made trading more difficult. Meanwhile the stakes
have been raised in Vietnam thanks to...
Leading fast food chain McDonalds has announced the launch of a
super-sized Big Mac burger for the World Cup event, amid a flurry
of opposition from food experts and MPs.
Three ex-Ahold bosses have received suspended sentences and
€670,000 worth of fines from a Dutch court this week, in Europe's
largest ever executive fraud case.
Guilty or not guilty? The fate of four former Royal Ahold bosses
hangs in the balance today, as a Dutch court must deliver the
verdict on 2003's largest retail fraud case.
American behemoth Wal-Mart has become the second foreign retailer
to exit the difficult South Korean retail market this month,
selling its chain to local rival Shinsegae.
ABF's offer to acquire 51 per cent of Illovo, Africa's largest
sugar producer, underlines how the new EU sugar regime has forced
European sugar producers to think truly globally.
Argentina's government joins a group of meat producers in Denmark
in a court battle against Monsanto over genetically modified soy,
one that has led to imported supplies being held up at the EU's
ports.
A new report by Mintel reveals that the canned meat and beans
market in the UK has gathered momentum in recent years, something
that could present an opportunity as food firms spice up these
traditional favourites.
Tesco and Wal-Mart are the undisputed champions of the
international grocery market, but little-known fringe grocers may
rise to eat into their margins over the next decade, says a new
report.
Measures to prevent avian influenza in poultry flocks could be
compromised by lax management, poor international coordination, and
a lack of funds, according to researchers.
CSM is to invest almost €20m to expand production capacity for its
American style bakery products, as the company continues its
restructuring process after a disappointing 2005.
Britain's number three supermarket Sainsbury's announced a 12 per
cent rise in year-end profit, as the company ploughs funds into
competitive prices and new store openings to boost sales.
Scientific experts from European Union member states yesterday met
with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to discuss ways to
strengthen scientific co-operation in the risk assessment of GMOs.
Disgraced Italian dairy giant Parmalat, still suffering from 2003's
fraud revelations, has posted a jump in first-quarter income -
thanks to CEO Enrico Bondi's recuperation strategy.
Troubled catering firm Compass Group today announced a five per
cent drop in first-half operating profit, amid allegations the
company bribed UN officials for war contracts.
Healthy eating is no longer motivated simply by self-interest.
Family welfare has become the overriding concern, and children have
become the real driving force behind the health trend.
Belgian supermarket Delhaize has announced a 9.1 per cent rise in
first-quarter domestic sales and strong growth in Greece, following
a tough 2005 on the European retail scene.
Britain's fifth largest supermarket chain Somerfield today
announced a new advertising campaign with the slogan "giving you
what you want", but has taken the unfashionable step of sidelining
ethical practices.
Food firms must carefully target their health food products to
specific sectors of the population if they are to succeed,
delegates at this week's Vitafoods event learned.
Leading flavours house Givaudan says a new facility in Shanghai,
claimed to be the world's largest flavours plant, will allow it to
capture rising demand for quality and innovative flavours in the
Chinese food and beverage market.
Following concerns that food and drink R&D investment across
Europe has hit a low ebb, Irish meat manufacturer Dawn Farm Foods
has pledged to spend 28m on research.
Yesterday American-owned Sara Lee reported a massive 77 per cent
drop in third quarter operating profit from $189m last year to $42m
in 2006, impacted by a vast portfolio cull.
The UK's second largest retailer is today facing the possibility of
mass strikes at leading depots, after failing to honour agreements
with the GMB workers union to improve employee conditions.
The frozen desserts industry saw further European consolidation as
an equity firm swooped in to take Richmond Foods, Britain's largest
ice cream manufacturer.
US food and consumer goods producer Sara Lee announced Friday it
has entered discussions with Smithfield to sell its European meats
arm, following a drop in the division's anticipated selling price.
A Euro-Mediterranean network for the protection, promotion and
territorial development of Mediterranean artisan cheeses is
bringing together diverse regions of Spain, Italy and France.
Following nearly four years of pressure, Britain's Office of Fair
Trading (OFT) has finally agreed to refer the grocery sector to the
Competition Commission (CC) for an in-depth enquiry.
The European Commission has cleared Carrefour's outright purchase
of rival French chain Hyparlo, following an investigation into the
supermarket's anti-competitive behaviour.
In the overcrowded spirits industry, the future success of leading
players rests on their ability to free up finances for
acquisitions, says new report.
As the American retail sector struggles to compete with Wal-Mart's
discount strategy, Marsh has become the latest in a string of
supermarkets to sell out to a private equity firm.
