Archives for February 24, 2004

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Competition, coolers drive east European water sales

Eastern Europe's thirst for bottled water shows no signs of being quenched, with all of the 15 biggest countries in the region showing volume growth over the five years, according to a new report from beverage industry analysts Zenith International.

Finding solutions to 'globesity'

The pressing problem of obesity in children has to be tackled rapidly and efficiently to avert the heavy price society might pay as incidences of obesity linked diabetes and heart disease surge. New research from Australia confirms the common sense...

Specialist retailer turns to the mainstream

The dominance of the multiple retailers in the UK has had a devastating effect on the specialist retail sector there, with the massive buying power of the major chains allowing them to undercut independent operators at the same time as offering a...

ISP buys up stabilisers in UK

Movement in the global hydrocolloids industry continues this week with ISP Food Specialities, the UK arm of US private company International Specialty Products (ISP), announcing it will buy the UK stabiliser firm Red Carnation Gums (RCG).

EU to plough on with farm reform

Sugar, biotechnology, farm reform and failed WTO talks were on the agenda this week as the EU's farm minister Franz Fischler staked out Europe's position to the US.

Can we really limit gene flow?

If one day in the near future Europe does decide to clear the way for the planting of GM crops in the soil of the EU25, there is one point on which the Commission and national governments must be in full possession of the facts, and that is...

Sweet is the 'whey' to go in eastern Europe

Countdown to the integration of 10 new member states in Europe this April begins under the aegis of the Irish presidency. For manufacturers, a clear understanding of the marketplace in these countries will be vital to pitching the right message,...

New fears over GM contamination

A new study from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) suggests that genetically engineered DNA is contaminating traditional seeds of three major crops in North America. The organisation warns that if left unchecked, seed contamination could disrupt...

EC gains animal observer status

The European Commission obtained official observer status within the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) this week at the first-ever global conference on animal welfare. The event brought together the 166 member countries of the OIE and various...

Axfood tightens discount focus

Axfood, the Swedish retail group, has completed the remodelling of 35 Matex discount stores, rebranding them under its own Willys banner. The move is part of a wider strategy of focusing on a handful of brands for different store formats in a bid to...

Central Europe: hypermarkets poised for rapid growth

Hypermarkets and discount stores are likely to increase their share of the grocery retail market in central and eastern Europe in the years following European Union accession, according to a recent study of shopping habits in the region.