Archives for July 14, 2004

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Green drops M&S bid

When Stuart Rose, the new chief executive of Marks & Spencer, unveiled his plan for turning the company round this week, the question on most people's lips was whether it would be enough to stave off a possible bid from his arch rival Philip Green....

Scientists defend popular bulk sweetener

Welcomed by sweetener suppliers, scientists at the world's biggest food ingredients exhibition claim this week that there is no credible evidence to 'single out' the common sweetener high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as a unique contributor to obesity.

Tesco clinches China deal

Britain's biggest retail group Tesco has finally made its first entry into the massive Chinese market, finally sealing an on-off deal with local group Ting Hsin. The UK's leading retailer now joins Europe's biggest (Carrefour) and the world's biggest...

Cheaper sugar ingredients on the way?

Long-awaited changes to Europe's heavily subsidised sugar regime are on the way after the European Commission tabled a new set of rules that could lead to cheaper sugar ingredients, writes Lindsey Partos.

Impact of plant sterols on nutrient take-up

Scientists at Nestlé's research centre have demonstrated that plant sterols, added to foods to reduce cholesterol absorption, also reduce the body's ability to absorb the carotenoid beta-carotene and vitamin E. But this secondary effect is greater...

More acres for GM food crops

Ministers in the EU recently blocked a move by biotech giant Monsanto to launch a GM corn onto the market but finding a favourable response in less cynical countries the firm said yesterday that Argentina had given the green light.

Food makers to turn to broccoli ingredients?

Opening up new opportunities for functional foods, a powerful cancer-fighting food compound found in broccoli could also boost the eyes, find researchers in the US. The naturally-occurring antioxidant sulforaphane protects the retina from damage -...

Broccoli compound may protect against AMD

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have produced evidence that may help support a new entrant to the eye health market - sulphoraphane, an indirect antioxidant found in broccoli and broccoli sprouts.

Supreme Plastics invests in gearless packaging technology

Demand for ever-more sophisticated process printing, and the flexibility to handle a multitude of short-run jobs quickly has led to the installation of a new Bielloni 10-colour flexographic printing press at UK packaging firm Supreme Plastics.

Alcohol policy: Sweden censored, France exonerated

The alcohol policies of two EU Member States have been the focus of differing judgements this week. Both France and Sweden claim that their policies are designed to protect public health - but this, it seems, is only acceptable when it does not...