Business

01-Feb-2008 - Frutatom has announced new investment in its US flavor operations, this time radically expanding its New Jersey facility to house new R&D capabilities.

Agropur heightens presence in competitive US cheese market

01-Feb-2008 - Canadian dairy cooperative Agropur has set its sights south of the border with its acquisition of Trega Foods to enable company growth, impossible in Canada where competition is stifled.

Safflower rennet investigated for Argentine cheese

31-Jan-2008 - SemBioSys Genetics has signed an option agreement over the use of its safflower-derived protein in place of rennet in cheeses in Argentina.

Flavor trends go local, ethnic and healthy

31-Jan-2008 - Trends are set to combine in 2008, with Americanized ethnic flavors and healthy but indulgent products steering the market, while locally, ethically sourced food will continue to grow in popularity, says a new report.

Canadian group wants nutritional pulses on the menu

31-Jan-2008 - The nutritional benefits of dry beans, chickpeas, lentils and dry peas and how they can be added to foods as a health-boost took center stage at a meeting in Canada today.

Strong sales for IFF in Asia, Europe and Latin America

30-Jan-2008 - International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) has posted a strong sales performance across Asia, Latin America and Europe for its flavors division.

Raw material price hikes hit Kraft and Kellogg profits

30-Jan-2008 - Financial results released by food giants Kraft and Kellogg disclose a drop in earnings on the back of mounting costs for raw ingredients.

Saputo seizes consolidation openings in cheese market

29-Jan-2008 - Dairy processor Saputo intends to acquire the activities of Wisconsin-based Alto Dairy Cooperative, saying it hopes to increase its presence in the fragmented US cheese market.

Futureceuticals offers higher concentration beta-glucan

29-Jan-2008 - Momence, Illinois-based FutureCeuticals has announced the expansion of its heart healthy grain-based fiber range to include a new high concentration beta-glucan fiber.

Hershey raises prices three per cent

29-Jan-2008 - Confectionery firm Hershey today announced an average wholesale price increase of three per cent across the US, as the company moves to improve on the disastrous profit loss posted last week for the fourth quarter.

Weekly comment

Probiotics, friend or foe?

28-Jan-2008 - The headlines are sensationalist: twenty-four people have died in a probiotic trial. Therefore, probiotics may be fatal. Throw those yoghurt shots away!

CoQ10 market set to soar, predicts supplier ZMC

28-Jan-2008 - A surge in demand for the antioxidant CoQ10 has prompted ingredient supplier ZMC to predict double-digit growth in the market this year.

Chiquita banana prices still on the up

28-Jan-2008 - Banana prices in all markets continue to rise for Chiquita as the company attempts to counter increasing industry costs.

ASA warns GM ban retaliation

28-Jan-2008 - The American Soybean Association has warned there could be "massive retaliation" on Europe if the bloc does not speed up a system for approving GM crops.

Dannon stands up to 'fraud' probiotic claims

25-Jan-2008 - Dannon has said that it "categorically refutes" allegations of fraudulent claims made on its probiotic yogurts.

Symrise steps up distribution in Canada

25-Jan-2008 - Flavors firm Symrise has picked a distributor partner in Canada to help it achieve "continued growth" in the country.

Hershey profits continue to tumble

25-Jan-2008 - US-based Hershey yesterday posted a Q4 operating profit drop of 65 per cent, as high commodity costs, restructuring charges and competitive US market conditions continue to dog the confectionery giant.

Stabilized wheat bran could hold ingredient potential, NutraCea

25-Jan-2008 - NutraCea has filed for provisional patent protection for its technology to stabilize wheat bran, which the company says can make it a commercially viable ingredient for use in foods.

Innovation needed for cereal bar growth, analysts warn

24-Jan-2008 - The US cereal bar market will experience relatively slow growth of 17 per cent between 2007 and 2012, emphasising the need for manufacturers to concentrate on innovations for niche markets, according to a new Mintel report.

Bell offers butter flavor alternative to diacetyl

24-Jan-2008 - Bell Flavors and Fragrances has responded to concerns over the use of diacetyl in popcorn by developing butter flavors that are free from the additive.

Dannon heads to courts over 'fraud' probiotic claims

24-Jan-2008 - The US arm of Danone could be forced to make a multi-million dollar refund to its customers over allegations that it has used fraudulent health claims to sell some of its Activia and DanActive branded yoghurts.

Guide to help industry shelve artificial colors

23-Jan-2008 - Color firm DD Williamson has launched a guide for food and beverage processors to help them replace color additives with natural alternatives.

FoodNavigator-USA.com seeks freelance reporters

23-Jan-2008 - FoodNavigator-USA.com is looking for freelance reporters who have experience of covering the US food and beverage industry, or the commodities markets.

DuPont earnings down year-on-year

22-Jan-2008 - DuPont's fourth quarter earnings per share slipped from 94 cents to 60 cents, despite reporting sales of $7bn.

California targets Cuba in trade mission

22-Jan-2008 - California, America's top food producing state, has sent its first official agricultural trade delegation to Cuba to create future food sales opportunities.