Business

12-Oct-2007 - Nestle and Dannon, two of the nation's leading food companies, have declined to join a widespread industry move to limit advertising of unhealthy foods to children.

Coffee prices boost market but drive away consumers, report

11-Oct-2007 - Coffee sales in the US have seen strong growth over the past five years, although the increases are a result of higher prices rather than higher volumes, according to a report by Mintel, which reveals that the category is threatened by competition from other sectors.

ConAgra hit by another salmonella scare

11-Oct-2007 - US packaged foods giant ConAgra is being investigated by government officials after some of its frozen poultry products were found to be linked to cases of salmonella.

Bad fat awareness on the increase, says AHA survey

10-Oct-2007 - Consumer awareness of 'bad' fats is at an all-time high, but people are still lacking key information to better understand what they eat, according to a new survey by the American Heart Association (AHA).

FAO fights for the Right to Food

10-Oct-2007 - The FAO is flagging events taking place to mark World Food Day next week, with more than 150 countries organising around the theme The Right to Food.

Growing corn demand boosts Monsanto 2007 sales

10-Oct-2007 - Biotechnology firm Monsanto has reported strong sales for its fourth quarter, although the company suffered a net loss in the period due to a one-off R&D charge.

Weekly comment: Food prices

Will value-added lose out to the basics?

09-Oct-2007 - Food companies have been focussing on value-added products in a bid to reduce their reliance on commodities, which can fluctuate wildly and deliver slim margins. But now that prices of basic foods are at an all-time high, can value-added foods still compete for their share of the consumer buck?

Mastertaste introduces new ethnic flavors

09-Oct-2007 - Flavor firm Mastertaste has expanded its portfolio to include a wider range of ethnic flavors, on the back of growing consumer demand for more adventurous food and beverage products.

Organic market forecast to carve larger niche, report

09-Oct-2007 - American consumers who buy organic food regularly are still a small minority, but are growing, according to a survey conducted last month.

Special edition: Food prices

USDA forecasts happy ending to ethanol/food price battle

08-Oct-2007 - The link between growing ethanol demand and higher food prices has been overstated, according to the US Agriculture Secretary, who forecasts that supply and price pressures will even out as markets 'do their work'.

IBIE opens its doors in Florida

08-Oct-2007 - Heavyweights in the bakery industry are this week showcasing their latest innovations in Orlando, Florida, at the International Baking Industry Exposition, where millions of dollars of deals are expected to close over the next four days.

ConAgra Mills promotes Sustagrain for fiber intake

08-Oct-2007 - ConAgra Mills is promoting what is says is the first commercially available whole grain product that is high in dietary fiber and low in starch.

Consumers want 'simple' when seeking health, Mintel

05-Oct-2007 - Conflicting information on what constitutes healthy living has fueled consumer demand for simpler, more informed approaches to food choices, according to a report by Mintel.

Sugary chocolate gets good for gums go-ahead

05-Oct-2007 - A new chocolate product is the first to be endorsed by Toothfriendly International as being harmless to teeth, despite it containing sugar, the manufacturer claims.

ConAgra pledges to cut food ads to kids

05-Oct-2007 - Food giant ConAgra has joined a voluntary industry initiative to reduce its marketing to children as part of a widespread move to improve kids' nutrition and reduce the rates of obesity.

Wild expands, aims to create flavor campus

04-Oct-2007 - Wild Flavors will next week expand into new facilities opposite its current location, a move that reflects the flavor manufacturer's fast pace of growth.

Expo East witness to industry's growth

04-Oct-2007 - The success of Natural Products Expo East this year is representative of an industry that is simultaneously growing and flourishing.

Shopper marketing to increase brand competitiveness, GMA report

04-Oct-2007 - Manufacturers of food and beverage products are expected to start investing more in shopper marketing strategies, which are widely thought to increase sales and competitiveness, and build brand loyalty, according to a GMA report.

FMC raises prices for cellulose and carrageenan

03-Oct-2007 - FMC Biopolymer is the latest ingredients firm to announce further price increases, with the firm saying it continues to be unable to absorb the full impact of higher production costs.

Soup sales slow, innovation needed, says Mintel

03-Oct-2007 - Soup sales in the US have slowed over the past year, prompting Mintel to suggest that manufacturers and marketers need to rethink their level of innovation and their market strategies if they want to grow sales over the next five years.

New probiotics conference set for 2008

03-Oct-2007 - The International Probiotics Association (IPA) is holding a global conference on probiotics in 2008, thereby setting the stage for discussion on standards and regulations for the so-called friendly bacteria.

Flavor & fragrance union targets leading market position

02-Oct-2007 - A number of flavor and fragrance companies in the US have united under one umbrella to create Agilex Flavors & Fragrances Group, which aims to carve its niche as a leading player in the market.

Market shift could benefit kids' licensed foods, report

02-Oct-2007 - The market for licensed kids' foods has taken a strong blow from recent anti-obesity efforts, but after a period of re-adjustment, sales of these products should again pick up, forecasts a new report.

Weekly comment

Ripping the red tape

01-Oct-2007 - They say that patience is a virtue. But when it comes to the regulatory process on both sides of the Atlantic, patience too often results in dust gathering in the "to do" box on some regulator's desk.

Mintel highlights gaps in frozen meal market

01-Oct-2007 - Manufacturers of frozen meals in the US need to focus on new product development and penetration into currently underserved consumer groups in order to achieve growth in a tight market, says Mintel.