Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - North America EU edition

Bakery industry cashes in on wholegrain trend

02-Sep-2005 - With wholegrains fast becoming the new health trend, food and ingredients companies are tripping over each other to launch new products and marketing strategies in order to cash in on the craze while interest is high.

Decline in US seasonal chocolate sales

02-Sep-2005 - Seasonal chocolate sales in the US are forecast to reach $3.3bn (€2.6bn) in 2005, marking a substantial decline over the past five years, according to a new report published by Research and Markets.

Food crop prices to benefit from Hurricane Katrina?

31-Aug-2005 - As Hurricane Katrina hammers the US state of Louisiana damaging corn and soybean crops in its wake and creating bullish trading in the energy markets, the storm could actually benefit food crops located further north, affecting global prices.

Allied Starch strengthens position in tortilla market

31-Aug-2005 - Allied Starch & Chemical (ASC) has acquired Californian-based firm Ingredients Unlimited as part of its plan to capitalize on the lucrative North American tortilla market.

Weekly comment

Water wastage syndrome

29-Aug-2005 - Praise where praise is due. And it is certainly due for one small-time drinks firm in southern Britain, which is spear-heading answers to global water shortages that threaten to wreak havoc on food producers everywhere.

Prices stable on stronger yields for confectionery nut ingredient, pistachios

29-Aug-2005 - As prices for hazelnuts, two-thirds of which are sourced from Turkey, slowly start to recover following global shortages, pistachio production also shows signs of improvement following last year's frosts.

New study targets 'junk' food adverts

29-Aug-2005 - Three quarters of television food advertising aimed at children promotesproducts with nutritionally-deficient and high calorie ingredients,according to a survey by US researchers.

Nestlé, ADM and Cargill go to court over cocoa child labour

26-Aug-2005 - Leading cocoa suppliers Nestle, Archer Daniels Midland, and Cargill are being sued by a US labour rights firm over accusations of forced child labour.

Almond prices boost US exports

26-Aug-2005 - Agricultural exports are forecast at $63.5 billion for 2006, up $1.5 billion from the revised 2005 estimate, says new report from US department of agriculture.

Hazelnut prices to stabilise in forthcoming months?

25-Aug-2005 - Hazelnut prices remain at all time highs but the imminent crop from key producer Turkey could offer some stability to snack makers and confectioners impacted by the record highs.

Wrigley expands US capacity after acquisitions from Kraft

25-Aug-2005 - Wrigley will be expanding its Chattanooga factory to accommodate the production of Altoid mints, which will be transferred to the US from Wales, the leading confectionery company announced on Monday.

Tate & Lyle spears low-fat yogurts

24-Aug-2005 - A new ingredients substitute system could help yoghurt makers meet thedemand for low-fat products.

Ingredients unit contributes to strong year profits for Cargill

24-Aug-2005 - Core business segments, including food ingredients, contribute to an 18 per cent leap in quarterly profit for expanding, and ambitious, US firm Cargill.

Chr Hansen taps into soaring organic ingredients market

24-Aug-2005 - Tapping into lucrative opportunities for the growing organic processed food market, Danish ingredients firm Chr Hansen rolls out a package of flavours, colours and dairy cultures for organic processors.

Kellogg puts its weight behind fiber

24-Aug-2005 - Leading cereal maker Kellogg on Monday launched a new initiative in the US to promote its fibre-rich cereal products. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of dietary fibre in order to encourage Americans to increase their fibre consumption.

Frozen food fall impacts Heinz results

24-Aug-2005 - Heinz is the latest company reporting continuing sales weakness in western Europe, with the US multinational's first quarter results in the region damaged by falling demand for its frozen and seafood products.

California tuna wars could affect public health, says FDA

22-Aug-2005 - Two months before it goes to trial, the FDA has told California attorney general Bill Lockyer that his lawsuit against the canned tuna industry over mercury warnings could cause consumers to eat less fish and miss out on the health benefits.

Latest figures reveal wholegrain surge

22-Aug-2005 - US sales of wholegrain cookies have skyrocketed 1,364 per cent in the past year, marking them as the nation's fastest growing wholegrain bakery product, according to market researcher AC Nielsen.

Mega-trends: convenience food and health to double in ten years

19-Aug-2005 - Ten mega trends stretching from age to individualism will determine the success and shape of any new products to hit the market in the near future, claims market analysts Datamonitor.

Consumers fueling billion-dollar gourmet sector

19-Aug-2005 - American adults who consider themselves "gourmet consumers" are fueling a $41.2 billion industry, according to a new report.

Kraft dropped in dairy lawsuit

19-Aug-2005 - Against a backdrop of conflicting claims, a controversial pressure group has dropped Kraft from a lawsuit over misleading advertising after the firm agreed to update its consumer information.

Imperial Sugar sells subsidiary to manage losses

19-Aug-2005 - US sugar processor Imperial Sugar will sell subsidiary Holly Sugar Corp. as low margins coupled with high energy costs have put pressure on the company.

Cognis keeps up the growth spurt in nutrition

17-Aug-2005 - Cognis' focus on nutrition and health, and the on-going boom in sterols and sterol esters, helps the business unit to retain its position as one of the group's strongest for the first half of 2005.

Weekly comment

In food makers we trust?

16-Aug-2005 - In among the hollers about obesity and the concerns over nutrition, food companies now need to work hard to ensure they clinch public trust, as a matter of insurance. This means more than compliance on traceability and labeling. This means being seen as a force for good.