Tax food makers' caloric sweetener use to reduce consumption, study suggests

06-Dec-2011 - Taxing food manufacturers on caloric sweeteners added to foods would be more effective for reducing their consumption than taxing finished sugary foods and drinks, according to new research published in Contemporary Economic Policy.

Cargill to cut 2,000 jobs from global workforce

05-Dec-2011 - Cargill has said it will cut 2,000 employees from its global workforce over the next six months, citing a continued weak economy.

Special Edition: Dealing with higher commodity costs

Weighing up alternatives: Innovative ingredients for lower formulation costs

29-Nov-2011 - The price of many commodities has risen sharply in recent months – but there are numerous formulation alternatives, and companies increasingly are considering creative ways to cut costs.

P&G reaffirms commitment to Pringles sale after Diamond shares slump

28-Nov-2011 - Procter & Gamble has reaffirmed its commitment to complete the sale of global snack brand Pringles to Diamond Foods by June 2012, despite a sharp fall in Diamond’s share price last week.

Special edition: Dealing with higher commodity costs

‘Inflationary pressures have reached their worst’: USDA economist

28-Nov-2011 - “I think it’s safe to say that inflationary pressures have reached their worst,” claims research economist Ricky Volpi of the USDA’s Economic Research Service, in an interview with FoodNavigator-USA.

CHS to acquire Israeli soy protein company Solbar for $133m

25-Nov-2011 - The United States’ biggest farmer-owned cooperative CHS Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire soy protein company Solbar for $133m, sending share prices in the Israeli company soaring.

GLG denies allegations, shares fall to new low

25-Nov-2011 - Stevia supplier GLG Life Tech has denied that it failed to disclose certain information required under federal securities laws, after a New York-based national law firm announced it was investigating the company’s statements to shareholders.

Super committee failure puts food safety and Farm Bill funding at risk

23-Nov-2011 - The congressional super committee charged with developing a strategy for deficit reduction has failed to reach an agreement, threatening FDA funding to implement food safety laws, and funding for the 2012 Farm Bill after next year.

Special edition: Dealing with higher commodity costs

Hedging your bets: What will cost inflation look like in 2012?

23-Nov-2011 - Raise prices to offset cost inflation, and you can expect to take a volume hit. But if all your rivals are ratcheting up prices too, at least you’re all in the same boat, right?

Campbell Soup beats estimate, but profit falls

22-Nov-2011 - Campbell Soup Company has reported a 5% drop in net earnings in the first quarter as soup demand continues to fall in the United States, although the company is beginning to see the first fruits of a turnaround program.

Special edition: Dealing with higher commodity costs

Weathering the commodity price storm: Winners and losers

22-Nov-2011 - “I’m not sure I can give you a prediction on 2012 that will really mean anything”, responded Coca-Cola’s chief financial officer Gary Fayard when asked by an analyst for some ‘color’ on the 2012 outlook for commodity prices last month.

Special edition: Dealing with higher commodity costs

Flavor firms take on the ultimate reformulation challenge: Lower cost, same taste

21-Nov-2011 - In the midst of volatile commodity costs, it’s not just big grain prices that have put manufacturers under pressure: Sugar, nuts, black pepper, mint and cocoa are also among top concerns – and flavor firms are providing cost-cutting strategies.

Keep it simple to attract ‘downturn consumers’, says SymphonyIRI

17-Nov-2011 - US consumers are still pessimistic even though the recession officially ended two years ago – but there are opportunities for manufacturers to appeal to ‘downturn consumers’, according to a new report from SymphonyIRI.

PepsiCo shares soar following $150m Peltz investment – and rumors of a potential split

16-Nov-2011 - Shares in PepsiCo have been climbing after influential investor Nelson Peltz revealed on Tuesday that his hedge fund Trian Management had bought 2.36m shares in the company, worth $150m or about 0.15% of its total value.

Food Stamp program participation slows - but continues to grow

15-Nov-2011 - Last year, 44 million Americans took part in the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – formerly the Food Stamp program – according to a new report from the Carsey Institute.

High corn costs continue to hit MGPI

10-Nov-2011 - MGP Ingredients has reported a net loss of $5.5m in the first quarter, which the company said was a result of some of the same factors that hit the company in the previous quarter, including high corn costs.

SunOpta profits hit by commodity costs, despite 25% sales increase

09-Nov-2011 - Canadian natural and organics group SunOpta has reported a 25% increase in sales compared to Q3 last year but lower profits, citing higher commodity costs, which hit its sunflower business in particular.

Sara Lee completes American Fresh Bakery sale

09-Nov-2011 - Sara Lee has completed the sale of its American Fresh Bakery business to Mexican firm Grupo Bimbo for $709m.

IFF profits slip on higher raw material costs

08-Nov-2011 - International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) has reported a 6% increase in quarterly revenue, although higher pricing did not keep up with double-digit growth in raw material costs, the company said.

Treatt: No relief ahead on surging lime oil prices

08-Nov-2011 - Low stocks and high demand are continuing to drive up the price of lime oil, according to one leading flavor and fragrance oils supplier.

Investing in the Greek yogurt boom: Agro Farma to open second Chobani yogurt facility

07-Nov-2011 - New York-based Agro Farma has said it intends to open a $100m Greek yogurt manufacturing facility for its Chobani yogurt, in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Kraft says strong Q3 due to ‘powerful combination’ of new products and higher prices

03-Nov-2011 - Kraft Foods has reported a 22% rise in net profits for the third quarter, citing higher prices, which offset increased commodity costs, and a spate of successful product introductions.

Senomyx narrows loss in Q3, receives GRAS for new savory flavors

28-Oct-2011 - San Diego-based flavor firm Senomyx has reported increased revenues and narrowed loss in the third quarter – and also announced it has received GRAS status for two new savory flavor enhancers.

Food price inflation rises again: USDA

27-Oct-2011 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has raised its forecast for food price inflation in 2011, citing the influence of higher food commodity and energy prices, and stronger global food demand.