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.

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.

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.

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.

FMC to acquire Chilean natural color and health ingredients firm

27-Oct-2011 - FMC Corporation has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Chilean natural colors and specialty ingredients firm South Pole Biogroup, as it looks to expand its food ingredients portfolio.

Healthier foods drive healthier profits, report suggests

18-Oct-2011 - ‘Better-for-you’ foods and beverages may also be better for the bottom line, according to a new report from policy research organization the Hudson Institute.

Cargill earnings down 66% on global economic turmoil

11-Oct-2011 - Cargill has reported a ‘tough quarter’ for Q1 2012 with dramatically tighter margins, citing global economic turmoil and volatile commodity markets.

Ferrero and Hershey partnership targets supply chain efficiencies

07-Oct-2011 - The Ferrero Group and The Hershey Company have announced a partnership under which they will share North American supply chain processes in order to reduce costs and carbon emissions.

ConAgra to pursue 'pipeline of alternatives' post failed Ralcorp bid

21-Sep-2011 - ConAgra has made an unsteady start to the financial year as unexpectedly high inflation and wheat market dynamics pushed profit down, despite rising sales.

Frutarom enters US savory flavors market with latest acquisition

14-Sep-2011 - Israeli flavor firm Frutarom has agreed to acquire Cincinnati, Ohio-based Flavor Systems International for up to $45.3m, the company has said.

‘Highly confident’ ConAgra to Ralcorp: Our $94/share offer stands until Monday

13-Sep-2011 - ConAgra Foods has called on Ralcorp to look again at its $94-a-share takeover offer after talking to shareholders at the private label giant who believe their board acted too hastily in rejecting ConAgra's advances.

Food makers beginning to pass on commodity costs, says Purdue economist

12-Sep-2011 - Food manufacturers are beginning to pass on rising commodity costs to consumers, meaning higher grocery prices for the rest of this year and into 2012, according to a Purdue University agricultural economist.

New Kraft companies ‘well-positioned to outperform’ rivals, says Rosenfeld

09-Sep-2011 - Kraft Foods’ CEO Irene Rosenfeld defended the company’s decision to split into two separate entities during a presentation at the Barclay’s Back-to-School Consumer Conference in Boston on Wednesday, saying that both companies will have the scale to succeed.

Is ‘taciturn’ Ralcorp acting in its shareholders’ best interests?

07-Sep-2011 - It may well be that Ralcorp was right to spurn ConAgra’s latest $94/share takeover offer. But its failure to explain why is troubling, according to corporate governance expert ISS Governance.

MGP Ingredients attributes Q4 loss to ‘extreme corn price volatility’

07-Sep-2011 - MGP Ingredients has reported a net loss of $10.26m in the fourth quarter, which the company has attributed to extreme corn price volatility.

Analyst: Campbell must invest in its brands if it is to right its ship

06-Sep-2011 - Analysts have welcomed Campbell Soup’s new focus on innovation and brand building to reverse its flagging fortunes in the soup fixture, but warned it could take time before the strategy delivers tangible results.