Florida bill to prohibit “junk” SNAP food purchases passes committee

01-Feb-2012 - A Florida State Senate Committee has passed a bill intended to restrict purchases of certain foods under nutrition assistance programs, such as Food Stamps, or SNAP (Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program).

Coupon use is now ‘a way of life’: Report

30-Jan-2012 - Coupon use continued to increase in 2011 as money-saving habits adopted during the recession have become a way of life for many Americans, according to media and marketing services company Valassis.

MA governor proposes taxing soda and candy

30-Jan-2012 - Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick has proposed eliminating a sales tax exemption on soda and candy in the state as part of the state’s 2013 budget, and plough extra taxes raised into public health programs.

Mexican sugar shortage could lead to price hike unless USDA acts – analyst

25-Jan-2012 - Global sugar prices could rise following a shortage in Mexican production unless the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) allows additional imports, according to the Jenkins Sugar Group.

Cargill reports third consecutive quarter of squeezed margins, profits plunge 88%

10-Jan-2012 - Cargill has reported an 88% drop in profits in the second quarter, as volatile financial markets hit its commodity-based trading and asset management businesses.

US dairy sector beat fiscal doldrums in 2010, IDFA

03-Jan-2012 - 2010 world dairy market prices recovered from lows caused by the world financial crisis the year before, according to a new report from the US-based International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA).

ConAgra squeezed by higher food costs, but beats expectations

20-Dec-2011 - Food manufacturer ConAgra Foods has reported a 14% drop in its second-quarter profits, under pressure from higher food commodity costs, despite increased sales.

Food giants accuse egg producers of a decade of price fixing

14-Dec-2011 - A group of the biggest packaged food companies in the United States has filed a lawsuit against major US egg producers, accusing them of fixing prices for at least a decade.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

Heinz: New products will target low income shoppers

21-Nov-2011 - Heinz has unveiled a series of new products with lower entry price points to target households with incomes of less than $50,000-a-year.

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.

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.

Big Interview: Johann Tergesen, president, Burcon NutraScience

Plant protein, the final frontier: From canola to flax, hemp and pea

31-Oct-2011 - If there’s a plant with protein in it, Burcon NutraScience has probably had a good shot at extracting it. But is the market ready for flax protein isolate? Elaine Watson caught up with president and chief operating officer Johann Tergesen to find out.

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.

New gum blend could offer relief for instant beverage makers as guar prices hit new highs

04-Oct-2011 - A proprietary blend of gums that can replace straight guar gum in instant powdered beverages and offer a cleaner taste profile could provide some relief for firms reeling from rocketing guar prices, according to TIC Gums.

More meat and poultry price rises likely, says Rabobank

29-Sep-2011 - US meat and poultry prices are likely to rise next year as domestic production enters a period of sharp decline, according to a new report from financial services provider Rabobank.

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.

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.