Solae raises prices by 8% - but says soy still ‘stable choice’ for food manufacturers

02-Sep-2011 - Soy “continues to be a more stable choice for food companies” than dairy or meat protein, a leading soy ingredients supplier has insisted after raising prices for the second time this year.

Supply chain squeezed by higher grain commodity prices

23-Aug-2011 - Prices of key grain commodities have been climbing rapidly but so far food manufacturers have absorbed much of the cost, according to an analyst at the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS).

Dairy Farmers of America backs bipartisan dairy reform proposal

16-Aug-2011 - Controversial proposals to reform the US dairy market have gained the backing of leading dairy marketing cooperative, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA).

'Few technologies could survive' flawed GM salmon review process, warns ex FDA panel member

11-Aug-2011 - A former member of the government committee charged with assessing the safety of the first genetically engineered (GE) fish for human consumption says “few, if any technologies could survive” the flawed review process.

Academic: Dietary guidelines ‘would benefit from a reality check’

11-Aug-2011 - Dietary guidelines “would benefit from a reality check” according to one of the authors of a high-profile study revealing that following government healthy eating advice could significantly increase food bills.

Treatt: Raw material prices weakening more slowly than anticipated

09-Aug-2011 - The expected weakening of raw material prices this summer has been slower than expected, making life very unpredictable for buyers in the flavors and fragrances industry, according to one leading supplier.

Agro groups: Derailing GM fish review would dent FDA’s credibility

04-Aug-2011 - More than 30 agricultural organizations have signed a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to complete its review of the world’s first genetically engineered fish for human consumption.

Food prices could fall slightly in 2012, says USDA

27-Jul-2011 - Food prices are likely to fall slightly from 2011 levels next year, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said in its first food price index outlook for 2012.

PepsiCo and Coca-Cola’s profit aided by growth in emerging markets

21-Jul-2011 - Emerging markets were key to growth for beverage giants PepsiCo and Coca-Cola in the second quarter of 2011.

News in brief

Campbell Soup: We are still committed to reducing sodium

21-Jul-2011 - Campbell Soup has reiterated its commitment to sodium reduction following its high-profile move to add some salt back into its Select Harvest soup range.

Higher prices are changing food shopping behavior, Deloitte

20-Jul-2011 - Almost two thirds (62 percent) of shoppers claim that their food buying behavior has changed as a result of higher food prices, according to a new survey.

Sodium: Campbell u-turn a cautionary tale, say branding experts

19-Jul-2011 - While Campbell Soup’s reduced sodium u-turn pales into insignificance when compared with the New Coke debacle, it should serve as a cautionary tale for all food manufacturers embarking on reformulation work, according to marketing experts.

Coca-Cola: Middle classes ‘somewhat confused and fragile’

19-Jul-2011 - While the middle classes in developed markets had emerged from the economic downturn “feeling somewhat confused and fragile”, Coca-Cola still generated robust volume growth in North America as well as faster-growing emerging markets in the second quarter, said bosses.

Comment

The uncomfortable truth about Campbell's salt u-turn

18-Jul-2011 - It’s enraged dieticians and delighted the Salt Institute. But Campbell Soup’s high-profile u-turn on sodium raises some difficult questions about reformulation for all stakeholders.

General Mills taps into ‘frugality fatigue’ as Americans tuck in to affordable treats

18-Jul-2011 - As the economy remains in the doldrums, Americans are showing signs of “frugality fatigue” while food is increasingly “playing an important role in helping consumers cope”, according to trend watchers at General Mills.

Dairy reform Bill would damage exports, warn processors

18-Jul-2011 - Draft legislation designed to create more stability in the US dairy industry would damage exports and threaten jobs, dairy processors have claimed.

US and Mexico resolve trucking dispute

11-Jul-2011 - US and Mexican governments have signed an agreement to end a 17-year trucking dispute that has seen Mexico impose tariffs on a long list of US exports, including many food and agricultural products.

New study finds link between kids’ BMI and food prices

06-Jul-2011 - There is a clear correlation between children’s body-mass-index (BMI) and the price of food and drink, according to new government-backed research.

Is healthy food more expensive than junk food?

29-Jun-2011 - New research into food prices shows that unhealthy options are not always more affordable, although the relative cheapness of soft drinks, refined grains and starchy veg vs healthier alternatives means Americans “may have an economic incentive to consume a less healthful diet”.

Dispatches from IFT

Professor: Stop lecturing the public and reformulate foods Americans actually want to eat

16-Jun-2011 - If more energy was expended on improving the nutritional profile of the foods Americans actually want to eat instead of doggedly trying to persuade them to change their eating habits, we would have a greater chance of tackling obesity, according to one leading academic.

FAO says food prices stuck at “stubbornly high levels”

08-Jun-2011 - Crop production may be rising but not enough to bring down high and volatile agricultural commodity prices this year, according to the latest analysis from the FAO.

ADM cocoa powder cuts bakers’ costs with “less is more” approach

27-May-2011 - A new dark cocoa powder aims to deliver an indulgent rich taste for bakery goods, but also cut costs by reducing the product’s overall cocoa content, claims ADM.

Bakers launch final bid to stop index funds sending commodity markets into a spin

22-Apr-2011 - Next month’s meeting of the agricultural advisory committee of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will give the food industry one last chance to make the case for imposing limits on the activity of index funds in the wheat futures market, activity many manufacturers blame for recent unprecedented market volatility.

USDA increases sugar import quota

12-Apr-2011 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Monday that it will increase sugar imports by 325,000 short tons in fiscal 2011 – a move that has been welcomed by sweetener users.