FoodNavigator-USA RSS

Grocery spend is increasing but consumers are still cost-conscious: Market research

Caroline.SCOTT-THOMAS@wrbm.com (Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS) — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:51:35 +0200

US consumers are beginning to spend more on groceries – but are still looking for ways to maximize their spending at the supermarket, according to a new research report from MaxPoint Interactive.

Corn Products International shareholders approve Ingredion name change

Caroline.SCOTT-THOMAS@wrbm.com (Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS) — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:04:46 +0200

Corn Products International shareholders have approved changing the company’s name to Ingredion, intended to better reflect its expanded ingredient portfolio, particularly since the acquisition of National Starch in 2010.

Judge denies Hostess’ bid to reject Teamsters contracts

Caroline.SCOTT-THOMAS@wrbm.com (Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:18:02 +0200

Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain has denied Hostess Brands’ bid to scrap labor contracts for members of its largest union, the Teamsters, in a move that leaves Hostess having to rethink its options for exiting bankruptcy.

NovaGreen to produce sugar substitute xylitol for North America

Oliver.NIEBURG@wrbm.com (Oliver NIEBURG) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:15:51 +0200

Canada-based refinery NovaGreen has announced plans to produce sugar substitute xylitol over the next two years to supply confectioners in North America.

FoodDrinkEurope tackles trade barriers in US

Rod.Addy@wrbm.com (Rod ADDY) — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:36:11 +0200

EU trade group FoodDrinkEurope teamed up with the European Commission (EC) on a delegation to the US at the end of last week aimed at building stronger export links.

Yakult unveils US volume surge as good bacteria message gathers pace

Elaine.WATSON@wrbm.com (Elaine WATSON) — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:37:38 +0200

US consumers now drink around 142,000 bottles of Yakult's probiotic fermented dairy drink a day, 24% more than they were gulping down this time last year.*

Emotions hit fever pitch as PepsiCo draws fire for Michael Jordan Gatorade advert

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:18:22 +0200

PepsiCo says it is ‘reviewing’ the Public Health Advocacy Institute’s letter to the US Federal Trade Commission, attacking the firm for claiming that Gatorade helped basketball star Michael Jordan win a key match whilst ill, and asking whether film had been doctored to show him drinking it.

Alcoholic beverage brands seek social media connections as Millennials come of age

Caroline.SCOTT-THOMAS@wrbm.com (Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS) — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:17:24 +0200

Alcoholic beverage brands increasingly are looking to connect with Millenials via social networks, as younger members of the demographic begin to celebrate their 21^st birthdays.

Greek yogurt and ‘better-for-you’ products set to drive 2012 US dairy sales

Mark.ASTLEY@wrbm.com (Mark ASTLEY) — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:41:54 +0200

The ever-growing popularity of ‘better-for-you’ organic and functional food is set to drive US dairy sector sales in 2012, according to an industry trends report.

Nu-Tek Salt: 90% of our customers are reducing sodium by stealth

Elaine.WATSON@wrbm.com (Elaine WATSON) — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:49:15 +0200

Nine out of 10 customers using potassium-chloride-based salt replacers from Nu-Tek Salt are now reducing sodium by stealth to avoid antagonizing shoppers, says the Minnesota-based firm.

Novel digestive health ingredient targets big guns in food and beverages

Elaine.WATSON@wrbm.com (Elaine WATSON) — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:40:53 +0200

Wild Flavors is in advanced negotiations with leading food and beverage firms about using a novel milk-based digestive health ingredient claimed to help maintain and repair the lining of the gut wall.

Nation's bulging waistline is a food industry issue

Caroline.SCOTT-THOMAS@wrbm.com (Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:38:37 +0200

Americans are getting fatter – and it’s not just the individual that needs a health check, according to a new IOM report. Like it or not, this health crisis has plenty of implications for the food industry.

Kellogg’s revamps brand, but significantly?

Kacey.CULLINEY@wrbm.com (Kacey CULLINEY) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:41:46 +0200

Global cereal giant, Kellogg’s is investing in a ‘significant’ revamp of its 106-year-old brand in a bid to resonate better with today’s tech savvy consumers, but analysts say it won’t be anything significant.

US in-store bakeries continuing ascent – report

Oliver.NIEBURG@wrbm.com (Oliver NIEBURG) — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:37:43 +0200

The US market for in-store bakeries is rising year-on-year with no decrease forecast, according to a report from the International Dairy, Deli and Bakery Association (IDDBA).

Coke takes ‘natural’ mid-calorie carbonate plunge in Pepsi NEXT wake with stevia-based trials

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:03:13 +0200

The Coca-Cola Company is poised to test its own mid-calorie sodas in the US using Sprite and Fanta using natural sweeteners including Cargill's stevia brand, hot on the heels of PepsiCo’s mid-calorie cola launch Pepsi NEXT.

Hain Celestial to expand Long Island headquarters

Caroline.SCOTT-THOMAS@wrbm.com (Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS) — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:42:57 +0200

Hain Celestial has said it intends to expand its international corporate headquarters in Nassau County, NY, where it intends to invest $10m to relocate its existing Long Island-based employees and expand operations.

Bimbo Bakeries to build $75m factory in US

Oliver.NIEBURG@wrbm.com (Oliver NIEBURG) — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:03:04 +0200

Bimbo Bakeries USA plans to invest $75m in a new facility in Texas, US, to produce bread and buns.

Top 10 US beer brands: consumers shun ‘king of beers’ for crafty choices but Heineken scores

Ben.BOUCKLEY@wrbm.com (Ben BOUCKLEY) — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:21:49 +0200

US beer consumers sprung a crafty surprise in an influential 2012 research poll by Harris Interactive, reporting higher satisfaction levels with smaller craft brands and below average scores for mainstream beers such as Budweiser and Coors.

Quote/Unquote: Heinz on rocking the boat, Coca-Cola on backing the right horse in beverages, why we’re really fat and how Jane Fonda helped one brand go viral …

Elaine.WATSON@wrbm.com (Elaine WATSON) — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:24:35 +0200

If you didn’t make it to Chicago for the Food Technology and Innovation Forum last week – or were too busy speed-dating with suppliers in the exhibition hall to attend the conference - we’ve rounded up some of the best bits…

CSPI urges industry and government to implement IOM anti-obesity measures

Caroline.SCOTT-THOMAS@wrbm.com (Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS) — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:22:39 +0200

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has urged the food industry, government and schools to implement measures recommended in a new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to help curb rising obesity rates.