Talks are under way in Hungary aimed at returning 50 per cent of
the country's sugar quota to the restructuring fund, in light of
the latest sugar reforms announced by the European Union.
Kerry Group is in negotiations over the sale of its fruit
ingredients division, with a possible bidder rumoured to be Swedish
private equity company Industri Kapital.
Yesterday's landmark decision by the European Court of Justice,
ruling Germany failed to fulfil its obligations concerning the free
movement of goods by refusing to import garlic extract powder
capsules, has paved the way for...
The decision on whether to force Austria to lift its national ban
on genetically modified maize now lies in the hands of the European
Commission, after EU environment ministers failed to agree at last
week's Council meeting.
The import of American peanuts by European countries is now simpler
and quicker because the European Commission has approved the
pre-export aflatoxin tests carried out by the USA.
A second Japanese company has set-up operations in The Netherlands'
renowned Food Valley this year, underscoring the region's strategic
importance, both in R&D and in proximity to the high-potential
European market.
Suedzucker has adjusted its profit and revenue expectations for
full year 2007/8 following EU moves to make sugar reform more
attractive to growers, indicating that the industry efforts to
lessen the blow for the industry could be...
The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) sugar producing countries
have said they are deeply concerned about the amendments to the EU
sugar reform, which brings to an end "preferential access" to
Europe's market.
The Wal-Mart environmental scorecard rating system for packaging
does not work and should not be allowed to become the standard for
suppliers, according to an industry organisation.
The UK's Food Standards Agency should ensure appropriate
consideration is given to allergens by the European Commission, as
part of if its review of food labelling, say peers.
The European Commission will now make the final decision on whether
to allow three new GM maize's onto the EU market after agricultural
ministers failed to reach a majority vote in Brussels yesterday.
The future of research into the ability of phytochemicals to treat
modern disease lies in Asia because of restrictive laws and
"cynicism", a UK based research company has said.
The European Commission has launched an inquiry into allegations
that Chinese suppliers are dumping citric acid onto the market and
causing material injury to the European industry.
EU member countries are concerned about the feasibility of
companies paying fees to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
for vetting ingredients, packaging and food contact materials for
use in the bloc.
The European Commission has issued a paper to Member States
outlining the next step for the setting of maximum mineral and
vitamin levels across the bloc - with many highlighted for
exemption on the grounds of no evident safety concerns.
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is urging its
members to refrain from using genetically modified (GM) herbal
ingredients until environmental and health concerns can be
effectively addressed.
The European Parliament this week voted through four regulations
relating to food ingredients - on authorisation procedure,
additives, enzymes and flavourings - with notable amendments aimed
at providing a heightened level of consumer...
Friesland Foods this week announced plans to scale down
its production facilities in the Netherlands in a bid to brace
itself for wide scale changes within the EU's dairy market.
Cheese processors in the UK have been handed tougher guidance on
hygiene, following EU claims that the country's food safety
authority was not doing enough to protect consumers.
Agrana has reported its first set of annual results in which its
fruit segment outstripped sugar and starch as a source of revenue,
following a refocus in the wake of EU sugar reform.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) estimates that a major citrus
fruit scam in Italy has defrauded the EU budget of up to €50m in EC
aid for the processing of certain fruits.
Royal Cosun has received long-awaited approval for its planned
acquisition of CSM Suiker, news that is welcomed not only by the
companies but also by sugar-beet growers.
EU agriculture minister Mariann Fischer Boal is willing to consider
a transition period for the adoption of EU fruit and vegetable
reforms, according to reports, which would act as a cushion for the
processing sector.
Tate & Lyle and Italian sugar producer Eridania Sadam have
formed a joint venture for the marketing and sales of all sugar
products to the Italian market, seen as an important step in
developing new sugar markets following EU...
Univar's Czech subsidiary has acquired the enzymes distribution
business of Ekozym, a specialised business based on the
distribution of Novozyme products.
The EC has concluded that the proposed acquisition of Quest by
Givaudan poses no significant impediment to effective competition
in the European Economic Area (EEA).
The EU has expressed concern that new anti-dumping tariffs imposed
on exports of its potato starch by China, are unfairly targeting
producers within the bloc.
America's dairy industry has ripped into the Bush administration's
'ineffective' spending plans for the sector, warning the proposals
will not help domestic farmers or improve prospects of a world
trade deal.
Quality will be key to a strong European food sector, agriculture
commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel told a Brussels conference on
food quality certification yesterday.
With the increasing use of some of their raw materials for the
production of biofuels, snack makers have called on the European
Commission to take measures to ensure they do not face further
price hikes for their supplies.
The UK Food Standard Agency's expert advisory committee on novel
foods is consulting on draft opinions on applications on the
substantial equivalence of two novel ingredients.
European farmers are lagging behind the rest of the world in terms
of access to agricultural biotechnology, according to the president
of the European Federation of Biotechnology.
