Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

ConAgra Foods snaps up Kangaroo Brands’ private label pita chips business

22-May-2012 - ConAgra Foods' buying spree has continued with the acquisition of Wisconsin-based Kangaroo Brands’ private label pita chips business - its fourth deal in the 2012 fiscal year.

Cocoa deficit to bring prices higher, predicts Rabobank

22-May-2012 - A consecutive deficit in 2012/13 is set to move cocoa prices higher as supply struggles to meet rising demand for chocolate products in Asia, according to financial services group Rabobank.

News in brief

Vote due on Kraft snacks name

22-May-2012 - Kraft Foods will decide tomorrow whether to change the name of its global snacks spin-off to Mondelez International in a vote at its Annual Shareholder Meeting.

News in brief

Morrisons revamps in-store bakeries

21-May-2012 - Morrisons’ revamped in-store bakeries are to offer customers a wider product range and a “more artisian experience”, according to the firm.

Biscuit sector driven by health and indulgence

21-May-2012 - Global biscuit manufacturers are responding to consumers’ contradictory demands by launching new products targeting both health and indulgence, according to market research firm, Innova Market Insights.

General Mills looks to tap cereal and snacks potential in BRIC countries and beyond

18-May-2012 - General Mills sees great potential for its snacks and cereals segments outside North America as population growth in emerging markets looks set to soar.

Market for UTZ certified cocoa doubles with Germany leading the way

16-May-2012 - Twice as much UTZ certified cocoa was sold to producers in 2011 compared to the previous year as demand for sustainable cocoa soared in Germany, according to the recently published UTZ Certified Annual Report 2011.

Carbery explores flavours for ageing consumers

15-May-2012 - Carbery is exploring the potential of flavours to make protein-fortified products more palatable to ageing consumers, according to head of research and development Aine Hallihan.

Eight most innovative Sweets & Snacks: award winners

15-May-2012 - ConfectioneryNews.com presents a picture roundup of the eight new confectionery and snacks products that bagged innovation awards at the Sweet & Snacks Expo in Chicago last week.

US in-store bakeries continuing ascent – report

15-May-2012 - 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).

News in brief

Kerry Ingredients joins Federation of Bakers

11-May-2012 - Kerry Ingredients and flavours has become a member of UK bakery association the Federation of Bakers.

Quarter of Australians avoiding grain foods fearing weight gain – report

11-May-2012 - Around a quarter of Australians are limiting grain foods such as bread in their diet to help lose weight, according the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council.

Snacks account for a quarter of kids’ calories: Study

10-May-2012 - Changing children’s snacking intentions and behavior could be crucial in reducing childhood obesity rates, as US children consume about a quarter of their daily calories from snacks, according to a new study published in International Quarterly of Community Health Education.

Blommer predicts looming cocoa supply crisis

10-May-2012 - Demand for cocoa is expected to climb 30% in the next 10 years creating a 25% shortage of current supply, according to North American cocoa processor and chocolate ingredients supplier Blommer Chocolate Company.

Dutch bar manufacturer VSI opens third factory

09-May-2012 - Dutch non-branded bar manufacturer VSI has begun operations at a €10m plant in Leerdam, Holland, which incorporates a research and development (R&D) centre and has the capacity to make triple-layered bars.

Mühlenchemie to cater for flour needs in Brazil

09-May-2012 - German-based flour improvement firm Mühlenchemie is expanding its presence in Latin America by offering on the spot advice to flour mills in Brazil.

Weetabix takeover signals focus on EU from emerging markets

03-May-2012 - The acquisition of Weetabix is the biggest sign yet of emerging market interest in Europe, according to industry commentators.

Pan-African trust fund to tackle food security

02-May-2012 - An African-financed, FAO directed trust fund will provide resources needed to drive sustainable food production across the continent and the oil sector will play a crucial role, according to FAO’s director-general.

Export strengths tip EU food and drink industry

30-Apr-2012 - Europe’s food and drink industry has tipped its decade-long downward export balance; a shift defined by strong export figures underpinned by emerging market demands, according to FoodDrinkEurope.

British bakers rise to baby gender cake opportunity

30-Apr-2012 - Trendy parents-to-be could open a new niche market for British bakers by commissioning cakes for so-called gender reveal parties, held to reveal the sex of their unborn baby to family and friends. 

Sourcing affordable segregated sustainable palm oil remains ‘extremely difficult’ in the US, says Cargill

25-Apr-2012 - The US is starting to catch up with Europe in the sustainable palm oil stakes, but cost remains a major hurdle, says Cargill.

Support cocoa farmers or face a ‘chocolate crisis’, warns academic

23-Apr-2012 - Chocolate manufacturers will face a serious cocoa supply shortage unless they work to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and allow them to invest in sustainable production, according to an academic.

Caffeinated crisps and all-natural claims: latest US snack launches

19-Apr-2012 - BakeryAndSnacks.com looks at some of the latest snack products to hit US stores.

‘Nimble’ SMEs: The innovators of industry

17-Apr-2012 - SMEs are not bound by corporate structure and are therefore flexible to respond to market changes quickly and innovate accordingly with many eyeing the premium, niche segment, according to industry expert.