Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

Rising costs threaten Kellogg margins

A double digit rise in advertising spend, as well as high energy and commodity costs, has led to declining margins for Kellogg's during the financial year, the cereal company reported yesterday.

States ask EFSA for more guidance on GM assessment

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is working with member states to update risk assessment guidance for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to bring it in line with scientific progress and provide more in-depth advice.

Labelling proposal could harm single market, warns industry

Food industry groups are concerned that the European Commission's proposal on food labelling, which leaves the way open for national voluntary schemes to co-exist alongside EU requirements, will damage the single market.

Nexcen acquires Great American Cookie

US acquisition firm Nexcen today said it has purchased the Great American Cookie brand from the Mrs Fields company for $94m (€63.5m), hoping to take the treat to overseas markets.

Sweet foods contain hidden salt risks

An industry body yesterday said consumers are unaware of the high salt content on some sweet products such as popcorn, cereals and hot chocolate, sparking calls for reformulation and improved labelling.

Riggs launches new depositor for hand finished products

UK-based food equipment firm Riggs Autopack is introducing a spot depositor for ready meal, bakery and dessert products that require accurate hand finishing.

Sucros Oy seeks further Finnish beet supplies

Danisco subsidiary Sucros Oy is calling for more sugar beet suppliers in Finland, claiming that EU sugar reforms have reduced the number of its current growers by an unprofitable 43 per cent.

Dunkin' Donuts moves into mainland China

Only one year after moving into Taiwan, US bakery firm Dunkin' Donuts plans to open 100 new shops in Shanghai and the surrounding provinces over the next ten years, the company announced last week.

Cadbury to protect Ghanaian chocolate production

Cadbury today launched a fund to aid its cocoa suppliers in Ghana, after research suggested that average production in the region is now 40 per cent lower than the potential yield.

Weekly comment

Probiotics, friend or foe?

The headlines are sensationalist: twenty-four people have died in a probiotic trial. Therefore, probiotics may be fatal. Throw those yoghurt shots away!

Sandwich growth hinged on niche groups, report

High saturation in the US sandwich market will force manufacturers to focus on niche age and ethnic markets in order to boost market share, predicts a new Mintel report.

UK to spend ₤372m to combat obesity curve

The UK government unveiled the first steps it will take in its national strategy to fight obesity, earmarking £372m for the cause. Steps include addressing food issues, as well as increasing education and encouraging physical activity.

Bell offers butter flavor alternative to diacetyl

Bell Flavors and Fragrances has responded to concerns over the use of diacetyl in popcorn by developing butter flavors that are free from the additive.

Innovation needed for cereal bar growth, analysts warn

The US cereal bar market will experience relatively slow growth of 17 per cent between 2007 and 2012, emphasising the need for manufacturers to concentrate on innovations for niche markets, according to a new Mintel report.

Roller re-launched for improved cereal flakes

Baker Perkins has updated its hydraulics system for converting grains into cereals, claiming that the new technology improves product quality by processing more even and consistent flakes.

Industry asks for biofuels policy U-turn

The food industry has called on the European Commission to reconsider its biofuels policy, which currently sets a mandatory target of 10 per cent biofuels for transport by 2020.

Pomegranate peel could be edible oil antioxidant: study

Extracts from pomegranate peel can stabilise sunflower oil and protect it form deterioration associated with heating, suggests a new study from Pakistan.

Pomegranate peel could be edible oil antioxidant: study

Extracts from pomegranate peel can stabilise sunflower oil and protect it form deterioration associated with heating, suggests a new study from Pakistan.

Healthy snack division slows Zetar profits

UK-based confectionery and snack firm Zetar today said that pretax profit fell to £1.09m for the half year from £1.3m in the previous year, as losses incurred by the recently established Baked Snacks group offset improved sales.

Weekly Comment

Exotic fruits or local berries? You choose

As consumer demand for exotic superfruits increases, so will the impact of transport on the environment. But as policy makers and green campaigners devise more ways of monitoring greenhouse gases, who will win the environmental tug of war?

Scotland kicks off food policy debate

The Scottish government has published a new discussion paper setting out its vision for the country's food supply and industry, which will help set the agenda for its first ever national food policy.

FMC trims calories and costs in frozen desserts

FMC BioPolymer has adapted its range of Gelstar products for Europe's frozen desserts market, to cut costs and fat content without compromising on the body and creaminess.

Kellogg acquires Russian bakery brand

Cereal producer Kellogg has acquired the Russia-based United Bakers Group as part of plans to expand its global footprint, the company announced yesterday.

Trans-fats harm may extend to prostate: study

Increased intakes of trans-fatty acids may increase the risk of non-aggressive prostate tumours by about 100 per cent, suggests new research from Harvard.

Butter replacement launched for low fat baking

A new tapioca-based ingredient used to replace butter in cakes, breads and pastries cuts the fat content of the product by up to ninety-seven per cent, the manufacturers claim.

Whole grains still popular, but market stabilizing

Whole grains continued their strong growth last year, with the number of new whole grain products launched almost matching the peak of 2006.

Northern Foods withstands commodity pressure

UK-based Northern Foods yesterday reported a Q3 3.5 per cent revenue increase, avoiding the current commodity squeeze by passing costs on to customers.

Agrana restructure enables revenue increase

Austria-based Agrana announced a revenue increase of 3 per cent in its first three quarters, overcoming the challenges of sugar restrictions and weather-induced crop failures.

Chocolate linked to weaker bones

New research suggests that regular consumption of chocolate may weaken bone density and strength, which in turn could increase the risk of health problems such as osteoporosis and fracture.

News briefs: Archer Farms, Canada Bread and Flower Foods

In bakery news from the other side of the Atlantic, Archer Farms removes trans fats, Canada bread acquires a Quebecoise sandwich firm, and Flower Foods buys one of its production sites back from Schwan.

Nestle explores probiotics' impact on metabolism

Strains of probiotic bacteria can affect metabolism, says a new study from Nestle and Imperial College London that could help the development of new probiotic products tailored for individuals.

Weekly comment

How natural is 'natural'?

The refusal by regulators to provide a formal definition of the term 'natural' will ultimately lead to confusion for consumers and a legal headache for manufacturers.

CSM consolidates EU bakery operations

Ingredients firm CSM will consolidate its bakery ingredient operations in Germany and France as part of a wide-ranging strategy to cut costs and achieve better operational focus, the company announced Friday.

High prices continue to dog UK bakers

Two leading UK bakery firms are raising customer prices in order to combat high commodity prices, a strategy they say is now necessary to keep sales profits high.

PepsiCo goes for Bulgarian nuts

Number one snack company PepsiCo yesterday said it has acquired Bulgarian nuts and seeds firm Penelopa, targeting both the health and wellness trend as well as the promising Eastern European market.

Review backs oats' heart health benefits

An up-to-date review of the recent science behind oatmeal supports its cardiovascular benefits, and supports the FDA's decade-old conclusions.

High-pressure flavor encapsulation tipped for tea and baked goods

Flavours Inc is exploring uses for its new Spun Matrix microencapsulation technology in teas and baked goods, and expects to launch a next generation liquid version later this year.

Krispy Kreme adopts zero trans fat label

The US branch of Krispy Kreme has finally decided to remove trans fat from its products, following similar moves by the company's divisions in the UK and Australia last year.

Wheat trials begin for UK organic bread boost

Field and baking trials of new UK wheat crops are currently underway, as part of a project to boost the country's organic bread market.

Weekly comment

Back to tap: bottled water's enviro-woes

It looks set to be a vintage year ahead for Chateau Eau De Source Public - or as it is more humbly known, tap water - as consumers find themselves encouraged to shun the mineral variety of the product to reduce packaging waste.

Health benefits of chocolate questioned

Dark chocolate risks tumbling from its "good for you" confectionery pedestal, as a UK medical journal claims that many manufacturers in fact remove the heart healthy element - the flavanols.

News briefs: Pears, blueberries and bread bowls

Crispy Green develops dried fruit snacks; US scientists adapt blueberry crops for hot weather; and legal action is looms over bread that doubles up as crockery.

More support for whole grains for healthy hearts

An increased intake of wholegrain products, in combination with a reduced calorie diet, led to weight loss and cut levels of a protein associated with heart disease, says a new study.

PureCircle secures sweet new deal for stevia

PureCircle has secured an extension to its agreement with Cargill to supply its stevia-derived Reb-A until mid-2010, helping to ensure availability for what is tipped to be the next big thing in sweeteners.

Soup ingredients to go wild and exotic

Pork belly, watermelon and goji are amongst some of the more unusual soup flavours predicted to be popular in 2008, according to Campbell's Kitchen and Swanson Broth.

Mintel stresses need for niche cookies

Although the overall US cookie market has increased 14 per cent in value between 2002 to2007, manufacturers will have to focus on niche trends in order to boost individual consumption, according to a new Mintel report.

Global cocoa deficit increases, says report

The International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) estimates that the world's current cocoa shortfall is now 55 per cent larger than previously thought, after adverse weather conditions led to crop reductions over the 2006/07 season.

Third of people choose low fat food to stay trim

Low fat food products are most popular when attempting weight loss, according to a survey looking at weight management across 13 countries worldwide.

Industry prepares to fight junk food ad watershed

As phase two of the UK's new rules on TV advertising of unhealthy foods targeted at children came into effect this week, the food industry is preparing to lock horns with campaigners over a 9pm watershed.

Snack firms up marketing campaigns after Xmas binge

The post-Christmas period often sees consumers tightening their purse strings as well as their belts; however several US food companies are coming up with increasingly inventive methods of persuading snackers to part with their cash.