Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

Europe must move to stamp-out cocoa child labour, MEPs tell Commission

A committee of MEPs is calling on the European Commission (EC) to consider legislating against use of child labour in cocoa plantations that fuel the EU's demand for chocolate, while the world's largest food firm Nestle has outlined its measures to safeguard against the problem.

Givaudan to work with MIT researchers on ‘flavour algorithms’

Flavour giant Givaudan is working with scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to come up with a ‘flavour algorithm’ that could one day replace human taste testers.

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Belgian food industry mimics Dutch 2015 palm oil pledge

All palm oil designated for the Belgian market will be produced based on the sustainability criteria of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) by 2015, claims a new pledge from the food sector in that country.

Premier Foods explores marketing beyond shoestring, Mr Kipling ‘category blur’

Premier Foods CEO Michael Clarke says he is pursuing a strategy of 'category blur' to revive the company’s disappointing trading performance, as he announces new marketing ammunition for the bakery and snack ‘power brands’ central to the approach.

Food fraud – a greater public health risk than traditional safety threats?

Criminality, the global supply chain and the unpredictable nature of food adulteration for financial gain mean it can pose a greater public health risk than traditional safety threats such as pathogen contamination, according to new research.

Bemis wields the knife as packaging demand and earnings fall

Soaring resin prices, falling demand in sectors such as confectionery, along with almost US$40m costs related to plant closures and job cuts saw fourth quarter operating profits in flexible packaging slump by 37% at the end of what Bemis called a “challenging” year for the company.

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Nonni's Foods acquires V.I.S cookie brand

North American biscotti firm Nonni's Foods has acquired cookie maker V.I.S’s THINaddictives brand.

Bread does not cause bloating, claims study

The British Nutrition Association has said that there is insufficient evidence that bread causes bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort.

Bread brands can seize upon changing UK breakfast habits - Mintel

Bread manufacturers can take advantage of changing breakfast habits among young consumers in the UK by expanding portfolios to include sweet baked goods, according to an analyst.

Zetar establishes French subsidiary

UK-based confectionery and snacks firm Zetar has established a French subsidiary to leverage its position in continental Europe.

Fiber may boost pancreatic health: Study

Increased intakes of fiber may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by 60%; with both soluble and insoluble forms offering benefits, suggests a new study from Italy.

Chevler accesses ‘unique’ greaseproof paper method with Lovely acquisition

UK bakery packaging firm Chevler has acquired Welsh-based greaseproof paper printer Lovely Packaging for an undisclosed sum.

Mexican sugar shortage could lead to price hike unless USDA acts – analyst

Global sugar prices could rise following a shortage in Mexican production unless the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) allows additional imports, according to the Jenkins Sugar Group.

CSM strengthens in-store and out-of-home position with Cook Man acquisition

Ingredients firm CSM has acquired UK bakery firm Cookie Man for an undisclosed fee as it looks to make gains in in-store and out-of-home bakery.

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Rich’s extends cake recall over plastic fragment fears

US-based Rich Products Corporation has extended a recall of some of its cake products over fears they may be contaminated with small fragments of plastic from the packaging.

Monument Foods to open Sunderland bakery

Monument Foods expects to open a new Sunderland bakery “within the next few weeks”, its director Tracy Lyons told FoodManufacture.co.uk.

Tight supply and high prices in guar gum look set to continue

Tight supply and high prices in guar gum are set to continue until at least the end of 2012, and probably beyond, claims a leading hydrocolloid industry analyst.

Export boom boosts growth for Finsbury Foods

UK-based bakery firm Finsbury Foods has announced improved sales in a first quarter (Q1) trading driven by significant gains in its export business, but high commodity prices continue to squeeze profit margins.

2 Sisters to restore Brookes Avana within two years

2 Sisters Food Group’s chilled food business Brookes Avana, acquired from Premier Foods last year, will be returned to profitability within two years, according to its new owners.

PRODULCE head looking for healthy innovation

The Spanish confectionery sector must innovate on a health awareness platform, according to the head of the recently formed national confectionery association.

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Asian orders drive growth for Bühler

Food technology group Bühler has announced 12.5% growth in sales for 2011 due to increased orders from new customers in Asia.

Potential for reduced glycaemic breakfast cereals with alternative flours, finds study

Using amaranth, millet or buckwheat flour to replace traditional flours can lower the glycaemic response in extruded breakfast cereals spelling opportunities for manufacturers, according to a study.

Sugar keeps things sweet for ABF

Exceptional sales growth for sugar will fuel expansion at Associated British Foods (ABF), say food industry analysts, even if Q1 continued to highlight struggles for the food ingredients side of the business.

Cargill welcomes EU barley beta-glucan-cholesterol claim as innovation driver

Agrofood giant Cargill is alerting the world to look out for more food labels bearing its Barliv-branded barley beta-glucan in 2012 after winning a positive cholesterol-lowering opinion from the European Union science agency last month.

Plant ‘nourishing’ gene could help boost global crop yields

The discovery of a 'nourishing gene' that controls how nutrients are distributed in plants and crops could offer hope for improved crop yield and increased food production, say researchers.

Sugar segment helps Südzucker’s profits soar

Ingredients firm Südzucker has seen a sharp increase in its operating profit for the third quarter (Q3) propelled by gains in its sugar segment.

Kraft to cut 1,600 jobs in preparation for company split

Kraft Foods has said it will cut about 1,600 jobs from its US and Canadian workforce over the next 12 months, as it prepares to split into two separate companies.

Choppy waters still ahead for Premier Foods on debt talks, analysts

Recent trading momentum does not favour Premier Foods’ bid to get the upper hand in pending refinancing talks, claim market watchers.

Ralcorp board approves Post cereals spin-off

Ralcorp has outlined the shape of the company after it spins off its Post cereals business, four years after it bought the maker of Grape-Nuts, Raisin Bran and Honey Bunches of Oats from Kraft Foods for $1.65bn.

Callebaut sees Mexican potential with Grupo Bimbo supply deal

Chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut has today announced the signing of a long-term supply agreement with Latin American bakery firm Grupo Bimbo.

News in brief

600 jobs to go at Premier Foods

UK-based Premier Foods has announced that 5% of its 12,000 man workforce will be axed as the company sets larger cut targets.

Swedish and Danish bread sales hit by changing consumer habits, says analyst

Industrial bread sales in Sweden, Denmark and Finland will decline in the next five years as a result of a low-carb trend and changing consumer habits, according to an analyst from Euromonitor.

Customised chocolate batons to meet intricate customer demands, claims Herza

Ingredients firm Herza Chocnology has launched a range of bake-stable chocolate batons for baked goods that can be tailored to meet manufacturers’ precise size, shape and flavour requirements.

Premier boss Michael Clarke backed by city

Premier Foods boss Michael Clarke has received a resounding vote of confidence from city analysts, six months into his role, as he continues his plan to guide the firm out of trouble.

Maple Leaf cuts 236 jobs at Walsall bakery

Canadian firm Maple Leaf has confirmed that it plans to close its West Midlands bakery, after failing to find a buyer for the site, with the loss of 236 jobs.

New Spanish confectionery association formed: PRODULCE

Five segments of the Spanish sweets market have come together to form the new Spanish Confectionery Association (PRODULCE).

Hostess financial woes due to 'ineffective executives', says union leader

A major bakery workers union has hit out against Hostess Brands for its assertion that pensions obligations were a principal reason for its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, blaming 'ineffective executives' instead.

Carr’s Milling surprises analysts in first quarter

Carr’s Milling Industries has reported solid Q1 results in a trading update as improved flour sales driven by new customers led to results that have surprised market analysts.

Tyrrells acquires rival UK veg crisp maker Glennans

UK-based vegetable crisp manufacturer Tyrells has acquired fellow UK veg crisp maker Glennans for an undisclosed sum.

Bakery firms can seize on Scandinavian low-carb trend, says analyst

Bakery manufacturers can capitalise on an emerging Scandinavian dietary trend with new low-carb offerings, according to an analyst from Euromonitor International.

Strong Q1-Q3 for Agrana driven by sugar and starch segments

Favourable market trends and successful business strategies have driven strong profits in Agrana’s sugar and starch segments, creating 20.2% growth for the first three quarters of 2011|12, the CEO said.

Twinkies maker Hostess Brands files for bankruptcy

Wonder bread and Twinkies maker Hostess Brands has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to allow it to restructure, but does not expect to stop producing or delivering any of its products during the process, the company said on Wednesday.

News in brief

Greggs rises on strong Christmas results

Bakery retailer Greggs has performed ahead of analyst’s expectations during the festive season after posting “excellent” results for the period ending January 7.

Burton's biscuit firm signs export deal

Burton's Biscuit Company has signed a deal with Canada's largest supermarket firm Loblaw in a move that will boost its total exports by £70M over the next two years.

Callebaut eyes European leadership for nut products with La Morella acquisition

Barry Callebaut has acquired a 100% stake in Spanish company La Morella Nuts for an undisclosed sum as it aims to be the European leader for nut products.

Sponge cake recalled after plastic packaging contamination - FDA

A batch of sponge cake has been recalled in the US after plastic fragments were found on the top of the product, US authorities have announced.

Warburtons cuts 73 jobs following plant closure

UK bakery firm Warburtons has announced that it is to axe 73 jobs at its Oldham bakery after closure of the site.

No increased disease risk by eating refined grain foods - study review

Consuming up to 50% of all grain foods as refined grains will not lead to any increased disease risk, according to a study reviewing all relevant literature from the Noughties.

Uncertainty ahead as maize market to dictate wheat prices in 2012 – analyst

Wheat prices in 2012 are likely to be volatile and will be dictated by the global maize market and weather conditions, according to an analyst at the UK’s Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Western Parsley has antioxidant potential in fatty foods – study

The culinary herb western parsley (WP) can boost antioxidant activity in fatty foods and improve stabilisation over a long storage period, according to a study by Japanese researchers.

External influences likely to keep sugar prices high, says USDA

World sugar prices are likely to stay high in 2012 due to external factors such as government policies, oil prices and instability in the Eurozone, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

News in brief

Allied Bakeries Kingsmill brand goes Halal

Allied Bakeries has announced that its Kingsmill bread is now certified by the Halal Food Authority as Halal compliant.

Nestle UK moves HQ from Croydon to Gatwick

Nestle UK has announced today that it is to move its head offices from Croydon to a site near Gatwick by the end of 2012.

Frutarom snaps up Savoury Flavours for €4.6m and eyes further acquisitions

Ingredients firm Frutarom has acquired British company Savoury Flavours in a €4.6m ($5.8m) deal.

Convenience trend boosts Japanese processed food investment opportunities

Changing demographics and a shift in demand has opened up new opportunities for foreign investment in the once difficult to enter Japanese processed food market, says a US Government report.

Lupin flour can improve nutritional value of muffins, study finds

Replacing wheat flour with lupin flour by up to 30% can increase protein and dietary fibre content without affecting taste, colour, texture and flavour, according to researchers in Australia.

News in brief

Peninsula Packaging snaps up thermoforming division

US Bakery packaging provider Peninsula Packaging has acquired the agricultural thermoforming division of Packaging Plus, previously held by Berkley Operations.

Ethanolic extracts from herbs can boost antioxidant levels in cookies – study

Supplementing cookies with a mixture of the ethnologic extracts of medicinal herbs can raise antioxidant activity in cookies and reduce chemical spoilage, according to a study from Serbian researchers.

EC gluten-free labelling regulations enter full force

A European Commission regulation requiring products labelled ‘gluten-free’ to contain below a maximum gluten content level came into full force yesterday.

Natural flavours ‘identified in nature’ to have major industry impact – report

EC regulations implemented last year that require natural flavouring substances to be identical to something found in nature will greatly impact the industry, according to a report assessing the new regulation.

Long term studies needed before dark chocolate health link established – study

The flavonoid epicatechin that is present in dark chocolate could be used to treat human diseases, but studies to date have been too small and longer controlled tests are required, according to a study.