Metropoulos, Apollo see ‘significant potential for renewed growth’ for Twinkies, Ho Hos, Zingers

Hostess Brands has chosen a joint $410m offer from two investment firms — C. Dean Metropoulos & Co. and Apollo Global Management LLC — as the lead bid for Twinkies...

News in brief

Allied Bakeries reveals new ‘energy efficient’ production line

Allied Bakeries has invested in a new “energy efficient” bread production line at its Stockport bakery, as part of its £35M capital expenditure programme.

Red palm oil could colour foods without food colouring

Sternchemie says its new red palm oil provides a clean label way to colour foods naturally without using food colourings that have to be listed on ingredient lists.

Study: Yeast beta-glucan boosts cold-fighting potential 25%

Yeast beta-glucan increases the body’s ability to fight pathogens, and showed a 25% better record of cold-fighting compared to placebo in a new German study.

GEA launches speedy freezer concept

GEA Refrigeration Technology is offering manufacturers better quality food quality, longer shelf life and improved capacity with the launch of a High Velocity Freezer (HVF) unit.

Fairtrade demand spurs rapid increase in supply

Fairtrade International has said the number of farmers and workers benefitting from the system increased by 13% in 2011 as the food and drink industry continues to pledge its support,...

Prebiotics can battle obesity (by influencing genetic behaviour): Researchers

Prebiotic fibres like oligosaccharides can help ease gut ‘dysbiosis’ common among the obese and overweight, say Belgian researchers.

News in brief

Complementary? Bakery, snacks and confectionery converge in Cologne

The BakeryandSnacks.com team has been helping out sister site ConfectioneryNews.com at ProSweets and ISM in Cologne this week and we couldn't help noticing how many snack players are exhibiting at...

CSM strong trading update set to tempt US and European bidders?

CSM has released a 2012 unaudited trading update to inform potential buyers from the US and Europe on business progress ahead of its mid-year divestment.

Barry Callebaut targets authenticity with single origin cocoa and chocolate

Barry Callebaut has unveiled new cocoa and chocolate products at ISM in Cologne, including Cameroon origin cocoa for baked goods, and single origin chocolate from Cameroon and Java.

ASA rejects Weetos advertising complaints

The UK’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has rejected complaints that Weetos advertisements encourage poor nutritional habits and an unhealthy lifestyle for children.

Exclusive interview

EC’s Mathioudakis: “You cannot build a sustainable food industry on misleading health claims”

With the European Union’s strict health food and supplement marketing laws in place, the European Commission’s food law unit head, Basil Mathioudakis, tells NutraIngredients why it’s generally working out fine…...

EU novel foods wrap: Clubmoss, omega-3 oils and zeaxanthin

The UK Food Standards Agency is assessing two novel food applications for clubmoss sporopollenin shell extracts and a novel omega-3 and omega-6 oil; while DSM is lauding the official EU...

Hostess picks next two stalking horse bidders for Drake's and additional bread brands

Hostess Brands has selected stalking horse bidders for its Drake's snack cake brand and for its Sweetheart, Eddy's, Standish Farms, and Grandma Emilie's bread brands.

Study: Small snacks between meals associated with lower childhood obesity risk

More frequent meals and snacks among primary school children may be associated with a lower risk of overweight and obesity, according to new research published in Public Health Nutrition.

News in brief

Specialty Food Ingredients given validation for pathogen reduction system

Specialty Food Ingredients (SFI) has received 5 log validation for its steam pasteurization system on certain products.

‘Following a plant-based diet doesn’t have to be time consuming’: Earth Balance president says on its venture into snacks

Vegan specialist Earth Balance has expanded into the snacks category in a bid to add convenience to plant-based diets, its president says.

Food tech centre seeks ‘foodwatchers’ to spot new trends for industry

Spanish food research technology centre AZTI-Tecnalia is developing an international community of ‘foodwatchers’ to detect trends and business opportunities for the food and beverage industry.

Hostess gears up for Feb 28 auction for Wonderbread et al and says Drakes deal is close

Hostess Brands Inc. has won permission from the bankruptcy court to sell most of its bread brands at auction on February 28, and says it will submit plans to sell...

Fun and convenience: The drivers behind ConAgra’s pop up popcorn bowl

The success of ConAgra’s Orville Redenbacher’s pop up bowl has been underpinned by fun and convenience, a company brand manager says.

Large scale solar food processing under investigation

Large scale solar food processing remains under-exploited, especially in hot countries, according to a study that is due to be published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology.

News in brief

Real Good Food Company revamps Renshaw brand and goes online

The Real Good Food Company (RGFC) will revamp its Renshaw brand to coincide with the launch of a new e-commerce global platform for the business that targets the sugar craft...

A snapshot: Healthy bread and snack reformulation in the UK

Allied Bakeries, Premier Foods and United Biscuits have invested in healthful reformulation and new product development (NPD) over the last few years – with salt and fat reduction, whole grain...

Snacking on Super Bowl ideas with Euromonitor

Super Bowl 2013 snackfest: Chips to dip, bigger packs and flavors to pair with hot wings and beer…

With Super Bowl 2013 just a ball’s throw away, beefed up pack sizes, ridged potato chips for easy dipping and well-paired flavors for hot wings, beer and pizza are set...

New York Bakery Co: The Big Apple, indulgence and variety driving UK business

UK bagel maker New York Bakery Co (NYBCo) has revamped its brand with a new premium range and full packaging re-design playing on iconic New York visuals, indulgence and variety...

Kellogg and General Mills defend themselves against January anti-GMO campaign

Cereal giants Kellogg and General Mills have both defended the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their breakfast cereals in response to a January anti-GMO campaign against them.

Bühler invests in optical sorting at new centre

Bühler Sortex has invested in the latest optical sorting technology as part of the facilities at the customer service centre it plans to open on February 25 in East London.

Frito-Lay v Pringles: Two snack titans on Facebook

PepsiCo and Kellogg lead the global snacks market with Frito-Lay and Pringles, but who fares better in the realms of Facebook and why does this matter?

Faulty machinery blamed for metal contamination in two US recalls

Two separate product recalls due to possible metal contamination have been attributed to machinery failure, according to the two firms involved.

News in brief

Lay’s named one of China’s ‘superbrands’

PepsiCo Lay’s has been voted one of Chinese consumers’ favorite savory snacks and ‘superbrand’ for 2013 by brand consumer research and accreditation institute Superbrands.

UK bakery ban after ‘blatant disregard for hygiene laws’ is an isolated case, says councilman

The owners of Meads Bakery in the UK have been banned from any future in food after persistent hygiene violations including pest infestations, mold and dead mice but a local...

New report is an ‘opportunity to put confusion behind us’ in the GM debate

The publication of a new report on GM foods is an opportunity for industry, consumers, and policy makers to put aside the confusion of the past and ‘take a fresh...

Mold, expired label dates and rat infestation prompts UK cake recall

A range of cakes and confectionery has been recalled by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) due to mold, expired ‘best before’ dates and contamination due to a rat infestation...

News in brief

WP Bakery stamping tool adds seasonal or themed twist

Bakers can add a seasonal or themed twist to bread rolls with WP Bakery’s stamping tool in the run-up to spring and Valentine’s Day.

Conveyor systems offer increased efficiency, claims FleetwoodGoldcoWyard

FleetwoodGoldcoWyard has updated its mini-buffer and multi-lane conveyor systems, claiming they offer improved production line efficiency.

Mondelez eyes Saudi expansion with new JV

Cadbury owner Mondelez International has entered a joint venture to expand distribution in Saudi Arabia, which it calls an “important and strategic market” in the region.

Canada needs more standardized whole grain labeling, say researchers

Canada needs a more standardized whole grain labeling system to better inform consumers on content and limit premium targeted marketing, researchers say.

Healthy food enzymes help Novozymes report 2012 growth

Increasing demand for industry to produce healthier foods helped Novozymes to a strong 2012 performance in its food and drink business, however the Danish enzyme specialist says growth was ‘below expectation’.

Ex-striking Hostess union says it will support and work with bidders

The president of Hostess Brands' BCTGM workers union has said its members are looking to support and work with well-capitalized bidders.

Food industry to Congress: We're still paying over the odds for sugar...

While US refined sugar prices have dropped since last summer and sugar producers claim the nation is “swimming in sugar”, food manufacturers say prices are still “far above historical norms...

Agricultural markets ‘undervaluing risk’, says Rabobank

The supply and demand balance remains highly uncertain for most agri-commodities – but this is not reflected in futures prices, according to a new report from Rabobank.

News in brief

Global grains brief: Outlook tight, particularly in the US

The USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) and the International Grains Council (IGC) reports both outline a tight supply outlook for the coming season, particularly in the US.

Wondering about Wonder Bread? ‘Brand equity is the best thing going for it by a long shot’, says analyst

Brand equity is the best thing Wonder Bread has going for it by a long shot and future business strategies should hinge on this, an analyst says.

Industry should stand poised for breakfast cereal boom in India: Analyst

Manufacturers should stand poised to cash in on India’s burgeoning packaged breakfast cereal market, an analyst says.

Callebaut ups Scandinavian capacity with $36m Carletti acquisitions

Barry Callebaut has acquired Sweden’s ASM Foods from Carletti and has taken over additional operations from Carletti in Demark to up its production capacity in Scandinavia.

Mondelez accuses Kellogg of cookie pack copying

Mondelez has initiated legal action against Kellogg in the US for allegedly infringing its patent on resealable cookie packaging.

FSA calls for comments on aluminium-containing additive restrictions

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has called for comments on restrictions for the use of aluminium-containing food additives.

Tate & Lyle Sugars takes battle against EU to court

Sugar refiner Tate & Lyle Sugars will take its fight against the European Commission for alleged mismanagement of the European sugar market to court today. 

‘Wave of stagnation’ continues to challenge Australian snacks market: Report

Australian snack makers face continued stagnation and economic pressures and must innovate further in niche healthy sectors to ride the current wave of challenges, a report says.

Exclusive interview

Bosch Packaging Technology outlines MAP trends

Seal integrity and taste preservation are some of the topics driving the global development of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), according to Bosch Packaging Technology.

CSM slashes fat content in doughnuts by 40%

CSM has developed and filed a patent for a method to slash fat content in doughnuts by a minimum of 40% and end products are preferred by consumers, it says.

Food quality key to customer loyalty - survey

Food quality, a wide product range and product reliability are the three most important things to win customer loyalty, according to a survey.

US popcorn beats downturn with premium and healthy variants, report

The US popcorn sector has been resilient to a pinched and health-focused economy and is now fuelled by premium-priced healthier variants, according to a new report.

Fruit fortified snacks appeal to children, finds study

Fruit powders incorporated into extruded snacks improve the nutritional profile and are well accepted by children in terms of taste and appearance, finds study.

Industry Insight from European Snacks Association director-general

Snack makers target legumes for healthy NPD

European snack makers want to cash in on the US legume trend and new product development (NPD) for 2013 is focused on lentil-based products, says European Snacks Association (ESA) director-general.

Researchers urge action on Indian cereal contamination

The high level of mycotoxin contamination in Indian cereals must be addressed with improved monitoring and maximum levels for contamination set, a new study says.

Paperboard chemical migration needs barrier regulation, says study

Regulation is needed on functional barriers which tackles the problem of migration of known and unknown food contact material components from recycled paperboard, according to scientists.

Post Foods snaps up natural cereal specialist Attune Foods

Post Foods has acquired natural and organic cereal maker Attune Foods for an undisclosed sum.

News in brief

Neogen’s salmonella detection method gains food-type expansion

Neogen Corporation has received a matrix extension to cover foods in the bakery, confectionery and dairy industry for one of its salmonella detection methods.

News in brief

Weetabix targets busy UK consumers with new breakfast biscuit

Weetabix has developed whole grain breakfast biscuits to target on-the-go, busy consumers.

People on the move

Fazer CEO departs; former Hershey exec joins Wolfgang Candy

Fazer CEO Karsten Slotte plans to leave the Finnish company, while former Hershey executive Andrew Jacobs joins premium confectioner Wolfgang Candy.

Honey slapped for slow-release energy claims; but what about Nutella?

Rowse Honey cannot claim it gives “slow release energy” following a UK advertising watchdog ruling that has disappointed the Oxfordshire firm and left it wondering how spread rival Nutella can make similar...

Flowers Foods emerges as first stalking horse bidder for Hostess Brands' assets

Georgia-based Flowers Foods has emerged as the first ‘stalking horse’ bidder for assets from bankrupt baker Hostess Brands.

Flawed Harvard study unfairly criticizes whole grain stamp, and proposes bizarre alternative, says Whole Grains Council

A Harvard study questioning the value of the Whole Grain stamp is badly flawed and criticizes the scheme for “failing to do something it was never designed to do”, says...

Bimbo Bakeries to tighten grip on Northeast US with Pennsylvanian plant

Bimbo Bakeries has splurged out $75m on land to build a bakery plant in Pennsylvania as it continues to invest heavily in securing a stronger grip on the Northeast region...

New egg white replacer to benefit gluten-free formulators, says Penford Ingredients

Penford Ingredients has developed an egg white replacer that cuts costs, improves quality and plugs non-allergenic requirements in gluten-free bakery formulations, it says.

News in brief

Gluten-free, ancient grains breakfast and snacks range to plug health demands

Van’s Natural Foods has launched a range of gluten-free, whole grain cereals, crackers and snack bars to plug health demands for nutritious breakfast and snack options.

Hovis forced to cut 100% British wheat pledge due to poor quality UK harvest

Premier Foods will begin using EU-sourced wheat in its Hovis packaged breads in a bid to maintain quality following a poor UK harvest.

High fibre diet ingredient IP6 backed for prostate cancer prevention

The compound believed to one of the ‘active ingredients’ in a high-fibre diet could have clinical potential to control the progression of prostate cancer in patients diagnosed in early stages...

Reducing bran compound can help make a tastier whole wheat loaf, say researchers

Controlling levels of a bran compound known as ferulic acid could help to improve the taste and smell of whole wheat bread products, researchers suggest.

Rokk’s robot boosts ice cream, cake capacity

A new robotic production line from Rokk Processing can deliver high production volumes for manufacturers of ice cream and cake makers who want to mimic artisinal designs.

Eurofins explores options for allergen detection method

Eurofins is exploring the bakery industry as well as food that uses herb and spices for its mass spectrometry allergen detection method.

Health, portability and convenience are key in breakfast NPD, says Mintel

New product development in the breakfast foods segment must be defined by health, portability and convenience to target key consumer needs in a snowballing US market, Mintel says.

Quantifying the fat: Different detection methods have conflicting results

Three main methods to determine fat levels in bakery show up conflicting results in the same commercial samples, say researchers who warn that measurement and labelling of fat may be...

Prolonged high wheat prices: 'Uncharted territory for industry'

Global wheat prices have settled slightly but remain historically strong and the prolonged period of such conditions is uncharted territory for industry, according to an analyst.

Online food games may prompt high calorie snacking – even if they promote fruit

Online games promoting food items prompt children to consume more energy-dense foods – regardless of the kind of food the games promote, suggests new research from the Netherlands.

Onion skin waste ups antioxidant activity in bread, finds study

Onion skins that are normally consigned to waste bins could be used to up antioxidant activity in wheat bread without affecting consumer appeal, according to researchers.

Hostess: We expect to establish up to six stalking horse bidders for Twinkies et al

Bankrupt Twinkies and Wonder Bread maker Hostess Brands says it expects to establish up to six ‘stalking horse’ bidders for its iconic bakery brands when bids are presented to the...

Kellogg shuns "silver bullet" 30% UK cereals sugar cap

Cereal giant Kellogg has said that parents should make cereal choices for children and not government in rejecting what it calls a "silver bullet" proposal for a 30% sugar limit...

News in brief

Intersnack appoints Thain as general manager for Pom-Bear site

UK savoury snack manufacturer Intersnack has appointed Sam Thain as factory general manager for its Corby site, home of its Pom-Bear snack brand.

Analyst: Ditching Skippy continues to skew Unilever towards faster-growing emerging markets

Offloading Skippy peanut butter - which still generates the majority of its $370m annual sales in the mature US market - will continue to skew Unilever’s portfolio towards faster-growing emerging...

Warburtons to close Blackpool bakery and cut 55 jobs

Warburtons is to close its Blackpool bread roll bakery with the loss of 55 jobs.

Exclusive interview

Food shoppers are women, marketers are men: Houston, we have a problem…

It is well known that most food shoppers are women, but does the food industry get that in its marketing? Not really, says female marketing expert, author and CEO of...

B vitamins may boost colorectal health: Study

Increased intakes of vitamin B6 and riboflavin (B2) are associated with a 20% reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer, says a new study.

UK government emphasises flexibility in health claim wording

The UK Department of Health (DoH) has issued health claims guidance that makes it clear official European Union  wordings are flexible but warns companies not to go too far.

News in brief

Late-night snacking popular in the US

Snacking occasions in the US occur more frequently in the afternoon, evening and late-night hours, according to the Hartman Group.

Heat sealing inspection system will revolutionize quality assurance, says distributor

A new heat sealing inspection system is set to revolutionize quality assurance and help snack manufacturers slash waste, according to its UK distributor.

General Mills’ agreement to change Fruit Roll-Ups labeling is a ‘step in the right direction’, says CSPI

General Mills has taken a ‘step in the right direction’ as it agrees to improve its Fruit Roll-Up labeling in light of a class action lawsuit, the Center for Science...

Novel, green and healthy products to profit from food celebration: Analyst

Food celebration is a very strong trend for 2013 and novel, green and healthy bakery and snack products are set to benefit from this sentiment, an analyst says.

Indian breakfast market to liven up this year

Two of India's biggest food companies are preparing to extend their battle into the lucrative, albeit relatively new, breakfast oats category this year.

Hormel Foods to acquire Skippy peanut butter from Unilever

Unilever has struck a deal to sell its Skippy peanut butter business to Hormel Foods for approximately $700m.

Special Edition

Improving Gluten free bakery quality: 2012 ingredients highlights

BakeryAndSnacks.com brings you a roundup of the latest research into gluten free production to give ideas on how your company can formulate to benefit from the growing category.

Comment

FoodNavigator predicts top five industry drivers in 2013

As the New Year dawns, FoodNavigator predicts the top five factors likely to be the biggest drivers of the European food industry in the year ahead.