Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

Evron Foods gets Subway deal

Irish independent baker Evron Foods has won a three-year contract to supply fast-food chain Subway with its bread.

ABF feels tough trading environment

Associated British Foods has become the latest manufacturer to show concern over rising energy prices and the competitive retail environment - but insists half-year profits will be in line with expectations, boosted by its clothing division.

General Mills to integrate remaining Pillsbury flour brands

General Mills has underlined its commitment to bakery by integrating Pillsbury bakery flour brands into its bakery ingredients segment.

Sonoco boosts packaging capacity

Sonoco's acquisition of Wycon Corporation is designed to tap increasing demand for flexible printed packaging in confectionery.

United Biscuits acquires Golden Wonder brands

United Biscuits has acquired the former Golden Wonder brands Nik Naks and Wheat Crunchies from Tayto to extend its position in the UK snack market.

Cocoa flavonols linked to low blood pressure

Regular eating of flavonol-rich chocolate can cut the risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) by half, reports a long-term study of elderly men.

GM potato no threat to health, says EFSA

A genetically modified potato product with altered starch composition poses no threat to human health, according to an EFSA panel ruling.

ADM: multi-lingual push at global marketing

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has launched a multi-lingual website in a marketing effort to provide international customers with easy access to information on its product portfolio.

Consumers need more nutritional help from food companies, study

Most Americans are unaware of the nation's new dietary guidelines, but a strong majority of consumers say they would like to see companies offering more health tips on their product labels, according to a new study.

Nestlé anticipates improved 2006

Nestle has acknowledged its mistakes in confectionery over 2005 and expects improved sales in 2006.

Kraft to target health, convenience and premium trends

US manufacturer Kraft Foods has announced a "fewer, bigger, better" policy, concentrating on crucial brands in key areas as the firm suffers from lagging performance.

Sugar reform was vital and overdue, says EU

Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel explains why the formal adoption this week of the EU sugar reforms was vital, and why it doesn't mean the end for Europe's sugar industry.

Kellogg advertising campaign turns sour

Advertisements for Kellogg's Coco Pops Straws have been referred to the UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after a consumer watchdog claimed they were misleading to children and adults.

Doubts cast over value of low-calorie sweeteners

A lack of convincing evidence means that firm conclusions on the role of artificial sweeteners in weight loss cannot yet be made, according to a scientist.

EU to formalise new sugar regime today

The Agriculture & Fisheries Council will formally adopt new sugar reform regulations today after months of fine-tuning the final wording.

EFSA opens up to discuss future of GM in Europe

Europe's food safety authority is holding a high level meeting with scientists this Wednesday to discuss the future development of Genetically Modified (GM) food within the bloc.

Wheat supply shifting as markets get tighter

The forecast near record wheat production this year is being outstripped by unprecedented consumption levels, leaving export markets tight, according to the latest outlook report from the US Department ofAgriculture (USDA).

More evidence for diabetes and CVD protection by whole grains.

Eating a diet rich in whole grains, a rich source of bran, fibre, minerals and vitamins, could reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes and heart disease, claims a new study that adds to a growing body of evidence on the subject.

FDA defines whole grains, issues guidance for manufacturers

The FDA has released draft guidelines on the labeling of food products containing whole grains, to support the message of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines. Although subject to comments, it seems 'good' and 'excellent' sources are out, and whole grain percentages by weight are in.

CSM to sell European sugar operations

CSM plans to sell its sugar division in order to concentrate on high value ingredients.

Food industry responding to labelling needs

The UK food industry has come out on top in two UK surveys investigating whether manufacturers are meeting Country of Origin and Clear Labelling guidance.

Low-carb diets reduce weight but may raise cholesterol, study

Low-carbohydrate diets may appear effective when it comes to weight loss, but they could be linked to higher levels of LDL or 'bad' cholesterol levels, say scientists.

Obesity rocketing despite record diet food spending

The US might be consolidating its position as the fattest nation, but Europe is catching up fast - and all this despite record spending on diet products.

Danisco hails scientific backing for sweetener xylitol

Danisco says that two new scientific studies support its claim that the sweetener xylitol is effective in fighting tooth decay.

More food processors embracing automation and control systems

Regulations on traceability and food safety are driving Europe's food companies towards automation and control networked systems, a new study says.

Quest heralds major flavour breakthrough

Quest claims it has achieved its biggest flavour breakthrough in a decade with ImpaQ, a solution designed to tackle food and beverage taste issues linked with salt, fat and sugar.

Consumer groups slam food industry labelling initiative

The UK food industry has been slammed by consumer groups for its rejection of an industry-wide colour-coded labelling scheme, just as consultation on a voluntary front of pack labelling scheme ended yesterday.

Crunch time: how food talks to us

The crunchiness of food can be as significant as taste, look or smell in informing our perceptions of what we like, claim researchers.

WTO rules against EU in pivotal GM case

The EU and six member states broke trade rules by barring entry to GM crops and foods, according to the WTO but will the ruling change anything?

Tests reveal diet benefits of new potato variety

A new variety of potato has been shown to contain significantly less carbohydrate and calories than the average spud, presenting an alternative to dieters and disuading them from avoiding potatoes altogether.

Low fat diet 'has no effect on heart risk'

Eating less fat and more fruit and vegetables has no effect on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), claims a long-term dietary intervention study claimed to be the largest ever conducted - a conclusion that is inconsistent with earlier research.

New oat variety boasts high cholesterol-lowering beta-glucan levels

A new oat variety containing high levels of cholesterol-lowering beta-glucan has been developed, meaning that food manufacturers could soon offer whole oat products that pack the same health benefits as ordinary oats into smaller portions.

Nestlé moves to dodge Middle East boycotts

Nestlé, the world's biggest food firm, has taken out adverts in Saudi Arabia to refute rumours that two of its dairy products are Danish, as unlucky Arla Foods continues to suffer from 'those cartoons'.

EU proposes sugar quota cut to prevent serious oversupply

EU sugar quotas will have to be cut for the 2006/07 marketing year to prevent a serious oversupply, says the Commission.

Weekly Comment

Marketing the risky way

Nationality is a dangerous brand.

Tayto ends Golden Wonder turmoil

Northern Irish snack manufacturer Tayto has offered administrators an attractive bid for the remaining Golden Wonder plant, but will absorb the business into its own operations rather than take the old headquarters.

ADM increases operating profits on less than encouraging sales

Sales at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) increased during the company's financial second quarter signaling a recovery from the effects of the US hurricanes last year.

Folate-rich diet benefits pushing UK to flour fortification

The UK appears close to introducing compulsory flour fortification in an attempt to reduce neural tube defects, while a new report lists France as having the lowest rates of birth defects, a statistic that has been linked to the folate-rich Mediterranean diet.

Kraft cuts 8,000 jobs to offset spiralling costs

US manufacturer Kraft Foods has announced a massive extension to its three-year restructuring plan that will see a further 8,000 jobs and 20 production plants go, as the company absorbs rising energy and ingredient costs.

Corn oil, omega-6 could speed up prostate cancer, study

Omega-6 fatty acids speed up the growth of prostate tumor cells in the laboratory, according to a study published in today's issue of Cancer Research.

Zetar seeks next acquisition in snack market

After encouraging first half 2005 results, food buyout company Zetar will look to build in 2006 by acquiring a snack foods company.

Kellogg Q4 results strong but European sales slow

The world's leading cereal manufacturer Kellogg has announced a 3.2 per cent rise in quarterly net profit as cost-cutting techniques continue to keep rising fuel and ingredients expenses at bay.