Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

Camera launched for bakery oven inspection

A new cableless video system allows bakery manufacturers to inspect the inside of their oven using only the oven's own conveyor belt and a camera, the manufacturer claims.

CSM passes on higher raw material costs

Bakery ingredients firm CSM has reported strong sales for 2007, after increased raw material costs were successfully passed on to customers.

Fairtrade branded unfair by UK think tank

A UK-based policy institute this week slammed Fairtrade, saying that the practice distorts the market and traps some of the world's poorest farmers in a cycle of poverty.

Nutrinova settles patent case over sweetener

Nutrinova has today said that it has settled two lawsuits against the Ingredient House relating to patent infringements and theft of trade secrets.

Heinz margins dip over higher costs

An increase in commodity and marketing costs led Heinz to yesterday report slightly lower margins for the third quarter 2008, despite sales and operating profit growth.

Bakery turnaround boosts ABF profits

Associated British Foods (ABF) yesterday forecast that profits from the grocery division, which includes bakery products, will be much higher than the £20m loss posted last year.

New technology launched for delicate product packaging

Packaging firm Bosch has designed a new range of packaging and processing solutions designed specifically for handling delicate products such as tray baked goods, biscuits and chocolate confectionery.

Price hikes spell financial troubles for Premier

Soaring commodity costs have sent Premier Foods share prices tumbling and may cause the company to breach its banking covenants, according to analysts.

Less concern over salt, fat and food safety, says UK survey

The latest consumer survey conducted by the UK's Food Standards Agency points to a drop in concern about salt and fat levels in foods, which the agency says reinforces the need for awareness-raising initiatives.

ADM responds to HFCS obesity claims

Ingredients giant Archer Daniels Midland has criticised media reports linking the use of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) with the rise in US obesity levels, saying it is not the sole cause of the epidemic.

Weekly Comment

Supplements - do we ask too much?

Taking a range of supplements from vitamin A to zinc is becoming part of everyday life. But as the latest study is published questioning their efficacy, people could be left wondering do they work?

News briefs: Canada Bread, Campbell and Barilla

In financial news, Canada Bread keeps profits steady through frozen bread sales, Campbell suffers from high input and commodity costs, and Barilla may be looking to sell its German bakery division.

Kraft, Sara Lee predict 2008 profit growth

Global food firms Kraft and Sara Lee yesterday said they expected to experience growth over the course of 2008, despite the impact of the current commodity squeeze.

Campaigners reject claims GM answer to food prices

Europe must scrap its biofuel targets to combat the upward spiral of food prices, say green campaigners, discarding claiming that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are the answer.

UK snack firms focus on food miles

Snack manufacturers Boots and Walkers are now focusing on locally sourced ingredients for certain product ranges, as scrutiny intensifies over food miles and their effect on the environment.

Consumers shun nutrition info for recycling instructions

Consumers are more interested in seeing recycling information on food labels than fat, sugar and calorie information, according to a new survey from Mintel, adding further fuel to the debate on what info should be presented and how.

Cadbury scraps shareholder payout after profit drop

Cadbury today said the demerger of its beverage arm will no longer result in any capital return to its shareholders, as the company reported profit losses for the tax year 2007.

New trade group focuses on salt reduction

The UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is focusing on achieving salt and sodium reduction and cutting saturated fats in the bakery and snacks sector with the formation of a new group.

Quest acquisition enables Givaudan strategy shift

Givaudan achieved savings by integrating Quest International ahead of plan, increasing its product portfolio and allowing it to refocus on value-added ingredients.

Ghana pledges sustainable cocoa push - report

The Ghanaian cocoa board is planning to significantly step up cocoa production in the country over the next three years in a nationwide shake-up of how the crop is farmed, according to press reports.

Industry fights bill on food ad watershed

The UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is opposing a private members bill that pushes for a 9pm watershed on advertising unhealthy foods, condemning it as 'disproportionate' and 'contradictory'.

Weekly comment

Making a meal out of saturated fat

The food industry across Europe needs to make a big effort to reduce saturated fat in food regardless of whether national agencies set targets - and it should not wait around for governments to do all the awareness-raising with its consumers.

News briefs: Vanilla, fruit snacks and spring rolls

With healthy, premium and ethnic foods dominating the food industry, new fruit, vanilla and spring roll products have been launched in the UK and the US this week in attempt to target these trends.

Erythritol demand to grow with EU acceptance

EU member states must recognise erythritol as an approved sweetener by tomorrow, which is expected to increase its use in low-calorie products across Europe.

AB Enzymes launch targets improved biscuit baking

Two new proteases, designed specifically for the bakery industry, can help reduce problems such as browning and cracking, the manufacturer claims.

Panera Bread margins as wheat costs rise

Panera Bread yesterday posted a 3.2 percentage point loss in margins, as rising wheat costs put a strain on its operations.

Fats and oils will increase in price, report predicts

Large price increases for fats and oils have been predicted in a 10-year forecast by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

News briefs: Ralcorp, Trian and butter protection

In financial news this week; Ralcorp posts first quarter profit sales increases, Trian attempts to control Wendy's executive board, and an Australian baker strengthens security after the value of his commodities goes up.

CIAA flags food and drink innovation shortfall

The European food and drink manufacturing industry is performing below average on nine out of 12 indicators of innovation, says a new report from the CIAA that highlights the need for increased investment and data protection.

Whole grain and low fat drive Kellogg innovation

Kellogg Company's new product launches are designed to meet the continuing trend for healthy indulgence, with kids' cereals that embrace whole grain and more varied healthy adult cereals.

Weekly Comment

The ethical cocoa confusion

While most consumers agree that ethically-sourced cocoa is no bad thing, an ever increasing number of different schemes risks muddying the issue and puzzling chocolate fans.

PepsiCo margins fall despite profit gains

Beverage and snack company PepsiCo last week posted a 10.3 per cent increase in operating profit for the tax year ending 30 December 2007, but higher overall costs led to a slight decrease in margins for the group.

Sugar stocks may be diverted after disaster

A tragic explosion at Imperial Sugar's Savannah refinery last week could leave the plant out of action for some time, possibly requiring sugar to be diverted to competitors' facilities.

Bakery packing machinery set for trade show roll-out

UK-based packaging firm PFM will exhibit two of its bakery flowrappers at the Bakery Industry Expo (BIE) this April, as part of plans to bring the technology to a wider market, the company said last week.

Overseas sales boost Sara Lee Q2 profit

US-based food and body care company Sara Lee yesterday posted profit gains for the second quarter of the fiscal year 2008, with particularly strong performances from the international beverage and bakery divisions.

Mars, Nestle promise ethical cocoa supply

Global confectioners Mars and Nestle have joined a sustainable cocoa programme, which aims to establish a traceability system for all farmers in the Ivory Coast.

UK food industry must adapt to commodity shortages, report

The independent research organisation Chatham House has launched a project to examine how the UK can best secure its food supply in the face of global food production shortages.

New acrylamide detection process launched

A new acrylamide detection method, that could help manufacturers identify the potentially harmful chemical in food products, has been launched by a UK research body.

Fine and flavour cocoa export market grows

A panel of experts recommend that more countries be recognised as fine or flavour cocoa producing countries in order to provide new opportunities for trade.

Ethnic, fresh and premium key to snack success

Food products with ethnic, premium or healthy ingredients are revitalising the US market for portable foods, a new report claims.

News briefs: milk tax, Divine and pancakes

While a skimmed milk tax will affect Swiss manufacturers, Fairtrade muffins have been chosen as an Airline treat, and the most expensive pancake in the UK is made in Scotland.

Weekly comment

Branding Vs label info: who's the enemy?

Product branding and information provided to consumers on food labels are again at loggerheads, and industry doesn't seem likely to accept new EU labelling proposals without a fight.

Sweeteners and starches suffer blow, ADM said

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) today reported an increase in net earnings by 7 percent from $441m to $473m for the second quarter results - but operating profit for sweeteners and starches were stung.

Confectionery packing technology set for Interpack launch

Packaging manufacturer TNA will launch six new technologies, aimed at improving confectionery and snack packing, at the Interpack trade show in Germany in April.

Kraft profits down on input costs

Global food giant Kraft yesterday posted fourth quarter profit losses of six per cent, despite higher volume sales of chocolate, biscuit and beverage brands.