Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

Price increase will continue into 2012 after ‘challenging’ fourth quarter – Maple Leaf Foods

Food processor Maple Leaf Foods intends to further increase prices across all segments to offset the raw materials price hike that affected earnings in final quarter of 2011.

Quaker Oats motion to dismiss trans-fat lawsuit rejected

A court in Illinois, USA has rejected Quaker Oats’ motion to have a deceptive advertising case against it dismissed and has halted proceedings until four similar actions in California are resolved.

Four steps to achieve zero waste to landfill – United Biscuits

United Biscuits (UB) recently became the first major UK food manufacturer to achieve zero waste to landfill at its UK sites. Its sustainability head shares ways other manufacturers can do the same.

Prospects for frozen bakery in Eastern Europe, says Euromonitor

Manufacturers can seize upon the underdeveloped frozen bakery market in Eastern Europe, according to an analyst at Euromonitor

Auto biscuit machine cuts stacking systems to reduce staff costs, claims EPP

An in-line biscuit sandwiching machine can produce cost-savings by eliminating the need for stacking systems thus requiring no manual operation, according to the European Process Plant (EPP).

Sonneveld responds to Dutch salt cap on bread

Increasing aromas and using oxidised enzymes can help bread manufacturers reduce salt as a Dutch cap on salt content looms, according to ingredients firm Sonneveld.

Concerns grow over Amcor's proposed takeover of packaging rival

Amcor’s proposed takeover of Australian packaging company Aperio is motivated primarily by the firm’s desire to eliminate its main rival, could lead to hundreds of job losses and would hit competition in the national market, a leading trade union has warned.

Infrared, hot-air almond pasteurisation combo kills Salmonella - USDA

US food safety researchers are exploring the combined use of infrared and hot air as a tool in the pasteurisation of almonds – a method to prevent potential Salmonella contamination.

Seven workers hospitalised after Fox’s Biscuits fire

Seven workers have been taken to hospital after a fire broke out at Fox's Biscuits plant in Batley at 10.45am today (February 22).

News in brief

Caravan Ingredients introduces new low sodium baking powder

Caravan Ingredients has introduced a new low sodium baking powder that it claims is up to 44% lower in sodium than other industrial baking powders.

Natural mouthfeel is key for reduced-calorie formulations: Givaudan

Swiss flavor giant Givaudan has launched a new programme aimed at developing reduced-calorie products that do not compromise on taste or mouthfeel.

Inulin could help slash fat in cakes, say researchers

Replacing fats and oils with fibre in the form of inulin could lead to 70% reductions in fat, whilst maintaining good taste and functionality, in bakery products, according to new research.

Power brands and BRIC countries drive growth for Kraft in 2011

Kraft Foods has posted growth in its 2011 results driven by strong performance for its power brands and BRIC and European markets.

Acrylamide limit ‘red tape’ premature, says FDF

The added bureaucracy of legal limits for acrylamide in foods is preventable as industry efforts to reduce levels have been sufficient, says the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Sterol and stanol players defend safety record after German review call

Sterol food players Unilever and Raisio are surprised Germany’s food agency has called for a safety review of the cholesterol-lowering ingredient when, they say, the job has already been performed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Ingredients and flavours strong for Kerry within ‘stable, unsurprising’ results

Favourable consumer trends for healthy formulations and natural flavours ensured steady growth in the ingredients and flavours segment of Kerry Group.

CSM profit slump prompts rethink

Ingredients firm CSM has taken a 30% profit plunge in its 2011 results as it looks to refocus its strategy, which will lead to job losses.

Germany calls for plant stanol-sterol safety review over heart health concerns

Plant sterol and stanol consumption by those like children who do not have raised cholesterol could itself lead to heart problems, the German foods safety agency has said.

Larger bakery lines possible with new Dutch site, says Capway

Bakery equipment manufacturer Capway Systems has opened a €9.5m factory in the Netherlands that it says will allow it to produce some of the largest equipment on the market.

Cutting out ‘unperceived’ salt could slash sodium in snacks: Study

Altering the release profile of salt in crisps and snacks could help to lower levels of ‘unperceived’ sodium without affecting taste, say researchers.

News in brief

Flavour success underpins’ strong’ Givaudan results

Swiss flavour and fragrance giant Givaudan has reported strong sales momentum in its Flavours Division, despite “a challenging business environment.”

Real Bread Loaf Mark bakers pass 50

More than 50 bakeries have signed up to The Real Bread Loaf Mark, a label for additive-free bread.

Sugar report reignites GDA and traffic light debate

UK consumer advocates Which?, evaluating sugar levels in breakfast cereals, claim manufacturers need to better inform busy parents and other consumers about the ingredients in their cereals, claiming that traffic light labelling is the most blatant way of doing so.

News in brief

Kraft appoints new legal head

Food giant Kraft Foods has appointed Gerhard "Gerd" W. Pleuhs to lead its global legal team after its current head plans to leave in April.

Arsenic fears sparks call for ORBS limits in organic foods

There is an urgent need to set regulatory limits for organic brown rice syrup (ORBS) found in organic food products over links to inorganic arsenic exposure, according to a study.

Kellogg becomes #2 global snacks firm with Pringles buy; analysts react

Kellogg’s $2.7bn deal to acquire Procter & Gamble’s Pringles will significantly boost its global snacks presence and open existing products up to new markets, according to analysts.

Major strides in fat reduction claimed as algae-based flour released onto EU market

An algae-based flour targeted at fat reduction in foods, the first product to emerge from a joint venture between French food ingredients giant Roquette and Californian microalgae expert Solazyme, has just been released onto the European market.

Ralcorp ups the ante in row with PepsiCo over Frito-Lay Tostitos Scoops

Branded snacks giant Frito-Lay and store-brand specialist Ralcorp have become embroiled in a legal battle over corn chips designed to scoop up salsa and dips.

Paperwork and costs reduced with new EU and US organic trade deal

A new organic trade deal between the EU and the US will eliminate much of the costs for producers, particularly small and medium scale firms, looking to leverage both markets, claim trade groups.

FREE VIRTUAL EVENT

Nestle lined up for Sustainable Packaging conference

William Reed Business Media invites you to participate in a virtual event focussed on cutting packaging waste, reducing environmental impact and driving costs down for manufacturers

Sun sets in East: Emerging markets deliver for Nestle in 2011

Food giant Nestle has recorded modest growth in 2011 driven by strong performance in China and other emerging markets leading its CEO to say wealth potential is moving from West to East.

2015 sugar quota deadline must be adhered to, say soft drink makers

Growth opportunities are being stymied in sectors such as the soft drinks industry due to uncertainty over sugar supply in the EU market, claims a leading UK trade body.

Tereos claims protein-rich wheat gluten gives added chew for healthy cereal bars

Using wheat gluten as a texturiser in cereal bars can produce products high in protein that are fit for the healthy snacking market, according to ingredients firm Tereos Syral

Weetabix invests £20m in UK and North American sites

UK-based cereal firm Weetabix has announced plans to invest £20m (€23.9m) across its manufacturing facilities in the UK and North America.

Kraft, General Mills and ConAgra: analysts’ tips on Pringles suitors

Kraft Foods is the likeliest candidate for Procter & Gamble’s Pringles brand after a deal with Diamond Foods looks lost, though other candidates may be lurking, according to analysts.

UK shortbread firm Paterson Aran launches braille packs

Introducing braille to food packaging is inexpensive and caters to consumer needs, according to a company claiming to be the first UK biscuit manufacturer to launch braille labels.

Nestlé study shows 'on-the-go' eating habits on the rise in Germany

‘On-the-go’ food and drink consumption has increased significantly in recent years in Germany, finds new research from Nestlé.

Comment

Unfair ‘junk food’ label risks making dog’s dinner of industry

Anyone who has spent any appreciable amount of time working in the food industry realises that the issue of ‘junk food’ marketing to children is a hydra that rears two heads for every one cut off.

News in brief

Ultrasound baking technology set to revolutionise industry, claims Macphie

UK ingredients firm Macphie has announced plans to develop ultrasound technology for industrial scale baking that it claims will improve quality, boost nutritional value and bring energy savings.

Olam leverages African position with $167M Nigerian biscuit and candy acquisition

Singapore-based ingredients firm Olam has acquired Nigerian biscuit and candy maker Titanium Holding Company for $167M as it looks to seize upon the developing African market.

Smilde negotiating partnership with Hafner for Délices du Palais

Dutch firm Smilde Bakery has announced it is in negotiations with French company Hafner to take over the French operations of its Délices du Palais business.

Pringles deal ‘dead’: Diamond Foods ditches top brass over shady walnut accounts

Diamond Foods has removed both its CEO and chief financial officer (CFO) over improper accounting on walnut payments rendering its move for Pringles over, according to market analysts

Nestlé defends Nesquik website as CFC demands ASA action on ‘cynical’ child marketing

Nestlé has leapt to the defence of its Nesquik milk-based drinks brand, after the Children’s Food Campaign (CFC) lodged a ‘super complaint’ with the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), complaining that well-known beverage and food brands were targeting children with 'cynical junk food marketing' practices online.

Cargill eyes Eastern Europe with €20m chocolate upgrade in Germany

Cargill has announced plans to invest €20m in two cocoa and chocolate production facilities in Germany as it looks to boost its presence domestically and in Eastern Europe.

Industry backs EU call on cocoa child labour and warns 100% certified is no guarantee

The chocolate and cocoa industry has backed an EU resolution to tackle child labour in cocoa production and warns children may still have produced cocoa that is 100% certified.

Pineapple ‘waste’ could provide bromelain extract for ingredient use

Waste from pineapple processing could provide a range of value added ingredients for the food industry, including a new source of the enzyme bromelain, say researchers.

Refrigerated dough fuels growth for Ralcorp

US-based cereal and snacks firm Ralcorp has recorded improved sales driven by refrigerated dough operations in its first quarter (Q1) results.

Frutarom buys up Brazilian sweet flavour house

Israel-based supplier Frutarom has acquired Brazilian flavour house Mylner for $15.7m (€11.84m), underlining its strategy of plugging any gaps in its flavour portfolio or market base.

Push for universal gluten-free symbol in Europe

The Association of European Coeliac Societies has adopted Coeliac UK’s gluten-free symbol as it looks to standardise gluten-free labelling across Europe.

General Mills plans Quick Response on cereal boxes, despite commentator's scepticism

General Mills is the latest company to experiment with QR (quick response) codes and plans to add them to its cereal boxes, but one well-known technology commentator is sceptical about their benefits.

Frito-Lay accused of deception in second lawsuit on all-natural claims

PepsiCo’s snacks business Frito-Lay has again been accused of deceiving consumers in a second lawsuit by making all-natural claims on its products which also contain genetically modified corn and vegetable oils.

Ralcorp completes Post cereals spin-off

Ralcorp Holdings has completed the separation of its Post Holdings cereals business, through a tax-free spin-off to Ralcorp shareholders, the company has said.

News in brief

Kingdom Bakers: 135 jobs under threat

A total of 135 jobs at Scottish bakery Kingdom Bakers hang in the balance after the firm’s receivers announced that it has received six enquiries from potential buyers.

News in brief

Bakery lags for Sara Lee as profits soar

Sara Lee has recorded growth in its second quarter results, but sales for its bakery category weakened performance in its core meat segment.

Intersnack's seven figure investment in UK snacks

European giant Intersnack is challenging PepsiCo and United Biscuits brands in the UK as it prepares to dramatically increase its profile, with a seven-figure investment in UK production.

Chilled dough firm’s £2M investment creates 40 jobs

BakeAway – the manufacturer of chilled doughs for home-baking and food service – has made its new £2M facility in Corby, Northamptonshire fully operational, creating 40 new jobs.

Kellogg records modest growth driven by Latin America and Asia-Pacific

Cereal and snacks giant Kellogg has announced growth in its fourth quarter (Q4) full-year results led by gains in Latin America and Asia-Pacific.

Dispatches from ProSweets 2012

Combined technology can cut changeover times, claims Franz Haas

BakeryAndSnacks.com spoke to Anders Filt of Franz Haas on the show floor at ProSweets 2012 about a bakery processing machine that combines three technologies that he claims can cut changeover times to 15 minutes.

News in brief

What does healthy snacking mean? Mintel asks

Most people consider fresh fruit and raw vegetables healthy snack choices, according to a recent survey from market research organization Mintel, but a surprising number think cookies and ice cream are also healthy snacks.

Nestle ups stake in Israeli firm Osem with €75m investment

Food giant Nestle has increased its stake in Israel-based food manufacturer OSEM by around 5% in a deal worth €75m (ILS 371.7m).

Bakers on sodium reduction: We can’t afford to make products consumers won’t buy

Reducing sodium is expensive and difficult, and many bakers are beginning to wonder whether it is worth investing millions into reformulating products that consumers do not want to buy, according to the Association of Bakers (ABA).

Hovis and Kingsmill stuck in British bread ‘slugfest’, analyst

After Premier Foods’ announced this week that it plans to up its spend on ‘power brands’ such as Hovis, Investec analyst Martin Deboo told BakeryAndSnacks.com that UK bread was a “terrible industry” to be in due to industry overcapacity.

Spiral freezer helps high production baker maintain competitive edge

Linde Gases has launched a new high-capacity compact cryogenic spiral freezer designed to boost frozen food productivity, reduce the amount of liquid nitrogen used in the freezing process and lower maintenance and sanitation costs.

UK ad watchdog dismisses complaint against Kellogg

The UK advertising watchdog has ruled in favour of breakfast cereal giant Kellogg’s in relation to a complaint that a TV advert for a cereal was misleading in relation to its nutritional content.