EU sugar quota reform: 2015 v 2020? Is it time to give sugar beet a caning?

On the day 27 associations issued a joint open letter imploring the EU to keep to its word and scrap widely despised sugar quotas across the bloc in 2015 -...

Finsbury sells free-from business to Genius in £21M deal

Finsbury Food Group has sold its free-from business to Genius Foods for £21M to focus on its core bread and cake business  ̶  and reduce debt.

Coarser flours give best volumes in gluten-free maize bread: Study

Maize flours with coarser particle size are the most suitable for making gluten-free bread, a study finds.

Unilever & Nestlé tell Oxfam to bring other stakeholders to food ethics table

Unilever and Nestlé say Oxfam missed an opportunity for a wider and more comprehensive debate about food ethics after the NGO published a damning report on the supply chains of...

The Real Bread Campaign slams UK industrial loaf sector on ‘wholemeal’ and ‘wholegrain’ misuse

The Real Bread Campaign has slammed UK industrial bread manufacturers on the misleading use of ‘wholemeal’ and ‘wholegrain’ and has called for meaningful legal definitions and robust regulation.

Health with a dash of color: SunSweet Bakery launches plum-infused purple baked goods

SunSweet Bakery has launched a new line of purple colored plum-infused baked goods that offer a tasty, new experience with a ‘myriad of health benefits’, it says.

New cocoa powder taps rising consumer demand for intense flavour, says ADM Cocoa

ADM Cocoa has introduced a new intense cocoa powder at Gulfood in Dubai this week, tapping into consumer interest in richly coloured and intensely flavoured cocoa products.

Snacking on global brand ideas with Euromonitor

The big eat: A shared global snack vision

A snack is a snack in every market making global brand building easier, a Euromonitor analyst says.

Vie de France consolidates production as demand outstretches capacity

Vie de France Yamazaki has closed a frozen bread facility in Chicago to shift production to a larger plant in Atlanta as demands and expansion plans outstretch capacity.

ABF calls Oxfam food ethics attack ‘ridiculous’

Associated British Foods – worst-in-class in an Oxfam report critical of 10 food giants for essentially operating under a corporate social responsibility (CSR) “veil of secrecy” – has hit back, slamming the...

Flour recall hits major US brands

Knock-on effect: US flour recall sifts through industry

A US flour and grain blend recall has hit major brands including Frito-Lay and Mondelez and forced widespread precautionary recalls on snacks, cereal and biscuit products.

News in brief

Snyder’s-Lance to cut costs and consolidate with Canadian plant closure

US snack firm Snyder’s-Lance said it will close a Canadian facility to cut costs and consolidate production.

The International Year of Quinoa Launched

Ancient quinoa has future value in food security, says UN

The United Nations has hailed the ancient grain quinoa as a valuable and extraordinary crop that can help in the push forward on food and nutrition security.

Kamut International: ‘We believe our ancient wheat can become a culture and not a fad’

With some of the nation’s biggest organic brands already among its customers, Kamut International is anticipating even more growth as it expands the science behind its ancient grain to target...

Packaged Facts on the hottest food trends of 2013: Pulses, popped whole grains, quinoa, almonds and high-protein breakfasts

Expect more products containing beans and lentils, new quinoa-packed soups and entrees, high-protein nut and seed-based spreads, and more popped whole grains in US grocery stores this year, predicts market...

Pringles transforming Kellogg into global snack player, CEO says

The Pringles acquisition is helping Kellogg become a global player in snacks, CEO John Bryant said in presentation at the CAGNY meeting recently.

Around the world in numerous food labeling ways

Smart food labelling must emphasise good science and careful thought about consumer impact, the European Food Information Council has concluded after completing an exhaustive global survey.

Resistant starch may aid in IBD and cancer resistance: Study

A diet packed with resistant starch may help to prevent both inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, say researchers.

Grupo Bimbo Q4 net profit plunges 81%

Increased financing costs and higher tax rates caused a plunge in net profit for Mexican bread titan Grupo Bimbo in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2012.

Natural antifungals from sourdough have food potential: Researchers

Powerful antifungal compounds produced from linoleic acid found in bread flour are the key reason for sourdough bread’s mould resistant properties, and have potential to be used in a host...

Tackling wheat woes and consumer taste: Puratos reformulates and launches new bread improvers

Puratos has reformulated and developed new market-specific bread improvers to address flour quality fluctuations and cater to consumer taste profiles, it says.

News in brief

Catalan bread obtains protected geographical status from EC

The European Commission has granted a PGI (protected geographical indications) label to the traditional Catalan bread ‘Pa de Pagès Català’.

News in brief

Frito-Lay cuts jobs at Rold Gold pretzel plant

Frito-Lay has confirmed jobs cuts at its Rold Gold pretzel facility in Canton but has refused to comment on reports that this is a result of declining pretzel sales.

Ultra-fine wheat bran plugs health and can improve texture and structure, says Limagrain

Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI) has extended its fibre range with a new ultra-fine wheat bran ingredient that it says can improve structure, texture and nutrition in a broad range of...

German flour cartel slammed down with €41m fines

German cartel office Bundeskartellamt has closed a lengthy case and imposed fines against over 20 flour mills for anti-competitive behavior including price fixing, customer allocation and market sharing agreements.

EnWave vacuum technology boosts functional ingredient content of dried fruit

In a technology demonstration, EnWave, based in Vancouver, BC, has used its used its proprietary Radiant Energy Vacuum dehydration technology to enrich dried fruit  with the enzyme B-galactosidase; an enzyme responsible...

Kellogg talks on Special K contamination, Bimbo Bakeries issues recall due to machine fault

Kellogg has described its Special K Red Berries recall as “very small” as Bimbo Bakeries USA issues a broad voluntary recall on its core bread brands due to possible flexible wire contamination....

Aryzta to capitalize on frozen bakery and greater retail exposure with €280m Klemme buy

Switzerland-based bakery firm Aryzta has acquired German company Klemme for €280m ($376m) to capitalize on growth in frozen bakery and to move from independent channels into large retailers.

News in brief

Rodent infestation forces KB Natural Foods recall

KB Natural Foods is recalling three batches of its own-label pre-packaged cashew nuts and almonds because of a rodent infestation.

Pea protein favored for starch based gluten-free bread: Study

Pea is the ‘most acceptable’ protein for starch based gluten-free bread, finds new research.

EC cans EFSA fees plan over income, independence concerns

Charging the private sector for European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) work will not generate enough cash and compromise the agency’s independence, a European Commission working group has found.

Calorie labels are ‘wildly misleading’ claim experts

Calorie labels are misleading consumers by underestimating the energy content of processed foods and exaggerating that of raw ingredients, experts have warned.

Rethinking sandwich cream processing after trans fat removal

Manufacturers must rethink production of sandwich creams for bakery fillings and biscuits after a trend to remove trans fatty acids and reduce saturated fatty acids has affected the consistency of...

Kellogg recalls Special K Red Berries cereal in US due to possible glass fragments

The Kellogg Company has issued a voluntary recall in the US on three sizes of its Special K Red Berries cereal packs due to the possible presence of glass fragments.

Germany queries anthraquinone amid cancer fears

Fears about food contact material anthraquinone’s carcinogenic properties have prompted Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) to drop it from its recommended list for food packaging substances.

Taura confident ingredients knowledge will aid shift into finished snacks development

Knowledge on ingredients and formulation puts Taura Natural Ingredients in good stead as it ventures into developing and manufacturing fruit snacks for selected partners, its marketing manager says.

Presweetened cereals do not predict child obesity: Kellogg

Consumption of presweetened cereals does not predict obesity in children, a new study published by Kellogg finds.

Snyder’s-Lance: New R&D center to support aggressive category-expanding innovation

A new research and development (R&D) center will enable Snyder’s-Lance to deliver category-expanding, innovative new products for 2013, its president and COO says.

B Corporation Certification will safeguard social mission for Rubicon Bakery

A certification standard for social and environmental performance will safeguard the social mission of Rubicon Bakery – initially set up as a non-profit social enterprise, its owner said.

Ireks sees ‘superfood’ demand in UK as it launches chia seed bread mix

German baking ingredients firm Ireks has launched a new chia seed bread mix for the UK that it claims will appeal to British consumer demand for “superfoods”.

Vietnamese banana snack maker eyes expansion beyond health stores

Contract manufacturer Natur Boutique wants to shift its organic dried banana snack beyond health stores and is in talks with major retailers.

Hi-Maize resistant starch may replace flour in foods with minimal sensory impact

Resistant starch can effectively replace flour in foods like muffins, focaccia bread, and chicken curry to boost the fiber content without affecting the sensory characteristics, says a new study from...

Nestlé reports slower growth, expects challenging year ahead

Nestlé’s share price fell 2.3% on Thursday as the company announced its slowest growth in three years, with developing markets hit by natural disasters and continued market weakness in Europe...

News in brief

Small Slovenian bakery bankrupt after failed expansion

Small Slovenian bakery Pekarna Blatnik has been declared bankrupt after expansion plans in Serbia could not be funded, according to local reports.

EU health claim winner

Cross-Atlantic choline team banks on EU health claim conversion

US supplier Balchem has joined with Dutch firm Van Eeghen Functional Ingredients (VEFI) to develop the European choline foods and food supplements market, after the nutrient won three EU health...

News in brief

KP Snacks plugs value needs on popular Space Raiders brand

KP Snacks has launched a multi-pack of its beef flavored Space Raiders to cater to increased demands for the soaring brand and plug value needs, it said.

ASA upholds complaint against Weetabix online app targeting kids

The UK’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has upheld a complaint against Weetabix’s online app WeetaKid and ruled that the app can no longer exist in its current form.

Bread with sliced carb content targets strict diet stage

Contract manufacturer Laboratoire PYC has sliced carbohydrate content by 80% in its latest dietetic whole grain bread product to target the ‘strict diet stage’ in weight management, it said.

Political persuasions may influence consumers’ brand choices: Study

Consumers of differing political ideologies may also make different purchase decisions when it comes to foods, according to new research.

Employee loses thumb at crisp factory

A crisp manufacturer has been fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs after a man lost his thumb in an unguarded machine at its factory in Crumlin, Newport, Wales.

Cropping a blow

Wheat the high point of a heat-affected Australian harvest

Heatwave conditions from early January and below average rainfall across Australia’s major agricultural regions have resulted in a less than favourable summer cropping season, according to the Australian Bureau of...

Scientist: Increase in celiac disease is not a result of wheat breeding

The rise of celiac disease is not a result of higher gluten content from wheat breeding but more likely a result of increased per capita consumption of wheat flour and...

ABA ENERGY GUIDE: EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Emerging technologies offer promise for energy efficiency, says American Bakers Association

Infrared ovens, reflective coatings and phase-change materials for freezing hold promise for improved energy efficiency in the baking industry, says the American Bakers Association (ABA).

Corkers: Riding in the wake of Kettle and Tyrrells

UK premium potato chip brand Corkers has benefited from a wake of independent business left behind as Kettle and Tyrrells move mainstream, its MD says.

Plasma power fights germs in food

Food processors can zap harmful organisms in packaged products using plasma power, thanks to a method just discovered by scientists at Glasgow University in Scotland.

Post ‘self-inflicts’ cereal market share loss; plans Q2 innovation

US cereal firm Post Holdings has reported a “self-inflicted” market share loss in the first quarter (Q1) of 2013 and plans new product launches backed by large ad campaigns to...

News in brief

Girl Scout mango crème cookies are ‘not remotely equivalent to fruit of any kind’ says CSPI

The Girl Scouts of America are facing some healthy flak after promoting their new Mango Crème cookies with NutriFusion as nutritionally equivalent to fruit.

Flowers Foods CEO applauds ‘amazing’ work in the wake of Hostess disruption

Flower Foods team members and its distribution partners did an amazing job of serving customers in the wake of market disruption when Hostess liquidated, Flowers CEO said.

Commodity chats: With Rabobank

Wheat worries: Feed use could squeeze bakers

Use of wheat for feed should be lower than last year but will remain high and this could put more pressure on already tight supplies for the bakery and snacks...

News in brief

Deal will benefit both of us, says CEO

Emballator Lagan Plast has acquired Bra Plast in Vittsjö AB, Sweden to offer a broader product portfolio and faster to market development.

Baker’s union boss: 'I’m here to set the record straight on Hostess Brands'

While Hostess Brands has placed the blame for its demise squarely on the shoulders of the Baker’s union, its boss says his members rejected the company’s final collective bargaining offer...

ABA Energy Guide: Light Savings

American Bakers Association sheds light on energy savings

The American Bakers Association (ABA) has produced a guide to energy saving for industrial bakers that says costs can be significantly cut by making the right lighting choices.

Big breakthrough in ancient, organic grains? Researchers make ‘great strides’ in health benefits of ancient wheat

A new study that reports the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of Khorasan wheat, an ancient grain, has been hailed as ‘making great strides in documenting the significant health benefits...

Industry needs to be more open about nanomaterial use, says As You Sow

A US not-for-profit organisation has slammed the “murky issue” around potential risks of nanomaterial use and pledged to test products to assess their safety.

Online demos important for equipment firms, says WP Bakery

Online platforms can attract and channel customers, particularly for equipment companies, the marketing director at WP Bakery Group says.

Mixing has ‘major influence’ on gluten-free bread quality – study

Researchers have claimed that mixing has a much bigger impact on the quality of gluten-free bread than was previously understood and have found variations depending on levels of hydration in...

Hot extrusion process can manipulate nutritional status of RTE snacks: Review

There is potential in hot extrusion processing to enhance the nutritional profile of ready-to-eat (RTE) snack products enabling health demands to be plugged in a booming sector, a new review...

Frozen sales surge at Kellogg but Kashi still underperforming in the cereals aisle

Kellogg is significantly outpacing the competition in the frozen food aisles, posting a 12.8% surge in sales the fourth quarter of 2012 and a 10.8% rise in the full year,...

Snacking on ideas with Mintel

Occasion-based snacking: Tradition always trumps health

Occasion-based snacking during events like the Super Bowl, Christmas or Thanksgiving is driven by tradition, fun and indulgence not health, an analyst says.

Allied Bakeries invests in ‘healthy white’ bread

UK firm Allied Bakeries has launched a high fiber white bread loaf and roll line under its Allinson brand to target huge opportunities in the healthier white segment, its brand...

News in brief

Fan-made Doritos advert aired at Super Bowl

Frito-Lay once again drafted in fans to create a Doritos advert to be aired at the Super Bowl last weekend.

ISM 2013 Cologne

Convenience, shelf-life and health: Gourmet fruit range plugs all, says Taura

Taura Natural Ingredients’ newly launched gourmet fruit inclusion range plugs convenience, shelf-life and health for the artisanal baker, its marketing manager says.

Product Inspection for Bakers: Insight from Mettler-Toledo Part Two

Bakers need more flexible product inspection as bread varieties boom, says specialist

Increased variety within the bakery sector is putting pressure on quality and safety management and means flexible product inspection programs are needed, says a specialist.

FSA calls urgent meeting after pork DNA found in halal meat

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is holding an urgent meeting of retailers and suppliers today (Monday) following the discovery or pork DNA in halal meat supplied to prisons in England...

Product Inspection for Bakers: Insight from Mettler-Toledo Part one

Communication on product safety and quality can differentiate bakers in a competitive environment, says specialist

Bakery manufacturers who want to differentiate themselves in a competitive market should consider communicating safety and quality efforts to consumers, a specialist says.

Small snack packs are smart and satisfying, say researchers

Smaller and larger snack portions are equally effective in decreasing cravings and feelings of hunger, say researchers.

Deep-fried food linked to higher risk of prostate cancer

Regular consumption of foods that have been deep-fried is associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, warn researchers.

Kellogg launches new ‘on-trend’ frozen breakfast options

The Kellogg Company has launched new frozen breakfast options under its Special K and Eggo brands that it claims are ‘on-trend’ with consumer needs.

Canada Bread CEO on bakery closures: “We must adapt to food inflation and rising costs”

Canada Bread Company will close two fresh bakeries in Canada in a bid to improve efficiency and reduce overheads as it reacts to food inflation and rising costs, its CEO...