Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

Allergy-safe bakery produces on-the-go snack options

The UK's 'free-from' bakery market is benefiting from continuing innovation with the launch of new snacking options from leading niche producer Ok Foods.

Northern Foods struggles after bakery slump

UK food group Northern Foods is struggling in the competitive domestic bakery market - adding heat to rumours it may be forced to sell off its core Fox's biscuit brand.

United Biscuits rolls out healthier crisps

Following its decision to cut saturated fats from top snack lines, European biscuit and crisp manufacturer United Biscuits UK (UBUK) is venturing further into healthier reformulation with the relaunch of a new, improved Hula Hoops crisp brand.

Obesity white paper gives 3 years for self-regulation impact

The European Commission yesterday adopted a white paper setting out a European strategy on nutrition, overweight and obesity, including plans to review progress in three years.

Soy nuts may cut womens blood pressure

Using soy nuts as their source of protein in a healthy diet reduced blood pressure in postmenopausal women by up to 10 per cent, says a new study from the US.

Northern Foods revenues increase under restructuring

Underlying revenues for Northern Foods rose 3.1 per cent to £888.5m (€1,309m) in the year to 31 March, the company reported today.

ABF grows grocery operations

Associated British Foods (ABF), owner of the UK's third largest bread brand Kingsmill, has extended its grocery portfolio with the acquisition of Indian food brand Patak's.

Weekly Comment

Press releases for the press?

In a world where getting your name out there is called branding, and branding in turn equals better market share, some companies will go to great lengths to draw attention to their name. With information sources driven by open-access Internet, companies can tailor press releases not always intended for the press.

Packaging alliance cuts sourcing times

Packaging firm tna has joined forces with potato snack processing group Kiremko to broaden the remit of both firms and turn the businesses into a single processing and packaging powerhouse - reducing sourcing/procuring times for clients and offering a more comprehensive service.

UK grants 10m towards seed bank projects

The UK's Department for International Development is to invest £10m (c €14.7m) in banking seeds of essential food crops over the next four years, as part of an effort to preserve food sources for poor farmers and maintain crop diversity.

Soil Association mulls over ban on organics by air

The UK's Soil Association is to publish a consultation document this week that suggests a ban on labelling produce flown into the country as organic - a move that could compound the existing shortage of organic supplies.

Approval sees Enzymotecs plant sterols set for functional foods

Israel's Enzymotec are promising to take the European phytosterol market to the next level after the European Commission approved the company's CardiaBeat ingredient as a novel food.

Oat innovation targets healthy snackers

Oat snack manufacturer Nairn's has launched new additions to its product line-up to target health-conscious consumers who are tuning into the nutritional benefits of a diet incorporating oats.

Underperforming bakers struggle in competitive UK market

Testing times lie ahead for UK bakery manufacturers, according to industry analyst group Plimsoll, who say one in four companies are currently at risk of failure.

British Sugar rolls out clean-label syrup

UK ingredients manufacturer British Sugar has developed a new liquid sugar product, suitable for both bakers and confectioners and designed to re-introduce traditional golden syrup to a modern, more health-conscious, market.

Exclusive interview

Full speed ahead for Frutarom

As growing companies go, Frutarom has its foot firmly on the accelerator. Jess Halliday talks to president and CEO Ori Yehudai about the secrets of completing fifteen successful acquisitions in twelve years and the challenges facing food ingredient suppliers today.

Soybean waste to offer cost-effective natural antioxidants

Antioxidant waste from the soy industry could offer a cheap and healthy alternative to synthetic antioxidants that prolong the shelf life of food, suggests a study from India.

Nut consumers favour freshness

Consumers prioritise freshness and taste over appearance when it comes to selecting peanut products, according to a new UK study commissioned by the American Peanut Council (APC).

Weekly comment

Masterfoods and the vegetarianisation of food

Masterfoods' U-turn over its plan to reformulate its famous confectionery brands using animal-derived whey sets a precedent that will prevent any other food manufacturer from flying in the face of the global trend towards the vegetarianisation of our food.

Industry support for folic acid recommendation

The decision by the UK's Food Standards Agency to recommend mandatory fortification of either bread or flour with folic acid has met with a positive response, both from the bakery industry and medical researchers.

DSM enzyme offers better high-fibre bread stability

Ingredients specialist DSM is helping bakers target the lucrative health-conscious market with its newest enzyme product, designed to overcome the typical obstacles associated with producing high fibre breads.

Snack makers urged to target health nuts

Manufacturers of nut snacks could boost lacklustre sales by marketing the products from a health platform and being more vociferous in publicising the nutritional benefits of a diet rich in nuts, according to the American Peanut Council.

Fibre, magnesium may slash diabetes risk

Increased intake of fibre and magnesium-rich grains may cut the risk of developing diabetes by more than 25 per cent, suggests a new study from Germany.

Growers warned to be vigilant as UK wheat pests threaten crops

Wheat growers in the UK have been warned their crops are at risk from a number of destructive pests that are flourishing in the current weather conditions.

New technologies on display at UK exhibition

Emerging technologies such as radio frequency identification and the latest food industry equipment will be on display at a four-day exhibition beginning tomorrow in Birmingham.

Tna offers snack makers user-friendly bagging line

Packaging and processing giant tna is set to unveil a fully integrated packaging line - allowing snack makers to concurrently monitor several aspects of the production process - at the upcoming trade show Snackex.

Premier on track with RHM integration

The UK's largest food processor, Premier Foods, has reiterated its financial expectations for the coming year.

New vegetable snack targets healthy eaters

Food researchers in Italy have developed a new process for the formulation of vegetable-based snacks in a bid to bridge the gap between fast, on-the-go snacking and meeting consumer health concerns

Politicians raise acrylamide scare in Holland

Politicians in Holland have called on government to set maximum consumption limits for acrylamide, potentially leading to legislation that would force processors to reduce the potential carcinogen in their products.

Sugar processors offered restructuring sweeteners

The European Commission is stepping up efforts to force less competitive sugar processors from the market, with a series of changes to the EU sugar restructuring scheme.

Spining potato peeler improves yield and quality, manufacturer claims

A new potato peeler uses a centrifugal chamber to improve product control, which helps processors increase yield and reduce cleaning costs, its manufacturer claims.

Indonesia expecting record palm oil yield

Indonesia remains on course to become the world's leading palm oil producer with output for the year expected to reach a record 17.4m tonnes, according to local news reports.

Barilla's strategy for making grains more 'relevant'

The image of grains needs a fundamental makeover in order to encourage consumption globally, according to the R&D director of pasta firm Barilla, who said the enduring perception of grains as 'empty' energy is the major hurdle that needs to be overcome.

Snacks dominate Kellogg quarter growth

Cereal giant Kellogg this week said it had stronger than expected first quarter results as net sales rose nine per cent to $3bn.

EU funds nano packaging research

UK supermarket chain Sainsbury's is part of an EU-funded project to develop biodegradable packaging using nanotechnology.

Tart cherries could help against metabolic syndrome

Adding powdered tart cherries to the diet may lower cholesterol, lead to less fat storage and improve antioxidant defences, says a rat study from the US with implications for metabolic syndrome.