Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

ADM reports a 53 per cent increase in operating profit

Operating profit for the year ended 30 June increased by 53 per cent to $3.16bn for Archer Daniels Midland, mainly due to streamlining operations, the company said yesteday.

DSM delights bakers and cheese makers at IFT

DSM Food Specialities is using IFT Food Expo 2007 in Chicago to introduce its taste enhancement ingredients to the US.

Nestle's Gerber acquisition cleared by EU

The European Commission has cleared Nestle's proposed acquisition of Novartis's Gerber business, saying it would not lead to an uncompetitive concentration in baby foods and cereals.

One per cent can help reduce sat fat, says agency

Milk that contains only one per cent fat can be used as an ingredient in food products to help formulators reduce saturated fat levels in line with guidance targets, says the FSA - advice that could help stimulate a sector of the dairy industry.

Expert comment

Nitrite free: Where does the truth end?

Cured meat products are appearing on the market as 'naturally cured', 'no nitrite added', 'without added nitrite' or even 'nitrite free' to promote a health image to consumers. Industry expert Gerhard Feiner believes such statements can be misleading.

Strong sales boost revenues for Kellogg

Kellogg said yesterday sales jumped by 9 per cent to $3bn (€ 2.2bn) for the quarter ended 30 June, underlying the company's growth across all of its cereal and snack segments.

Panera Bread reports 28 per cent revenue boost

Panera Bread said yesterday second quarter revenues for 2007 increased 28 per cent over the same period last year, but operating profit fell by 3.4 per cent.

ISO standard set for food traceability

A new international standard has been set for traceability along the food chain, setting out a complete system under which processors can get certification.

Healthy snacks market will boom, says report

The whole grain and high fibre food market will reach $21bn (€15bn) by 2010, according to a new report by Global Industry Analysts.

Replacement ingredient cuts fat, manufacturer claims

A new ingredient replacement for margarine or oil can reduce the fat content of some baked goods by 10 to 50 per cent, its manufacturer claims.

Strong sales across board for Pepsi

PepsiCo yesterday reported revenue growth of 10 per cent for the quarter ending 16 June, thanks to strong performances across most business segments.

Arla sells yoghurt top cups division

Arla Foods announced yesterday the sale of Crispy Food International, a leading producer of "cereal tops" for dairy breakfast foods, to Denmark-based Koff.

ConAgra buys natural foods company

ConAgra has expanded into the natural and organic markets with the acquisition of Alexia Foods, the company announced yesterday.

Manufacturers urged to go 'mass-market' with food intolerance products

Food manufacturers are being urged to cash in on the growing consumer demand for specialised food intolerance products and to steer the trend more towards the mass-market.

Weekly Comment

Could the E-number be up?

The European Food Safety Authority's review of additive safety could have a bigger effect on the ingredients industry than the ejection of certain colours and flavours with a suspect safety record. It could give the natural ingredients trend an extra push, and possibly prove the death-knell for the ne'er loved E number system.

Unilever cuts salt in noodle brand

Unilever has invested £10m (€15m) in the second phase of relaunching its Pot Noodle brand in the UK, cutting in half the amount of salt in the product.

UN bodies call for tougher food safety legislation

Tougher legislation and more inspections are needed to prevent the up to 200 food safety incidents reported internationally, according to two UN bodies.

Sara Lee reveals whole grain content of bread

US based food and beverage retailer Sara Lee claimed last week it is the first in the industry to provide "straight-forward information about whole grains across our product portfolio".

Dry flour can come from aroids, new study

The flour from two edible aroids could be used in baked goods, according to a new study from Venezuela.

Oil curtains for nuts fry cleaner, claims company

Curtains of oil provide a cleaner frying of product than submersion systems, says Heat and Control about its new HeatWave, released this week.

Report criticises UK managers for poor performance

UK food processors are so badly managed that three-quarters of the companies in the market are prime takeover targets, according to a research report.

Cereal prices will remain high, says FAO

Cereal prices will remain high, despite the record world cereal production forecast, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said in a report this week.

A new buzz about breakfast bars

A new range of breakfast bars and cereals containing a microencapsulated caffeine will give the same kick as a cup of coffee.

Food cravings for calories not carbs, says obesity-related study

People with food cravings want calories, not carbohydrates, says a news study from the US that may have implications for obesity.

Investment firm continues European milling market expansion

Austrian investment firm Leipnik-Lundenburger Invest (LLI) said it has successfully completed its entry into the southeastern European milling market with the acquisitions of two bakery firms.

Top firms meet to discuss kids advertising

Top food and beverage companies are today expected to announce new voluntary restrictions on marketing to children, in an effort to preempt the implementation of new regulations.

Bakery sales continue to struggle for Northern Foods

Northern Foods today reported a 2.6 per cent decline in bakery sales revenue in the 13 weeks up to 30 June.

Cereal supply shortage puts crunch on processors

A European Commission statement yesterday that the bloc's cereal stocks are at a low point, emphasises the food industry's warning that commodity prices are hurting manufacturers.

Unhealthy diet a lifestyle choice, says UK study

People on low incomes consume just as much unhealthy food and drink as the general population, and so bad diets are the result of personal choice, according to a study published by the UK regulator Sunday.

CSM streamlines US bakery ingredients operation

Dutch company CSM will continue to concentrate its manufacturing in the US by transferring the production of a subsidiary to other CSM North America plants.

Premium crisps drive growth, says report

A developing demand for premium products such as those made with alternative ingredients is keeping the UK crisps market on a steady 2.5 per cent growth rate, Mintel says in a new report.

Fat tax - proposed again by academia, dismissed by industry

If the British government imposes a "carefully targeted fat tax" on food, over 3,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease could be prevented every year, UK academics have said.

Real Good Food focuses on sugar and bakery

Real Good Food said this week it is focusing upon its sugar and bakery sectors following the disposal of its fish business.

Kellogg's takes bigger bite out of snacks market

Kellogg's is making a bid to become a bigger player in the global snacks market, with the company saying the segment will account for 50 per cent of its sales in the future.

Private label bakery keeps strong market position

Private label bakery products continue to hold a strong foothold in the growing UK market, accounting for 58 per cent of sales by value, according to a study by Nielsen.

Pamphlets target acrylamide reduction in bakery and snack sector

New pamphlets aim to help EU bakery and snacks processors reduce acrylamide levels in their products.

Folic acid study reveals Europe-wide confusion

A new study presented today has revealed that variations in recommended daily allowances for folic acid across the EU are causing confusion for consumers.

Weekly comment

The aspartame science kerfuffle

The publication of a new animal study on aspartame last month has - as expected -sparked yet another bout of head butting from the two opposing sides of the debate. But it also highlights a bigger issue: one of transparency.

Premier Foods to sell frozen foods division

Premier Foods will sell its frozen foods division, according to a trading update released today.

AAK UK continues to expand specialist focus

Specialist fat and oil manufacturer AarhusKarlshamn (AAK) UK has acquired Croda Food Services in a bid to expand its specialist product range.

Danisco to buy South African bakery enzyme company

Danisco has agreed to acquire South African bakery enzymes company Innovative Ingredients, in a bid to build local knowledge and strengthen its position in a promising market.

Bakery industry warned about salt content

Many of the UK's sandwiches contain the same amount of salt as seven bags of crisps, according to a study by Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) published today.

More magnesium-rich food for less diabetes - meta-analysis

Eating more magnesium-rich foods, like green leafy vegetables and nuts, may reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes, suggests a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Invest in automation, says study

Suppliers and manufacturers alike should investigate and invest in automation production lines, according to a new report.

Bran to boost fibre for cookies, tortillas

Scientists from Kansas State University are examining the possibility of making cookies and tortillas with bran-enriched flour to boost the fibre content of the final products.

Global cereal production to rebound, forecasts FAO

Global cereal production is expected to recover from the shortfalls experienced in the past year, according to a report released today.

Kraft to buy Danone biscuits

Kraft Foods today offered €5.3bn for Danone's biscuit and cereals divisions, which generate about €2bn in sales annually.

Premier Foods to close six factories

Premier Foods, the UK's largest food company, said yesterday it will close six of its 11 factories in a bid to cut manufacturing costs.

Weekly comment

M&A: Urge to merge

Mergers and acquisition activity is always ongoing in every segment of industry, but this summer looks to be a particularly hot one for food and beverage manufacturers.

Final stages of Bradman Lake's new packaging machinery facility

The finishing touches are being added to the new Bradman Lake Group's packaging machinery facility in Norwich, Norfolk, as the company continues on its global expansion plan.

Fazer Russia expands bakery operations

Finland-based Fazer Group has taken a majority stake in Russian bakery OAO Volzhky Pekar.

UK to negotiate changes to EU labelling proposals

UK bakery and confectionery companies face higher costs under proposed EU labelling requirements, according to the country's food regulator.