Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

Baxters launches new convenient packaging for soup

UK soup company Baxters is set to roll out new microwaveable pots for its soup brands across the country, hoping to ride the trend for snack foods that are both convenient and healthy.

Group calls for tighter salt regulations on bread

A UK campaign group has called for stricter regulations on the formulation and labelling of supermarket bakery bread, after consumer group Which? found that some fresh loaves contain twice as much salt as others.

General Mills counts cost of pizza recall

US-based manufactuer General Mills yesterday said a pizza recall in November knocked $20m off its Q2 operating profit. .

Heinz uses Sealed Air vertical packaging in Russia

Vertical packaging technology from Sealed Air has helped Heinz's Russian operation meet increasing demand for packaged goods, the firm has said.

CSM sells US bakery ingredient group

Dutch firm CSM has reached an agreement on the sale one of its North American bakery ingredients operations to Kerry Group, the company revealed today.

Danisco to review ingredients strategy ahead of split

Danisco has said it is reviewing the strategic direction and priorities of its core ingredients business, as a result of its decision to de-merge its sugar and ingredients operations.

China moves to stem grain exports

China's Ministry of Finance yesterday said it will scrap the 13 per cent tax rebate on grain exports to keep the products within the country, a move that could put more pressure on other markets around the world.

Weekly comment

Time for antioxidants v2.0

'Antioxidants' crop up every where, from beverage cans to cereal packets. But industry must wake up to over use of the antioxidant tag before the term loses meaning for consumers.

Dessert habits reflect healthy trend, report

While 85 per cent of US consumers still eat dessert once a month or more, healthier options such as fruit and yoghurt are an increasingly popular choice, according to a new consumer trends report.

Greencore acquires UK cake firm

Irish-based Greencore has moved to strengthen its position in the convenience food sector by purchasing a UK cake manufacturer, after exiting the sugar business because of EU reforms.

Pectin sourcing advances: 2007

As 2007 draws to a close, FoodNavigator looks backs on a year of continued exploration for novel sources of pectin for the food industry.

Kellogg expands research facility

Cereal manufacturer Kellogg today revealed plans to invest $40m in expanding its institute for food and nutrition research, claiming that sales from innovation have doubled since it first opened in 1997.

New enzymes improve old wheat, says Cognis

The developer of two new enzymes claims the products can ensure a better baking performance from flour to compensate for poor wheat quality.

Milk, egg allergies more than just a passing phase: study

Outgrowing allergies to milk and egg may no longer be the case, as new research from the US suggests the allergies are more persistent than first thought.

USDA predicts more commodity price rises

US wheat stocks will fall to their lowest level in 60 years, which will contribute to a sharp rise in prices, according to US Department of Agriculture projections.

Lance invests in organic snacks

US-based snack company Lance last week announced it has bought a stake in Late July Snacks, as part of a bid to move into the organic and healthy market.

Weekly Comment

Infant nutrition: Too close for comfort?

Industry has to walk a tightrope between lending a benevolent hand to support infant nutrition for the good of public health, and cynical marketing that seems to cash in on sensitivities.

Date set for first crispy foods symposium

A new symposium has been organised to allow food manufacturers and scientists to examine the principles behind crispness loss and retention in snacks and bakery products.

Further sugar production difficulties ahead, says ABF chairman

The chairman of Associated British Foods (ABF), a major European-sugar producer, says that the industry will have to weather the storm over the coming year before producers can reap the benefits of EU-wide sugar reform.

Frito-Lay develops sense of hummus

Frito-lay, the snack arm of beverage group PepsiCo hopes to extend its presence in the market for healthier snacks, announcing today a new US-based joint venture with the Strauss Group.

Cereal prices remain high despite record production, FAO

Global cereal production this year has reached record levels, although an inability to keep up with the rapid rise in demand has kept prices high, according to a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Krispy Kreme profits fall despite cutbacks

Doughnut manufacturer Krispy Kreme last week said third quarter sales fell nearly 12 per cent, despite closing factory stores across the country in an attempt to save costs.

Non-GM xylanase launched to perk up bread volume

Speciality enzyme manufacturer Biocatalysts have developed a xylanase enzyme for bakery applications made without the use of genetic modification.

Secure cake packaging launched

A new packaging box for muffins and cupcakes features a unique insert tray to hold the cakes in a secure position, and help reduce the risk of damage during transportation, the manufacturer claims.

Kraft denies Brazilian acquisition

Global food giant Kraft yesterday denied making a bid for Brazilian poultry company Perdigao, despite a flurry of merger and acquisition activity over the last year.

Asparaginase validated by CIAA in Acrylamide Toolbox

The CIAA has included asparaginase in the new version of its Acrylamide Toolbox, a move seen to validation the efforts of companies that have developed commercial solutions using the acrylamide-reducing enzyme.

Cognis extends non-hydrogenated Lamequick offering

Cognis is extending its non-hydrogenated fat range of Lamequick whipping agents with three new versions suited to a broader range of technical applications that meet consumers' healthy requirements.

Claiming your share of R&D tax incentives

KPMG'sDavid O'Keeffe, Dharmini Dharmabalan, and Naro Roxane Markarian describe how companies can access some of the R&D tax incentives they may be missing out on.

Scientists seek beta-glucan bread solution

Scientists working for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) are developing new techniques to produce bread with high beta-glucan content in a bid to create a loaf with increased functionally and health benefits.

News briefs: Kraft, Heinz and Lotte

Heinz posts a nearly 10 per cent increase in operating profits; Kraft finalises the acquisition of Danone's biscuit division; and Korean company Lotte moves into the Japanese cake market.

Snack bars outsell confectionery, report

Thanks to the health and organic trends, sales of cereal bars in the EU will experience average compound annual growth of 7.2 per cent up to 2010, far outstripping sales of candies and chocolate, a new report claims.

Weekly comment

Industry's role against HIV/AIDS

Following World AIDS Day, the food industry should reflect on its own potential to advance the fight against a disease that continues to sweep a devastating toll.