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Review of the year: BakeryAndSnacks.com's 2011 highlights

BakeryAndSnacks.com sifts through its archives to bring you some of the highlights of the year that was, including lawsuits, price hikes, and innovations to appeal to the health-conscious consumer.

Exclusive interview

Beneo: Prebiotic health claim rejections have put prospects “on hold”

The second part of this exclusive interview sees Beneo executive board member, Yves Servotte, explaining the cooling but not crushing effect of EU prebiotic health claim rejections on its inulin-chicory business.

2012 set to see some heavyweight M&A activity? Definitely, say leading food market analysts

Is there appetite for M&A activity in 2012? Food market watchers reckon the sector could see some heavyweight deals next year despite the on-going credit lending challenges.

General Mills looks to China as profits slump 28%

General Mills profits fell 27.5% in its second quarter results as the company said it was eyeing investment in China to improve its fortunes.

Asian suitors and Kraft may move for United Biscuits as split rumours rife

UK-based United Biscuits (UB) may have attracted bidders from Asia and major companies like Kraft and PepsiCo amid rumours the company has split its operations into a snacks and biscuit division, according to an analyst.

Frito-Lay hit with lawsuit on all-natural claims

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

Exclusive interview

Beneo board: “Let us not forget that functional food responds to a clear demand of the consumer”

In the first part of this exclusive interview, Beneo Group executive board member, Yves Servotte, explains how European Union health claim rules have informed strategic thinking at one of Europe’s biggest and most vocal ingredient vendors.

News in brief

EC gives green light for Panrico takeover

The European Commission has approved the acquisition of Spanish bakery supplier Panrico by US based investment manager Oaktree.

Kraft to introduce BelVita breakfast biscuits to US amid other ‘healthy’ snack launches

Food giant Kraft has announced plans to introduce BelVita breakfast biscuits to the US market following European success and plans a string of other snacks product launches in 2012 to appeal health conscious consumers.

UK food industry comes together to answer big questions in salt reduction

Leading members of the UK food industry have announced a partnership to fund and deliver a new comprehensive report on reformulation and sodium reduction methods.

Premier Food’s Irish brands sale raises cash fears

The £34.7M sale of Premier Foods’ four Irish brands, Chivers, Gateaux, McDonnells and the Erin licence, to the Boyne Valley Group underline worries about the food giant’s ability to generate cash, one leading analyst has warned.

Scottish firm Nisha acquires Millar Confectionery and plans new factory

Scottish-based Nisha Enterprises has acquired Millar Confectionery for an undisclosed fee and plans to open a new sweet factory in Livingston, Scotland.

Slovenian firm reaps rewards of “huge” health claims investment

Valens, the Slovenian ingredients and supplements manufacturer, is celebrating its barley beta-glucan, LDL cholesterol-lowering health claims victory, it says would not have been possible without a “huge investment”.

News in brief

Horizon Milling and Cargill to build flour mill to service Canadian market

Cargill and its partner Horizon Milling have announced plans to construct a flour mill in Ontario, Canada.

Kraft’s carbon emissions from plants ‘negligible’

The vast majority of Kraft Foods’ carbon emissions come from outside its manufacturing facilities, according to a survey mapping its environmental footprint, but the full picture may look quite different as full results are withheld.

‘Uncertainties’ but no specific health risk over mineral oil migration from packaging - UK

There are no specific food safety concerns regarding leaching of mineral oils and ink chemicals from carton board packaging into food and consumers do not need to change their eating habits, according to research by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Warburtons coy on expansion plans as growth in gluten-free and Eastern Europe booms

British bakery firm, Warburtons, has announced plans to invest and diversify its business over the next ten years, both in the UK and abroad as it sees strong performance in gluten-free and eastern European markets.

Chocolate imbued with ‘good intentions’ and endorsed by Dalai Lama

A US company has introduced an organic chocolates range that it claims is infused with good intentions and has the Dalai Lama’s seal of approval.

Wild launches natural brown flavours for crème-filled chocolates

Ingredients firm Wild has launched a range of natural brown flavours that it has claimed can help confectioners seize on natural flavour trends

New flour said to boost clean label credentials and cut proofing time for Med-style breads

If a new food product does not carry a clean label, it will prove extremely challenging to launch in the current retail climate, said Kampffmeyer as it released a slow-fermented flour at FIE last month that it claims allows an additive-free label declaration in Med-style breads.

Kellogg momentum has slowed again in Q4, claims analyst

Kellogg might have been outpacing rivals in the cereals category in the first three quarters but its volumes have started to drop off again and it remains under pressure thanks to “weak fundamentals”, according to a new report.

Chickpea flour plugs nutritional gap in gluten-free products

A new long-life flour ingredient derived from chickpeas enables gluten-free ready meals, biscuits, pastry, bakery, snacks and cereals, claims developer Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI).

Chocolate replacer can reduce cocoa content 50%, says Muntons

UK-based Ingredients firm Muntons has scooped an award for its malt flour and extracts blend that it has said can replace cocoa powder in baked goods by 50% while preserving flavour and colour.

Scientists urge manufacturers to make raw cookie dough ready-to-eat amid e-coli fears

Cookie dough manufacturers should reformulate ready-to-bake products to make them as safe as a ready-to-eat product, according to a study that has linked raw dough to an e-coli outbreak in 2009.

News in brief

Irish recall after rubber pieces feared in bread loaves - FSAI

A batch of sliced bread is being recalled from stores in Ireland due to the possible presence of small pieces of rubber in the product.

Internally flavouring extruded products can halve costs - Culinar

Lyckeby Culinar AB has won an award for its small extruded crisp pearls that it has said can combine natural flavours and colours without affecting taste and slash costs in half when compared to using freeze dried fruit.

Comment

Lobbyists, start your engines: Can a new health claims formula be won in the European Parliament?

Five years ago the European Union nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) became law. Around the bloc, hopeful EU healthy foods and supplements stakeholders submitted more than 44,000 health claim applications.

European consumer favours consistent quality in bread brand choice – study

European consumers prefer bread with soft and springy qualities that deliver consistent quality, according to a study commissioned by bakery ingredients firm Novozymes.

Paper and board packing pledge on mineral oil phase out

Consumer health concern over exposure to mineral oils from paper and board packaging has triggered a voluntary commitment from European industry bodies to phase out their use over the next two years.

Premier Foods to sell Brookes Avana to 2 Sisters Group for €35m

UK-based Premier Foods has reached an agreement to sell its chilled bakery business Brookes Avana to the 2 Sisters Group as it focuses on eight ‘power brands’.

Comment

Sugary cereals: Time for industry to do the right thing for kids

Kellogg’s Honey Smacks is not marketed to children, a company spokesperson told this publication yesterday. Really? Then what’s up with the big cartoon frog?

Puratos doubles production in China and announces two new sites

Bakery ingredients firm Puratos has announced plans to build a €22m site in China and production facilities in Spain and Mexico as it looks to seize upon strong growth in emerging markets.

Gluten-free flour enhances dough hydration for premium bakery – National Starch

Ingredients firm National Starch has launched a gluten-free flour that it claims can boost dough hydration and improve functionality compared to gluten-free starches typically used in premium bakery goods.

Fruity cocoa range cuts bitterness to appeal to younger consumer - ADM

Ingredients firm ADM has launched range of mildly fruity cocoa powders; cocoa masses and chocolate that it has said can reduce bitterness in chocolate based products and appeal to more consumers.

Malaysia facility will bring Palsgaard closer to palm oil source, says CEO

Danish company Palsgaard said a US $30m emulsifier factory located in Malaysia will be operational in just over 12 months and will bring the company closer to the supply of its key raw material - palm oil.

Moisture-absorbing microwave packaging will boost industry standard - developer

A grease and moisture absorbing flexible packaging will give new food applications access to the microwave market and ‘extend’ the industry standard, said its developer.

News in brief

EC extends deadline on major sugar takeover

The European Commission has been given more time to investigate German sugar company Südzucker’s bid to acquire a 25% stake in British commodities trading company ED&F Man and the deal's impact on competition.

Enzyme formulation can double shelf-life in cakes and muffins – DSM

Speciality ingredients firm DSM has launched two enzyme texturisers that it has said can double-shelf life in cakes and muffins.

Kraft’s snacks spin-off targets Asia and Latin America as Rosenfeld appointed head

Developing markets are to make up almost half of revenues for Kraft’s global snacks business as the spin-off business announces Irene Rosenfeld as its head.

News in brief

John Wanvig becomes new CEEREAL president

The European Breakfast Cereal Association (CEEREAL) has appointed its former vice-president John Wanvig as its new head.

Food contact nanomaterial regulations inadequate – report

US food contact nanomaterial regulations are inadequate to ensure human health, said a report on the technology.

Sugar prices to fall for 2012 amid volatility - Rabobank

Sugar prices for the coming year are forecast to fall by 12% as the market records a surplus for the first time in three years, according to financial service provider Rabobank.

Kerry seals deal for Cargill Flavour Systems

Kerry Group has confirmed it has completed the acquisition of Cargill’s global flavours business.

Cocoa crop boom to push prices lower in 2012 – Rabobank

A larger than expected supply of cocoa beans from West Africa will add to high buffer stocks and push cocoa prices down by 4%, according to financial service provider Rabobank.

Safety and operational efficiency mega-trends spur Nalco takeover, says Ecolab

Ecolab said it has completed the US$8.3bn (€6.4bn) takeover of Nalco as part of a strategy to tap into global mega-trends such as food safety and the need for industry players to maximize operational efficiencies such as energy and water reductions.

News in brief

Greggs ups production but large manufacturers still dominate

UK bakery retailer Greggs has opened a £16.5m (€19.2m) production site in North East England, but this is likely to have limited impact on large bakery manufacturers that produce around two thirds of bread for the UK market.

Niche bakery potential in Germany for small scale manufacturers – investment agency

Small scale manufacturers could capitalise on high consumer demand for niche bakery products that purport to give health benefits, according to an investment agency for the Federal Republic of Germany.

Ralcorp suffers big loss in fourth quarter

Ralcorp has announced a $370m (€274m) loss in its fourth quarter earnings due to substantial non-cash impairment charges, details of which it has not yet disclosed.