Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Commission raises big doubts over Friesland-Campina merger

18-Jul-2008 - An initial investigation of the European Competition Commission into the proposed merger of dairy cooperatives Friesland Foods and Campina has raised serious concerns, prompting the launch of an in-depth investigation.

Danisco gets go-ahead for emulsifier buy

16-Jul-2008 - Danisco has obtained European approval for its planned acquisition of ABF Ingredients' Abitec emulsifier business, which is expected to strengthen its position in some key European markets.

Tetra Pak focuses on dairy solutions with acquisition

11-Jul-2008 - Swedish packaging firm Tetra Pak has acquired the assets of two Australian food processing companies, strengthening its portfolio of solutions for cheese and dairy powder.

High agri prices needed for food sustainability, says farmers' groups

07-Jul-2008 - UK and Italian farmers Unions are joining forces to push their claims that higher prices for agricultural products are at the root of alleviating current concerns over supply sustainability and food security.

Raisio sells testing labs to Eurofins

03-Jul-2008 - Benecol-owner Raisio has signed a deal with analytical specialist and fellow Finnish company, Eurofins Scientific Finland, that will see it take over Raisio's laboratory operations in September.

Fonterra eyeing further global growth

02-Jul-2008 - After a busy period of expansion for Fonterra, the New Zealand-based dairy cooperative says it remains far from finished with its global consolidation plans as it looks to key markets such as Asia to target growth.

Danisco pledges research, acquisitions in healthy ingredients

24-Jun-2008 - Danisco plans to further strengthen its health and nutrition ingredients offering in areas in which it is not a market leader, as it positions to for a bio-based future.

France attracting overseas investment in functional foods, report

19-Jun-2008 - The functional foods industry in France is booming, according to a report from Invest In France that claims the sector attracted 7 per cent of all new foreign investment projects in the country between 2002 and 2007.

Food processors cut food miles by sharing transport

18-Jun-2008 - A collaboration between leading food manufacturers and retailers aims to reduce the environmental impact of transporting food and groceries in the UK, claims scheme pioneer IGD.

News briefs: Bulgarian protests, Lifeway farmers pledge

13-Jun-2008 - This week, Bulgarian farmers following in the footsteps of their fellow EU counterparts in protests over milk production costs and Lifeway Foods plays up hormone free milk.

Milk Link invests to target packaging innovations

04-Jun-2008 - Milk Link, a UK-based dairy cooperative, has announced it has completed a major investment at its Oswestry cheese-packaging plant, which its claims will become one of the most advanced sites of its kind in the country.

Fuel costs must be swallowed by manufacturers - hauliers

30-May-2008 - As truck drivers from around the UK gathered in London to protest against rising fuel prices this week, a leading haulage group claims that food manufacturers, and consumers should bare the brunt of rising costs.

Tate & Lyle inks 'bran' new gut health deal

29-May-2008 - UK-based ingredients giant Tate & Lyle has dipped into its independent €30+m venture capital fund to the tune of €3.5m to partner with a Belgian start-up researching the gut health and antioxidant properties of bran fibres.

Further uncertainty predicted for dairy markets

28-May-2008 - Global uncertainty over the price of milk and other dairy ingredients looks set to continue to compound processor fears, according to new findings published this week by UK association DairyCo.

Tetra Pak invests in Italian packaging materials plant

21-May-2008 - Tetra Pak is stumping up €26m for an upgrade of its Italian packaging materials plant that will significantly increase its printing and lamination capacity, and boost the quality and speed of its service.

US group denies wrongdoing amidst milk price uncertainty

21-May-2008 - A leading US dairy cooperative has denied any wrongdoing over allegations that it may be involved in price fixing for some of its products, as yet another country finds its dairy markets under scrutiny.

News briefs: Dairy Crest and Designer Whey

21-May-2008 - This week, Dairy Crest says cost pressures have failed to derail its full year expectations and a supplier of whey-based products moves to step up its global retail presence.

Arla UK deal targets process push

16-May-2008 - European cooperative Arla Foods says it will form a new joint venture with its UK arm to step up investment in its processing operations within the country.

Carbery throws weight behind nutrition business

15-May-2008 - Irish whey protein specialist Carbery is engaging in a major investment and recruitment programme in response to a whey market it says has "exploded".

News briefs: Glanbia, Fonterra speculation

14-May-2008 - This week, Glanbia says it expects to offset dairy cost pressures by meeting full year growth, and Fonterra is expected to target expansion in Australia.

FrieslandCampina may be operational by end 2008

09-May-2008 - Members of Friesland Foods and Campina have voted in favour of the proposed merger, marking a major step forward in bringing the two dairy cooperatives and companies together.

News briefs: Danone and organic schooling

07-May-2008 - This week, Danone continues to divest operations required to seal its Numico purchase, while an organic dairy cooperative heads for the playground with a new campaign about its operations.

Weekly comment

Adjusting to Mars' centre stage ambitions

05-May-2008 - While in the Hollywood stratosphere, it seems that you are not anyone these days unless you're a duo, in the glamorous world of food manufacture, the team-up route to success may not be quite as simple.

US politicians weigh in on biofuels vs. food debate

30-Apr-2008 - The debate over whether biofuels are a major factor in rising food prices lugged on this week, with the Bush administration for the first time acknowledging there may be some truth to this.