Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Fonterra develops online trading for dairy commodities

16-Apr-2008 - Fonterra is launching a new online sales channel for its dairy commodities which will allow it to respond more quickly to price changes - and may spur the development of an international dairy futures or derivatives market.

Farmers hit out at dairy attacks

16-Apr-2008 - The UK National Farmer's Union (NFU) has hit out at 'fashionable' environmental criticisms of dairy and other livestock-based farming it claims are based on outdated exaggerations.

Cargill focuses on sustainability with wheat processing plant

11-Apr-2008 - Cargill's new UK wheat processing plant is aimed at ensuring market competitiveness and sustainability by localising the production of wheat glucose for sweeteners.

Czech market ripe for high quality cheeses - expert

11-Apr-2008 - Czech demand for imported cheeses continues to grow following the country's accession to member state status within the EU, creating opportunities for exporters of the product in the bloc, according to an industry expert.

European food groups edging past US rivals in obesity focus

11-Apr-2008 - European-based food groups are generally ahead of their US rivals in providing health and wellness products to consumers, though they must do more to ensure the focus is a core part of their business, a new report claims.

Consumers go for green products, Mintel

10-Apr-2008 - Research by Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) shows that an increasing number of new products boast environmentally-friendly claims.

Report favours 'soft landing' approach to stabilising EU milk supplies

09-Apr-2008 - A 'soft landing solution' for the abolition of milk production quotas within the EU is expected to ensure a smoother transition for the industry than abruptly scrapping the system, according to a new report.

EU plays down impact of New Zealand-China dairy deal

08-Apr-2008 - The signing of a new free trade agreement between China and New Zealand predicted to open up numerous benefits for dairy trade will not setback the interests of producers in Europe, according to a UK trade association.

Weekly comment

HFCS and the battle for natural

07-Apr-2008 - It is hard for food companies not to get drawn into the temptation of using attractive label claims that may be shrouded by a veil of doubt. But the real risk comes when the 'if you don't know, don't ask' question is finally answered.

Lonza to boost vitamin B3 capacity

04-Apr-2008 - Lonza is to expand its production of vitamin B3 in a bid to meet growing demand for the ingredient from the food industry, the company has said.

Sainsbury to push one per cent milk

04-Apr-2008 - Sainsbury's launch of an own-brand one per cent fat milk highlights the product's move into the mainstream dairy market, just a year after the implementation of new EU rules regarding the fat content of milk.

ITW creates new EU packaging division

02-Apr-2008 - US-based Illinois Tool Works (ITW) has established a new division, ITW Packaging, which the company says will focus on providing multipack technologies to the European food markets.

US dairy industry to rethink export plans

02-Apr-2008 - The US dairy industry is having to change its attitudes towards export markets, amidst growing international demand for both finished products and ingredients, an industry organization has said.

Weekly comment

Temporary workers and corporate responsibility

31-Mar-2008 - As ever more food companies find themselves in the position of having employed migrants who were mistreated by illegal labour providers, it may be time for firms to start taking more responsibility for the temporary workers many of them rely on.

Probiotics push into UK iced lollies

28-Mar-2008 - Unilever has joined the growing number of manufacturers exploring new ways of delivering probiotics by launching an iced lolly aimed at children in the UK.

Northern Ireland dairies aim to go greener

28-Mar-2008 - Ensuring Northern Ireland's dairy processors and farmers are meeting their environmental responsibilities has been outlined as a key challenge for the industry by an industry expert.

News briefs: Wiseman dairies outlook, Ben & Jerry vs China

28-Mar-2008 - This week, Robert Wiseman Dairies says it is on track to meet its 2007 profit expectations, and the founders of ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's takes a stand.

Weekly comment

Calm crucial for energy products

25-Mar-2008 - Energy drinks are a runaway success but extreme marketing and product formulation has the potential to cast a shadow over the multi-billion dollar global industry.

Deal could make traffic lights mandatory, claims report

25-Mar-2008 - Supermarkets in the UK could be 'forced' to adopt the Food Standards Agency's traffic light labelling scheme, claims newspaper.

News briefs: milk quotas, Agropur and Unimilk

21-Mar-2008 - This week, the EU agrees to implement a two per cent quota hike, Canada-based Agropur expands its operations in the country, and Unimilk reportedly sets a possible date for its initial public offering.

New Friesland venture aims for encapsulation development

20-Mar-2008 - Friesland Foods has formed a new research and development division for encapsulated products that can serve processor demand for new methods of delivering typically unstable functional ingredients.

Growth, consumer interests on the agenda for CIAA

20-Mar-2008 - The CIAA has highlighted several important areas of debate and strategic consideration for food manufacturers, which it is planning to address at its annual conference in November.

High milk prices vital for long-term dairy stability, says industry

19-Mar-2008 - The continued price hikes faced by European dairy processors for milk will offer an important opportunity for encouraging further investment and ensuring product sustainability in the industry, a UK dairy association has claimed.

Danone cautioned over UK Actimel adverts

18-Mar-2008 - The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has told French dairy giant Danone to remove or alter a "misleading" probiotic yoghurt drink TV advert.