News in brief

Dannon extends Fellowship program to support next generation of probiotic researchers

A $25,000 scholarship is up for grabs from Dannon to support the next generation of researchers, with the company extending the focus for its probiotics fellowship program to include the...

Euromonitor “shocked” by EU probiotic decline

After years and even decades of healthy to rampant growth in the European Union, the probiotics sector has entered decline, with a flat economy and health claim ban seen as...

Probi 2012 sales up 6%, but ProViva royalties set for dive

The European probiotic sector is bracing itself for tough times ahead in the wake of December’s  EU health claim ban for the sector, but the effects are yet to be...

Danone juice JV with Chiquita dogged by ‘mismanagement’: Industry source

With rumors emerging that Danone is selling its 51% stake in its fruit juice JV with Chuiquita Brands International, one industry source told BeverageDaily.com that the French firm was likely...

Arla plans 2013 production capacity expansion to meet export demand

Arla Foods plans to invest more than DKK 2bn ($357m) over the next 12 months to increase its global dairy processing capabilities, boost efficiency, and reduce its impact on the environment.

Dairy proteins will be ‘major pillar of growth’ in 2013 - Volac

Dairy proteins will be a “major pillar of growth” in 2013 as consumers seek out more convenient ways to consume protein, British dairy nutrition giant Volac has claimed.

Chr Hansen backs fresh probiotic immunity trial

Danish probiotics leader Chr Hansen, which ditched a €4m immunity trial for some of its probiotic strains last year, is participating in a new trial to determine if probiotics can...

Unique beverage Gizmo ‘transcends technology’: CEO

The co-founder of Gizmo Closures boldly claims that his company’s patented closure and ingredient delivery system ‘transcends’ technology, as it stands poised to enter the US market.

Global probiotics market to grow 6.8% annually until 2018

A new market analysis says the global probiotics market will surge by 6.8% a year for the next five years, driven by an Asia-Pacific, “expected to be the most prominent market...

Probiotic plus aloe shows cholesterol-lowering potential: Animal data

Combining probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplements with aloe vera may slash cholesterol levels by over 40%, suggests a new study with lab rats.

NHCR article 13 health claims fallout

Valio: How a probiotic firm exists in the “red ocean” of EU health claims

Finnish dairy and probiotics firm Valio says EU health claim laws are forcing it to add approved vitamins and minerals to products like probiotics that have failed to win EU...

Yakult brushes aside claims that poor management led to Yakult Argentina dissolution

Yakult has brushed aside claims by a number of former employees that its Argentinian business was dissolved as a result of poor management in recent years.

Chinese dairy Yashili announces New Zealand processing investment

Chinese dairy processor Yashili has announced plans to establish infant formula manufacturing operations in New Zealand – becoming the latest in a growing line of Chinese dairy processors to make...

Nestlé quiet on Pfizer Nutrition-driven Latin American assets sale rumour

Nestlé has refused to comment on reports that it is working with financial advisory group Rothschild to sell more than $1bn of Latin American assets in an effort to win...

Yili to invest in NZ infant formula processing

Chinese dairy giant Yili has announced plans to invest CNY 1.1bn ($176m) in the development of a New Zealand-based infant formula manufacturing plant.

Innovation key ingredient in cost-cutting recipe, says expert

Food companies are looking for new ways to appeal to frugal consumers while cutting their own costs – and ingredient companies are coming up some innovative answers.

Formula ‘may contribute’ to intestinal condition in premature infants – study

Premature infants fed formula are more likely to develop necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) - a severe, often fatal intestinal condition – than those who are breast-fed, a US study has found.

FrieslandCampina lactoferrin ingredient granted EC novel foods approval

The European Commission (EC) has given Dutch dairy giant FrieslandCampina the go-ahead to market bovine lactoferrin as a novel food ingredient.

China will continue to drive global infant formula sales – Euromonitor

Chinese consumer demand for infant formula products looks set to continue to drive global sales, according to Euromonitor.

Chr. Hansen expands in Russia

Ingredient supplier Chr. Hansen has upgraded its Moscow offices and added an applications laboratory, in a move it says will help it to better respond to local customers’ requests.

Nestlé completes Pfizer Nutrition acquisition after ‘majority’ approval

Nestlé has completed its $11.85bn (€9bn) acquisition of Pfizer Nutrition after the deal was approved by the “majority of markets involved.”

Pfizer slammed for UK infant formula advertising code breach

SMA Nutrition manufacturer Pfizer has been scolded by the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for breaching an advertising code relating to the promotion of infant formula products.

Agropur to invest $100m in US whey processing

Canadian dairy processor Agropur plans to invest more than $100m in a US whey processing facility to increase the plant’s capacity and upgrade existing technology.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Exports and overseas growth drive Volac profits

Dairy nutrition firm Volac has reported an operating profit increase of nearly 40% for the year ending February 2012, citing the impact of increased exports and improved profits from overseas operations.