Low fat dairy raises infertility risk, study

Women who consume low fat dairy products like skimmed milk may significantly increase their risk of becoming infertile, new research from the US claims.

Danone signs dairy joint venture in Colombia

French dairy giant Danone has continued its quest for new markets by signing a joint venture deal in Colombia.

EFSA issues food additive info ahead of Codex

Europe's food safety authority has issued information on current food additive laws ahead of the upcoming Codex meeting in China.

Top US dairy rejects milk from clones

Leading US dairy firm Dean Foods has said it will not accept milk from cloned cows, adding weight to an industry and consumer move against the technology on both sides...

Lactose tolerance linked to early dairy farming

For the first time, researchers say they have direct evidence that Europeans' bodies evolved to digest milk much later and more rapidly than previously thought.

Sainsbury's 'open' to milk price rise

A little piece of Fairtrade Fortnight touched the UK dairy industry this week as the head of the Sainsbury's supermarket told farmers he was willing to pay more for their...

Weekly Comment

Turning advertisers into educators

Instead of trying to hide confectionery from children by restricting advertising, chocolate-makers should be encouraging them to make the same health-conscious choices as adults when it comes to confectionery they're...

Nano project aims to reduce packaging waste

Danone, the French food and beverage giant, is taking part in a research project into nanotechnology that could result in stronger plastic packing that also reduces waste.

Milk Link makes functional milk for Tesco

UK supermarket Tesco is expanding its range of functional milks with the addition of a new semi-skimmed product enhanced with a variety of vitamins and other added nutrients.

Danisco launches organic dairy stabilisers

Danisco USA has expanded into the organic dairy sector, developing a range of stabiliser blends designed to replace its conventional blends in organic formulations.

NFU plots new contract to protect UK dairy farmers

An independent supplier contract that aims to better protect dairy farmers in their dealings with processors and retailers is being devised by the National Farmers' Union.

Nestlé profits from health focus

Sales at the group rose to CHF98.5 billion (€60.5bn) while organic growth was 6.2 per cent and net profit was up 13.8 per cent to a record CHF9.2 billion (€5.6bn).

UK firms missing out on R&D tax relief

UK manufacturers are missing out on tens of millions of pounds of research & development (R&D) tax relief because they are not investigating whether their activities qualify for the benefit....

Friesland Australian joint venture targets prebiotics

Friesland Foods is to enter a joint venture with Australian dairy group Warrnambool as part of plans to help meet growing demand in the country for prebiotic ingredients.

Probiotics missing the mass market

Consumers with the greatest need could be missing out on the health benefits of probiotics since they are not 'streetwise' about health issues and may not be able to afford...

MPs call for action over low milk prices

A group of MPs in the UK have called on the government to step in over low farmgate milk prices, which they claim are taking ruthless advantage of dairy farmers.

Egypt opens door to Fonterra dairy

Egypt has lowered tariffs for dairy imports from New Zealand, providing stiffer competition for Europe's dairy firms in the key Middle East region.

Weekly Comment

Coming clean in crisis management

In the area of crisis management, companies seem keen to repeat history by making the same mistakes -- over and over again.

Quest launches range of 'cooling' flavours

Quest International has launched a range of cooling flavours to meet fast-growing demand for 'refreshing' new foods and drinks.

EC promises organic food sector framework

The EU's agriculture commissioner has promised to establish a framework within which the organic food sector can develop to its full potential.

Healthy products breed healthy sales for Danone

Danone gave a bullish account of its 2006 performance, citing strong growth for blockbuster dairy brands and an 'outstanding' performance in beverage markets.

EU unveils milk shake-up plans

The European Commission has proposed a raft of mini-reforms it says will simplify the EU market for milk and dairy products.

GDAs 'fundamentally flawed', claims health group

Food industry-backed front-of-pack nutritional signposting is 'fundamentally flawed', according to the National Heart Forum (NHF).

Jury out on omega-3 depression link

For those not joining in the Valentine's Day festivities, boosting omega-3 intake to ward off the possibilities of depression may be slightly premature, suggests a review.

Tetra Pak convenience package claims prolonged shelf life

A new convenience aseptic package for ice-lollies and juice drinks can hold different volumes without the need for machine changeovers.

Legislators vote in favor of five-step waste hierarchy

EU legislators yesterday voted in favour of proposals to introduce a controversial five-stage hierarchy of priority for the bloc's waste management policy.

EU milk quotas must go, say UK leaders

More than two thirds of leaders in the UK dairy industry want EU milk quotas to be scrapped, a survey has revealed, echoing comments from the European Commission recently.

Green crimes take centre stage

Crimes against the environment are to be taken more seriously by several of the world's leading dairy countries, forcing the industry to check standards more rigorously.

Nestlé opens factory for the poor in Brazil

Nestle announced it has opened a factory in Brazil to supply milk powder and coffee to low income families there, in yet another sign of ethics becoming big business.

Weekly Comment

Allergens: no margin for error

It would be a mistake for governments and industry to misinterpret the recent progress in food allergen labelling as a final solution: there is much that remains to be done,...

Flavouring pump offers tamper-proof design

A new tamper-proof flavouring pump for food and beverage processors offers accurate multiple flow rates, while reducing downtime needed for washdowns, its manufacturer claims.

UK publishes first good hygiene guide

The UK has published its first industry good hygiene practice guide, part of a series intended to help manufacturers comply with new EU-wide regulations on food safety.

Arla targets Algeria

Arla Foods is looking to expand its milk powder business in Algeria, in the dairy giant's latest push to gain a foothold in emerging dairy markets.

Danone loses appeal in EU cartel case

France's Danone must pay a €42m fine for its role in a cartel in Belgium, an EU court has ruled, backing Commission plans to get tough on repeat offenders.

Safe and sustainable bio-resin eyes commercialisation

A naturally epoxised oil from Ethiopia's vernonia weed could provide food and drink processors with a safe and sustainable substitute for the resin used to line packaging.

Kraft cuts salt in Dairylea

Kraft Foods said it had cut salt by nine per cent in its Dairylea Lunchables kids product, meeting pressure from the UK government and campaign groups.

Unilever claims progress in Europe

Unilever crawled back to positive sales growth in Europe during 2006 with solid performances in ice cream, tea and heart health foods.

Tensions rise over US dairy subsidies

America's dairy industry has ripped into the Bush administration's 'ineffective' spending plans for the sector, warning the proposals will not help domestic farmers or improve prospects of a world trade...

Tate & Lyle targets dairy drink boom

A range of functional ingredients solutions has been launched by Tate & Lyle, as it looks to capitalise on consumer demand for healthy yoghurts and dairy drinks.

Study highlights milk BSE risk

Fears that cows with BSE could pass on the disease to humans via proteins in their milk has gained more credence from a new study, which has encouraged stricter analysis...

Weekly Comment

Food versus fuel: is a happy ending possible?

The era of biofuels is here but this does not necessarily mean unending food price shocks or a critical diversion of agricultural production away from food.

Another victory for Parmalat

Parmalat has been awarded €25m from Banca Popolare di Milano as part of its ongoing fight to recover money from financial institutions allegedly implicated in the firm's collapse.

EU to drop dairy hygiene case against UK

The European Commission is expected to drop a court case against the UK over dairy hygiene practices, following an inspection of the country's industry, this publication understands.

UK food training academy gets green light

A National Skills Academy for workers in Britain's food and drink manufacturing sector will open this April, in the latest attempt to reduce a shortfall of qualified employees.

Healthy promise prompts Danone Japan buyout

French dairy group Danone has bought complete control of its Japanese joint venture, lured by the promise of riches from rapidly growing consumer demand for healthy dairy products.

Retailers 'receptive' to milk price increases

Supermarkets in the UK have softened their stance on farmgate milk prices in recent weeks, as public scrutiny of the dairy supply chain has grown.