EU sugar quota reform: 2015 v 2020? Is it time to give sugar beet a caning?

On the day 27 associations issued a joint open letter imploring the EU to keep to its word and scrap widely despised sugar quotas across the bloc in 2015 -...

R&R Ice Cream declines to comment on takeover reports

R&R Ice Cream – Europe’s largest private label ice cream manufacturer - has declined to comment on reports that it is on the verge of a takeover by French private...

Food industry failing to manage animal welfare, warns report

The first ever structured benchmark of the world’s leading food companies suggests that farm animal welfare is not being properly managed and reported by the food industry.

Parmalat 'shocked' by prosecutors call to cancel LAG acquisition

Italian prosecutors have asked for Parmalat’s $904m acquisition of Lactalis American Group (LAG) to be cancelled and the Parma-based dairy giant’s board to be removed, according to reports.

Easy on the salt: Chr. Hansen develops sodium-reducing cheese concept

Chr. Hansen has developed a salt-reducing concept that enables cheese manufacturers to cut sodium levels by up to 50% while maintaining similar taste and texture properties.

Unilever & Nestlé tell Oxfam to bring other stakeholders to food ethics table

Unilever and Nestlé say Oxfam missed an opportunity for a wider and more comprehensive debate about food ethics after the NGO published a damning report on the supply chains of...

Fonterra unveils NZ$100m UHT processing investment

Fonterra will invest more than NZ$100m ($82.4m, €62.8m) in a new ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk and cream processing plant in New Zealand in an attempt to meet growing Asian demand...

Muller PepsiCo JV takes Müller yogurt to more US cities as Batavia factory prepares for summer opening

Muller Quaker Dairy, the joint venture between PepsiCo and German dairy giant Theo Müller Group, is rolling out Müller yogurts to more US cities in the Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes and...

News in brief

Tesco cheese price fixing penalty reduced under settlement

Britain’s biggest retailer, Tesco, will pay a reduced £6.5m penalty to the UK Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for its involvement in the widespread fixing the cheese retail prices.

Yoplait pulls Calin+ ad after ASA bone health claim ruling

Yoplait has been ordered to pull a TV advert for its Calin+ yogurt range after the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that it made an unauthorised reduction of disease-risk...

Dairy Crest to merge marketing teams in head office re-shuffle

Dairy Crest plans to merge its existing food and dairy marketing teams under its recently-announced efficiency-driven head office re-shuffle.

Clean label starch technology opens up markets

Ingredion’s new clean label starch technology offers fresh opportunities in tough markets, Cathrin Kurz, marketing manager, wholesome ingredients, for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), told FoodProductionDaily.com.

News in brief

Tetra Pak claims ‘world first’ in aseptic carton packaging

Tetra Pak says its TBA/19 Retrofitability Kit allows clients to transform the package shape and base area on the same machine platform, and claims the launch is a world first.

ABF calls Oxfam food ethics attack ‘ridiculous’

Associated British Foods – worst-in-class in an Oxfam report critical of 10 food giants for essentially operating under a corporate social responsibility (CSR) “veil of secrecy” – has hit back, slamming the...

Saputo to pull plug on European dairy operations over profitability issues

Saputo intends to pull the plug on its European operations after just seven years on the continent – citing a lack of “short to mid-term opportunities” to ensure profitability.

News in brief

Arla recalls gorgonzola in Canada over Listeria contamination fears

Arla Foods has initiated a recall in Canada for an imported brand of gorgonzola cheese over concerns the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Infant formula companies are breaching international marketing rules: Report

Save the Children in the UK has called on infant formula manufacturers like Danone and Nestlé to do more to promote breast feeding – including larger on-pack warnings – after...

Centrale Laitière deal 'key' to North African development - Danone

Danone has increased its stake in Moroccan dairy processor Centrale Laitière to 67% - a deal it has pinpointed as a “key step” for the company in North Africa....

Serbia orders measures to control aflatoxin level in milk

The Serbian government has ordered dairy farmers in the country to implement “necessary” measures to control aflatoxin levels in the milk they produce in response to a mass recall of dairy products...

Cellulose mooted as eco-friendly replacement in MAP packaging

An EU project is aiming to produce cellulose-based materials to be used in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), to replace traditional oil-based substances.

Sweetener approval would stem US school milk consumption decline: IDFA

Permitting the use “any safe and suitable” sweeteners - including aspartame - in milk flavouring ingredients would help to stem the current milk consumption decline in US schools, the International Dairy Foods...

Around the world in numerous food labeling ways

Smart food labelling must emphasise good science and careful thought about consumer impact, the European Food Information Council has concluded after completing an exhaustive global survey.

News in brief

Dean Foods’ plants recognised for environmental efforts

Eighteen Dean Foods dairy processing plants have been recognised by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their environmental efforts.

DCD concerns: NZ handling of crisis was ‘textbook’ - Rabobank

New Zealand’s handling of concerns surrounding the use of agricultural chemical dicyandiamide (DCD) was “textbook,” a Rabobank analyst has claimed.

Ultra-fine wheat bran plugs health and can improve texture and structure, says Limagrain

Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI) has extended its fibre range with a new ultra-fine wheat bran ingredient that it says can improve structure, texture and nutrition in a broad range of...

Arla considered Finnish fresh milk exit over ‘illegal’ Valio pricing

Arla Ingman – Arla Foods’ Finnish business – seriously considered abandoning the country’s fresh milk market over the “unfair and illegal” pricing policy practiced by industry rival Valio.

Dairy contaminants

Fonterra DCD crisis: No positive tests since November

The Ministry for Primary Industries has released the findings from extensive testing of New Zealand dairy products for dicyandiamide (DCD).

Double-digit growth market sales drive record Arla profits

Arla Foods has reported record high profits of DKK 1.9bn ($340m) for 2012 – an achievement it has attributed to double-digit sales growth from Russia, China, and the Middle East...

Dairy products and high GI diet linked to acne, say reviewers

There is increasing evidence that diet, in particular consumption of high glycaemic load and dairy foods, are associated with acne, according to a new review.

Researchers voice concern over organochlorine levels in EU cheese

Researchers have discovered levels of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCB) in excess of European Union (EU)-established limits in a small number of commonly available cheese brands – a find they have...

News in brief

General Mills: Our Greek yogurt sales are significantly outpacing growth of the segment

General Mills is “significantly outpacing” category growth in the Greek yogurt segment, claims the firm.

Dairy Crest expects £5m annual saving through management shake-up

Dairy Crest has announced a board and senior management shake-up – a move the British dairy processor anticipates will lead to cost savings of at least £5m per year.

EC cans EFSA fees plan over income, independence concerns

Charging the private sector for European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) work will not generate enough cash and compromise the agency’s independence, a European Commission working group has found.

Chr Hansen eyes pharma sector with €20m probiotic plant expansion

Global probiotics leader Chr Hansen is throwing €20m at the expansion of its Danish freeze-drying capacity with increasing global pharma  and food supplement demand the key driver.

News in brief

Milk supply contract is Code of Best Practice compliant - Arla

Arla Foods is claiming a UK first – a milk supply contract that is fully compliant with all the aspects of the Dairy Industry Voluntary Code of Best Practice on...

Dairy Farmers of America launches probe after chemical release

US co-operative Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has launched an investigation to determine what caused a “hazardous” chemical release at its Adrian, Michigan processing plant last week.

Danone to cut 900 European jobs to address downturn

Danone has announced plans to cut 900 jobs across 26 European countries in an effort to address “the lasting downturn of the European economy.”

British dairy veteran Robert Wiseman elected to Dean Foods board

US dairy giant Dean Foods has elected Robert Wiseman, the former managing director of UK dairy processor Robert Wiseman Dairies, to its Board of Directors – through which it hopes...

UK dairy processors facing fresh FFA milk price protests

Farmers for Action (FFA) has threatened a fresh wave of processor-targeted demonstrations across the UK if efforts are not made to increase farm gate milk prices.

Editor’s blog

Which 2 global health brands grew by $1bn in 2012?

Something probiotic? Omega-3? A diet cola? Nope. 

US dairy sector welcomes trans-Atlantic trade negotiations

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations could lead to the removal of barriers that have until now prevented US dairy manufacturers making “headway” in the European Union (EU), US dairy sector representatives...

‘Terrific' Russia position boosts PepsiCo beverage business: Indra Nooyi

PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi says the firm has a ‘terrific position’ as the top food and beverage business in Russia, where 10% organic revenue growth in 2013 helped offset weaknesses...

News in brief

Four-pint plastic milk bottle development ‘world’s lightest’ - Nampak

UK-based Nampak Plastics claims to have created the world’s lightest four-pint high density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle – an innovation it believes could herald environmental improvements for the British milk sector.

NHCR article 13.5 shakedown

Latest EFSA article 13.5 rejections down to “lousy science”: Consultant

There is no surprise in the latest batch of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) article 13.5 health claim rejections as the science presented in six dossiers was “lousy”, a consultant told us...

EFSA rejects 6 article 13.5 health claim opinions

EFSA’s health claims panel has rejected 6 article 13.5 health claims for two digestion-focused probiotic submissions; cranberry and UTI; a potato extract and weight management; krill and menstrual discomfort; and...

Saputo eyes further efficiencies following flat Q3 results

Canadian dairy giant Saputo has announced plans to pursue “additional efficiencies and decrease costs” across its business after announcing only marginally improved profits for the last three months of 2012....

Right to reply

Fonterra: Why we need to talk about what's in our food

Last week, we published a critique of Fonterra's actions during the DCD furore, which saw lengthy delays between identifying the presence of minute quantities of the chemical in the company's...

Nestlé facing ice cream lawsuit over ‘monopolistic’ US practices

Nestlé is facing court in the US over allegations it used “unfair” and “monopolistic” business practices to limit the availability of Clemmy’s ice cream in a number of major supermarkets....

First UK drinks carton reprocessing plant opens soon

The chief executive of the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE) UK said everything was on track for the country’s first beverage carton reprocessing facility to come online from...

£8.75m boost for food safety, quality projects

A UK collaboration has secured £8.75m of funding to help businesses develop technologies for efficient agri-food systems.

Nestlé reports slower growth, expects challenging year ahead

Nestlé’s share price fell 2.3% on Thursday as the company announced its slowest growth in three years, with developing markets hit by natural disasters and continued market weakness in Europe...

Dean Foods commends Fresh Dairy Direct Q4 performance

US dairy giant Dean Foods has reported better-than-expected profit for the last three months of 2012 – a result it has attributed to better “cost control and effective pricing” from its Fresh...

Danone Danio yogurt slapped with UK ‘Greek yogurt’ labelling injunction

Danone has been handed an interim injunction by the UK High Court preventing its use of the term ‘Greek yogurt’ to market its recently-launched brand, Danio.

Portola re-aligns to target packaging closures

Portola Packaging is to shut one site while expanding two others as part of a $12m investment in its closure business.

Fonterra recalls CalciYum kids’ yogurt over ‘choking’ fears

Fonterra Brands Australia is pulling batches of CalciYum yogurt from supermarket shelves across Australia over concerns that the product's “weakened” plastic cap could present a choking hazard.

News in brief

Agropur announces proposed Canadian co-op merger

Agropur – Canada’s largest dairy co-operative - has announced plans to merge with Farmers Co-operative Dairy Limited.

AB SCIEX unveils DCD testing method following residue concerns

AB SCIEX has responded to concerns about the presence of dicyandiamide (DCD) in New Zealand dairy products by unveiling a new laboratory method to test for the agricultural chemical.

UAE, Dubai granted dairy export approval – camel milk processor

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Dubai have been granted final approval to become the first Middle Eastern country to export dairy products into the European Union (EU), one of...

Nestlé facing Pfizer Nutrition re-brand under South African approval

The South African Competition Tribunal has approved Nestlé’s takeover of Pfizer Nutrition – but only under the condition that the acquired infant formula brands are licensed out and re-branded in...

Big Interview: Michael Shoretz, founder and CEO, Enlightened Ice Cream (Beyond Better Foods LLC)

Enlightened Ice Cream CEO: Our ice cream is actively good for you, not just ‘less bad’ than the rest

Can ice cream actually be good for you - as opposed to just a little less bad for you? And if it can, will it sell? One man on a...

FDA and Health Canada assess risk of listeria in soft cheese

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking comments on a draft risk assessment looking at reducing the risk of listeria from soft-ripened cheese.

First Milk ups farmer capital to fund added-value dairy future

British dairy processor First Milk is increasing the amount of capital that its farmer members are required invest in the business, in an attempt to speed up the growth of...

Guest article

Global digestive breakdown: Pre-probiotic yoghurt still number 2 in functional food

The probiotic and prebiotic sectors are tackling some serious issues around claim restrictions in the EU, but the global digestive health picture remains upbeat with yoghurts alone putting on $1.7bn this...

Nestlé deal saves day as core profits drop 30% at Swedish probiotics supplier

Core activity profit fell 30% in 2012 at Swedish probiotics supplier BioGaia – although a cash-rich, five-year licensing deal with Nestlé kept overall figures high even as that very deal...

a2 Milk UK aiming to reproduce Australian success

a2 Milk UK is confident that it will mirror the achievements of its Australian counterpart by claiming a share of the UK mainstream fresh milk market – despite only launching...

Probiotech and Microbiota 2013

Law veteran on EU health claim laws: “There is something quite wrong here.”

One of the EU’s most venerated food law experts stated the EU nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) has become so convoluted as to be unworkable, at a Brussels congress...

Dairy Crest ‘on track’ to exceed cost-saving target

Dairy Crest has revealed that it is “on track” to exceed its cost saving target for the year – an achievement it hopes to mirror in 2013.

SA anti-trust authority recommends Nestlé-Pfizer Nutrition deal

The South African Competition Commission has given its blessing to Nestlé’s $11.85bn global acquisition of Pfizer Nutrition – leaving it in the hands of the country’s Competition Tribunal to approve...

News in brief

Canada aims to help dairy producers protect herds

Canada has developed a national biosecurity standard to help dairy producers protect the health of their herds.

Whole-fat dairy intake associated with prostate cancer risk - US researchers

US researchers claim to have furthered the existing positive association between the development of “advanced or fatal” prostate cancer (PCa) and the consumption of whole-fat dairy products.

News in brief

China announces new, tough dairy import regulations

China’s food safety watchdog – the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) – has announced plans to introduce tougher regulations on the import and export of dairy products.

US COMMODITIES CORNER

January prices decline as exports weaken, inventories grow - Part two

In part two of his January 2013 US dairy commodities breakdown, MilkPrice blogger John Geuss gives DairyReporter.com the latest on falling cheese and butter prices, and a look ahead to...

General Mills agrees to $8.5m settlement over YoPlus health claims

General Mills has agreed to pay $8.5m to settle a lawsuit that alleged it launched a national marketing campaign for its Yoplait YoPlus probiotic yogurt products in the US based on misleading...

Editor’s blog

Probiotics sector forced to swallow the EU’s bitter health claims pill

On a train to Brussels to cover NutraIngredients’ Probiotech and Microbiota two-day probiotic congress, had me wondering of the sector mood now it has had its claims ripped up by...

Straight talk

DCD: Fonterra must learn once is unfortunate, twice is unforgivable

It’s quite remarkable how Fonterra has evolved to become New Zealand’s biggest company given the way the dairy giant seems to struggle to take on board its errors of the...

Live from Probiotech and Microbiota 2013

EU food marketing expert: Consumers don't understand probiotic health claims ban

Most consumers know little to nothing about the EU health claim system, the European Food Safety Authority nor why a blanket ban has been imposed on probiotic marketing across the...

US COMMODITIES CORNER

January prices decline as exports weaken, inventories grow

Inventories of butter and cheese grew in January as supply outweighed export demand - causing prices to decrease. Is this a bad omen for 2013, or will exports recover quickly?...

News in brief

Nestlé India to acquire 26% stake in local milk collector

Nestlé India has entered into an agreement to acquire a minority stake in milk collector Indocon Agro and Allied Activities Private Limited.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Chr. Hansen appoints de Jong as CEO, Frederiksen steps down

Chr. Hansen has appointed Cees de Jong as its new CEO, as Lars Frederiksen steps down from his post after eight years as CEO and 33 years with the company.

TruMoo reformulation boosts nutritional value - Dean Foods

Dean Foods has developed a reduced-sugar version of its popular TruMoo chocolate milk product in an attempt to increase the “nutritional value” of the product in the eyes of mothers and schools....

Dairy products not ‘equally beneficial’ for bones - US research

Not all dairy products are equally beneficial in promoting bone strength, US researchers have claimed.

Danone rubbishes Yakult shareholding increase rumours

Danone has dispelled rumours that it is seeking to increase its stake in Yakult – declaring that it has no plans to mount a “hostile bid” for the Japanese company....

News in brief

CAFÉ project to hold workshop to present results

An EU project group is to host a workshop showcasing its results of finding more advanced ways to control food processing in different sectors in Paris this month.  

Baby powder shortage

Hong Kong takes strong measures as smugglers milk formula supplies

With the Chinese New Year fast approaching Hong Kong is in the midst of formula frenzy, leading authorities to devise new means to safeguard the supply of baby powder to...

White House petitioned to provide HK infant formula shortage ‘assistance’

More than 13,000 people have so far petitioned US President Barack Obama to provide Hong Kong with “international support” to help turnaround a current shortage of infant formula.

USDA agrees to explore including protein-packed Greek yogurt in its School Lunch program

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed it is considering including Greek yogurt in the National School Lunch Program, and has invited potential vendors to take part in a...

Paperboard bottle combines 'best features' of cartons, bottles - SIG Combibloc

SIG Combibloc has unveiled its latest beverage packaging innovation - a paperboard bottle that combines the “best features” of a carton pack with the best features of a bottle....