Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Salmonella kit delivers results in under a day, company claims

A new testing kit for Salmonella promises to deliver results in less than a day.

Wiseman, Arla show UK dairy recovery

Early signs suggest a recovery on Britain's dairy market as both Arla Foods UK and Robert Wiseman halt the margin rot with brand development and price rises.

Parmalat posts profit as strategy takes shape

Parmalat's profit before interest and tax rose 18.4 per cent in the first two months of 2006 to € 45 million, with predictions that net debt would remain stable over the year.

New genome deal to boost Danone probiotic R&D

France's Danone has announced a three-year licence with US-based Integrated Genomics for access to the ERGO database and genomic discovery system to enhance the group's probiotic understanding and R&D.

Dairy Crest brands hold up profits

A strong brand presence helped Dairy Crest keep full-year profits in line with predictions, despite tough conditions on the UK dairy market.

Arla dairy creeps back in Middle East

Arla Foods has said the boycott on its products in the key Middle East dairy market was slowly lifting, thanks to its dominance in certain areas of the Middle East dairy market.

Weekly Comment

Salt debate leaves bitter taste

The current debate about the levels at which the UK's food regulator has set its salt reduction targets misses the point about how healthier eating habits can be achieved.

Organic dairy-rating report sparks fierce debate

A new report rating the nation's organic dairy brands according to ethical farming practices has sparked fierce debate in the industry as it accuses a number of market leaders of "shortchanging organic consumers."

Blue cheese dodges FSA salt slashing plan

Wrangling between the UK dairy industry and the country's food watchdog is set to continue over salt slashing targets, after both failed to reach an agreement to cut salt in blue cheese.

Omega-3s have no benefits for heart health, cancer - new review

Intake of omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish and fish oil supplements has no effect on mortality, heart disease or cancer, concludes a new review, but guidelines should continue for consumption.

Can Arla beat the boycott?

As Arla Foods begins on the long road to recovery in its Middle East dairy markets, DairyReporter.com delves into the nature of consumer boycotts and the effects they may have.

Printer designed for coding dairy products

A printer has been launched on the market specifically designed for coding dairy products.

Food industry gives cautious welcome to salt targets

Newly published salt reduction targets have been cautiously welcomed by the UK food industry as being 'more realistic than the 2005 proposals', though health campaigners are furious.

Ruling lays path for more Parmalat suits

Auditors Deloitte & Touche and Grant Thornton International must defend themselves against a $10 billion lawsuit by Parmalat, ruled a US judge.

Dairy Crest fined after mice get its cheese

UK processor Dairy Crest has been fined £17,000 after food hygiene authorities found mouse droppings on bottles of milk and packs of cheese at one of its distribution depots.

National Foods seeks growth in specialty cheese with Lactos deal

Australian dairy group National Foods has signed an agreement to buy the specialty cheese maker Lactos from France's Bongrain.

UK dairy looks to functional growth

The success of soy drinks shows that the UK functional drinks market is highly lucrative something that the dairy industry must take full advantage of, says Organic Monitor.

EU Council opens GI system to foreigners

The EU's Agriculture & Fisheries Council has backed proposals to open the bloc's geographical indications (GI) to foreign competition.

Wiseman continues UK dairy consolidation trend

Robert Wiseman's takeover of Definitely Devon's liquid milk business shows how consolidation on Britain's dairy industry is continuing amid tension with competition authorities.

Graham Packaging moves in with Royal Numico

In a move that brings it closer to a key customer, Graham Packaging has opened a new bottle-making plant in Zoetemeer, the Netherlands, on site with Royal Numico.

Business, not science, driving infant milk formulations say doctors

The standards for infant formulations, a topic of continued discussion with the Codex Committee, is being driven by commercial interests and not science say two paediatricians, claims that have been refuted by the industry.

EU parliament to vote on changes to geographical indication system

European members of parliament are due to vote today on proposed changes to the bloc's geographical indications (GI) system in a bid to comply with a World Trade Organisation decision.

Chirac dismisses French protectionism claims

Europe has no time for national champions if it is to compete in the world, warned the European Commission president Wednesday, as French president Jacques Chirac dismissed claims that France was protectionist.

Scientists map out action plan on food industry research

The EU's researchers have received funding to map out a course of action on developing food production in the bloc.

New probiotics isolated from dairy

Greek researchers have isolated three strains of bacteria from dairy sources that have desirable probiotic properties and could be applied in the food industry.

Danone takes affordable nutrition into Bangladesh

French food giant Danone is set to announce plans for a new dairy plant in Bangladesh to provide nutritious foods to low-income consumers, following successful entry into a number of similar emerging markets.

Chr. Hansen develops culture for Indian yogurt

Chr. Hansen has developed a new dairy culture specifically designed for making dahi - a traditional ethnic yoghurt consumed in India.

Competition regulator to examine supermarkets' pricing power

In a major move that might help reduce the pricing power of the UK's major supermarkets, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) yesterday said it would refer the issue to the Competition Commission (CC) for more detailed examination.

Calcium not linked to weight gain, study

Calcium does not make consumers put on weight, finds a recent survey of 19,000 men, as a report in the UK warns many people are confused about the health benefits of milk.

Chr Hansen taps organics with new dairy flavours

Chr Hansen is looking to tap the highly lucrative organic food market with a new range of dairy flavours made from real milk, cream, and cheese.

Dairy Crest workers may strike over pension plans

Workers at UK dairy giant Dairy Crest may strike over the group's plans to reform its debt-laden pension scheme, threatening to disrupt supplies to retailers and processors.

Microbiologists meet to discuss role in fighting disease

Microbiology experts from across Europe are meeting in Cardiff, Wales today to discuss how to improve the fight against food borne bacteria such as E. coli O157, and diseases such as avian influenza.

UK dairy faces innovation deficit

There must be more co-operation in Britain's dairy industry to improve innovation and market research if the sector is going to compete with rivals abroad, says a new report.

Banks knew of problems, says Parmalat founder

International banks supporting Parmalat's operations knew of the company's financial problems, according to the former chairman Calisto Tanzi.

More support that dairy could reduce colorectal cancer risk

A diet rich in dairy products could cut the risk of colorectal cancer by half, an effect that is not due solely to calcium, reports a Swedish study.

EU warned over economic nationalism

A top economic expert has warned against growing economic nationalism in Europe, as reports say the French government will move to protect 20 companies, including Danone and Carrefour, from foreign takeovers.

Weekly Comment

The benzene trail

The gamble by US authorities 15 years ago to let the industry deal with benzene residues in soft drinks has failed, and instead only kept those who needed to know in the dark.

Arla says boycott losses to hit €53m

Arla Foods says a boycott on its dairy products in the Middle East will cost it at least €53m this year, as the firm tries to remain positive about the long road to recovery.

Milk genomics meeting heads for Europe

Cutting edge research will be laid before Europe's dairy industry in Brussels this autumn, when scientists from around the world will discuss how the genetic make-up of milk affects human health.

Danone Canada launches DHA yoghurt for brain health

Sales of a DHA-fortified children's yoghurt launched last month in Canada are already exceeding expectations, with parents keen to improve their children's brain development through nutrition, says manufacturer Danone Canada.

Consultation launched to ban junk food in schools

The UK government has launched a consultation on standards for food sold in schools following recommendations from the School Food Trust calling for a ban on confectionery and snacks.

Glanbia blames poor results on EU dairy upheaval

Glanbia has blamed EU dairy sector restructuring and upheavals in the Irish market for a disappointing financial performance in 2005.

EU food reforms should not be rushed, warns Boel

Those demanding quicker CAP reform should bear in mind the current speed of change and take into account the successful legacy of the EU's food policy, argues the European agriculture commissioner.

Czechs to be fined over EU milk quota

The Czech Republic's dairy industry is facing a €7m (CK 200m) fine as milk output is forecast to exceed the national quota for 2005/6 of 2.682 billion kilos.

Parmalat CEO points finger at creditors

Parmalat's chief executive Enrico Bondi has pointed the finger at the company's creditors, accusing them of having knowledge of the disgraced dairy giant's finances.

Tetra Pak launches versatile packing line worldwide

Tetra Pak has rolled out it's A3/Flex packaging line worldwide, claiming no other carton packaging line around can offer food producers the same versatility.

Tesco launches cholesterol-lowering milk

Tesco, the UK's biggest supermarket, has launched a cholesterol-lowering milk, adding to its range being marketed under its own label.