Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Cartoning machines boasts modular design

Two new horizontal cartoning machines are designed in a modular construction, allowing food processors to rapidly change over to different formats.

EU not blocking WTO talks, says dairy chief

It is unrealistic to expect the European Union to make more big concessions at the upcoming World Trade Organisation talks, argues the European Dairy Association against critics of Europe's stance.

Foss offers pay-per-test scheme to food labs

A pay-per-sample scheme introduced for a milk-testing laboratory in Germany could be offered to other customers across Europe, said Foss Analytical.

Higher dairy exports narrow NZ trade deficit

New Zealand's dairy export sales were up 32 per cent in March to almost $400 million, compared to the same time last year, helping the small country narrow its trade deficit for the first time in 22 months.

Danone strengthens interest in Algerian dairy sector

Groupe Danone's growing interest in the Algerian dairy market underlines the importance of the North African / Middle East region to European milk processors.

Gadot comes up with calcium for milk replacements

Gadot Biochemical Industries has developed a new calcium citrate compound that could help formulators overcome fortification issues with soy milk, fluid milk, smoothie, infant formula, and other milk replacement products.

Nestlé outperforms in Q1

Swiss food giant Nestlé has announced a first-quarter sales rise of 14.1 per cent to CHF22.8bn (€14.5bn), beating analyst expectations and reconfirming its full-year target of a five to six per cent growth rate.

Milk, vitamin D linked to heavier birth weight

Women who have higher milk and vitamin D intakes during pregnancy give birth to heavier babies, says Canadian research.

Commission backs Lactalis, Galbani deal

Lactalis has the European Commission's blessing to complete its takeover of Italian cheese producer Galbani, opening up new avenues for the French giant in speciality cheese.

Weekly comment

Strategic philanthropy: exploitation or key for emerging markets?

When a company 'gives back' to the world through charitable donations, should we wholeheartedly commend it for being a good egg or sniff cynically at the profit potential that underlies every business decision?

Arla chief adds to UK milk debate

The UK dairy industry could profit from a drop in milk production, said the chief executive of Arla UK on Tuesday, enabling the industry to add value and raise earnings through the supply chain.

Sheep's milk holds health potential

Sheep's milk has a higher content of essential vitamins and minerals than cow's milk and could be used to cater to consumers' appetite for healthy products. But presently it seems only small-time producers are sizing up the opportunities.

Danone cements position as world leader

Number one dairy producer Danone has recorded strong results for the first quarter of 2006, bolstered by a focused leadership and continuing record sales in Asia.

Timing more important than fat in sterol yoghurts

Plant sterol (PS)-enriched yoghurts better lower cholesterol levels when consumed at mealtimes than between meals, regardless of the fat content of the drink, says research from Unilever.

Lactalis lured by Czech cheese growth

French dairy giant Lactalis has enhanced its position in the growing cheese market of the Czech Republic by signing a deal to buy local firm Promil.

Kraft's tax rebate strengthens finances

Kraft Foods has recorded stable first quarter results, masking falling operating income with a favourable tax settlement and raising prices to combat spiralling production costs.

Mobile fridge keeps cool during transport

A mobile fridge allows companies to ensure an unbroken cold chain along the supply chain to a product's final delivery point.

New trial probes calcium weight loss link

Researchers from Florida State, armed with cutting-edge technology, are undertaking the largest and longest clinical trial to study the effects of calcium in postmenopausal women.

Camel milk: the dairy product of the future

The future for camel milk is so bright that the FAO predicts that the dairy product could appear one day on European supermarket shelves.

Foss upgrades milk scanner for more accuracy

The launch of a new milk scanner by analytical specialists Foss has already bagged the group some major deals with its claim to be a fifth more accurate than its predecessor.

EU states squabble over export subsidy cuts

The European Commission's cuts to export subsidies for dairy ingredients have survived a series of rows between Member States, as tension grows on how the bloc can meet its commitments to the World Trade Organisation talks.

Study: Antibiotic ban reduces incidence of drug resistance

Australia 's policy of restricting antibiotic use in food-producing animals may be linked with dramatically lower levels of drug-resistant bacteria found in patients, according to scientists.

Nestlé starts health food fund

Nestlé has finalised arrangements for a new fund that will invest in food companies producing for the health, well-being and nutrition sectors, as part of the group's drive to stay on top of consumer health trends.

Raisio targets Russia with Benecol

Raisio will launch its Benecol functional ingredient in Russia - a challenging market where obesity and cardiovascular disease levels are high, but awareness of the dangers of high cholesterol is low.

GM food future at a crossroads

Events over the past few months might have shaped the future of GM food in Europe for decades to come. FoodNavigator looks at the decisions that have influenced the proliferation of this controversial technology.

DSM launches new 'reliable' cheese ripening enzyme

DSM Food Specialties has introduced a new cheese ripening enzyme that it claims accelerates flavor development while also eliminating the bitter off-taste often formed during cheese maturation.

Multi-wave milk scanner improves product analysis

A novel scanner, which uses a mixture of ultraviolet and infrared rays to probe the content of milk, will help dairy firms and scientists to more accurately analyse products and ingredients, its inventor says.

Danone ups stake in Bright Dairy

Danone, the French yoghurt maker, will pay CNY358 million (€36.8m) to increase its stake in Bright Dairy, China's number three dairy company, to 20.1 per cent.

Revised credit rating underlines Nestlé's strength

Standard & Poor's has revised its Nestle outlook from negative to stable though it warns that its ratings could be lowered in the future.

Anhydro dairy dryer targets whey trend

The new Triple-A spray dryer from Anhydro will target growing demand for whey in added value product development, as dairy firms move away from traditional commodities.

Quality schemes should remain voluntary, EU food industry says

Various quality assurance schemes used in the food industry should remain voluntary, the bloc's food industry association says in attempting to forestall planned EU legislation on the subject.

iCone adds twist to carton packaging

The 'iCone' is the big new idea in carton packaging from Elopak, intended to fend off competition from plastics and provide a new vehicle for premium soft drinks.

Listeria test speeds up detection process, company claims

A new Listeria assay allows processors to simultaneous detect and differentiate between two species in a single test for food products.

Danone challenges Yoplait, Glanbia's Essence range

French dairy giant, Danone, has launched an action against Glanbia, Yoplait International and Yoplait Marque Internationales in the Dublin High Court, after alleged infringments on trademark after the launch of the Yoplait Essence range of probiotics.

Electronic switch bypasses Tetra Pak patent

Tetra Pak's own packaging machines could soon be used against it, after rival group Alternapak claimed it had found a way to run its own packaging reels on Tetra Pak production lines.

Human aspartame study finds no cancer link

A human observational study has revealed that adults consuming aspartame-containing beverages did not show any increased incidence of certain cancers, but scientists caution that the study could have certain "limitations" due to the research methods used.

Aseptic bottle combines advantages of carton and plastic

COLOGNE, Germany: Tetra Pak yesterday launched what it claims is the world's first aseptic carton bottle, a container with a plastic transparent top.

Chr Hansen focuses on dairy ingredient sector

Chr Hansen will get a chance to underline its increasing involvement in the dairy sector at the upcoming 2006 International Cheese Technology Exposition.

Fonterra's stake in San Lu given all-clear

Fonterra, the world's biggest exporter of dairy products, said today that it has gained approval from the Chinese government for its purchase of a 43 per cent stake in dairy company San Lu.

Leatherhead offers omega fatty acid testing

Leatherhead Food International is offering a new analysis service to help food manufacturers develop products with added omega-3 and to aid quality control.

New decanter, milk processing machines enter market

GEA Group, one of the largest machine companies at the Anuga FoodTech exhibition, has released a number of liquid filling and processing machines through its subsidiaries.

American Dairy shifts more infant formula

American Dairy, the owner of China's Feihe Dairy, said a 28 per cent rise in volumes sold of its Feihe infant formula drove growth during 2005, helped by promotional efforts and additional distribution.

Yoghurt shots enter weight management arena

The shot-sized drinking yoghurt has proved a popular format for functional foods in Europe. Now the format is entering a new category with the launch of the first such product for weight management in Portugal, using DSM Food Specialties' Fabuless ingredient.

Delta dairy analyser focuses on ease of use

Delta Instruments has launched new state-of-the-art dairy analysis equipment designed to enable processors to make more money out of milk and milk derivatives.

Calcium, vitamin D may lower diabetes risk

High intake of calcium and vitamin D, particularly from supplements, may lower the risk of diabetes by 33 per cent, say American scientists, as a leading European clinician reports that over a billion people are vitamin D deficient.