Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Probiotics may cut diarrhoea amongst the elderly

Probiotic-containing drinks may help reduce diarrhoea among older people receiving antibiotics, reports new research that could offer savings to public health services.

Ciao for now to Italian Parmesan claim

Parmesan cheese could soon be as Italian as frankfurter sausages, baguettes or steak and kidney pie, if the findings of a European Court of Justice adviser are upheld.

Go green and profit, says Fonterra

Fonterra, New Zealand's largest food group has pledged to step up its commitment to tackling climate change amidst new findings from the country suggesting businesses could profit from greater environmental concern.

Raisio halts Russian margarine production

Raisio is to cease production of margarine at its plant in Istra, Russia from September, when it will transfer the operation to a subcontractor in an effort to reduce over-capacity and boost profitability.

US organic dairy standards misleading, expert claims

Some industry standards on dairy products may be misleading consumers, a US organics expert claims.

New technology mixes without stirring

A new method of mixing and heat exchange for highly viscous liquids without the use of traditional stirrers, has been developed by Australian scientists.

Domestic demand boosts Chinese dairy presence

China has overtaken Russia and Pakistan to become the world's third largest processor of dairy products, according to the director of the country's dairy association.

Unilever deal aims at added-value future

Unilever revealed yesterday it will sell a stake in some of its margarine brands in Brazil, as it moves to extend its focus on functional foods.

Martek extend DHA omega-3 dairy focus

Martek continues to expand the international consumer base for its vegetarian form of DHA omega-3 through a new deal with Breyers yogurt.

Workplace injuries drop in UK food sector

Injuries in UK food and drink manufacturing plants have fallen by 22 per cent over the past three years, according to an industry association.

Weekly comment

Clinical trials - gold standard or white elephant?

Randomised clinical trials are the ultimate. Forget what the observational studies tell us, if the RCT gives us an answer it must be the final word, right? Wrong.

Tariff handbook provides worldwide guide

A new World Trade Organisation (WTO) guide setting out all tariffs in 150 countries serves as handbook for supply chain managers.

Wahaha unhappy at chairman appointment

Danone's soap opera-like conflict with Chinese joint venture partner Wahaha continued to escalate yesterday, with the Asian firm attacking its newly appointed chairman.

Novel hunger-stopping glucan from probiotics

Reuteran - a novel alpha-glucan produced by the bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri - could be finding its way into bakery and dairy products as a weight management ingredient, Dutch scientists have reported.

Dairy production faces unique challenges, expert claims

There are difficult times ahead for the global dairy industry as it strives to meet growing challenges over preserving supply, says the head of the European Dairy Association (EDA).

EU exporters face Canadian cheese change

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced new cheese composition standards that could significantly impact dairy imports from the EU and the US.

Courts continue to favour Parmalat

Italian dairy group Parmalat continues its fight back from insolvency after emerging victorious yesterday from another set of legal disputes over responsibility for its financial collapse in 2003.

First Milk taps heritage with new cheese range

It seems even dairy products are getting nationalistic these days, as one of the UK's leading cheese producers aims to tap growing Scottish pride with its latest cheddar range.

Amcor launches monolayer plastic packaging for milk

Amcor recently announced the launch of its single layer plastic bottles, meeting demands for quality products that are also good for the environment.

Weekly comment

A sobering thought for the alcohol industry

Much against my own better judgement, there are some issues it seems, where corporate social responsibility must really live up to its name and truly look after its consumers.

EU export subsidies revoked as dairy prices rocket

The EU's dairy management committee last week revoked subsidies on all exported dairy products for the first time in 40 years, as increased demand amongst processors and consumers continues to drive up prices.

Big names commit to cutting packaging, food waste

Britvic, Cadbury Schweppes, Coca-Cola, and Nestle are among the companies joining Unilever and others in signing a commitment to cut down on packaging and food waste under a UK programme.

Vive le fromage as French dairy groups unite

Two of France's largest dairy firms yesterday agreed to form a joint venture in a move to adapt to the effects of EU reforms on the country's cheese production.

Friesland rethinks Dutch dairy production

Friesland Foods this week announced plans to scale down its production facilities in the Netherlands in a bid to brace itself for wide scale changes within the EU's dairy market.

Ireland urges industry to co-operate with health claim discussions

Ireland's food safety regulator has urged the nation's food industry to be more involved with the EU health claims process to make the most of the opportunities it offers.

Special Edition: Climate change

Dairy groups forced to face climate change responsibility

Major players within the dairy industry are beginning to witness unwanted reminders of the high cost climate change could have on their operations, as prices for raw materials like milk continue to soar.

Emmental plight reflects global dairy woes

Arla Foods is to cease production of emmental cheese as it begins to feel the pressure of dwindling milk supply on prices and production.

Australian MP derides "Milk Sucks" campaign

An ongoing dispute over just how sweet and wholesome milk really is, could be about to get political, if Australia's shadow agricultural minister gets his way.

Probiotics again linked to lower eczema risk

Probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and then for the infants after birth could reduce the incidence of eczema, suggests a new clinical trial from Sweden.

Indian joint venture turns tables on Danone

Group Danone is experiencing further set backs to its plan to expand its presence into Asia's booming dairy markets, as an Indian joint venture partner turns the tables on the dairy giant, according to press reports.

High viscosity pump extracts residues

A new transfer pump can help speed up the pumping of high viscosity foods and drinks, according to its manufacturer.

Advance Instruments reveal dairy testing innovation

Dairy is on the agenda for US group Advance Instruments as it seeks to bring greater innovation to industry testing at the 2007 annual meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) to be held next week.

Chr Hansen to untangle bacteria genes

Chr Hansen has teamed up with researchers from Denmark and Japan in an effort understand the genetic make-up of bacteria and see whether this knowledge can be used to improve probiotic food products.

EU dairy undergoes CAP reform benefits

The European dairy industry is on course to rebound from a difficult 2006, as the detrimental affects of CAP reforms on milk production in 2003 begin to lift, says a new report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Wahaha gets personal in Danone disagreement

A legal disagreement between Danone and a Chinese business partner today got personal, after the dairy giant was branded as being "despicable" for launching a court action in the US.

Germany proposes full auction for CO2 permits

A German government proposal to auction off all greenhouse-gas permits under the EU emissions-trading scheme (ETS) could make it more costly for manufacturers to meet the regulatory requirements.

Industry calls for green support

Players within the UK dairy industry will today call for greater government and scientific support in bolstering their commitment to greener production techniques.

Wimm-Bill-Dann maintains Russian expansion

Dairy group Wimm-Bill-Dann has tightened its grip on the country's dairy market by increasing its holding in one of the country's major production facilities.

Canadian hemp milk looks to nourish US dairy alternative market

Canadian hemp manufacturer Manitoba Harvest is counting on its new hemp milk to bring further consumer awareness to the health benefits of a seed often associated with marijuana.

Starbucks trims fat to meet dairy demand

Starbucks is cutting the fat in its milk beverages to tap growing consumer demand for lower calorie products.

Weekly comment

Could organic eat itself?

Just when organic food has begun to make a noticeable dent in the overall food market, air freighting - a measure that solves the segment's biggest current problem - is facing potential prohibition.

US organic milk boom drives innovation

Greater supply of organic milk in the US is encouraging product innovation, according to Organic Monitor, while the opposite is true in Europe, where shortages are still pinching.