Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

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Carbery goes organic for whey innovation

Ingredients group Carbery today announced that it will begin organic production of whey proteins, making the company one of the first suppliers in the segment to the dairy industry.

New milk culture for yoghurt launched

A new line of freeze-dried and frozen cultures for yoghurt production offer a cost effective replacement for milk solids, while also retaining taste and texture, their manufacturer claims.

Trade show focuses on natural trend

Trade show Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) will kick off tomorrow in London, attracting 23,000 representatives from across the industry and the latest innovations in ingredients, formulation and processing techniques.

Fake foods, drinks on the increase, says OECD

The amount of fake foods, drinks and agricultural products being traded worldwide is on the increase according to a new report on counterfeiting released today by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Emmi teams ups with Belgian trading firm

Emmi has said it will acquire Brussels-based Haerten & Interimex in a move designed to strengthen the Switzerland-based firm's European presence.

Study measures impact of food transport on environment

A UK study of the impact on the environment of the food supply chain attempts to broaden the concept of measuring 'kilometres' travelled, to include sourcing, production methods, processing and packaging.

Industry launches plan to reduce environmental impact

The EU's food and drink industry yesterday launched an action plan to help the bloc's 280,000 manufacturers reduce their manufacturing impact on the environment.

Glanbia chases organic cheese cost potential

Dairy and ingredients firm Glanbia is stepping up production of organic cheeses to offset declining profitability for its conventional products.

Bosch acquires Kimaco to milk cheese demand

Bosch has acquired Switzerland-based Kimaco in a bid to expand its presence in packaging and production technology for processed cheese.

Organic not organic if it's air-freighted, says Soil Association

Organic produce that is flown into the UK may not be certified as organic until it meets standards on ethical and fair trade, the Soil Association proposed today, a decision that has stirred up fears for the livelihoods of farmers in the developing world.

General Mills researches yoghurt for weight management

Yoplait yogurt brand owner General Mills has conducted its own research into the healthy profile of the dairy product and is using the results to spread further consumer awareness.

Cheese waste offers whey for energy cost cutting

Food waste left over from cheese processing could soon be as much of a money-spinner as the finished product itself under a new scheme being trialled in the US.

Health claims research free to all

The Swedish Nutrition Foundation (SNF) has signed a contract allowing free access to scientific research, which will provide much needed evidence for companies wishing to make a health benefit claim.

Greenpeace targets dairy group over GM

A leading Australia-based dairy processor has become the latest company to incur the wrath of Greenpeace over allegations that it is using genetically modified (GM) feed in its supply chain.

Willi-Food prepares kosher deals

Israel-based Willi-Food hopes to step up its presence in Europe and Russia by forming two new joint ventures to meet growing respective demand for kosher and premium cheeses.

Weekly Comment

The weather excuse

With all the threats facing food and beverage production -- from contamination in the food chain, to rising input prices -- there appears to be one menace that towers above the rest, namely 'The Weather'.

Can opening designed for aging population

A new can opening is designed to meet the needs of an aging population.

Soy proteins designed to replace milk

Two new soy-based ingredients could allow processors to replace higher-priced dairy counterparts without significantly affecting nutrition and taste, their manufacturer claims.

Nestle weathers commodities storm, sales rise 7%

Nestle yesterday reported organic sales rose by seven per cent in the first nine months of this year, with the company successfully managing to offset rising raw material costs by hiking prices.

News briefs: Fonterra, Montec and Danone

In this weeks news roundup, Fonterra's health drive is criticised, Montec boosts yoghurt production and Danone steps up spending in Romania.

EU milk quota levies fall amidst CAP reforms

Fines imposed on EU member states for exceeding milk production quotas in the latest marketing year are down 38 per cent from last season as the bloc continues to cut its reliance on subsidies.

Dairy boosts growing beauty foods market

Dairy is leading the current pack of beauty enhancing food and drink products, which is expected to grow and diversify over the coming years.

Danone sells Chinese dairy stake

Danone is a step nearer to going it alone in the Chinese dairy market after selling its entire 20.01 per cent stake in Shanghai-based Bright Dairy and Food and terminating a distribution agreement for its products.

Vat creates curd with less hassle, says maker

The manufacturer of a curd-making vat for cheese claims its latest innovation can improve output, while reducing the maintenance required during production.

Wimm-Bill-Dann expands further into growing markets

Russian healthy food producers Wimm-Bill-Dann has increased its presence by taking over a dairy producer in Georgia, which will help supply markets in Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Arla offloads cheese import arm

Arla Foods will further reduce its stake in the cheese market with the announcement today of the sale of its Delimo import arm to France-based Lactalis.

Nine food contact materials get EFSA nod

Nine more food contact materials have received a positive scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which also set migration limits for the chemicals.

Weekly Comment

Time to get serious on health claims criteria

The European Food Safety Authority's task to assess thousands of health claims is a headache in anyone's book - and one made worse through vague instructions to industry.

Frutarom snaps up Gewurzmuller in expansion drive

Frutarom today announced it had agreed to acquire German-based Gewurzmuller Group for $67m (€47m), a move to further expand the company's presence in the global market for flavours and functional ingredients.

Chinese dairy demand drives Tetra Pak expansion

Tetra Pak has expanded its total packaging output in China to 40bn containers following completion of a €100m plant in a bid to meet the huge increases in demand for dairy products.

Chr Hansen boosts kids' probiotics efforts

Chr Hansen has introduced a new probiotic mix for children, which the firm is marketing in an easy-to-use format that can be added directly to foods and drinks as a dietary supplement.

New Zealand re-opens milk safety review

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has called for further testing on two different proteins used in milk production, just one month after claiming there was no danger in consuming either of the products.

News briefs: Lactalis, Arla and rock and roll cheese

In this weeks round-up, some of France's leading dairy group's continue to rack up their prices amidst increasing dairy costs, the EU stands up for Staffordshire and cheese may be the new rock and roll.

Low fat diet shows decreased risk for ovarian cancer

A low fat diet could reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women, according to the US' Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Dietary modification trial.

Weekly comment: Food prices

Will value-added lose out to the basics?

Food companies have been focussing on value-added products in a bid to reduce their reliance on commodities, which can fluctuate wildly and deliver slim margins. But now that prices of basic foods are at an all-time high, can value-added foods still compete for their share of the consumer buck?

Beverage and dairy drive Givaudan's Euro sales

Givaudan has reported sales growth in its flavours division in Q3, particularly in the European beverage and dairy segments, and in developing markets.

UK regulator issues milk testing proposals

The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued proposals to adopt EU-wide measures designed to prevent antibiotic residues entering the food chain via raw milk and other dairy products.

Companies face investor pressure to reduce CO2

Investors are stepping up the pressure on companies to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced by their manufacturing operations.

Special edition: Food prices

Dairy groups look to organic in commodities panic

While conventional dairy processors continue to fret over increasing prices for milk powder and other ingredients, a leading US organic group believes that current conditions in the commodities market will continue to boost industry profitability.

Filler is faster and more hygienic, says maker

A new filling machine technology specifically designed for chilled products like milk can allow processors to step up productivity during packaging, its manufacturer claims.

Wild expands, aims to create flavor campus

Wild Flavors will next week expand into new facilities opposite its current location, a move that reflects the flavor manufacturer's fast pace of growth.

Morinaga Milk probiotic meets US safety demands

Morinaga Milk Industry announced this week that it has obtained self-affirmed generally recognized as safe (GRAS) certification for one of its probiotic ingredients to tap growing demand in the US for functional benefits in products.

UK dairy groups reveal milk merger talks

Two of the UK's leading farmer-owned dairy businesses have today revealed that they are in advanced discussion over a merger of their operations.

Plant sterols in low fat milk effective for cholesterol cuts

Phytosterols incorporated into low-fat fermented milk was effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels in people with slightly elevated cholesterol, French researchers have reported.

CP Kelco plays ups pectin potential in yoghurts

A manufacturer of pectin-derived hydrocolloids claims that its ingredients could be used as a more cost effective means of preserving functionality in yoghurts.

Dairy difficulties hamper Dean Foods' profits

US group Dean Foods yesterday announced plans for an immediate cut in its workforce, after higher costs for ingredients like milk forced it to lower its full year earnings expectations.

News briefs: Parmalat, Fonterra and Smucker's

In this week's round up, Fonterra appoints its latest remuneration committee, Parmalat keeps gunning for Citibank, and Smucker's makes Canadian acquisition.

Yellow fats can still melt into market, Mintel

As the yellow fats market competes against products for consumers aspiring to healthier lifestyles, Mintel has highlighted how manufacturers of these goods should play up their taste attributes.

Dairy must meet environment challenge, says expert

The environment is now the biggest challenge facing the global dairy industry, Jimm Begg, president of the International Dairy Federation said yesterday.

New test spots the toxins, researchers claim

A brand new test for food processors can spot within five minutes the presence of biogenic amines, naturally occurring toxins that cause headaches, researchers claim.

Weekly comment

Ripping the red tape

They say that patience is a virtue. But when it comes to the regulatory process on both sides of the Atlantic, patience too often results in dust gathering in the "to do" box on some regulator's desk.