Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Diversified dairy market leaves room for manoeuvre

Danone was the world's leading producer of dairy products in 2006, accounting for 5.1 per cent of total global sales, narrowly ahead of multinational rivals Nestle and Kraft Foods, says market analyst Euromonitor.

Briefs: Naturally Iowa, Swedmilk and Wimm-Bill-Dann

In the latest news roundup, Naturally Iowa is set to extend its presence in recyclable dairy packaging, Swedmilk expects further growth in Macedonia and Wimm-Bill-Dann diversifies its operations in Canada.

Top UK scientist advocates GM future

Debate has been stirred in the UK over a future that could see GM foods on supermarket shelves, as the government's outgoing chief scientific advisor said he believes GM food to be safer than convention food.

Fonterra tracks carbon footprint across supply chain

Fonterra, one of the world's largest dairy companies, has become the latest processor to announce it would measure carbon emissions across its entire supply chain.

First Milk mulls cheese and whey plan

First Milk, a leading UK dairy cooperative, announced that the company is considering developing its production facilities for higher value dairy goods.

Russian milk prices up despite production hike

Russian milk production remains well below the country's output targets for 2007, ensuring continued price hikes for the product on the back of increasing global demand, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Heat exchanger designed to handle powders, bulk solids

A new heat exchanger can prevent contamination of foods while indirectly heating or cooling free-flowing powder and bulk solids, its manufacturer claims.

Nanotech projects for food sector outlined at conference

Nanoengineered products for the food sector -- including a smart RFID nano sensor -- took centre stage at a two day conference held 20-21 November in Braga, Portugal to discuss the science of the miniscule.

Weekly comment

Why all the fuss about stevia?

Over the past half year, stevia has been the focus of attention as the search for a perfect natural sweetener continues. But why are the birds circling when the ingredient has not been approved in the two major Western markets - the United States and Europe?

UK outlines dried milk amedments

New UK-wide directives designed to set out new standards for dried and condensed milk, in line with wider European and international standards, have been unveiled by the country's Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Danone freezes assets in China venture battle

France-based Danone has successfully frozen the assets of a number of enterprises allegedly linked to Chinese joint venture partner Wahaha, on the back of increasing legal pressure over property rights in the country.

Study focuses on pathogens in unpasteurised cheese

A three-year project designed to test the safety of producing cheese from unpasteurised milk has been announced by the Campden Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA).

EC moves to further open up trade

The EC has unveiled a set of policy guidelines that could impact the food industry by further opening up trade in the region.

Arla finds way to process more protein from whey permeat

Dairy co-operative Arla Foods continues to expand beyond its native European market by stepping up investment in Argentina for the production of whey powders.

UK clamps down on infant formula promotion

UK regulators yesterday outlined stricter controls on the marketing, labelling and formulation of infant formulas, including the use of brand names, to correspond with changes to EU law.

Infant nutrition rules are weak, group claims

The UK's proposed infant nutrition rules have failed to protect mothers and babies and bowed to "industry pressure", lobbyists have said.

Friesland partnership progresses whey production

Friesland Foods Domo and Novasep Process aim to accelerate production times while developing purification technologies and reducing cost for the functional foods and dairy markets through their new partnership.

Briefs: FSA executive, food fraud and the Stilton shake

In this week's briefs, a former executive of Arla Foods is appointed to the UK's Food Standards Agency, the industry prepares to gather to discuss food fraud, and Stilton cheese gets a shake up.

Culture cuts production time and fat in dairy

A new dairy culture can reduce the fermentation time needed for milk processing, while meeting demand for lower fat, clean label dairy products in emerging markets like Eastern Europe, its manufacturer claims.

Weekly comment

Are trade shows relevant?

The new crop of business cards yielded by another trade show season have been duly filed away. But the big question remains. Were the three days at FIE followed, for many, by another three at SupplySide West, really worth the blisters, the jet lag, and the not inconsiderable expense?

Parmalat boosts sales 5.4 per cent on rising demand

Italy-based Parmalat, one of the world's largest dairy companies, yesterday reported a 5.4 per cent increase in sales boosted by rising demand for its products in the nine months ended 30 September.

Whey protein sees demand from functional drinks

The whey protein industry looks set to profit from the functional beverage trend as manufacturers say they have seen a surge in demand for their ingredients.

Communication is vital in managing food risk, BfR

Public perception of food risk is the important factor in determining need for state intervention even if the scientific point of view says the risk is low, according to the BfR, a view that has a strong bearing on current issues like additives and ingredient sourcing.

Glanbia predicts another milk price rise

Consumers look likely to bear the brunt of further hikes in milk prices, as Glanbia consumer foods boss Colin Gordon warns that his company can carry raw material costs no longer.

Whey protein ripe for functional beverages

The dairy derivative industry - namely that for whey protein - looks set to profit from the functional beverage trend as manufacturers say they have seen a surge in demand.

Fonterra considers flotation

Fonterra is initiating a two-year consultation to adopt a preferred capital structure that could see it split in two and listing on the New Zealand Stock Exchange, to better take advantage of growth opportunities.

Organic undersupply stunts market growth, OTA

Unreliable organic supplies are stunting the growth of over half of US organic food manufacturers, according to a new report by the nation's industry association.

Enzymatic process yields creaminess enhancer

Starch player Avebe launches novel based potato starch and creaminess enhancer for range of food applications.

Cognis launches whipping agent for light foods

A new whipping agent from Cognis targets aerated food products, such as mousses and spreads, as need for high volume foods increases in step with foodservice growth.

Natural antioxidants for dairy, beverages launched

A basic pack of antioxidants on the market today targets beverage and dairy companies looking to meet the rising demand for healthy products derived from natural ingredients.

Robert Wiseman boosts turnover 12 per cent

Helped by a global shortage of raw milk, Robert Wiseman Dairies beat back increased input costs to raise margins and boost turnover by 12.2 per cent for the six months ended 29 September.

Friesland ups capacity for healthy whey

Friesland Foods Domo has invested €6M in its whey protein plant in Workum, The Netherlands, allowing it to increase production of infant formula ingredients and produce its new low-fat ingredient for dairy applications.

Metro Group completes Europe's largest RFID rollout

The Metro Group has upped the ante in Europe's move toward using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, completing the roll out of its use to 180 additional stores and warehouses in Germany.

Organic milk profits on health claims

Sales of organic milk within the UK are up by about 11 per cent to 200m litres a year, boosted by studies linking the product with a number of health benefits, a leading dairy processor claims.

Briefs: Parmalat, Dairy Crest and Dean Foods

In this week's news roundup, Parmalat denies another out of court settlement is on the cards, while dairy groups Dairy Crest and Dean Foods report mix fortunes in dealing with rising commodity costs.

PLA plastic nanoengineered for high temperature thermoforming

A compostable plastic made from nanoengineered polylactic acid (PLA) is designed to meet the demands of high-temperature thermoforming packaging.

Buoyant baby market fills Numico's coffers

Baby food sales are up for Numico by more than 10 per cent - but product prices will be bumped up to offset rising costs.

Unilever sells Boursin to Le Groupe Bel

Unilever has sold the soft cheese brand Boursin to Le Groupe Bel for €400m as part of its plan to shed peripheral brands and re-ignite its top line growth.

Kirin targets dairy for global expansion

Japan-based brewer Kirin is branching out from its core beverage lines into health and nutrition with the acquisition of one of the Asia and Oceania region's leading dairy companies.

Arla benefits from UK dairy boom

The UK division of dairy cooperative Arla Foods is expected to exceed last year's record earnings, the company said this week, in announcing the group was doubling its profit forecast for next year to DKK600m (€80m).

Campina gives up the goat for cheese production

Production of goat's cheese is off the menu for European dairy cooperative Campina, as it moves to focus instead on manufacturing semi-hard varieties of the product made from cow's milk.

Probiotics have a role in paediatrics, say experts

Experts at a Nestle-sponsored symposium on probiotics and children's health have urged paediatricians to pay attention to emerging research on so-called good bacteria, although more research is needed on the mechanisms behind the benefit of specific strains.

Chr Hansen plant targets Euro cultures demand

Work is underway on construction of a dairy cultures production plant that ingredients firm Chr Hansen claims will be the largest of its kind when it becomes operational in spring 2008.

Weekly comment

Meat, cancer and credibility

The big 'Cs' got the meat industry in trouble last week - cancer and credibility.

Redesigned packager offers MAP benefits

A vertical packaging machine originally created for confectionery packaging has been redesigned for use with a wider selection of foods requiring modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) applications, its manufacturer claims.

Live from FiE

Texture analyses designed to maintain consumer appeal

A manufacturer of texture analysing systems used this week's Food Ingredients Show (FiE) to launch its latest range of products designed to measure the quality and characteristics of bakery and dairy products.

Unilever results show sharp recovery

Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever has reported a steep increase in its third quarter profits on lower charges and improved sales, thanks to company cost cutting as well as an increase in consumer prices.

Danone divests to protect nutrition ambitions

Danone and Numico will be forced to offload some of their European operations to go ahead with their planned merger into one of the world's leading nutrition companies.

Industry consulted on labels claiming 'natural' and 'pure'

The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) is set to update industry guidelines on the use of words such as 'fresh', 'natural' and 'pure' in food labelling.