DairyReporter.com Top 5 Stories of 2012 - Greek yogurt, European dairy consumption collapse and cheesy dreams...

The top five news stories of this year take the reader right across the dairy industry - from Danone’s latest efforts to rejuvenate fresh dairy consumption in Southern Europe to...

Also on DairyReporter.com in 2012.....

Another year gone! The global dairy sector has had somewhat of a dramatic twelve months - dairy farmer protests, Parmalat “embezzlement” searches, and Chinese dairy sector investment.

Postconsumer plastic recycling increased in 2011, says study

Recycling of postconsumer plastic increased by 24% in Canada last year, according to a new report.

General Mills: ‘We expect to earn our fair share of the Greek yogurt segment over time’

General Mills has been making up lost ground in the fast-growing US Greek yogurt market, increasing its market share to 9% compared with less than 6% in early summer.

Tetra Pak seals deal to expand dairy offerings

Tetra Pak has acquired a US filtration company to provide ‘additional knowledge and competence’ for the dairy industry.

FrieslandCampina enters into cheese distribution JV with Bongrain

Royal FrieslandCampina has entered into a joint venture with Bongrain in an effort to boost its presence in the French cheese retail market.

Yili to invest in NZ infant formula processing

Chinese dairy giant Yili has announced plans to invest CNY 1.1bn ($176m) in the development of a New Zealand-based infant formula manufacturing plant.

5-minute festive flick

Happy holidays from William Reed Business Media!

The working year is almost done, time to pause from ‘the business’ and embrace the festive season…go on, give it a big hug. Happy holidays!

Cholesterol-low cheese ‘highly suited’ for hypertension sufferers - developer

Spanish researchers have created a cholesterol-low, reduced salt, fatty acid-enriched cheese, which is “highly suited” to the elderly and those that suffer from hypertension.

Acquisition takes us closer to production goal, says Dunapack

Dunapack Packaging has acquired a Turkish paper and packaging company in its bid to double production to 2bn m2 (1m tonnes) by 2020.

Carton Council targets 50% recycling access

The US Carton Council has targeted 50% recycling access for households to recycle the packaging after the rate grew more than 100% in three years.

News in brief

Yakult plans to ‘dissolve’ Argentina business

Yakult has announced that it intends to completely dismantle its Argentinian business, citing the problems encountered establishing a “sufficient business foundation” in the country.

News in brief

Cheese recalled due to metal contamination

Two types of cheese have been withdrawn from three UK supermarkets after being found to be contaminated with pieces of metal.

Two cups of milk per day maintains vit D and iron levels - child study

Two cups (500ml) of milk per day is enough to maintain adequate vitamin D and iron levels in children aged between two and five, a Canadian study has claimed.

News in brief

Fonterra chairman praises farmer decisions in final speech

Fonterra chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden praised the decisions of the co-operative’s farmer shareholders over the last decade, in this last chairman’s address at Fonterra Annual Meeting yesterday....

Innovation key ingredient in cost-cutting recipe, says expert

Food companies are looking for new ways to appeal to frugal consumers while cutting their own costs – and ingredient companies are coming up some innovative answers.

Parmalat play waiting game as Italian police conduct LAG 'embezzlement' probe

Parmalat has been given “no indication” of the timescale of the Guardia della Finanza – the Italian Tax Police – investigation into Parmalat’s May 2012 acquisition of Lactalis American Group (LAG)....

Italy proposes €500 fines for prohibited health claims: “Cheaper to violate than comply”

As attention turns to the enforcement of the EU’s controversial article 13, general function health claims list after a six month waiting period, an expert on the ground in Italy...

Roquefort may contribute to French heart disease ‘paradox’

The consumption of moulded cheese, including Roquefort, may contribute to the occurrence of the ‘French paradox’ – the term used to explain France’s “illogically” low cardiovascular mortality rate.

Chobani opens ‘world’s largest yogurt plant’ in Twin Falls, Idaho

Greek yogurt giant Chobani has opened what it claims is the world’s largest yogurt factory - a one million square foot plant in Twin Falls Idaho and its second domestic...

EU health claims: FoodDrinkEurope welcomes “certainty and clarity”

The EU’s biggest food industry group – FoodDrinkEurope – has backed Friday’s enabling of the article 13 list of 222 approved and 1500+ rejected health claims in the European Union’s 27 member states.

FDA facing court over failure to respond to raw milk petition

Raw milk dairy Organic Pastures has filed a lawsuit against the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alleging that the agency repeatedly failed to respond to its petition to amend...

It’s official! There are 222 general function approved health claims in the EU; 1500+ rejected

From today food and supplement products marketed in the EU’s 27 member states must comply with the article 13, permitted list of health claims or face prosecution for misleading marketing.

NI exclusive

Chr Hansen claims long-life probiotic beverage breakthrough

After 20 failed starts, probiotics leader Chr Hansen says it has finally found an ingredient dispensing cap partner that can handle the demands of high speed filling utilised by the...

Danone plans cost reductions to regain European 'competitive edge'

French dairy giant Danone is preparing a two-year cost reduction plan designed to help regain its "competitive edge" in Europe.

News in brief

Cheese-making 7,500 years old, experts claim

The discovery of traces of dairy fat in Neolithic ceramic fragments has led to suggestions that people may have been making cheese in Europe for up to 7,500 years.

Milk quota abolition ‘soft landing’ expected – EC report

The European Commission (EC) is expecting a “soft landing” when European Union (EU) milk quotas are abolished in 2015.

December 14 EU health claims deadline

Stakeholder vox pop: December 14 EU health claim deadline

With the December 14 enforcement of the EU's article 13 general function health claim list that includes 200+ approved claims and about 1500 rejections just two days away (after a...

Judge tosses yogurt identity lawsuit vs Yoplait Greek, but admits FDA position is not ‘a model of clarity’

A Minnesota federal judge has thrown out a class action lawsuit alleging that General Mills’ Yoplait Greek yogurts do not meet the regulatory definition of yogurt on the grounds that...

UK dairy 'Producer Organisation' consultation launched

The UK Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a consultation on the proposed implementation of rules that would allow English dairy farmers to form Producer Organisations...

US COMMODITIES CORNER

November prices remain high, but cheese suffers 'unusual' drop - Part Two

In part two of his November 2012 US dairy commodities breakdown, MilkPrice blogger John Geuss gives DairyReporter.com the latest on whey, butter and "rapidly" falling cheese prices, as well as a look...

Italian police search Parmalat, Lactalis offices in LAG deal probe

The Italian headquarters of Parmalat and its owner, French dairy giant Lactalis, have been searched by Italian police as part of an investigation into Parmalat’s May 2012 intra-group acquisition of...

The French secret to anti-ageing? It’s a bit cheesy…

A new generation of anti-ageing products could be developed after researchers stumbled upon the anti-inflammatory properties of cheese whilst trying to discover the secret behind the French paradox puzzle.

New EFSA health claims chief: “I prefer pedagogic behavior”; offers 2013 hope

As the formlisation of the main organ (article 13.1 list) of the nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) kicks in this week, Professor Ambroise Martin, the new chair of the...

WhiteWave CEO: The cost advantage of plant-based food and beverages over dairy will continue to grow

The economics of supplying plant-based foods and beverages over dairy will become increasingly compelling “because the cow is a relatively inefficient converter of grain into protein”, says the chief executive...

Formula ‘may contribute’ to intestinal condition in premature infants – study

Premature infants fed formula are more likely to develop necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) - a severe, often fatal intestinal condition – than those who are breast-fed, a US study has found.

US firm launches high pressure processing solutions

Interest in high pressure processing (HPP) is growing, with US company All Natural Freshness (ANF) launching pre-packaging end-to-end HPP solutions, which it claims can significantly extend shelf life and cut...

DuPont develops new culture range for Tvarog cheese

DuPont Nutrition & Health has developed a new mesophilic culture range for Tvarog cheese, in an effort to speed the company’s growth in Eastern Europe.

FrieslandCampina to cut German workforce in efficiency drive

FrieslandCampina plans to cuts its German workforce by more than 15% in an effort to increase its competitiveness in the country's supermarket-dominated “difficult” dairy market.

US COMMODITIES CORNER

November prices remain high, but cheese suffers 'unusual' drop

US cheese prices remain high at more than $2 per pound (lb), but are 'falling rapidly' - an unexpected result considering October's 'tight inventories.' US commodities expert and MilkPrice blogger John Geuss...

Dairy Crest Dairies restructuring efforts ‘overlooked’ – Panmure Gordon

The “scale and scope” Dairy Crest’s current efforts to restructure its lagging Dairies and Spreads businesses has been “overlooked”, according to stock brokerage Panmure Gordon.

dispatches from emballage 2012

Octal on track with four-stage growth plan

Octal is targeting new markets and geographies in what the firm described as a “well-planned four phase approach”.

French Gruyere cheese granted EC protected geographical status

French Gruyere cheese has been granted protected geographical indication (PGI) status by the European Commission (EC), after Swiss and French officials met to discuss measures to avoid misleading consumers.

News in brief

Fonterra increases 2012/13 pay-out forecast

Fonterra has announced a revised pay-out forecast range for the 2012/13 season of NZ$5.50 per kilogram of milk solids – an increase of 25 cents on the previous forecast.

Polymer production aid for fluoropolymers poses no safety concern, says EFSA

A chemical that can be used in the production of films that wrap meat, cheese or vegetables has been declared safe by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

DSM completes €85m acquisition of Cargill's cultures and enzymes business

DSM has successfully completed its €85m acquisition of Cargill’s cultures and enzymes business – increasing its “critical mass” in the €1bn market for dairy industry cultures and enzymes.

Chr. Hansen initiates camel cheese development project

Chr. Hansen has teamed up with Kenyan firm Oleleshwa Enterprises Ltd to increase its knowledge of camel cheese production - knowledge it intends to pass on to camel owners in...

Disease outbreaks and recalls to fuel food safety product demand

Foodborne illness outbreaks and large product recalls will see demand for food safety products rise 8.4% per year to $18bn in 2016, according to Freedonia.

EU to hear Cypriot dairy industry ‘Hellim’ trademark appeal

The European Union General Court (EGC) will hear an appeal from the Cypriot Milk Industry Association relating to a decision to allow a German company to market dairy products using...

dispatches from emballage 2012

APPE targets innovation in tough times

Innovation is allowing APPE to push through tough European economic times, according to the firm.

Guest article

December 14 EU health claims crack down: Are B2B comms affected?

December 14 brings the long awaited and widely disputed EU crack down on health claims. That means 222 general function claims are good to go, another 1500 or so prohibited....

FrieslandCampina lactoferrin ingredient granted EC novel foods approval

The European Commission (EC) has given Dutch dairy giant FrieslandCampina the go-ahead to market bovine lactoferrin as a novel food ingredient.

Coke makes first direct investment in US dairy brands

The Coca-Cola Company is partnering with US-based Select Milk Producers to invest in the Core Power high protein milk shake brand and create a complementary value-added nutritional dairy portfolio.

Nutricia wins follow-on milk TV ad battle over ‘2x’ nutrient claims

Infant and medical food specialist Nutricia has had a UK TV campaign claiming toddlers needed twice the nutrients of adults backed by the watchdog there.

Saputo heralds Morningstar deal as 'big' US growth opportunity

Saputo hopes to increase its share of the US dairy market while reducing its reliance on the stagnated Canadian market through its proposed acquisition of Dean Foods’ Morningstar division.

News in brief

Vitafoods Europe 2013 calls for conference speakers

Vitafoods Europe wants speakers to get in touch for its annual scientific an commercial conference which runs in conjunction with the trade fair to be held in Geneva, Switzerland on...

CASH retracts cheese salt claim after admitting ‘error’

Campaign group Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) has issued an apology and retracted a recent press statement that wrongfully labelled cheese as the third “biggest contributor of salt in...

News in brief

Linpac Group sells Ropak business for $265m

Linpac Group has sold its Ropak Packaging business for $265m to BWAY Corporation almost two years after rumours first surfaced about the firm being broke up and sold off.

China will continue to drive global infant formula sales – Euromonitor

Chinese consumer demand for infant formula products looks set to continue to drive global sales, according to Euromonitor.

PCS implementation can boost dairy competitiveness – Siemens

Dairy processors can better address the challenge of remaining competitive in the long term through the installation of a process control system (PCS), German technology giant Siemens has claimed.

Ajinomoto wins EU chilli extract approval

Japanese supplier Ajinomoto’s chilli extract has won European Union Novel Foods status at various levels in 22 foodstuffs including flavoured waters, meal replacements, baked goods and sugar-free gum.

Flexible packaging firm fined after laminating accident

A UK packaging company has been fined after one of its employees sustained a serious hand injury on an unguarded laminating machine.

Chr. Hansen expands in Russia

Ingredient supplier Chr. Hansen has upgraded its Moscow offices and added an applications laboratory, in a move it says will help it to better respond to local customers’ requests.

Husky upgrade targets preform manufacturing efficiency

Husky Injection Molding Systems has upgraded its HyPET system with the aim of eliminating waste and variability in the preform manufacturing process.

Guest article

Provexis winner: EU health claims enforcement may dish rotten tomatoes

Steve Morrision was the COO at Provexis when the UK start-up won the EU‘s first ever article 13.5 health claim for its blood circulation-boosting tomato extract called Fruitflow in 2009....

News in brief

Exclusion zone set up after acid spill at Arla plant

Emergency services were forced to set up an exclusion zone at an Arla Foods UK processing plant in late November after an acid spill at the facility.

Saputo agrees to buy Dean Foods’ Morningstar business in $1.45bn deal

Canadian dairy giant Saputo has entered into an agreement with Dean Foods to acquire the US firm’s Morningstar business for $1.45bn (€1.1bn).

World first: Breast milk probiotic launched in Australia

Spanish supplier Biosearch Life is finding success with its patented, immune system-boosting and mastitis battling probiotic isolated from human breast milk in a world-first product launched in Australia this year.

Nestlé completes Pfizer Nutrition acquisition after ‘majority’ approval

Nestlé has completed its $11.85bn (€9bn) acquisition of Pfizer Nutrition after the deal was approved by the “majority of markets involved.”

News in brief

Packaging Dynamics acquires Groupe De Luxe

Packaging Dynamics Corporation has acquired Groupe De Luxe to expand into new geographies and end markets.

Danone eyeing Southern European dairy demand restoration

French dairy giant Danone has pinpointed the restoration of Southern European dairy product consumption and demand as one of its main short term strategic priorities.