Invensys APV's re-developed Curdmaster cheese tank is now said to
allow cheese manufacturers to reduce cheese fines in whey by up to
35 per cent, creating a major boost for productivity.
Agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland yesterday announced it
will increase its capacity for the production of the sweetener
liquid sorbitol at its Decatur plant in the US by 60 per cent.
National Starch has appointed Biomin to distribute its nutrition
products in Scandinavia. The exclusive agreement includes the
supply of Hi-maize and Novelose, plus forthcoming new product
developments in Denmark, Finland, Norway...
Organic dairy foods group Horizon Organic reported an increase in
sales of 21 per cent in the US and 20 per cent in the UK during the
second quarter of 2003, compared with the second quarter of 2002.
Gardner Technologies, a US-based wine technology company dedicated
to improving wine closure quality, has launched MetaCork, a
twist-to-uncork wine opener.
The UK's FSA has published guidance notes to accompany the new
cocoa and chocolate product regulations in an effort to achieve a
'more consistent application and enforcement of the regulations'.
The US Food and Drug Administration has given the Procter &
Gamble fat replacer olestra the all-clear, after new scientific
evidence found there was no need to warn consumers of side effects.
Leche Pascual looks set for conflict once again with its main
rivals after participating in a study designed to compare the
benefits of pasteurised and natural yoghurts.
The European Commission on Friday approved plans by US company
Archer Daniels Midland to purchase food giant Unilever's edible oil
refining subsidiary VDBO.
UK sweeteners and starch group Tate & Lyle has completed the
sale of its monosodium glutamate (MSG) production unit in France to
Japanese seasonings company Ajinomoto.
The UK's Dairy Council has responded to a survey conducted by
researchers from Helsinki University, which found that starting the
day without food was associated with unhealthy lifestyles.
Irish dairy group Glanbia has reached a settlement with the Irish
competition authority over allegations concerning the fixing of the
retail price of milk.
The volatile vanilla market has seen food manufacturers turning to
synthetic substitutes as prices per kilo soar from double to treble
figures in recent years.
Swiss stabiliser manufacturer Swissgum is set to introduce a number
of innovations at Fi Europe, which takes place from 18 to 20
November 2003 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Ebro Puleva saw its sales drop but profits rise in the first half
as it continued to streamline its business around three core
sectors - dairy products, sugar and rice.
Dutch life science company DSM today posted a net profit of €959
million. Although DSM Fine Chemicals posted slightly lower sales
and a lower operating profit, attributable to the pharma products
and aspartame businesses, DSM Food...
The US-based Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a
non-profit organisation, has published a report criticising the fat
content of ice cream.
Danisco is launching Salatrim, a new low-calorie fat targeted at
the European confectionery and bakery industry. The product, which
has been patented, will be sold under the name Benefat.
Allied Domecq, the world's second largest spirits producer, has
teamed up with Parmalat UK to launch a range of premium dairy
desserts featuring three of its brands - Malibu, Tia Maria and
Harveys Bristol Cream.
Fun, convenience and health are the clear drivers of innovation in
the food industry, as the latest review of new products from
Mintel's Global New Product Database shows.
Scandinavians drink more milk than anyone else in Europe, but this
has not stopped them from becoming among the most avid consumers of
non-dairy drinks as well, helped by marketing efforts of retailers
and new product launches.
Organic drinks have increased in popularity in recent years. One of
the latest products to be launched is an organic milk drink
available in a recyclable carton.
Lock Inspection Systems is to preview its Compact Vertical Fall
metal detector for the first time at the forthcoming PPMA, to be
held in the NEC, Birmingham, UK this September.
The hot weather in the early part of the summer gave a major boost
to the Swiss ice cream industry, helping to offset disappointing
sales in the first quarter of the year.
The biggest milk drinkers in Europe, Scandinavians, are being
swayed by retailer marketing and new products to discover the
growing number of non-dairy drinks on offer, according to a new
report.
Two dairies, Danish-based Birkum Ost and UK-based Oakthorpe, have
been granted ISO 9001:2000 and HACCP accreditation. Both are owned
by dairy giant Arla Foods.
Unilever is to target the chilled dairy market in a number of
European countries from September as it pushes aggressively into
sectors with significant growth potential.
The Competition Commission's decision to investigate the proposed
merger between Arla UK and Express Dairies could have an adverse
effect on profits at the latter group.
Cargill and Riceland Foods have announced their intention to link
up to manufacture, market and sell lecithin products to food,
pharmaceutical, and technical customers.
Puck, one of Arla Foods' most popular brands in the Middle East, is
proving higlhy popular in the Danish market. The Arabian feta-style
cheese follows a growing trend for ethnic and, increasingly, Arabic
delicacies.
Leche Pascual is to invest €33 million in a new milk processing
plant in Barcelona to supply the Catalan market, despite the recent
boycott of its products there.
