Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words

In the run-up to Easter, chocolate fittingly grabbed the headlines, with Supervalu Inc accusing some of the biggest manufacturers of fixing prices in the US. Meanwhile, Barry Callebaut, the world's largest B2B chocolate maker, believes it will benefit from more outsourcing of production in the sector. And another ingredients giant, France's Tereos, sees the world's as its oyster after the creation of a dedicated overseas unit. Here is a snapshot of who said what on the top food news stories this week.

"This action arises out of a conspiracy among the world's leading manufacturers of chocolate candy products to fix, raise, maintain or stabilize prices of those products in the United States" - Supervalu Inc.'s lawsuit alleges the likes of Nestle and Mars created a "cartel" on chocolate in the US.

"The trend in outsourcing is clear and will continue. If I was in consumer chocolate and I had a competitor who did not have the backward integration in chocolate, the competitor would have both hands free and eyes on where the consumer is - marketing, distribution and consumer understanding. If I'd needed to manage my chocolate production and sourcing, I would have only one eye and one arm" - Juergen Steinemann (pictured), boss of B2B chocolate giant Barry Callebaut, believes outsourcing would give the world's chocolate brand-owners a competitive advantage.

"Tereos Internacional will be the unique point of contact to the clients worldwide. Clients will have a 'one-stop shop' company to supply food ingredients for them globally" - Philippe Duval, president of French ingredients giant Tereos, tells just-food that the creation of a listed overseas arm will boost its international business.

"You do not often get the opportunity to put together two such dynamic market leaders and two such powerhouse brands" - Mead Johnson president and CEO Steve Golsby talks up the baby-food group's new venture with Saudi dairy group Almarai.

"The substantial in trading performance has de-leveraged the group quite considerably in the last year. Any concerns over our financial position are definitely put behind us following this refinancing" - Bakkavor CFO Richard Howes believes the convenience food group can look to the future after a turbulent year.

"Lower inflation brings benefits to consumers and the latest figures suggest that shoppers are taking advantage of slower grocery price increases by trading up to more expensive lines such as Tesco Finest" - Kantar Worldpanel Fraser McKevitt sees signs that UK shoppers may be turning to premium lines once more.

"It's very likely that there is one or more than one [acquisition] this year" - Emmi CFO Reto Conrad tells just-food that the Swiss dairy group is set to look to M&A again in 2010.

"When one looks behind MG's rhetoric and considers the facts, it is clear there is mostly myth and little substance to its assertions" - Frank Davis, chairman of Australian dairy firm Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory turns up the heat on suitor Murray Goulburn.

"We have an expression here that what gets measured gets done" - United Biscuits COO Jeff van der Eems says rigorous targets have meant the UK snacks giant has made great strides on its sustainability targets.

"I was actually thinking of making this presentation with a first of April joke and smuggle in a slide with a fake story... but then I thought as a group CFO that might not be a appropriate in front of journalists and analysts - and I certainly would have received a red card from our corporate communications department. So, I haven't done it. All what you see here is true" - Barry Callebaut CFO Victor Balli raises a smile as he talks through the chocolate maker's half-year numbers.