General Mills - food industry company news 
The week ahead - Citi FMCG conference, Sanderson H1s
24 May 2013
The UK and the US will enjoy a public holiday on Monday and the shorter week is a quieter one for results. However, US poultry group Sanderson Farms and South Africa's Tiger Brands will report H1s, while Tate & Lyle plc will announce annual figures. In New York, Citi will hold a conference featuring the likes of Mondelez International and General Mills.
HOFEX: Taywell looks to China, Gulf for premium ice cream opportunity
9 May 2013
Taywell Ice Creams is hoping to cater to affluent consumers in China and the Gulf as it seeks out premium markets for its ice creams.
Deal or no deal: General Mills touted as WhiteWave suitor
3 May 2013
Dean Foods has formally given the green light for the spin-off of soy and organic business WhiteWave Foods - and analysts are setting out companies they believe could be interested in the Horizon Organic and Alpro owner.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
3 May 2013
M&A - as ever - was a hot topic on just-food this week. Some deals were done - Hain Celestial acquired UK organic baby food firm Ella's Kitchen and PAI Partners snapped European own-label giant R&R Ice Cream. Potential transactions were speculated about - the spin off of WhiteWave Foods prompted rumours over possible suitors and Unilever's ongoing problems in spreads led to talk it could one day sell the unit.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
3 May 2013
Two UK-based firms were the subject of takeovers this week: R&R Ice Cream, Europe's largest own-label ice cream firm, changed hands after PAI Partners struck a deal to buy the business; and Hain Celestial snapped up UK organic baby food brand Ella's Kitchen.
Gluten free: The US market
30 April 2013
In addition to being one of the world's largest markets for gluten-free foods, the US continues to represent one of its fastest growing.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
2 April 2013
Dairy featured heavily in our headlines last week. We interviewed Fonterra's CFO about the New Zealand giant's half-year results and plans for emerging markets. Swiss peer Emmi published its annual figures and we spoke to its international boss about its plans outside its domestic market. Meanwhile, in the UK, Greek yoghurt producer Fage won its court battle with rival Chobani over how the US firm labels its products here.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
2 April 2013
Last week, just-food grilled a number of top executives on their growth plans and strategy for the future. Fonterra CFO Jonathan Mason told how the New Zealand dairy giant is exploiting increased demand for dairy in emerging markets. The head of Emmi's international business talked about international sales targets. And Divine Chocolate's commercial director told us about how it is facing pressure on Fairtrade specialists.
US: General Mills takes Green Giant into snacks aisle
25 March 2013
General Mills has decided to launch Green Giant, a brand renowned for frozen and canned products, into snacks in the US.
US: General Mills sees broad-based growth
20 March 2013
General Mills has raised its forecast for annual earnings after booking an increase in nine-month sales and earnings, with gains propelled by growth from established and new products.
IFE: Lacka to drive growth of breakfast category with drink line
18 March 2013
UK food group Lacka Foods intends to drive the growth of the breakfast category through the expansion of its Be Fast breakfast drink.
US: Kellogg, ABF, General Mills rapped in Oxfam ethical report
27 February 2013
Kellogg, Associated British Foods and General Mills have been slammed by charity Oxfam International for failing to meet ethical standards.
BRICs and beyond: Heinz's Chinese frozen food exit paves way for growth
26 February 2013
The news that Heinz plans to sell its Chinese frozen food business may have raised a few eyebrows. In an environment where food multinationals are seemingly always on the look out for M&A opportunities in dynamic emerging markets, led by China, it is not often that you hear of international firms offloading assets. However, Heinz was coming up against a number of challenges in the category and a more focused, streamlined Heinz in China could be better-placed to drive profitable growth. Katy Askew reports.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
25 February 2013
Last week ended as it started: with a household brand caught up in the horsemeat contamination scandal. On Monday, Nestle said it had pulled Buitoni products in Spain and Italy after positive tests and, on Friday, Birds Eye said it had recalled ready meals across Europe after similar results. Over in the US, leading executives from some of the largest packaged food companies were at CAGNY to discuss their prospects for the year ahead.
Quote, unquote: soundbites from FMCG conference CAGNY
22 February 2013
A selection of quotes from this year's Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference.
CAGNY: General Mills "establishing base for global growth"
19 February 2013
US cereal-to-yoghurt group General Mills claimed today (19 February) it has established a platform to drive growth worldwide.
US: ConAgra ups FY earnings forecast
19 February 2013
US food group ConAgra Foods has lifted its forecast for annual earnings on the back of its acquisition of private-label group Ralcorp Holdings - and "strong contributions" from the rest of its business.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
18 February 2013
The food industry was rocked this week with what is set to be the largest-ever takeover in the food sector: Heinz sold to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway fund and 3G Capital for US$28bn. The horsemeat saga trundled on, with arrests in the UK, as well as the first set of industry-wide tests. Results also poured in from the likes of PepsiCo, Mondelez International and Nestle.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
18 February 2013
Two Hs dominated the headlines this week: horsemeat and Heinz. The horsemeat contamination scandal swept across Europe, with a series of recalls, government investigations and product tests. On Thursday, however, Heinz took the industry's attention with news it had accepted a US$28bn takeover bid - the largest-ever seen in the sector.
US: Nestle launches Haagen-Dazs gelato
13 February 2013
Nestle's US ice cream unit Dreyer's has expanded its Haagen-Dazs range with the launch of a gelato line.
US: General Mills settles probiotic health claim lawsuit
12 February 2013
General Mills has settled a lawsuit in the US questioning health claims associated with its YoPlus probiotic yoghurt.
AUS: General Mills adds chilled meals output to plant
31 January 2013
General Mills has extended a plant in Australia to allow it to take its Latina brand into the chilled meals category.
UK: Salt reduction review due soon
21 January 2013
A review of the food industry's progress in cutting salt from products, and recommendations on the best way forward, are due to be published by the Government shortly.
US: Seneca acquires canned fruit group Independent Foods
16 January 2013
Seneca Foods has completed the acquisition of Washington-based canned fruit manufacturer Independent Foods.
US: General Mills Yoplait targets 'tweens' with Pro-Force Greek
16 January 2013
General Mills is going after the children's yoghurt market in the US with the launch of a Yoplait-branded high protein yoghurt named Pro-Force Greek.
US: General Mills launches Fiber One protein bars
15 January 2013
General Mills has launched Fiber one protein bars to tap into on-the-go, high fibre snacks.
US: General Mills launches chocolate Fiber One
14 January 2013
General Mills is targeting "weight managers" with its launch of a new chocolate Fiber One cereal.
US: ConAgra appoints Schlafer head of Lamb Weston
14 January 2013
US group ConAgra foods has appointed General Mills executive Greg Schlafer as president of its Lamb Weston division.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
21 December 2012
In the final week before the Christmas and New Year break, just-food published its review of the year, which included lists of our most-read content and featured an in-depth look at the M&A, retail trends, sustainability initiatives and commodity volatility we have seen in 2012. Elsewhere, the founder of US yoghurt firm Chobani ruled out a sale of the business, Sainsbury's said talk chief executive Justin King could leave in February "pure speculation" and Italian food group Barilla outlined its plans for emerging markets.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
21 December 2012
As the week draws to an end and the industry prepares to take a Christmas break, Sainsbury's found itself responding to reports its chief exective Justin King may only be staying on in his role for a few months in the New Year. Elsewhere, yoghurt group Chobani dismissed reports it is looking at a listing, while Barilla spoke to just-food about its plans for expansion in Latin America.
