The European Commission - food industry company news 
EU: Brussels proposes reform, tougher fines after horsemeat saga
7 May 2013
EU food safety laws are facing reform under new proposals from the European Commission, which wants to "simplify and strengthen" controls in the wake of the horsemeat contamination saga.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
22 April 2013
Major food manufacturers began to report their first-quarter results last week. Nestle came under scrutiny for its performance in emerging markets. A cautious Danone saw signs of improvement from its European dairy operations, while its infant formula business was buoyant. Elsewhere, we shone the spotlight on the recent rationing of formula in Western markets amid high demand in China, looked at Marks and Spencer's latest European venture and analysed Magnit's move to Russian retail's top spot.
HORSEMEAT: France tops EU test results
16 April 2013
More products were found to contain horsemeat in France than any other EU country, according to results published by The European Commission today.
NETHERLANDS: EU puts conditions on FrieslandCampina cheese deal
15 April 2013
The EU is to clear FrieslandCampina's acquisition of Dutch cheese peers Zijerveld & Veldhuyzen after the dairy giant agreed to give up some production to competitors.
just-food confidence survey: Frugality forces companies to adapt
2 April 2013
After six years of economic turbulence, the FMCG sector is getting used to operating in challenging trading conditions, believes SymphonyIRI consultant Rod Street. Reflecting on the just-food confidence survey, Street says companies are adjusting to shopper demand for value and are searching out new ways to drive growth.
just-food confidence survey: Weak economy now the norm
2 April 2013
Bringing together the opinion of food industry professionals from across the world, the annual just-food Confidence Survey acts as a barometer of the industry's mood. As we moved into 2013, one of the messages that came through loud and clear is that FMCG companies are now acclimatised to the grim global economic outlook - and have adjusted their strategies to try to continue to grow.
EU: Dole to take competition fine case to EU's top court
15 March 2013
Dole Food Co. has said it will appeal at the European Court of Justice over the EU's decision to fine the fresh produce giant for anti-competitive practices.
NETHERLANDS: FrieslandCampina awaits EU approval for cheese buys
25 February 2013
FrieslandCampina has requested the European Commission's approval to acquire Mywo Food Group-owned cheese specialist Zijerveld & Veldhuyzen and its packaging unit Den Hollander Food.
HORSEMEAT: FSA second test results largely negative
25 February 2013
The UK's Food Standards Agency has released a second set of test results from the industry revealing 99% of products sampled proved negative for traces of horse DNA.
HORSEMEAT: Birds Eye pulls ready meals on positive test
22 February 2013
Birds Eye has pulled three beef ready meals from supermarkets in the UK and Ireland as a precaution after a product it sells in Belgium tested positive for horse DNA.
HORSEMEAT: UK FSA extends meat testing
20 February 2013
The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) is to double its testing of meat products in the wake of the horsemeat contamination scandal.
HORSEMEAT: EU MEPs slam food industry
19 February 2013
Members of the European Parliament have demanded severe punishments for food manufacturers found guilty of mislabelling horsemeat as beef.
HORSEMEAT: Bute found in eight carcasses in UK
14 February 2013
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has found traces of potentially harmful horse drug phenylbutazone in eight horses slaughtered in the UK - and warned six may have entered the French food chain.
HORSEMEAT: EU pushes for DNA tests on beef products
14 February 2013
The European Commission has called on the EU's 27 members states to test for horse DNA in beef products.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
4 February 2013
The fall-out from the discovery of horse DNA in burgers sold in the UK continued, with the supplier at the centre of the scandal losing and contracts and regulators appearing before MPs. Elsewhere, the European Commission published plans to examine if retailers in the EU trade unfairly with suppliers. Meanwhile, in Germany, Nestle was fined for fixing the price of chocolate.
EU: Brussels examines retailer-supplier relationships
1 February 2013
The European Commission has launched an investigation into relationships in the supply chain to see if retailers use unfair trading practices to get the best deals from their suppliers.
just the answer: Barry Callebaut marketing director for Western Europe, Sofie De Lathouwer
31 January 2013
Since selling its consumer units over the last few years, business-to-business chocolate maker Barry Callebaut has been treading a new path focused on its "core" business with industrial and artisanal customers. Michelle Russell caught up with Barry Callebaut marketing director for Western Europe, Sofie De Lathouwer at this year's ISM confectionery show in Cologne to find out more about its strategy for growth.
EU/CANADA: Meat and dairy impasse stalls free trade deal
29 January 2013
Free trade talks between the EU and Canada have hit a last minute impasse, with the EU demanding more access to Canadian dairy markets and Canada wanting to sell more meat products in the EU.
COMMENT - Country of origin labelling to test EU resolve in 2013
28 January 2013
Plans to make country of origin labelling mandatory on most meats in the European Union will be hotly debated in 2013 and could easily descend into legal wrangling.
RUSSIA: Russia bans chilled meat imports from Germany
22 January 2013
Russia will ban imports of chilled meat from Germany next month, after complaining that the country's food safety controls are too lax.
UPDATE: FRANCE: Poultry federation hits out at export subsidies cut
21 January 2013
French poultry trade body, the Fédération des Industries Avicoles (FIA), has hit out at the European Commission's decision to half subsidies granted to firms exporting frozen chickens.
EUROPE: France upset at subsidy cuts for poultry exports
21 January 2013
France has criticised the European Commission's decision to cut subsidies for exports of poultry meat beyond European Union borders.
BRICS and beyond: Arla Foods plans emerging markets leap
11 January 2013
Growing competition for space in key emerging markets appears to have convinced Arla Foods that it needs to act now if it is to secure a market for its milk supplies beyond 2015.
UK: Consumer knowledge of GM food "limited" - FSA
9 January 2013
A majority of consumers interviewed by the UK Food Standards Agency confess to having little knowledge of genetically modified foods, but many would still support labelling on products.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
17 December 2012
Barry Callebaut CEO Juergen Steinemann last week insisted its acquisition of Petra Foods' cocoa ingredients unit will strengthen its future with the deal making it the world's largest processor of cocoa and high-quality cocoa powder. Elsewhere, the European Commission said it would come forward with ideas for a grocery code adjudicator by next autumn if no system of self-regulation is put into place. Parmalat, meanwhile, confirmed a raid on its offices over tax investigations, and David Heath, UK minister for environment, food and rural affairs said his department was working with the UK Government to identify export priority markets.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
17 December 2012
The top two stories on just-food's pages last week included Barry Callebaut's deal to buy Petra Foods' cocoa ingredients business and the European Commission's warning it will come forward with ideas for a grocery code adjudicator next autumn if no system of self-regulation is in place. Elsewhere, there has been a focus on the dairy sector with FrieslandCampina announcing plans to cut over 200 jobs across its business in Germany, and Parmalat having had its offices raided by Italy's financial police over an investigation into tax. We also brought you news from the FDEA's UK export event in London where just-food was an exclusive partner.
EU: Brussels warns industry on grocery adjudicator
12 December 2012
The European Commission has said it will come forward with ideas for a grocery code adjudicator next autumn if there is no system of self-regulation in place.
CANADA: Stevia gets Canada approval
3 December 2012
Canada has become the latest country to approve the use of stevia in food and beverages.
EU: Food subsidy budget "facing deep cuts"
14 November 2012
The EU's annual EUR3.1bn budget for food production subsidies is facing deep cuts, officials within The European Commission has told just-food.
UK: Food industry raises questions on EU labelling regulations
12 November 2012
UK food and drink manufacturers have said there are "lots of questions" over how EU laws on food labelling will be implemented.
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