Food industry hot issues
Comprehensive coverage of the food industry's hottest issues through a compilation of news, analysis and comment.
US meat giant Smithfield set for new Chinese owner
29 May 2013
Smithfield Foods, the US pork giant, has accepted a bid from China's Shuanghui International. Both companies have publicly hailed the deal, although there has been some disquiet in US political circles - and a Smithfield investor has attacked the value of the offer.
US retailers watch Amazon's grocery ambitions
13 June 2013
Amazon has launched its food service, AmazonFresh, in a second US city, Los Angeles. The online channel is less established in the US than in western Europe and industry watchers are split on its potential. However, Amazon's expansion has got the sector talking.
Cereal innovators
6 June 2013
With cereal sales under pressure from mounting competition and changing consumer habits, companies are responding with a renewed focus on innovation and brand building efforts. Will they work?
Resilient organic baby food attracts major interest
24 May 2013
Campbell Soup Co. has swooped to buy US-based baby food firm Plum Organics, the third significant acquisition in the organic baby food sector in just three weeks. The US soup manufacturer, Danone and Hain Celestial have all struck deals this month in a growing category.
Danone tries to crack China yoghurt market again
22 May 2013
The French food giant is launching its third attempt to tap into booming demand in China for yoghurt. It has teamed up with local dairy group Mengniu, a business with which it had a venture in 2007 that lasted a year.
Morrisons and Ocado announce online JV as Waitrose studies deal
17 May 2013
After months of talks, Morrisons has announced plans to launch an online grocery service through a venture with specialist Ocado. Waitrose, which already has a partnership with Ocado, is studying the deal closely.
Danone enters organic baby food sector
14 May 2013
The French food giant, which counts Aptamil formula and Cow & Gate baby food in its portfolio, has snapped up 90% of US firm Happy Family and added organic products to that part of its business.
Beckers to bow out at retail giant Delhaize
8 May 2013
With a marked improvement in Delhaize's first-quarter results, CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers has signaled his intention to step down after 15 years at the help of the Belgium-based retailer.
Budding exporters target Asia at Hong Kong show
7 May 2013
just-food is this week bringing the latest news and views from the Hofex trade show in Hong Kong, where SMEs are exhibiting in a bid to boost their presence in Asia.
Hain Celestial snaps up UK baby food brand Ella's Kitchen
7 May 2013
"We want to change the way kids eat around the world," Hain Celestial said as it announced the acquisition of the organic brand, its latest deal in the UK.
The rise of gluten free
1 May 2013
Demand for gluten-free is on the up, boosted by more diagnoses of coeliac disease and other consumers believing the products will improve their diet. This just-food management briefing looks at the leading markets for gluten-free.
Cranswick sees opportunities from EAP acquisition
30 April 2013
UK pork processor Cranswick has acquired pig rearer East Anglian Pigs. The deal, the company says, will strengthen its position in the premium, high-welfare pork sector and further shorten its pork supply chain.
China toughens up on food safety
22 April 2013
The Chinese government has shaken up the country's food safety regulators. The move aims to improve food safety in the country, which has been plagued by numerous scares. However, many challenges lay ahead - not least convincing consumers that Chinese-made foods are safe.
Two years on, Clarke continues to reshape Tesco
18 April 2013
Tesco CEO Philip Clarke, after two years in the hot seat, is still trying to reshape the UK retailer. Alongside its annual results this week, he confirmed Tesco will quit the US, not develop 100 UK sites and invest more in multichannel.
UK's R&R Ice Cream gets new private-equity owner
10 April 2013
PAI Partners is to buy R&R Ice Cream, Europe's largest producer of retailer own-label ice cream - and one keen to boost its branded portfolio, too.
The potential sale of Burton's Biscuit Co.
9 April 2013
The private-equity owners of the UK's second-largest biscuit manufacturer are looking at their options - and a sale of the Jammie Dodgers maker could be in the offing. just-food looks at which companies could be interested.
just-food's 2013 confidence survey
4 April 2013
You gave us your thoughts on 2013, the outlook for the industry and the prospects for your business. The just-food team, alongside SymphonyIRI, Grant Thornton and Mintel, analysed the results.
US yoghurt firm Chobani in UK setback
28 March 2013
Chobani, the largest yoghurt brand in the US, was this week barred from using the term 'Greek yoghurt' in the UK after a court battle with rival Fage, the owner of Total Greek yoghurt.
Industry giants present at CAGE investment conference
20 March 2013
Nestle, Danone and Hershey are among those updating analysts and investors on the operations at the CAGE investment conference in London this week. just-food reports from the event.
just-food live from IFE 2013
18 March 2013
just-food is at the IFE trade show in London this week to hear about how UK exhibitors are faring overseas and how the UK government plans to help firms targeting international markets.
Morrisons gets serious about online food retail
14 March 2013
The UK's fourth-largest grocer lags its rivals in the online space but has announced plans to launch a service in 2014 - and could team up with specialist Ocado.
Smithfield faces investor pressure
8 March 2013
The US meat giant has been urged to consider splitting in three to boost shareholder returns.
Vion deal sees 2 Sisters beef up UK meat ops
4 March 2013
Boparan Holdings, 2 Sisters Food Group's owner, has snapped up Vion's UK poultry and red meat assets, its latest move in the consolidation of the country's food sector.
Food giants present at CAGNY investor conference
19 February 2013
A key date in the US industry calendar, leading executives are in Florida to discuss the outlook for their businesses - and the sector as a whole - with Wall Street analysts.
Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, 3G Capital to buy Heinz
14 February 2013
In a surprise announcement this morning (14 February), Heinz agreed to be bought by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway fund and private-equity firm 3G Capital for US$28bn - the largest-ever takeover in the food sector.
just-food's outlook for 2013
1 February 2013
Our team of writers gaze into their crystal balls and - with the help of industry experts - predict what the year holds for NPD, M&A, international retail and sustainability.
just-food live from ISM
28 January 2013
just-food brings you a selection of news and views from the ISM confectionery trade show in Cologne this week. One of the high spots in the sector's calendar, ISM represents a unique opportunity for confectioners from around the world to set our their stalls to a global audience.
Plum merger sets stage for growth
25 January 2013
The acquisition of Plum UK by US-based Plum Organics has set the stage for significant growth, UK and US CEOs Scott Wotherspoon and Neil Grimmer suggest. The newly formed Ango-American baby food group plans to expand by growing market share and - somewhere down the line - entering new markets.
Responsibility Deal gets industry talking
23 January 2013
Food producers and retailers have come under renewed pressure to show they are taking serious steps to cut fat, salt and sugar from foods. The Government has called on UK food industry leaders to engage more companies in the Responsibility Deal on health or risk the government imposing regulation.
Inauguration day: the implications for US food policy
21 January 2013
As President Barack Obama takes office for a second term, just-food takes a look at his approach to food legislation and what the food industry might expect in the next four years.
