Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week

A busy but fruitful week for just-food was dominated by the SIAL trade expo in Paris, where thousands of international manufacturers gathered to showcase products and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing them. Elsewhere, the UK unveiled plans to introduce a hybrid nutrition labelling system, Premier Foods plc pledged to "unlock value" from its bread division and French retailers Carrefour and Casino found their international operations in the spotlight.

just-food live from SIAL
just-food brought you a selection of news and interviews from the SIAL trade show in Paris this week, including with the Irish Prime Minister, The Irish Dairy Board, Canadian food group Dare Foods and UK gluten-free firm Genius Foods. Click on the headline for more.

Consuming issues - UK food makers unbowed on FOP labelling
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), which represents UK food manufacturers, shows little sign of relinquishing its dogged support of a system based solely on percentage of guideline daily amounts (GDAs), writes Ben Cooper.

Comment: Premier right to shake-up bread business
UK company Premier Foods had already hinted it had plans to shake-up its bread business and, this week, the Hovis manufacturer underlined it will "fix" that part of its operations. The company decided to walk away from an own-label contract worth GBP75m but the move is a wise one; the status quo in bread is not an option. But what options are out there for Premier in bread?

BRICs and beyond: China's slowdown a bump in the road
The impact of the global economic crisis can be seen in consumer behaviour the world over and last week it was announced that - as expected - China's economic growth rate slipped during the third-quarter. This has raised concerns that companies attempting to offset weakness in developed economies by tapping into the potential of this emerging world powerhouse could be in for a tough time. Nevertheless, Katy Askew suggests, the underlying growth drivers in China mean that the "sleeping giant's" potential remains vast.

On the money: Bunge expects consolidation in grain
US agribusiness giant Bunge expects to be an active player in a process of consolidation in grain markets after recent volatility and crop failures in the sector.

IRELAND: Irish food makers slam fat tax proposal
The Irish food and drink industry has hit out at reported plans from the country's government to introduce a tax on unhealthy foods.

UKRAINE: Mondelez, Nestle battle over Ukraine market
Mondelez International plans to expand its biscuit production in Ukraine, a move analysts believe is in response to Nestle's recent investment in the country.

SWITZ: Barry Callebaut signs Arcor-Dos en Uno supply deal
Barry Callebaut has signed a deal for the supply of compound and chocolate products to Argentine confectioner Arcor-Dos en Uno in South America.

MALAYSIA: Carrefour tight-lipped over Malaysia "sale talks"
French retail giant Carrefour has declined to comment on reports it is in talks to sell its Malaysian operations to Japanese giant Aeon.

MOROCCO: Casino's Monoprix to open first store next year
Casino-owned supermarket chain Monoprix has unveiled plans to continue its expansion in north Africa.