Top stories on just-food this week - 1 August

Business thrives in certainty but it was stories of uncertainty that grabbed the headlines this week. The collapse of the WTO Doha talks has left the chances of a new global food trade deal up in the air, while last year's merger of US retailers Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets has been thrown into doubt after a US court ruling. These are the top ten stories on the site this week.

GLOBAL: Doha trade talks collapse
The WTO Doha Development Round negotiations appear to have broken down after nine days of tough, but ultimately fruitless talks, WTO officials have told just-food.

US: Court casts doubt on Whole Foods, Wild Oats merger
The merger last year between US natural and organics retailers Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets has been thrown into question after a US appeals court today (29 July) reversed the ruling that cleared the deal.

AUS: Competition inquiry expected to hit Woolworths, Coles
Measures designed to limit the market power of Australia's two largest retailers, Woolworths and Coles, and a grocery price-watch scheme, are expected to be among the proposals put forward by the Australian competition watchdog.

US: FTC urges more on food kids marketing
Food and beverage manufacturers in the US are facing fresh calls to change the way they market their products to children after a government report revealed how much the sector spends on advertising to kids.

UK: Cadbury mulls yet more cost cuts
Cadbury has admitted that more job cuts and factory closures could be on the cards as commodity costs continue to rise.

UK: Asda leaps ahead of Sainsbury's in online grocery war
Supermarket giant Asda has overtaken Sainsbury's to become the UK's second biggest online grocer.

UK: Unilever shares fall as profits slip
Shares in Unilever tumbled by more than 7% this morning (31 July) despite the company maintaining its full-year guidance, as a strong euro and restructuring charges hit profits.

US: Tyson hit as poultry profits plunge
US meat giant Tyson Foods has seen third-quarter profits tumble as soaring feed costs drove its chicken unit into the red.

UK: Bernard Matthews eyes healthy image
Struggling poultry producer Bernard Matthews today (28 July) relaunched its brand in an attempt to reposition the company and revitalise flagging sales.

Dairy giants face hurdles tapping into China
China's expanding dairy sector offers substantial growth potential for international dairy groups, many of which have already established a foothold in the country.