Top stories on just-food this week

It's results season. This week, Danone, among others kicked off the slew of half-year results due in the weeks ahead - and the French food giant saw signs of revival at its dairy division. However, those results were soured by the news that Russia's competition watchdog is investigating Danone over prices. Staying in Russia, local retailer Seventh Continent is said to be "more open" to a bid from Carrefour, while Spar International told us it was on the look-out for more partners in the market. And, back in the UK, the comments from the outgoing chair of the Food Standards Agency on flapjacks and obesity caught your attention.

These are the top ten stories on just-food this week:

INSIGHT: Danone develops "whole-spectrum" offering
Danone CFO Pierre-Andre Terisse revealed this morning (24 July) that the French food giant is adjusting its product portfolio to cover the "whole spectrum" of the market and increase its appeal to consumers with less buying power. 

RUSSIA: Danone faces Russian competition probe
Russia's competition watchdog has said that it suspects food giant Danone of breaching local competition laws by co-ordinating the price retailers charge for its products.

RUSSIA: Seventh Continent "more open to Carrefour approach"
Seventh Continent, the Russian retailer, could be more inclined to accept a fresh takeover bid from French group Carrefour, the world's second-largest retailer, sources have told just-food.

RUSSIA: Spar looking to add to store network
Spar International, the Netherlands-based retailer, is on the look-out for more franchise partners to add to its network in Russia, the company's managing director has told just-food.

UK: Ban flapjacks to curb obesity - outgoing FSA chair
UK supermarkets should pull a range of snack products, including flapjacks, from their shelves in a bid to curb rising obesity, according to the outgoing head of the Food Standards Agency.

Cadbury looks to sweeten sales with Fairtrade
To the delight of the more socially-aware chocoholics in the UK, Cadbury yesterday (22 July) revealed it had started production of Fairtrade Dairy Milk. And the UK confectionery giant looks to have stolen a march on its rivals. Dean Best reports.

UK: TSC Foods sold to private equity firm KCP
Leeds-based private equity firm Key Capital Partners has acquired UK group TSC Foods, a spokesperson for the investment vehicle confirmed today (20 July).

UK: Duchy denies Waitrose takeover talk
Duchy Originals, the UK organic firm set up by the Prince of Wales almost 20 years ago, has denied there are plans to sell the business to Waitrose, the upmarket retailer.

US: Target expansion focuses on food
US retailer Target Corp. has announced the opening of 23 new stores, 21 of which will offer food products.

UK: ASA slams Kerry 'sexual sausage' ad
Four radio ads promoting Kerry Foods' Mattesons sausages in the UK must no longer air when children are likely to be listening, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has said.