Top stories on just-food this week

Copenhagen, Cadbury, Kroger and Kit Kat - this week's top stories had an alliterative ring to them. As the UN Climate Change conference kicked off in the Danish capital, we looked at how the food industry is, in the words of one industry body, "intrinsically linked" to a warming planet. Cadbury will mount its formal defence of the Kraft Foods takeover on Monday (14 December) and this week saw union officials again criticise the prospect of Kraft ownership. Nestle joined Cadbury in the Fairtrade corner with the announcement that Kit Kat would switch to the ethical label in the New Year. And, meanwhile, Kroger, the US retail giant slashed its profit forecast and sent its shares tumbling.

Here are the top ten stories on just-food this week.

Food and agriculture high on Copenhagen's priorities
The impact that food production has on climate change will be a key topic of debate in Copenhagen over the next fortnight. Europe's food industry body, the CIAA, says the issues of climate change and food security are "intrinsically linked". The sector can point to some success in lessening its effect on the environment in recent years but, as Ben Cooper reports, the CIAA will not only have to show that the food industry is part of the solution but also demonstrate that it is not part of the problem.

US: Lion Capital to "sell Kettle Foods"
Lion Capital is preparing to sell upmarket chip maker Kettle Foods for around US$700m, according to reports.

UK: Nestle switches Kit Kat to Fairtrade
Nestle is to certify its flagship confectionery brand Kit Kat as Fairtrade in the UK and Ireland - following a similar move from rival chocolate maker Cadbury earlier this year.

UK: Cadbury to respond to Kraft offer next Monday
Cadbury will formally respond to Kraft Foods' hostile takover bid when the UK confectioner delivers its pre-close trading update next Monday (14 December).

US: Ralphs charges drive Kroger into red
US grocer Kroger posted a net loss of the first three quarters of fiscal 2009 due to charges linked to its Ralphs division - although sales were hurt by deflation and cautious spending from consumers.

UPDATE: US: Sugar cuts put Gen Mills "ahead" of Kellogg, Post
General Mills' moves to lower the amount of sugar it puts into cereals aimed at children has put the US food giant ahead of its competitors Kellogg and Post Foods, a leading consumer watchdog has claimed.

CANADA/AUS: Warrnambool "very likely target" of Saputo
Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory (WCB), the Australian dairy firm at the centre of takeover speculation, could be a target for Canadian dairy giant Saputo, one leading Canadian analyst claimed today (9 December).

FRANCE/ITALY: Emmi expands in strategic markets
Emmi is expanding its international business through the acquisition of a minority stake in two companies located in France and Italy - "strategic" markets for the Swiss dairy group's cheese products.

CHINA: Fonterra sees returning dairy demand
China's dairy sales are starting to recover from the damage done by the melamine scandal last year, Philip Turner, managing director at Fonterra China, has revealed.

US: Smithfield Q2 losses narrow
Smithfield Foods has seen its quarterly losses narrow as better profits from its packaged meats business offset a weaker showing from the US meat processor's hogs division.