Latest advertising & labelling news and analysis articles 
Marketing campaigns, nutrition labels, health claims and regulation
US: Wal-Mart logo to highlight healthier food
7 February 2012
Wal-Mart Stores plans to put a logo on some of its private-label foods that it claims will help US consumers identify healthier food.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
6 February 2012
The appointment of a new CEO at Carrefour caused a flurry of comment throughout the industry, with pundits outlining what the new chief's priorities ought to be. Unilever and Kellogg were among manufacturers that announced annual results, while Hain Celestial, reporting its half-year numbers, said it saw a number of acquisition targets in the US. Elsewhere, suppliers expressed anger at a decision in Europe to block the use of new nutrition claims.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
6 February 2012
Hershey and Unilever were among the major food manufacturers that this week were the first to report their 2011 financial results. Unilever's profits inched up 1% and CEO Paul Polman pointed to the performance of its home and personal care operations - casting some questions over the prospects of its food operations. In the retail sector, this week saw the long-speculated appointment of a new CEO at Carrefour and analysts expressed concern about the outlook for Ocado despite narrowing full-year losses.
EU: MEPs veto nutrition label claims
3 February 2012
European politicians have rejected plans that would have allowed food makers to use new nutrition claims, including that a product contains 15% less sugar.
UK: Premier Foods in GBP50m ad spend
30 January 2012
Major UK food manufacturer Premier Foods plc has doubled its marketing spend to more than GBP50m (US$78.3m) in a bid to drive growth.
UK: Ferrero campaign offers free Kinder Bueno
30 January 2012
Ferrero has launched a promotional campaign for Kinder Bueno in the UK that gives consumers the chocolate for free.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
27 January 2012
Carrefour again grabbed the headlines this week, with speculation intensifying that there could be change of leadership at the company. just-food understands an announcement is due in days. Elsewhere in retail, Asda outlined its expansion plans in the UK and we spoke to the CEO of Spar International about the symbol group's ambitions in India. Meanwhile, Premier Foods admitted more jobs could be lost at the company, we took a look at why US baker Hostess Brands filed for Chapter 11 and, in our latest Sustainability Watch, we discussed HJ Heinz's CSR strategy.
UK: Consumers to vote on Nestle's new Kit Kat Chunky flavour
25 January 2012
Nestle has decided to let UK consumers decide which of four limited-edition Kit Kat Chunky flavours will be added to the range permanently.
FRANCE: Carrefour embarks on price offensive
24 January 2012
Carrefour has launched a price-guarantee campaign in France as it looks to revitalise its struggling domestic sales.
US: Fair World Project welcomes new Fair Trade label criteria
24 January 2012
A Fair Trade organisation in the US has cautiously welcomed amends to an ethical labelling scheme operated by another group.
US: Kraft launches cheese advertising campaign
24 January 2012
Kraft Foods is spending around US$50m on a marketing campaign in the US for a clutch of cheese brands.
UK: PepsiCo launches Walkers 'mystery flavours'
23 January 2012
PepsiCo has launched three mystery flavours for its Walkers crisps brand in the UK.
US: Washington stands by tuna label rules with WTO appeal
23 January 2012
The US has appealed against a WTO ruling that claimed American labelling rules for dolphin-friendly tuna were so tough that they broke global commerce regulations.
US: Kraft launches marketing push for Wheat Thins
23 January 2012
Kraft Foods has launched a marketing push in the US for snacks brand Wheat Thins.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
23 January 2012
Executives at Müller and Robert Wiseman Dairies espoused the benefits of the German yoghurt maker's decision to buy the UK milk supplier, a deal that divided analysts. Industry watchers also scrutinised the latest trading updates from Premier Foods plc, the UK's largest food manufacturer and Carrefour, the French retail giant, while Kraft Foods chief Irene Rosenfeld said the US group's 2011 results means it is one of the industry's better performers - on the day job cuts of 1,600 were announced.
ITALY: Heinz mulls appeal after court bans Barilla comparison ad
20 January 2012
HJ Heinz is considering whether to appeal a court ruling in Italy that has banned an advert that compared its products with those from rival Barilla.
UK: Merisant starts Pure Via sweetener ad push
20 January 2012
Sweetener firm Merisant has kicked off an advertising campaign for its stevia-based product Pure Via in the UK.
US: Fair Trade body overhauls certification criteria
19 January 2012
US accreditation body Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) has changed its labelling policy for Fair Trade products.
UK: Asda pours scorn on Tesco voucher scheme
18 January 2012
UK retailer Asda has blasted major rival Tesco after it today (18 January) announced a new coupon scheme.
US: PepsiCo signs Quaker soccer sponsorship deal
18 January 2012
PepsiCo has signed a sponsorship deal for its Quaker cereals brand with the Chicago Fire soccer club in the US.
POLAND: Biedronka announces revamp
16 January 2012
Biedronka, Portuguese retailer Jeronimo Martins' Polish arm, is undergoing an extensive rebrand and revamp.
US: Dole urges US to "Go Bananas"
13 January 2012
Dole Food Co., the US produce giant, has launched a major campaign to encourage consumers to eat more bananas.
UK: McCain Foods ends UK Athletics deal
13 January 2012
McCain Foods has decided not to renew its sponsorship deal with UK Athletics (UKA), the governing body for the sport in the country.
UK: Joan Collins new face of Mars' Snickers brand
10 January 2012
Hollywood legend Joan Collins is replacing Mr T as the face of Mars Inc's Snickers in the UK.
UK: Morrisons set for third marketing chief in a year
5 January 2012
UK retailer Morrisons is preparing for its third marketing director in 12 months with the appointment of Sainsbury's executive Rebecca Singleton.
UK: Ad push for stevia sweetener Truvia launches
5 January 2012
An advertising push in the UK for stevia sweetener Truvia begins today (5 January) as brand owner Cargill and local partner Associated British Foods looks to break into the country's sweetener sector.
US: Post strikes US cycling sponsorship deal
4 January 2012
Post Foods, the third-largest ready-to-eat cereal maker in the US, has agreed a deal for its Grape-Nuts brand to sponsor USA Cycling, the sport's governing body in the country.
UK: New year, more value claims from UK grocers
3 January 2012
The UK's largest grocers have started the new year with more claims that they can provide value to the country's cash-strapped shoppers.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
23 December 2011
Wal-Mart stunned the US food sector this week with a decision to pull a Mead Johnson infant formula brand after the death of a baby in Missouri. In the UK, two retailers, Thorntons and Ocado, faced the scrutiny of investors after profit warnings. And, just-food launched its international food basket to highlight the difference in price between national brands and own label in seven markets.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
23 December 2011
This week, UK retailers Thorntons and Ocado issued profit warnings, while US food giant General Mills revealed a fall in quarterly profits. Meanwhile, in Europe, Italian retailer Conad acquired German retailer Rewe's 43 Billa stores in the country.
