Latest baby food news and analysis articles 
An A to Z guide of the baby and infant food business
US: Campbell to buy US baby food group Plum Organics
24 May 2013
Campbell Soup Co. has struck a surprise deal to buy US baby food business Plum Organics.
The week ahead - Citi FMCG conference, Sanderson H1s
24 May 2013
The UK and the US will enjoy a public holiday on Monday and the shorter week is a quieter one for results. However, US poultry group Sanderson Farms and South Africa's Tiger Brands will report H1s, while Tate & Lyle plc will announce annual figures. In New York, Citi will hold a conference featuring the likes of Mondelez International and General Mills.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
24 May 2013
Plum Organics this week joined Happy Family and Ella's Kitchen as three organic baby food brands set to have new, multinational owners. Campbell Soup Co. is to buy Plum, joining Danone and Hain Celestial as three food majors that have looked to invest in the growing category in just a month.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
24 May 2013
Campbell Soup Co. became the third major multinational to invest in the buoyant organic baby food sector in a month with a deal to buy US firm Plum Organics. Danone is another of the three food giants to do business in organic baby food - and this week it continued its investment in faster-growing categories and markets with a fresh attempt to crack China's booming yoghurt sector.
just-food's research round-up: Baby food in central Europe, biscuits in India
23 May 2013
The latest batch of reports from the just-food research store includes baby food markets in central Europe, biscuits in India, and UK bread production.
JAPAN: Ezaki Glico forecasts higher FY profits
22 May 2013
Japan-based food group Ezaki Glico has forecast an increase in profits in its current financial year after a mixed performance in the previous 12 months.
Best bits: Danone steps up investment in future growth
20 May 2013
In recent months, Danone has come under scrutiny for the performance of its fresh dairy operations in Europe. However, in spite of - or perhaps because of - the work needed to turn that business around, the French food giant appears to be stepping up expansion in faster-growing markets and categories.
The week ahead - M&S, Dairy Crest FYs, Hormel Foods H1s
20 May 2013
UK meat processor Cranswick, dairy group Dairy Crest and Marks and Spencer, perhaps the most scrutinised name on the country's high street, are all set to announce annual results next week. In the US, Spam owner Hormel Foods will post its half-year results.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
20 May 2013
After UK organic baby food firm Ella's Kitchen was snapped up by a US buyer a fortnight ago, last week a peer across the pond revealed it agreed to sell to Danone, representing the Aptamil and Cow & Gate owner's move into the category.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
20 May 2013
The week ended on a high note for Morrisons last week after it announced a venture to launch into the online channel with Ocado. The deal has again fuelled speculation that the deal could upset Ocado's current arrangement with Waitrose. Other deals this week included the acquisition of US baby food firm Happy Family by Danone. just-food also spoke with founder of Amy's Kitchen, Amy Berliner about its growth plans.
just-food's research round-up: the CIVETS markets, packaged food in the US
17 May 2013
The latest batch of reports from the just-food research store includes emerging food and drinks markets, packaging for an ageing population and packaged food in the US.
RUSSIA: Nestle invests to strengthen supply chain
16 May 2013
The world's largest food maker Nestle is investing CHF29m (US$925,092) in new distribution facilities in Russia in a bid to strengthen its supply chain in the country.
US: Sneaky Chef Foods launches kids sauce line
15 May 2013
US children's food manufacturer Sneaky Chef Foods has launched a range of what it claims are convenient and healthy "kid-friendly" foods.
US: Losses widen at soy food firm Tofutti
15 May 2013
US-based soy food producer Tofutti Brands saw its losses widen in the first quarter but offered an optimistic outlook for the remainder of the year.
In the spotlight: Danone to build on baby nutrition success with organic buy
14 May 2013
Danone's deal to acquire over 90% of US organic baby food firm Happy Family is a first for the French food giant in the category and appears to strengthen its fast-growing infant-nutrition division. Michelle Russell takes a look at the deal.
NZ: Synlait Milk considers IPO
14 May 2013
New Zealand dairy ingredients and infant formula firm Synlait Milk, in which China's Bright Food owns 51%, is considering listing on the stock market.
UK: Baby-food firm Plum launches toddler meals
14 May 2013
Baby food firm Plum Inc is rolling out a range of meals aimed at children aged over a year in the UK.
US: Danone buys majority stake in baby food firm Happy Family
13 May 2013
Danone has acquired over 90% of US organic baby food firm Happy Family.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
13 May 2013
The quarterly results continued to roll in this week and we listened to a number of CEOs talk about the challenges and opportunities they face in 2013. Elsewhere, just-food covered Hofex, the largest food and hospitality tradeshow in Asia-Pacific, where we spoke with UK SMEs about their international ambitions. Retailer Delhaize Group has also begun the search for a new CEO following the resignation of Pierre-Olivier Beckers.
Best bits: Ella's Kitchen is Hain's most promising UK buy
10 May 2013
US manufacturer Hain Celestial has struck again across the pond. And its latest acquisition in the UK seems to be the one with most potential, writes Dean Best.
UK: Industry targets food waste, carbon with new pledge
9 May 2013
Manufacturers including Nestle and Mars, as well as retailers like Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer, have pledged to further cut food waste and carbon emissions in the UK.
IRELAND/CHINA: Glanbia, Bright Food mull tie-up but no deal yet
9 May 2013
Irish food group Glanbia today (9 May) confirmed it is working with Bright Food to look into potential ventures in the Chinese firm's home market but brushed off reports of a deal.
NZ: Dairy firm Synlait invests in lactoferrin production
8 May 2013
New Zealand dairy Synlait Milk has announced plans to invest US$15m in upgrading its lactoferrin production.
EU: Brussels proposes reform, tougher fines after horsemeat saga
7 May 2013
EU food safety laws are facing reform under new proposals from the European Commission, which wants to "simplify and strengthen" controls in the wake of the horsemeat contamination saga.
BRICs and beyond: International SMEs testing the water at Hofex
7 May 2013
The rapidly expanding Chinese food sector has long been a focus for multinationals looking beyond developed western markets for expansion. However, it isn't just the international food Goliaths - with big bucks to spend on M&A or organic expansion - that are looking to China for growth. just-food caught up with some smaller enterprises hoping to tame the dragon at Hong Kong trade show Hofex - an event that prides itself of being the largest of its kind in Asia.
UPDATE: UK: Hain plans to grow Ella's Kitchen internationally
3 May 2013
US natural food group Hain Celestial has indicated it plans to expand distribution of Ella's Kitchen products into new markets such as continental Europe.
US: Acquisitive Hain Celestial gets Q3 boost
3 May 2013
Hain Celestial has reported a jump in third-quarter earnings on the back of "record" sales boosted by M&A in the UK.
US/UK: Hain Celestial buys baby food firm Ella's Kitchen
3 May 2013
US-based food group Hain Celestial has made another acquisition in the UK, this time snapping up organic baby food firm Ella's Kitchen.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
3 May 2013
M&A - as ever - was a hot topic on just-food this week. Some deals were done - Hain Celestial acquired UK organic baby food firm Ella's Kitchen and PAI Partners snapped European own-label giant R&R Ice Cream. Potential transactions were speculated about - the spin off of WhiteWave Foods prompted rumours over possible suitors and Unilever's ongoing problems in spreads led to talk it could one day sell the unit.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
3 May 2013
Two UK-based firms were the subject of takeovers this week: R&R Ice Cream, Europe's largest own-label ice cream firm, changed hands after PAI Partners struck a deal to buy the business; and Hain Celestial snapped up UK organic baby food brand Ella's Kitchen.
