Latest canned food news and analysis articles 
Stay on the boil with the latest canned food news and analysis
On the money: Heinz seeks emerging market targets for growth
25 May 2012
US ketchup maker Heinz has said it is "actively" looking for new opportunities to acquire companies in emerging markets after a "difficult" 2012, particularly in developed countries.
In the spotlight - General Mills' two-pronged approach to austerity
25 May 2012
US food giant General Mills, which has suffered amid increasing input costs and a stagnant domestic market, this week announced it was cutting 850 jobs to improve efficiency and allow it to re-invest in other parts of its business. Just two days later, it announced a deal to buy Brazilian food manufacturer Yoki. Michelle Russell reports.
Focus: Australian suppliers still under scrutiny on children's ads
25 May 2012
The Australian food industry has recently claimed substantial progress for its self-regulatory measures aimed at restricting children's exposure to advertising of foods high in salt, sugar and fat. Health campaigners are less impressed. Ben Cooper assesses a polarised debate Down Under.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
25 May 2012
The UK dairy sector was in the spotlight this week, with the proposed merger between Arla Foods and local co-op Milk Link and the annual loss reported by Dairy Crest. just-food interviewed senior executives from Arla and Milk Link to discuss the combination and reported on Dairy Crest's plans to increase returns from its troubled dairies business. Elsewhere, we reported on two sustainability events held in London, including the annual conference on the Round Table for Responsible Soy. And, further afield, Heinz revealed it was looking for more acquisitions in emerging markets while US rival General Mills secured a deal to buy Brazilian firm Yoki Alimentos.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
25 May 2012
A raft of earnings results kept the just-food news desk busy this week. M&S chief executive Marc Bolland insisted its product development sets it apart from rival grocers, while Campbell Soup CEO Denise Morrison expressed her disappointment at the firm's US soup performance this year. Elsewhere, just-food spoke with Peter Lauritzen, CEO of Arla UK, and Neil Kennedy, chief executive of Milk Link, on the merits of their merger.
US: Heinz FY profits slide on charges
24 May 2012
US ketchup maker Heinz has booked a decline in full-year net income after charges related to the group's efficiency drive hit the bottom line.
UK: Supermarkets slammed for "dodgy" pricing tactics
24 May 2012
UK shoppers are being "misled" by supermarkets over "dodgy pricing tactics" used for multi-buy offers, according to consumer group Which?
FRANCE: France's food industry grows despite "turbulence"
24 May 2012
France's food industry recorded a 6.8% increase in sales last year, despite "economic turbulence", "extreme" climatic conditions and geopolitical unrest.
US: Hormel Foods H1 profits slide
23 May 2012
US food group Hormel Foods has booked a drop in first-half net earnings as sales and profits declined in its grocery products division.
US: General Mills to cut 850 jobs worldwide
22 May 2012
US food manufacturer General Mills has said it will cut around 850 jobs globally as part of a productivity and cost savings plan announced today (22 May).
IRELAND: Uniq takeover boosts Greencore H1 profits
22 May 2012
Ireland-based food maker Greencore has booked an increase in first-half profits, boosted by the company's acquisition of UK firm Uniq last year.
On the money: Campbell undertaking "review" of US soups business
21 May 2012
Campbell Soup Co. has said it is reviewing all aspects of its US soup business and expects further execution adjustments after the division dragged on group profits in the first nine-months of the year.
EU: Ice cream drags on Unilever Europe sales - Bernstein
21 May 2012
Consumer goods giant Unilever saw a "sharp" drop in European food sales in April, despite the group delivering "good" results in 2011, Bernstein analysts have said.
Quote, unquote: Food and Drink Federation's Rio +20 event
21 May 2012
Representatives from the food industry, NGOs, academia and government met in London today (21 May) to discuss one of the most complex issues - how to alleviate the sector's impact on the environment. Held in the run-up to the UN's Rio +20 event next month, delegates and speakers debated how all stakeholders could make the sector more sustainable.
US: Higher costs hit Campbell Soup profits
21 May 2012
Campbell Soup Co has booked a decline in third-quarter and year-to-date profits as the company struggled with rising commodities costs, higher marketing and selling expenses and sluggish soup sales.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
21 May 2012
Dairy giant Arla Foods grabbed the headlines this week with the admission 250 jobs could go at the company, with the possibility of more to come, as it looks to drive efficiency. Elsewhere, Kellogg announced a brand "refresh", although industry watchers argued the company might have to do more to drive sales. The takeover battle for frozen food giant Iglo Group gathered pace, with Thai food company CP Foods linked to the Birds Eye owner. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart Stores reported its first-quarter results and won praise from analysts.
EU: Brussels publishes legal health claims
17 May 2012
The European Commission, after six years of work, has published a list of 222 health claims that can be made on food labels and advertising when products are sold in the EU.
US: Walgreens exec Kmiec to lead Campbell's digital marketing
17 May 2012
Walgreens executive Adam Kmiec has joined Campbell Soup Co. to lead the US soup giant's digital marketing and social media activity.
UK: Industry rejects fresh "fat tax" call
16 May 2012
The UK food industry has rejected fresh calls for the imposition of a tax on unhealthy foods.
US: ConAgra to cut jobs in production move
15 May 2012
US food giant ConAgra Foods is to cut up to 250 jobs at its Batesville frozen food plant in Arkansas.
THAILAND: Sales boost Thai Union Frozen Q1 profits
14 May 2012
Seafood giant Thai Union Frozen Products has booked an increase in first-quarter profits on the back of strong sales growth.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
14 May 2012
Sainsbury's chief executive Justin King this week welcomed moves from its UK retail rivals to invest in product quality and service after the retailer reported an increase in annual underlying profits.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
14 May 2012
Dubbed 'The Outperformer' by one set of City analysts, Sainsbury's announced annual profits that beat forecasts last week and the UK retailer remains confident in the face of increased competition. The UK grocery industry was in the spotlight last week, with the country's Government formally announcing its introduce a watchdog to monitor the sector. Elsewhere, CSM, a supplier of bakery products to retailers in North America and Europe, said it would exit the sector and focus on bioplastics.
UK: Marks and Spencer launches 'Simply M&S' food range
11 May 2012
UK retailer Marks and Spencer has launched a value grocery range under the banner Simply M&S.
US: Costs impact Pinnacle Foods Q1 profits
11 May 2012
Higher input costs have hit first-quarter profits at US food group Pinnacle Foods Finance.
CANADA: High Liner Foods reports mixed Q1 results
11 May 2012
Canadian frozen seafood processor High Liner Foods has booked mixed first-quarter results that included higher underlying earnings but a fall in net profit thanks to one-off costs.
UK: Food sales volumes remain under pressure
9 May 2012
Food sales volumes in the UK have remained under pressure in the first months of 2012 following a year in which the number of items in shopping baskets fell.
US: NatureSweet sues rival Mastronardi in TM dispute
9 May 2012
US tomato producer NatureSweet has asked a court to block rival tomato packer Mastronardi Produce from using the Angel Sweet name and winged-tomato design for a new product that is expected to start shipping this month.
CANADA: George Weston profits slide on Loblaw costs
9 May 2012
Canadian food manufacturer and grocer George Weston has booked a drop in first-quarter adjusted earnings on the back of higher costs at Loblaw.
UK: Supermarket adjudicator expected in Queen's Speech
8 May 2012
A proposal to introduce an adjudicator for the UK grocery sector is expected to be announced tomorrow (9 May) in a move that would pave the way for the creation of a body to monitor behaviour in the supply chain.
