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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.
US: Post Holdings H1 profits slide on costs
25 May 2012
US cereal maker Post Holdings has booked a drop in first-half earnings as the company struggled with higher ingredient costs, lower cereal sales and expenses from its spin off from Ralcorp Holdings.
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.
UK: Kellogg adds to All-Bran range
25 May 2012
Kellogg is launching two additions to its All-Bran cereal portfolio in the UK as part of a GBP2.5m (US$3.9m) investment in the brand.
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.
Frozen fruit and vegetables globally, UK savoury snacks - just-food's research round-up
25 May 2012
This week's research round-up includes a clutch of reports looking at frozen fruit and vegetables globally and UK savoury snacks.
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: Ralcorp H1 profits slide on costs
23 May 2012
Ralcorp Holdings has booked a drop in first-half profits as charges related to plant closures, a legal settlement provision and merger costs weighed on the firm's bottom-line results.
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.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
21 May 2012
Arla Foods revealed 250 jobs could be cut as it drives efficiency and tries to keep pace with its international competitors - and admitted more could be made. The race to buy frozen food giant Iglo Group also continued to make the headlines and this week Thai food manufacturer CP Foods was linked to the business. Meanwhile, in the US, Kellogg "refreshed" its 106-year-old namesake brand, although industry watchers suggested the cereal maker might have to do more to drive 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.
Brazilian bakery and cereals, packaging innovation - just-food's research round-up
18 May 2012
This week's research round-up includes a clutch of reports looking at the bakery and cereals market in Brazil, innovation trends in chocolate and packaging innovation.
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.
In the spotlight - Kellogg could need more than brand "refresh"
17 May 2012
Kellogg's namesake brand is one of the world's oldest but, this week, the cereal giant announced a relaunch of the 106-year-old label. The US group is operating in a tough domestic cereal market and it is facing challenges in Europe. Analysts have argued Kellogg is trying to breathe fresh life into a brand facing stiff competition, including increasingly from own label. Michelle Russell reports.
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: Kellogg revamps namesake brand
14 May 2012
US cereal giant Kellogg has given its eponymous brand a revamp in a bid to "connect with the next generation of consumers".
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.
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.
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.
FINLAND: Branded sales boost Raisio profits
8 May 2012
Benecol and Sugar Puffs owner Raisio has booked an increase in first-quarter earnings, boosted by increased sales in its branded division and improved profits in western Europe.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
8 May 2012
Bright Food, the Chinese food group, this week at last planted its first flag in Europe with an investment in UK cereal firm Weetabix. Elsewhere in Europe, the CEO of Norway-based consumer goods company Orkla quit amid a disagreement with the company's board and German retailer Metro Group reported a quarterly loss. We also published our latest Sustainability Watch interview, which focused on US food giant General Mills. Click on the headlines for more.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
8 May 2012
Bright Food, the Chinese food group, was full of confidence this week about the prospects for UK cereal firm Weetabix, its first investment in Europe after missing out on companies including United Biscuits and Yoplait. Elsewhere, Orkla explained why its CEO had resigned from the Norwegian consumer goods group, German retailer Metro Group insisted its sales were improving after it reported a quarterly loss and UK peer Morrisons said it would not chase unprofitable volumes despite a fall in like-for-like sales.
On the move: Orkla pledges to step up FMCG focus as CEO exits
4 May 2012
Seven months ago, Orkla CEO Bjørn Wiggen announced the Norwegian conglomerate would focus on the FMCG sector, earning praise from analysts in the process. This week, Orkla stunned the market with news that Wiggen had decided to resign. Eyebrows were raised further yesterday when it emerged the boss of Orkla's FMCG unit would also leave the business. Industry watchers believe the departures will not mean a change in direction but could suggest Orkla's owners were frustrated with the slow progress of the company's new strategy. Michelle Russell reports.
Consumer trends in French dairy, baby food in China - just-food's research round-up
4 May 2012
This week's research round-up includes a clutch of reports looking at consumer trends in the French dairy market and baby food in China.
In the spotlight: Hard work ahead for new Weetabix owner Bright Food
3 May 2012
Ambitious Bright Food, the Chinese state-backed food group, missed out on previous Western targets like United Biscuits and Yoplait but it has planted a flag in Europe with the acquisition of a majority stake in UK cereal manufacturer Weetabix. The deal could give Bright Food some Western expertise to apply to its domestic business but, as Dean Best reports, its faces a challenge in building the brand in China, where it remains early days for breakfast cereal.
