Latest chilled foods news and analysis articles 
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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.
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.
UK: Hain Celestial launches "unique" New Covent Garden soups
22 May 2012
Hain Celestial has added to its New Covent Garden Soup Co. offering in the UK with the launch of a "new generation" of fresh soup products.
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.
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.
UK: Bakkavor produces Taste of India Tesco range
21 May 2012
UK own-label manufacturer Bakkavor has produced a range of chilled Indian ready-meals for Tesco.
US: Fresh & Easy launches Ready to Cook range
21 May 2012
Tesco's US Fresh & Easy business has launched a range of ready-to-cook meals.
UK: Rachel's jobs threat amid Lactalis revamp
18 May 2012
Jobs at Rachel's Dairy may be under threat as parent company Lactalis plans to integrate its two businesses in the UK and Ireland.
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.
SPAIN: Danone launches Yolado frozen yoghurt
17 May 2012
Danone has expanded its yoghurt offering in Spain with the launch of a frozen yoghurt concept.
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.
UK: 2 Sisters to cut jobs at RF Brookes arm
15 May 2012
UK food manufacturer 2 Sisters Food Group is to cut jobs at its RF Brookes facility in Leicestershire.
US: Lower financing costs boost Michael Foods
15 May 2012
Michael Foods has booked a jump in first-quarter net earnings due to lower financing costs.
Best bits: M&S touts value credentials with Simply launch
14 May 2012
Food has been the strong suit for Marks and Spencer in the last 12 months. Ahead of its annual results next week, the upmarket UK retailer has launched a range of "everyday" products and, Dean Best writes, becomes the latest grocer to emphasise its value-for-money credentials.
US: Hain Celestial to expand corporate HQ
14 May 2012
Natural and organic food group Hain Celestial has announced plans to expand its corporate headquarters in New York state.
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.
BELGIUM: Ter Beke to close French ready meals facility
11 May 2012
Belgian meat to ready meals group Ter Beke is to close production at its Alby-sur-Chéran ready meals factory in France.
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.
ITALY: Barilla reports mixed 2011 results
10 May 2012
Italian food manufacturer Barilla has reported mixed financial results for 2011, with higher raw material costs putting pressure on EBITDA but lower one-off costs meaning its bottom line improved.
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.
