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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.
TUNISIA: Dr Oetker acquires majority stake in GIAS Ingredients
25 May 2012
German food giant Dr. Oetker has acquired a majority stake in Tunisian food manufacturer GIAS Ingredients.
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.
BRAZIL/US: General Mills strikes deal to buy Brazilian firm Yoki
24 May 2012
General Mills has agreed to buy Brazilian food manufacturer Yoki Alimentos, three months after speculation emerged that a deal had been signed.
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.
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: 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.
UK: Unilever takes Maille mustard into dressings
15 May 2012
Unilever has launched a range of salad dressings in the UK under its mustard brand Maille.
UK: Aspall promotes two to support "growth strategy"
14 May 2012
UK vinegar supplier Aspall has made two additions to its senior management team to support its "growth strategy" in the UK and abroad.
CANADA: Lassonde Q1 profits slide
14 May 2012
Canadian food and drink manufacturer Lassonde Industries has booked a drop in first-quarter profits, hurt by "persistently high" commodity prices.
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.
US/INDIA: General Mills acquires Parampara brands in India
11 May 2012
US food manufacturer General Mills has acquired spice and seasonings brands in India from local firm Parampara Foods.
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.
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.
UK: Premier tight-lipped over spreads interest
9 May 2012
Premier Foods plc has declined to comment on reports that a number of private-equity firms are trying to buy its spreads business for up to GBP180m (US$289m).
SPAIN: Deoleo signs Formula One deal for Carbonell brand
9 May 2012
Spanish olive oil producer Deoleo has signed a deal for its Carbonell brand to sponsor Formula One team HRT.
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.
US: Price increases boost TreeHouse Foods Q1
8 May 2012
US own-label firm TreeHouse Foods has booked an increase in first-quarter profits, boosted by price increases on products it sells to retailers in North America.
US: Kraft reports higher Q1 profits
4 May 2012
Kraft Foods has reported an increase in first-quarter earnings as price increases and an earlier Easter than last year boosted sales.
