Latest npd & innovation news and analysis articles 
The latest product development across the industry
UK: Perfetti van Melle adds to Mentos gum range
8 February 2012
Perfetti van Melle has extended its Mentos 3 Layers gum range in the UK with the addition of a third variant.
UK: Symington's in veggie launch with TV chef Rimmer
6 February 2012
UK food manufacturer Symington's has joined forces with television chef Simon Rimmer to launch a range of vegetarian meals.
UK: Warburtons marketing director Hayes steps down
6 February 2012
UK baker Warburtons has confirmed that its marketing director Richard Hayes has left the company.
MEXICO: Kraft inaugurates tech centre
1 February 2012
The Mexican arm of Kraft Foods has opened a $50m innovation and development centre in Mexico City.
UK: Eat Natural sales jump but costs weigh on profits
31 January 2012
Rising commodity prices have weighed on annual profits at UK snack bar and cereal maker Eat Natural, offsetting higher sales in 2011.
RUSSIA: Cherkizovo launches Petelinka poultry line
31 January 2012
Russian meat processor Cherkizovo has launched a line of chilled semi-processed poultry products under the Petelinka brand.
UK: Kraft readies Philadelphia, Cadbury spread launch
30 January 2012
Kraft Foods UK has brought its Cadbury and Philadelphia brands together to launch a chocolate-flavoured cheese spread.
UK: General Mills adds to Haagen-Dazs range
30 January 2012
General Mills is to extend its Häagen-Dazs ice cream range in the UK to include a Mint Leaves and Chocolate variant.
UK: Premier Foods readies Sharwood's campaign
30 January 2012
Premier Foods plc is to launch a multi-million pound television advertising campaign in the UK for its Sharwood's sauces range.
UK: Jam maker Duerr's eyes Premier's Hartley's unit
27 January 2012
UK jam maker Duerr's has signalled its interest in buying Premier Foods plc's Hartley's business, which is rumoured to be among the latest of the food giant's assets up for sale.
just-food's research round-up
27 January 2012
Baby food, confectionery, meat and poultry and soup are the sector's featured in this week's just-food research round-up.
GLOBAL: Arla outlines 2012 investment plans
26 January 2012
Dairy giant Arla Foods plans to invest DKK1.88bn (US$333m) this year to increase capacity, improve efficiency and make the company more competitive.
SCANDINAVIA: Findus to distribute Quorn in northern Europe
26 January 2012
Findus Group has signed an agreement which gives it exclusive rights to the sale of meat substitute Quorn in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway.
US: General Mills expands Nature Valley range
26 January 2012
General Mills has added a protein bar to its Nature Valley range of snack bars in the US.
UK: McNeil adds to Benecol yoghurt range
26 January 2012
McNeil Nutritionals has added to the range of Benecol yoghurts on sale in the UK.
UK: Consumers to vote on Nestle's new Kit Kat Chunky flavour
25 January 2012
Nestle has decided to let UK consumers decide which of four limited-edition Kit Kat Chunky flavours will be added to the range permanently.
UK: Weetabix adds to product range
23 January 2012
UK cereal manufacturer Weetabix has announced four new products will be released at the end of the month.
UK: PepsiCo launches Walkers 'mystery flavours'
23 January 2012
PepsiCo has launched three mystery flavours for its Walkers crisps brand in the UK.
US: Private-equity invests in frozen food firm Evol
23 January 2012
US frozen meal and snack manufacturer Evol Foods has received investment from a private-equity fund.
US: Ahold relaunches Guaranteed Value own-label line
23 January 2012
Ahold is relaunching the Guaranteed Value own-label range sold across its stores in the US.
UK: Ingredients maker Ulrick & Short revamps test kitchen
23 January 2012
Ulrick & Short, a UK manufacturer and supplier of "clean label" ingredients, has overhauled its West Yorkshire facility.
INDIA: PepsiCo launches low-fat Lay's Baked crisps
20 January 2012
PepsiCo has launched reduced-fat Lay's Baked crisps in India with an eye to wooing the country's young women.
US: Fage adds to Greek yoghurt portfolio
18 January 2012
Greek yoghurt producer Fage has added new flavours to its Total 0% range of products in the US.
US: Mars releases Dove chocolate raisins
18 January 2012
Confectionery giant Mars Inc will launch a bite-sized chocolate-covered raisins and peanuts SKU under its Dove brand in the US.
UK: Frederick's launches Britvic products under licensing deal
18 January 2012
UK ice cream maker Frederick's Dairies has launched two iced lollies under Britvic's Fruit Shoot and R Whites brands.
The just-food interview - Kikkoman chairman Yuzaburo Mogi
17 January 2012
Japanese soy sauce maker Kikkoman claims to have been the first to produce the seasoning back in the 17th century. However, with growth hard to come by in a domestic market in the doldrums, Kikkoman has had to look overseas for growth. Julian Ryall met Kikkoman chairman Yuzaburo Mogi to find out how the company is adapting to meet demand in Japan and internationally.
US: Hershey adds to Jolly Rancher range
17 January 2012
US confectioner Hershey has extended its Jolly Rancher confectionery range in the US with the addition of a new variant.
GERMANY: Former Nestle exec Zink to lead research at dairy giant DMK
17 January 2012
German dairy group DMK has appointed Dr Ralf Zink to lead its R&D.
UK: Premier raids British sweet shops for inspiration
16 January 2012
Premier Foods plc is launching a range of cakes under its Mr Kipling brand inspired by the traditional British sweet shop.
UK: Tyrrells readies Crinkly Veg crisp launch
16 January 2012
UK crisp maker Tyrrells is to add a Crinkly Veg variant to its vegetable crisp range in its domestic market.
