Latest sustainability news and analysis articles 
From carbon footprints to footing the bill for ethical consumerism
Confectionery, flavours, packaging: just-food's research round-up
9 February 2012
The chocolate sectors in perhaps the land of chocolate - Switzerland - and in the fast-growing emerging market of Vietnam are featured in this week's selection of reports from the just-food research store. A look at successful sustainability initiatives, the evolution of the flavours market in a downturn and the rise of nanotechnology in packaging are also highlighted.
UK: Tesco trials packaging to cut produce waste
8 February 2012
Tesco is trialling packaging in the UK that it hopes will lead to fewer wasted fruit and vegetables.
BELGIUM: Food industry signs RSPO palm oil pledge
3 February 2012
All palm oil present in food products destined for the Belgian market has to be sustainable by 2015, according to a new industry pledge.
2012 - CSR spotlight moves to water, supply chains
3 February 2012
Forecasting that sustainability will be a prominent subject in 2012 is hardly the boldest of predictions. But given the complexity and breadth of the sustainability arena, predicting what the hotspots will be during the coming 12 months is an altogether different proposition. There are some racing certainties, however.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
27 January 2012
The UK government this week launched a series of measures, drawn up with industry, to drive the food sector's growth overseas. The so-called export action plan came in the week that food and drink giant Princes announced a venture in Italy and UK confectioner Zetar opened its first sales office in Europe. Zetar's CEO outlined the company's Continental sales target to just-food and, in a further interview with a top executive, Spar International MD Dr Gordon Campbell told us about the symbol retailer's expansion plans in India.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
27 January 2012
Carrefour again grabbed the headlines this week, with speculation intensifying that there could be change of leadership at the company. just-food understands an announcement is due in days. Elsewhere in retail, Asda outlined its expansion plans in the UK and we spoke to the CEO of Spar International about the symbol group's ambitions in India. Meanwhile, Premier Foods admitted more jobs could be lost at the company, we took a look at why US baker Hostess Brands filed for Chapter 11 and, in our latest Sustainability Watch, we discussed HJ Heinz's CSR strategy.
US: Fair World Project welcomes new Fair Trade label criteria
24 January 2012
A Fair Trade organisation in the US has cautiously welcomed amends to an ethical labelling scheme operated by another group.
EU: Brussels targets EU states flouting egg ban
23 January 2012
The European Commission is taking legal action against 14 EU member states that it thinks are failing to comply with new laws banning the keeping of hens in battery cages.
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.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
23 January 2012
Executives at Müller and Robert Wiseman Dairies espoused the benefits of the German yoghurt maker's decision to buy the UK milk supplier, a deal that divided analysts. Industry watchers also scrutinised the latest trading updates from Premier Foods plc, the UK's largest food manufacturer and Carrefour, the French retail giant, while Kraft Foods chief Irene Rosenfeld said the US group's 2011 results means it is one of the industry's better performers - on the day job cuts of 1,600 were announced.
just-food's research round-up
20 January 2012
Flavours, health and wellness and ice cream are three sectors highlighted in this week's batch of featured reports from the just-food store.
US: Fair Trade body overhauls certification criteria
19 January 2012
US accreditation body Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) has changed its labelling policy for Fair Trade products.
just-food's research round-up
13 January 2012
This week's featured research from the just-food store includes a look at worldwide flavour trends, analysis on the UK supermarket sector and a report on the sustainability strategies used by food and drink manufacturers.
UK: Duchy Originals annual profit jumps
11 January 2012
Duchy Originals, the upmarket UK food producer founded by the Prince of Wales in 1990, has made an annual profit after its 2009 deal with UK retailer Waitrose.
Street talk: Four resolutions for an uncertain 2012
9 January 2012
The consensus is that those hoping for an easier year in 2012 could be disappointed. Consumer confidence will remain in the doldrums, competition will remain fierce and economic uncertainty will continue. In his first column of the year, SymphonyIRI's Rod Street suggests some ways in which manufacturers and retailers could look to improve in 2012.
GERMANY: Retailers in spotlight over banana workers rights
6 January 2012
Charity Oxfam has accused German retailers of sourcing bananas from plantations in Ecuador that have "intolerable and exploitative working conditions".
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
23 December 2011
Wal-Mart stunned the US food sector this week with a decision to pull a Mead Johnson infant formula brand after the death of a baby in Missouri. In the UK, two retailers, Thorntons and Ocado, faced the scrutiny of investors after profit warnings. And, just-food launched its international food basket to highlight the difference in price between national brands and own label in seven markets.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
23 December 2011
This week, UK retailers Thorntons and Ocado issued profit warnings, while US food giant General Mills revealed a fall in quarterly profits. Meanwhile, in Europe, Italian retailer Conad acquired German retailer Rewe's 43 Billa stores in the country.
The most-read interviews on just-food in 2011
23 December 2011
2011 was again a year in which just-food discussed the key industry issues with the leading lights in the sector. From the creation of meat-free firm Quorn Foods to Ferrero's ambitions in the UK and from Kraft Foods' plans in the key emerging market of South Africa to sustainability strategies with Ahold and Kellogg, we interviewed some of the top players in the industry this year. Click on the links for more and check out all our featured interviews for 2011 here.
Focus: Food SCP Round Table joins Ecolabel debate
22 December 2011
The European Food Sustainable Consumption and Production Round Table's recently published report on the communication of environmental information is a timely contribution to the debate over the extension of the EU's Ecolabel scheme to food. Ben Cooper reports.
US: Barry Callebaut launches Fairtrade in US
22 December 2011
Chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut has launched three Fairtrade products in the US under its Finest Belgian range.
2011 in review - Sustainability
22 December 2011
The year began with predictions that sustainability would continue to rise up the corporate agenda this year, and so it has proved.
just-food's research round-up
16 December 2011
The outlook for functional foods, ways to defend the premium positioning of gourmet food and marketing to the UK's digital consumers are highlights in this week's selection of reports from the just-food research store.
US: Kraft maps carbon footprint
15 December 2011
Major US food producer Kraft Foods has today released results of a survey that measures its impact on the environment.
GLOBAL: FAO urges greater livestock efficiency
14 December 2011
Major gains in efficiency the livestock industry are needed to meet the world's increased demand for animal protein, the UN has warned.
UK: Tory MP issues warning over UK food security
14 December 2011
The UK's food supply chain is too exposed to outside shocks, a Conservative MP has warned.
Sustainability Watch – Child labour in cocoa production
14 December 2011
Nestle's plan to partner with the Fair Labor Association in investigating the use of child labour in its cocoa supply chain could raise the bar in terms of corporate accountability regarding this long-running problem. Ben Cooper reports.
just-food's research round-up
9 December 2011
This week's selected research from the just-food store includes a look at sustainability policies in the global food and beverage industry, as well as a report on Fair Trade. Also featured are two studies of on-the-go products targeting the breakfast and lunchtime eating occasions in the UK.
EU: UK food makers, retailers pledge not to use caged eggs
7 December 2011
UK food manufacturers have pledged not to use caged eggs from Europe, amid concerns that egg producers on the continent will fail to comply with a ban that starts next month.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
5 December 2011
India's plan to relax restrictions on foreign investment in its retail sector continued to generate fierce debate this week. Two other contentious issues - the EU health claims process and the true potential of intense sweetener stevia - were also covered on just-food this week, as was the latest attempt by Nestle to eradicate child labour in cocoa production.
