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Quorn Foods

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Rumours that private equity-owned Quorn Foods could have piqued the interest of the US's WhiteWave Foods caused a stir this week. Neither company was prepared to comment and it may be Quorn's owner Exponent Private Equity has yet to kick off an auction process but, nonetheless, the speculation highlights the potential the meat-free sector could afford branded food manufacturers. Katy Askew examines Quorn's appeal and who could be tempted by this tasty takeover target.

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Having witnessed an unprecedented level of discussion in the US over the past year or so, the labelling of genetically modified foods is set to become an even more hotly and frequently debated subject stateside in the coming year. Ben Cooper reports.

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Premier Foods is looking to enter that hallowed space enjoyed by a number of recently revitalised British heritage brands, revealing plans to update its portfolio.

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The markets aren't always right but perhaps it was indicative of the City's opinion of Premier Foods plc's chief executive Robert Schofield that shares in the UK's largest food maker rose when he announced his plans to retire earlier today (28 April).

A year after the takeover of Quorn Foods by Philippines-based group Monde Nissin, the UK meat-free business is setting up its first operations in Asia and investing in building its teams in Europe to try to grow further there. Dean Best spoke to Quorn Foods CEO Kevin Brennan, who outlined the company's plans for the next 12 months.

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Quorn Foods, the UK-based meat-free supplier, has enjoyed solid growth in recent years on the back of growing consumer interest in reducing - or eliminating - meat from their diet. Now owned by Philippines-based Monde Nissin after a deal last autumn, Quorn expects its expansion to continue, CEO Kevin Brennan and Andrew Staal, the company's international director, tells John Shepherd.

Meat substitute firm Quorn Foods is to spend GBP150m (US$195.5m) on its facility in Billingham in the north east of England.

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Quorn Foods, the UK-based meat-free business owned by Philippines group Monde Nissin, is expanding its range to include new Chilli & Lime Fillets.

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Quorn Foods, the UK-based meat-free business owned by Philippines group Monde Nissin, has settled a lawsuit in the US over a claim on its packaging.

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UK meat-free business Quorn Foods is to push into Asia, a year after its takeover by Philippines food group Monde Nissin.

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Meat-substitute group Quorn Foods is expanding its range of frozen ready meals in the UK where, for the first time, products will be merchandised in the country alongside their meat equivalents. 

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The creation of Kraft Heinz was the stand-out M&A story of the year, although there were plenty of other significant deals, including JBS's move for European meat group Moy Park, the sale of Quorn Foods to Philippines-based Monde Nissin and Nomad Foods' two transactions in European frozen food. Elsewhere, Nestle was rocked by the Maggi recall in India, while it and a number of other companies - including Hershey - suffered amid China's economic slowdown.

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The emergence of 3G Capital into the food sector has shaken the industry and its latest move in 2015 - to merge Heinz with Kraft Foods Group - got people talking, us mulling the impact on the sector and you clicking. Elsewhere, we predicted the battle to buy buoyant for UK meat-free business Quorn Foods would be fierce, analysed some of the key trends in the UK foodservice and discussed how Danone would fare under its new CEO.

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Quorn Foods' sale to Monde Nissin was the stand-out story this week got you clicking. News of a potential transaction also caught your interest, with speculation Mondelez International may be looking to offload its European cheese and grocery business.

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Philippines group Monde Nissin was this week named as the buyer of Quorn Foods, agreeing a deal that valued the UK meat-free business at GBP550m. ConAgra Foods, under-pressure from changing consumer trends in the US, outlined its plan to revitalise the group, with 1,500 jobs to go as part of the process. And just-food interviewed seafood giant Thai Union Group about its sustainability programmes.

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Quorn Foods, the UK-based meat-free business, is to be sold to Philippines group Monde Nissin in a deal valuing the company at GBP550m (US$831.2m).

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Companies including Danone, Kerry Group, Singapore-based agribusiness and food group Wilmar International and South Korean business Pulmuone Co. are eyeing Quorn Foods, joining the likes of McCain Foods as possible bidders for the UK meat-free firm.

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Quorn Foods, the UK-based meat-free business, saw its operating profit jump in 2014, with losses narrowing by more than two-thirds.

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This week, Kellogg announced plans to increase its exposure in Africa through a joint-venture with local player, Tolaram Foods. Elsewhere, Tyson Foods was once again in the spotlight over animal abuse allegations. Nestle lost its battle to trademark its KitKat product in the European Court of Justice Midamar pleaded guilty to allegations it mislabeled products for export as halal.

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News from emerging markets featured heavily on our pages this week, with the Irish and Chinese governments striking a Memorandum of Understanding on food safety cooperation, further consolidation in Egypt and Kellogg expanding in Africa. Elsewhere, we brought you coverage of some of the most innovative products on display at the Natural Products Expo East. Here are some of the top news and insight stories on just-food this week.

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Meat-free products maker Quorn Foods has launched its first vegan range in the UK and Nordic markets.

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Mondelez International was among a clutch of major players speaking at Barclays' investor conference in Boston this week and the snacks giant set out strategies to try to drive sales. In a busy week of M&A, US bakery giant Flowers Foods bought another organic bread maker, Unilever sold its Indian bakery arm and the owner of Quorn started an auction for the UK meat-free business.

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A sale of Quorn Foods, the UK-based meat-free business, is expected by the end of the year with potential suitors receiving information memoranda this week, just-food understands.

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McCain Foods and Nomad Foods are reportedly to be mulling a move for UK-based meat-free business Quorn Foods.

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Quorn Foods is expanding its range of frozen meat-free products, with the addition of "pub family favourite" gammon steak, bacon lardons, as well as chorizo and mozzarella girasoli and ravioli.

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One story dominated the headlines this week - the plans by Heinz and Kraft Foods Group to join forces and create the world's fifth-largest food and drinks group. Elsewhere, French co-ops Agrial and Eurial said their plans to combine their dairy businesses had been put on hold. There was also sad news from the French food sector with news of a fatal explosion at desserts firm Senagral.

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The mega-merger between HJ Heinz and Kraft Foods Group took the US sector by storm this week. Elsewhere, ConAgra's results continued to show the cracks and Fonterra lowered its outlook on milk pricing. Here is just-food's week in words.

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Quorn Foods has insisted it will mount a defence against what it termed a "misguided" lawsuit attempting to link consumption of one of its meat-replacement products to the death of an 11-year-old boy in 2013.

Wow. Your correspondent is penning this blog following precious little sleep after the combination of a humid night in London and the emergence of the most significant event in UK history since 1945 made sleep tricky on Thursday night.