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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.

This week, the more eye-catching new products announced to market include Arla Foods' organic fruit yogurts debut roll out in Germany, a collaboration between Germany's Dr Oetker and UK-based Quorn in pizza, and Nestle introducing the Maggi noodles brand to yogurt dips in India, along with a new snack brand in the UK and Ireland.

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This week, the more eye-catching new products announced to market include Nestle taking some of its breakfast cereals into the organic category, high-protein, no-added sugar yogurts from Chobani in Australia and the first chilled milk product from the UK's Good Hemp.

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UK meat-free supplier Quorn Foods is investing GBP7m (US$9.2m) in a new global innovation centre at its headquarters in Stokesley, North Yorkshire.

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UK campaign group Consensus Action on Salt and Health has called for the country's government to legislate on the amount of salt in foods, pointing to the levels of the ingredient in sausages as evidence not enough progress has been made using voluntary targets.

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UK meat substitute firm Quorn Foods is expanding its US business out of the frozen foods aisle and into the chilled foods section of supermarkets.

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UK meat substitute firm Quorn Foods has suggested a new statement on its product labels in the US, which tell customers the products contain mold and could cause an allergic reaction, is unlikely to affect sales.

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UK meat substitute firm Quorn Foods has insisted claims a settlement of a class action in the US over how it labels products sold there has yet to be finalised.

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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.

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.