Data Insights
Diet products: fattening revenues but not trimming waistlines
Even though UK spending on diet products will reach GBP86 (US$153) per person per year by 2009, the British waistline is getting bigger, according to a new report from independent market analyst Datamonitor.
Premiumisation and packaging key trends in Middle East bakery market
As customers in the Middle East shift from baking to buying bread, the key trends driving the bakery sector are a desire for higher quality, healthy products, innovative packaging and convenience. Francisco Redruello reports.
Is non-food a distraction or a lifesaver for supermarket bosses?
The supermarkets have become major players in non-food and they are still growing. Is boring old food losing out, or are the clothes and DVD players piggy-backing on the attractions of the weekly grocery shop? Chris Lyddon reports.
US: Nestlé recalls ice cream in Texas
Food giant Nestlé has withdrawn two flavours of its Country Creamery Ice Cream sold in Wal-Mart stores in Texas because the ice cream may contain egg not identified on the label.
NZ: Fonterra acquisitions cleared by Commerce Commission
The New Zealand Commerce Commission today (23 February) announced that it will allow dairy producer Fonterra to purchase Kappi Fine Foods and United Milk from Wellington-based grocery cooperative Foodstuffs.
SWITZERLAND: Nestlé posts 21% rise in net profit
Food giant Nestlé has reported a 20.7% rise in net profit for 2005 to CHF8.0bn, on sales up 7.5% at CHF91.1bn.
AUSTRALIA: KH Foods profits down 86.1%
KH Foods has reported a decline in profits of 86.1% for the first half of the financial year, ended 31 January, despite an increase in revenue from continuing operations of 0.3% to AUD$52.64m (US$37.409m).
CHINA: McDonald’s accepts fine for illegal levels of bacteria
Hong Kong courts have fined McDonald’s HKD4,000 (US$513) after the fastfood giant pleaded guilty to selling ice cream that contained 630 times more bacteria than the level permitted by Hong Kong law.
CANADA: Coolbrands extends credit facility
Frozen snack manufacturer Coolbrands has obtained an extension for its existing credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank.
RUSSIA: Bridgetown Foods establishes distribution unit
Russian snack food producer Bridgetown Foods has set up a unit to distribute its own and other manufacturers products, Russian business daily Kommersant reported today (31 March).
New Products From Japan
Chocolate and Sweet Snacks Ezaki Glico: Glico Pocky - Coconut Chocolate. A new variety in the Glico Pocky series of stick shape cookies (similar to pretzels) coated in high quality coatings, leaving around one third of the stick uncoated to keep the fingers clean. The quality of the flavorings in the coatings is excellent, explaining why this product is such a big hit. Glico Pocky has been on the market for 34 years. This coconut chocolate variety is coated in chocolate and desiccated coconut. The coating has a crunchy texture. 2 bags each containing 8 pretzel sticks in a box, no printed price, guide price Y120, 120 per case.Bourbon:
MD Foods/Arla Merger Speeds Dairy Globalisation
The decision by MD Foods of Denmark and Arla of Sweden to merge to create Europe's largest dairy company is symptomatic of the growing consolidation within the industry as it becomes increasingly global in nature.
EU: European Parliament ruling on packaging sizes
The European Parliament has added pre-packed bread, spreadable fats and tea to the list of food and drink products that will retain set pre-packed sizes within the European Union (EU) under a proposed directive from the European Commission that had originally called for these to remain for only wines, soluble coffee, white sugar and most products sold in aerosols.
Development within Global Dairy Consumption: the Growing Consumer Market Pushes Volume and Value Increases
The global dairy market is both large and extremely dynamic. World consumption of dairy products is currently estimated at 539 million tonnes and is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 1-2% to 2005. On a geographic level, however, consumption levels and pace of development are far from uniform.
Food/Drug Borderline is Causing 'Global Chaos'
The European Commission's recently proposed Directives on products at the borderline between medicines and foods do not go far enough, according to a new report. They could serve only to deepen the current confusion over functional foods.
Savoury Snacks Consumers Enjoy The Best Of Both Worlds
Healthy eating trends co-exist with the desire for traditional 'full-fat' flavours in the savoury snacks industry, according for a new report* from leading information providers Euromonitor International. The market has recently
Frozen Foods: A High Quality Future
For many years frozen foods had been perceived, and often treated, as the poor relations of the fresh or chilled sector. The emphasis has tended to be towards cheap and convenient products. Over the last decade, however, this emphasis has changed strongly. Due in part to the availability of new technologies and also to increasing expectations from consumers, the emphasis has shifted to higher quality, value added food products.
Food without enzymes?
A balanced diet, a healthy body and a clean environment - the essentials for life. Enzymes are indispensable for our food supply, they enable the body to function and they contribute to a clean environment. Life without enzymes is impossible! What are enzymes? How do they work? Which foods contain enzymes? What do enzymes do in our bodies? Why are they good for the environment? Here are the answers.
Australia Develops New Food Labelling Regulations
The year 2000 is ending with a major change in food regulation across Australia and New Zealand. A new Food Standards Code has been adopted for the country after six years of work. The method for putting into practice the changes is a valuable insight into how a governing body needs to go about introducing regulation.