The apparent end of US baker Hostess Brands grabbed the headlines last week after a nationwide strike prompted management to move to wind up the business. On a positive note, UK food manufacturers visited China to try to tap into the country’s second-largest economy. Click on the headlines for more on our coverage of the major stories this week.
US baker Hostess Brands to wind up business
A national strike from workers has, the company said, forced it to wind up the business, which owns brands including Hostess and Twinkies. Here just-food provides the key events at the US baker in the last 12 months.
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The UK food industry targets China
UK Secretary of State for Food Owen Paterson spearheaded the country’s largest trade delegation to China this week and just-food brought you live updates of the trip.
EU: Food majors sign GDA labels pledge
Food manufacturers including Nestle, Mondelez International and Unilever have announced plans to “harmonise” the way they label the nutritional information for products sold in the EU.
FRANCE: Ferrero defends palm oil use in newspaper ads
Ferrero has today published a two-page ad in France’s national press defending its use of palm oil in the recipe of its chocolate spread Nutella.
DENMARK: Fat tax to be scrapped next year
The Danish government has confirmed the country’s controversial fat tax will be withdrawn in January.
UK: Sainsbury’s books higher H1 profits
Sainsbury’s this morning (14 November) reported an increase in half-year profits, a period in which the UK retailer said it had “outperformed” its competitors.
JAPAN: Kirin lines up takeover of F&N’s food business
Kirin Holdings has agreed to acquire Fraser and Neave’s food and beverage business if a wider bid by Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE) for the conglomerate succeeds.
INDIA: Mondelez to boost local chocolate production
Mondelez International, the owner of Cadbury and Toblerone chocolate, is to expand its chocolate production in India.
US: Kellogg trialling breakfast drink
Snack and cereal giant Kellogg has revealed it is trialling a new breakfast drink in a bid to win over consumers not eating breakfast.
JAPAN/US: House Foods buys El Burrito Mexican Food Products
Japanese food group House Foods has snapped up US soy products firm El Burrito Mexican Food Products.
