Mars‘ plans to restructure its global chocolate operations have grabbed your attention this week. Meanwhile, just-food visited food-industry expo SIAL in Paris and, among others, interviewed the boss of European poultry giant Groupe Doux.
GLOBAL: Mars Inc reveals plans to realign global chocolate operations
Mars Inc is to restructure its global chocolate operations in a bid to make the company more focused and competitive in the marketplace.
The just-food interview – Guy Odri, Groupe Doux
Guy Odri, head of Europe’s largest poultry processor Groupe Doux, explains why the time is right for retailers to push through price increases.
SIAL: Ajinomoto defends aspartame against critics
Ajinomoto has defended aspartame, the artificial sweetener of which the Japan-based food group is the largest supplier, and questioned the potential of natural sweetener stevia.
UPDATE – EU: Yakult to continue probiotic studies despite EFSA doubts
Japanese dairy firm Yakult has said it will continue to conduct human studies to back-up the health benefits of its probiotic products, after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) cast doubt on health claims for probiotics.
Brics and beyond: Health takes bigger bite of India’s food market
Health increasingly means wealth for food-processing companies in India. Obesity may be seen as a Western problem but, in the more affluent parts of this fast-developing country, it is becoming a growing concern.
SIAL: Dean Foods’ Alpro arm to launch Alpro Plus lines
Alpro, the soy-foods business owned by US dairy giant Dean Foods, is to launch two soy-milk products next year targeting health-conscious consumers.
US: Commodity costs push General Mills to up cereal prices
General Mills, the US food group behind cereal brands Big G and Cheerios, has upped the list price for selected lines due to pressure from higher commodity costs.
Comment: Food makers feeling the pinch as commodity costs bite
The pressure of higher raw-material prices is beginning to tell but manufacturers still face retailers loathe to put up prices when consumer confidence remains weak.
On the money: A&P pins hopes on turnaround strategy
Troubled US grocery retailer A&P has revealed a raft of changes alongside its second-quarter results, pinning many of its turnaround hopes on its new executive team.
