The potential sale of UK biscuit and snack maker United Biscuits captured the industry’s attention this week. Ocado’s IPO finally got away, but not without a great deal of controversy, once again highlighting the difficulties online grocery retailers face trying to build a profitable business model. The future of the Foods Standards Agency was sealed, and as expected, it lost its remit over nutrition and labelling.
Comment: Private equity most likely to bite at United Biscuits
United Biscuits, owners of brands from McVitie’s to McCoy’s, looks set to be put on the block by its private-equity owners. Chris Brook-Carter discusses who the next owners of the business could be.
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By GlobalDataAnalysis: Raining on Ocado’s parade
Ocado finally got its IPO away this week although the market appeared sceptical about the plans CEO Tim Steiner and his team have for the UK online retailer.
UK: Food watchdog FSA loses nutrition, labelling roles
The Food Standards Agency, the UK food watchdog, will lose its remit over nutrition and labelling after the coalition government confirmed it would revamp the agency.
Findus sale finds favour with Unilever and Birds Eye
Unilever this week announced the sale of frozen-food business Findus Italy to Birds Eye Iglo for a cool EUR805m. The deal signals Unilever’s exit from frozen food (except, of course, from ice cream) and appears to benefit both the consumer goods giant and Birds Eye Iglo, one of Europe’s largest frozen-food manufacturers.
US: Bread is “achilles heel” of Sara Lee – analyst
Sara Lee’s North American bread business is the US food group’s “Achilles heel”, a leading analyst has claimed amid reports the company is mulling offloading the unit.
Analysis: Does consumer scepticism cloud the GM debate?
The recent proposals by the European Commission regarding national jurisdiction over the cultivation of genetically-modified food have been criticised by both advocates and opponents of GM which, Ben Cooper writes, only serves to underline the intractability of the issue.
On the money: Lance, Snyder’s to focus on core brands, eye acquisitions
US snack makers Lance and Snyder’s of Hanover said they will focus on core brands for growth while also pursuing acquisition opportunities once the merger of the two companies is complete.
On the money: PepsiCo pledges “aggressive” investment in Quaker
PepsiCo plans to step up the innovation within its Quaker range in North America after the division booked falling sales and earnings in the second quarter of 2010
INDIA: Nestle, Kellogg, Mars join advertising pledge
Food industry heavyweights including Nestlé, Kellogg and Mars Inc have pledged to use responsible advertising and marketing in India.
UK: Soil Association predicts organic growth
The UK organic sector is still in decline but growth is predicted as consumer confidence returns, according to The Soil Association.
