China dominated our headlines in the first part of the week. Swiss firm Hero Group was forced to defend the safety of its infant formula in the country after allegations a local distributor mislabelled products. Wal-Mart, meanwhile, issued a statement to reiterate its expansion plans in China after it emerged it would close three stores there. Emerging markets continued to feature heavily, with news Qatar had bought a majority stake in Indian group Bush Foods Overseas. And we interviewed the CEO of ambitious Brazilian dairy group Vigor.
CHINA: Our infant formula is safe, insists Hero Group
Swiss food manufacturer Hero Group has insisted its infant formula on sale in China is safe after reports a local distributor allegedly mislabelled some of the company’s products.
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CHINA: Nestle to invest in Guangdong ice cream plant
Nestle is to invest CNY500m (US$81m) in tripling ice cream production at its facility in Guangdong in China.
CHINA: Wal-Mart to maintain pace of store openings
Wal-Mart Stores has publicly reiterated it has set a target of opening over 100 new stores in China in the next three years.
BRICs and beyond: Vigor eyes dairy top spot in Brazil
When Brazilian dairy processor Vigor bought 50% of rival Itambé in February, it said it went from being the fourth-largest in the country to third. However, its ambitions do not stop there, writes Paula Krizanovic.
See Also:
QATAR/INDIA: Qatari vehicle Hassad Food buys majority of India’s Bush Foods
Qatari investment vehicle Hassad Foods has bought a majority stake in Indian food supplier Bush Foods Overseas.
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Read just-food contributing editor Ben Cooper’s Consuming issues column on cocoa certification here.
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just-food’s 2013 confidence survey
We asked you for your thoughts on 2013, the outlook for the industry and the prospects for your business. The just-food team, alongside SymphonyIRI, Grant Thornton and Mintel, analysed the results.
