This week, concerns over the environment, food safety and – once again – commodity prices proved popular on our pages. Beijing made a bid to convince the world of its seriousness in tackling food safety; Wal-Mart found more US consumers were “thinking green”; and rice rationing hit the country’s biggest wholesalers.
CHINA: Beijing prepares food safety legislation
Food manufacturers in China could face jail for life under new draft government guidelines on food safety. Beijing has pledged to improve food safety following a year of scares that have called into question regulations covering the country’s food industry.
US: More consumers buying green, says Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart has announced a “dramatic” increase in the number of US consumers buying “green” products. Research carried out by the US retailer claimed that consumers were buying 66% more “green” products than last year.
US: Costco, Sam’s Club ration rice sales
US wholesale retailers Costco and Sam’s Club have started to restrict sales of rice as concerns of global supplies mount. Fears of a looming rice shortage have grown in recent weeks with prices hitting record highs and major rice-producing nations introducing export restrictions.
FRANCE: Milk prices set to soar
French farm-gate milk prices are set to rise by more than 26% during the second quarter of the year, according to the national milk producers’ federation, the FNPL.
UK: Premier “mulling own-label disposals”
Premier Foods is reportedly contemplating the sale of two customer partnership units that primarily produce own-brand foods for Marks & Spencer.
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