Formulation

07-May-2004 - In the thriving world of snacks the key to success for food developers will be in designing time-positioned, healthy and guilt free indulgences as the consumer becomes more fussy, says a new report from Datamonitor that shows UK snackaholics, far from slowing down, are tipped to spend £10.3bn on snacks by 2008.

Foil protection for food packaging

07-May-2004 - Food manufacturers are increasingly turning to solutions that combine multiple security elements to protect products against counterfeiting, according to French foil manufacturer Kurz.

Malyasian palm oil producers await nod from Kraft

05-May-2004 - Malaysian palm oil producers are anticipating a big step up in demand after US food giant Kraft confirmed that it had plans to use more palm oil in processed foods for the US market.

Scientist investigate eating patterns and obesity

03-May-2004 - As society ponders the reasons for the rising tide of obesity in children, researchers in the US suggest that the 'striking alterations' in children's meal patterns over the past 20 years may not be related to the current trend toward weight increases in children.

Confectionery firms face sugar price hikes

30-Apr-2004 - Earlier this month CAOBISCO , the body which represents European manufacturers of sugar-based foods, came racing to side of the businesses it represents in the accession countries. Once installed in an enlarged Europe, the new Member States face a hike in sugar prices to conform with the EU sugar regime.

Laima turns to Uzbekistan

27-Apr-2004 - Icelandic-Lativian confectionery producer Laima has confirmed that it is about to start caramel production in Uzbekistan in an attempt to fend off increased competition once enlargement has taken place.

Ireland to tackle chewing gum waste

27-Apr-2004 - Ireland is considering tough new proposals on waste management and recyling, including a programme to target the management of chewing gum waste - a move that could effect confectionery manufacturers there.

'Nut-free' nut flavours for new labelling rules

27-Apr-2004 - The countdown begins to new food allergen labelling rules in Europe that herald an end to the 20 year old '25 per cent' rule. Taken together with escalating incidences of food allergies, new opportunities have arisen in the marketplace for ingredients suppliers offering 'allergen-free' alternatives.

Making packaging sexy

26-Apr-2004 - Avery Dennison Roll Materials Europe has unveiled Fasson Iridescent, a multi-layered film that the company claims gives designers a creative means of achieving dazzling multi-colour shelf impact, without the use of additional inks or dyes. Packaging is becoming increasingly important as a means of making products stand out from the competition.

A weighty issue

22-Apr-2004 - Food manufacturers are under pressure to be able to trace every product at every stage of the supply chain. Equipment supplier Mettler Toledo explains the role of weighing and measuring technology in helping firms to meet stringent regulations, and achieve production efficiencies at the same time, writes Anthony Fletcher.

CSM in price fixing probe

22-Apr-2004 - Offices of bakery ingredients and sweeteners giant CSM were raided yesterday by the Dutch competition watchdog NMa on suspicions of price fixing in the firms sugar division CSM Suiker. In a parallel raid, the NMa hit leading Dutch sugar processor Royal Cosun and its subsidiary Suiker Unie.

Trans fats harm the heart

21-Apr-2004 - New evidence to suggest that a diet high in artery-clogging trans fats could accelerate the development of cardiovascular disease comes from a recent study in the US.

Food images 'switch on' the brain

20-Apr-2004 - Brain circuits involved in drug addiction are also activated by the desire for food, say researchers this week, claiming that the mere display of food - the smelling and tasting of favourite foods without actually eating them - causes increases in metabolism throughout the brain. An event that could contribute to the 'globesity' epidemic, they add. The findings confirm the power of advertising and the food maker's widely known belief that food needs to look good to sell.

Recovery foods may be too sugary for athletes

19-Apr-2004 - Manufacturers of sports supplements may need to reduce sugar levels in certain products as new research from Japan shows that preference for sweetness decreases after exercise.

Sugar confectionery prices to soar in accession states?

16-Apr-2004 - Sugar prices look set to rise in the accession countries by up to 60 per cent, warns the European chocolate and confectionery body CAOBISCO this week, predicting major set backs for food manufacturers installed in the zone. The warning comes in the same week Oxfam slams the subsidised EU sugar regime, claiming it rewards the six giant sugar processors to the detriment of other smaller players.

Be future focused, says packaging expert

16-Apr-2004 - Most food companies are too short-term focused when it comes to adopting new technology, claims a packaging expert. They need to adopt long-term strategic planning and pay closer attention to changing trends if they wish to stay ahead of the competition, writes Anthony Fletcher.

Romanian sugar producers face tough future

14-Apr-2004 - Romanian sugar producers say they are facing possible collapse because of suffocating sugar quotas which have been in place for the last five years, in the run up to accession.

Survey shows consumers rejecting low-carb consumption

14-Apr-2004 - While supporters of the Atkins plan would have us believe the diet is more popular than ever, there are signs of a growing backlash against low-carb diet plans. A new survey reveals that despite the growing number of product offerings available on the market, 30 per cent of consumers are determined to buck the trend and reject a low-carb eating plan.

Masterfoods eyes Romanian growth

13-Apr-2004 - Masterfoods Romania, part of the US manufacturer Mars, has announced that it is expecting its sales turnover to exceed €20 million in 2004, encouraging the company to invest further in the country.

Swiss exports take the biscuit

13-Apr-2004 - Switzerland's sweet and savoury biscuit sector saw a return to growth in 2003 due entirely to a strong upswing in export sales - but domestic sales fell for the second year in succession as a result of cheaper imports from the EU.

Brits ignore obesity threat

13-Apr-2004 - Only 3 per cent of Britons are aware that being overweight increases their chance of developing cancer, according to a new survey, yet obesity has been linked to a number of cancers including breast, womb, kidney, bowel and oesophagus.

The path to sugar rich beet

13-Apr-2004 - Scientists in the US are well on the way to developing sugar beets with improved seedling vigour, higher sugar content, and enhanced disease resistance.

Easter treat good for baby too

07-Apr-2004 - Eating chocolate during pregnancy could make your baby happier and livelier, according to Finnish researchers, who suggest that chocolate's mood altering chemicals could be passed on to the baby in the womb.

Aarhus restructures to shave costs

07-Apr-2004 - Intensified competition in the ingredients marketplace and disappointing orders for Cocoa Butter Equivalents (CBE) following the new chocolate rules leads to job losses at Danish fats and oils firm Aarhus United.

Wrigley buys into top slots in China and India

05-Apr-2004 - Growing through international expansion, chewing gum giant Wm. Wrigley Jr has closed on a €215 million deal to acquire the Joyco gum and confectionery businesses from Agrolimen, a privately-held Spanish food conglomerate. The acquisition brings the Pim Pom, Boomer and Solano brands into Wrigley's portfolio.