Brazil: Kraft capitalises on chocolate and biscuit growth

Kraft Foods is leveraging the growing trend for chocolate and biscuits in developing markets with the opening of a new $80m production facility in Brazil.

Consumers check biscuit and cake labels less than other categories, poll

Consumers are less likely to check labels of biscuit, cake, chocolate and confectionery compared to other food categories, according to Harris Interactive, due to the perception that they are indulgence...

Special Edition: Sustainable packaging

United Biscuits to switch to rPET for all trays by end of 2010

United Biscuits is aiming to switch to rPET for all its thermoformed trays by the end of 2010 in a bid to scale up the amount of recycled packaging in...

Wirecut machine uses nest shape to increase cookie output

Baker Perkins has launched a new wirecut machine for cookie production that increases output by laying down biscuits in a nest-like pattern.

Wild makes fruit flavours last longer in cookies

Wild has developed a new line of flavours for baked goods that are said to be more stable than is usual and have a more intense fruity flavour and aroma.

Metal packaging innovation confers eco-friendly opportunities for premium biscuits

A raft of new container designs from US firm Crown speciality packaging target premium biscuit makers with an eye on eco-friendly packaging materials.

News in brief

Chocolate digestive best biscuit for dunking finds poll

A survey in the UK has found that the best biscuit to dunk in a cup of tea is the chocolate digestive.

Salt reduction reaches limit for biscuits and cakes

Many UK biscuit and cake products have reached their salt-reduction limit, thanks to bakers' efforts to cut salt components, according to Barbara Gallani, manager of the Food and Drink Federation's...

Kids' cookie hits health niche

UK bakery supplier BakeMark UK, has developed a 'better-for-you' cookie for the children's snack market in order to introduce healthier snacking habits to sweet-toothed youngsters.

Biscuit giant Burtons poised to expand after takeover

The UK's second largest biscuit manufacturer, Burton's Foods, has been acquired by British buy-out firm Duke Capital from US group HM Capital Partners for what is believed to be around...

United Biscuits brands dominate market

The big hitters in the UK biscuit sector have been busy over the past year with consolidation and major acquisitions re-shaping the industry's landscape, according to a new report by...

Blackstone and PAI devour United Biscuits

Blackstone and PAI acquired United Biscuits (UB) from private equity firms Midocean and Civen yesterday, in a deal worth £1.6bn (€2.3bn).

Mango cookies could boost dietary fibre intake, says research

Extracts from mangos are a rich source of dietary fibre, both soluble and insoluble, with good antioxidant properties and can easily be used in bakery products to boost public consumption,...

Kraft and Premier Foods eye United Biscuits

US food giant Kraft is partnering with Britain's Premier Foods to launch a bid for United Biscuits, according to industry insiders.

Chocolate chip cookie lowers cholesterol

A chocolate chip cookie containing soluble fiber and plant sterols reduces cholesterol, according to the manufacturer.

Biscuit maker McVitie's cuts jobs after floods

UK biscuit maker McVitie's is to cut 33 jobs at its Carlisle factory, after damage caused by floods in January permanently disabled four production lines, reducing the plant's total output...

Nestlé expands Romanian biscuit production

Swiss food giant Nestlé has boosted its Romanian production capacity with the installation of a new chocolate wafer production line at its Timisoara-based unit, Joe. The investment reflects the rapid...

Malaysian firm gets taste for Japanese biscuits

A Malaysian firm selling Japanese biscuits has said that it is considering establishing its own production facility in Malaysia should initial sales of its products prove attractive to Malaysian biscuit...

New biscuit baggers for UB

United Biscuits Southern Europe has installed two new ROBAG packaging systems from TNA at its Galletas Artiach facility in Orozko, Spain.

Healthy eating: United Biscuits leads by example

Staff at one of the UK's leading biscuit and snack manufacturers have been challenged to walk 10,000 steps every day as the company highlights a link between healthy bodies and...

Northern's biscuit margins under pressure

Northern Foods is facing the possibility of a rapid decline in its biscuit profit margins as its main customers - the British supermarket groups - seek to cut costs. The...

United Biscuits hit by tough UK trading

Currency translation effects and tough trading conditions in the UK kept first half sales at Britain's United Biscuits in line with those seen a year earlier, despite an increased share...

Taking the cookie test

Efficient, profitable baking is not just a question of having the right equipment for the job - it is also knowing how to use it properly. With this in mind,...

Asian appetite for biscuits grows

The sweet biscuits market in Asia is set to grow rapidly in coming years, due mainly to the continuing strength of the China market. However launches are coming thick and...