All news articles for April 2006

Novozymes reports solid start to 2006

Novozymes reported an increase in operating profit for the first quarter of 2006, providing a good basis for further expansion.

Lead contamination prompts US candy recall

An Oregon chocolate manufacturer has recalled batches of organic confectionery after fears that the products could contain high levels of lead.

Emulsifiers vital for chocolate coating, says Palsgaard

Palsgaard, which has launched a range of ingredients designed to ensure the stable production of low-fat and cost-effective ice cream coatings, explains why emulsifiers are so important.

Which? lampoons junk food ad ban

British consumer watchdog Which? has branded the new junk food advertising ban a "sham", saying broadcasting regulator Ofcom wasted its opportunity to veto food industry commercials that target young children.

Scharffen Berger taps premium chocolate demand

A San Francisco-based confectioner is tapping demand for premium chocolate through careful attention to the entire chocolate-making process.

Wrigley unwraps record first quarter sales

Wrigley has earned a first quarter record $1.08 billion on the back of a 13 per cent sales increase and a 23 per cent increase in worldwide shipping.

ADM plans new cocoa plant

Agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is to build a new US cocoa processing facility in a move designed to meet growing demand for its cocoa ingredients.

UK food sector welcomes new health approach

The UK food industry has welcomed a new government campaign designed to encourage healthy changes in lifestyle.

Nestlé outperforms in Q1

Swiss food giant Nestlé has announced a first-quarter sales rise of 14.1 per cent to CHF22.8bn (€14.5bn), beating analyst expectations and reconfirming its full-year target of a five to six per cent growth rate.

Sudzucker faces tough 2006, say analysts

Sugar giant Sudzucker must work hard to guard against falling revenue this year despite internal restructuring programmes and expansion into other food sectors, warn analysts.

Obesity confirmed as major cause of rising diabetes epidemic

US researchers examining the dramatic rise in people suffering form diabetes have confirmed that obesity is a major factor in the disease. They warn that measures must be taken to prevent obesity in order to halt the growing diabetes epidemic.

Hershey suffers flat sales

Iconic chocolate and snacks brand Hershey has announced disappointing sales figures, but posted a seven per cent rise in quarterly profit as the company works on product innovation and cost minimisation.

Machine firm targets confectionery product innovation

A range of special decorating heads has been re-launched to help confectionery manufacturers keep up with the impressive number of new products hitting the market.

Bosch goes local in China

A new Bosch plant in China is slated to become the German packaging group's Asian headquarters, offering local confectionery makers better prices over imported machines.

Kraft's tax rebate strengthens finances

Kraft Foods has recorded stable first quarter results, masking falling operating income with a favourable tax settlement and raising prices to combat spiralling production costs.

Mobile fridge keeps cool during transport

A mobile fridge allows companies to ensure an unbroken cold chain along the supply chain to a product's final delivery point.

Cargill joins cocoa industry in fighting child labour

Food giant Cargill has committed itself to improving cocoa growing and production practices, including the eradication of child labour.

Italian chocolate sector in a sticky mess, says lawyer

Chocolate lovers are probably blissfully unaware of the intrigue and intricacies currently afflicting the Italian chocolate sector, says advocate Daniele Pisanello.

Barry Callebaut looks to tap Russian choc market

Barry Callebaut has begun construction of a new state-of-the-art chocolate factory in Russia, which should help the chocolate giant better target the central and eastern European market.

High sugar prices favour corn-based sweeteners

China's production of starch-based sweeteners is expected to grow by 20 per cent in the coming year, as high sugar prices make them more competitive.

French scientists recognised for pioneering cocoa studies

A French chocolate industry body has recognised CIRAD for its pioneering work within the cocoa commodity chain and its groundbreaking research into cocoa.

Investors buy APV Baker

A pair of British investors has bought APV Baker from a plant software firm.

Organic chocolate taps growing ethical consumerism

A US firm has launched an organic fair trade chocolate range designed to tap the growing demand for environmentally conscious food.

Easter sales to drive UK chocolate sector

The British Retail Consortium predicts that £5 billion is likely to be spent in the week running up to Easter, with chocolate suppliers set to do very well.

Cadbury sells popcorn business

Leading confectioner and drinks company Cadbury Schweppes has announced plans to sell its UK-based popcorn and toffee divisions, as the company sets about tweaking its extensive global portfolio.

Seasonal sales boost US gourmet choc market

Seasonal Easter sales helped sell more than a quarter of America's gourmet chocolate last year, and during the next four years will help drive overall sales to nearly $1.8 billion, according to a new report.

Export prices for food stagnate, indicating tough times ahead

Weak and stagnating prices for food, agricultural raw materials and manufactured goods in 2005 could mean further bad news for exporters this year, according to a World Trade Organisation report.

Food products: new uses for traditional ingredients

A number of new products are targeted to bring an unusual end to this year's month of fasting - from 'ancient' chocolate to beetroot-flavoured coffee and vinegar-based alcoholic drinks.

Revised credit rating underlines Nestlé's strength

Standard & Poor's has revised its Nestle outlook from negative to stable though it warns that its ratings could be lowered in the future.

Roller mill cuts egg yolks down to size

A new roller mill on the market can reduce frozen egg yolks or other friable foods to a uniform diced particle size.

Barry Callebaut results affected by late Easter

Barry Callebaut has attributed a decline in sales volume to a late Easter and a discontinuation of unprofitable contracts in the consumer business.

Consumer survey reveals support for 'fat tax'

The majority of American consumers would support a 'fat tax,' or a tax placed on unhealthy processed foods, if the revenues were used to make healthier food less expensive, according to a new survey.

Wrigley identifies key factors behind growth

Wrigley used this week's annual meeting of shareholders to highlight the key areas that it thinks will fuel future growth.

Pot filler speeds up changeover time, claims manufacturer

A high speed filling, pot sealing and over capping machine allows processors to make quick changeovers to different food products, its UK manufacturer claims.

Sweetener preference based on lack of bitterness, says study

The most important factor in determining what kind of sweeteners people prefer is the level of bitterness of the compound, according to a new study on taste perception.

Vending industry defends its role in tackling obesity

The vending industry must stop being used as a scapegoat if answers to the obesity crisis are to be found, claims EVA.

New emuslifier targets confectionery applications

A new emulsifier blend based on a mix of sucrose esters has been launched with the UK confectionery market in mind.

China may trade palm oil futures

Dalian Commodity Exchange, China's largest futures exchange by volume, is considering introducing palm oil futures, allowing food processors to hedge risks on the increasingly used ingredient.

Food Design vows to remove trans fats

A leading UK sugar confectioner has announced that the company will be removing hydrogenated fats from all its products as of 1 May 2006.

Cargill involved in major Middle East sugar project

Construction of a million-tonne state-of-the-art sugar refinery in Syria is set to begin next week.

UK confectionery market outlook 'positive'

The UK is unlikely to lose its place as one of the world's major consumers of confectionery despite coming under increasing pressure as a relatively `unhealthy' food.

New sucralose source 'unlikely' to infringe on patents

Although it has not seen the fine detail, elements of Pharmed Medicare (PM)'s new sucralose process are unlikely to infringe upon Tate & Lyle's patent suite, according to Goldman Sachs.

Demand grows for CoffeeBerry concentrate

Increasing industry awareness of VDF Futureceuticals' CoffeeBerry concentrate is growing, as producers are advised to up production to cope with expected demand.

US sugar industry wins round against Splenda

A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by McNeil Nutritionals, the marketer of Splenda, against the Sugar Association, accusing it of false advertising.

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