All news articles for December 2012

American Sugar Alliance: ‘The country is swimming in sugar’

American Sugar Alliance: ‘The country is swimming in sugar’

By Elaine WATSON

Sugar prices in the US have fallen more than 40% since last summer and are now at “dangerously low levels for producers who are facing ever-increasing input costs”, according to Jack Roney, an economist with the American Sugar Alliance (ASA).

Ghirardelli faces ‘fake’ white chocolate claims

Ghirardelli faces ‘fake’ white chocolate claims

By Oliver Nieburg

Lindt & Sprüngli's US subsidiary Ghirardelli Chocolate is facing a class action lawsuit over allegations that five of its products purported to contain white chocolate mislead consumers by containing none.

Hershey joins Sustainability Accounting Standards Board

Hershey backs industry-wide sustainability standards

By Kacey Culliney

The Hershey Company has joined the advisory council of a new non-profit organization – the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) - that aims to develop industry-wide standards on sustainability.

Taxing junk food could improve diets, review finds

Taxing junk food could improve diets, review finds

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Taxes on soft drinks and foods high in saturated fat and subsidies for fruits and vegetables could improve diets and overall health, according to a new review from New Zealand researchers.

Vox pop: December 14 EU health claim deadline

December 14 EU health claims deadline

Stakeholder vox pop: December 14 EU health claim deadline

By Shane Starling

With the December 14 enforcement of the EU's article 13 general function health claim list that includes 200+ approved claims and about 1500 rejections just two days away (after a six month lay-period), we polled key players for core reactions.

EU food industry competitiveness ‘lagging behind’: Report

EU food industry competitiveness ‘lagging behind’: Report

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

The European Union’s food industry is lagging behind the rest of the world in terms of competitiveness, according to a new report from FoodDrinkEurope, which outlines priorities for new EU-wide industrial policy.

‘No way back’ from natural colour trend, says Nestlé scientist

‘No way back’ from natural colour trend, says Nestlé scientist

By Caroline Scott-Thomas

The trend toward natural colours for foods, drinks and sweets is here to stay – but raises huge technical challenges, according to Steve Tolliday, principal product technologist at Nestlé’s Product and Technology Centre in York, UK.

United Biscuits sells KP Snacks to Intersnack

Intersnack snaps up KP Snacks for undisclosed sum

By Kacey Culliney

European Intersnack Group has snapped up United Biscuits’ KP Snacks for an undisclosed sum in a move that will enable the UK firm to 'dedicate focus' to its biscuits business, United Biscuits said.

Ajinomoto wins EU chilli extract approval

Ajinomoto wins EU chilli extract approval

By Shane Starling

Japanese supplier Ajinomoto’s chilli extract has won European Union Novel Foods status at various levels in 22 foodstuffs including flavoured waters, meal replacements, baked goods and sugar-free gum.

The Sheffield factory employs 550 staff on brands such as Trebor Mints

Mondelēz International ready for biscuit boom

By Gary Scattergood

Mondelēz International - the new name for the snacking arm of Kraft Foods - is preparing to start biscuit production for the first time at its site in Sheffield.

Foreign firms must take strategic look at entering China

New horizons

Foreign firms must take strategic look at entering China

By RJ Whitehead

The key to winning over Chinese consumers is mastering distribution strategies, according to a new report by Rabobank, which also suggests that the country should be on the radar of European and American processed food companies that are facing flat growth...

Provexis winner criticises EU health claims enforcement

Provexis winner: EU health claims enforcement may dish rotten tomatoes

By Steve Morrison

Steve Morrision was the COO at Provexis when the UK start-up won the EU‘s first ever article 13.5 health claim for its blood circulation-boosting tomato extract called Fruitflow in 2009. The now-consultant has serious qualms about how the EU’s health...