The first food-testing laboratory in China recognised to reach international standards for pesticide screenings, melamine and heavy metal testing and microbiological analyses, was opened last month by Eurofins in Suzhou.
Unilever’s activities in the developing and emerging markets and the US have proved key to growth in Q1, but private label presents a challenge to brands.
Fiscal measures to support the UK food and drink manufacturing industry through the economic downturn as well as stimulus package to help the sector continue to reduce its environmental impact are top of the FDF’s wish list for the impending UK budget.
Pod-to-pallet chocolate maker Barry Callebaut is set to extend B2B operations in Brazil's emerging market, with a new plant in the pipeline, and a distribution deal inked with agro-giant Bunge Alimentos.
Switching Easter egg packaging to a biodegradable plastic made from corn starch could save enough energy to power 350,000 homes, claims a developer of a corn-based plastic.
Mindful of its carbon footprint, Mey Selections is the first consumer goods company in Scotland to gain a carbon reduction label following data-mining efforts to pinpoint carbon emissions along the supply chain for its Scottish shortbread product.
A call to action to the global industry to send examples of sustainable packaging technology from primary, secondary and tertiary packaging to innovative machinery, distribution and IT systems has been initiated by a UK government funded programme.
A project that optimises the use of a single packaging material - corrugated board - and facilitates recycling has been chosen as the winner of SCA Packaging’s ‘Design Challenge’
The political unrest in Madagascar, the world’s leading producer of vanilla, has highlighted the need for ingredients companies to diversify supply and eyes have turned to India as an alternative source.
Efforts by industry to slash Easter egg packaging continue with UK confectioner Thorntons announcing savings of 22 per cent across its core product range.
Slovakian firm Moneta's presented an ecologically clean substitute to cellophane 'with excellent twist characteristics' at last week's ProSweets trade fair in Germany.
Global grain markets are facing breaking point because of drought and mass urbanisation in China which is diverting land-use away from crops, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Leeds.
Russian confectioner Landrin, best known for its chocolate eggs containing children’s toys, is attempting a move into the premium confectionery market for adults.
Food packaging companies must implement sustainable environmental strategies or risk income falls of more than 30 per cent by 2013 and nearly 50 per cent by 2018, warns a new study from the environmental think-tank World Resources Institute and management...
Cadbury has added another string to its eco-friendly bow by introducing a mobile computerised system for its market research data collectors, cutting down on paper and travel while improving efficiency.
The Russian confectionery market, the second largest in the world, will see growth of 14-16 per cent next year, according to chocolate manufacturer Cadbury.
Flavour firm Symrise has added new development labs and a sensory and consumer research centre to its site in Moscow, as it aims to increase understanding of Russian tastes.
China is taking steps to reassure countries that are banning its imports following the melamine crisis with the introduction of new safety levels for food and drink.
Mid-melamine scare, food safety issues are compounded for European confectioners as Europe's alert system flags up a confectionery product for children containing an additive from China that could constitute a choking risk.
Two major confectionery players have this month announced inroads into Russia, demonstrating that cocoa ingredients suppliers and their customers are seeking to spear fresh wins in Russia's emerging, and burgeoning, confectionery market.
A China-based manufacturer of weighing and packaging products is looking for greater collaboration with confectioners and other food manufacturers to establish itself on the European market.
Cargill has started production of two new xanthan gum products out
of its facility in China, after implementing technology transfer
from France and ensuring quality and safety standards meet
requirements.
British chocolatier Montezuma is one of the latest confectionery
companies to promote its green credentials by introducing recycled
and recyclable packaging.
In recent confectionery news, ADM reshuffles its management team,
Hershey launches a new premium line to try and boost its US market
share, and Sweet China reports a quarterly profit loss.
In financial news this week, cocoa prices go up yet again, Cadbury
reveals more de-merger plans, and Sweet China is allowed to return
to the London stock market.
Alfred Ritter is moving production of its chocolate bars out of
Russia and back to Germany to use the same milk materials for
products sold the world over.
Nut manufacturers no longer face Russian import duties; a new gum
product is marketed at overall mouth health; and Hershey appoints a
new executive board.
US ingredients company Cargill today said it will increase cocoa
product operations at the Sao Paulo plant in Brazil, as rising
incomes in the country push up local demand for chocolate.
Barry Callebaut has highlighted Russia as a key target market in
Eastern Europe following the opening yesterday of its new chocolate
factory near Moscow.
Associated British Foods (ABF) has forged an agreement with Chinese
sugar group Hebei Tian Lu, which is expected to revolutionise beet
sugar production technology and boost yields.
An Indian pharmaceutical firm has completed a new sucralose
facility and is ready to begin production of the popular sweetener,
using what it claims to be a non patent-infringing process.
Swiss chocolate maker Barry Callebaut is gearing up for the
chocolate market of the future, with the final go-ahead for its
first production plant in China
China will remove the import duty on Indonesian cocoa from 1
January next year, a move likely to increase demand for the beans
from the world's third biggest producer.
If the Chinese government gives in to mounting international
pressure to revalue its currency, it could spell the end of cheap
exports, a move that many anticipate would have a knock-on effect
on raw materials costs for the food industry....
Sweets such as chocolate and toffees will not be sold in school
canteens throughout Russia from September 1 of this year under a
new initiative announced by the country's chief sanitary doctor,
Gennady Onischenko.
Cargill has taken full control of its xanthan gum joint venture in
China, opening the way for it to take a bigger share of the
competitive gums market.
Sugar prices on China's futures market fell sharply this week as
the government announced that it would auction 552,000 tons, mostly
from its reserve stocks, to stabilise prices.
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.
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.
Food and beverage firms making premium products will cope best with
the current surge in price of both Chinese and imported sugar, with
higher margins to cover the rise in costs.
