British cheese tastes have continued to mature during 2007,
particularly for their beloved cheddar, but continental Europeans
remain generally unaware of the product, an industry expert has
said.
The headlines are sensationalist: twenty-four people have died in a
probiotic trial. Therefore, probiotics may be fatal. Throw those
yoghurt shots away!
This week, Friesland Foods appoints a new executive to steer
operations ahead of a possible merger plan, Parmalat sets its
sights at four global banks in a new court case and Dreyer's
recalls some ice cream brands.
The UK dairy industry has leant its support to a new government
initiative to battle obesity, suggesting dairy goods can be a vital
part of a healthy solution to the problem.
Organic milk production in the EU market could become increasingly
constrained during 2008, as rising feed costs are forcing some
farmers to quit the market, says an industry expert.
Reflex Nutrition is on the verge of trialing its whey protein drink
through a mainstream food wholesaler in the UK, which if successful
could be a shot in the arm for further whey products on the market.
This week, Starbucks drops organic milk form its US stores, a
Unilever manager is held at his own plant by angry workers and
Danone teams up with its suppliers to improve operational
efficiency.
Glanbia has entered into negotiations over selling its meat
processing business as it looks to focus on diversifying its
earnings base towards higher-value ingredients and cheese.
Two French dairy managers face suspended prison sentences and €23m
in fines for their alleged role in a Europe-wide scheme to produce
and distribute adulterated butter, the European Anti Fraud Office
(OLAF) has said.
The refusal by regulators to provide a formal definition of the
term 'natural' will ultimately lead to confusion for consumers and
a legal headache for manufacturers.
A leading organic dairy processor in the US has announced a new
research initiative for reducing its carbon footprint, as part of a
new funding program designed to improve efficiency in sustainable
production.
A £70m (€93m) cheese factory construction falters over funding in
the UK, US consumers can now enjoy an ice cream soda on the go, and
butter gets the artistic treatment.
Four cases of listeria contamination in the US are increasingly
thought to have come from a Massachusetts dairy although officials
say they still have not found a source of the bacteria at the
processing plant.
Vivartia is bearing the brunt of a further round of fines imposed
by Greece's competition regulator on a number of the country's
leading dairy processors and retailers for their part in alleged
anti-competitive practices.
Glanbia has received government support to expand its R&D
capabilities in Ireland, as the company moves to step up its focus
on innovation within dairy processing.
This week, Arla Foods re-brands its cheeses in a profitability
drive, Fonterra begins to experience the benefits of higher milk
costs and Parmalat responds to an ongoing Italian antitrust
enquiry.
European Muslims could be about to develop the taste for regional
cheeses like red leicester, lancashire and even the humble
cheddar following the recent entry of UK-based processor Dewlay
into the halal market.
In the latest briefs, Ecolab steps up its presence in diary
hygiene, Graham Packaging targets dairy demand in Turkey, and UK
cheese manufacturers get into the Christmas spirit.
The chairman of New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra says its
farmer shareholders are not in danger of losing their controlling
stake of the company should a proposed restructuring and
public offering go ahead.
Following World AIDS Day, the food industry should reflect on its
own potential to advance the fight against a disease that continues
to sweep a devastating toll.
In the latest news roundup, Naturally Iowa is set to extend its
presence in recyclable dairy packaging, Swedmilk expects further
growth in Macedonia and Wimm-Bill-Dann diversifies its operations
in Canada.
Fonterra, one of the world's largest dairy companies, has become
the latest processor to announce it would measure carbon emissions
across its entire supply chain.
Russian milk production remains well below the country's output
targets for 2007, ensuring continued price hikes for the product on
the back of increasing global demand, according to the US
Department of Agriculture.
France-based Danone has successfully frozen the assets of a number
of enterprises allegedly linked to Chinese joint venture partner
Wahaha, on the back of increasing legal pressure over property
rights in the country.
Dairy co-operative Arla Foods continues to expand beyond its native
European market by stepping up investment in Argentina for
the production of whey powders.
Friesland Foods Domo and Novasep Process aim to accelerate
production times while developing purification technologies and
reducing cost for the functional foods and dairy markets through
their new partnership.
The whey protein industry looks set to profit from the functional
beverage trend as manufacturers say they have seen a surge in
demand for their ingredients.
Unreliable organic supplies are stunting the growth of over half of
US organic food manufacturers, according to a new report by the
nation's industry association.
A new whipping agent from Cognis targets aerated food products, such as mousses and spreads, as need for high volume foods increases in step with foodservice growth.
In this week's news roundup, Parmalat denies another out of court
settlement is on the cards, while dairy groups Dairy Crest and Dean
Foods report mix fortunes in dealing with rising commodity costs.
Production of goat's cheese is off the menu for European dairy
cooperative Campina, as it moves to focus instead on manufacturing
semi-hard varieties of the product made from cow's milk.
Organic produce that is flown into the UK may not be certified as
organic until it meets standards on ethical and fair trade, the
Soil Association proposed today, a decision that has stirred up
fears for the livelihoods of farmers...
A leading Australia-based dairy processor has become the latest
company to incur the wrath of Greenpeace over allegations that it
is using genetically modified (GM) feed in its supply chain.
In this weeks round-up, some of France's leading dairy group's
continue to rack up their prices amidst increasing dairy costs, the
EU stands up for Staffordshire and cheese may be the new rock and
roll.
Wild Flavors will next week expand into new facilities opposite its
current location, a move that reflects the flavor manufacturer's
fast pace of growth.
In this week's round up, Fonterra appoints its latest remuneration
committee, Parmalat keeps gunning for Citibank, and Smucker's makes
Canadian acquisition.
As the yellow fats market competes against products for consumers
aspiring to healthier lifestyles, Mintel has highlighted how
manufacturers of these goods should play up their taste attributes.
Food safety and animal health top the agenda at
today's meeting of EU's agricultural ministers, with
the future of milk, wine and sugar production also up for
discussion.
UK consumers are increasingly patriotic about
their cheese, as regional British varieties of the product are
beginning to outsell continental rivals in the country, according
to new research out today.
It is not so much what is going into products, but the manner in
which they are produced that dominated the
debate at Wild's industry convention in Heidelberg, Germany.
The UK's major supermarkets and dairy processors allegedly cheated
consumers out of £270m (€389m) by colluding to
increase prices for dairy products, the competition
regulator claimed today.
In this week's industry round up, there is acquisition fever afoot
as a number of dairy group's aim to expand globally into emerging
markets, and the environmental danger of cow flatulence is played
down by a US consumer...
New Zealand-based Fonterra claims to have made further steps
towards improved sustainability for dairy production by cutting
another 5 per cent off its energy bill.