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Commission gives green light for major sugar industry takeover
The European Commission has cleared the acquisition of the world’s largest sugar trader ED&F MAN by Europe’s largest sugar producer Südzucker and said it would raise no competition concerns on one condition.
Eight most innovative Sweets & Snacks: award winners
ConfectioneryNews.com presents a picture roundup of the eight new confectionery and snacks products that bagged innovation awards at the Sweet & Snacks Expo in Chicago last week.
Market for UTZ certified cocoa doubles with Germany leading the way
Twice as much UTZ certified cocoa was sold to producers in 2011 compared to the previous year as demand for sustainable cocoa soared in Germany, according to the recently published UTZ Certified Annual Report 2011.
Zetar’s nuts hit by raw material price inflation
Zetar took a 5% hit in annual group revenue after exiting from low margin core commodity sales, particularly in processed and packed nuts, at the beginning of 2012.
Tamar eyes European market growth after Irish takeover
Tamar Labels said its takeover of self-adhesive label producer Labelit will open up new food and beverage market opportunities in Europe.
EFSA risk assessment of composite foods hazard to pave the way for harmonized EU regs
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has outlined a raft of key factors needed to assess the hazard posed by pathogens in composite foods after Brussels said it needed to develop harmonised risk-based rules for their import into the region.
Comment
Vitafoods: EU nutra space wriggles into new health claims clothes
Vitafoods celebrates its 15th birthday next week. It’ll be my 11th consecutive May visit to Geneva for the jamboree and promises to be one of the most intriguing chapters with the (partial and belated) resolution of years of ambiguity regarding health claims in Europe.
Spotlight
Chewing gum impairs short-term memory, says study
Chewing gum harms short-term memory contrary to previous studies that suggested gum could improve recall, according to researchers.
Blommer predicts looming cocoa supply crisis
Demand for cocoa is expected to climb 30% in the next 10 years creating a 25% shortage of current supply, according to North American cocoa processor and chocolate ingredients supplier Blommer Chocolate Company...
Soaring demand for sustainable cocoa prompts World Bank to invest $55m in cocoa trader
A division of the World Bank has acquired a stake in cocoa trader Armajaro Trading to support sustainable farming practices and improve traceability within its supply chains...
Louis Dreyfus to acquire Imperial Sugar as investors try to block deal
Commodities group Louis Dreyfus has reached an agreement to acquire refined sugar processor Imperial Sugar for around $203m.
Hershey maps cocoa farms in Ghana with GPS as labour group doubts commitments
Chocolate giant Hershey has announced plans to use GPS mapping for cocoa farms in Ghana to help farmers better manage their resources as labour groups continue to doubt the company’s commitments to eradicate the worst forms of cocoa child labour...
Top 9 US chocolate brands – consumer poll
US consumers chose their most popular chocolate brands in a recently published consumer study.
Global Industry News
Wild targets regional tastes with strawberry launchfrom FoodNavigator.com
Manufacturers of fruit gums, milk cream fillings and ice cream can now benefit from a range of natural strawberry flavours that has just been launched by flavours firm Wild in Germany.
Judge denies Hostess’ bid to reject Teamsters contractsfrom FoodNavigator-USA.com
Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain has denied Hostess Brands’ bid to scrap labor contracts for members of its largest union, the Teamsters, in a move that leaves Hostess having to rethink its options for exiting bankruptcy.
FDA reports concerns at Salmonella-linked Indian tuna scrape plant from FoodQualityNews.com
US food safety authorities have voiced concerns over unsanitary conditions at the India-based tuna scrape manufacturing plant at the centre of the Salmonella Bareilly outbreak in the US.
Film extends shelf life through high oxygen protection - ExxonMobilfrom FoodProductionDaily.com
ExxonMobil Chemical has launched a film which it claims will extend product shelf life due to high oxygen protection.