New sensory research commissioned by speciality ingredients
manufacturer Nutrinova has shown that the sweetening system used in
hot tea and coffee can influence the overall taste profile of the
drink.
Danish ingredients company Danisco will expand its flavour creation
centres in the Netherlands and Belgium as part of the restructuring
of its flavour research and development facilities.
Forberg International has upgraded its range of laboratory machines
with the launch of four new models aimed at research and
development of food applications.
French powdered milk manufacturer Ingredia is about to implement a
Connoisseur process control system from Invensys in an effort to
improve production quality and efficiency.
Ahold has sold its Jamin confectionery retail unit via an MBO as
part of its strategic recovery plan. And UK press reports suggest
it is also considering offloading the US Foodservice arm at the
centre of a €750m fraud investigation.
Soluble fibre, the rising star of the ingredients world, has
traditionally been found and consumed in solid foods such as
cereals, vegetables and fruits. A new generation of soluble fibres
- formulated by a number of ingredients...
A major advertising and sponsorship package for the Penguin range
of biscuits, including a TV ad for the new Chukka sub-brand, kicked
off this week in the UK. The campaign is one of the largest ever
undertaken by brand owner McVities.
Confectionery and biscuit manufacturer Swiss Delice is planning to
expand into the UK this Autumn. The Swiss-based firm believes that
the UK market presents a major opportunity.
Allied Bakeries has reached an agreement with industrial equipment
supplier APV Baker to cover equipment service and maintenance for
more than 50 key processing units in five plants.
Inspection systems manufacturer Lock has added to its metal
detector series by launching the Compact Vertical Fall, which is
said to be 25 per cent smaller than the previously available
standard systems.
A rich hue combined with a bland flavour profile is the latest
caramel colour from US company Sethness. The colour is soluble in
salt solutions of up to 20 per cent saline concentration.
BakeMark International, an international provider of bakery
ingredients and supplies, is boosting its capabilities in fats for
the Eastern European market.
Sidel will showcase a PET blowing system at the forthcoming NPE in
Chicago, US that is said to be the fastest machinery of its kind -
beating two previous records.
Tisma, the US packaging equipment provider, has launched the TC 400
series of vertical cartoners, said to be capable of reaching speeds
of up to 750 cartons per minute.
One of Europe's leading suppliers of plastic packaging, Superfos,
has redesigned its hot and cold filled food container in an effort
to harmonise shelf displays and increase warehouse utilisation.
The European Commission has announced the permanent withdrawal of
the confectionery additive konjac (E425). The move comes after
fears that the additive can potentially cause fatal choking.
Spanish confectionery group Chupa Chups has announced a 17 per cent
drop in sales for 2002 - a decline which has forced it to close
most of its foreign production units.
Despite strong sales in confectionery speciality fats, Danish
Aarhus Oliefabrik on Wednesday reported a drop in post-tax profits
to DKK 19.4 million (€2.61m) for the first quarter of 2003.
Vietnam's burgeoning cocoa industry received a significant boost
last week after the US government confirmed it would provide $4
million (€3.4m) in development aid.
In the US, the American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC) is up
in arms this week claiming that new definitions for dietary fibre
compiled by Food Nutrition Board (FNB) are totally inadequate.
The goal of genuine global free trade in sugar is only possible
through the World Trade Organisation (WTO), said a US sugar
industry expert before a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee
yesterday.
Exceptionally hot weather in the last week before Easter meant that
like-for-like sales at UK confectionery maker and retailer
Thorntons dropped by 7 per cent.
Dutch-based international food ingredients company CSM has reached
an agreement with Unilever on the acquisition of its bakery
ingredients business in Hungary.
Following a proposal from the European Commission to allow the use
of two new intense sweeteners the European Competitiveness Council
gave the all clear on Monday.
Vietnam is halfway through its target of planting 500 hectares of
cocoa this year. The country, famed for its quality coffee
production, wants to become less reliant on one single cash crop.
Developed for Pati Prestige, French Group Mecaplastic has launched
a new packaging concept for ultra fresh traditional pastry under
modified atmosphere.
Cadbury Schweppes has hit out at critics of its Get Active
programme. But, market analysts Datamonitor ask, is this agressive
tactic the right way to head off criticism of the scheme?
The US arm of confectioner Perfetti Van Melle has launched new
packaging for its Mentos mints product. The company believes that
its new Mentos Box will offer the consumer better value and will be
easier to use.
Ingredients developer zuChem this week announced that it has raised
a considerable chunk of capital in order to develop new methods to
manufacture alternative sweeteners.
Kellogg's Real Fruit Winders are to be put to the test in a new web
poll of young consumers. This is the latest in a series of online
initiatives to promote new confectionery.
