Inflation in India

Rising onion prices often lead to politicians' tears

There’s always a weakness somewhere, and for the Indian government this is often the price of onions. And what must really be worrying the ruling politicians in New Delhi, as the...

Far East M&A

Heinz' China sell-off is company's second loss-making deal in a decade

With reports flooding the wires that Heinz has agreed to sell its Chinese frozen food business, Long Feng Food, to Zhengzhou Sanquan Foods marks the second time in a decade...

Unilever & Nestlé tell Oxfam to bring other stakeholders to food ethics table

Unilever and Nestlé say Oxfam missed an opportunity for a wider and more comprehensive debate about food ethics after the NGO published a damning report on the supply chains of...

Fonterra unveils NZ$100m UHT processing investment

Fonterra will invest more than NZ$100m ($82.4m, €62.8m) in a new ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk and cream processing plant in New Zealand in an attempt to meet growing Asian demand...

BLIS-K12’s oral health benefits get support from 2 clinical trials

Supplements containing the probiotic BLIS K12 ingredient may reduce the reoccurrence of throat infections and tonsillitis by up to 90%, according to data from new clinical trials from Italy.

News in brief

IOF and Fonterra establish Asian bone health research grant

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and Fonterra are backing bone health research with a $44,000 Asia-focused grant open to residents of China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the...

Gulfood 2013 blog

Social media threat behind food packaging growth

Sometimes the most interesting information comes from the most unlikely sources.

Gulfood 2013 blog

Sports legend meets pragmatism as a brand enters India

It is hard for a food industry trade show to pack the same level of glamour as, say, the Tokyo Motor Show, so it’s probably best for organisers not to...

Food for thought

Don’t expect tax and excise sops from Budget 2013

Its that time of the year again. Yes, I know that is a cliche home run to begin with, but then one would find it difficult to describe the excitement...

ABF calls Oxfam food ethics attack ‘ridiculous’

Associated British Foods – worst-in-class in an Oxfam report critical of 10 food giants for essentially operating under a corporate social responsibility (CSR) “veil of secrecy” – has hit back, slamming the...

Gulfood 2013 blog

The next big food gold rush

Teams from both the European and Asian editions of FoodNavigator are on the ground at Gulfood 2013 in Dubai, a food, processing, packaging and ingredients show which, according to its...

Film tipples

Popcorn, spirits and Les Mis: an Oscar-winning combination

With the film awards season now in full flow, an Australian market research company has identified that cinemagoers are more likely to have a tipple than those who stay in...

Dohler expands MENA might with Delta Aromatic acquisition

Already a mainstay in the Middle East ingredients market, Dohler has now announced further expansion in the region following its acquisition of the fruit processing and flavour unit of Delta...

State of the industry

Vital for Indian quick-service chains to develop own infrastructure

The rapid change in India’s food consumption habits has spurred domestic and foreign quick service restaurant (QSR) chains to implement aggressive expansion plans. And according to a new Rabobank report,...

Food for thought

Starbucks still not sure how to go social

In his latest column, Ankush Chibber looks at Starbucks' latest social snafu and wonders why brands don't learn from their mistakes.

Pringles transforming Kellogg into global snack player, CEO says

The Pringles acquisition is helping Kellogg become a global player in snacks, CEO John Bryant said in presentation at the CAGNY meeting recently.

Special edition: Omega-3 (Editor's blog)

How high can high-end omega-3 go?

Just got off the phone to Ola Snove, the new(ish) CEO of Aker part-owned Norwegian omega-3 specialist Epax. Wanted to know his view on high-end omega-3 prospects that have attracted...

DCD concerns: NZ handling of crisis was ‘textbook’ - Rabobank

New Zealand’s handling of concerns surrounding the use of agricultural chemical dicyandiamide (DCD) was “textbook,” a Rabobank analyst has claimed.

Australian advertisers

Doctors hit out at alcohol’s ability to self-regulate

Accusing Australia’s alcohol industry of being incapable of self-regulation, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called on the government to launch an inquiry into alcohol marketing amid what it calls...

Pork imports

Chinese call for additive verification baffles American suppliers

Demands by Chinese quarantine authorities for a new layer of verification to make sure that pork imported from the US is free of a feed additive have baffled analysts and...

Dairy contaminants

Fonterra DCD crisis: No positive tests since November

The Ministry for Primary Industries has released the findings from extensive testing of New Zealand dairy products for dicyandiamide (DCD).

Country of origin

Trans-Tasman food groups at loggerheads over labelling

New Zealand’s commercial fruit and vegetable growers’ association has branded as ridiculous the latest claims by the Australian vegetable industry group, Ausveg, that Kiwi food manufacturers are bombarding their country...

Testing the law

NT container deposit scheme moves to court

Following an ongoing furious stand-off between drinks manufacturers, environmental groups and the local government, the Northern Territory’s opinion-splitting container deposit scheme has now reached the point of litigation.

Could multivitamins boost well-being and energy levels?

Daily consumption of a multivitamin may boost consumers’ perception of mood and energy levels, says a new study from Australia.

Subcontinent tastes

Its not just about the food

In the second article in a new a series examining Indian diets and health, our resident food columnist tells a personal tale of how he has seen his own diet...

Licence raj

Sources suggest Indian sugar deregulation is nearing reality

The fraught issue of government regulation on the Indian sugar industry might be on its way to a solution if a report in the Wall Street Journal is to be...

Nestlé claims chocolate top spot over Meiji in Japan

Nestlé claims it now has the leading chocolate brand in Japan with Kit Kat through multiple innovations and emotion marketing.

UK venture capitalists eye expansion at Israeli antioxidant specialists

Southern Israel-based algae-sourced astanxanthin specialists Algatechnologies has won investment from a UK venture capitalist in a move that will broaden its capacity, R&D and distribution scope for the eye and...

Aussie obesity

New dietary recommendations draw mixed reaction from experts

One of Australia’s leading nutrition bodies has given its resounding approval to the release of the Federal Government’s new Australian Dietary Guidelines, although not all food experts have followed suit...

Food for thought

Aussie producers: like lambs facing a lion

Loyalty. It is the lynchpin of all commercial success. One regular, loyal customer is more valuable to an entrepreneur than 10 new ones.

Editor’s blog

Which 2 global health brands grew by $1bn in 2012?

Something probiotic? Omega-3? A diet cola? Nope. 

Right to reply

Fonterra: Why we need to talk about what's in our food

Last week, we published a critique of Fonterra's actions during the DCD furore, which saw lengthy delays between identifying the presence of minute quantities of the chemical in the company's...

Study ‘leaves little doubt’ about Pycnogenol’s benefits for menopause symptoms

Daily supplements of extracts from the bark of French Maritime Pine may help reduce the symptoms of the menopause like hot flashes and night sweats, says a new study.

Subcontinent tastes

India must accept that traditional foods aren't necessarily the safest

In the first article in a new a series examining Indian diets and health, a British dietitian urges India not to make the same mistakes that were made in her...

dutch brewer will not 'change course' in china

Heineken hints at appetite for non-core European disposals in FY 2012 results call

Heineken said today it is reviewing its non-core European businesses that don’t focus fully on beer, and asking whether its ownership of such assets makes strategic sense.

China’s foodservice packaging market to overtake US

China’s foodservice packaging market will become bigger than that of the US by 2020 at current annual growth rates, according to a report just issued by Smithers Pira.

Fonterra recalls CalciYum kids’ yogurt over ‘choking’ fears

Fonterra Brands Australia is pulling batches of CalciYum yogurt from supermarket shelves across Australia over concerns that the product's “weakened” plastic cap could present a choking hazard.

Straight talk

Inquest into NZ Coke addict deserves more than sensational headlines

The story of the death of a New Zealand woman who would drink between six and 10 litres of Coca-Cola a day needs to be treated with caution as it...

Coke unfazed by recent Chinese sales slump, stretches sparkling lead over PepsiCo

The Coca-Cola Company insists it remains confident in the long-term resilience of its Chinese business, despite a 4% slump in volume sales during the last quarter of 2012.

Food for thought

Watching these ads is a fool's errand

I am going to tell you a story–quite a long one, but one that ties in with one of the most serious breaches of trust we face as consumers. Now...

UAE, Dubai granted dairy export approval – camel milk processor

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Dubai have been granted final approval to become the first Middle Eastern country to export dairy products into the European Union (EU), one of...

Cropping a blow

Wheat the high point of a heat-affected Australian harvest

Heatwave conditions from early January and below average rainfall across Australia’s major agricultural regions have resulted in a less than favourable summer cropping season, according to the Australian Bureau of...

Baby fat

New study gives critical insight on eating during pregnancy

Resisting the urge to eat for two during pregnancy is vital to limit excess weight gain in both women and their babies, according to recent research in New Zealand.

Diageo spirits ABC is advantage over SAB Miller: Analyst suggests

Diageo is in an arguably stronger market position than multinational peer SAB Miller due to its core exposure to spirits rather than beer, according to one City analyst who covers...

Booze woes

Two drinking tales give reasons for India's dampened spirits

The latest financial results by two of India’s spirits giants makes for fascinating reading and gives a real insight to casual observers as to the state of the drinks industry...

GM India

Scientists call for GM halt on third anniversary of brinjal moratorium

Over 150 Indian scientists have united to call public attention to the Ministry of Agriculture, which they believe has been making a political case for genetically modified crops to counter...

Kiwi agri-forecast

Export markets key to strong NZ growth despite current DCD storm

While New Zealand fights to stem the fallout from the damaging Fonterra DCD crisis, a new report by Rabobank has revealed that the country’s strong trade links to countries with...

Soy-based S-equol supplement shows heart health benefits for obese

A newly developed fermented soy germ-based nutritional supplement delivering S-equol may boost heart health by reducing LDL cholesterol in overweight & obese people, says a new study.

Kinki tuna

Guests dine on landmark research at new gourmet restaurant

Western Japan's Kinki University will soon open a restaurant in downtown Osaka specialising in blue-fin tuna and other types of fish that have been artificially raised from eggs at its...

Food for thought

Call it anything but food safety

Apparently, India’s food safety rules and regulations are just as stringent as those in other, more developed countries. And that’s according to a proper source, one who should know his...

Nutrition NGO responds to COI attack: We cannot “continue to exclude business”

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has defended its work with the global food industry, saying it is a vital partner in nutrition-changing efforts in the developing world and...

Global sports nutrition market to top $6 billion by 2018, report says

Revamped, more complete product lines that are connecting with new customers are driving growth in the sports nutrition market, according to a new report.

FSSAI in freefall

Food registration deadline extended once again

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has once again extended the licencing and registration deadline for the country’s food business operators. In an embarrassing move by the...

Indian politics

Ministers meet to speed up agriculture reform

All of India’s state agriculture ministers are currently gathering in Delhi to discuss ways to speed up growth of the food production and processing sector. The meeting will be led...

Straight talk

DCD: Fonterra must learn once is unfortunate, twice is unforgivable

It’s quite remarkable how Fonterra has evolved to become New Zealand’s biggest company given the way the dairy giant seems to struggle to take on board its errors of the...

The world (of Coke and Pepsi) is not enough in emerging markets...

Clinching global culture club membership by swigging Pepsi or Coke is not enough for soft drinks consumers in emerging markets, who are increasingly swayed by regional tastes, according to Euromonitor...

China safety

Duck replaces mutton in latest food-swap scandal

While European supermarkets and fast-food chains have been dealing with the fall-out of horse meat in burgers, a meatpacking factory in north-east China has been found using cheap duck meat...

Ashwagandha ayurvedic herb shows stress-busting potential: Study

Supplements containing extract of the Indian herb Ashwagandha may help manage stress, according to new findings of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Baby powder shortage

Hong Kong takes strong measures as smugglers milk formula supplies

With the Chinese New Year fast approaching Hong Kong is in the midst of formula frenzy, leading authorities to devise new means to safeguard the supply of baby powder to...

Indian politics

President calls for urgent reforms to double food production

India's agriculture sector must be reformed if it is to double food production over the next five years, India’s president has told a conference in Delhi. 

Carlsberg re-enters Burma clutching plans for new 1m hectoliter brewery

Carlsberg today formed a JV with a Burmese brewer to produce and market its brand portfolio, and told BeverageDaily.com the nation offered 'huge growth potential' in an under-penetrated beer category....

Indian obesity

Indian mums: ‘Ghee is good, refined is righteous and butter is better’

An major new survey has uncovered a worrying lack of awareness of diet and eating habits by both children and their parents.