World: East Asians drink less beverages than people from elsewhere, finds study
Data on beverage intakes in 187 countries reveal diversity in existing intakes and trends in global consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juices and milk. A research team led by scientists from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University reported in PLOS ONE that the consumption of all three types of beverages was lowest in East Asia...
Americas: More consumers are shunning soda in diet, finds report
Consumers in the US are more likely to say they actively try to avoid including soda or pop in their diet than 14 other foods, including sugar and fat, finds Gallup. At least six in 10 US adults say they are trying to steer clear of these drinks, regardless of whether they are diet or regular. They are most likely to...
Americas: SunOpta buys Cananda’s Niagara Natural Fruit Snack
SunOpta has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Niagara Natural Fruit Snack Company Inc. (Niagara Natural) for US$6.7 million on a debt free basis. Niagara Natural is a growing and innovative manufacturer of healthy non-genetically modified organism and organic fruit snacks, enhancing SunOpta's existing healthy snack platform and focus on integrated consumer products. With the acquisition, SunOpta extends...
Asia Pacific: Korea’s Sunkist smoothies packed in cartons with fruit bits
Korean producer Haitai Beverage launches two Sunkist brand premium smoothies in the aseptic carton pack combiblocMini 200 ml using the drinksplus technology. Part of the ‘My Real Smoothie’ range, the drinks are available in apple/mango with apple bits, and strawberry with peach bits. The pieces of fruit give the smoothies texture and authenticity, and offer an unusual drinking experience, says SIG...
World: Nestlé nods study on child labor in cocoa-growing communities
Nestlé will use study findings by the University of Tulane survey on child labor in cocoa-growing communities in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana to reinforce its efforts to eliminate child labor in its cocoa supply chain. While the survey shows that some progress has been made in tackling the issue, the company says it is clear that it remains a massive...
Asia Pacific: Multi-Color Corp buys Malaysia’s Super Label Group
Multi-Color Corporation (MCC) has bought 90% controlling interest in Malaysia-listed Super Enterprise Holdings Berhad (Super Label). MCC will acquire the minority interest and subsequently delist Super Label. Super Label has operations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and China. It has revenues of about US$36 million for the year ended March 2015. MCC plans to continue to focus on Super Label's core markets of...
Americas: Serve the booming solo eaters market, says analyst
Single-person households in the US are 38 million strong and growing, which have an impact on snacking in terms of eating behaviors, packaging, and marketing, according to NPD’s recently released Snacking in America report. It finds the growth in snack foods being consumed at meal time are largely driven by people who are eating those meals by themselves. In 2014 annual...
Americas: Amcor Rigid Plastics merges two plants in US
Amcor Rigid Plastics will consolidate its Des Plaines manufacturing facility into its Itasca plant, Illinois, US via a phased consolidation that is planned over the next 12 months to ensure there will be no service disruptions to customers. Des Plaines employees and equipment will be relocated to nearby Itasca during the consolidation. With respect to their current positions, Itasca employees will...
Europe: Japan’s Nissha Printing buys metallized paper company
H.I.G. Europe, the European arm of global private equity firm H.I.G. Capital, has completed the sale of its portfolio company AR Metallizing (ARM) to Japan-listed Nissha Printing. ARM manufactures metallized paper for use in the food, beverage and consumer packaging goods industries. The company has three manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Italy and the US. H.I.G. acquired ARM in September 2012 and shortly...
Americas: Quaker Oats releases Girls Scout Cookies-inspired granola bars
The Quaker Oats Company is combining flavors inspired by Girl Scout Cookies in its product range to create Quaker Chewy Girl Scouts Granola Bars. The bars combine eight grams of whole grains with two flavor offerings based on the famous cookies and are topped off with chocolaty drizzle - Girl Scouts Thin Mints made with real chocolate chips and mint...