Europe: Arla Foods to buy Swedish cheese company
Arla Foods plans to acquire cheese company Falbygdens Ost from Atria Scandinavia. Arla Foods says the acquisition is in line with Arla’s strategy to drive its premium cheese segment. The acquisition is subject to approval from the Swedish Competition Authority. “Through its acquisition, Arla is further securing that it is adding value to its farmer-owner milk and this it continues to...
Europe: Dairy Crest, UK university partners on food innovation
British dairy company Dairy Crest will be investing £4 million (US$6.44 million) in building a Food Innovation Centre on the Harper Adams University campus. The company's research and development and technical staff will be relocated from the nearby Crudgington site onto the Harper Adams campus from November 2014. Dairy Crest aims to deliver 10% of year-on-year growth through new product development. The...
Europe: Scientists, Danone find effects of probiotics in the gut
Scientists from Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) and Danone Nutricia Research have shown the effect of a fermented milk product containing probiotics on the gut microbiota, using a high resolution bioinformatics tool. The product affected certain gut bacteria without changing the global composition of the microbial community. These findings, published in Scientific Reports on September 11, 2014, open new perspectives...
Asia Pacific: Nutraceuticals vital in preventive healthcare, says Frost & Sullivan
Besides the increasing number of consumers taking a proactive approach towards their health, the prevalence of chronic diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease) has also increased the demand for nutraceuticals, says Frost and Sullivan. Nutraceuticals products can be used across a wide segment of the population, targeting various health conditions and is playing a large role in the ‘wellness’...
World: Symrise opens vanilla plant in Madagascar
Symrise has opened an extraction facility for sustainable vanilla production in Madagascar. The investment at the Benavony site amounted to approximately €3 million (US$3.83 million). With the plant, every step in the processing of vanilla can now be performed locally on the East African island for the first time. The company has been active in Madagascar, where 80% of the world’s vanilla...
Americas: Future of omega-3 market looks bright, Cargill tells FNI
At least 98% of consumers have now heard of omega-3 oils and more are likely to purchase products containing α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 oils, finds Cargill’s Fatitudes research. The study looks at how consumers view omega-3 oils, in particular, could help food and beverage manufacturers develop products with messaging that is meaningful to...
Europe: Barry Callebaut offers four reformulation solutions based on consumer preference
Barry Callebaut is offering reformulation solutions for everyone on all occasions. “By having introduced different variations to the classic formula of chocolate step by step since the ‘90s, Barry Callebaut can present itself today as the market leader in innovation,” Marijke De Brouwer states. “We are leading the way towards chocolate reformulation solutions that fit into the everyday life of...
Americas: Fresh produce packaging company StePac appoints distributor in Chile
StePac has appointed Chile-based packaging company Empack Ltda to market and distribute its packaging brand Xtend in the country. StePac, part of DS Smith Plastics Division, is a provider of modified atmosphere and humidity packaging for fresh produce. Xtend has been designed to improve the quality of produce, reduce wastage, extend shelf-life for ocean freight transportation, extend seasonality and market expansion. Under...
Asia Pacific: Corbion Purac expands distribution network in Indonesia
Corbion Purac has appointed Brenntag Indonesia as its distributor for food ingredients in Indonesia, in addition to its existing local distribution network. Brenntag is a global market leader in chemical distribution with an extensive sales and distribution network across Indonesia. It will help Corbion Purac to continue to serve the Indonesian food industry with innovative solutions that secure food safety, extend...
Americas: Bemis sells global pressure sensitive materials to fund flexible packaging business
Bemis Company has reached an agreement to sell its global pressure sensitive materials business MACtac to Platinum Equity, a California-based private equity firm, for a purchase price of US$170 million. This transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval, is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2014. The company plans to use the proceeds of the...