As Arla Foods drives ahead with plans to bolster its operations in whey and finished dairy products, the group says its latest acquisition highlights wider interest in the markets of Western and central Europe... Read

Tackling the growing issue of portion size for final products, much work has been achieved in the confectionery sector to satisfy consumer demand and promote choice, says industry association... Read

Consumer watchdog Which? has renewed its calls for food manufacturers and retailers to do more to address sugar, salt and fat content and take a consistent, industry-wide approach to labelling to help people make healthily choices... Read

Efforts by the confectionery industry to slash Easter egg packaging are paying off, engendering cost benefits and distribution improvements for manufacturers and retailers, says the UK's government-funded WRAP... Read

Inspired by The Economist's 'burgernomics' Big Mac index, French market analysts Gira Conseil have launched the 'buttered-ham sandwich' index, to compare prices of the country's enduring ham and butter sandwich, and in this challenging economic climate, to obtain a strong understanding of buying power in France... Read

A patent-pending production process employing nanotechnology is allowing omega-3s into shelf-stable beverages such as juices and waters for the first time, according to biotech firm, Virun... Read

Food and beverage production machinery and packaging equipment manufacturers are modestly optimistic about the outlook for 2009, despite the current econmic slump... Read

Changing global consumer habits during the current economic downturn appear to be contributing to strong interest in products offering brain health function, says one phospholid supplier... Read

Gelling of milk proteins using the food-approved enzyme rennet can produce microcapsules capable of encapsulating healthy ingredients like probiotics, says a new study from Germany... Read

UK chocolate company Cadbury will launch two Bournville variants to retailers from this month - Cadbury Bournville Old Jamaica and Cadbury Bournville Orange. Both are available in 180g bars which retail at £1.65... Read

Dr Pepper Snapple has released an all-natural version of its iced tea which uses high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) instead of sugar, but has denied that it was driven by trends for natural ingredients or any consumer choice to avoid HFCS... Read

Atlanta, Georgia-based Coca-Cola has tabled an offer for a minority stake in stalling UK smoothie maker, Innocent, according to press reports... Read

Danisco has named Stephane Constant as the new executive vice president to head up its sweeteners division. Constant will drive the overall strategy for the operating unit... Read

Quaker Oats fully embraces the health and wellness message behind its hallmark ingredient - wholegrain oats - re-positioning all of its products under one umbrella for the first time in its 130 year history... Read