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Associated British Foods (ABF) has warned that a damaged UK sugar beet crop could slow growth this year, after reporting group revenue up 10% in the 16 weeks to 8 January. (Bakeryinfo.co.uk) The company’s interim management statement showed sugar revenues 7% ahead of last year, with higher sugar prices in all regions, which would be ued to recover higher wheat costs. However, ABF warned that while UK sugar beet yields were in line with expectations,... read more →

Finsbury Foods is disputing recovery costs after its Memory Lane cakes were recalled from supermarket shelves during the egg dioxin scare. (Bakeryinfo.co.uk) It said the fact that there was no public health risk had led its insurer to challenge recovery of any associated withdrawal costs. “We are currently in discussions with the insurer, retailers and the egg supplier to resolve the issue.” Rebecca Tinham, head of dispute resolution at Vertex... read more →

The UK will have a tense wait to find out if its team will progress to the Bakery World Cup 2012 as a wild card, after narrowly missing a guaranteed slot at the European heat this week. (Bakeryinfo.co.uk) The UK was named as the ‘contender’ team from Western Europe in the Louis Lesaffre Cup European selection round, held at the Sirha exhibition in Lyon. The team – captain, Mickael Jahan (Viennese Pastry category), Wayne Caddy (Bread), and... read more →

Implementing lean practices established at Greencore across Northern Foods sites could generate additional cost savings that have “not yet been fully quantified” were the two to merge, Greencore has argued. (foodmanufacturing.co.UK) The firm, which is currently mulling over its options in the wake of Ranjit Boparan’s 73p-a-share cash offer for Northern Foods, is required by law to spell out how getting into bed with Northern could deliver annual... read more →

The new owner of specialist cheese maker Cornish Country Larder (CCL) has pledged to invest in the business to meet growing demand for British soft cheeses. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Milk Link, which snapped up CCL for an undisclosed sum this week, told FoodManufacture.co.uk that it would look to develop and expand the firm’s production capability and product range. CCL, which makes Bries and Camemberts plus the Gevrik (soft goat’s cheese)... read more →

Zetar is evaluating a number of small acquisitions in the UK in a bid to grow its snacks and confectionery empire. (Foodmanuafcturing.co.uk) The firm, which operates seven factories making chocolates, sweets, dried fruits, nuts and seeds in the UK and Ireland, was launched on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in January 2005 with a mission to build a pan-European confectionery and snacks business. While it has been focusing on organic growth over... read more →

The firm behind a new breed of microscopic salt crystals that is helping manufacturers slash sodium and retain their clean-labels has branched out into the retail market with the development of a consumer product called Solti. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) The product should launch in Tesco, Asda and Waitrose “in the next month or so”, revealed Nottingham-based firm Eminate, which has patented the technology behind it. Eminate’s chief technical... read more →

Former RF Brookes innovation director Alex Simmons is working with Chaucer Foods on a range of novel healthy snacks from freeze-dried smoothie slices to freeze-dried yogurts, following the successful launch of a new range of fruit crisps under the new O! so natural brand in Asda. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Simmons is now in talks with several other supermarkets and caterers interested in stocking his fruit crisps, which are manufactured under licence by... read more →