NCFM.tv

Leading maker of bulk chocolate, Barry Callebaut, has bought and exported the cocoa beans it needs to fulfill its processing needs, said a company spokesperson in reaction to the suspension of Ivory Coast exports. (Confectionerynews.com) Raphael Wermuth external communications manager at Barry Callebaut told ConfectioneryNews.com that the company’s two factories in Abidjan and San Pedro are still running. “For the time being our stock levels are sufficient,”... read more →

The deficit in the EU sugar supply could put production at risk for confectioners and other food and drink industry users of the commodity if market intervention does not occur, said Irish trade body FDII, who are calling on the EC to keep out-of-quota sugar within the bloc. (Confectionerynews.com) Thomas Burke, a spokesperson for Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII), told ConfectioneryNews.com that the industry group was not aware of any production... 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 →

The European Confederation of Food and Drink Industries (CIAA) has warned that the European food and drink industry’s competitiveness on the global market is“at risk”, but measures already in place, such as the European Technology Platform (ETP) on Food for Life, hold hope for a coordinated recovery. (Foodnavigator.com) The CIAA said that new and emerging economies such as China, India and Brazil, are seeing growth in exports of value-added... read more →

Food must be a higher priority for decision-makers around the world to ward off disaster in decades to come, concludes a major report from the UK; and new technologies like GM and cloning should not be ruled out but acceptability weighed against the costs of not using them. (Foodnavigator.com) The Foresight Food and Farming Futures report is the culmination of a major project involving 400 experts and stakeholders in 35 countries around the world. Led... read more →