Barry Callebaut, a world leading manufacturer of high quality cocoa and chocolate products, has reported the results of a recent study, which reveal the potential mood-elevating effect of cocoa polyphenols. The independent research, conducted by the French ETAP-Applied Ethology, Centre de Recherche en Pharmacologie, Cancérologie & Pathologies Humaines et Nutrition-Santé’ in Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy and published in the international scientific journal Nutritional Neuroscience indicates that... ...Read more »

A. Clouet Pty Ltd is conducting a voluntary recall of the below product because the product contains shrimp paste which is not clearly identified on the label. Any consumers who have purchased this product, and who have a shell fish or crustacean allergy or intolerance, should not consume it but should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers without an allergy or intolerance to shell fish or crustaceans can safely consume these products. Food Product: Curry Sauce Name of Product:... ...Read more »

O4 Corporation, a leading provider of sales force automation software for Consumer Products companies, has reported that demand continues to escalate for technology which allows companies to receive retail store data in minutes instead of hours, days or even weeks. The company has also announced the appointment of Angela Lovegrove as Managing Director for their Asia Pacific operations and Shanker Krishnan as Executive Vice President of Product Development to ensure momentum continues – as sales... ...Read more »

The Australian Banana Growers Council has advised that far north Queensland banana growers have resumed normal supply following the recent torrential monsoon rain and floods that played havoc with the transport of all goods, including bananas, in and out of tropical regions north of Ingham. Australian Banana Growers Council president Nicky Singh said the disruption to banana supplies was relatively short-lived. “The industry is very appreciative of the support it has received from consumers... ...Read more »

Kirin Holdings, Japan’s second largest brewer, and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) have entered into an agreement for Kirin to purchase the 43.3% of San Miguel Brewery, Inc. (SMB), the largest brewer in the Philippines with a reported 95% market share. The investment will significantly contribute to Kirin’s further growth in its alcohol business in Asia and Oceania, the company advised. The move continues Kirin’s push for acquisitions that can increase their sales outside of Japan... ...Read more »

The American Grocery Shopper Study has revealed intriguing insights about the psyche of the grocery customer. The study, which surveyed more than 50,000 US shoppers, revealed key findings in the areas of current and future spending habits, brand preferences, attitudes toward organics and environmental accountability, and a profile of today’s “early adopter” shopper. Consumer Spending and Confidence Some of the top lifestyle changes consumers are making to cope with the current economic... ...Read more »

The world’s largest dairy exporter has been presented with another melamine scare, though unlike the tragic Chinese scandal last year the issue appears to be under control. Fonterra announced on Saturday that one of its suppliers, a German based company called Budenheim, had advised Fonterra that an iron supplement Budenheim supplies to food companies around the world had tested positive for melamine. Fonterra uses very small quantities of the iron supplement in 12 fortified whole milk powder... ...Read more »

The vast majority of licensed food service businesses are at risk of having their liquor license suspended in a week, according to Restaurant & Catering Queensland (RCQ). By the close of business on Thursday 19 February only 12% of current liquor licensees in the food service sector had submitted their license fee to the Queensland Government Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR). Failure to renew the liquor license by 2 March would result in automatic suspension, with businesses found... ...Read more »

The economy is starting to cast a shadow over green living’s glow. According to new consumer research from Mintel, the number of Americans who claim to almost always or regularly buy green products remains unchanged since last year, at 36% – suggesting the “green” trend has begun to stagnate. This lack of growth comes after tripling the previous year (from 12% in 2007 to 36% in 2008, according to Mintel consumer survey data). Marcia Mogelonsky, Ph. D and senior research analyst... ...Read more »

The World Cocoa Foundation overnight announced a new program funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and companies from the chocolate industry to significantly improve the livelihoods of approximately 200,000 cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Liberia. The innovative, five-year West Africa Cocoa Livelihoods Program will focus on enhancing farmer knowledge and competitiveness, improving productivity and quality, promoting crop diversification and improving... ...Read more »