The UK’s Food Standards Agency has today published revised, voluntary salt reduction targets for industry to meet by 2012 – offering more challenging targets to the food industry. The revision has been set for 80 categories of foods, to ensure continued momentum in reducing salt levels is maintained by food retailers and manufacturers, the food standards body advised. Around 75% of the salt consumed is already in everyday foods, the FSA said, with the targets being set for foods that... ...Read more »

New research has cast concern over the sodium content of pizzas, with 94% of pizzas sold in Australia reportedly “overloaded with salt”. The pizza with the highest sodium was found by The George Institute to be Pizza Hut’s BBQ Meat Lovers, which – with 13 grams – provided more than double an adult’s recommended daily amount of salt. More than two thirds of takeaway pizzas examined contained double the daily recommended amount of salt for an adult, according to... ...Read more »

The ever lucrative seniors market is growing, presenting food and beverage marketers with a major opportunity. Access to significant liquid capital ensures seniors are likely to ‘upgrade’ and choose premium products, according to research group Datamonitor, particularly amongst ‘empty nesters’ who have no dependent children to support. And, in the non-alcoholic drinks sector, this means opportunities for bottled water, functional products and fruit juice. Consumers over the... ...Read more »

New research carried out with the assistance of supermarket operators has shone a light on the changes the sector has made in the United States in response to a more financially stricken consumer. The 2009 Food Retailing Industry Speaks: Annual State of the Industry Review released by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) found that supermarkets were one of the better performed industry groups last year with sales growth of 5.2% last year. This was, however, offset by a 5.7 per cent rate of inflation. “The... ...Read more »

Parmalat SpA has reported a resilient first quarter result in Australia as growth in the yoghurt and flavoured milk sectors spurred sales. In Australia, the makers of Pauls and Vaalia saw net revenues rise 2.9% to A$183 million dollars, with EBITDA (Earning Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) soaring 31.9%. “In the first three months of 2009, the Australian dairy market enjoyed attractive growth rates, particularly in the yoghurt segment and the flavored milk segment,”... ...Read more »

An Australia-wide drink container deposit system is being considered by the Federal Government, with Family First and the Greens both pushing for legislation similar to that seen in South Australia. The idea involves adding a 10c levy to packaged beverages, which can be recovered by consumers when they recycle it. The leading representative of food and beverage manufacturers, the Australian Food and Grocery Council, is against the push, claiming it could cost Australians almost $500 million a year... ...Read more »

Patties Foods, the Australian makers of Four ‘n Twenty pies, has reported “unforseen delays” in their attempts to find a suitable Chairman following the resignation of Peter Kempen in November last year. Acting Chairman Ernest Barr admitted that the search was taking longer than forecast upon providing an update to the market this morning. “Our Search Consultants, after extensive research, compiled lists of potential candidates in February – March 2009,” he advised.... ...Read more »

Grocery stores have become hunting grounds for healthful, functional foods and beverages that offer distinct wellness advantages beyond basic nutrition, according to a new American report* from Packaged Facts. Consumers are more proactive about their health, spurring 6% growth in the US retail market for functional foods and beverages. “Consumers are reevaluating their health, nutrition, and lifestyle choices adopted years ago. This reevaluation includes considering the role functional foods... ...Read more »

Woolworths is looking for a swift expansion of their Thomas Dux upmarket grocery chain with Wednesday’s purchase of Macro Wholefoods but will the competition regulator block it? A deal was struck by Woolworths with Macro this week which will see the supermarket chain’s Thomas Dux subsidiary takeover eight stores, one development site and Macro’s organic private label brand. The price of the acquisition was not revealed by Woolworths but that hasn’t stopped speculation from... ...Read more »

Coles is looking to mothers to help reinvigorate their relationship with customers. The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that the chain has engaged a panel of over 1000 mothers to test the quality and packaging of their private label goods as well as shelf wobblers and in-store marketing. Coles Marketing Director Joe Blundell, who this week flagged changes to their FlyBuys loyalty program, said the plan was to strengthen ties with customers after years of management placing their main focus on... ...Read more »