Some of the most well-known restaurant chains on the UK high street have agreed to work with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to put healthy eating firmly on the menu for their customers.PizzaExpress, Pizza Hut, The Restaurant Group, Tragus and Domino’s have all agreed to provide commitments, which will focus on the range of healthier options available to their customers. The companies together operate more than 2,000 restaurants and takeaway outlets across the UK. Although the commitments are... ...Read more »

Butchers have reported a rise in sales in April compared to March, although results were mixed in comparison to last year. The Millward Brown monthly survey of Australian butchers suggested the stimulus package and a trend toward eating at home provided a boost to butchers last month. In April, 46% of respondents reported ‘very good to excellent’ beef sales, up from 44% in March, but below responses in April 2008 (52%). For lamb, 43% of butchers surveyed noted that sales were ‘very... ...Read more »

The dairy market remains cautious as the global recession continues to weigh on consumer demand, the world’s largest dairy exporter has advised. The May trading event for Fonterra’s internet-based sales platform, globalDairyTrade, concluded at this morning, with prices mixed within recent trading ranges. The trading manager, CRA International, advised Fonterra that the average price achieved across all products and contract periods for Whole Milk Powder (WMP) was US$2,144 per tonne FAS... ...Read more »

Economic conditions remain less than ideal for restaurant launches but this hasn’t stopped a number of new offerings entering the market this year. Openings of hyped restaurants like Nuevo 37, MoMo and Rockpool Bar & Grill highlight that many are still prepared to take a chance on the Australian consumer, despite a 12% fall in industry profits last year. Another newcomer to the dining scene is Embrasse, a restaurant opened by Nicolas & Tara Poelaert, who were determined not to let economic... ...Read more »

The soft drink sector in the UK has shown resilience to the recession, with a marginal 1.1% decline in volumes last year as convenience, health and value trends ensure strong demand.Carbonates continued to claim the largest share, according to the research from Zenith International, increasing to 42.7% of volume. Still drinks also advanced their share to 8.5%, while dilutables in ready to drink form dipped slightly to 23.4%. Steeper declines were recorded by bottled water and juice/nectars, their... ...Read more »

The world’s leading wine and spirits brands have grown in value over the past 12 months as consumers search for the safety of respected brands. Intangible Business, a brand valuation consultancy, released its annual league table of the world’s most powerful wine and spirits brands overnight, with Smirnoff coming out on top. The Power 100, now in its fourth year, was compiled from analysis of over 10,000 brands. It combines each brand’s financial contribution with consumer brand... ...Read more »

PepsiCo announced overnight that it would sue Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) and some of its directors. The news comes in the wake of PBG, Pepsi’s largest bottler, declining a takeover proposal from PepsiCo. The suit alleges that the defendants intentionally failed to provide notice of a recent PBG Board meeting to the PBG directors affiliated with PepsiCo. At that meeting, the directors in attendance claim to have adopted a “poison pill”, implemented certain new executive compensation... ...Read more »

Parliament will resume earlier than usual today as the Federal Government endeavours to push through their controversial alcopops tax. The tax on ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages has been collected for over a year despite legislation approving the tax hike failing to get Senate approval. Earlier this year it was voted down by the Coalition and Family First Senator Steve Fielding with the Government forced to introduce new legislation in a bid to get it passed. It appears a forlorn hope that the... ...Read more »

Leading representatives from the European food chain and the European Commission have joined forces to launch the European Food Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Round Table. “There is only one planet. We must use our resources wisely, also for the sake of consumers and businesses,” Jean Martin, President of the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA), said at the launch. “It is imperative to develop sound methodologies to fight consumer confusion.” The... ...Read more »

As private label continues to take share away from national brands, a Nielsen analyst has identified a number of simple ways for manufacturers to limit the private label threat. Tom Pirovano, Director of Industry Insights at Nielsen, notes that differentiation is the key, with ten ideas to take on generic brands: 1. Health claims – Look for claims you can make about your product. If it is natural let customers know, if it’s a good source of antioxidants let people know, but make sure... ...Read more »