Australia’s largest soft drink bottler, Coca-Cola Amatil, has delivered a record first half net profit after tax of $189.8 million as tougher trading conditions fail to quell Australian appetite for soft drinks. The result, a 10.4% increase on last year, was warmly received by the market and Managing Director Terry Davis. “Although CCA has experienced tougher trading conditions, it has delivered another record result,” he noted. “Excellent performances from the Australian... ...Read more »

A Supreme Court decision has found the owner of 26 Coles Express stores guilty of breaching tobacco advertising prohibitions within the NSW Public Health Act. The Chief Health Officer in NSW, Dr Kerry Chant, said NSW Health had prosecuted the retail chain giant for instructing its employees to verbally encourage customers to purchase tobacco products. When a customer requested a single packet of cigarettes, Coles Express employees were reportedly instructed to inform the customer that they could... ...Read more »

HACCP Australia – Australia’s leading food safety accreditation program – has endorsed the Dyson Airblade hand dryer for use in food handling areas, the first hand dryer to receive such recognition. The product was reviewed by Australian food technologists in accordance with HACCP Australia’s Food Safety Certification Programme, with their approval to see the first entry of a hand dryer into food handling areas in Australia. James Dyson, founder of Dyson, said the new product... ...Read more »

William Johnson, President, Chairman and CEO of Heinz, told shareholders last night that the manufacturer was likely to see record results continue in coming years as emerging markets and trends drive sales. The owner of the Watties and ABC brands reported a 9.2% increase in yearly profit in May and the coming year’s growth is not expected to fall too far short of this figure. “Fiscal 2009 continued our streak of superior results under our plan to drive growth and high performance,”... ...Read more »

Ageing Boomers and diverse Gen Yers are finding new ways to fulfill their comfort food cravings, according to the latest Generational Comfort Food Culinary Trend Mapping Report from America. The report, co-published by the Center for Culinary Development (CCD) and Packaged Facts, confirms that consumers are passionate about their comfort foods, many of which stem from childhood favourites. In today’s changing food world, however, these dishes are evolving in sync with new values and lifestyles. “Childhood... ...Read more »

Sara Lee last night posted a 9.8% decline in net sales in the fourth quarter as unfavourable foreign exchange rates and asset sales combined to hurt revenue. Brenda Barnes, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Sara Lee, said their turnaround program was beginning to gain traction despite one of the toughest years on record. “I am pleased to report that we’ve just completed our second consecutive year of strong overall performance, despite tough economic and competitive headwinds,”... ...Read more »

The federal workplace watchdog has launched a prosecution against the operators of a Melbourne food company, alleging they underpaid a delivery truck driver more than $32,000 over several years.The Fair Work Ombudsman is prosecuting Olara Pty Ltd and Exofun Pty Ltd, which have traded as Exclusive Food Houses in Moorabbin and been involved in importing and distributing specialist foods. The Agency is also prosecuting a director of both companies, Harry Friedman of North Caulfield, alleging he was... ...Read more »

Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy exporter, said today it was looking at consolidating its port usage as part of a drive towards greater efficiency in its supply chain for exports out of New Zealand. Fonterra’s General Manager Supply Chain Strategy, Nigel Jones, said the changes were about improving service to Fonterra’s global customers and reducing costs by moving containerised product away from indirect (feeder) services to direct export services. He said the Co-operative had... ...Read more »

The world’s largest food manufacturer has reported organic sales growth of 3.5% in the first half of 2009, although the strength of the Swiss franc and divestitures ensured that sales in their reported currency fell 1.5%. “With 3.5% organic growth and a 30 basis point EBIT margin improvement, Nestlé delivered a combination of growth and increased profitability in the first half of the year, and this in a very challenging business environment,” CEO Paul Bulcke said. Nestlé saw... ...Read more »

Almost a quarter of all grocery sales in Australia are now accounted for by private label goods, the latest research from Nielsen shows. The market researchers discovered that the amount spent by the average Aussie household on store brands reached its highest level ever level in the June quarter – up five per cent on the corresponding period last year, to $172.80. The Nielsen report, ‘Smart shopping in challenging times‘, discovered that the number of households purchasing private... ...Read more »