Bright Food Group is looking to engage the CSR Board in discussions this week about their non-binding takeover offer. Shanghai-based Bright made public a $1.5 billion offer for the sugar business of CSR a week ago, but Australia’s largest sugar player has so far insisted that their demerger plans remain a more suitable option. “CSR remains focused on maximising shareholder value. Its preferred option continues to be to progress the demerger proposal of its Sugar and Renewable business... ...Read more »

The world’s largest confectioner, Mars, has announced what it believes is an industry-first in the UK with a 15% reduction of saturated fat in their core products. “Mars Chocolate UK has today announced a first for the confectionery industry with a significant reduction in saturated fat across a number of its core chocolate bars. This announcement is the result of 5 years of development, an investment of 10m Euros and a commitment of over 40,000 R&D man hours,” they said in... ...Read more »

Pro-Visual Publishing is encouraging members of the restaurant and catering industry who did not receive their copy of the 2009/10 edition of Restaurant and Catering Australia’s Guide to Food Safety and Hygiene to get in touch with them to receive the free chart. This year’s Guide, which was sent out to coincide with November’s Australian Food Safety Week, explores correct and appropriate procedures that assist in good workplace hygiene and food safety. It also delves into the topic... ...Read more »

Price-fixing scandals in the food industry are seemingly popping up all across Europe with Germany’s competition authority the latest to issue an investigation into alleged price-fixing amongst food manufacturers and retailers. Metro, Edeka, and Rewe have admitted to being among 11 German retailers raided by the German Federal Cartel Office and police in the price-fixing probe, according to Bloomberg. Federal Cartel Office employees, together dozens of police officers, have searched the premises... ...Read more »

Global agribusiness firm Viterra has announced the appointment of Rob Gordon to the role of President South-East Asia and Senior Vice-President. “Mr Gordon will work with the management team to successfully integrate and enhance the company’s Australian and New Zealand operations to achieve higher performance and optimal operating efficiencies, with a focus on superior service to growers and customers,” the company advised in a statement. Viterra added that the former boss of Dairy... ...Read more »

The dairy sector is set to go through a period of rapid changes in the next decade, according to Dutch dairy co-operative FrieslandCampina, with milk set to become one of the world’s most valuable foods. Under the slogan milk2020, FrieslandCampina CEO Cees ‘t Hart has shared his thoughts on the future of dairy in 2020 with an audience of over 700 young FrieslandCampina dairy farmers during the first FrieslandCampina youth day. “Doing so provides us with both inspiration and building... ...Read more »

Victoria’s Agriculture Minister Joe Helper today announced the reinstatement of the Goulburn Valley as Queensland fruit fly (QFF) free, nine months after its discovery.”QFF was found in Shepparton in early April 2009 and the successful eradication of QFF in the Goulburn Valley is a great relief for local industry,” Mr Helper said. “Fruit production is a mainstay of the local economy and the presence of fruit fly in the area adds significant costs to industry in relation to... ...Read more »

Against the background of growing health consciousness among consumers, the demand for foods that support and enhance health is continuing on an upward trajectory. This is evident from the growing uptake of natural and safe alternatives such as functional foods and beverages and dietary supplements, all of which form an integral part of the nutraceuticals space. Consumers are displaying a preference for convenience food with palpable benefits. Responding to this trend, the food industry has been... ...Read more »

Wine firm Constellation Brands has announced the completion of the sale of its Gaymer Cider Company business to C&C Group PLC of Dublin. The ASX and NYSE-listed company sold their UK cider business for a purchase price of £45 million (A$80m). “The company expects to use the proceeds from the sale to reduce borrowings,” they said in a statement a week after reporting a four per cent drop in third quarter sales.  Read More →

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) is investigating a number of companies in the flour industry over suspected involvement in a cartel. The agency said it drew up several reports against a number of companies suspected as having concluded cartel agreements at the end of 2009 after a “thorough” investigation. Similar investigations have also been carried out in other countries, including Germany, Italy and Belgium, the authority said. “The companies in question still have... ...Read more »