Chocolate manufacturing giants Mars Incorporated and Barry Callebaut AG yesterday announced a cross-industry partnership to promote the health benefits of cocoa flavanols. Flavanols are a type of flavonoid – chemicals with antioxidant properties, found in green tea, berries, fruits, vegetables and red wine. Cocoa flavanols have been shown to improve blood circulation, protect skin from the effects of UV and potentially improve brain function. The flavonoid group as a whole is also believed... ...Read more »

UK supermarket Sainsbury’s today announced its position as the largest retailer of Fairtrade products in the world, with sales of £218m, up 10% from last year. Sainsbury’s stocks more than 800 different Fairtrade products, including bananas, clothing and Sainsbury’s-brand tea, coffee and sugar. It is estimated that almost a quarter of Britain’s Fairtrade spending is done at Sainsbury’s. In addition to paying a growers a fair price, sales of these products generate an... ...Read more »

FlyBuys, Australia’s largest coalition loyalty program, has reported a surge in new memberships in 2009, mostly among young Australians. Almost 400,000 new cardholders have joined, with an average age of 33 years (12 years younger than the FlyBuys average).  FlyBuys General Manager Phil Hawkins attributed the new interest to the economic downturn, as well as to campaigns such as the Coles’ Giant Gift Card Giveaway and new point-gathering opportunities with Curves and FlyBuys Box Office. “There’s... ...Read more »

In its half-year results, published today, Foster’s Group Limited weathered the economic storm of unfavourable exchange rates and flagging international sales, reporting a net profit of $363 million and earnings per share of 18.8 cents. Overseas, Foster’s was hit hard in the wine market by oversupply and decreased consumption, as well as losing over $80 million on exchange rates alone. “Adjusting for currency the key contributor to the decline in wine earnings was recessionary conditions... ...Read more »

The head of National Foods has admitted the Australian dairy group is still “some distance” off generating “acceptable” returns as the company integrates local firm Dairy Farmers. National Foods managing director Andrew Reeves said the coming together of the two companies during 2009 had created a “leading branded dairy and juice business” – and he insisted the combined group was “well-positioned” to invest in its business. While Reeves said National... ...Read more »

Fonterra has announced a price increase of 20 cents per kilogram (c/kg) of milk solids (i.e. 12c/kg butterfat and 30c/kg of protein) for dairy farmers who supply its manufacturing sites in Victoria and Tasmania.”This increase reflect conditions on global commodity markets, where despite some recent softening in demand, prices continue to be above the US$3,000 per tonne mark,” said Heather Stacy, Fonterra National Milk Services Manager. “We have also seen some modest improvement... ...Read more »

The NSW Government will today host a roundtable discussion on the opportunities and risks for businesses in moving to a low-carbon economy, Minister for State Development Ian Macdonald said. Mr Macdonald said up to 30 people are expecting to attend the round table in Sydney to hear from Dr David Vincent, the UK Carbon Trust’s Director of Projects. “The Carbon Trust, a not-for-profit company set up by the UK government in 2001, is a leader in helping businesses prepare for a low-carbon... ...Read more »

Retailers will continue to face challenges over the next year as consumers return to saving their money, a franchising expert says. Stan Gordon, managing director of Franchised Food Company (FFCo) which owns Cold Rock Ice Creamery, Mr Whippy and Pretzel World, said shoppers had become frugal as a result of the global financial crisis. His comments came as the Cold Rock franchise network reported flat sales for January. “Consumers are being more mindful of the products they buy, even using the... ...Read more »

Winners of the 2010 Product of the Year Awards – an annual consumer survey of product innovation in the FMCG market – have now been announced. Product of the Year is open to all FMCG products launched in Australia over the past 18 months.  Products should demonstrate innovation in one or more areas, including (but not limited to) design, function, marketing and packaging. This year’s winners in the food and Beverage categories are: Alcohol: Baileys with a hint of Coffee Chocolate... ...Read more »

Make It Moroccan (New Holland), the popular Australian cookbook by Hassan M’Souli, has won the prestigious Best In The World Award in the category of ‘African Cuisine’ at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris. The most prestigious awards for cooking titles globally, entries were submitted for consideration in this year’s event from 136 countries. The owner of Manly’s dining hotspot, Out Of Africa – nominated by the Catering Association as a finalist in Sydney’s... ...Read more »