Kraft Foods announced plans to significantly increase the whole grain content in its leading Nabisco cracker brands, more than doubling the amount of whole grain currently used across the Nabisco portfolio. Over the next three years, some of America’s favorite cracker brands, including Wheat Thins, Honey Maid, Premium and Ritz will include more whole grain. By 2013, the company expects Nabisco crackers will contribute more than 9 billion servings of whole grain to American diets each year.”Nine... ...Read more »

Neither major political party has a policy on something that affects every Australian, every day – food and groceries, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) said today.Highlighting that Australia’s $100 billion food and grocery industry is four times larger than the automotive sector and employs 315,000 people including more than 150,000 in regional Australia, AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said there’s been no focus on this vital industry during the 2010 election campaign. “It’s... ...Read more »

Shares in UK-listed stevia producer PureCircle soured yesterday (27 July) after the business warned profits in 2010 would be lower than a year earlier. PureCircle’s stock was down 16.2% to 229.5p at 09:59 BST this morning in the wake of the company’s profit warning. The company said profits would be “held back” by “significantly increased investment” in production, sales and marketing. The group said it was also running under capacity. “PureCircle’s... ...Read more »

Spanish food group SOS Corporacion Alimentaria has struck a distribution deal for its Bertolli olive oil brand in Japan.SOS said yesterday that importer Japan Europe Trading Co. (JET) would handle Bertolli to strengthen the brand’s presence in the retail and foodservice channels. “JET is an importer of high-end Italian brands, recognised by the trade and by the Japanese consumer,” SOS said. “Supporting that distribution, JET participates in activities to promote Mediterranean... ...Read more »

Kraft brings back the iconic ‘Happy Little Vegemites’ ad to the TV screen, using a reworked version of the original tune and visuals, as part of a new campaign to promote the typically Australian breakfast spread Vegemite. The new television commercial, which launched yesterday, combines the original 1956 version of the jingle and 1980s-colour rendition of the ad with a more modern version of the well-recognised and well-loved tune. The advertising agency behind the campaign, JWT, also... ...Read more »

Kirin Holdings has cut its sales and profits forecast for the first half of 2010. Kirin expects net sales to be JPY43bn (US$492m) for the six months to the end of June, 14% lower than previously predicted, the Japanese drinks giant said today (26 July). It added that net profits are expected to be JPY26bn, 7% lower than its earlier forecast, with operating profits set to be 14% lower at JPY29bn. “The revision is due to smaller dividend income from affiliates than initially forecast,”... ...Read more »

A new Bill was introduced into Parliament today, affecting Victoria’s liquor licensing system. Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson said the Bill, which is part of Brumby Labor Government’s continued reform of the Victorian liquor sector, will encourage a more responsible drinking culture and ease the burden on low-risk businesses. Mr Robinson said the Liquor Control Reform (Amendment) Bill 2010 made a number of changes to the liquor licensing system, including: • Extending the... ...Read more »

A recent study from New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has found no health or food safety concerns in chemical residues in fresh, unwashed produce. The study, part of this year’s Food Residue Surveillance Programme (FRSP), which targets locally-produced and imported crops prone to exceeding the maximum residue limit (MRL) for agricultural chemicals, looked at bananas, bok choi (also know as pak choi), broccoli, cucumbers, grapes, nectarines, oranges and wheat. NZFSA principal adviser for... ...Read more »

This week Dr Stuart Andrews, Associate Professor at the University of South Australia (UniSA) was announced as the winner of this year’s Keith Farrer Award of Merit, awarded by the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST). Dr Andrews’ contribution to the Australian food industry, food science community, academic community and the AIFST is prolific and is well deserving of the award. Some of his career highlights include: During the 1980s he was instrumental to the development... ...Read more »

Coles retail sales growth in the fourth quarter has once more topped Woolworths. Total Coles’ food and liquor sales for the fourth quarter were $5.9 billion, up 4.2 per cent, with comparable food and liquor store sales growth of 4.2 per cent. Total Coles’ food and liquor sales for the financial year were $23.6 billion, up 5.6 per cent on the prior corresponding period, with comparable food and liquor store sales growth of 5.0 per cent. Coles Managing Director, Ian McLeod, said a positive... ...Read more »