Pietro Ferrero, the joint chief executive at Italian confectionery giant Ferrero, has died in South Africa, the company has confirmed. Mr Ferrero, 48, was on a business trip in South Africa, a spokesman told just-food yesterday. The exact details of Mr Ferrero’s death are unclear, although the spokesman suggested the company believed the executive became ill while out cycling and fell from his bike. However, the spokesman added: “We don’t know the exact information. The details... ...Read more »

The latest in beer technology was flowing – and free falling – at Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) new zero gravity research facility today.Queensland University of Technology researchers have been testing the effect of zero-gravity on the carbonation and palatability of beer in space, using a microgravity “drop tower”, in an attempt to quench the thirst of the burgeoning space tourism industry. Alongside more serious experiments for NASA and other international... ...Read more »

Cadbury has launched a new marketing campaign for its Favourites line, aimed at encouraging the product’s gift status in between the usual special occasions. The new “What to bring when you’re told not to bring a thing” TV commercial features an Australian family searching for the a gift when faced with a host who says they don’t want anything. In a dream sequence, family members struggle with inappropriate gifts, including a ridiculously large croquembouch, a 30L jelly... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest retailer said yesterday that sales in its Australian Food and Liquor division reached A$9.2bn (US$9.7bn) during the quarter ended 3 April, a 4.6% increase on the year.When adjusted for Easter, which took place during the third quarter of Woolworths’ last fiscal year, sales were up 5.2%. Comparable-store sales were up 3.3% during the quarter, or 3.9% when adjusted for Easter. Woolworths said prices fell 3.6% on average, excluding tobacco, when the effects of promotions... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery council has decried the Federal Government’s proposed carbon tax, saying it will increase the cost of food and grocery manufacturing in Australia. While full details of the carbon tax have not yet been announced, AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said a tax on carbon would be another cost to food and grocery manufacturers who are currently weathering a “perfect storm”. “Industry is under growing pressure from rising input costs across the supply chain,... ...Read more »

Stevia has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity on the global stage over the past four years. A new study by leading food and drink consultancy Zenith International estimates that worldwide sales of stevia reached 3,500 metric tonnes in 2010, a 27% increase on 2009, taking its overall market value to US$285 million. “As rising levels of obesity and diabetes continue to dominate headlines, there has never been so much emphasis on reducing our caloric intake as well as consuming healthier foods... ...Read more »

The McCain School Veggie Patches program will officially open for registrations on 27 April 2011 for the second consecutive year, McCain Foods Australia and New Zealand announced today. Launched in May 2010, the McCain School Veggie Patches program helps primary school children learn about the origin and benefits of vegetables by planting and growing vegetables in their own school yard. McCain described the first year of the program as “a huge success”, with more than 2,700 schools taking... ...Read more »

Nestlé today announced that it had signed a partnership agreement taking a 60% stake in the Chinese food company Yinlu Foods Group (Yinlu), subject to regulatory approval in China. Other details of the transaction, including the acquisition price, are undisclosed. Family-owned Yinlu is a well established household brand in China and a significant marketer for ready-to-drink peanut milk and ready-to-eat canned rice porridge. Nestlé said the agreement builds on an already successful partnership between... ...Read more »

Exercise can increase some people’s desire to eat high-fat, sugary foods such as doughnuts and prevent them from achieving weight loss goals, a new study shows. Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Associate Professor Neil King, from the Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), said exercise caused an increased wanting for fatty, sweet foods in some overweight and obese people. Professor King, a behavioural scientist, said his previous research, published in 2008, had shown the... ...Read more »

Kraft Foods has launched a project to drive sales of its “entreprenuerial” or ‘ghost’ brands – smaller products than its “power” brands like Cadbury – but lines from which the US food giant wants to drive growth. The company has developed “Operation Spark”, a project to “stimulate the capabilities” of brands like Athenos Greek yoghurt, Stove Top stuffing and Breakstone’s cottage cheese and sour cream, a spokesperson told... ...Read more »