PepsiCo has confirmed that it is aiming to triple its US$10bn revenues from the healthy drink and food market with the launch of several products. PepsiCo chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi revealed the plan in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, published on January 31. The move is part of a strategy to treble the group’s $10bn global healthy food and drinks revenues over a decade, with a focus on its “good for you” ranges. A spokesperson for PepsiCo told just-food: “Right... ...Read more »

A recent report by the French Agency for Food Safety (AFSSA) has suggested that organic foods are more nutritious just a month after a UK report argued there was currently little evidence to indicate that organic food had additional health benefits compared to conventionally produced food. Shane Heaton, Nutritionist for the Biological Farmers of Australia, said the French research was a thorough and critical evaluation of the nutritional quality of organic food, and has found organic foods have higher... ...Read more »

New research from the UK has discovered nearly one in five (19%) shoppers are loyal to organic food and beverages and are maintaining their expenditure despite cost pressures.The research, from grocery industry think-tank IGD, noted that a further 9 per cent plan to buy more organic food when they have a bit more money to spend. However, 10 per cent of shoppers suggest they have found other products that are cheaper but still provide the same perceived benefits. A further 8 per cent are focusing... ...Read more »

Campbell Soup Company has outlined their innovations for the year ahead, including a Chunky line overhaul, while reiterating plans to grow via emerging markets at an investor meeting overnight. Craig Owens, Campbell’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, said the company had managed to successful negotiate the worst recession in the US for decades, while performance remained sound in Asia Pacific – where the Arnott’s brand is a strong performer. “Year... ...Read more »

In a bid to tackle Australia’s obesity crisis, Mars has responded by reducing the size of its popular Mars bar, but without reducing the price. Among a whole line of products also facing reduction in size, the Mars bar will become 11 per cent smaller. Peter West, General Manager for Mars Snackfood Australia said it was a priority at Mars to make products better for consumers. “We also recognise that our consumers have become increasingly concerned about the nutritional content and portion... ...Read more »

No longer merely between-meal or after-school options, snacks have taken centre stage for American consumers. Time-crunched consumers are turning to snacks as meal stand-ins, to fuel hectic lifestyles and stave off energy crashes. With snacks’ growing importance, consumers want big bang for their snacking buck: vivid flavour, quality ingredients and enhanced nutrition, according to the Snack Foods Culinary Trend Mapping Report from the Center for Culinary Development (CCD) and Packaged Facts. “Snacks... ...Read more »

Nestlé’s focus on becoming a health and wellness food group is resonating with consumers, their CEO has told investors at their Annual General Meeting in Switzerland. “The main force behind our performance is our brands,” CEO Paul Bulcke explained. “Their success is increasingly derived from their inherent nutritional credentials. Our Company’s commitment to growing our brands towards consumers is demonstrated by a 7.5% increase in consumer-facing marketing spend in... ...Read more »

The latest research from Mintel finds ready salted potato chips have fallen from the number one slot in chip hungry Britain as cheese & onion appeals more to consumers increasingly keen to branch out on flavour.The market for cheese & onion ‘crisps’ is now worth a £256 million in the UK (A$566m), with sales having increased an impressive 15% in the last two years alone. Valued at £244 million in 2006, ready salted crisps have slipped into second place, despite an increase in... ...Read more »

Capitalising on the success of their snack bars, Australian health food company Slim Secrets is broadening their range of snack products to include potato chips. The launch is indicative of a push from manufacturers to improve the health content of traditional, popular foods as consumers increasingly demand healthier options. Slim Secrets will launch their new products next week in 40g bags, which have only 1.2g of fat and 140 calories. Coming in three flavours – sea salt, salt & vinegar... ...Read more »

Food manufacturer Heinz has consigned the pickle to the annals of food history with the launch of a new label for their iconic Heinz Ketchup. Heinz North America announced the gherkin pickle, which has been featured on labels since the 1890s, is making way for a vine-ripened tomato and a slogan communicating that the tomatoes in Heinz Tomato Ketchup are ‘Grown not made’. “The tomato is what makes Heinz Ketchup so extraordinary and so, with all due respect to the pickle, which has... ...Read more »