In the December 2011 issue of Food Technology magazine, published by the US-based Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), contributing Editor A. Elizabeth Sloan writes about the latest whole grain trends in food: 1.     Food marketing claims relating to the benefits of whole grains are now the most sought after health claims on food packages, followed by claims about dietary fiber, according to the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) 2011 U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends report. 2.      The number... ...Read more »

Scientists from two Australian universities in collaboration with an international academic have discovered ancient wild cereal genes that could potentially allow less water to be used in conventional crops. In a report published in the ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’ today, University of Queensland’s Professor Robert Henry said there were global implications for the discovery. Professor Henry said that wild rice plants in hotter and drier parts of Australia tend to be more... ...Read more »

Japan’s government has imposed a ban on shipments of rice produced in certain parts of Fukushima after high levels of radioactive caesium were detected. The announcement was made by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura, who said restrictions had been imposed on the shipment of rice produced in 2011 in former Oguni-mura in Fukushima City, where radiation leaks occurred after the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Mr Fujimura said that the Japanese government had asked the Governor of Fukushima... ...Read more »

Scientists from the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG) have produced rice with high enough iron levels to meet daily recommended requirements for iron intake. The ACPFG claims the fortified rice provides an inexpensive and sustainable solution to the micronutrient malnutrition problems that currently plague people in developing countries. Scientists based at the Universities of Adelaide, Melbourne and South Australia, and Flinders University, genetically modified rice to increase... ...Read more »

Australia’s huge agricultural commodity producers and price-watchers place much emphasis on long-term weather forecasting. Recent market predictions might be further impacted by recent predictions for an unusual La Niña-dominated wet weather pattern in eastern Australia for the Australian summer at the end of calendar 2011. La Niña to return? The latest data from Ocean Pacific weather predictors envisage La Niña conditions returning again to Australia for the second year running. The La Niña... ...Read more »

US spice maker McCormick & Co. is to set up a joint venture in India with local food company Kohinoor Foods.The deal, which remains subject to regulatory approval in India, will see McCormick take an 85% interest in the Kohinoor Speciality Foods India venture. Kohinoor Foods will own the other 15%. The new company will have annual sales of around US$85m and sell Kohinoor branded food products in India. The Kohinoor brand holds over 15% of the basmati rice category in India. The namesake Indian... ...Read more »

Ebro Foods has seen its bid to buy Ricegrowers fall through, after the Spanish food maker failed to win over enough of the company’s investors. The results of a vote of Ricegrowers’ investors showed that Ebro had not secured the backing of both types of the Australian firm’s shareholders for its A$600m takeover offer. Ebro needed the support of 75% of both Ricegrowers’ Class A and Class B shareholders. However, although 76% of Class B investors accepted the offer, only 67%... ...Read more »

Consulting firm DMR Corporate has defended its claim that Ricegrowers is undervalued by as much as $100 million, after criticism from the rice processor’s chairman. Ricegrowers shareholders are set to vote on a takeover offer from Spanish group Ebro Foods at the end of the month.DMR Corporate, which “specialises in securities and business valuations”, made its claim when asked by the largest shareholder in the rice firm, which trades as SunRice, to value the company. The DMR report,... ...Read more »

By:  | 9 May 2011 Decrease font size Increase font size Comment on this article Email this to a friend Print this page Share this article Spanish food group SOS has confirmed today (9 May) that it plans to change its name following the sale of its rice division to Ebro Foods. A spokesperson told just-food today that the company will look to get shareholder approval to change the name to Deoleo at its general meeting on 9 June. She said that following the sale of rice brand SOS, it wants to change... ...Read more »

Ricegrowers Ltd has released a scheme booklet for its shareholders, with the board unanimously recommending that they vote in favour of a takeover by Ebro at a shareholder meeting at the end of this month. The booklet includes the results of an independent expert report by Lonergan Edwards & Associates, which, based primarily on share value considerations, concludes that  “the Scheme is fair and reasonable and in the best interests of both the A and B Class shareholders in SunRice in the absence... ...Read more »