Australian muesli and snack bar manufacturer Carman’s has announced the launch of Muesli Bites, a new portion controlled snack designed for the health conscious. Carman’s Bites, launched nationwide this month, are made from Carman’s gourmet muesli and are free from artificial preservatives, flavours and colours. It strengthens the company’s push into the snack category, following on from the recent release of Carman’s Rounds. The new product comes in two varieties –... ...Read more »

UK supermarkets should pull a range of snack products, including flapjacks, from their shelves in a bid to curb rising obesity, according to the outgoing head of the Food Standards Agency – the British food regulatory agency. Speaking to The Times at the end of her four-year stint as chair of the FSA, Dame Deirdre Hutton pointed the finger at certain snacks on supermarket shelves. “It is my personal view that supermarkets should stop marketing food that is small in size and high in calories.... ...Read more »

A new report has shone the light on the food trends driving industry growth in the coming decade, with “better-for-you” and convenience trends set to gather pace. In its new report, A Look into The Future of Eating, The NPD Group, an American-based market research company, forecasts that “better for you” foods, such as organic and low-calorie foods and beverages, will be among the fastest growing food trends over the next decade. Restaurant meals eaten at home, savoury snacks... ...Read more »

Biosilo Foods, an American company focussed on innovation in the food and beverage industry, has developed a snack called Gamer GrubTM, designed for “hungry gamers” who want to continue playing games while consuming snacks. Released last year, the product is on display at this year’s E3 Expo – world trade show for computer and video games, held this week in Los Angeles. Gamer Grub is designed to give gamers the opportunity to think faster and win more. The company says it... ...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 »

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 »

As food manufacturers around the world step up their focus on producing new products that can cater toward a growing demand for healthy products, an Australian company has become the first to create a fruit snack bar without using puree, juice or additives. Cheeky Chewz has devised a method to produce 100% dried fruit bars that, unlike most bars, are not made from fruit juice or fruit puree. Only the stones/cores of the fruit are removed, with the whole fruit, skin and all, naturally preserved as... ...Read more »

A high profile debate, organised by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the UK Government’s Foresight unit, was held overnight to discuss the role of convenience foods and their impact on obesity. The event brought together senior industry executives and key stakeholders to mark the first anniversary of publication of the Foresight report on obesity. That report is widely credited with having reframed the debate on the causes and management of obesity and for setting out a long-term vision... ...Read more »

PepsiCo, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, has announced a ‘Productivity for Growth Intiative’ expected to provide the company with savings of US$1.2 billion. The expected savings are to be invested in brand building, long-term R&D, innovation and growth initiatives in key markets. Approximately 3,300 jobs will go worldwide as the American company seeks to improve on their third quarter net revenue growth of 11 per cent – which failed to meet... ...Read more »

Kellogg Company, the world’s leading producer of cereal, today announced that it has acquired NSW-based Specialty Cereals Pty Limited – a privately-owned manufacturer of natural ready-to-eat cereals. Founded in 1988, Specialty Cereals markets products under the Vogels, Wild Oats, and Cerevite brands. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but Kellogg reports that the transaction will have no material impact on their 2008 operating profit. David Mackay, President and Chief Executive... ...Read more »