A bitter row has broken out in the UK over new EU regulations
regarding the recycling of packaging. Local authorities believe
that industry should pay for the necessary upgrade of facilities,
while packaging companies believe that...
Organisers of the international food fair Salima 2004 claim that
exhibitor numbers are up on for the bi-annual event, to be held in
Brno, southern Moravia, from 2-5 March
Countdown to the integration of 10 new member states in Europe this
April begins under the aegis of the Irish presidency. For
manufacturers, a clear understanding of the marketplace in these
countries will be vital to pitching the...
Rexam, the UK-based global consumer packaging company, has
confirmedthe acquisition from Dutch group Hunan of all of the
shares in Poland Glassworks Holding, the holding company of Polish
glassworks, Polglass.
East European consumers are enjoying an ever wider choice of soft
drinks as markets open up and purchasing power increases. And
growth in the market shows no sign of slowing, as popular local
brands continue to hold their own against...
A brewer in Sweden is facing the GM debate head on. The company
claims to have launched the first food product to use genetic
modification as a marketing tool.
The growth in sales of exported Plzensky Prazdroj beer in 2003 has
meant that the group is in a good position as the Czech Republic
readies for EU accession in May. The accession will give the
company a better position in the European...
Scottish & Newcastle has confirmed that it will launch two of
its existing beer brands on to the Russian beer market this year in
an effort to tap in on the premium market.
European companies and researchers should share the profits made on
products using exotic plants such as ginseng and green tea with the
countries of origin, urges a European Commission communication
issued on Friday.
Tetra Pak has been a pioneering force in the central and eastern
European food and beverage packaging sector. However, with
accession just around the corner a series of new challenges are
about to present themselves. We spoke to a...
The European Commission has welcomed the agreement reached by the
European Parliament and Council conciliation committee to increase
the minimum recycling targets for packaging waste from 25 to 55 per
cent by 2008. The agreement overcomes...
The European Commission this week gave the green light to
salatrims, a type of reduced-calorie fats, for use as novel food
ingredients following an application by ingredients giant Danisco.
The long-awaited approval opens the way...
Hard negotiations followed by new European rules put to bed
long-standing disputes over labelling issues that hung over
chocolate manufacturers. As more European manufacturers turn to
vegetable fats, the challenge is on for ingredients...
Controversial changes over two years ago to Europe's chocolate
rules - that had cocoa puritans and producers up in arms - came
into force in the summer, providing ingredients companies with a
raft of new opportunities.
Holland Sweetener company, DSM's joint venture with Japan-based
company Tosoh has finally launched its high intensity sweetener
Twinsweet on to the European market after years of waiting for
approval from Brussels.
As a raft of new food legislation, notably the labelling of food
allergens and genetically modified organisms, enters into force in
Europe, food manufacturers cannot afford to be less than au
fait with the new rules. Under the umbrella...
European research into the potential carcinogen acrylamide has
received a massive injection of cash to boost the biggest
international project to date on toxic substances formed when food
is heated.
Measures to soften the impact of poor cereal harvests in Europe and
boost the grain market were introduced by Europe's agriculture
commissioner this week.
The European Parliament has cleared amendments to the sweetener
directive, but only after setting up a trail of conditions -
including a closer monitoring of new sweeteners.
The European Parliament has cleared amendments to the sweetener
directive, but only after setting up a trail of conditions
including a closer monitoring of new sweeteners.
With EU wine harvests likely to be much lower this year than in
recent times as a result of the summer heat wave, most producing
countries have increased the basic price for wine to compensate for
lower volumes. But not Spain - leaving...
German confectionery and bakery producers have strongly criticised
the current EU system designed to keep sugar prices artificially
high, arguing that it makes European companies uncompetitive when
it comes to exports.
The European Commission yesterday slammed a €138.4 million fine on
four sorbate companies that supply the dairy industry after being
accused of operating a cartel in the 1990s.
The European Commission yesterday slammed a €138.4 million fine on
four sorbate companies, supplying the beverage industry, accused of
operating a cartel in the 1990s.
Are winegrowers in the Rheinland-Pfalz region of Germany receiving
illegal payments to help them consolidate the industry there? The
European Commission clearly thinks so, as it has begun a formal
investigation of the payments.
The European Commission has given clearance under merger
regulations to the proposed acquisition of French aluminium
producer Pechiney by Alcan of Canada.
The draconian measures introduced to reduce the use of one-way
packaging in Germany could still incur the wrath of the European
Commission, despite concessions by Berlin.
Premium beers are driving growth in western and eastern Europe, but
they are by no means the only products faring well in the highly
fragmented market, claims a new report from Canadean.
Cargill Incorporated is to acquire European industrial chocolate
company OCG Cacao as its first significant investment into
chocolate manufacturing in Europe.
Despite the failure of Cancun, it still seems likely that Europe's
sugar regime will be overhauled. Europe's farm commissioner said
that the continuation of the EU's heavily subsidy sugar industry is
simply unviable.
Poland's accession to the EU in May next year will give a major
boost to beer and carbonate sales, a new report from Canadean
predicts. But these sectors are already showing double-digit
increases, helped by low prices and per...
Herbal product manufacturers and kava suppliers are to stage a
lobbying campaign to try to force kava, a herb taken to combat
stress, back onto the shelves of European pharmacies.
Imminent reforms to the EU sugar regime could slice millions off
the sugar profits for Associated British Foods (ABF), the owner of
British Sugar, and Danisco.
Strong volume growth helped by bottled water acquisitions and
double-digit increases in EBITDA and net profits helped by tough
cost control marked the first half at Coca-Cola HBC.
The European Commission has announced a new set of measures to
limit the presence of the mycotoxin 'patulin' in fruit juices,
particularly apple juice, and other foods containing or derived
from apples.
The UK's FSA has published guidance notes to accompany the new
cocoa and chocolate product regulations in an effort to achieve a
'more consistent application and enforcement of the regulations'.
The European Commission on Friday approved plans by US company
Archer Daniels Midland to purchase food giant Unilever's edible oil
refining subsidiary VDBO.
Germany could face legal action from the European Commission over
its controversial new can recycling system. Brewers and retailers
oppose the scheme, but the EC is more concerned about the way it
has been implemented.
Scottish & Newcastle's strategy of expanding its European
business at the same time as selling off its UK pub arm is making
it an attractive takeover target for a number of the world's
biggest brewers, claim market analysts...
Mounting animosity to mandatory deposits for non-refillable drinks
containers has been highlighted by criticsm from Europen, the
European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment, in an
address to the European Commission and...
The thorny issue of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy
does not only affect the EU's farmers, it is also of vital
importance to the food and drink industry supplied by them. Which
is why the CIAA, which represents food...
Danish ingredients company Danisco will expand its flavour creation
centres in the Netherlands and Belgium as part of the restructuring
of its flavour research and development facilities.
BakeMark International, an international provider of bakery
ingredients and supplies, is boosting its capabilities in fats for
the Eastern European market.
