Sustainability
School milk subsidy to stay
Government officials have decided the school milk subsidy is to remain. The news follows a recent economic report that the subsidy should be scrapped, which could have saved the nation £1.5 million. The UK government has supplemented the EU subsidy on school milk since 2001, and Sustainable Food and Farming Minister Lord Bach has announced […]
Kraft to cut 8,000 jobs
Kraft Foods is broadening its ongoing Sustainable Growth Plan, resulting in the loss of an additional 8,000 jobs, approximately 8% of the workforce. The cost-reduction plan was initiated in 2004 with the closure of 19 plants and the loss of 5,500 jobs. The new cuts should add $2.5bn in pre-tax costs to the original, bringing […]
Rare cheese in E. coli alert
A rare cheese was withdrawn from sale when environmental health experts identified unacceptable levels of the bacteria E. coli. The Italian cheese known as Taleggio, is only available in the UK from specialists IJ Mellis Cheesemongers. The company has three shops and a wholesaler’s in Edinburgh and one shop in Glasgow. Environmental health officers taking […]
Lack of trust puts consumers off functional food
A new report from independent market analyst Datamonitor reveals that sales of functional foods have rocketed across Europe, and were worth £4 billion last year. But many consumers are still deterred from buying these expensive products because they simply do not trust the makers. In the UK, where sales reached £419 million in 2004, over […]
Coca-Cola goes green
The Coca-Cola Company has released its third annual report on the environment detailing gains in water, packaging and energy efficiency. The 2004 study details progress in company and bottler operations that improved water use ratios, increased energy efficiency and improved recycling efforts. “This report shows that we are serious about our commitment to the environment, […]
Robust performance despite challenging environment
Northern Foods latest trading results show year-on-year sales growth of approximately 3.4 per cent. Despite a challenging trading environment and significant inflation in input costs, performance across ambient and frozen businesses remains robust. Pat O’Driscoll, chief executive, said,“As has been well documented, the trading environment remains tough and we will need to recover further input […]
Farms get safety codes, and soaring costs
The fertiliser sector has been working closely with counter terrorism to ensure products are made, transported and stored to the highest safety standards. Guidance leaflets have been produced and codes for on-farm storage promoted. Work is also well advanced to provide an assurance scheme for fertiliser from production plant to field. But it’s not only […]
Uniq CEO plans reorganisation
Geoff Eaton, the new chief executive of Uniq plc, has announced a programme of initatives for the convenience food group, in the face of a challenging trading environment. A major reorganisation of the UK division sees the creation of six, entrepreneurially-led, customer focused business units – three desserts businesses, sandwiches and dips, prepared salads, and […]
Walkers closes one plant and opens another
PepsiCo is closing the Walkers crisps factory in Swansea after 50 years at the south Wales site, which was formerly owned by Smiths Crisps. It has also announced a new factory to open at Skelmersdale, Lancashire in March 2006. All 250 workers will lose their jobs in Swansea, but will be offered alternative posts at […]
Global growth for Kerry Group
Sales revenue has risen to £2,117 million according to Kerry Foods’ latest half yearly statement despite surging energy costs. The report, which showed an increase of 8.3%, also reveals a 6.2% rise in trading profit to £160 million. Kerry Group chief executive, Hugh Friel, said,“In a highly competitive trading environment, the group performed well in […]
Tough trading but Nestle nurtures newcomers
This year’s trading has proven a challenge for Nestle, although its first half report for 2005 showed strong organic growth of 5.2%. Meanwhile, sales in Swiss francs increased 2.4 per cent despite negative impacts of currencies of -1.8 and divestitures of -1.0%. Consolidated sales grew to CHF 43,474 million, an increase of 2.4% over the […]