NewsHound
The World Cancer Research Fund's report linking diet to cancer might have been based on good science but there were too many messages for the consumer. Based on a six-year study of a vast range of research into the epidemiology of cancer, the report made ten recommendations on lifestyle and dietary habits that could help reduce the risk of cancers. While it received extensive coverage in the media, the industry feels that publishing so many recommendations about so many foods in one go runs the risk of simply overwhelming the public and therefore failing to produce the desired change in behaviour.
Dairy Crest has reported rising half-year profits after managing to pass on higher dairy costs to its customers. The UK firm, which makes brands including Cathedral City cheese and Utterly Butterly, booked underlying profits of £37.1m (a rise of 21 per cent), for the six months to the end of September.
Gum giant Wrigley has launched an offensive in the UK market with the re-launch of its Airwaves brand. The US-based firm has revamped the brand's packaging and reformulated Airwaves to give it a "long-lasting" flavour.
Fledgling UK confectioner Glisten has snapped up two local savoury snack firms. The company has bolstered its roster with the acquisitions of Snacks Unlimited and The Lindum Snack Company. The deals, for a combined £1.5m come two months after a brace of acquisitions, Dormen Foods and Skinny Candy.
The Competition Commission's preliminary findings into the UK groceries market, released at the end of October, has highlighted lack of competition in a number of areas. The report suggested that whilst the market is delivering a good deal for consumers overall, there is a need to increase competition in a number of local markets, and to address the relationships between retailers and suppliers. For further details click here
Poor crops and rising commodity prices are already having an impact on the some manufacturers, with US giant Sara Lee this week announcing that quarterly profits have fallen by almost 40%.
UK organisation AB Foods reported a profit rise to £613m in the year. The rise was driven mostly by the clothing chain Primark, which is part of the company, and helped offset a poor showing from Kingsmill bread.
