There’s no surprise in the results of an analysis by Rabobank of the consumer food economy: people worldwide have abruptly changed their spending patterns and are increasingly looking for bargains and avoiding extravagance. Interestingly, though, Rabobanks, a Dutch agricultural lender, says that even after the recession is over, people might decide to stick with their new frugality. The...
Food Industry Archive
December 2008
China postpones food safety debate — The Chinese legislature will not debate proposed revisions to its food safety laws until early next year, in order to allow more time for evaluation. Melamine contamination and other food safety scandals have led the country to reevaluate its current policies. [Source: AP] Smithfield union certification delayed — The National Labor Relations...
Sara Lee CFO to Step Down In what the company says is “mutual decision” between himself and CEO Brenda Barnes, Theo de Kool, 56, will step down as Sara Lee’s finance chief when the fiscal year ends in June. De Kool has been with the company since 1990, starting as head of finance for a Dutch subsidiary. He become CFO in 2002. Analysts have complained about Sara Lee missing...
Parmalat founder gets 10 years — An Italian court sentenced company founder and CEO Calisto Tanzi to ten years in prison for market-rigging, false accounting and obstructing market oversight. Seven others had been implicated but were acquitted. [Source: The Guardian] InBev okay with ‘Bud’ trademark ruling — Anheuser-Busch Inbev says a recent court ruling denying the...
MillerCoors Decaffeinates Sparks — The brewer’s caffeine/alcohol blend was the target of consumer groups and state attorneys general. Sparks, a malt beverage, will no longer contain caffeine, taurine, guarana or ginsing. [Source: Wall Street Journal] Coke Bottler to Restructure — Coca-Cola Enterprises, the biggest Coke bottler, also boosted its earnings expectations for 2008....
It’s official — stevia is “generally regarded as safe.” Cargill and Merisant both received letters yesterday from the Food and Drug Administration affirming that the companies’ competing stevia-based sweeteners have the agency’s approval. Now we’ll find out if the natural, zero-calorie sweetener can live up to its lavish promises. Stevia has been called...
Pilgrim’s Pride execs resign — Company President and CEO Clint Rivers resigned on Tuesday along with Chief Operating Officer Robert Wright. The company recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. [Source: MarketWatch] General Mills and ConAgra profits drop less than expected — Quarterly profits fell for the rival food companies, but they were still higher for both companies than...
One analyst says that Tyson Foods‘ move to put the whole company up as collateral under new agreements with its creditors is not an unusual one for a company going through a down cycle. But this isn’t just any down cycle. The poultry industry is hurting bad, and the pork and beef businesses aren’t doing all that well either. Nevertheless, Tyson’s reliance on pork and...
Several news organizations reported Tuesday evening that President-elect Barack Obama will nominate former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, a big ethanol supporter, for Secretary of Agriculture. Just three weeks ago, Vilsack, who withdrew early from the Democratic presidential race, told the Des Moines Register that he was not a candidate for the post. The Obama team had not contacted him, he said. In...
PepsiCo to Refrain from Acquisitions — CEO Indra Nooyi said the drinks-and-snacks giant will concentrate on innovation. The company will “significantly” boost its research budget, she said. [Source: Bloomberg] Cadbury Sells off Last of its Beverages Business — The confectioner also said it will maintain its full-year forecast despite the recession. It also named a new...
- QuikTrip Campaign Gets Honest and Scoffs at Obesity Concerns
- No Action from New Cadbury Contestants, But Plenty of Talk
- Anticlimactic End to High Profile Agriprocessors Immigration Raid
- Industry Should Find Alternatives to BPA
- KFC Winning Chicken War Over El Pollo Loco
- Hershey and Ferrero's Cadbury Interest Unlikely to Push Up Kraft Bid
- FDA Accused of Caving to Industry in Oyster Row
- Agriprocessors Verdict, Pending Immigration Charges, and a Bizarre Response
- Burger King Goes Too Far in Price War
- More on Starbucks Barista Discontent over Pushing Via
- Food Companies Cut Down on Ingredients, If Not Sugar or Fat
- Assault on Salt Inspires New Products and Strategies
- Dairy Industry Attacks Sodas to Defend Chocolate Milk
- Dean Foods Accused of Silk Soy Milk 'Bait and Switch'
- Kraft Battle for Cadbury Takeover Just Beginning
- Glenn Beck More Popular Than Ever Despite Boycott
- Meat Industry: Meatless Monday Threatens Our Way of Life
- Food, Soda and Candy Bar Companies Unite to Fight Obesity
- Despite Industry Efforts, 'H1N1' Will Never Replace 'Swine Flu'
- New York City Attacks Sugary Soft Drinks with Ad Campaign
- Industry Should Find Alternatives to BPA
- New 90 Calorie Coke Can is Good Business Strategy, If Nothing Else
- No Industry Enthusiasm for PETA's Vegan Proposal
Subscribe to Food blog comments RSS 
- Is Starbucks Good or Bad for Independent Coffee Shops?
- 'Smart Choices' Label Dumbs Down Nutrition
- Big Brands Warn of Sugar Crisis
- Wal-Mart Regrets Exec's Comments on Health Care for Immigrants
- Nutrition Study Misses the Point of Organic
- Meat Industry: Meatless Monday Threatens Our Way of Life
- New Strategy Against Bottled Water: Satire
- Is John Mackey Clueless About Whole Foods' Customer Base?
Industry Transcripts by Seeking Alpha
- H. J. Heinz Company F2Q10 (Qtr End 10/28/09) Earnings Call Transcript
- Hormel Foods Corporation F4Q09 (Qtr End 25/10/09) Earnings Call Transcript
- Campbell Soup Company F1Q10 (Qtr End 11/01/09) Earnings Call Transcript
- Tyson Foods, Inc. F4Q09 (Qtr End 10/03/09) Earnings Call Transcript
- The J.M. Smucker Company F2Q10 (Qtr End 10/31/09) Earnings Call Transcript
Brought to you by CBS MoneyWatch.com
- Best- and Worst-Paid College Degrees
- 6 Things You Should Never Do on Twitter or Facebook
- How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?
- 6 Big Myths about Gas Mileage
Archives
Recommended Sources
About Food Industry
BNET Food provides daily industry trends and news coverage with insights for managers and executives, focusing on the major companies in the food and beverage sector, from manufacturers to retailers. In addition to detailed company profiles, we bring you industry analysis on new alliances and partnerships, food products, mergers and acquisitions, contamination events, health risks, investments, and a host of other important business issues.