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All news articles > March 2005
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31-Mar-2005
FSANZ tries to please industry and consumers
The Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council met in Adelaide today to discuss the standards and regulations that govern the countries' food industries.
Vietnamese farmers still struggling with bird flu
Bird flu is still not totally under control in Vietnam, according to a report on Xinhuanet on Wednesday stating that a family had been infected in the north of the country.
San Miguel expands beer presence in Thailand
One of Southeast Asia's leading food and beverage companies San Miguel said yesterday that it was planning to establish a presence in Thailand's growing beer market.
Nisshin OilliO increases oil production in China
Japanese vegetable oil producer Nisshin OilliO announced yesterday that it has completed the construction of its factory in the Liao Ning Province of China.
30-Mar-2005
Western food makers source Chinese organic ingredients
Food makers sourcing organic ingredients from the West are gradually turning to China as the ambitious country makes strides in organic production, reports Lindsey Partos.
29-Mar-2005
New golden rice has 20 times more beta-carotene
UK scientists have developed a new genetically modified strain of golden rice that is said to produce 23 times more beta-carotene than the previous variety, reports Dominique Patton.
Indonesia slaughters flocks as bird flu spreads
Chicken breeders in Indonesia are being forced to slaughter their stocks as they fight to prevent the spread of bird flu throughout the country - a battle which they currently appear to be losing.
Taiwanese group aims for juice dominance
Uni-President Enterprises, Taiwan's biggest food company, has taken a 5 per cent stake in China's largest fruit juice producer, a clear sign that the mainland holds considerable attraction for the ambitious Taiwanese firm.
China leading Scotch growth in Asia
China entered the top 20 markets for Scotch whisky for the first time in 2004, accounting for an increasingly large chunk of sales in the Asian region. And with per capita consumption still relatively low, China could prove to be a major market for Scotland's distillers in the future, writes Chris Jones.
New Zealand pushes plastic pallet concept
An innovative new plastic layered packaging system that includes plastic pallets has been developed in New Zealand.
23-Mar-2005
China - land of retail opportunity
China's fast-growing retail sector could offer a golden opportunity for western companies - but only those that understand the challenges faced in catering to the Chinese consumer.
Rebuffed Roquefort set for Australian re-release
Australian and New Zealand food safety regulators have backed a proposal to reintroduce one of France's most famous exports, Roquefort cheese, ten years after it was initially banned, Tom Armitage reports.
Unilever seeks approval for ice structuring protein
The food code in Australia is under review as food maker Unilever Australia calls for approval of an ice structuring protein (ISP) used to make ice cream and edible ices.
Korea begins Sudan 1 search
South Korea's Food and Drug Administration has begun inspecting outlets of fast food restaurant operators after the Chinese operation of KFC admitted that it had discovered traces of the banned food dye, Sudan 1. The threat of a massive region-wide recall is becoming increasingly possible.
21-Mar-2005
Texturant unit at Degussa spears China as new facility opens up
Despite the shadow of an impending sale, German hydrocolloid supplier Degussa is moving up a gear in the burgeoning Chinese market, opening a new production unit to ramp up supplies to the area, writes Lindsey Partos.
18-Mar-2005
Milk formula scare shakes up Chinese market
The future of the milk formula market in China lies with better product quality and greater brand loyalty following the revelation last year that much of the formula on sale there was fake. The move towards higher margin products is likely to prove lucrative for both domestic and foreign players alike, writes Chris Jones.
Indonesia isolates bird flu as Vietnam struggles
Officials in Indonesia say they have isolated poultry from West Java and South Sulawesi in a bid to prevent the spread of bird flu to other parts of the country. But Vietnam appears to be finding it harder to contain the disease, with more human carriers being discovered this week.
Sudan 1 found in Chinese KFC
The banned food colouring Sudan 1, a carcinogen, has been discovered in batches of roast chicken wings and chicken burgers on sale at KFC fast food outlets in China. KFC is the second US-based company in China to fall foul of the food scare following revelations earlier this month that Heinz products were also found to contain the illegal colouring.
16-Mar-2005
Chinese rejecting GM technology, claims Greenpeace
As Chinese consumers become more aware of genetically modified (GM) food, rejection of the technology is also growing in China, according to Greenpeace.
Danisco ramps up xylitol production in China, new deal
Danisco protects market position in Asia, completing a joint venture deal in China to ramp up production of its xylitol sweetenener, writes Lindsey Partos.
Enzymotec targets Asia functional oils market
Enzymotec, the Israeli company which develops lipid-based ingredients for the nutraceuticals and functional foods markets, is hoping to take advantage of a perceived demand for healthy cooking oils in the Asia Pacific region.
San Miguel rumours mount over NZ dairy acquisition
Asian drinks conglomerate San Miguel (SMC), currently embroiled in a bidding war with New Zealand dairy co-operative Fonterra for Australia's National Foods, is being lined-up as a potential buyer for New Zealand Dairy Foods, Tom Armitage reports.
Cabbage cure for bird flu?
Researchers in South Korea claim that the country's spicy fermented cabbage dish, kimchi, could help to cure bird flu, the avian disease which has ravaged poultry stocks across Asia and killed nearly 50 humans since 2003.
Australia, Europe claim victory in GI case
A dispute between Australia and the EU over the protection of food products carrying a specific geographic indication has ended with the Antipodeans claiming victory following a ruling by the World Trade Organisation. But with the Europeans also claiming that the WTO supports their case, has anything really been resolved, asks Chris Jones.
EU food safety structure a barrier to trade?
With food safety a major priority in Europe, some third countries are concerned that issues like organic, dioxin and GM foods could become barriers to trade, according to CORDIS.
14-Mar-2005
Campina joins forces with Vinamilk
Vinamilk, the state-owned Vietnamese dairy group, is to form a joint venture with Dutch counterpart Campina which will see the latter group step up its investments in an Asia region turning increasingly to dairy products, writes Chris Jones.
Chinese firms to appeal US anti-dumping ruling
Thirty-two Chinese companies are to appeal against a ruling by the US Department of Commerce which found them guilty of dumping large quantities of shrimps onto the US market and imposed punitive import duties.
Chinese food market to reach number two global position by 2020
Food makers and their suppliers will be wise to continue their drive into Asian markets, with a new report revealing the region will grow to achieve a 41 per cent slice of the global food retail market in 2020, a leap from 33 per cent in 2003, writes Lindsey Partos.
Malaysian firm gets taste for Japanese biscuits
A Malaysian firm selling Japanese biscuits has said that it is considering establishing its own production facility in Malaysia should initial sales of its products prove attractive to Malaysian biscuit eaters.
11-Mar-2005
Australia to assess herbal ingredients and claims
Herbal medicines on the Australian market may need to be reformulated after the government's decision this week to back a wave of expert recommendations to tighten scrutiny of the complementary medicines sector.
10-Mar-2005
Friesland Foods expands Indonesian ingredients business
Friesland Foods, the Dutch dairy group, is to expand its ingredients operations in Indonesia through the acquisition of a number of assets from a local rival - a move that will allow the group to grow its business there at a fraction of the current cost, reports Chris Jones.
Indofood hit by currency devaluation
Indofood, Indonesia's biggest food company, has reported 2004 profits severely hit by the devaluation of the rupiah, but remains hopeful of an upturn in 2005 following efforts to reduce its exposure to exchange rates and the spin off of one of its subsidiaries, writes Chris Jones.
Price rises attracting investors to China
China is becoming an increasingly potent force in the worlds food market, with sales continuing to grow each year in line with substantial gains in consumer spending power, writes Chris Jones.
Southcorp proposes Foster's wine merger
Southcorp, the Australian winery being stalked by compatriot Foster's, has made a bold suggestion to its would-be acquirer - a merger with the Mildara Blass wine division which would create the country's biggest wine group. But with such a deal undervaluing Foster's wine unit, the proposal has been met with scepticism, writes Chris Jones.
07-Mar-2005
Sudan 1 recall spreads to China
Vulnerabilities in the food chain through globalisation evident as the sudan 1 food recall, that has racked the UK food industry in recent weeks, spread to China with reports that international food maker Heinz has called back chilli sauces and chilli oils that may contain the harmful, and illegal, red dye.
Danone to double Chinese dairy stake
Danone, France's leading food manufacturer, is to double its stake in China's Bright Dairy and Food to just under 10 per cent, a move expected to herald a ramping up of Danone's investments in one of the world's most promising dairy markets, reports Chris Jones.
Sino-Pack opens its doors
Sino-Pack 2005 is set to open its doors tomorrow in Guangzhou, southern China, providing a platform for international packaging and processing specialists operating in the region, writes Simon Pitman.
Sino-Pack opens its doors
Sino-Pack 2005 is set to open its doors tomorrow in Guangzhou, southern China, providing a platform for international packaging and processing specialists operating in the region, writes Simon Pitman.
China steps up food safety licensing
Producers of 28 different foodstuffs will be required by the Chinese government to apply for production licences as part of the Beijing government's ongoing measures to improve food quality and safety, writes Chris Jones.
Malaysia seeks Indian duty cut
Malaysia's government has asked its counterpart in India to consider a reduction in the duties imposed on imports of vegetable oils and fats to a level in line with those imposed on soya oil, writes Chris Jones.
04-Mar-2005
DD Williamson extends caramel colours in China
Looking to boost growth in the sluggish caramel colour market, the world's largest manufacturer, DD Williamson will extend its reach in the burgeoning Chinese market with the extension of its liquid product line for Asia,writes Lindsey Partos.
02-Mar-2005
Fonterra raises stakes in National Foods bidding war
New Zealand dairy co-operative Fonterra has upped its share price offer for Australia's leading dairy company National Foods, trumping a rival bid from San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and gaining the unanimous backing of National Foods' executive board, Tom Armitage reports.
'Muslim' cola brand heads for Indonesia
Mecca Cola, the soft drink producer which gives a portion of its profits to support the Palestinian cause, has grown rapidly over the last few years, building on anti-US sentiment across the globe. The latest country targeted by the brand is Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim nation, but Muslims are by no means the only drinkers of the 'ethical' cola, writes Chris Jones.
Dairy Farm looks for further growth in 2005
One of Asia's biggest food retailers, Dairy Farm, has this week announced strong sales growth for 2004 helped by the recovery of many local economies and a raft of recent acquisitions. But increasing competition from European and US retailers looking to exploit growth opportunities there will keep the Hong Kong-based group on its toes in 2005, writes Chris Jones.
Mandelson seeks better deal for EU investors in China
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson travelled to Beijing last week for a four day visit to "forge ties" with the fast-growing economic powerhouse. But he also stressed the need for China to assume the responsibilities that its rising wealth and power entail, writes Chris Jones.
Rohm and Haas makes moves on China
Rohm and Haas has selected the site for its new China research and development center in Shanghai, as part of its move to increase the development of specialty material products for a number of Asia Pacific industries, including personal care and food, reports Simon Pitman.
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