Food and Drink News

Burger King shares upgraded from “hold” to “buy”

Deutsche Bank has upgraded Burger King shares from “hold” to buy”

UK Champagne sales drop

British demand for champagne dropped in 2009, according to recent figures

St Patrick’s Day discovery as RSC finds out why Guinness bubbles float down

Scientists at the Royal Society of Chemistry have made a breakthrough in the field of Guinness-related studies, having finally discovered why Guinness bubbles float down

Kraft pledges no UK manufacturing redundancies for two years

As Kraft executives were grilled by UK MPs today, the food company has promised that no further jobs will be lost as Cadbury is integrated into the company

Michelle Obama to take obesity campaign to food giants

Today Michelle Obama will talk to some of the biggest names in the food and drink industry about the measures needed to tackle childhood obesity

Domino’s to expand aggressively in India

America pizza franchise, Domino's Pizza has said India will make a significant contribution to its revenue, becoming one of its top five revenue generators by 2013

African food imports reach $33bn

A call has gone out for a massive improvement in the performance of African agriculture, as it is announced food imports for the continent have reached astonishing heights while many still remain hungry

Record profits lead Wetherspoons to serve dividend

Following record first-half profits and a successful refinancing operation, J D Wetherspoon has reinstated its dividend

Kraft Foods to send “B-team” to Cadbury inquiry

The Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) select committee have summed senior Kraft executives to a hearing next week, however, instead of Irene Rosenfeld, the company has chosen to send along legal advisor Marc Firestone

British retailers speak out against labeling change

The British Retail Consortium has issued a statement arguing against the finding of the Food Standards Agency on Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling

Kraft to face inquiry over Cadbury takeover

UK regulators are to investigate whether or not Kraft Foods made misleading comments during its campaign to take over Cadbury

Kraft makes job cuts with “indecent haste”

Kraft sparked anger yesterday by announcing job cuts only weeks after completing its takeover of UK chocolate firm Cadbury

Waitrose signs up Delia Smith and Heston Blumenthal for new ad campaign

Waitrose has signed up some top celebrity chef talent for its new TV, press and online advertising

Weight Watchers approves McDonald’s New Zealand meals

Today McDonald’s New Zealand became the first McDonald’s in the world to offer Weight Watchers Approved Meals

EU Commission approves BASF’s GM starch potato

The European Commission today approved the BASF’s genetically optimized starch potato for commercial application in Europe

Nestle and Kraft Foods complete frozen pizza business sale

Nestle has announced the completion of its acquisition of Kraft Foods’ frozen pizza business today

Food Network secures first sponsorship deal

UK channel secures new sponsorship deal with New Zealand Lamb

Kettle Foods bought up by Diamond Foods for $625m

Diamond Foods has announced it will acquire Kettle Foods, makers of premium potato chips, from Lion Capital LLP for $615 million in cash

Coca-Cola is most littered brand, survey finds

A recently conducted survey is calling on the food industry to take greater precautions against littering, citing Coca-Cola, Walkers Crisps and McDonald’s as the worst offenders

First safety hot dog will have customers "lining up"

Following a policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics, calls are growing for certain high risk foods, such as hot dogs, to be redesigned to prevent choking in small children

BPEX launches new pork labelling scheme

BEPX, a group representing pig levy payers in England, has announced a system for labelling the country of origin on pork products

Heineken sales drop, Carlsberg sales rise

Two of the most prominent brewers in the industry have seen contrasting fortunes over the last financial year

Cranswick meat crisps to battle obesity

A major food company has submitted documents for crisps made from meat, which it argues could be healthier than potato snacks

SK Foods ex-CEO indicted in “web of corruption”

The former owner and CEO of SK Foods has been indicted for a range of corruption charges, it was announced yesterday

Wal-Mart enjoys 24% income boost

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., has reported financial results for the quarter and year ended Jan. 31, 2010

Co-op’s Somerfield takeover could boost Fairtrade by £40m

The Co-operative Group is moving to promote its Fairtrade range for the coming Fairtrade Fortnight, particularly through its newly acquired Somerfield stores