According to a study published in the US journal Health Affairs, some 16.4% of kids aged 10-17 were obese in 2007, the study claimed - up from 14.8% in 2003 and equating to almost 10.6m obese children. Two of the researchers behind the study claimed US children were "snacking more than ever" on "junk" foods. "Our findings suggest that the obesity epidemic among children may not yet have reached its plateau for some groups of children," the authors claimed. They added that those most likely to...
Continue reading ...

The world's biggest food group Nestle looks well placed to show balanced growth between volume and price in 2010 and outperform its two arch European rivals in a year of likely sluggish economic recovery.

29 analysts out of 39 surveyed by Reuters see Nestle shares as a "buy" or "strong buy" and say its shares look cheap compared to its two rivals based on its forecast performance and its bumper returns from dividends and share buybacks.

While Unilever and Danone had to cut prices in the latter ...
Continue reading ...

According to the survey released by Brand Finance (R) Walmart is the most valuable global brand with a brand value of 41.4 bill USD.  Coca Cola is the number 3 in the ranking and the best valued food brand in the list.

The study provides an opinion on the point-in-time value of the world’s leading brands. Each brand has been accorded a brand rating: a benchmark study of the strength, risk and future potential of a brand relative to its competitor set as well as a brand value: a summary me...
Continue reading ...

Heinz CEO, William R. Johnson argued in a presentation to investors that there are four reasons why the industry has a strong upside.

First, he highlighted the growth potential of Emerging Markets, where the ranks of new middle class, brand-conscious consumers are increasing at a rapid rate. "Emerging Markets represent a target-rich base of consumers who are likely to spend more and more of their income on branded packaged foods as they prosper", said Johnson. "Emerging Markets are on track...

Continue reading ...

U.S. food makers are looking overseas for more profitable growth over the next few years, as they often must rely on short-term price promotions to drive sales at home.

Kraft Foods Inc said its acquisition of Cadbury would accelerate long-term growth, though it expects the deal to hurt 2010 results."The U.S. consumer is all grown up, and future growth in consumer spending will be outside the U.S.," said Edward Jones analyst Matt Arnold.From that perspective, Kraft buying Cadbury makes a great ...

Continue reading ...

Today the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned of the fourth consecutive rise in its monthly Food Price Index, a ‘food basket’ made up of cereals, oilseeds, dairy, meat and sugar.

Food prices reached a peak in June 2008, causing serious food security concerns and rioting in some parts of the world. For the food industry, higher ingredient costs were passed along the food chain and had an impact on the bottom line of many businesses – not to mention end consumersâ€...

Continue reading ...

Todd Stitzer, chief executive of Cadbury, will this week face pressure from shareholders to prove that Britain's favourite chocolate manufacturer can deliver strong growth as an independent company, as a renewed takeover bid from US food giant Kraft looms.

Danone said it was prepared to spend a total of GBP 915m on acquisitions as the world’s largest yoghurt maker reported better than expected third-quarter sales and confirmed full-year guidance.

Nestle, said it is even "leaner, fitter and ...

Continue reading ...