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 stronger" for the future, despite posting a drop in nine-month sales, as a result of consumers buying less bottled water. the world's biggest food group, met forecasts with nine-month organic sales growth of 3.6% after a disappointing first-half 3.5%, and upped its share buyback. Nestle said its solid performance had allowed it to increase its 2009 share buyback to GBP4.2m.

Cereal giant Kellogg has announced plans to buy back up to GBP4.21 of shares in 2010. The company's board has approved the roll-over into 2010 of any portion of the 2009 GBP397 share repurchase authorisation that remains unused by the end of the 2009 fiscal year.