Breaking News on the Food and Drink Manufacturing Sector

Sectors > Chilled foods

Chilled foods

Chilled ready meals, sandwiches and sushi; it’s a tough business, whether you’re in branded or own-label products. Demanding retail customers want better quality at lower prices - and they want extended shelf-life of products. Find out about the latest business and regulatory news, plus innovative processes to meet changing consumer demands.

Cadbury sales hit £257M after Kraft buyout

22-Feb-2012 - Food manufacturing giant Kraft has confirmed that UK chocolate firm Cadbury had generated sales of about £257M ($400) since its controversial takeover last year.

News in brief

Kellogg may roll out Charlatans cereal

21-Feb-2012 - Indie rock legends The Charlatans may have created a new breakfast snack after Kellogg revealed that a cereal made especially for singer Tim Burgess could be rolled out in the future.

Kellogg dismisses sugar claims from Which?

16-Feb-2012 - Cereal manufacturer Kellogg has dismissed accusations from consumer watchdog Which? that some of its cereals are too high in sugar content after the campaign group accused the firm of targeting children with unhealthy products.

Kellogg buys Pringles from Procter & Gamble

15-Feb-2012 - Cereal maker Kellogg has agreed a £1.7bn ($2.7bn) deal with consumer goods group Procter and Gamble (P&G) for its Pringles canned crisp business after it was revealed that the firm had ended its previous deal with Diamond Foods.

MUFC-supplier Mumtaz's global ethnic food plans

13-Feb-2012 - Manchester United Football Club’s (MUFC's) official ethnic meal supplier plans to become the largest producer of Asian foods in the UK with the creation of a new factory capable of producing up to 100,000 meals a day.

Kerry Foods refuses Grimsby job talks with Unite

10-Feb-2012 - Irish chilled foods manufacturer Kerry Foods has snubbed Unite the union by refusing to talk with the organisation over the proposed 337 job losses at the firm’s factory in Grimsby.

Greencore revenues rise after Uniq deal

09-Feb-2012 - Greencore has made an encouraging start since its acquisition of chilled foods business Uniq, according to city analysts, after the firm posted its most comprehensive financial results since the takeover.

Greencore value boosted by currency switch

08-Feb-2012 - The decision by chilled foods group Greencore to transfer its share currency denomination from euros to sterling has further increased its value to potential investors, according to city analysts.

News in brief

Intersnack appoint new general manager at Haverhill site

07-Feb-2012 - Savoury snack manufacturer Intersnack has taken another step in its plan to secure market leadership in the UK nut sector after confirming the appointment of a new general manager at its Haverhill site.

Kerry Foods slammed by MP over possible job cuts

07-Feb-2012 - Chilled foods giant Kerry Foods has been slammed by Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell after the firm announced that 337 jobs were facing the axe following a review of its frozen meal business.

Keep it clean and safe for voles

30-Jan-2012 - Waste solutions firm Greenbank has solved a food company's waste storage problem and preserved a rare breed of water vole at the same time.

Premier Foods backs Power Brands with TV ads

30-Jan-2012 - Premier Foods is stepping up its Power Brand plan after announcing a major TV advertising push as md Michael Clarke continues his plan to stabilise the business after a troubled 2011.

Gordon Ramsay chefs to boost Authentic Food firm

26-Jan-2012 - Ethnic food specialist The Authentic Food Company (TAFC) is expecting its Chinese ready-meal range to almost double in value to £20M, after partnering with chefs from Gordon Ramsay’s favourite Chinese restaurant.

News in brief

FSA no closer to solving Premier Botulism case

25-Jan-2012 - The Premier Foods botulism case is no closer to being solved, despite the completion of “extensive” research, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revealed.

Geoff Eaton sets out chilled food challenges

25-Jan-2012 - Chilled food processors must remedy overcapacity and meet financial challenges, such as pension deficits, to realise the sector’s potential, according to Geoff Eaton, former chief executive of chilled firm Uniq.

News in brief

FSA to speak on Premier Foods botulism case

23-Jan-2012 - A statement on the Premier Foods botulism case is expected in the next eight days, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

2 Sisters to restore Brookes Avana within two years

23-Jan-2012 - 2 Sisters Food Group’s chilled food business Brookes Avana, acquired from Premier Foods last year, will be returned to profitability within two years, according to its new owners.

Premier Foods to cut 600 jobs by 2013

17-Jan-2012 - Premier Foods has confirmed that it plans to axe up to 600 jobs by 2013 following its latest trading statement for the period ending December 31.

Premier boss Michael Clarke backed by city

16-Jan-2012 - Premier Foods boss Michael Clarke has received a resounding vote of confidence from city analysts, six months into his role, as he continues his plan to guide the firm out of trouble.

Premier should focus on disposals: spreads on sale

11-Jan-2012 - Leading analysts have advised Premier Foods to adopt a strategic approach to disposals and secure a “miraculously” good deal with its lenders, as one confirmed the firm's spreads business is up for sale.

Food props up sales at M&S

10-Jan-2012 - Retail giant Marks & Spencer (M&S) expects trading conditions in the new year to “remain challenging” despite a rise in food sales over the all-important Christmas period.

Unilever strikes inevitable as pension row continues

09-Jan-2012 - Only a last minute change-of-heart from consumer giant Unilever will prevent hundreds of its workers hitting the streets of London tomorrow to demonstrate over changes to their pensions.

Multicultural UK to ditch fried breakfast

03-Jan-2012 - Hot and spicy food could soon replace the traditional British fry-up on the nation’s breakfast menu due to increasing multiculturalism in the UK, according to a report from cereal giant Kellogg’s.

Software boosts stock traceability and productivity

01-Jan-2012 - Poultry, chilled, frozen and bakery products supplier 2 Sisters Food Group has installed a Microsoft Dynamics navigation-based LINKFresh supply chain business management system from Anglia Business Solutions.

Playing it cool

01-Jan-2012 - Elsewhere businesses are feeling the chill, but frozen food firms are keeping their cool, says Michelle Knott

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