Cereals and bakery preparations

Paramount Foods has made more than a quarter of its workforce redundant

Paramount axes 118 jobs after losing Morrisons contract

By Mike Stones

One of the UK’s largest manufacturers of chilled and frozen pizzas, Paramount Foods, has made 118 workers − more than 25% of its workforce − redundant after losing a key contract to supply Morrisons.

The French study claimed a link between cancer in rats and Roundup and GM maize

Scientists row as authorities ponder Monsanto GM cancer study

By Mike Stones

A new controversial study linking Monsanto’s herbicide Roundup and genetically modified (GM) maize with premature death has left scientists across the world rowing over its validity and regulatory authorities saying they need more time to study its implications.

More than 60 fire-fighters tackled the blaze

Real Crisp factory blaze in Wales

By Laurence Gibbons

More than 60 fire-fighters and 20 fire engines fought a major blaze yesterday (September 20) at the Real Crisp factory in Caerphilly, South Wales.

Durant will succeed Netherton as Greggs chairman next May

Greggs announces new chairman

By Laurence Gibbons

High street sandwich retailer Greggs has announced that Ian Durant will take over as chairman of the board next May.

Greggs: going for growth with 90 new stores a year

More retail space key to Greggs’ growth strategy

By Mike Stones

Britain’s biggest high street baker Greggs, with its “strong balance sheet”, is poised for significant growth, based on acquiring up to 25% more space, according to City analyst Shore Capital.

Gordon Ramsay went behind bars with a metal detector

Metal detector puts TV chef Gordon Ramsay behind bars

By Mike Stones

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s latest TV series Gordon Behind Bars – in which he teaches prisoners to bake cakes – was filmed only after the installation of a metal detector designed for food manufacturers.

Michael Clarke had

Premier Foods boss: the analysts’ view one year on

By Mike Stones

Michael Clarke, ceo of Premier Foods, is performing a creditable job of reviving the fortunes of the debt-laden food giant but still faces tough challenges, according to City analysts.

Tortilla crisps are set for tasty growth: Mintel

Snack market to reach £3.8bn despite ‘consumer myths’

By Laurence Gibbons

The UK snack market will reach £3.8bn by 2016, according to market analyst Mintel, despite claims from the Snack, Nut and Crisp Manufacturers’ Association (SNACMA) that consumers misunderstand such products.

The worst drought in the US for 50 years has pushed crop prices up

Food prices to rise as harvests suffer

By Anne Bruce

Retailers are unlikely to see sales volumes on food recover in the next year, as prices will be pushed up due to a poor worldwide harvest, economists suggest.

Bill Gates' foundation is investing £6.3M in UK GM research

Bill Gates invests £6M in UK GM research

By John Wood and Mike Stones

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has given his support for genetic modification (GM) techniques with a £6.3M ($9.8m) grant for research led by the John Innes Centre in Norwich.

No claims for wholegrain and vascular function have yet been approved

Get the heart of wholegrain health claims

By Lorraine Mullaney

The findings of a Leatherhead Research study could enable food manufacturers to gather supporting evidence for health claims on how cereal fibre can benefit vascular function.

Shoppers plan to beat the Olympic traffic jams by walking to their local shops. So retailers should stock up, advises Allied Bakeries

Allied Bakeries warns about Olympic food stocks

By Mike Stones

As 5.3M more visitors prepare to visit London for the Olympics next month, Allied Bakeries has warned retailers to make sure they are well stocked to meet demand from local shoppers. 

More mergers and acquisitions are on the way for the frozen bakery sector, said Rabobank

Retailers force frozen bakery mergers: Rabobank

By Mike Stones

The growing power of large retailers is one of the five top challenges that will force consolidation in the frozen bakery industry, warns a new report from Rabobank Food and Agri Research.