Focus:
British-Dutch consumer goods company Unilever may divest its low-growth food business to focus on high-margin personal care operations, particularly in emerging markets, according to Fitch Ratings.
The European Commission has introduced new regulations for food and beverage manufacturers, making it easier for them to understand the permitted level of additives in different authorised food types.
US-based Walker River Meat Processing plans to build a $100m meat processing facility in Lyon County, Nevada.
Chinese food company Feihe International saw a 22.6% jump in 2011 third quarter revenue results to $75.4m, compared with $61.5m in the same period in 2010.
Soft gels with inhomogeneous distributions of sucrose could be used to develop low sugar foods, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Major American soft drinks manufacturer Coca-Cola is planning to invest $2bn in India over the next five years in order to expand its non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverage business.
American packaged foods company ConAgra Foods has agreed to acquire National Pretzel, a US-based pretzel producer, from Brookstone Holdings, as part of its strategy to expand its private-label food business.
Russian meat producer Cherkizovo has started production at three new greenfield pork sites in the regions of Tambov, Voronezh and Lipetsk in central Russia.
UK-based asset management company Silk Invest has announced plans to launch a €150m ($206.2m) private equity fund to invest in food processing, storage and distribution in Africa.
Brazilian beef producer Marfrig has posted a net loss of R$540m (US$308.61m) for the third quarter of fiscal 2011, compared with a loss of R$68.6m (US$39.20m) year-on-year.
