M&S strives for ‘most sustainable’ title

UK grocer Marks and Spencer has announced a new raft of eco and ethical commitments, in a bid to become the most sustainable retailer by 2015.

The company launched its ‘Plan A’ in 2007. Its new commitments cover all product categories. Amongst the pledges affecting food, it all individual M&S items will carry at least one sustainable or ethical quality by 2020 (50 per cent by 2015).

It has pledged to ensure that six key raw materials it uses – palm oil, soya, cocoa, beef, leather, coffee – come from sustainable sources that do not contribute to deforestation.

It will also encourage the 10,000 farmers who produce its fresh foods to join its sustainable agriculture programme, and source packaging materials via a sustainable forestry model.

www.foodnavigator.com

Nestle moves Jenny Craig into France

Nestlé has announced the launch of its Jenny Craig weight management programme in France, combining ready-made meals with individual consultation.

The roll out of Jenny Craig in France appears to compliment the medical food service already offered by Nestlé in France, which combines preparation of foods to meet the specific nutritional needs of outpatients with delivery to their homes. The Jenny Craig business is a combination of weight management programmes tailored to clients individual needs and food production.

"Weight management is a core business for Nestlé Nutrition and Jenny Craig is fully in line with Nestlé's overall vision as the world's leading nutrition, health and wellness company,” said Richard Laube, CEO Nestlé Nutrition. “Jenny Craig is representative for Nestlé's science-based approach to innovation and demonstrates the important role of personalised nutrition for the future."

- Food industry news
- http://www.foodnavigator.com
- 08/03/2010

Related topics: Financial & Industry

McDougalls

McDougalls told to remove ‘Better than Birds Eye’ from pies

A McDougalls promotion claiming its pies are 'better than Birds Eye' will be cut short after Birds Eye took McDougalls' owner Northern Foods to court.

Northern Foods subsidiary Green Isle, which manufactured pies for Birds Eye under licence until last July, began an on-pack promotion in January on both its chicken and minced beef & onion pies featuring the claim in letters as large as the McDougalls logo.

The claim was supported by a subsidiary flash stating 'more chicken' or 'better filled' and promised a money-back guarantee, with the offer ending on 30 September 2012.

But Birds Eye said the promotion was "misleading, disparaging and an infringement of the Birds Eye trademark".

In a letter to retailers on 2 March, Birds Eye added these actions were "contrary to the Comparative Advertising Directive" and had "initiated legal action in the High Court".

After Birds Eye disclosed plans to alter its recipes, which would instantly invalidate the McDougalls claims, a court order agreement was reached stating that from 12 April, Green Isle could not sell "any products bearing the words 'Better than Birds Eye'", the letter added. The claim for trademark infringement is ongoing.

- Food Industry News
- http://www.foodnavigator.com

10 Food and Drink Trends for 2010

A recent report from Leatherhead Food Research predicts the 10 food and drink trends for 2010:

• Sustainability: Ecological and ethical consciousness in packaging, ingredient sources and energy resources.
• Reduced meat consumption: Meat flavors will be on the rise as meat consumption falls in an effort, among consumers, to reduce greenhouse gases.
• Fiber: Finding ways to boost consumer consumption of this key ingredient will bring fortified products to the fore.
• Simplified and local: Natural and locally produced food will gain ground, as will products with stripped-down ingredient lists.
• Convenience: As families shrink in size due to increasing numbers of childless couples, convenience will become a more desirable product feature.
• Natural, performance-oriented: The energy drink and food boom will continue, but with a shift towards more natural products.
• Brain health: In addition to energy, products that promote “sustained cognitive development” will continue to be of high interest, especially in the backdrop of the ageing population trend and increasing focus on children’s mental development.
• Exotic chocolate: Chocolate, benefitted from a boom in dark and premium varieties and is faring well during the downturn as an affordable treat. Sales are likely to be healthy in 2010.
• Ethnic foods, more Mexican and African: Ethnic food growth will continue, with new and exotic ingredients and flavors of Mexican and African cultures influencing the restaurant and retail food arena.
• ‘Time for Tea’ culture: The specialty tea boom will continue as product developers push the ingredient’s antioxidant properties.

http://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/trends/80203967.html

food and drink innovation network

http://www.fdin.org.uk/2010/03/

Food To Go - Food & Drink Trends 2010 and Beyond - RTS Presentation for FDIN

http://www.scribd.com/doc/21433416/Food-To-Go-Food-Drink-Trends-2010-and-Beyond-RTS-Presentation-for-FDIN

Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) - all you need to know