News for the baking industry
Thomasville / GA. (ffi) Flowers Foods Inc. reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2007. The baked goods maker overcame rising ingredient costs in 2007 by lowering the cost of sales, marketing and administrative functions.
Battle Creek / MG. (kc) Kellogg Company reported strong 2007 earnings. Fourth quarter earnings were 0,44 USD per share. Annual earnings were 2,76 USD per share, representing the sixth consecutive year that the Company has met or exceeded its long-term EPS targets.
Brussels / BE. (eu) The European Commission adopted a proposal to make food labels clearer and more relevant to the needs of EU consumers. The aim of the draft Regulation is to modernise and improve EU food labelling rules, so that consumers have, in a legible and understandable manner, the essential information they need to make informed purchasing choices
Kansas City / MO. (ibc) Interstate Bakeries Corporation (IBC) announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri has ruled that the IBC´s First Amended Disclosure Statement contains adequate information for the purpose of soliciting creditor approval for the Plan of Reorganization.
Oak Brook / IL. (mdc) McDonald´s Corporation announced strong operating results for the fourth quarter and year, fueled by strong comparable sales. CEO Jim Skinner: «McDonald´s consolidated performance continues to reflect our enduring profitable growth with comparable sales up 6,8 percent for the year – one of our strongest increases since the initiation of our Plan to Win».
Canton / MA. (dd) A year after announcing its greater China expansion strategy and entry into Taiwan, Dunkin´ Donuts announced plans to open its first shops in Shanghai. The first shop is scheduled to open this spring, with a total of 100 new shops planned over the next ten years.
Lembeke / BE. (lb) Lotus Bakeries NV acquires its Spanish importer, Lopez Market. The Lopez Market Company, situated near Madrid, sells waffles, cakes, pastries, caramelized biscuits and other original specialities on the Spanish market.
Washington / DC. (wib) Diacetyl, a chemical linked to a deadly disorder known as Popcorn Workers Lung could be present in an as many 6.000 consumer products. That finding is disturbing, especially considering that the U.S. Food + Drug Administration (FDA) was recently informed of what might be the first recorded diagnosis of Popcorn Workers Lung in a consumer with no ties whatsoever to the snack foods industry.
Berlin / DE. (igw) 425.000 visitors keener to make purchases compared with last year – More leading politicians than ever before – Food retailer and suppliers of branded goods represented in unprecedented numbers – Russia conducted business worth more than 330 million EUR – 5.000 journalists from 72 countries.
San Antonio / TX. (fs) Starch is a polysaccharide found commonly in green plants as a means of storing energy. Starch forms an integral part of the multi-billion food ingredients market and is characterised by its complex and consolidated nature.
