July’s top stories: Barry Callebaut buys cocoa business, UK contamination report

Barry Callebaut completes acquisition of Petra Foods’ cocoa ingredients division

Swiss company Barry Callebaut has completed the acquisition of the cocoa ingredients business of Singapore-based Petra Foods for about $860m, following approval from the regulatory authorities.

Petra Foods’ cocoa ingredients division is a leading cocoa products supplier in Asia and it has a sales volume of 265,000t globally.

The division has seven processing facilities in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Germany and France, with total bean grinding capacity of 405,000t, and sales offices in Singapore, the Netherlands and the US.

FSA report says 1,600 food contamination incidents occurred in UK in 2012

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has investigated 1,604 food and environmental contamination incidents in the country in 2012, according to a new Annual Report of Food Incidents published by the agency.

The number of incidents in 2012 was 110 fewer than those in 2011, but still higher than previous years.

The three most common contaminations were microbiological (20%), environmental (15%) and natural chemicals (13%).

Devondale to establish milk processing facility in Australia

Australia-based dairy food exporter Devondale (Murray Goulburn Co-operative) is set to construct a new milk processing facility at Erskine Park in Sydney, with an investment of A$60m ($54.5m).

In April, the dairy co-operative announced plans to invest A$120m ($109.1m) to establish two milk processing plants in Melbourne and Sydney, as part of an effort to grow its daily pasteurised milk business in New South Wales and Victoria.

Devondale has already commenced the construction of the first processing facility in Melbourne, Victoria, which is being built alongside Devondale’s existing Integrated Logistics Centre in Laverton.

Mondelez International to set up cookie production facility in Mexico

US food and beverage firm Mondelez International has announced plans to construct a new cookie production facility in the Interpuerto Technology Park in Monterrey, Mexico, with an investment of $600m.

The new facility will strengthen the company’s presence in the country and allow it to develop manufacturing processes and achieve world-class productivity.

The facility, which will feature five production lines and state-of-the-art technology, is expected to commence operations in mid 2014, creating about 1,200 new jobs.

Nestlé opens two new facilities in China

Nestlé has opened two new facilities in China, as part of its efforts to strengthen its business in the country by investing in its portfolio of local and global brands.

The company has opened a CHF319m ($328.7m) Yinlu Foods factory in Anhui Province and a CHF133m ($137m) Nescafé coffee facility in Shandong Province.

The food factory was opened in partnership with Yinlu Foods, creating more than 2,000 new jobs.

International companies to reduce baby formula prices in China

International infant formula producers in China have announced plans to reduce the price of baby milk formula products, a move which follows an investigation by Beijing for alleged price-fixing and anti-competitive activity by foreign companies.

Several international firms such as Danone, Nestlé, Royal FrieslandCampina, Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson Nutrition are under investigation by the Chinese authorities.

French food giant Danone stated it would lower the price of its Dumex Baby Food products by five to 20%.

Premier Foods to shut down flour milling facility in Wales

UK-based Premier Foods has announced plans to shut down its flour milling facility at Barry Docks, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, by the end of October this year, a move which will result in 43 job losses.

The Atlantic Mills site was established in 1904 by the Hovis-Bread Flour company, which was later renamed as Rank Hovis.

The proposed closure comes as part of a shake-up of the Rank Hovis network, which has a history of 138 years and was acquired by Premier Foods in 2007.

Flowers Foods completes acquisition of certain Hostess Brands assets

US-based producer of packaged bakery goods Flowers Foods has completed the acquisition of certain bread brands and assets from Old HB, formerly known as Hostess Brands, for $355m.

The acquisition includes Wonder, Nature’s Pride, Merita, Home Pride and Butternut bread brands, as well as 20 bakeries and 36 depots.

According to Flowers Foods, the acquisition reinforces its position as the second-largest baker in the US, and will strengthen its ability to expand the geographic reach of its breads, buns, rolls and snack cakes into new markets.