IRELAND - Ireland’s Ministry for Agriculture and the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) have opened a new US$45.98 million dairy research centre in Cork, called the VistaMilk SFI Research Centre, to assist the Irish dairy industry. According to FoodBev, the research centre will also provide research for precision pasture-based dairying, to improve the industry’s impact on…
IRELAND - Ireland has adopted legislation on the risks associated with alcohol consumption, for the first time, in a country where alcoholism has had devastating consequences. According to EURACTIV, it is the first law in Ireland that treats alcohol as a matter of public health, and that the new legislation affects the price, access, marketing,…
IRELAND - Lakeland Dairies, an Irish dairy co-operative, and LacPatrick Dairies have reached agreement to merge following the unanimous approval of the Boards of both co-operative societies who are recommending the proposed merger to their respective shareholders. According to Lakeland Dairies, exclusive discussions about a possible merger started last June and have reached a positive…
IRELAND - Glanbia Cheese, the Joint Venture business between Glanbia plc and Leprino Foods, has announced plans to build a new, world-class mozzarella cheese manufacturing facility in Portlaoise, Co Laois, Ireland. According to the company, a site for the new facility has been identified at the recently established Togher National Industrial Estate in Portlaoise. A…
UK - KFC UK and Ireland have announced a commitment to remove 20% of calories per serving by 2025 by offering healthier and lighter side options in its menus in the UK and Ireland. KFC is also considering offering alternatives to fries, low or zero-calorie soft drinks and a trial on vegetarian option set to…
IRELAND - Kerry Group, the consumer foods company has posted 3.7% growth in business volume, acquisitions contributing 4% in the first quarter ending March 31, 2018. The company said Taste & Nutrition segment grew 4.3%, Consumer Foods increased by 1.6% reaffirming full-year 2018 guidance of adjusted earnings per share growth of 6 to 10%. Results…
IRELAND - Dairygold, Ireland’s cooperative that produces premium cheeses & dairy nutritionals has reported an improved operating profit of US$39.92million from US$21.56 million in 2016, which amounts to a change of 85% generated from a turnover of US$1.18m (up 28% on prior year). A higher turnover was contributed by continued milk production expansion on milk…
IRELAND - Kerry Group, an Irish food and nutrition company has acquired Spanish food firm Hasenosa, a Spain company which produces specialty flours, batters and tempuras for an undisclosed sum. The company, whose brands include Charleville, Denny and Cheesestrings, said the acquisition would complement its globally-focused taste and nutrition business. The Galicia-based firm is a…
SOUTH AFRICA - South Africa’s sugar tax billed as a new health-promotion levy has started operation, requiring consumers to pay 2.1 cents per gram of added sugar or other sweetening matter that exceeds four grams per 100ml. On the other hand, sugar-sweetened drinks of which the sugar content is not disclosed on the packaging would…
UK - The UK and Ireland governments’ separate proposed sugar tax policy on soda and fizzy drinks is set to be effected April, termed as the Soft Drinks Industry Levy in the UK. According to the two governments, a number of products that will be exempted from the tax include dairy drinks with at least…
