Consumer Packaged Goods Broker News

Nestle raises the bar on animal welfare standards | Kraft to invest $100M, expand Mo. cheese plant | General Mills seeks patent for new sodium reduction method

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August 22, 2014

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Nestle raises the bar on animal welfare standards
Nestle has adopted new animal welfare standards, requiring its 7,300 international suppliers to give animals more room, to diminish animals' pain and to invite visits by independent auditors. The company said it will not work with any supplier that refuses to adopt the new regulations. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (8/21), Chicago Tribune (tiered subscription model) (8/21)

Kraft to invest $100M, expand Mo. cheese plant
Kraft Foods plans to invest $100 million to add a product line and upgrade technology at a Missouri cheese production facility, with the support and partnership of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the city and county governments and city utilities, Plant Manager Todd Sherman said. Area Development online (8/20)

Other News

General Mills seeks patent for new sodium reduction method
BakeryAndSnacks.com (France) (8/21)
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Cargill, Copersucar form sugar trading company Alvean
FoodBusinessNews.net (free registration) (8/21)
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Is Your Small Business Using Social Media?
Three in five business owners expect to spend the same or more time on social advertising in the coming year. Social media continues to be a valuable resource for small businesses looking to drive sales, increase brand awareness and reach new customers. Download your free white paper, Going Global: Social Media Marketing for Small Businesses, and learn why it is important to be strategic in choosing your social media platforms.

Trends

Report: Consumers opt for traditional snacks over low-fat varieties
A report by IRI found that sales of traditional snack foods such as potato chips continue to show gains despite an increase in the number of consumers who say they choose healthy snacks. Data also indicated slow growth in sales of low-fat snacks. Drug Store News (8/20)

Essential news for CFOs and financial executives
Get a daily summary of the latest financial news and best practices, written by SmartBrief's expert editors. Get the news today.

SmartBrief Originals

On the Plate: An original look at trends in restaurants and foodservice from SmartBrief

The art of food marketing in the digital age
Mobile technology and social media have fueled changes in the way people interact with food, from posting photos of favorite meals to scouring Pinterest for recipes, The Hartman Group's CEO Laurie Demeritt writes. "These are markers of a revolution in the way people think about eating -- and they mean huge changes for food marketers who are used to focusing on consumers' wants and needs," she writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Food & Beverage (8/22)

Advertising & Marketing

Agencies praise initial test of video ads on Twitter
Twitter's trial of "promoted video" ads have shown high levels of engagement, with some of the ads proving to be significantly cheaper than similar ads on YouTube, according to agencies involved in the initial tests. "We're really shocked at how well it's performed," said Jeremy Leon of the agency Laundry Service. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)/CMO Today blog (8/20)

Retail Spotlight

Family Dollar turns down Dollar General's $9B offer
Family Dollar Stores has rejected a $9 billion cash buyout bid by rival Dollar General and continues to support the $8.5 billion cash and stock deal with Dollar Tree that was reached last month, Family Dollar said Thursday. Dollar General had said it would sell 700 of its stores in the deal to appease regulators, but Family Dollar's board said it still had anti-trust concerns about the larger offer. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (8/21), The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/DealBook blog (8/21), CandyAndSnackToday.com (8/21)

Health & Wellness

Researchers: Chocolate could offer protection from diabetes
Consuming robust amounts of flavonoids found in chocolate, berries and tea could be the key to staving off type 2 diabetes, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia and King's College London. "This is an exciting finding that shows that some components of foods that we consider unhealthy, such as chocolate or wine, may contain some beneficial substances," said King's College London professor Tim Spector. FoodBev.com (8/20)

GMA News

The CPG industry is making strides in environmental sustainability
GMA has released its second report on the CPG industry’s impressive progress in environmental sustainability. The report highlights a diverse cross-section of initiatives from CPG manufacturers. It also shows pioneering leadership, collaboration, case studies and other documented achievements from GMA membership. To learn more about the industry’s strides towards environmental sustainability, download the report today.