Consumer Packaged Goods Broker News: ConAgra continues to slash sodium

ConAgra continues sodium cuts | NPD: Americans eat more than 1,000 snack foods a year | Flavor, nutrition merge in dairy products

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May 15, 2013

News for the food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry

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ConAgra continues sodium cuts
ConAgra Foods said it is on track to meet its goal of cutting sodium in its consumer products 20% by 2015. "We're sticking with the pledge, and we plan to execute against it," said Vice President of Nutrition Mark Andon, despite several recent studies indicting sodium is not as unhealthy as previously believed. Omaha World-Herald (Neb.) (5/15)

Center Aisle Discovers Bottom-Line Benefits of Cartons

Soups in cartons grew in an overall declining category last year. While prepared foods packaged in cans, microwavable bowls and cups are down, the fastest growing segment across all prepared foods—up 23% since 2009—is packaged in cartons. Cartons are the fastest growing packaging format for one reason. Find out how Tetra Recart offers manufacturers and retailers proof-of-concept and first-to-market opportunities.

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NPD: Americans eat more than 1,000 snack foods a year
The typical American eats more than 1,000 convenience snack foods a year, according to a survey from NPD Group, which found that women eat an average of 3.1 convenience food snacks a day, while men eat 2.7. The survey also found that children and teens eat the most snacks. Drug Store News (5/14)

Flavor, nutrition merge in dairy products
Dairy products including Greek yogurt, flavored milks and frozen yogurt give food-makers opportunities to combine health benefits with new, appealing flavors. "Food developers keep in mind when developing new dairy products that decadent flavors can be used," said Peggy Pellichero, senior food technologist and dairy team leader at David Michael & Co. "But they are careful not to make the profiles overindulgent. This is to maintain the balance between great flavor and healthy dairy." DairyFoods.com (5/15)

UTZ certified cocoa sales soar 178%
With companies including Ferrero, Mars and Hershey switching to sustainable cocoa, sales of UTZ certified cocoa rose 178% in 2012, according to UTZ. "The main driver behind this impressive increase is the commitment towards 100% sustainable cocoa by large manufacturers," UTZ said in its annual report. ConfectioneryNews.com (France) (5/14)

The Social Media ROI Cookbook: Six Ingredients Top Brands Use
In this free report, industry expert Altimeter explores the most effective "ingredients" for measuring the revenue impact of social media, providing insights and case studies from an array of top companies. Offerpop is happy to make this penetrating study available to SmartBrief readers. Download it for free!

Advertising & Marketing

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Oreo's "Wonderfilled" campaign starts with animation, street singing
Mondelez International hired 500 a cappella street singers to serenade New Yorkers on the wonders of "Wonderfilled" Oreo cookies. The Martin Agency's 90-second animated campaign anthem for the brand features a singer wondering if giving Oreos to figures such as the Big Bad Wolf or a vampire might brighten their outlook. "It starts with a very simple premise, about how something as small as an Oreo cookie can bring about a positive change in perspective," said Oreo brand director Janda Lukin. Bloomberg Businessweek (5/14), Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (5/14)

Myths, Pitfalls and Realities of CPQ Software
Configure Price Quote Software can be difficult to deploy and implement. This white paper highlights the common myths in the market place and provides a practical guide on how to prepare for the challenges ahead. Learn how to expose the pitfalls before you buy your CPQ software. Download the free guide now.

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Retiring CEO Steve Burd leaves his mark on Safeway
Steve Burd drew both fans and critics with his tactics during his two decades at the helm of grocery giant Safeway, but both groups agree that he led a transformation that snatched the company from the brink of ruin and built it into a supermarket powerhouse. Burd will officially retire at the company's annual shareholder meeting Tuesday. San Jose Mercury News (Calif.) (free registration) (5/12)

FEMA Weighs Value of Geospatial Information Services
The FEMA GeoPlatform uses Esri's ArcGIS Online for Organizations to provide geospatial data and analytics in support of emergency management at fema.maps.arcgis.com.
Homeland Security Today | Mickey McCarter

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Health & Wellness

Focus on protein gives peanut flour a boost
Peanut flour isn't new, but the recent interest on plant-based protein has spurred new interest, said Bruce Kotz, a vice president with the Golden Peanut Company. "Peanut works well in combination with other proteins, such as soy and whey -- and it tastes a lot nicer," he said. BakeryAndSnacks.com (France) (5/14)

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Bellisio Foods Announces Acquisition of Overhill Farms

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GMA News

Which sessions will you attend at the GMA Growth & Public Policy Summit?
On July 17 in Washington, D.C., food, beverage and consumer product industry executives will gather with policymakers, academicians, journalists and non-governmental organization leaders at the GMA Growth & Public Policy Summit to examine the current and future public policy landscape in the United States and globally.
Participants will attend carefully crafted sessions such as:

Volatility and Vulnerability: The Impact of Climate Change on Global Supply Chains
Label Me Wise: Nutrition Label Rules and Regulations Update
Gone Viral: Advocacy in the Age of Social Media and the Impact on Our Industry
Green Chemistry: Impact, Initiatives and Outlook
Parched: The Ripple Effects of Drought Throughout the Value Chain
A Healthier America: Industry’s Progress and Opportunities
Beyond Ships, Trains and Trucks: Transforming Our Nation’s Supply Chain Infrastructure
The Roles of Government and the Private Sector in a Clean, Safe and Healthy Home
Beyond Bottles and Boxes: The Future of Packaging
Partnership for a Healthier America
U.S. Game Changers
Value Chain Collaboration: Is Food a Local or National Issue?
Covering the Great Debate: Food and Health Reporting in the 21st Century

Government & Food Safety

FDA debuts food safety software
The Food and Drug Administration has introduced the Food Defense Plan Builder, a software program to help food facility owners and operators improve food safety. The program uses a series of questions to help facilities develop customized defense plans against contamination. FoodBusinessNews.net (free registration) (5/14)