Tetra Pak said stronger sales in the final quarter of 2009 and emerging markets offset declining demand in Eastern Europe and Central Asia as it posted an increase in net sales of 1.2 percent for the year to almost €9bn.

The FDA needs to improve its oversight of GRAS (generally recognized as safe) food ingredients, claims a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Dairy cooperative Agri-Mark made a profit of $14.9 million in 2009, its second-best operating result. The cooperative's sales of fresh milk and dairy products under the name Cabot and McCadam were $655 million. The cooperative also paid $17.5 million in premiums to farmers throughout the year.
 

Federal agencies in the US have announced two major public meetings later this month will look at progress on the success of food safety measures, including the tracing of E.coli contaminated products.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said a workshop in Washington DC on March 30 aims to decide how best to measure progress in reducing foodborne illness.

Beverages of all types are working in dairy products and less obvious dairy ingredients for health, satiety and just plain enjoyment. Beverages are taking on a milky white hue as dairy dresses up with omega oils, juices take on dairy proteins and non-milk "dairy' choices broaden their botanical horizons. But this isn't merely variety for its own sake; there's method behind the dash to dairy-based new products.