If Internet companies and some utilities have their way, the smart grid will rely on the existing infrastructure of the information superhighway in order to function. They argue that by relying on existing standards like Internet Protocol (IP), the smart

Oil giants BP and General Electric Co. announced plans recently to collaborate on a 250-megawatt coal-fired power plant that would employ integrated gasification technology and carbon dioxide capture in Southern California.

Chocolate processing giants Cargill and Barry Callebaut have suggested that any consolidation between the sector's leading brand-owners could lead to more M&A activity among the industry's suppliers.

Pinnacle Foods Group has inked a deal to acquire Birds Eye Foods in the US in a transaction valued at US$1.3bn.

Arla Foods has strengthened its control over the dairy brand Anchor in the UK after Fonterra, the New Zealand dairy giant, opted to sell its stake in a venture between the two groups.

US retailer Wal-Mart has confirmed that the president and CEO of its Latin America operations is leaving the company.

JM Smucker said today (20 November) that improved margins had bolstered its second quarter profits, which more than doubled year-on-year.

This was the week when even the ongoing speculation over the future of Cadbury was trumped as the headline-grabbing story. That honour fell to UK retail's leading Dutchman, Marc Bolland, who is set to switch from Morrisons after three successful

The French vegetable group Bonduelle is tightening its focus on its core business with the sale of the Rijkevorsel fruit and pickles factory.

The publication by the UK's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) of increased energy requirements and the ensuing media reaction has threatened to undermine public health education about obesity and overweight, Ben Cooper writes, and has posed questions for the

US jellies and spreads maker JM Smucker has seen its second-quarter profits more than double, as the company benefited from its Folgers Coffee acquisition and consumers increasingly eating at home.

Entremont Alliance has agreed to increase the price paid to producers for milk supplies it received in October by EUR19 (US$28.2) per 1,000 litres to EUR262/1,000 litres.

Here is just-food's week in words.

A Hershey-Ferrero takeover of Cadbury could result in the Dairy Milk maker being broken up, according to business daily Il Sole 24 Ore.

Dutch food group Wessanen has claimed "the first step" in its plans to offload its branded and distribution operations in North America with the sale of US food importer Liberty Richter.

UK dairy co-operative First Milk has trimmed its stake in milk processing giant Robert Wiseman Dairies, the companies announced today (20 November).

Glanbia, the Irish food group, is to cut 65 jobs from its domestic dairy ingredients business in a bid to stem losses from the division.

Pantaloon Retail, the Indian retailer, has confirmed that it is seeking potential acquisitions in a bid to expand its food business.

The chairman of New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra have praised the co-operative's members for "stepping up to the plate" and backing plans to restructure the business.

David Singer, the president and CEO of US snack maker Lance, is to take on a director's role at bakery giant Flowers Foods.