Industry News

Food-at-home prices dropped for the second consecutive month in December and were up 6.6% from a year earlier. This brought the annual inflation rate to 6.4%. Food away-from-home increased 0.3% for the month and was 5.0% above a year earlier last month, with an annual inflation rate of 4.4%. Both are more than the overall inflation rate for all items of 3.8% for 2008, according to exclusive Food Institute analysis. Full Story (FI Membership Required)

The market for mood-enhancing foods will continue to experience increasing growth rates, according to Kline's Mood-Enhancing Foods and Beverages: The "Fun" in Functional Foods report. While the functional foods industry thus far is focusing mainly on physical benefits and health claims, mood, emotional, and cognitive health claims are emerging to form an important new market segment. Full Story

Edmonds Capital, LLC is teaming up with the management teams of Shane's Rib Shack and Planet Smoothie to purchase each of the businesses from Raving Brands Inc. Both companies will retain their management teams and operate under the holding company of Petrus Brands, Inc. Full Story

Specialty food brands are receiving less shelf space in stores as grocers promote their own brands to cash-strapped consumers, according to David Wenner, president and chief executive of B&G Foods Inc, reported Reuters. Full Story

Convenience Store News released its list of the Top 10 Consumer Trends to watch in 2009. Trends include mobilization, internationalization, personalization and localization. Full Story, Full Report

International News

The European Commission plans to take WTO action against a U.S. decision to impose new tariffs on EU products covered by sanctions in a beef hormone disagreement, reported AFP. Full Story

British supermarket chain Waitrose entered into a conditional agreement with The Co-operative Group to purchase 13 stores arising out of the group's acquisition of Somerfield. Waitrose will also open at least nine new branches in 2009. Full Story

Washington News

Food producers will not be required to label meat, poultry or seafood as being sourced from genetically modified animals, according to a final guidance for industry on the regulation of genetically engineered (GE) animals under the new animal drug provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The guidance, The Regulation of Genetically Engineered Animals Containing Heritable rDNA Constructs, clarifies FDA's statutory and regulatory authority and provides recommendations to producers of GE animals to help them meet their obligations and responsibilities under the law. Full Story, Full Notice

Whole Foods Market, Inc. re-filed its case against FTC in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to sooner reach a decision on the merits of the case. The petition charges FTC with violating Whole Foods Market's due process and equal protection rights. Full Story

Owner of the Black Angus Steakhouse chain, ARG Enterprises Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. ARG owes between $100 million and $500 million and has assets between $100 million and $500 million, according to the filing, reported The Associated Press. Full Story

Market News

In the long term, demand for fruits and vegetables is expected to increase due to growing health awareness and changing demographics, according to Rabobank's North American Food & Agribusiness Outlook. With consumers increasingly preparing meals at home, overall produce sales are on the rise, claims Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory Assistant VP Marieke de Rijke. However, in the short term, much of the growth will depend on the economy, which may temporarily lower demand for fresh-cut fruits and vegetables in favor of less expensive alternatives, such as canned and frozen produce. Full Story

The Nigerian market provides many market opportunities for U.S. exporters of fruit juice concentrate, according to FAS. Nigeria's fruit juice market increased 60% over the last five years due to increasing incomes of Nigerian consumers, an expanding middle class and greater health-consciousness of consumers. FAS Report