SlimFast owner Unilever has gained the exclusive global rights to
an appetite-suppressing compound extracted from the hoodia gordonii
plant by UK-based Phytopharm, reports Dominique Patton.
Unilever yesterday turned its nose up at any talk of a decline in
the low-carb market and introduced 23 lines - the biggest launch in
the company's history - into Australian supermarkets, according to
an article in The Australian.
Unilever is to launch a range of energy-boosting products across
Europe, based on one of its most traditional brands, according to a
report in German newspaper the Lebensmittelzeitung.
Japanese probiotics pioneer Yakult and French yoghurts and biscuits
maker Danone said today they will set up a new alliance to push
growth of their functional foods businesses and cement their
leading positions in the probiotics market.
French yoghurt manufacturer Danone has announced that it has raised
its stake in probiotics maker Yakult to 19 per cent, citing strong
performance of the Japanese company as the reason for its long-term
investment.
Struggling Dutch nutritional supplement company Numico is rumoured
to be the target of a bid by dairy products giant Danone, although
the French company has denied having any interest in the Dutch
firm.
