BABY FOOD MARKET

EUROPE: DECEMBER 2007 - Organic baby foods represent over 50% of the UK market.

In the UK sales of organic produce represent over 50% of the total baby food market.

The Organic Trade Group was established by the Soil Association, the main UK accreditation body for organic food, in 2007 to represent the needs and views of organic businesses in the UK.

The Chair, Elizabeth Vann, recently expressed its disappointment to the Food Standards Agency that they had not been consulted over its response to University of Southampton research into food additives and hyperactive behaviour in children.

The thrust of their argument is that the FSA should be more prescriptive and rely less on the discretion of parents who may be less aware and less informed of the dangers.

Consolidation in the European sector continues. The EU Competition Commission approved the acquisition by Danone of Numico, the manufacturer of the Cow & Gate and Olvarit brands, with the proviso that Danone divests businesses in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The deal has been declared unconditional and Numico shares will be delisted from Euronext Amsterdam on 28 December 2007. Nestlé completed the acquisition of Gerber in September 2007.

Related Market Industry Reports

UK Baby Food 2007
Snapdata's Snapshots UK Baby Food 2007 provides 2005 year-end market size data, with 2006 estimates, 4 years of historical data and five-year forecasts. The Snapshots report gives an instant overview of the UK baby food market, and covers wet baby food, dry baby food and others. Market value is based on retail sales. The data is supplied in both graphical and tabular format for ease of interpretation and analysis. The Snapshots UK Baby Food 2007 forms part of Snapdata's Food industry coverage.