The UK market for gluten-free products has grown rapidly, with annual free-from sales currently worth GBP585.6m, a 26.7% increase on the previous year.

General Mills’ spate of new products were crafted with consumers’ snacking habits in mind.

According to a new survey commissioned by Unilever, how consumers perceive a brand’s social or environmental impact may play a role in supporting their purchasing decision.

Zimbabwe Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently opened a state-of-the-art baking centre in Harare operated by Lesaffre Zimbabwe, which was established following the acquisition of the majority stake in Anchor Yeast by the French company in a $14 million deal. “This Baking Centre will play a pivotal role in the development of the baking industry in Zimbabwe and the region through innovation, research and development and provision of appropriate training,” he said. “This will bring about necessary skills transfer, technological development and employment creation as envisaged in Zimbabwe-Asset. Moreover, in addition to Lesaffre Zimbabwe’s current staff complement of 120, trainees from this institution will be easily integrated into the mainstream baking industry or start their own bakeries as entrepreneurs.”

Lesaffre chief executive Mr Antoine Baule said his company was keen to continue investing in Zimbabwe, saying Lesaffre was celebrating opening its first baking centre in Southern Africa. “This baking centre will be part of a network born in France in 1974 and today composed of 38 centres, with more than 300 technicians in bakery technicians present on five continents,” he said. “Lesaffre is in the process of upgrading and expanding the Gweru yeast plant, the main focus being to improve quality and increase exports into the region.”

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