Briefs

n Administrators say they are now talking to just one potential buyer for Hull-based bakery chain Skeltons, which has been trading in administration since March. Negotiations are expected to conclude next week, said a spokeswoman for PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

n Rich Products, supplier of premium frozen and ambient bakery products to the retail and foodservice markets, is celebrating after achieving ’A’ grade BRC accreditation for both its Hartlebury and Fareham sites.

n According to new research conducted by Ohio State University in the USA, raisins have a low to moderate Glycaemic Index (GI). The GI - a measure of how a food affects blood sugar levels - is being used as a tool in diabetes management, weight loss and sports nutrition. This independent clinical study, sponsored by the California Raisin Marketing Board, fed California Raisins to 11 people with pre-diabetes, 10 healthy sedentary individuals and 11 endurance athletes.

n Starbucks has signed a deal with SnowDome that will see a coffee house open next to indoor ski slopes in Tamworth, Staffordshire. The Starbucks Lounge will operate under licence, as part of Starbucks’ strategy to establish outlets in locations not wholly owned by the group, such as offices and service stations.

n Org-e, London’s first organic certified cafe and takeaway, has opened in London’s Covent Garden. Org-e stands for ’Organic Excellence’. Sandwiches and salads cost around £3.50. Director Sanjay Sridher hopes to open a chain of org-es all around the world.

n Burton’s Foods, the UK’s second-largest biscuit supplier, is ending production at one of its sites, a move that could lead to the loss of 660 jobs. The company, which produces brands including Maryland Cookies and Wagon Wheels, said the planned move at its site on The Wirral follows an "extensive" review of the business.

n Baking equipment supplier Interbake (Bury) has been appointed UK and Irish agent for mixing systems specialist the Tonelli group. David Dunne, MD, told British Baker that Tonelli was the "Ferrari" equivilant brand for prestige mixers. He said: "For Interbake to be appointed an Agent for the renowned Tonelli Group is very prestigous acquisition to our product portfolio that we are able to offer to both bakers and food processors."

n Drinks supplier Britvic last week announced that it has agreed to acquire the soft drinks and distribution businesses CCSD, of C&C Group, for £169m. CCSD owns a number of leading brands in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, including Club, Ballygowan water, Britvic, Cidona, MiWadi, and Energise Sport.

n On 11 May British Baker said that Bell Perkins was based in Leeds (pg 25). Products are actually manufactured by Brook Food Processing Equipment, based in Minehead, Somerset.