Briefs

n Irish firm Johnston Mooney & O’Brien has won a E2m contact to provide fresh bread to the Irish Defence Forces.

n The Co-operative Group plans to switch all its own-brand teas to Fairtrade and stop selling eggs from caged hens. The company started stocking Fairtrade food products 10 years ago and produces Fairtrade mince pies and Christmas puddings.

n Coffee and bakery chain Dunkin’ Donuts plans to open in Shanghai this spring, as part of a push into China.

n Honeytop Speciality Foods, UK producer of ethnic breads, has been working with Marks & Spencer to relaunch a range of premium naan breads for its bakery category. Honeytop will supply a range of premium naan products to the retailer, including large plain naans, large garlic and coriander naans and mini plain naans.

n Asda has pledged a 25% reduction in packaging on own-brand products, including bakery. The retailer claimed that this would bring £10m savings for its customers.

n The Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA) is to provide three-day bakery Masterclasses for Tesco’s in-store bakers. The classes are designed for managers of the retailer’s 470 scratch bakeries. The first classes of this kind were held at CCFRA in November 2007. A further 27 courses have been planned for 2008-09. See Meet the Buyer, pg 18.