Glanbia improving Irish dairy and ingredients giant Glanbia beat analysts' expectations with a strong first half performance on the back of recovering prices for milk powder and cheese in Ireland and the US. Consumer foods in the UK and Ireland moved back into the black despite the impact of foot and mouth, while the Irish liquid milk operation delivered "satisfactory progress". Glanbia's communications director Michael Patten said a drive to improve operational efficiency and a major new supply deal with Compass in Britain had turned around the fortunes of the troubled UK consumer foods division, although there was "still more progress to be made". Glanbia's real growth engines are in high margin nutritional products and ingredients said Patten. A milk mineral complex called Trucal, which claims to aid calcium absorption, is being launched in Europe next week. Talks are progressing with other European manufacturers to provide them with mineral milk complexes, enzymes, lactose and other dairy derivatives for new functional health products. Pre-tax profit for the six months to June 30 almost tripled to 32.23 million euros on sales up 3.4% to 288.67 million euros. {{NEWS }}

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