Business

27-May-2008 - International sugar prices have risen by 30.7 per cent since last November despite a second consecutive year of surplus supplies in 2007/08, according to the Food Outlook report published by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) last week.

Weekly comment

The GSK weight loss wake-up call

26-May-2008 - GlaxoSmithKline's petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban dietary supplements from making weight loss claims, has opened a cupboard and only the deluded would deny the presence of one or two skeletons rattling around in there.

Sabinsa launches soluble extract range

23-May-2008 - Ingredient group Sabinsa has adopted a new technology that allows it to 'solubalize' a range of botanical extracts, thereby making them easy to incorporate into beverage applications, said the firm.

Monsanto and Syngenta make peace over soy technology

23-May-2008 - Agro-chemical giant Monsanto has ended a long-running dispute with Syngenta over soy and corn seeds by entering into a licensing agreement that will allow its Swiss rival to use its technology in its soy seed activities.

Rice bran approved as meat enhancer

23-May-2008 - NutraCea has received approval from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to supply stabilized rice bran as an enhancer for pulverized meat and poultry products.

Ingredients fundamental to private label innovation, PLMA

23-May-2008 - The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) is inviting ingredients firms to exhibit at its US trade show for the first time this year, signalling the importance of being on trend rather than following in the wake of the brands.

Cocoa deficit forecast to fall but prices remain high

22-May-2008 - Latest figures from the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) suggest that there will be a rise in world production of cocoa compared to last year and a rise, though smaller, in world grindings.

Candy Expo highlights gourmet, premium and organic products

21-May-2008 - The All Candy Expo currently taking place in Chicago is highlighting gourmet, premium and organic products, which organisers say is the fastest growing segment in the confectionery and snack market.

US group denies wrongdoing amidst milk price uncertainty

21-May-2008 - A leading US dairy cooperative has denied any wrongdoing over allegations that it may be involved in price fixing for some of its products, as yet another country finds its dairy markets under scrutiny.

Soft drink behemoths attacked over global ad pledges

21-May-2008 - Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have come under fire this week for pledging to cut out promoting its beverage brands to children under twelve across the globe by the end of the year

FMC steps up competitiveness with alginates acquisition

20-May-2008 - Chemical company FMC Corporation will acquire the hydrocolloids ingredients business of International Specialty Products (ISP) to expand its alginate profile and strengthen cost competitiveness.

Volatility for cereal food prices continues as demand outstrips supply

20-May-2008 - Cost pressures continue for food makers as recent prices from the futures market reflect volatility in prices for wheat, soybeans and maize.

Danisco aims to adapt to US cultures

19-May-2008 - Danisco is expanding the range of yoghurt cultures available to its US customers in order to exploit impressive growth within the market.

US trade harmed by EU banana regime, rules WTO

19-May-2008 - The European Union's banana import regime breaks international trade laws and thereby damages US trade rights, said the World Trade Organization (WTO) today.

Galam extends fructose reach for US beverages

19-May-2008 - Galam is aiming to expand its fructose sweetener brand in the US as new supplies come on-stream that can meet demand for natural sweeteners, particularly for beverages.

Cargill names stevia brand on back of new science

16-May-2008 - Cargill yesterday gave a name to its stevia brand, further to the publication of an overview of the science supporting the use of rebiana as a sweetener.

Suppliers react to Chinese earthquake

16-May-2008 - Western suppliers and manufacturers are contributing to earthquake recovery in China while trying to cope with the effect the quake has had on their operations.

Penford and CP Kelco ink Genu Plus deal

16-May-2008 - Penford Food Ingredients and CP Kelco have signed an agreement that grants Penford exclusive use of Kelco's Genu Plus carrageenan line for the US meat, poultry and seafood industry - evidence of the hydrocolloid industry's increasing willingness to collaborate externally in new product development.

Canadian health products bill draws criticism

16-May-2008 - Legislative amendments being fast-tracked through the Canadian parliament that place pharmaceutical controls on the dietary supplements industry are raising alarm among industry.

Golden Peanut launches organic lines on mainstream demand

15-May-2008 - Major US peanut and peanut ingredient supplier the Golden Peanut Company has launched two new organic peanut flours and an organic roasted peanut oil, to meet growing demand for both organic and nutritional finished products.

Penford rolls out fibre with resistant potato starch product

15-May-2008 - As food makers sharpen their product designs to target the growing consumer health appeal, Penford Food Ingredients inks an agreement with fellow US firm MGP Ingredients to manufacture and sell resistant potato starch in the United States.