Business

07-Apr-2008 - Farmers in the US are expected to plant significantly fewer corn crops than last year, pushing the price up to a record high of $6 a bushel, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned last week.

Gum Technology cracks problem of expensive eggs

04-Apr-2008 - Gum Technology is introducing a new line of hydrocolloid and stabilizer blends to replace eggs in custards, doughs and baked goods, in an effort to help manufacturers reduce the impact of high egg prices.

Governments examine food labeling, marketing to kids

04-Apr-2008 - Government officials, nutritionists and consumer groups will next week examine the state food labeling and marketing as part of efforts to reduce childhood obesity globally.

Ocean Spray goes for Asian bakery market

04-Apr-2008 - Ocean Spray is continuing to push into the Asia-Pacific bakery market with a new partnership with Taiwan-based baker ChiaTe, the company announced yesterday.

Consumers want better industry efforts to combat obesity

04-Apr-2008 - Food manufacturers are not proving to consumers they are dedicated to cutting fat, sugar and salt levels in their products, suggests a new survey.

HFCS is not 'natural', says FDA

02-Apr-2008 - Products containing high fructose corn syrup cannot be considered 'natural' and should not be labeled as such, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said.

US dairy industry to rethink export plans

02-Apr-2008 - The US dairy industry is having to change its attitudes towards export markets, amidst growing international demand for both finished products and ingredients, an industry organization has said.

Monsanto claims immunity from commodity flux

02-Apr-2008 - Monsanto says it is poised for major growth over the next five years irrespective of commodity prices and other issues that are affecting the financial results of other companies in the agriculture sector.

CHS buys textured soy protein maker

01-Apr-2008 - Legacy Foods has been acquired by energy- and grain-based foods company CHS, in a move that is expected to take the textured soy protein supplier 'to the next level'.

Sabinsa selenium gets GRAS

01-Apr-2008 - Sabinsa Corporation is making its selenium ingredient available for food and beverage manufacturers in the US, following a recent GRAS (generally recognized as safe) certification.

Aker not phased by krill patent

01-Apr-2008 - Aker BioMarine, the Norwegian krill supplier, has said a new krill patent granted to competitor Neptune will have no effect on its own recently launched ingredient.

Weekly comment

Temporary workers and corporate responsibility

31-Mar-2008 - As ever more food companies find themselves in the position of having employed migrants who were mistreated by illegal labour providers, it may be time for firms to start taking more responsibility for the temporary workers many of them rely on.

Japanese CoQ10 receives GRAS

31-Mar-2008 - Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation will start supplying its CoQ10 as an ingredient for use in foods and beverages in the US market, following its certification as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe).

Leap in added fat consumption spells reformulation potential

31-Mar-2008 - American consumption of added fats and oils has increased dramatically over the past 35 years, exceeding government recommendations and affording a need for healthier processed foods.

New company targets growth in dried fruits

31-Mar-2008 - Two dried fruit specialists have joined forces to create Shoreline Fruit, a new company positioned to benefit from growth in fruit-derived ingredients, and to offer security of supply from farm right through to finished products.

International probiotic group establishes quality seal standards

28-Mar-2008 - The International Probiotics Association (IPA) has set criteria for a mooted labeling scheme that will allow probiotics products to bear a quality seal.

Mintel's new club promotes packaging innovation

28-Mar-2008 - Mintel Research Consultancy is launching a packaging innovation club for businesses involved in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) packaging industry.

Food safety worries makes consumers label-savvy

28-Mar-2008 - US consumers are increasingly turning to the information on their food labels amid the growing incidence of food safety scares, according to the Hartman Group.

Commodity price pressure being passed on to consumers

28-Mar-2008 - The soaring cost of many major commodity products is being passed on to US shoppers, according to a survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFB).

Strike deals to secure organic ingredients, urges Frost

27-Mar-2008 - Organic food makers must make alliances with ingredients firms and farmers to ensure they have a secure supply of organic ingredients in the face of increasing demand, advises Frost & Sullivan.

Microwave pipe technology enables uniform food heating

27-Mar-2008 - A manufacturer of microwave technologies claims to have developed a more efficient tube-based heating system for aseptic liquid and semi-liquid food products.

Sensible luxury the key to new age of boomers

27-Mar-2008 - A new study of consumers approaching their 70s indicates that the spending habits of this powerful 'baby boom' consumer group are set to shift - once again.

Restructuring and price hikes yield results for McCormick

27-Mar-2008 - McCormick & Company has reported a strong set of results for its first quarter, thanks to higher pricing, greater volume sales, and foreign exchange rates in its favor.

Wild Flavors aseptic abilities cater to natural beverage trend

26-Mar-2008 - Aseptic ingredients can help beverage manufacturers tap into the growing trend for natural products, says Wild Flavors, which recently acquired its own aseptic manufacturing business.

New technique opens up supply of sweet potato ingredient

26-Mar-2008 - New supply of the premium ingredient sweet potato paste is becoming available as of today, thanks to a new process developed by USDA that retains nutritional and sensory properties.