Business

13-Feb-2008 - Large price increases for fats and oils have been predicted in a 10-year forecast by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Biotech reports spark debate over potential benefits

13-Feb-2008 - Two contradictory reports assessing global cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops and its impact on productivity, pesticide use and world hunger caused debate today.

Asoyia launches stable soybean oil free from trans fats

12-Feb-2008 - Soybean oil with less that 1 percent linolenic acid and a high oleic content has been brought onto the market by Asoyia, reducing trans fats, increasing stability and extending shelf life.

Flavors and colors help boost Sensients coffers

12-Feb-2008 - Sensient Technologies Corporation is toasting an "outstanding" year after revenue reached $300.9m - up more than 10 per cent from 2006.

Weekly Comment

The ethical cocoa confusion

11-Feb-2008 - While most consumers agree that ethically-sourced cocoa is no bad thing, an ever increasing number of different schemes risks muddying the issue and puzzling chocolate fans.

Caravan bumps up prices to counter raw material costs

11-Feb-2008 - Caravan Ingredients has announced price increases to a range of products to cope with rising raw material costs across the food industry.

Sugar stocks may be diverted after disaster

11-Feb-2008 - A tragic explosion at Imperial Sugar's Savannah refinery last week could leave the plant out of action for some time, possibly requiring sugar to be diverted to competitors' facilities.

Sabinsa positions itself as full-service contract manufacturer

08-Feb-2008 - Nutritional ingredient firm Sabinsa has said its new manufacturing and distribution facility is fully operational, which the company hopes will allow it to take its ingredients into international markets.

Canadian food groups reiterate responsible kids ad pledges

08-Feb-2008 - A number of the leading food and beverage groups operating in Canada have this week revealed plans to adapt their marketing amidst growing consumer and regulatory concerns over obesity levels in the country.

News briefs: Parmalat, Saputo and Fonterra

08-Feb-2008 - This week, Fonterra reveals its milk supply concerns, Saputo posts profit growth from its North American focus, and Parmalat says it is meeting its financial expectations for the year.

MGP earnings drop amid high material costs

08-Feb-2008 - Low prices for ethanol and the rising costs of corn led to a fall in second quarter earnings for Kansas-based MGP Ingredients.

Coca-Cola takes Honest approach with innovation drive

07-Feb-2008 - Coca-Cola will acquire a 40 per cent stake in US-based organic beverage group Honest Tea, as part of an ongoing drive to focus on non-carbonated alternatives for its brands.

Bunge eyes further profit push in 2008

07-Feb-2008 - Bunge posted a 71 percent increase in full year earnings amounting to $44bn on the back of strong global demand for its edible oils and commodity products, a pattern it expects to continue into 2008.

Danone, Yakult grants to advance probiotic science

07-Feb-2008 - The field of probiotics research is set to receive a boost by two new grants announced yesterday by the Global Probiotics Council (GPC).

Citrus expansion takes Takasago close to source

06-Feb-2008 - Takasago has unveiled plans to open a new citrus center in Florida, the USA's largest citrus-producing state, in a bid to increase product quality and innovation.

Whole grain stamp adapted for Canadian market

06-Feb-2008 - The popular Whole Grain Stamp is to be launched in a bilingual version for use on food products in Canada, expanding its reach to more consumer groups as awareness of the healthy grains increases.

Higher yield soybean approved in Pacific markets

06-Feb-2008 - Monsanto has been given permission to use a new herbicide resistant soybean crop which offers improved yield in Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

Industry concerned over FDA food safety budget

06-Feb-2008 - The FDA has requested a budget increase of $42.4m for food safety initiatives in the 2009 fiscal year, but food industry and consumer groups say this will still leave administration under resourced in this area.

Pharmline implements quality control in Chinese production

05-Feb-2008 - Nutritional ingredients supplier Pharmline is set to restart operations in China, following the implementation of new quality control measures.

Ecolab buys into wastewater management

05-Feb-2008 - Ecolab, a global supplier of hygiene and safety systems, hopes to step up its focus on sustainable water and energy supply for the beverage and food industries with its latest acquisition.

TIC develops alternative to costly emulsifier PGA

05-Feb-2008 - Hydrocolloid supplier TIC Gums has launched an emulsifier that offers a cost-effective alternative to the more expensive propylene glycol alginate (PGA).