Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - North America EU edition

ADM opens Ghana cocoa plant

12-Oct-2009 - ADM has officially opened its new cocoa processing plant in Ghana, planned to boost its ability to provide cocoa products from a single source.

Northeast farmers accuse dairy firms of price fixing

12-Oct-2009 - A group of northeastern dairy farmers has filed a class action lawsuit against four milk marketing firms, accusing them of monopolizing the market and fixing prices.

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Probiotics market set to continue bullish growth

12-Oct-2009 - Despite a flurry of negative press about probiotics, the global market is predicted to continue its growth, with estimations for 2014 of $32.6 billion.

Investment to boost stevia supply from Paraguay

09-Oct-2009 - A new investment agreement between the US and Paraguay will encourage cultivation of stevia in the south of Paraguay, diversifying agriculture in the region – and supply for PureCircle.

Still a fine line between cranberry supply and demand, says Ocean Spray

09-Oct-2009 - Supply and demand for its cranberry products continues to be a balancing act at Ocean Spray despite bringing extra acres on board, according to the company.

US agriculture head on breaking dairy boom and bust

09-Oct-2009 - Restructuring may be needed to break cycles of boom and bust in the dairy industry, said the US agriculture secretary this week, soon after Congress approved a $350m emergency aid package.

Interactive forum tackles food’s biggest challenges

09-Oct-2009 - Food industry leaders met last week to develop ways to address food safety, childhood obesity, hunger, and agriculture in an interactive forum designed to boost economic opportunities and food safety in Michigan.

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USDA grants $1.6m for organic trade research

09-Oct-2009 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $1,666,000 to the Organic Trade Association (OTA) for projects that tackle trade issues for organic products.

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Meat partnership forged after E. coli testing agreement

08-Oct-2009 - Costco Wholesale Corporation has forged a partnership with food giant Tyson to buy its beef trimmings, after testing to confirm that they are free E. coli infection.

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Whole Grain Stamp marks milestone

07-Oct-2009 - The Whole Grain Stamp now appears on over 3000 products in 14 countries, according to the body that issues the Stamp, the Whole Grains Council.

Maple Leaf opens bakery and proteins innovation center

07-Oct-2009 - Maple Leaf Foods has opened a new C$12m (US$11.3m) innovation center in Ontario to concentrate on its bakery and protein businesses.

Latest BPA study “flawed” says American Chemistry Council

07-Oct-2009 - “Many limitations but no clear conclusions,” is the verdict of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) on the latest study claiming to link exposure to the chemical bisphenol A with risks to human health.

Recession not driving ethical spending underground

06-Oct-2009 - Tighter purses are not turning consumers away from ethical shopping with interest in all things sustainable or humane thriving despite the recession, according to market researcher, Packaged Facts.

Groups unite to fight US obesity

05-Oct-2009 - About forty companies and partner organizations have united to battle obesity in the US – especially among children.

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Cellulase enzyme gets GRAS for beverages

05-Oct-2009 - The FDA has raised no objections to Florida-based Dyadic International’s GRAS application for it cellulase enzyme derived from a GM strain of its patented and proprietary C1 organism.

Weight management shifts from ‘food minus’ to ‘food plus’: Euromonitor

02-Oct-2009 - The market for foods and beverages that claim to address weight management is set for a shift in focus – from the omission of certain ‘bad’ ingredients to the addition of other ‘good’ ones, suggests Euromonitor.

Defense plans needed to combat food terrorism

02-Oct-2009 - US food processors and manufacturers are being urged to implement defense plans to protect products from deliberate contamination by terrorists or disgruntled employees.

News in brief

Coca-Cola adopts front-of-pack energy labeling

02-Oct-2009 - Coca-Cola has said that it will add calorie counts to the front of drinks packaging in the US and Mexico, with energy information on “nearly all” its products by the end of 2011.

USDA report examines organic sector’s ‘revamped marketing’

02-Oct-2009 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has compiled a report on the marketing of organic food, which it says aims to respond to a dearth of information on the fast-changing sector.

New ad campaign to tackle ‘viral urban myths’ about HFCS

01-Oct-2009 - The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) has launched a new advertising campaign in an effort to dispel consumer misconceptions about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Burcon receives US patent allowance for protein isolate

01-Oct-2009 - Canadian firm Burcon has received a notice of allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office for its Puratein canola protein isolate.

Nanotech research launched by US and EU

01-Oct-2009 - The US Government and the European Union have announced separate plans to launch studies into the possible health effects and business implications for nanotechnology.

Peppadew: The next big flavor, says Bell

30-Sep-2009 - Bell Flavors & Fragrances claims to have developed ‘the next big flavor’ with an exclusive license agreement for Peppadew, the sweet and spicy South African pepper.

Fruit and veg crisis calls for radical change

30-Sep-2009 - Goals for fruit and vegetable consumption set back in 2000 in Healthy People 2010 look certain to be missed prompting a US government agency to call for major changes to the way food is sold and consumed.