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The GM debate

Genetically modified food is one of the great opinion-dividers of our time. Some argue that GM foods reap irreparable damage on the environment and human health. But others say they could be the answer to a secure food supply for the world’s growing population.

No need for labels on GE foods – just more safety tests, says AMA

The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has called for mandatory pre-market safety testing of genetically engineered (GE) foods – but said there is currently no reason to label them.

Picture: Henry J Fair, for the Rainforest Alliance

What makes an ethical brand (and how do we know one when we see one)?

Do consumers care whether the ingredients in their favorite foods are produced sustainably, and whether the people that produce them are treated fairly?

GMO-free claims are starting to appear on more US food and drink products, featuring on 308 new launches in 2009, 343 in 2010 and 549 in 2011. However, this still represents just 2.7% of new launches

The fastest growing label claims of 2011: From ‘economy’ to ‘gluten-free’

While ‘all-natural’ and ’no additives & preservatives’ were still among the most popular food and drink label claims in the US last year, the fastest growth was in economy, low/no/reduced...

Delegates heard from R&D bosses at leading brands from Hershey to Heinz, Chobani, Nestle, Abbott Nutrition, Mead Johnson and Coca-Cola
Dispatches from the 6th Annual Food Technology & Innovation Forum, 2012, Chicago

Quote/Unquote: Heinz on rocking the boat, Coca-Cola on backing the right horse in beverages, why we’re really fat and how Jane Fonda helped one brand go viral …

If you didn’t make it to Chicago for the Food Technology and Innovation Forum last week – or were too busy speed-dating with suppliers in the exhibition hall to attend...

Californian GMO labeling: What would it mean for food companies?

The Californian ‘Right to Know’ campaign in support of labeling foods and ingredients produced using genetic engineering looks set for inclusion in the state’s November ballot, after it attracted nearly...

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DuPont buys out Bunge’s share in Solae joint venture in $440m deal

DuPont has taken full control of soy ingredients giant Solae after buying out Bunge’s stake in their joint venture.

New website will help manufacturers develop formulations with more consumer-friendly ingredient lists and front-of-pack claims

The clean label hierarchy: Xanthan gum? No chance. Guar gum? Borderline. Sugar? Bring it on…

What’s in a name? Everything, when it comes to ‘cleaning’ up ingredients declarations, says National Starch/Corn Products International, which has launched an online hub at cleanlabelinsights.com to collate the latest...

Monsanto is in the 'wrong business', critic claims

The pesticide industry has had its day and companies like Monsanto are “in the wrong business” according to author and academic Raj Patel.

Star-K adds non-GMO certification to its kosher and organic audits

Star-K Kosher Certification has begun providing triple inspections to certify plants and products as non-GMO, organic and kosher, which it says can save companies time and money on individually conducted...

Eric Ripert: Consumers need to increase budgets for fresh, sustainable, non-GMO foods

Chef Eric Ripert added his voice to the million others supporting genetically modified ingredient labeling during his keynote speech at the Research Chefs Association conference on Friday, but said consumers...

Are all-natural claims worth the risk?

The threat of civil litigation is now so great that food manufacturers using any ingredients not found in ‘Grandma’s kitchen cupboard’ should think twice about making ‘all-natural’ claims on pack,...

Jamba Smoothie kits are the latest in a string of products making all-natural claims to be targeted in a class action lawsuit

Steviol glycosides are not ‘all-natural’, says new class action lawsuit

A class action lawsuit filed in California this week argues that steviol glycosides should not be considered natural, owing to the "chemical processing" sometimes used to extract them from the...

Fifty-five members of Congress urge FDA to label GE foods

Fifty-five members of Congress have written to FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg in support of a petition urging the labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods and food ingredients.

GM a “cautionary tale” for nanotechnology

Hearts and minds need to be won in the battle to commercialise nanotechnology, if it is to avoid going the same way as GM food, according to a new study.

Start-up ‘surprised and pleased’ by reaction to novel natural sweetener from oats

Industry reaction to a novel natural sweetener from oats has been extremely encouraging, says a start-up firm dedicated to bringing it to market.

News in brief

Just Label It GMO labeling campaign attracts record number of comments

A petition calling for food manufacturers to state on labels whether their products contain genetically engineered ingredients has attracted more than 850,000 comments, claim organizers of the Just Label It campaign.

Tergesen: 'Burcon continues to work with food and beverage manufacturers to establish the value of Burcon's canola proteins in their products'

ADM exit does not mean there is no demand for canola protein, insists Burcon

Canadian plant protein specialist Burcon NutraScience says it remains confident of finding a new partner to commercialize its canola proteins after it emerged that ADM will not now be taking...

Who is driving the clean label agenda, and what does clean really mean?

Attempts to link ‘all-natural’ clean-labeling policies with the healthy eating agenda have been so successful that research now shows shoppers equate ‘healthy’ with ‘natural’ or ‘minimally processed’ foods.

Consumer groups petition FDA to assess GE salmon as food additive

Consumer groups have petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to alter the process by which it assesses the safety of AquaBounty’s fast-growing genetically engineered (GE) salmon.

Non-GMO Verified sales hit $1bn

Non-GMO Project Verified has become the fastest growing food eco-label in North America, as sales of certified products hit $1bn in 2011, according to findings unveiled at Organic Monitor’s Sustainable...

Canola protein ticks all the right boxes, says BioExx

Just a matter of time before canola protein enters the major league, says BioExx

"At least 12 major players in the food industry" are testing canola protein from BioExx, while a tie up with Century Foods to develop canola-protein-based sports products is also progressing...

BASF has announced it will halt all GM operations in Europe due to a lack of acceptance.

BASF pulls out of European GM market

Ingredients and chemicals giant BASF has announced it will pull the plug on its European operations in genetically modified plant development due to a lack of acceptance in the market.

‘Free from’ top-of-mind for health-conscious consumers, survey finds

Health- and eco-conscious consumers are just as interested in the ingredients their foods do not contain as those that make it onto the ingredient list – but price remains a...

Monsanto soybean trait for lower saturated fat gets USDA deregulation

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has deregulated the biotech trait in Monsanto’s Vistive Gold soybeans, allowing the production of low saturated- and trans-fat oils from the beans within the...

Responsible approach to GM fish is to assume escape: Committee hearing

The responsible approach to considering whether genetically engineered (GE) salmon pose a risk to the environment is to assume that the fish will escape and disregard assurances from the company...