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

GI, antioxidants to lead 2006 health trends, says AC Nielsen

Foods with a low glycemic index and products containing antioxidants will enjoy good growth this year as consumers continue to "obsess over their health," according to a new study by consumer tracker AC Nielsen.

Retailers bid to reduce cost of unsaleable goods

Retailer organisations have called for more collaboration with manufacturers in reducing unsaleable goods.

Soft drinks shift rocks Cott profits

Profits tumbled by two thirds last year for the world's largest supplier of private label soft drinks, Cott Corporation, as the group struggled to cope with rising input costs and a consumer shift to non-carbonated drinks.

Industry develops whole grain 'action plan'

A whole grain 'action plan,' which aims to make whole grains more wide spread, was recently developed by healthy eating executives together with marketing, regulatory and food technology executives from 40 leading US food manufacturers.

Weekly Comment

Time to ditch the FFQ

Little wonder consumers are confused about which foods are good for them, and which bad, when scientists use methods with almost no chance of meaningful results.

'Contagious' obesity to be tackled with vaccine?

New research published this month suggests that certain viruses may cause obesity, providing evidence that factors other than poor diet or lack of exercise may be contributing to the growing obesity epidemic.

Junk food marketers target kids with dirty tricks

Snack food advertisers should be banned from targeting children with underhand advertising campaigns that parents are oblivious to, says a new report.

Bean extract could lower GI of baked goods

Bakers may be set to benefit from the launch of a white bean extract that claims to reduce the glycemic index of products by reducing the amount of starch absorbed by the body.

Kraft set for major reshuffle

Kraft Foods has announced plans for a major European reshuffle and a string of acquisitions, as US parent company Altria segregates the food producer from its ailing tobacco subsidiary.

Organic farm bill title to solve undersupply?

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has called for a national action plan for organic food and farming to be included in the next farm bill, something that could result in increased production of organic ingredients.

Europe's soft drinks firms ban adverts to children

Soft drinks firms will voluntarily ban advertising to children across the European Union in an effort to curb public criticism amid the bloc's growing obesity problem.

Hershey's growth not without its costs

New products and seasonal success may have given Hershey increased 2005 sales, but income for the confectionery colossus remains blighted by the cost of reorganisation.

Consumer protection acts biggest threat in obesity litigation

When it comes to using litigation as a strategy to combat obesity, food manufacturers should be most wary of lawsuits based on consumer protection acts, according to a new report that examines the application of tobacco litigation methods to obesity lawsuits.

Obesity lawsuits loom for soft drinks industry

A lawsuit aimed at getting soft drinks firms out of US schools on obesity grounds is now ready to go, says one of the leading lawyers involved to BeverageDaily.com, as new research suggests obesity litigation will become the next 'tobacco'.

Ahold restructuring continues, sales announced

International retailing giant Ahold is to slash a further 850 jobs in the US as it continues its streamlining and restructuring efforts, it emerged this week.

McCormick to cut jobs and customers in restructuring

Leading spice company McCormick is to slice away at its customers, products and employees as it embarks on a three year restructuring plan to improve sales and profit margins.

BSE in Canadian cow sets back effort to regain lost markets

Another cow with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been found in Canada, a second blow against the US' recent success at regaining its international markets.

Demand for exotic fruits set to increase in 2006, report

Exotic fruits, white tea and small plates and bites are set to become more popular with consumers this year, as more people opt for "healthy," "fashionable" and "adventurous" foods, says a new report.

Weekly Comment

Food miles leave a bitter taste

The organic food movement has been hijacked by supermarkets intent on being seen to be green, but their disrespect of food miles shows they are anything but.

US consumers lack wholegrains, claims Uncle Ben's

The majority of US adults are not consuming enough whole grains despite growing dietary awareness, according to a new industry study.

Japan bans US beef following illegal shipment

Japan has slapped a ban on all beef imports from the US after discovering prohibited material in a recent shipment.

Mineral maker hunting for acquisition

Israeli minerals maker Gadot Biochemicals is seeking an acquisition in Europe or the US to expand its health ingredients business.

Taste and behavior are hardwired into the brain

Different tastes are associated with different behavior, and it is all controlled by specific cells in the brain, says new research from UC Berkeley, findings that could have implications for the food industry.

Frutarom develops mental health ingredient

Flavours and extracts firm Frutarom has developed a wild green oat extract to boost mental health, it revealed yesterday.

Industry to hold science pow-wow on innovation research

The EU's food industry will meet with scientists next month to hammer out an action plan on how to translate research into new and better products.

USDA sugar forecasts fall further, industry calls for imports

With the nation's sugar supplies still low, manufacturers of products that use sugar have again appealed to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow for extra imports in order to avoid shortages on the market.

Cracking the pig genome could lead to better meat

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is to fund research to crack the code of the pig genome, something that could lead to better meat for consumers.

Kellogg to face lawsuit over 'junk food' ads to kids

Cereal giant Kellogg and media conglomerate Viacom are to face a lawsuit because of their marketing of 'junk food' to children, it emerged today.

Cargill sales up, acquisitions, expansion high

As Cargill continues to expand its global supply chain, the company yesterday reported a 19 percent rise in its second quarter net earnings.

Scientists find genes to make fish fatter

Scientists have discovered new genes in rainbow trout that may lead to a fleshier fish for the food industry.

Straw war: company launches suit against Nestlé

An Australian company has taken Nestlé to court in the UK over the rights to a flavouring beverage straw.

Dietetic chocolate takes American hit

A dramatic decline in US sales of dietetic chocolate signals the product's popularity is fading.

Obesity levels in Canada continue to rise

Researchers in Canada have drawn together information from seven national surveys on obesity levels, conducted between 1985 and 2003, revealing specific trends in the increase in each class of obesity over the past few decades.

Natural enzyme could reduce peanut allergens, say scientists

New research may provide insight into how to reduce the allergenic properties of peanuts through the use of an enzyme found in certain fruit and vegetables, findings that could lead to the development of "hypoallergenic peanut products," say scientists.

McCormick to shut two plants in restructuring

Leading spice company McCormick is to close two manufacturing facilities this year as part of the company's restructuring plans to improve margins.

Weekly comment

Some news is good news

I am beginning to feel like a freak among journalists. Good or bad, my reporting is the product of hours of questions, fact-hunting and often-times editorial debate. Yet, despite this rigour, every day we receive emails from people asking, or even instructing, us to publish their press release on our sites.

Coca-Cola facing storm on human rights

Coca-Cola faces a challenging 2006 as the firm experiences rising levels of bad publicity on alleged human rights abuse and, of course, obesity. In the first of two parts, BeverageDaily.com takes a closer look, starting with human rights.

Brewers set to benefit from winter malting barley

A new variety of winter malting barley could provide brewers with a better quality and more stable barley supply, say scientists who have been developing the variety for the past decade.

Make fresh easier: key to success, says expert

Harry Balzer, who has been studying the eating patterns of Americans for the past 25 years, told FoodNavigator-USA.com where the nation's consumers are heading, and what food manufacturers need to focus on in order to come out on top of a competitive market.

ADM teams up with Monsanto for low trans fat soy oil

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is to expand its range of low trans fat oils for the food industry by teaming up with biotech giant Monsanto to process some of the company's Vistive low-linolenic soybeans this year.

Sucralose breakthrough could smash Tate & Lyle monopoly

An India-based company claims it has developed a sucralose that will break Tate & Lyle's lucrative monopoly in the sweetener.

RFID advances help food traceability

Advances in RFID make the technology more useful to food processors in tracing and tracking their products.

Childhood obesity linked to fruit, veg prices says USDA

High fruit and vegetable prices may be linked to childhood obesity, says the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), although it suggests that further research is needed in order to confirm the "casual relationship" identified by its recent study.

Bunge to expand oilseed capacity in Canada

The world's biggest oilseed processor Bunge this week announced that it is to expand the oilseed crusher and oil refinery capacity at one of its plants in Canada.

Soy could damage fertility in mice, new study

The soy component genistein has been found to disrupt the normal development of ovaries in female mice, although a similar effect in humans has yet to be proven.

Atkins advertises new look range

Atkins Nutritionals, the company that created the low-carb diet craze, said today that it has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with a slimmer range of products for a broader customer base.

Ahold receives preliminary approval for fraud settlement

International retailing giant Ahold today announced that a US federal court has granted approval for its $1.1 billion legal pay out to shareholders, compensating them for an overstating of profits two years ago.

USDA lifts regulation on Monsanto GM corn

A line of genetically engineered corn from Monsanto is no longer considered a plant pest, meaning that the company now has the right to market it to farmers, but the company has not yet announced when it is due to make its product commercially available.

Lycopene colorant achieves regulatory approval

A natural tomato lycopene has been classified as a food colourant in the US.

Understand GDP to improve business, says study

Food manufacturers and retailers will be able to tell if a particular marketing campaign or the introduction of a new product is likely to be successful by studying the state of the nation's economy, according to a new report.

Hershey takes legal action against publisher

One of the world's largest confectioners, Hershey, has successfully taken legal action against a publisher who it says had unfairly used the company's trademarks.

CSPI sues Frito Lay over fat replacer olestra

Snack firm Frito Lay is to face a law suit for deceptively marketing its 'Light' potato chip range in order to trick consumers into believing the products do not contain the controversial fat substitute olestra, said the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

Obesity linked to kidney failure and Alzheimer's, studies

Kidney failure and Alzheimer's are two new health risks associated with obesity, according to recent research, findings that place even more pressure on a food industry already struggling to cope with the growing epidemic.

Qualified health claim for lutein denied

Cognis has been denied permission to make a qualified health claim for the consumption of its Xangold brand lutein esters and reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

New cowpea variety retains 'perfect' green color when dry, frozen

A greener variety of black-eyed pea may well solve the problem of color fading faced by frozen food processors, allowing them to sell a better looking product, say scientists.

DHL launches a 'virtual warehouse' for importers

As part of a new international shipping and distribution service, DHL plans to offer companies customized transit reports on all their imports.

The rise of vitamin D

A growing body of research is driving strong growth in supplements and foods fortified with vitamin D, inversely linked in several studies to lower risk of certain cancers and osteoporosis.

Soy could worsen heart disease, study

New research published today reveals that consuming soy could have a "severe" impact on a genetic heart condition that affects one in 500 people, though the authors caution that the effect has so far only been observed in male mice.

Monsanto reports "record" first quarter sales

Agricultural products giant Monsanto today reported strong first quarter sales, on the back of a good performance from its seeds and genomics segment.

Barley products to carry heart health claim

US Manufacturers of products containing barley are allowed to claim that they may help reduce the risk of heart disease, according to the Food and Drug Administration, which has approved the health claim for immediate use.

Plastic packaging additive cuts out taste and odors

A new plastics additive removes taste and odor molecules as they pass through food packaging, its developer claims.

Scientists reveal mechanism behind high-fat, diabetes link

New research explains the mechanism behind the widely recognized link between a high-fat diet and type 2 diabetes, providing an insight into how high-fat diet-induced diabetes may be prevented.

Trans fat label law could lead to new opportunities

Food manufacturers in the US may well be set to benefit from the new trans fat labeling law, in effect as of yesterday, despite the panic this has caused over the past two years.

Ahold reshuffle brings extra Q4 charges and job cuts

Dutch retailing giant Ahold will axe 700 jobs from its US operations as restructuring costs see more than $50 million in charges added to fourth quarter results.

New allergen labeling to boost growing 'free-from' market?

Consumers who suffer from food allergies are set to benefit from new "plain English" allergen labeling rules, which also provide food and beverage manufacturers with the opportunity to tap into the growing "free-from" market.

Measuring meter reader fits tight spaces

Small electromagnetic shakers are designed specifically for tight fitting processing and packaging distribution lines that require precise metering and low maintenance drives, the system's manufacturer claims.