Special Edition: Kids' Food

Kids’ TV food commercials down, but cross-promotions soar

Cross-promotions on food packaging targeted at children increased by 78 percent between 2006 and 2008, according to a study from Yale’s Rudd Center for Food Policy.

Third party food safety certification vital for consumers

Evidence that food product safety has been verified by a third party certification scheme is more important to consumers than brand name, proof of traceability or government inspection, said...

Sara Lee accused of ‘misleading’ marketing

Sara Lee has issued a clarification statement regarding its EarthGrain-brand bread after organic farming campaigners at Cornucopia accused it of “misleading and unethical” claims.

Taxes more effective than subsidies for reducing calories, suggests study

Taxing unhealthy foods could be a more effective pricing strategy to reduce caloric intake than subsidizing healthy foods, according to a new study published in Psychological Science.

USDA launches interactive atlas comparing food and health

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a new online mapping tool to assess American food environments and how a range of factors may relate to diet-related illnesses.

Coke unveils plan to buy most of its largest bottler

Coca-Cola has revealed plans to buy the bulk of its largest bottler following a similar move from rival PepsiCo last year.

Dairy avoidance health impacts poorly understood: NIH panel

A National Institutes of Health panel has called for more research into lactose-restricted diets to better quantify their public health impacts, as more people are choosing to exclude dairy from...

Special Edition: Kids' food

Kids’ food trends in the spotlight

Some major trends in children’s eating habits could change as the economy recovers – but foods marketed as natural and healthful are here to stay, according to a senior analyst...

Trans-fat harm may extend to women’s stroke risk: Study

High intakes of trans-fatty acids, an enfant terrible of the food industry, may increase the risk of stroke in post-menopausal women by 30 per cent, says a new study.

News in brief

Date confirmed for Kraft probe by MPs

A committee of politicians in the UK will meet next month to investigate the controversial takeover of chocolate firm Cadbury by US food giant Kraft, reports the Press Association.

Black chickpeas show functional ingredient potential

After purple tomatoes, black garlic and golden kiwi fruit Israeli scientists now propose that rust-colored and black chickpeas are antioxidant-rich and could be functional food ingredient.

USDA’s hundred years of food trend data

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) data now track a century of food trends in the United States, with the latest data revealing sharply increased availability of cheese, processed eggs and...

Special edition: Kids' Food

How characters can help children eat healthily

From Disney to Tony the Tiger, consumer groups have been campaigning hard to break the links between childhood icons and unhealthy foods. But furry friends and super-heroes are now putting...

Bunge to close soybean processing plant

Bunge North America has announced that it will close its soybean processing facility in Danville, Illinois on April 23 due to lack of demand for soybean oil and meal and...

News in brief

Fast and sensitive test for E.coli in beef, lettuce and spinach

A new test to check for E.coli 0157:H7 contamination in beef, lettuce and spinach is both speedy and sensitive, said manufacturer DuPont Qualicon.

Sugar and stevia join forces to cut calories

PureCircle and Imperial Sugar have launched a joint venture to offer sugar and stevia combinations to the food and beverage industry as it looks to meet consumer demand for natural...

Bakery and snacks proving earner for Campbell

Improved sales and earnings performance within the baking and snacks division of the Campbell Soup for the fiscal year 2010 were due to favourable currency impact and margin growth in...

Special edition: Kids' food

Giving children the best nutritional start

With childhood obesity rates apparently sky rocketing around the world, celebrity chefs redesigning school meals, and international initiatives to influence what our children eat, now is an interesting time for...

Dingell criticizes Senate for food safety standstill

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich) has criticized the Senate for stalling over food safety legislation that passed from committee in November with strong bipartisan support.

News in brief

AACC to hold short course on healthier formulation

The American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC) is planning to hold a short course entitled Formulating to Attain Health and Wellness Initiatives in Phoenix next month.

Comment

Banning energy drinks is a doomed shot in the dark

Energy shot drinks have come under fire from German authorities which are employing an old-school prohibition logic that history has repeatedly dunce-hatted.

No trans fat ban for Louisville – yet

A proposed trans fat ban in Louisville, Kentucky has been rejected in favor of a public education effort, better labeling and a voluntary phase-out – despite a taskforce recommendation for...

'Game changing' high pressure processing system launched

A game changing high pressure processing (HPP) system makes improved food safety technology more affordable and responds to the growing trend for preservative-free products, said manufacturer Avure Technologies.

Fat crystal innovation shows salt reduction potential

Controlling the release of salt in foods may be one avenue to reduce salt but maintain flavour, and British researchers report that fat micro-crystals may just do what is necessary.

News in brief

Policy organizations awarded $2m to aid childhood obesity fight

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has granted seven organizations a total of $2m to help in the efforts to combat childhood obesity.

CEO at heart of tomato probe charged with racketeering

Former owner and CEO of SK Foods Frederick Scott Salyer has been charged with running his company as a criminal racketeering enterprise for more than a decade and could face...

Salt’s harmful effects may extend to artery hardening

Salt levels similar to those currently consumed in the Western diet may lead to hardening of arteries, independent of blood pressure effects, say new results that “confirm the potentially detrimental...

Most New Yorkers support soda tax ‘to balance budget’, survey finds

A majority of New Yorkers support a proposed soda tax, according to a new poll from Quinnipiac University – reversing the response from a similar survey conducted two weeks earlier.

Study warns of future threats to food safety

Experts from Unilever, the Food Standards Authority (FSA), National Center for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST) have mapped out future threats to food safety and strategies to tackle them in...

News in brief

Kashi could become $1bn brand, says Kellogg’s chief

Kellogg’s has said it expects health food brand Kashi to grow to a $1bn brand with five years, according to a Bloomberg report.

California may name and shame BPA as toxin

The controversial chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) could be listed as a toxin by the Californian Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

Mexican food program reduces poverty – but increases obesity, says study

Access to food baskets or cash has been shown to improve nutrient intake among poor Mexican communities but could contribute to obesity, says a new study.

News in brief

Site chosen for Canada's largest bakery plant

Maple Leaf Foods' Canada Bread has reached a deal in principle to site a planned $100m bakery facility, the largest of its kind in Canada, on the south side of...

Sugar Policy Alliance renews call for increased imports

The Sugar Policy Alliance has renewed its call for Congress to revise sugar policy as strict import quotas have reduced the availability of refined sugar, thereby inflating prices, the organization...

Study points to prebiotic soft drinks with tagatose

Beverage formulators looking at next generation products could harness the sweetening and prebiotic effects of tagatose in acidic drinks, says a new study supporting the stability of the ingredient.

Salami salmonella suspicion expands to red pepper

Crushed red pepper is now under suspicion for a multi-state salmonella outbreak that has been linked to salami, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said in an investigation update.

Tate & Lyle extends starch range for crispy snacks

Tate & Lyle has introduced a new starch as part of its X-Pand’R range that can create non-sticky pliable doughs for snacks and baked goods processed through sheeters and extruders,...

News in brief

Most melamine contaminated product destroyed, says China

China declared this week that most melamine-tainted dairy products have been destroyed over the past three months.

FDA criticises Kellogg over Listeria contamination

Kellogg has been warned over a raft of food hygiene violations after the discovery of widespread Listeria contamination at a waffle plant, said US food regulators in a document released...

NutraCea agrees to sell cereal business to Kerry

Rice bran ingredients supplier NutraCea has agreed to sell its cereal ingredients business and certain related equipment to Kerry Group as part of its restructuring strategy.

Discounts could influence healthy choices more than education

Price discounts could be a far more effective way to prompt healthy food choices than nutrition education, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Extrusion can boost fibre in gluten-free products, study

Extrusion technology has the potential to increase the levels of total dietary fibre in gluten-free products made from vegetables, fruits and gluten-free cereals, according to the findings of new research.

News in brief

Aid needed for sustainable fish infrastructure

Developed countries can help improve global food security by earmarking aid to set up sustainable fisheries in developing countries, reports a team of experts in Science.

Super fruit may boost shelf-life for probiotic yoghurt

Adding the pulp of acai to probiotic yoghurt may boost the shelf-life of probiotic yoghurt, as well as improving the fat profile of the functional food, says a new study.

New Mexico food tax passes state Senate

The state Senate of New Mexico has voted to implement a food tax that applies to nearly 40 percent of foods sold in the state in order to help balance...

Colorado to remove tax breaks on soda and candy

The Colorado State Senate has passed a bill to remove a tax break on soda and candy, voting along party lines after days of debate.

USDA issues final rule on organic dairy

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled new rules for organic livestock production, with the aim of setting consistent standards for pasture use across the dairy industry.

Massive recall triggers more questions over US meat safety

Huntington Meat Packing Inc has recalled a further 4.9 million pounds (2.2m kg) of meat that was not processed in line with the company’s HACCP plan over the course of...

Fat reduction potential of grape oil-rice fibre for meat

A combination of grape seed oil and rice bran fibre may allow fat reduction of 10 per cent, and 50 per cent replacement of pork back fat in meat emulsions,...

News in brief

FAO launches Haiti food security tool

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization has launched a new tool to help aid agencies and NGOs measure the food security situation in Haiti following last month’s earthquake.

Consumer acceptance of GM crops higher, says ABARE

There is evidence that global markets for certified non-GM grain are contracting, as consumer acceptance of GM grains such as canola grows, claims the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource...

Name-brands should prepare now for customer comeback

Branded food manufacturers should start preparing now to win back customers from store brands when the economy improves, advises a new report from market researchers The Integer Group and M/A/R/C...

Saturated fats not linked to heart disease: Meta-analysis

Dietary intakes of saturated fats are not linked to cardiovascular disease, so says a meta-analysis of 21 studies from across the world.

News in brief

Dean Foods misses Q4 expectations

US dairy giant Dean Foods has blamed increased competitive pressure and commodity inflation for disappointing fourth quarter results.

Study finds strong link between childhood obesity and premature death

Obesity, hypertension and glucose intolerance in children are strongly associated with premature death, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Penford develops gluten-free ingredients for mainstream products

Penford Food Ingredients has developed new ingredients systems to make crispy coatings and baked goods that “just happen to be gluten-free”, the company says.

Black pepper producers reject salmonella allegations

Black pepper has been named as the likely cause of a salmonella outbreak traced to salami, but Vietnamese pepper producers have rejected allegations that they are to blame.

Peanut flour offers instant powder beverage innovations

Partially defatted peanut flour could provide the foundations for an instant shake-style beverage with excellent consumer acceptance, according to a new study from the US.

MGPI continues to see benefits of ingredients shake-up

MGP Ingredients has said that its increasing focus on value-added ingredients has contributed to an ongoing turnaround in its finances – reporting a $4.8m net profit for Q2 2010, compared...

Prebiotic-soy combination may boost heart health: Study

Combining prebiotics and soy protein may lower cholesterol levels and boost heart health, effects not seen when prebiotic or soy were taken separately, says new research from Canada.

Beverage industry backs Mrs. Obama’s anti-obesity drive

The US beverage industry has been quick to show its support for Michelle Obama’s new ‘Let’s Move’ campaign, by announcing new calorie-labeling initiatives.

Desserts no longer qualify for Heart Check mark

The American Heart Association (AHA) has decided to remove the entire desserts category from its list of products that could qualify for its Heart Check front of pack labeling scheme.

Fury over Kraft u-turn on Cadbury plant closure

Kraft Foods’s reneging on a decision to keep a Cadbury factory near Bristol in the UK open will result in the loss of 400 jobs and has drawn criticism from...

Quinoa and buckwheat top nutrition tables for gluten-free

The polyphenol content of quinoa and buckwheat flours may enhance the nutritional profile of gluten-free formulations, and may be a better option than amaranth, says a new study.

Nationwide soda tax proposal fizzles out

The prospect of a national tax on soft drinks has been effectively quashed for the time being as a key congressional committee has refused to consider such a levy, according...

China could become world’s biggest grocery market by 2014

China could overtake the United States as the world’s biggest grocery market within five years, according to market research organization IGD.

News in brief

American Beverage Association denies pancreatic cancer link

The American Beverage Association has denied that there is any link between pancreatic cancer and soft drink consumption, in response to yesterday’s study from an Asian population.

Layered gels may help sugar reduction

By controlling the distribution of sugar in a gelled product, the overall sugar concentration may be lowered without affecting the perceived sweetness, says a new study from Sweden.

Louisville Health Board endorses trans fat ban

The Metro Health Board in Louisville, Kentucky has endorsed plans to bring in a trans-fat ban in the city within 18 months.

Study links energy drinks to heart attack risk

Energy drink consumption has been linked to heart attack risk in a newly published study, but Red Bull claims the research is old and the results would be no different...

News in brief

New computer system to target riskiest food imports

 Border inspectors will soon be using a new computer system to help them screen for the riskiest food imports, head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Margaret Hamburg said...

Two more US patent allowances for Burcon’s protein isolates

Canadian firm Burcon has received two new notices of allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office for its Puratein and Supertein canola protein isolates.

Insurance payout boosts profits for Imperial Sugar

Imperial Sugar has posted a leap in profits for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 on the back of a one-off insurance payout following the company’s deadly Port Wentworth refinery...

Soft drinks may increase pancreatic cancer risk

Drinking two or more soft drinks per week may double the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, suggests the first study of its kind in an Asian population.

Companies should collaborate to fight food fraud: Report

Greater collaboration and information sharing could help the food industry tackle food fraud, according to a new report from the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and consulting firm AT Kearney.

Study highlights hurdles to adolescent wholegrain consumption

A new study has uncovered several barriers for adolescents in reaching the recommended wholegrain intake of three portions per day – including lack of availability and taste preference.

Nikken Foods USA moves to larger premises

Nikken Foods USA has opened a new, larger site in St Louis, Missouri, claiming to have outgrown its current premises due to increased demand for its natural savory flavors and...

ConAgra blast prompts calls for national safety changes

A US federal agency has said vital new gas safety measures should be introduced across the country in the wake of the deadly explosion at a ConAgra meat processing plant...

Soy-based meat substitutes rate highly for nutrition: Study

Soy protein isolate extruded at high moisture – such as meat analogue – has the same nutritional value as unextruded soy protein, suggests a study published in the Journal of...

News in brief

Spice companies linked to US Salmonella outbreak

Two spice distributors have been linked to the nationwide outbreak of Salmonella in the United States after the latest tests “strongly suggest” that black pepper is the source of...

Roquette gains further maltitol patent protection in the US

A US District Court has ruled that no dry form of maltitol from Yucheng Lujian Biological Co. or its associated companies may enter the US, in the latest chapter of...

Nutri-Grain legal challenge has ‘no merit’, says Kellogg

The Kellogg Company has dismissed a class action lawsuit filed against it in relation to health claims on one of its leading breakfast cereal products, Nutri-Grain bars.

Danisco makes dairy antimicrobial free from artificial hormone

Danisco has removed the growth hormone rBST from the supply chain for MicroGard antimicrobials in response to requests from its dairy customers.

Research finds daily value amounts poorly understood

Few consumers use the Nutrition Facts panel to make sense of how nutrients fit into the context of their daily diet, according to a three-phase research project from the International...

News in brief

Top management at Cadbury resign

The top management at Cadbury have announced their resignation following the takeover of the UK confectionery giant by Kraft.

ADM optimistic on better than expected results

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) sales fell by five percent in the first half of fiscal 2010, although its corn sweeteners and starches division saw profits rise, due to lower net...

FDA creates 'slippery slope' with liquid supplements advice: CRN

The Food and Drug Administration’s recently issued draft guidance on the difference between liquid supplements and beverages is confusing and may create a slippery slope of inappropriate criteria and mis-categorized...

Oleoresins provide alternative to black pepper in salami

In the midst of a multi-state salami recall possibly associated with salmonella-tainted black pepper, natural ingredients firm Kalsec has highlighted oleoresins as an alternative.

Subsidized healthy foods cheaper option to improve nutrition: Study

Subsidizing fruit, vegetables and milk for Food Stamp Program participants would be more cost effective to increase consumption than raising the overall level of food stamp benefit, according to a...

Kraft bid wins over 74% of Cadbury shareholders

Kraft’s takeover of UK chocolate firm Cadbury is now unconditional, as 74 per cent of Cadbury shareholders yesterday accepted the offer of 840p per share plus a 10p dividend.

Corn Products reports 85% drop in full year income

Corn Products International has seen its net income fall 85 percent in 2009 compared to 2008, hit by high corn prices early in the year and unfavorable currency conversion rates...

Salmonella to have no lasting impact on peanut demand: USDA

Last year’s deadly salmonella outbreak linked to peanut products will have no long term impact on peanut demand and production, according to a report from the USDA’s Economic Research Service...

Zero-calorie fruit-based sweetener gets FDA GRAS

BioVittoria has received an FDA letter of no objection that its fruit-derived zero-calorie Fruit-Sweetness sweetener is GRAS (generally recognized as safe), the company said on Monday.

Canada criticised over food safety inaction

The Canadian Government has been censured for failing to introduce any visible measures to tackle problems with the country’s food safety system months after a report highlighted a raft...

‘Jury still out’ on sweeteners and metabolic effects

The scientific literature does not support a link between intakes of artificial sweeteners and metabolic changes in children, says a new review from the US National Institutes of Health.

FDA requests $4bn budget to ‘transform’ food safety

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has requested $4.03bn for food safety and public health promotion as part of President Obama’s fiscal 2011 budget – a 23 percent increase on...

McCormick foresees flavor innovation in 2010

Seasonings and flavorings firm McCormick has said it is optimistic that food manufacturers will increase product innovation in the year ahead, as it recorded strong 2009 full year results.

Comment

No bitter battle over salt science

Excess salt can cause hypertension, heart disease, death. That’s the scientific consensus behind public health campaigns to reduce consumption of sodium chloride in the diet. But not everyone reads the...

News in brief

Salami Salmonella recall expanded as illnesses rise

US authorities confirmed the outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo linked to Daniele International Inc salami products has now hit 202 people in 42 states as the company recalled more products.

Senomyx and Firmenich to commercialize sucrose enhancer

Firmenich intends to proceed with the commercial development of a Senomyx sweetness enhancer, which could reduce sucrose content by up to 50 percent without reducing perceived sweetness, Senomyx has said.

Flaked lentils may boost nutrition content of snack bars

Formulating snack bars with micro-sized flakes of lentils may boost the folate content of the finished product by 10 per cent, says a new study from Canada.