Weekly comment

Temporary workers and corporate responsibility

As ever more food companies find themselves in the position of having employed migrants who were mistreated by illegal labour providers, it may be time for firms to start taking...

Japanese CoQ10 receives GRAS

Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation will start supplying its CoQ10 as an ingredient for use in foods and beverages in the US market, following its certification as GRAS (Generally Recognized as...

Leap in added fat consumption spells reformulation potential

American consumption of added fats and oils has increased dramatically over the past 35 years, exceeding government recommendations and affording a need for healthier processed foods.

Granule size link to starch blend properties: study

A new study suggests that the relative size of starch granules used in a blend could determine overall gelation behaviour and whether or not the starch components add to each...

New company targets growth in dried fruits

Two dried fruit specialists have joined forces to create Shoreline Fruit, a new company positioned to benefit from growth in fruit-derived ingredients, and to offer security of supply from farm...

International probiotic group establishes quality seal standards

The International Probiotics Association (IPA) has set criteria for a mooted labeling scheme that will allow probiotics products to bear a quality seal.

Mintel's new club promotes packaging innovation

Mintel Research Consultancy is launching a packaging innovation club for businesses involved in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) packaging industry.

Food safety worries makes consumers label-savvy

US consumers are increasingly turning to the information on their food labels amid the growing incidence of food safety scares, according to the Hartman Group.

Commodity price pressure being passed on to consumers

The soaring cost of many major commodity products is being passed on to US shoppers, according to a survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFB).

Study highlights Canadian pulse cultivar differences

A new study sheds light on the healthy and functional properties of pea, lentil and chickpea flours, using different cultivars grown in Canada under the same environmental conditions.

Study suggests calories cause addictive brain response

A new animal study indicates that food calories, not just sweetness, can trigger a positive response in the brain - a breakthrough that could have implications for anti-obesity strategies and...

Strike deals to secure organic ingredients, urges Frost

Organic food makers must make alliances with ingredients firms and farmers to ensure they have a secure supply of organic ingredients in the face of increasing demand, advises Frost &...

Microwave pipe technology enables uniform food heating

A manufacturer of microwave technologies claims to have developed a more efficient tube-based heating system for aseptic liquid and semi-liquid food products.

Sensible luxury the key to new age of boomers

A new study of consumers approaching their 70s indicates that the spending habits of this powerful 'baby boom' consumer group are set to shift - once again.

Restructuring and price hikes yield results for McCormick

McCormick & Company has reported a strong set of results for its first quarter, thanks to higher pricing, greater volume sales, and foreign exchange rates in its favor.

Wild Flavors aseptic abilities cater to natural beverage trend

Aseptic ingredients can help beverage manufacturers tap into the growing trend for natural products, says Wild Flavors, which recently acquired its own aseptic manufacturing business.

Fruit and veg linked to kids' school performance, study

Fruit and vegetable consumption and dietary fat intake were found to play an important role in children's academic performance, highlighting yet again the need for balanced diets at an early...

Tiny hairs could explain apple storage issues

Researchers from the UK have identified tiny hairs between the cells in Fuji apples - a trait they believe could have implications for storage of late-harvested fruit.

New technique opens up supply of sweet potato ingredient

New supply of the premium ingredient sweet potato paste is becoming available as of today, thanks to a new process developed by USDA that retains nutritional and sensory properties.

Battle continues over labeling of rbST in milk

Monsanto is continuing to fight attempts across the US to allow milk produced from cows that have not received its Posilac growth hormone to be labeled as such.

Weekly comment

Calm crucial for energy products

Energy drinks are a runaway success but extreme marketing and product formulation has the potential to cast a shadow over the multi-billion dollar global industry.

Cargill launches food safety programme with China

US food and agriculture company Cargill is to establish a joint food safety management training programme with China's Quality, Inspection and Quarantine Service (AQSIQ).

Grass pea could provide modified starch alternative: study

Starch from grass pea could be an alternative to chemically modified starch for the food industry, says a new study from Poland that assessed its rheological properties.

Researchers hoping to squeeze more out of olives

The potential health benefits of olives will be the focus of researchers at the first university-based olive research and education center in North America based at the University of California,...

CSPI warns about coffee creamers

Choosing a creamer over milk with your office coffee could mean you consume far more saturated fat than you think, the Center for Science in the Public Interest has warned.

Better crops, bigger yields: pushing the boundaries of soybean genomics

The genetic traits of soybean varieties that are the most resistant to pests or produce the best oil will be stored in a new 'library' coordinated by the US Department...

Datamonitor highlights confectionery novelties

Recent innovations in novel confectionery products include an energy-giving lollipop in a can, chocolate flavoured sea salt, and edible whole flowers, according to new data released by Datamonitor.

NutraSweet defends Chinese IP rights

Sweetener producer NutraSweet has said it will take legal action against counterfeiters in China who, it alleges, are infringing its intellectual property rights.

Report reveals keys to energy drink success

A new report has outlined those factors that have driven success in the energy drinks sector pioneered by Red Bull in 1987.

Gleditsia triacanthos shows promise for new hydrocolloid

Gleditsia triacanthos seeds from the Americas could present a new source of hydrocolloids for the food industry, says a new study that investigated their functional properties depending on extraction methods.

New DSM resveratrol marketed for safety, purity

DSM has launched a new resveratrol product, which it claims plugs a market need for a high potency ingredient supported by an extensive safety package.

Solae to raise the price of soy lecithin

Solae has announced price increases for a broad range of its soy lecithin products from April 1 - just days after warning of the need for ingredients firms to pass...

Health concerns driving shift to green food consumption

US consumers are 'going green' in everything from energy to investments amid fears about the impact of climate change - but it is health concerns that drive the shift towards...

Gene silencing tool could lead to improved rice varieties

A new gene-silencing tool could be used to develop rice varieties with specific characteristics, including improved nutritional value, according to scientists in Germany.

Outdated safety processes contribute to rising public concern

Confidence is waning in the US food imports safety system, which is rooted in century-old legislation developed in response to food crises, according to a new report.

New interest in barley raises technical issues

Barley has great potential to regain its former popularity in food, says a new review, but there are some knowledge gaps about its functional properties for processing and product development.

Phospha E receives GRAS for use in foods

Australian firm Phosphagenics has said that its patented Phospha E vitamin E ingredient has been self-affirmed as GRAS (generally recognized as safe), which will soon open the door for its...

DuPont produces versatile new soybean oil

A new soybean oil trait that can deliver improved nutritional benefits and is more versatile than tradition soybean oil products has been created by DuPont's Pioneer Hi-Bred unit.

US seminar to focus on packaging legalities

A one day seminar to be held in Chicago will address legal issues for managers in the food and beverage packaging industry, including food safety, sustainability, food contact material developments...

FDA report revealed consumers are not behind clones

An internal report by the US FDA suggested that there was little or no support among Americans for food from cloned animals, a protest group has claimed.

Technology assists consumers in healthy eating

A new online filter highlighting products that meet an individual's specific needs shows how technology can help deliver a healthy eating message, and could also help companies with their marketing.

Solae sees opportunities for soy in rising input costs

Solae has said that ingredients companies will have to continue their efforts to pass on rising input costs through 2008, but the relatively lower increases in soy costs compared to...

Chocolate academy strengthens Callebaut's US presence

Barry Callebaut is hoping to strengthen relationships within the industry and build its business in North America with the opening of a chocolate academy in Chicago.

Study supports encapsulation in synbiotic ice cream

A new study has reported that probiotic bacteria used in synbiotic ice cream had 30 per cent higher survivability in storage when encapsulated in calcium alginate than 'free' probiotics.

Food prices unlikely to impact Easter spending, report

Higher prices for eggs - both real ones and those made from chocolate - are unlikely to deter US shoppers from celebrating Easter as they always have done, according to...

New evidence for diacetyl, lung disease risk

Diacetyl - a chemical used in butter flavouring - damages the lungs of mice when inhaled over a period of three months, according to a new US study.

Weekly comment

Allergen-free: time for clarity

Claiming 'free from' is not a light statement to make. Lives depend on it. As scientific progress questions the validity of such claims, it is time to establish exact guidelines...

Nutrition specialist debuts take-home blend

A Californian start-up has launched a zero-calorie, powdered vitamin and mineral blend that allows consumers to concoct their own functional beverages at home.

FDA to step up checks on Chinese food

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to begin carrying out checks on Chinese food products following approval from the State Department.

Redpoint Bio reports progress in Givaudan flavor partnership

A year after signing a R&D deal with Givaudan, RedPoint Bio has patented the use of its technology for discovering ways to modulate the way the human body detects taste....

More people likely to accept nano than GM, say researchers

Foods produced using emerging nanotechnology are less likely to come up against consumer hurdles than genetically modified foods since they do not involve tinkering with genes, and therefore have a...

Labeling on the agenda for Codex

The Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) will discuss international labeling guidelines amid increasing consumer awareness of the food they eat, a trend that mounts pressure on the industry.

EU, US heading for conflict over dairy taxes

The European Commission's ambassador to the United States, John Bruton, has strongly criticized proposals that would tax imported dairy products to pay for US promotional programs.

FSIS acts on US meat scares

The recall of over 143,000,000 pounds of raw and frozen meat products by a California meat processor in February is forcing the US regulatory authorities to act and reassure the...

Food industry takeovers continue to rise

The number of mergers and acquisitions in the North American food industry continued to grow in 2007, continuing the rapid pace of consolidation that began in 2006, according the latest...

SunOpta to close acquisition despite financial woes

SunOpta is set to complete its acquisition of Tradin Organic Agriculture in the next few weeks having faced delays due to the internal financial issues.

Wrigley gives gum a makeover

Wrigley will rework the packaging and flavour portfolio of its US gum products in an attempt to boost sagging sales in the area, the company announced yesterday.

Oil prices fuels coffee sustainability concerns

High oil prices are set to exacerbate coffee supply concerns by deterring growers from using fertilizers in cultivating the crop, according to new figures from the International Coffee Organisation (ICO).

Citrus essential oils could be antimicrobials for food

Citrus oils - particularly those already used as flavourings - could be an ideal alternative to chemical-based antimicrobials for food applications, says a new paper.

DuPont, Arcadia deal points to more nitrogen-efficient corn

DuPont and Arcadia have entered into a research and commercial agreement over corn hydrids that are able to use nitrogen fertilizers more efficiently, pointing towards a reduction in costs for...

Potato proteins offer blood pressure benefits

Proteins isolated from the humble potato may be biologically active and capable of reducing blood pressure, as well as having antioxidant activity, Finnish researchers report.

Unilever breakthrough could take food foams to new level

Researchers from Unilever have reported breakthrough results that proteins from fungus could produce food foams with stability that exceeds anything currently available.

Ohio rbST rule causes fears for national marketing

A law implemented in the state of Ohio last month that seeks to set a level playing field on milk labeling, whether or not it comes from cows supplemented with...

Coconut oil prices to stay bullish

Coconut oil prices are set to stay high this year, pushing food makers to look at innovative ways of reducing their costs.

Pectin, whey encapsulate vitamins for beverage

Encapsulating water-soluble ingredients in a whey protein-pectin complex could extend their use in acidic beverages, suggests new research from Canada.

SunOpta to extend oil refining capacity with new JV

Canadian natural ingredients company SunOpta has clinched a deal to begin construction of a new organic and natural oil refinery in Colorado in a joint venture with Colorado Mills -...

Omega-3 deficient diet poses risks to infant health

The typical North American diet consisting of large amounts of meat and little fish is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, posing possible risks to infant neurological development, says new research.

Introduction of cloned animals concerns interest groups

The US Center for Food Safety (CFS) has issued a statement supporting legislation being introduced at federal and state level to protect consumers against an unregulated introduction of cloned animals,...

New mint blends to beat high costs

Flavors company AM Todd is introducing two new mint oil blends which it claims will allow food companies to buck the trend of rising mint prices.

Weekly comment

Warning signs: reconsidering shock tactics

Here's a possible new marketing angle for food and beverage manufacturers: "Food can kill".

Rising wheat costs force bakers onto the streets

The surge in global wheat prices - and the subsequent increase in the price of baked goods - has prompted US bakers to take radical action.

Natural trans fats not as bad as industrial-produced: study

Trans fatty acids are not created equal, according to the results of the European-wide TRANSFACT study, with natural sources not sharing the detrimental health effects as their industrially-produced counterparts.

New computer model may improve fruit storage

A computer model has been developed to improve the long-term storage of fleshy fruit under controlled atmospheres, according to a report published by researchers at the Catholic University of Leuven...

New alliance to boost Mediterranean diet

Companies whose products form part of the much-vaunted Mediterranean diet have joined forces to promote the benefits of healthy, European-style eating to US consumers.

Innovation still driving force for additives, says Freedonia

Food additive producers are building market value by developing new ingredients and improving existing ones - in turn enabling product manufacturers to improve quality and reduce costs, says Freedonia.

US bakery market beckons for Vivartia

Vivartia, Greece's largest food production company, yesterday announced it is breaking into the US bakery market with its acquisition of biscuit and cookie firm Nonni.

Demand for GM foods growing with food prices, say supporters

Rising food prices are set to increase acceptance of genetically modified crops for food use, opening up new markets for US products, say proponents of the technology.

Researchers pave way for soy-based cereals

Soy could form the base of future high-protein, low-fat breakfast cereals following new developments that received increased consumer acceptance, say researchers.

Fermenting takes the allergy out of soy: studies

Fermenting soy beans could lead to the removal of proteins behind soy allergies, suggest two recent studies from Spanish and American scientists.

Acquisition to propel Symrise's US growth

German flavors and fragrances group Symrise has said it will use the acquisition of Chr. Hansen's North American flavors unit as a springboard for greater US growth.

Globalization threatens ingredient quality, says USP

The globalization of food poses risks on the safety and quality of ingredients said the US Pharmacopeia (USP), which is providing advice on overcoming new challenges.

Mango to offer fibre boost for cookies

Extracts from mangos are a rich source of antioxidants and dietary fibre and can easily be used in bakery products to boost public consumption, suggests new research.

Canada under pressure to ban junk food ads

Health officials in Canada are urging the government to take action to ban the advertising of junk food to children, saying that self regulation by industry does not work.

Infant formula omega-3 fortification increases, says Martek

Omega-3 supplier Martek Biosciences has reported "record" revenues and increased sales for its first quarter of 2008, boosted by strong international demand for its ingredient in infant formulas.

ASA seeks end to soybean trade restrictions

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is calling for improved international market access for soybeans and European acceptance of biotechnology to enable freer trade.

Chr Hansen divests flavor activities

Denmark's Chr. Hansen is to sell of its US-based flavor activities to Germany's Symrise group in order to focus more on its higher added-value operations.

Polyphenols may be the key to low acrylamide bakery

Manufacturers of bakery products looking to reduce levels of acrylamide can tap into a range of solutions, but polyphenols may be the most promising, suggests a new review.

Snack market set for billion dollar growth

The global snack market will be worth almost $300bn (€197.8bn) by 2010, as manufacturers move towards healthier products as well as developing markets, a new report predicts.

Religious investors call for boycott of GM sugar

A coalition of ethical stock market investors have called on 63 US food, beverage and restaurant companies to stop using genetically modified (GM) sugar beet.

Triple emulsions to give low-fat cheese

Skim-milk and hydrocolloids can produce reduced fat cheese by tapping into novel triple-phase emulsions, researchers from Mexico report.

Guidelines consistent on health eating, says review

A review of three sets of dietary guidelines available to the US public has found that all feature recommendations on fruits, veg, legumes, and wholegrains, reducing sugar and saturated fat,...

A-B defends stimulant drinks

Anheuser-Busch (A-B), the biggest US brewer, has strenuously denied claims that it is producing drinks that contain banned stimulants and that it is acting irresponsibly by targeting the drinks at...

Doehler citrus innovation buoyed by Brazilian investment

Doehler is stepping up its presence within both the sourcing and processing of citrus fruits via a Brazilian investment designed to meet changing needs of beverage manufacturers.

FDA needs to move with the times, says commissioner

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) needs to adapt to changing safety concerns and technological advances in both industries, said a representative last week.

Weekly comment

The great food price smash-and-grab

While the world's media is bemoaning rising food prices, the French government is sniffing around the food industry for signs of gleeful profiteering. If it is right, the long-term losses...

Drinks brands sued over alcohol/stimulant mix

Two of the biggest drinks groups in the US are being sued over drinks which, it is alleged, contain ingredients that could be unsafe.

US lawmakers demand further food safety measures

US lawmakers are demanding further food safety measures following concerns over the recent recall of over 143,000,000 pounds of raw and frozen meat products by a California meat packer.

Tomato-enriched oil could lead to elaborate functional foods

Extracting antioxidant carotenoids from tomato waste and adding them to edible oils boosts the thermal of stability of olive and sunflower oils, reports a new study.

Bernanke suggests ethanol tariff cut to help food prices

The head of the Federal Reserve has suggested that import tariffs on Brazilian ethanol should be dropped in order to take the pressure off US food prices.