Food industry well-respected for CSR efforts: Survey

The food industry is one of the most well-respected industries in terms of social responsibility, according to a new survey from research-based consultancy Penn Schoen Berland.

Orange juice may protect against bad effects of high fat meals

Flavonoids from orange juice may neutralise the detrimental effects of consuming a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal, says a new study from the US.

News in brief

Campbell’s recognized for allergen awareness initiatives

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) has awarded The Campbell Soup Company a Special Achievement Award for its use of product scanning technology to reduce the risk of mislabeling.

Look to Europe for future of US store brands, says Nielsen

Private label, or store brand, products accounted for 21.8 percent of unit volume sales in 2009 but only ten percent of items in stores, according to Nielsen figures – but...

Cargill Australia’s oils and fats acquisition in trouble

Cargill’s bid to buy Goodman Fielder’s edible fats and oils business looks to be scuppered by the Australian competition authorities, who say it would be an unacceptable concentration of refining...

GLG and Weider resolve stevia dispute, end partnership

GLG Life Tech and Weider Global Nutrition have agreed to drop lawsuits against each other and continue selling their stevia-derived sweeteners separately, dissolving their Sweet Naturals partnership.

Baby Boomers prefer healthy ingredients & supplements

American Baby Boomers, aged 45 to 64, are much more likely to choose healthy ingredients and supplements than younger or older consumers, according to new research by market research group Decision Analyst.

Comment

Making the food industry fair for SMEs

No race should have rules that favour the strongest competitors. But unless the capabilities and interests of SMEs are taken into consideration before the starting gun is fired for new...

USDA: Low-fat bakery possible with oil microdroplets

Microdroplets of trans-fat-free cooking oil, encapsulated in cornstarch or wheat flour may enable a range of low-fat cake and frosting for bakery applications, according to new findings from the USDA’s...

Sports drinks suffer sales volume slump in US

Sports drinks appear to have suffered a severe reversal of fortune in the US with volumes going through the floor in 2009.

News in brief

FDA warns on raw milk

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning on the potential danger of consuming raw milk, following a campylobacteriosis outbreak that has been linked to at least 12...

Global upswing for probiotic and prebiotic food and beverages

World sales of probiotic and prebiotic foods and beverages climbed 12.5 per cent to reach about $15.4bn in 2008 compared with the year before, according to research group Packaged Facts.

Governor Richardson vetoes New Mexico food tax

A tax that would have applied to about 40 percent of foods in New Mexico was vetoed by Governor Bill Richardson last week, who said the $68m that would have...

Special Edition: CSR

Developing a sustainable food industry: The what, why and how

Developing a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy offers huge scope for innovation and revenue-building – but there is no one-size-fits-all approach, according to a US supply chain management professor.

Food addiction: Fat may rewire brain like hard drugs

Over eating may be driven by a same neurobiological mechanism in the brain as drug addition, says a new study from the US that adds clout to the theory ‘food...

Consumer foods division drives 19 percent profit boost at ConAgra

US foods giant ConAgra reported a 19 percent boost in third quarter profits on Thursday, driven by increased sales in its consumer foods sector – but its commercial ingredient business...

News in brief

New Zealand to merge food safety body into ministry

Plans are afoot to merge the New Zealand Food Safety Authority back into the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, 3 years after the risk assessor and risk manager were split out.

Scientists claim fat-free milk could relieve constipation

Full-fat milk may be associated with constipation but new research suggests that drinking fat-free milk could be a way of solving irregularity problems.

Hydrocolloids may enhance white sauces in ready meals

Replacing modified starch with hydrocolloids like xanthan gum can enhance the textural and stability of white sauces used in ready meals, says a new study from Belgium.

News in brief

Florida Senate passes tomato safety bill

The Florida state Senate has passed a bill that aims to ensure that tomatoes are safe from foodborne illness, according to an Associated Press report.

New HFCS study stirs up obesity debate

A rat study from Princeton University has claimed that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) consumption could play a major role in ballooning obesity rates – but some have challenged the...

Fat types affect women’s womb health

Increased intakes of trans fats may increase a woman’s risk of endometriosis by almost 50 per cent, but omega-3s may slash the risk, says a new study from the US....

New two-in-one test for E. coli and its toxins

Scientists have developed a new two-in-one test that detects both E. coli O157 bacteria and the toxins it produces.

News in brief

Organic co-op splashes omega-3 milk

Twenty-three-year-old North American organic cooperation, Organic Valley Family of Farms, has launched an omega-3 milk containing 50mg of fish oil-sourced DHA and EPA per serving.

News in brief

IFF blog opens window on company’s culinary world

 International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) has launched a blog, entitled A Taste of CulinEssence, intended as a platform from which the company’s chefs can share their culinary thoughts and news....

Many states struggle with foodborne illness reporting

Many states are struggling to investigate and report foodborne illness outbreaks, according to research from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

Fonterra sticks by improved milk price forecast in trading update

Fonterra has claimed that ingredients prices are recovering and market confidence is returning as a group of US senators accuse the New Zealand-based co-op of holding a virtual monopoly of...

Last Supper study shows portion size history

A new study by an obesity expert and a religious studies professor has found evidence that meal sizes have increased by almost 70 per cent in the last 1000 years...

Gluten-free trend could fall like ‘a house of cards’

The mainstream adoption of gluten-free diets is a movement on the way out, according to trends forecaster Suzy Badaracco, president of Culinary Tides.

Looking forward to future food safety reform

Now that Congress has finally reached a conclusion on health care reform, could food safety reform be a little closer? Director of food safety solutions at DNV Kathy Wybourn thinks...

Health Canada allows synthetic caffeine into more soft drinks

Health Canada has given beverage makers more freedom to add caffeine to their products after extending the authorised use of the stimulant to all carbonated drinks.

News in brief

Perrigo pays $808m for infant formula brand

Virginia-based pharma player Perrigo has acquired $300m-per-year infant formula brand holder PBM Holdings for $808m in an “adjacent category” for Perrigo.

Meat and dairy intakes not linked to climate change

Reducing intakes of meat and dairy may not alter changes in the climate and would only lead to hunger, a US-based air quality expert has said.

PepsiCo steps up innovation in formulation to meet health demand

Food and beverage behemoth PepsiCo pledges to cut fat, salt and sugar across key global brands over the next ten years as demand for health-positioned products gains momentum and the...

Comment

Supply chain transparency only answer to hostile campaigns

Food companies must ensure their supply chains are transparent and socially responsible in order to prevent backlashes from consumer activists and non-governmental groups on Facebook or Twitter, which could have...

FDA roasted over irradiation petition handling

A US Congressional watchdog has slammed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a catalogue of failings over its handling of petitions to use irradiation on food.

Low-cal sweeteners do not lead to over-eating: Study

Consuming low-calorie sweetened beverages may not lead to eating more as compensation for the lower calorie load, according to the results of a new human trial.

HFCS education slows demand decline

Nationwide programs to educate consumers about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) appear to be working, as HFCS producers report a slowing in declining demand.

Audit finds flaws in National Organic Program

Enforcement and compliance problems continue to plague the National Organic Program (NOP) according to an audit report from the Office of Inspector General at the USDA.

Low-sugar options expand with gel innovations

Careful control of protein levels in a food gel could allow for lower-sugar foods to be formulated without affecting the sweetness of the food, says new research from The Netherlands.

Dairy industry is set for further consolidation

A recent flurry of merger and acquisition activity in the dairy industry could be a sign of things to come as companies look to adjust to a more volatile marketplace.

New Danisco stabilizer targets clean label trend

Danisco is launching a new stabilizer for sauces and soups that the company claims offers functionality, versatility, and a clean label.

Kraft commits to 10 percent sodium reduction

Food giant Kraft Foods has announced it will reduce the sodium content of its entire North American portfolio by an average of 10 percent over the next two years.

Lawmaker confident US food safety law will pass in 2010

The US Congress will pass legislation to overhaul its outdated food safety system in 2010, a leading lawmaker predicted yesterday.

Dietary nitrates may be beneficial for heart health: Study

Increased dietary intakes of nitrates may produce beneficial effects on blood pressure and cardiovascular health, says a new study from Japan.

News in brief

Canada helping ease US tomato shortage

Canadian tomato growers have stepped in to supply the United States, after harsh weather conditions wiped out about 70 percent of Florida’s tomato crops.

Michelle Obama urges industry to ‘move faster, go farther’

Michelle Obama has urged industry to work faster on reformulating products to make them healthier for kids, speaking at a Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) conference on Tuesday.

Judge denies immediate ban on GM sugar beets

A judge has denied an immediate ban on the planting of Monsanto’s genetically modified (GM) sugar beets as it “would have a large detrimental effect on the United States’ domestic...

Kraft pledges no Cadbury job cuts for two years

US food giant Kraft issued a public apology regarding the U-turn on its pledge to keep operational the Cadbury plant near Bristol, and it also promised to ensure no job...

Tea seed oil may replace cocoa butter in chocolates

Partial substitution of cocoa butter in confectionery products may be achieved with tea seed oil, a by-product of tea processing, says new research with the potential to help chocolate makers...

Firm claims yeast product will inhibit acrylamide in foods

Canadian yeast research and development company, Functional Technologies Corporations, said it has developed, tested and filed patent applications for a yeast technology that reduces the formation of acrylamide, a carcinogen...

FDA considers spice supply safety

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has met with members of the spice industry to consider ways to make supply safer, following salmonella contamination of salami products linked to black...

News in brief

Chicken processor facing fines for safety violations

Allen Family Foods is facing fines of $182,200 after being cited with dozens of serious health and safety violations at its Harbeson poultry processing plant in the United States.

Changing US demographics bring marketing opportunities: Nielsen

Specific ethnic groups have distinct trends in shopping habits, and product marketing should be tailored to reflect them, advises market research organization The Nielsen Company.

No link between Siena meats and Canadian listeria deaths

Consumers in Canada have been warned not to eat Siena Foods cooked ham on fears of Listeria monocytogenes contamination - but five recent deaths in Ontario are not thought to...

Fructose sweeteners may (not) be associated with kidney disease

Intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages may increase levels of uric acid, a compound linked to decreased kidney function, says a new study.

Flavour complexity and artisanship driving US confectionery market

Flavour complexity, artisanship and nostalgia are the overarching consumer trends driving innovation shifts in the US confectionery market, claims an industry overview.

Pepper suppliers issue new recalls

Companies that supplied crushed red and black pepper to Daniele International, the salami producer at the heart of a salmonella contamination probe, have issued new recalls, the FDA has reported.

News in brief

April crop could end tomato shortage

Tomatoes are in short supply in the United States following harsh winter temperatures in Florida and prices are on the up, but there are no concerns about the quality of...

Helm to distribute sucrose esters in the US

Helm New York has been named as the exclusive distributor and sales representative of Sisterna’s sucrose esters in the United States.

Pectin-rich ingredients show fat replacing potential

Using pectin as a fat replacer may produce baked goods with 30 per cent less shortening, while producing a more tender texture, says new research.

News in brief

McCain turns to NDI guidance after dropping Bill

Arizona Senator John McCain will push FDA to announce publicly guidance for awaited new dietary ingredient notification after backing off from the controversial s3002 bill.

Even three-year-olds know brands: Study

Children as young as three recognize and have preferences for different brands, according to new research published in the journal Psychology and Marketing.

Niche market untapped for gluten-free pulse sourced crackers, claims R&D centre

Pulse-based, gluten-free crackers have untapped potential both in terms of consumer appeal and health benefits, claim researchers based at a Canadian food processing development centre.

Scientists optimise palm and sunflower oil-based ice cream

Palm and sunflower oil may allow formulation of non-dairy based ice cream with low rates of melting and good structural properties, says new research from Canada.

IFT submits product tracing recommendations to FDA

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has made recommendations to the FDA about how industry could better track ingredients, after a food product tracing exercise and study of the supply...

Basic Food Flavors knew HVP contained salmonella, says FDA

Basic Food Flavors knew its hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) was contaminated with salmonella but continued to ship the product for a month before recalling it, according to an FDA report.

GMA claims industry has made strides on kids’ programming

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has claimed that more than two-thirds of TV advertising seen by children is for nutritious foods and healthy lifestyles, rejecting criticism from the CSPI.

Japanese dairy firm obtains GRAS notice for 1960’s probiotic

Morinaga Milk Industry has obtained GRAS with FDA non-objection for a probiotic strain that the Japanese firm has used in its own products for over 30 years.

State House approves food safety bill

A bill providing tougher punishments for those who knowingly distribute or fail to report tainted food ingredients has been approved by the Georgia state House.

News in brief

Calorie-free monk fruit concentrate soon to hit shelves

BioVittoria has revealed that two new products are in the pipeline containing its Fruit-Sweetness concentrate for which the supplier obtained FDA GRAS notification in February.

Milk protein complexes may hold key to WOW emulsions

Using conjugates of caseinates from milk and maltodextrin may improve the stability of double emulsions, and lead to a wider acceptance of the technology in a range of food applications.

SunOpta Q4 loss narrows on health and wellness trend

Canadian natural and organics group SunOpta has reported a narrower loss in the fourth quarter of 2009, attributing improvement to restructuring and continued consumer interest in health and wellness.

Recession impacts meat buying habits

Shoppers are buying more meat overall but spending less, with 40 percent saying they have changed their habits due to recession, according to a joint industry study.

18% soda tax would lead to five-pound annual weight loss: Study

An 18 percent tax on soda, as rejected in New York last year, would lead to average annual weight loss of about five pounds per person, according to a new...

Edible films beat normal systems as flavour encapsulation

An edible film composed of fat and iota- carrageenans may outperform traditional fat-based carriers for flavours, says fundamental new research from France.

News in brief

GM alfalfa edges closer to approval

Comments on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for genetically modified (GM) alfalfa, completed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), have now closed, moving the crop closer to...

Still no ruling on GM sugar beets

A federal court judge has yet to reach a decision about whether the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) sugar beets should be blocked until an Environmental Impact Statement has been...

Most Americans want government help with healthy eating, says survey

There may be huge controversy about whether the government should tax soda, but there are plenty of other areas in which Americans would welcome government involvement, according to a new...

Soy-biopolymer combination may extend encapsulation options

Soybean lecithin coated with a biopolymer may provide an encapsulation technique for a range of ingredients, according to a study from an international team of researchers.

Bisphenol A exposure linked to life-long fertility defects, gene changes

Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) during pregnancy can cause permanent abnormalities in the uterus of offspring and the reprogramming of genes, said new research from the Yale School of Medicine.

HVP recall expands to Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled products manufactured in Canada, after it emerged they contained recalled hydrolyzed vegetable protein from a salmonella-tainted facility in the US.

News in brief

DuPont to build soybean facility in Missouri

DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred has announced plans to build a new soybean facility in New Madrid County, Missouri.

United Natural profits from demand for natural and organic

United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) has reported a 15 percent increase in profits for Q2 of the current fiscal year compared to the equivalent 2009 period, on the back of...

Hydrocolloids may inhibit acrylamide formation

Common hydrocolloids like pectin may inhibit the formation of acrylamide in French fries by up to 60 per cent, according to new research from China.

Private label growth slows as brands bounce back

Branded foods could be about to make a comeback as private label growth shrunk to 3.2 percent in the four weeks to February 20, and brands saw a 2.4 percent...

FDA should improve GRAS oversight, says GAO

The FDA needs to improve its oversight of GRAS (generally recognized as safe) food ingredients, claims a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Food marketers could read minds, say researchers

Brain scans could allow food marketers to learn about a product’s appeal – or lack thereof – while it is still at the design stage, according to analysis published in...

New flavors aim to extend coconut water’s appeal

Virginia Dare has released a range of natural flavors for coconut water, which has been steadily gaining interest over the past couple of years, saying that they could boost its...

New global monitoring tool identifies food safety offenders

A new monitoring tool presented at a recent EFSA conference has named China, Iran, Turkey, the United Sates and Spain as the top five offenders in food contamination between 2003 and 2008.

News in brief

Bemis completes Alcan buy

Bemis announced it has completed the US$1.2bn takeover of Alcan Packaging Food Americas after agreeing to divest two of the company’s flexible packing operations.

Green tea marinades may improve health profile of beef

Marinating beef in green tea-containing product may reduce the levels of potentially cancer-promoting compounds, according to a study from Portugal.

Large-scale recall looms due to salmonella-tainted flavor enhancer

A large-scale product recall is likely following discovery of salmonella in hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), a flavor enhancer ubiquitous in processed foods, the FDA has said.

News in brief

Fluorescent lighting may make spinach healthier

New research indicates that fluorescent lighting typically found in supermarkets could boost the levels of vitamins C, K, E and folate in spinach, as well as carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin.

ChromaDex wins US government contract for scientific services

Phytochemical reference standards and contract testing services company ChromaDex has won a five-year contract to supply federal agencies with scientific services.

Cocoa prices dip on reports of buoyant supply

Cocoa futures in New York hit their lowest price since September yesterday on signs of increased production in Ivory Coast, which is the leading global supplier.

Senator Gillibrand backs dairy COOL

New York’s Senator Gillibrand has added her voice to a call for country of origin labeling (COOL) to be expanded to dairy products, following a further recall last month of...

Chr Hansen makes cultures for more ‘super kosher’ cheese

Chr Hansen is expanding its range of Kosher for Passover cheese cultures, which will enable cheese makers to produce cottage cheese, cheddar, and white brined cheese that meet Judaism’s highest...

Planting of GM crops up 7% in 2009

Global cultivation of genetically modified crops grew by seven percent during 2009, according to a new report, with the US leading the way.

News in brief

Candy makers respond to call for choking hazard labels

The National Confectioners Association has responded to a policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics last week suggesting warning labels and even redesign for foods that pose a high...

Snacking study shows kids eat nearly constantly

American children are moving toward ‘constant eating’ with three snacks a day as well as three regular meals, according to a paper published in the journal Health Affairs.

Foodborne illnesses cost United States $152bn a year- report

Acute foodborne illnesses cost the United States a staggering $152bn a year, with almost a quarter of this burden attributed to fresh, canned and processed produce, said a report from...

Increasing skepticism, but food labels still influence decisions

Consumers are reading nutrition labels more often but are increasingly skeptical of front-of-pack health claims, such as ‘high fiber’ or ‘low fat’, according to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)...

Soy again linked to male infertility: Mouse study

Long-term consumption of a soy-rich diet may decrease a male’s sperm count, says a study with mice.

Potato testing could lessen acrylamide in French fries

Potato selection could help mitigate formation of the suspected carcinogen acrylamide in French fries, according to a study published in Food Additives and Contaminants.

More pepper recalled due to salmonella fears

Heartland Foods, a distributor of specialty food ingredients, has issued a recall of ground black pepper after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it could be contaminated with salmonella.

Industry action on sodium would save lives, save money

Working with the US food industry to establish voluntary sodium reduction targets could prevent around half a million strokes, a similar number of heart attacks and billions of dollars, says...

News in brief

Nestlé completes Kraft pizza acquisiton

Nestlé is starting the integration of Kraft’s frozen pizza business into its international organisation, after competing the acquisition yesterday.

Options abound for low-fat, vegetable-based mayonnaise

Vegetable proteins to replace eggs and a combination of gums and citrus fibre are just two options for low-fat vegetable-based mayonnaise formulations, according to recent research.

PepsiCo accepts Dr Pepper firewall to close bottling deal

PepsiCo has agreed to set up a ‘Chinese wall’ to ensure that the acquisition of its two largest bottlers does not jeopardise competition with rival Dr Pepper Snapple.

New Codex is tool for ethical practice, says USP

Food manufacturers aspiring to ethically sound practices should seek ingredient quality assurance, says US Pharmacopeia, the standards-setting authority behind the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC).

Acrylamide could get prop 65 for reproductive harm

California health officials have proposed that acrylamide, the suspected carcinogen produced during the cooking of certain foods, should be listed as a known reproductive toxicant.

Bulk red pepper recalled on salmonella fears

Wholesome Spice has issued a recall of 25-pound boxes of crushed red pepper, after salmonella was found in the ingredient at Daniele International, the salami manufacturer linked to a salmonella...

Common ingredients may extend citrus oil use in beverage: IFF study

A common surfactant ingredient may boost the stability of citral, one of the most important flavour compounds in citrus oil, and enhance formulations of beverage concentrates, says a new study.

News in brief

Unilever welcomes positive weight management claim

The newly announced positive opinion from EFSA has been welcomed by Slim.Fast producer Unilever as confirmation of the product’s efficacy.