All news articles for May 2006

New Splenda product could reinforce brand image

A new version of the popular sweetener product Splenda is to hit the retail market, a move that suggests its marketers are stepping up efforts to cement the brand in consumer consciousness before the inevitable arrival of alternative sucralose products.

Consumers eat trans fats despite concerns, says study

American consumers continue to eat certain foods containing trans fats despite being aware of the health dangers associated with these, says a new report.

Appetising advertising linked to obesity - study

Cambridge scientists have shown that the reward centres of some peoples' brains are more sensitive to appetising food cues, and may help explain compulsive eating disorders.

Monsanto raises outlook on strong corn seed performance

Biotech giant Monsanto has increased its outlook for fiscal 2006 earnings on the back of a strong performance from its corn seed and traits business.

Low-carb diet could improve cholesterol levels, say scientists

A new clinical trial from the US has reported that a low-carb diet improves cholesterol levels, as a second study in a week reports health benefits for this once bright star of the diet world.

Treatt launches new blueberry flavor system

Independent flavor specialist Treatt has introduced Blueberry Treattarome 9840 to its expanding range of 100 per cent natural, FTNF(From The Named Food) flavor ingredients.

Could micronutrients be the future of diet design?

Planning diets around key micronutrients like amino acids could be the future of diet design and a way to help the fight against obesity, says research published in Science.

Tate & Lyle expands US wet mill capabilities

Tate & Lyle is to invest $260 million in the construction of the first phase of a new corn wet mill in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

US group invests in Vietnamese dairy sector

US food producer Gannon Group is investing US$10 million to set up a dairy processing company in Vietnam.

Weekly Comment

Food industry must face its faults

The food industry must be honest if it is to convince consumers - and audiences - that it is not the corporate monster portrayed in the media.

Organic meat market rockets, but supply lags behind

Exceptionally high growth rates in the organic meat market in recent years are attracting new entrants into the industry, but supply still remains short of burgeoning consumer demand, says a report published this week.

Vietnam: the new China

Until recently China was the favourite destination for foreign retailers, but the country has slipped to fifth place as market saturation has made trading more difficult. Meanwhile the stakes have been raised in Vietnam thanks to partial market deregulation - elevating it to this year's top three global retail hotspot.

National Starch pinpoints projects for health innovation

Cleaner labels, health claims and satiety are amongst the projects in the pipeline at ingredients giant National Starch Food Innovation, which will be looking for food firms to partner with in its quest to bring new products to market.

Kraft Australia to cut more than 300 jobs

Kraft Foods will axe 325 jobs at two of its Australian manufacturing sites under a two-year plan to reduce costs, it revealed on Wednesday.

Unpasteurized OJ a possible vehicle for salmonella

Orange juice and other foods traditionally not associated with foodborne disease outbreaks could still be a source of disease, according to scientists.

Coca-Cola, Cadbury added to benzene lawsuits

Coca-Cola and Cadbury Schweppes have joined the list of beverage firms set to be sued in Florida over allegations their drinks contained benzene, 15 years after the industry first pledged to fix the problem.

Report examines untapped potential in soy

Around a quarter of US consumers feel they do not get enough soy in their diets, while almost half are still not aware of the health benefits linked to the product, says new research.

Natural, organic market set to soar

Natural and organic food and beverages have become the "hottest area" in the food industry, and show no sign of slowing, according to a new report.

FDA confirms barley/heart health claim

The FDA has confirmed the qualified health claim linking whole grain barley to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, which could help raise awareness of the grain amongst heart health-conscious consumers.

Slow growth forecast for meat production, consumption

US red meat and poultry production in 2007 is projected to grow at a considerably slower rate than expected this year, while consumption is expected to increase marginally, according to an agriculture department forecast.

Weekly comment

Hacks v Lab-Rats: who's at fault for consumer confusion?

The relationship between journalist 'hack' and scientist 'lab-rat' must be developed if science is to get a fair deal in the press, and for consumers to be presented balanced and accurate science coverage.

New study strengthens obesity-cancer link

Obesity has again been linked to an increased risk of cancer, findings that constitute yet another building block in the wall of pressure being built around the food industry.

Food firms must keep up with changing retail

Retailers must be quick to accept and quick to discontinue new products if they are to succeed in the changing retail landscape, according to a new report.

Campbell: convenience and health top priorities

Wellness, convenience, quality and organics are the key areas that leading soup maker Campbell is focusing on, the firm told FoodNavigator-USA.com, as it reports better than expected third quarter results.

FDA names and shames over benzene in soft drinks

Five US soft drinks were found containing the cancer-causing chemical benzene at levels above the legal limit for drinking water, America's food safety watchdog has announced, sparking calls for more thorough testing.

Bunge soybean supply disrupted in Brazil

Around a quarter of Bunge's soybean processing plants in Brazil have been affected by farmers' protests in recent weeks, but the situation looks to be returning to normal, said the company.

Industry reacts to 'damaging' fast food film

The US food industry has launched a campaign to counter the bad publicity it expects to receive from a new film linking fast food chains and the industries that support them to the nation's health and social problems.

Organics continue to soar, says new OTA report

Sales of organic foods in the US continue to increase, with the meat category demonstrating the highest growth rate last year, according to preliminary results from the Organic Trade Association's (OTA) 2006 Manufacturer Survey.

Guest article

Preserving intellectual property before a patent is issued

The nutraceuticals industry has a dynamic technology landscape where a product life cycle may be abbreviated. Amid the constant pressure to drive new products to market and the struggle to establish and maintain market share, engaging in the expensive, multiyear process of obtaining patent protection for your technology may seem to be a questionable value proposition.

Bakery company settles federal refrigerants suit

A third baking company made a settlement this week with the US government over its use of ozone-depleting refrigerants.

Health concerns drive emulsifiers market, says report

Rising health concerns and demand for low-fat foods is set to drive demand for food emulsifiers, according to a recent report by market researcher Frost & Sullivan.

FDA rejects Nestlé infant formula health claim

The US food regulatory agency last week rejected a proposed health claim submitted by Nestlé, which would have implied that its whey protein infant formulas reduced the risk of food allergy symptoms.

Global strategy called for in obesity battle

Strong governmental leadership and policy changes including legislative and educational measures are necessary in order to curb the rising obesity epidemic, according to a new report.

Canadian nutraceutical industry to benefit from $15m investment

Canada's AFMNet is supporting the scientific foundations of its functional foods and nutraceuticals industry by committing itself to a three-year, C$15m, research and development investment.

Marketing focus

Vitafoods 2006: kids driving the health revolution

Healthy eating is no longer motivated simply by self-interest. Family welfare has become the overriding concern, and children have become the real driving force behind the health trend.

More magnesium, less copper could benefit health

People with more magnesium and less copper in their blood could reduce their risk of death from cancer by as much as 50 per cent, says a new study from France.

Cadbury Schweppes to face lawsuit over 'all natural' 7UP

Just a month after the reformulation of its flagship 7Up drink, Cadbury Schweppes is set to face a lawsuit that accuses the firm of deceptively advertising the product as 'natural'.

Consumers seek 'trust marks' as sign of quality, says firm

Consumers are increasingly looking for quality seals and trust marks on food products, which provide a fast and easy indication of the item's benefits, according to research conducted by ConAgra Foods.

The secret behind mega-brands

'Mega-brands' have become so imbedded in the consciousness of American consumers that they continue to dominate and shape the food industry, despite often being at odds with the USDA's Dietary Guidelines, according to an expert in nutrition science.

Ban red insect food die, says CSPI

Carmine and cochineal extracts, the red food dyes made from the dried bodies of the cochineal insect, should be removed from the food supply once and for all, claims the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

EU-US debate self regulation on obesity

An EU-US conference on obesity, being held in Brussels today, will attempt to draw conclusions on whether industry self-regulation can work.

Guest article

Doctor warns against 'standard' infant formulas

Parents should avoid infant formulas made from intact proteins, a Stanford researcher told doctors assembled at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies.

Biotech booming, claims Ernst & Young report

The biotechnology sector is booming across the globe, with revenues of the worlds publicly traded biotech companies growing by 18 per cent in 2005.

FDA releases soy-derived lecithin guidelines

The FDA has published a guidance document to help food makers understand the labeling requirements for certain uses of lecithin derived from soy.

Successful TV ads increase childhood obesity, report

A report published this month confirms that television is effective in getting children to eat the foods advertised, driving up the association between television viewing and childhood obesity.

Nutrition top of list when it comes to shopping, survey

Family health and nutrition concerns are increasingly influencing household food purchases in the US, according to a new study by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Prevention magazine.

NNFA adopts mission and vision statements

The National Nutritional Foods Association has adopted a new mission statement, and proposes changing its name to the Natural Products Association to better represent the market and challenges faced by its members.

Majority of recalls preventable, says UK consultancy

The majority of food recalls around the world are caused by preventable problems, with poor allergen control and failure to follow international standards as the major culprits, according to a UK consultancy.

Ocean Spray set to emphasise health at Vitafoods

Ocean Spray plans to reinforce the health benefits behind its portfolio of cranberry ingredients at this week's Vitafoods exhibition in Geneva.

Mintel identifies major trends to impact food industry

New ingredients, health and portability are amongst trends that will impact the US food market within the next five years, according to Mintel, which presented its findings at the FMI show on Sunday.

Frito Lay to cut saturated fat by more than half

Frito-Lay has pledged to reduce the saturated fat in its leading potato chip brands, Lay's and Ruffles, by more than 50 percent by switching to NuSun sunflower oil.

Weekly comment

Chasing down obesity

It is time to admit that society is fighting a part-time battle against the bulge, willingly lambasting soft drinks, burgers and chocolate, while shuffling silently away from a fairly dismal exercise rate.

Replace trans-fat and save thousands of lives, says review

Over a quarter of a million coronary heart disease events could be avoided by replacing trans-fats in foods, says a new review - calls that have been welcomed by a leading trans fat-free producer.

Federal regulator reviews Italy's aspartame study

The US food regulator says it is still investigating claims by researchers in Italy that aspartame causes cancer, despite a European finding that the study was flawed.

ADM set to emphasise health credentials at Vitafoods

ADM plans to highlight its organic whole soybean powder NutriSoy and its soy isoflavones brand Novasoy at next week's Vitafoods exhibition in Geneva.

Key to success: recognize trends, says expert

The key to building long term relationships with consumers is a better understanding of people and their different and changing needs, according to food trend forecaster Phil Lempert. Food firms must focus on aging consumers, ethnic diversity and time constraints, he said this week.

Virginia Dare to focus on Hispanic fruit flavors

Flavor firm Virginia Dare is to introduce new products that appeal to the Hispanic market in an effort to capitalize on the flavor preferences of the growing Hispanic population in the US.

USDA finds partners to promote MyPyramid

The USDA has entered into cooperative agreements with three partners to increase the public's knowledge of both the Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid, one year after the scheme's online launch.

Water additive reduces pathogens in fruit, vegetables

A antimicrobial water additive has become the first of its kind to receive registration under the Environmental Protection Agency rules, according to the manufacturer.

FPA and GMA to merge

The Food Products Association (FPA) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) have agreed in principle to merge the two organizations effective 1 January, 2007.

ADM posts impressive quarter profit increases

ADM has reported a 29 percent increase in net earnings for the quarter ended 31 March 31 2006 - a good platform for the new CEO to build from.

Oil type explains variations in trans fat levels

Levels of trans fats in fast food products varies from country to country, according to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Indena commits to Canada with long-term Alliance deal

Italian herbal extracts supplier Indena is expanding its presence in the North American market, signing a long-term distribution deal for Canada with Alliance Principle Ingredients.

CSM announces further streamlining measures

CSM's merger of two North American businesses is the latest move in a wide-ranging strategy to cut costs and achieve better operational focus.

Connecticut governor pledges to back soda bill

State governor Jodi Rell has pledged to sign a bill that would make Connecticut the fourth US state to ban sales of sodas and other sugary beverages in state elementary, middle and high schools.

US firm unveils ice cream vending machine

A newly developed vending machine in the US makes ice cream from scratch while you wait, shows how dairy firms are finding new ways to target consumer demand for convenience.

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