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

Bill bids to strengthen ‘dangerous’ US food safety regime

New legislation designed to strengthen the “dangerous” US food safety system as well as simplify its complex food supply chain has been tabled by key political figures from the House of Representatives.

Vinegar could be used for salt reduction: Study

Adding low concentrations of vinegar to foods may enhance perception of saltiness and enable food manufacturers to cut salt content without affecting taste, according to new research from Japan.

Search for value signals 100-calorie snack pack demise

Portion-controlled packs are falling out of favor with consumers as they increasingly seek value ahead of convenience, according to market research organization Mintel.

News in brief

Firmenich extends Reb A flavor solution range

Firmenich has extended its ModulaSense range of flavor solutions for use with PureCircle’s Reb A to include flavor masking and sweetness enhancers.

Probiotic chocolate springboards off Activia success

Barry Callebaut has launched its ProBenefit probiotic chocolate for food manufacturers in the US, saying that Dannon’s Activia advertising has boosted consumer awareness of probiotics’ potential benefits.

Tate & Lyle to produce all its sucralose in Singapore

Tate & Lyle is to produce all its sucralose from its new plant in Singapore, ‘mothballing’ its facility in McIntosh, Alabama.

New FDA bottled water rules to combat E. coli

Bottled water manufacturers, including Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, will face stricter standards following the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to implement new rules to prevent contamination with E. coli bacteria.

Vegetable concentrate provides clean label sodium reduction

Diana Naturals has developed a new vegetable concentrate blend which it says can reduce sodium and enhance flavor in savory applications, including soups, sauces and seasonings.

No conclusive link between diet and ADHD

A Harvard Medical School review has concluded that there is still not enough evidence to link diet with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

News in brief

Food safety group launches online resource site

An online food safety information site for consumers and those working in the area has been set up by the White House Food Safety Working Group.

Salt replacers in fish burgers pass taste test

Replacing sodium chloride with potassium chloride does not affect the sensory quality, or shelf-life of fish fillets, says new research.

Maxx launches bitter-free green tea for bakery

Upstate New York-based Maxx Performance has introduced an encapsulated green tea extract allowing addition to bakery and other dried goods without compromising flavor.

Setton Pistachio strongly disputes FDA inspection report

Setton Pistachio, the company that recalled two million pounds of salmonella-tainted pistachios in March, has said it adamantly disagrees with an FDA assessment of its hygiene practices.

FDA failed over salmonella outbreak, says new chief

The recent outbreak of salmonella in the United States caused by contaminated peanut butter represented a “failure” by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency’s new commissioner said this week as she took up her post.

Setton Pistachio knew of salmonella, says FDA

Setton Pistachio knew that some of its products had tested positive for salmonella but kept shipping them anyway, according to an inspection report released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Round table: The growth of nanotech

Food and nutrition is a 'hot spot' for nanotechnology, experts have said. Stephen Daniells talks to two such experts and asks where the developments are, could it really lead to a removal colours from foods, and is nanotech really like GM?

Even successful businesses bitten by funding freeze

Finding investors in the current economic environment is a problem for all companies, even if they are doing well, according to Frost and Sullivan research analyst Christopher Shanahan.

AFS releases stabilizers to stop pie seepage

Advanced Food Systems (AFS) has expanded its line of food stabilizers for use in fillings for hand-held bakery items, sauces, glazes and retorted vegetables.

News in brief

Sifto expands range of alternative salts for consumer use

Sifto Canada Corporation has announced a new line of alternative salts for consumer use, including low-sodium and zero-sodium varieties.

MSG: Review dismisses allergy concerns

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavour-enhancer, does not increase the risk of developing allergies, such as asthma and rhinitis, says a new review from the US.

Weekly comment

Cheerios: Drugs for breakfast?

When is a breakfast cereal not a breakfast cereal? Well, when it’s a drug.

Talking Point

Country-of-origin labeling: Not so COOL? – your views

FoodNavigator-USA.com asked readers for their views on US country-of-origin labeling (COOL) in light of Canada’s World Trade Organization complaint.

Orange juice shelf-life may be extended by natural chitosan

Using chitosan, an emerging ingredient extracted from fungi cell walls, may act as an anti-microbial ingredient for orange juice, and remove the need for pasteurization, says a new study.

Health Canada’s probiotics monograph ‘insufficient’: Expert

A recently published monograph by Health Canada is ‘insufficient’ and could lead to a ‘fooling of the consumer’ according to a leading probiotics researcher.

Examining ethics to fight food fraud

Lessons learned from the Chinese melamine scandal should stimulate greater discussion of ethical conduct in the food industry, says an article to be published in Trends in Food Science and Technology.

News in brief

Seven-year-old dies from eating E. coli-tainted beef

A seven-year-old Cleveland girl has died from an E. coli infection that health officials say could be linked to contaminated ground beef from an Illinois-based meatpacker.

Low-grade apples may give high-grade pectin for industry

Pectin extracted from low-grade ‘Golden Delicious’ apples may offer an interesting alternative for jams and confectionery, suggests new research from Mexico.

News in brief

Senate confirms Hamburg to head FDA

The US Senate confirmed Dr Margaret Hamburg as Food and Drug Administration Commissioner on Monday.

Company claims consumers duped by trans fat labeling loophole

Consumers who choose foods labeled ‘zero trans fats’ could still surpass their recommended daily limit due to FDA rules that allow up to 0.49g of trans fat per serving to be rounded to zero, says spread company Smart Balance.

Wild makes fruit flavours last longer in cookies

Wild has developed a new line of flavours for baked goods that are said to be more stable than is usual and have a more intense fruity flavour and aroma.

Canadian Wheat Board resists GM wheat collaboration

The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) has said that it will not support genetically modified wheat – at least until certain conditions are met.

Gluten-free diet not friendly to gut bacteria: Study

Following a gluten-free diet may be detrimental to gut health, which may also affect immune health, according to a new study from the Spanish National Research Council.

Stevia standards developer could lack future funding

Ingredient standards researcher ChromaDex Corporation has said that it anticipates significant future demand for its services, but is unsure if it can secure the capital necessary to continue expansion.

Frugality dominates US shoppers' alcohol plans - report

Alcohol’s ability to survive under difficult economic times has come into question amidst shifting consumer attitudes in the US to more value-focused offerings as opposed to their premium counterparts, says new research.

News in brief

FAAN invests $1.1m in allergy research

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) has announced a $1.12m research fund to help better understand the causes of allergies and find treatments.

Stevia will attract CSR scrutiny, expert

Stevia leaders must show corporate social responsibility, as sales of sweeteners derived from the plant take off around the world, says conference speaker.

Venezuelan government seizes Cargill pasta plant

The Venezuelan government temporarily seized a Cargill pasta processing plant on Friday, claiming that the food giant has broken regulations governing food pricing, according to the Associated Press.

Weekly comment

Different shades of green: Looking beyond carbon footprints

You can try your best to avoid it, but when it comes to measuring carbon footprint, almost everything we do these days, either as a business or individuals, is likely to have a negative impact on the environment.

Canada approves high oleic acid GM soybeans

Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have approved a high oleic acid genetically modified (GM) soybean for cultivation and foods containing the oil could hit the market by 2010, says DuPont.

Diet vs. exercise obesity debate continues

The majority of American parents believe that exercise is more important than diet to combat childhood obesity, according to new research from Mintel, despite recent evidence to the contrary.

News in brief

STOP Obesity Alliance welcomes new members

Eight medical groups, public health associations and obesity experts have joined the Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance.

USDA looks to organic supply welfare in new dairy study

A study is underway is in the US to offer what researchers claim will be the most comprehensive insight yet into the impacts of organic farming on the health of livestock in attempts to ensure better practices for suppliers.

Normal US access for EU foods is in sight, CIAA

Open trade in food products between the EU and US is on its way following the agreement over the beef hormone dispute this week, industry believes – even though the stand off is not fully resolved.

Kosher grape skin extract responds to US demand

Chr. Hansen has partnered with wineries in France and Italy to produce grape skin-derived red colorings for kosher-certified beverages, as well as polyphenols for the dietary supplement industry.

Sensient offers flavor solution for stevia-sweetened beverages

Sensient Flavors has added its flavor masking technology to the raft of products that companies are offering to deal with potential off-notes associated with stevia-derived sweeteners.

US, Canadian and Aussie wheat industries unite behind GM

Major wheat industry organizations from the US, Canada and Australia have announced that they intend to work together to commercialize genetically modified (GM) wheat crops.

News in brief

OTA announces 2009 Organic Leadership Awards

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has announced the recipients of its annual Organic Leadership Awards, which it has been presenting since 1997.

US grocery association launches food safety plan to cut salmonella

The US Grocery Manufacturers Association has launched what it terms “wide ranging” initiatives to step up protection against food-borne illnesses including salmonella.

Stevia World puts stevia on the map as sugar replacer

Speakers at the first day of Stevia World have focused on the potential of stevia sweeteners as mainstream sugar replacers, as well as their role in tackling surging rates of diet related ill health, such as diabetes.

Latin America’s appeal for food companies

Latin America presents growing opportunities for investment for food manufacturers, even as the economic crisis takes its toll on American and European markets, according to a new market report.

Food companies to be hit by higher grain prices

Food companies are likely to struggle with high grain prices well into next year, according to the USDA’s first crop projection report of 2009.

Country-of-origin labeling: Not so COOL?

FoodNavigator-USA.com asks its readers what they think of Canada’s World Trade Organization complaint over US country-of-origin labeling rules.

Study adds to stevia Reb A safety rep

Rebaudiside A does not pose any safety questions regarding genotoxicity, according to a new study that supports the safety profile of this up-and-coming sweetener.

Developing solutions to fight food fraud

Adulteration of food proteins - as seen in the recent melamine scandal - is becoming a greater threat to industry as the food supply has become more globalized and economic crisis drives manufacturers to seek cheaper ingredients, says Jim Griffiths of US Pharmacopeia.

General Mills Cheerios cereal is a drug, says FDA

General Mills has been told to change the marketing of its popular Cheerios whole grain cereal, as the health claims it currently uses classify it as an unapproved drug.

News in brief

FDA seizes $1.5m of ingredients stored in ‘filth’

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered the seizure of over $1.5m worth of food products, including herbs and botanicals, because they were stored in “filthy conditions”.

Canada renews dispute over US COOL rules

Canada has renewed its World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute over US country-of-origin (COOL) labeling rules.

Is obesity fuelling food allergies?

Rising childhood obesity levels may also be driving the increases in food allergies, suggests new research from the US.

US state bans BPA in baby bottles

Minnesota has become the first US state to ban the use of the controversial chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) in baby bottles. Concern focuses on the possible effects of BPA leaching into babies' feed when bottles are heated.

Stevia’s organic potential is not limited, claims PureCircle

Major Reb A supplier PureCircle has disputed recent suggestions that stevia’s potential for use in organic foods could be limited, although it agrees that certification poses problems.

Record FDA budget proposed as Hamburg clears Senate

Dr Margaret Hamburg, the Obama Administration’s pick to lead the FDA, easily cleared the Senate on Thursday, while the Administration proposed a record budget increase for the agency.

US to shelve Roquefort tariff hike

Proposed US tariffs of 300 per cent for Roquefort cheese are to be shelved under a new arrangement between the US Trade Representative (USTR) and the European Commission (EC).

Weekly comment

The quiet potential of supplements and fortified foods

What do companies like Vitamin Shoppe, Johnson & Johnson, DSM, Whole Foods, NBTY and even Pfizer have in common?

News in brief

Fruit and veg may slash colorectal cancer risk: Study

Increased intakes of fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 25 per cent, says a large European study.

US obesity due to more calories, not less exercise: Study

Increased calorie intake – rather than lack of exercise – is nearly exclusively responsible for the obesity epidemic in the US, according to a new study presented at the European Congress on Obesity on Friday.

Wild Flavors seeks external stevia safety stamp

Wild Flavors has said it is aggressively working toward external safety assessment of its stevia extracts as it becomes the latest company to announce the launch of a stevia flavor solutions range.

Acrylamide has no link to brain cancer risk: Study

Dietary intakes of acrylamide are not related to increased risks of brain cancer, says a new study from Maastricht University in the Netherlands.

Mild bird flu identified in US breeding hens

A Tennessee flock of 15,000 breeder hens has been culled after tests revealed a mild strain of avian influenza. The birds, which were being raised under contract for Tyson Foods, showed no signs of illness and there was no threat to human health, said the company.

FDA fails to reach state food safety audit targets

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken another blow as a US news organization published figures on Thursday showing it is failing to meet its goals for auditing individual states’ food safety inspections.

US soybean prices rise on tight supply

US soybean prices have risen on fears of tightening supply and look set to rise further as South America has suffered severe drought and US planting has been delayed due to unfavorable weather.

Ingredia Group completes Kantner acquisition

IDI Inc has finalized its acquisition of Ohio-based Kantner Ingredients, in a deal expected to increase its export capabilities and US presence.

News in brief

May elected as Med diet month

Oldways and the Mediterranean Food Alliance have designated May ‘Mediterranean Month’ in an effort to further publicize the benefits of a Mediterranean-style diet.

Plea for independent Canadian food agency

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s dual mandate of public protection and food risk safety assessment is not working and should be replaced with an independent food safety agency, warns a leading food safety expert.

How the EU health claims process could impact US

How will the new health claims system in Europe impact the state of play in the North American market? Lorraine Heller speaks to a leading international ingredients supplier about the potential marketing and regulatory implications.

Another guilty plea in SK Foods tomato probe

A former food company purchasing manager pleaded guilty on Tuesday to accepting $65,000 in bribes to funnel business to a tomato processor at the heart of an investigation into a number of illicit activities.

News in brief

GLG accepts $40.5m stevia order from Cargill

GLG Life Tech Corporation has accepted a $40.5m from Cargill to supply its Reb A stevia extract starting in October, with the possibility of further orders over the following 18 months, the company said.

Meat industry urges rethink on Chinese chicken

A group of meat industry representatives has sent a letter to President Obama urging a rethink of legislation banning imported cooked poultry from China, saying it breaches US trade obligations.

News in brief

Ajinomoto appoints North American aspartame distributor

Aspartame supplier Ajinomoto Food Ingredients has partnered with ChemPoint.com to supply the sweetener to its customers in North America.

How Coke and Pepsi plan to grow in the recession

The two beverage giants Coca-Cola and PepsiCo will be driving their brands forward rather than shrinking back in the years ahead, treating the recession as a period for growth, says beverage analyst James Tonkin.

Companies look to Asia as an economic buffer

Food and beverage companies should look to Asia to bolster their business in times of economic crisis, while differentiating their products closer to home, according to a Frost and Sullivan analyst.

News in brief

Americans support subsidy cuts for large farms, says survey

Most Americans support cutting farm subsidies to large farming businesses, according to a new survey from www.worldpublicopinion.org .

Good nutrition strongly linked to education: Study

Better-educated people tend to spend more money on each calorie, but also choose more nutrient-rich foods, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

US organics buck recessionary trend

US sales of organic food have surged despite dire predictions for its resilience as consumers look for ways to cut spending, according to a new survey on American organics.

New enzyme to squeeze more oil out of soy, rapeseed gums

Danisco is introducing a new enzyme for vegetable oil refiners which is claimed to increase yield during refining and enable more sustainable use of water and energy.

Weekly comment

Food safety reform: Not a century too soon

On a summer’s day in 1906 Theodore Roosevelt pushed through new food safety regulation. The Food and Drugs Act passed that day over 100 years ago was the last time the US food safety system was modernized.

New meat sodium reduction technology on a plate

New sodium reduction technology allows meat processors to cut the sodium content of their products by up to 50 per cent, according to its developer Nu-Tek.

Snackers seek to balance indulgence with nutrition

Snacks are becoming healthier and more upmarket as Americans increasingly turn away from the idea of three square meals a day, according to a new trend-mapping report from Packaged Facts.