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

CRN proposes upper limits for functional foods

While functional foods make inroads at the IFT Expo, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) is making its voice heard on the issue of upper limits for nutrients added to these products.

IFT: Cognis launches bakery emulsifiers, mold inhibitor

European ingredients firm Cognis is using the IFT event in Chicago this week as a platform to launch a variety of new products on the US market, including emulsifiers, aerating agents and a 'natural' mold inhibitor.

Canada unveils new organic logo

The Canadian government has launched a new organic logo designed to tell consumers that they are purchasing products that are federally certified as organic.

US drives global kosher ingredient need

The growing kosher market is prompting manufacturers in countries without much local demand to gain certification so they can export to the high-potential US, and some are exporing continuous kosher production to keep down costs.

DSM delights bakers and cheese makers at IFT

DSM Food Specialities is using IFT Food Expo 2007 in Chicago to introduce its taste enhancement ingredients to the US.

IFT: AAK launches no-trans bakery shortenings

Oil and fat manufacturer AarhusKarlsham (AAK) is introducing a number of extensions to its EsSence line of bakery shortenings, designed to respond to the trans-free requirements of niche applications in the category.

PepsiCo re-labels tap sourced water

PepsiCo is to spill the beans on the true source of its Aquafina bottled water, following pressure from a consumer watchdog over its use of marketing.

Cheese taste and aroma boosted by prebiotics - study

The sensory aspects of cheese could be boosted by the addition of prebiotic ingredients, in addition to improving the nutritional profile of the product, suggests new research.

Bunge Q2 profits soar, edible oils still volatile

Agricultural and food ingredient firm Bunge has reported solid growth in its second quarter and half year performance, indicating that the firm could be getting back on track after a difficult period.

Healthy ingredients makers court mainstream food at IFT

IFT Expo is bridging the gap between dietary supplement ingredients and mainstream food manufacturers, with companies who once focused on nutrition in a capsule now looking to supply functional food ingredients.

Consumers making healthy fat distinction

Consumers are starting to recognise that some fats can actually be good for them, stimulating growth in the market for polyunsaturated fatty acids like omega-3 and CLA, says Leatherhead.

USDA reviews soybean standards

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended a comment period on a review of the nation's soybean standards, as it aims to ascertain whether these adequately respond to current grain industry needs.

IFT to examine latest food ingredients and technologies

Food professionals from around the world will make their way to Chicago this weekend as the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) 2007 annual meeting and expo opens its doors to reveal the latest new ingredients, technologies and scientific developments affecting the industry.

AHPA sets its no-GM policy in stone

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is urging its members to refrain from using genetically modified (GM) herbal ingredients until environmental and health concerns can be effectively addressed.

Obesity concerns drive artificial sweetener market

Social and health concerns relating to obesity is driving market growth for the global artificial sweetener market, according to a new report.

Scientists look to salt to reduce acrylamide

Salt may act as a catalyst in the polymerisation, and therefore reduction, of acrylamide in foods, suggests a new study from the Slovak Republic.

Bunge invests in new China soy plant

Agro firm Bunge is to expand its soy presence in China, announcing today the establishment of a joint venture to construct a new soybean processing plant in the country.

Healthy snacks market will boom, says report

The whole grain and high fibre food market will reach $21bn (€15bn) by 2010, according to a new report by Global Industry Analysts.

Corn Products posts strong Q2 results

Starch and sweetener firm Corn Products International has reported a surge in second quarter profit and sales, boosted by higher selling prices and improved product mix.

Food safety panel created, but labs could close

While the Bush administration has established a cabinet-level panel to recommend food safety improvement for products shipped into the US, half of the country's import inspection laboratories are facing closure.

Food gifts become more popular, says report

Food gifts have shot up in popularity in a climate of otherwise reduced gift-giving, according to a new study, which says food gifts are increasingly being chosen because they please everyone and they can be shared.

Changing lifestyles drive functional food growth

A new market report attributes higher incomes, lifestyle changes, growing health awareness, an aging population and a preference for convenience foods as driving the functional foods and drinks market.

DuPont Q2 sales increase but profit slips

Agricultural and chemical company DuPont has posted a dip in second quarter profit due to lower US volumes and increased energy costs.

Organic meat and dairy linked to better quality breast milk

The breast milk of mothers consuming organic meat and dairy contains higher levels of beneficial fatty acids, and has an overall improved quality, suggests new research.

US milk yield on the rise

Milk production in the US is up from last year for the sixth month in a row, according to a new report.

Cargill expands cocoa business in Ghana

Agricultural firm Cargill has started construction of a new cocoa processing facility in Ghana, in an expansion move designed to meet increasing global demand for cocoa products.

Soft drinks - heart disease study sparks reaction

Drinking more than one soft drink a day is associated with a 50 per cent increased risk in metabolic syndrome, says a new study from the US.

New approach to sugar needed, says USDA

A new approach to sugar is needed in the US to avoid the continuing cost pressures on the industry, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in a report last week.

Health awareness drives global organic market

The organic food and beverage market has been predicted to surpass $86bn (€62bn) by 2009, with consumers increasingly turning 'organic' in search of health and safety in their food products.

Weekly Comment

Could the E-number be up?

The European Food Safety Authority's review of additive safety could have a bigger effect on the ingredients industry than the ejection of certain colours and flavours with a suspect safety record. It could give the natural ingredients trend an extra push, and possibly prove the death-knell for the ne'er loved E number system.

Sesame lignans could be edible oil antioxidant - study

Lignans from sesame could act as an antioxidant to prolong the shelf-life of bulk edible oils, suggests a study from India.

UN bodies call for tougher food safety legislation

Tougher legislation and more inspections are needed to prevent the up to 200 food safety incidents reported internationally, according to two UN bodies.

USDA develops low-sugar watermelons

A new variety of low-sugar watermelons could soon appear in produce aisles to appeal to diabetic consumers and those who want to reduce intake of sugar or carbs.

FDA to examine nutrition symbols

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to examine the use of nutrition symbols on food products, and is calling for information on the usefulness of such symbols, the consistency of nutrition standards they are based on, and the cost involved in their use.

Full-fat ice cream worth the guilt, says consumer survey

The majority of US consumers say they believe full-fat ice cream is worth the guilt, and would rather eat this than full-fat versions of other snacks, according to a new survey.

Cashews cause stronger reactions than peanuts - study

The allergic reaction to cashew nuts is more severe than peanuts, says a new study that deepens our understanding of food allergies and highlights the need for clear labelling.

Tate & Lyle extends Promitor line in US first

Tate & Lyle is launching a soluble corn fiber, which will first appear in the US followed by other countries.

FDA to receive more food safety funding

The FDA is set to receive substantial funding increases for its food safety program, which will allow for additional research to prevent food contamination, as well as the creation of rapid response teams in the case of an outbreak.

Draft texts move Doha deal closer, Lamy

In a continuing spirit of optimism, WTO director general Pascal Lamy has said that the gap is closing on differences between participants in agriculture trade talks and he expects draft blueprints of a deal to be helpful to next week's talks.

Cheese makers face raft of legal changes

Proposed changes to international food safety standards could affect the way cheese makers sell their products worldwide.

Food firms restrict advertising to kids

The nation's major food and beverage companies yesterday pledged to focus their advertising to children under 12 on better-for-you products, or to refrain from advertising to that age group altogether.

Food cravings for calories not carbs, says obesity-related study

People with food cravings want calories, not carbohydrates, says a news study from the US that may have implications for obesity.

ADM, Lesaffre to expand US yeast operations

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and France-based Lesaffre Yeast Corporation last week announced the expansion of their yeast business in the US, with extra capacity due to be added in early 2009.

Cargill expands grain business in Eastern Europe

Cargill is to move towards full ownership of a leading grain and oilseeds firm in Hungary, as the US agricultural giant continues its strategy of expanding its presence in Central and Eastern Europe.

Coca-Cola experiences double digit sales

Coca-Cola reported Tuesday net revenue growth of 19 per cent for the quarter ending 29 June, led by strong performances in emerging markets.

Top firms meet to discuss kids advertising

Top food and beverage companies are today expected to announce new voluntary restrictions on marketing to children, in an effort to preempt the implementation of new regulations.

Extra fruit, veg may not affect breast cancer outcomes

Doubling the five-a-day recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption does not provide any extra protection against the recurrence of breast cancer, says a new study.

Beverage firms innovate as soda sales continue to dip

Sales of carbonated soft drinks in the US are forecast to decline for the fourth consecutive year, according to a new market report, which examines the steps taken by some of the category leaders in response to the tough market conditions.

Canadians get Naprelan

Canadians finally have access to the controlled-release formulation of naproxen sodium, which has been on the US market for more than 10 years for the management of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Protein-flavour interactions explored for meal replacements

Scientists from the US have explored the interaction between whey and soy proteins and flavour, a major challenge facing the blooming meal replacement product sector.

US urges China to lift pork and poultry ban

The US has asked China to lift the ban it imposed last week on imports from seven pork and poultry processing plants.

Corn expectations prompt Tate & Lyle buy

Tate and Lyle is in a strong position to perform above expectation in the second half of the financial year, says Goldman Sachs, thanks to the positive effect of a large US corn crop for 2008 - and therefore lower prices - on high fructose corn syrup operations.

Solbar extends US soy products offering

Soy ingredients firm Solbar will be using the IFT in Chicago to drive home the message that is serious about the US market, showcasing its latest range of products.

High GI diet linked to poor eye health

Eating a diet with a high glycemic index may increase the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), says a new study from Tufts University.

EU sugar reform hit Agranas sugar revenues

Sales revenues for Agrana's sugar segment were down to €171m for the three months ended May 31, from €243m the same quarter the previous year, due to EU sugar reforms.

Grapefruit may raise breast cancer risk - study

Women who consume one quarter of grapefruit every day may be at a 30 percent higher risk of breast cancer, suggests an epidemiological study from Hawaii and LA.

Xanthan gum may improve tapioca stability during freeze-thaw

Addition of xanthan gum to tapioca starch gel could improve the stability of emulsion during freezing and thawing, says new research.

LycoRed puts the BLT into beverages

Thought BLT was a sandwich made with bacon, lettuce and tomato? Think again. In LycoRed's book it's a beverage fortification concept that showcases its expertise in antoxidants. Beta carotene, lutein, and tomato lycopene, of course.

Organic farming supply can meet demand - study

Organic farming can yield up to three times as much food on individual farms in developing countries, as low-intensive methods on the same land, says a new study from the University of Michigan.

Brand loyalty must be new strategic goal, says Datamonitor

Brand loyalty is more important to the success of packaged goods firms than attracting new consumers, claims a new report by Datamonitor.

Sour taste all in the genes?

Genetics may play a large role in determining individual differences in sour taste perception, says a new study from the US that may lead to identification of the still-elusive taste receptor that detects sourness in foods and beverages.

Chr Hansen launches 'natural' spray-dried dairy flavors

Chr Hansen has launched a new line of spray-dried dairy flavors in the US, which the firm claims provide some of its most successful flavors in a more convenient application form.

Companies accused of internet high-jinks

Company executives-turned-internauts at Danone and Wholefoods are accused of blackening the reputation of their rivals online, according to the Financial Times today.

Pepsi and others settle benzene lawsuit

PepsiCo and several other soft drink manufacturers have agreed to a settlement in a lawsuit brought against the companies alleging their products contained cancer-causing benzene.

Fat tax - proposed again by academia, dismissed by industry

If the British government imposes a "carefully targeted fat tax" on food, over 3,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease could be prevented every year, UK academics have said.

Solae acquires Cargill's soy protein line

Soy ingredient supplier Solae has completed its acquisition of Cargill's popular Prolisse isolated soy protein line.

DuPont launches new soybean research center

Agricultural firm DuPont is to open a new soybean research facility to enhance its soybean product development and testing efforts, the firm announced today.

China expects to close half of smaller processors

The number of small processors operating in China will halved, following an announcement made by the national food regulator this week.

Energy drinks market will grow, says report

Beverage groups will turn more production over to high margin, functional products over the next three years, to meet the growing demand for sports and energy drinks, according to a forecast report.

General Mills invests in food science to boost innovation

General Mills is to help set up a new Food Science division, which will draw on the expertise of retired scientists and engineers to fuel innovation within the firm - and in the food industry in general.

Corn syrup, cane sugar affect appetite equally - study

Beverages sweetened with cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup may affect hunger, satiety, or short-term energy intakes, suggests a new study from the US.

NutraCea kicks off rice bran production at ADM plant

NutraCea has commenced production of its stabilized rice bran at a plant owned by agricultural firm Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), following an agreement announced by the two companies in April this year.

Obesity-death link narrows as rates continue climbing, study

In less than ten years, 75 percent of US adults will be overweight and 41 percent will be obese, with obesity well on its way to becoming the leading preventable cause of death, according to a new meta-analysis.

Traceability could be the recipe for trust

To regain credibility with consumers over food safety, processors need to turn to full traceability throughout the supply chain, according to a study by IBM.

Marketing to kids in spotlight, obesity report postponed

A task force designed to examine the link between food advertising and childhood obesity has delayed the release of its formal report to take into account the new marketing measures expected to be imminently announced by major food firms.

CHS expands European grains presence

US grains company CHS has taken a step towards expanding its presence in Europe, announcing this week the opening of a new grain marketing office in Geneva.

USDA barters surplus commodities for processed goods

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is to donate $50m worth of commodities to food processors in exchange for processed agricultural products that will be distributed through the agency's domestic and international food assistance programs.

Codex adopts standards, sets risk analysis principles

The adoption of 44 new and amended food safety standards by the Codex Alimentarius Commission signals the coming changes that member countries will make to their legislation over the next year.

Western diet pattern may raise breast cancer risk

Asian women eating a Western-style diet, rich in red meat, starches and sweets, may raise the risk of breast cancer, according to new research from China.

SNA event to examine school nutrition standards

School nutrition will be in the spotlight next week, when nutrition professionals and industry members from around the country meet in Chicago for the School Nutrition Association's (SNA) conference.

Weekly comment

The aspartame science kerfuffle

The publication of a new animal study on aspartame last month has - as expected -sparked yet another bout of head butting from the two opposing sides of the debate. But it also highlights a bigger issue: one of transparency.

Americans want exciting chocolate, says survey

Americans are developing a taste for more sophisticated chocolate products, according to a new survey by Barry Callebaut, which finds that consumers are increasingly experimenting with different varieties.

All-African GM maize to make its debut

The first ever genetically modified maize developed and tested exclusively in Africa will make its debut in trials in the continent's fields soon, scientists have reported.

CEOs of top processors pledge to cut water use

In a sign that environment issues have risen high on the list of boardroom priorities, the chief executives of Nestlé, Coca-Cola and SABMiller have signed a UN commitment to manage water use at manufacturing plants more efficiently.

Kids need help choosing portion sizes, study

A new study calls for food and beverage manufactures to label product serving sizes as a means to prevent children from over-consuming energy-dense foods.

Chinese ingredients blamed for US salmonella scare

Chinese ingredients used to make a seasoning that flavors processed snacks manufactured in the US could be contaminated with salmonella, the national food safety regulator has warned.

Study finds no link between sugar drinks and kiddie obesity

A new study from the UK suggests that children consumption of soft drinks between age five and seven is not linked to obesity later in childhood, challenging previous studies that have targeted soft drinks as a major driver in the obesity epidemic.

GMA report examines industry responses to price pressures

Food and beverage manufacturers are responding to commodity price rises through risk management, product reformulation and innovation, according to a report by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA).

Sugar prices expected to stabilise, forecasts FAO

A rising global demand for sugar is set to be met by an increase in production, leading to a more stable market and prices, forecasts the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Frutarom acquires US flavors and fragrance player Abaco

As part of a rapid growth strategy, Frutarom announced its second acquisition in the space of two weeks - this time for US ingredients maker Abaco.

Are organic tomatoes more nutritious?

Organically grown tomatoes contain higher levels of beneficial flavonoids, says a new study from the US that fans the flames of the debate between conventional and organic foods.

Branded sodas contain more caffeine, reveals study

National brand sodas are more likely to contain higher levels of caffeine than their store brand counterparts, according to a new study, which suggests that manufacturers should label caffeine content to help consumers make more informed choices.

Biofuel demands keeps ag prices high, OECD-FAO report

World prices for many agricultural commodities may remain at historical highs over the next decade, as the increase in demand for biofuels continues to shape agricultural markets, says a new OECD/FAO report.

New research facility opens to tackle zoonoses

A new multi-million pound research center has opened, which brings together three government science units to tackle zoonoses.

DuPont closer to launch of new GM corn

DuPont has said it is on track to launch a new herbicide tolerant biotech corn variety, which will come into direct competition with Monsanto's popular Roundup Ready trait.

Glanbia says study confirms Prolibra weight loss potential

Glanbia Nutritionals is bringing its whey peptide Prolibra closer to the US weight loss market following a recent study it says backs-up earlier results.

FDA sets strict safety controls on Chinese seafood

Imports of seafood from China are to be detained by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) until they are proven to be free of residues from drugs that are not approved in the United States for use in farm-raised aquatic animals.

FDA examines allergy labels in new study

Almost half of consumers with food allergies have "serious problems" using food labels to help them avoid certain foods, says a new study by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Nestle deepens taste understanding

Scientists from Nestlé Research Center have identified the molecular basis behind why artificial sweeteners taste sweet at low levels and metallic at higher levels.

National Cancer Institute funds study using Beneo

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is funding a Mayo Clinic study following the work of the EU-funded Syncan project, this time using prebiotics without probiotics, in relation to colon cancer.

CSM sells US gluconic acid business

European bakery supplier CSM has sold the customer base for its US gluconic acid business, a move due to be followed by the imminent shutdown of its production facility.

Weekly comment

M&A: Urge to merge

Mergers and acquisition activity is always ongoing in every segment of industry, but this summer looks to be a particularly hot one for food and beverage manufacturers.

Surplus jellyfish seen as additive source

Controlling exploding jellyfish populations may present the food and cosmetics industries with interesting new additives, suggests new research from Japan.

US calls for WTO review of EU banana tariffs

The United States has requested the World Trade Organization (WTO) to review the European Union's banana import regime, which it claims is unfairly skewed against US banana suppliers.