Segmentation cues substantially decrease snack intake, says study

Subconscious ‘stop signs’ placed in snack food products could help the battle against obesity by controlling overeating, according to the findings of a new study.

US academic urges Dean Foods to remove omega-3 DHA reference

A US academic has called on Dean Foods to remove a reference to research she conducted on the intake of omega-3 fatty acids from cartons of its DHA-enriched milk range.

Momentum builds to overhaul global calorie system

A storm in the US over how calories are measured could cross to Europe and an overhaul of the system is long overdue, according to one nutrition expert.

USDA predicts strong food price inflation as drought continues

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is predicting substantial food price increases in 2013, if not sooner, due to the ongoing drought now affecting more than half of all US farmland.

Standing out in a crowded pomegranate extract market

Pharmachem Laboratories subsidiary American Ingredients Inc is hoping to stand out in the crowded US pomegranate extracts market with a polyphenol-rich organic extract that has been a bit hit in...

US falling short of government foodborne illness targets - CDC

The US is falling short of government goals to reduce cases of foodborne illness, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed.

Penford R&D to plug soaring reduced formulation bakery demands

Penford Food Ingredients is injecting R&D efforts into allergen reduction and fat replacement formulations amid a soaring, lucrative ‘better-for-you’ US market.

ConAgra to acquire Unilever’s North American frozen foods business in $265m deal

ConAgra Foods has agreed to acquire Bertolli and P.F. Chang’s Home Menu frozen meals businesses from Unilever for $265m, as part of a strategy to continue its growth in the...

Nature Valley products are not ‘100% natural’, lawsuit claims

General Mills is the latest food company to face litigation over claims that its products are 100% natural, with a lawsuit alleging that maltodextrin and high maltose corn syrup used...

Chinese companies strike deal to buy $50m of Blue Diamond almonds

Californian almond giant Blue Diamond has struck a deal with the China Chamber of Commerce to supply Chinese firms with $50m worth of almonds in the next 12 months.

Exclusive interview

PureCircle: stevia 3.0 intensifies war on obesity

PureCircle’s next generation of stevia extracts, nicknamed stevia 3.0, will help the company step up its assault on the global obesity problem, according to Jason Hecker, vice president for global...

Hershey: Tentative on innovation?

Hershey’s CEO has said that pacing is important in innovation and while efforts have been “far more disciplined” than in the past, it is still committed to new product development (NPD)....

FoodJobs: People on the Move

FoodNavigator-USA brings you the latest executive moves and appointments in the food and beverage industry in this monthly photo gallery.

Scathing government report questions FDA food recall data reliability

A hard-hitting government report says the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) needs to publicise its food safety recall procedures, and that is unclear how accurate the agency’s food recall...

Low sat fat- zero trans fats solution for margarines and shortenings on the market in the next 12 to 24 months?

A product that will stabilize and solidify fats and oils, such as margarines and shortenings, with lower saturated fat and zero trans fats could be on the market in 12...

Survey: If vegetable oil were re-labeled as soybean oil, more people would buy it

If vegetable oil were re-labeled to say 100% soybean oil, about one-third of consumers say they would be more likely to buy it, according to a new survey.

Self-affirmed GRAS under fire again as PEW highlights ‘loophole that appears to have swallowed the law'

There are serious weaknesses in a system that allows firms to self-affirm the safety of food ingredients without the approval or knowledge of regulators, according to researchers conducting a probe...

Tate & Lyle on open innovation: ‘Being coy doesn’t benefit anyone’

What makes a good open innovation brief, and just how open do you need to be?

Bitter and sweet: Researchers identify how different stevia extracts are perceived

Researchers claim to have identified the bitter taste receptors activated by specific stevia extracts, potentially leading the way to development of better taste modulators and more selective stevia plant breeding.

Children don’t switch milk for sweetened drinks, claim researchers

US children drink less milk and more sweetened beverages like soda and sports drinks as they get older, but such drinks do not necessarily replace milk in children’s diets, according...

Grupo Bimbo’s Sara Lee buy: The profits and strains

Mexican bread titan Grupo Bimbo has said expenses from its Sara Lee buy last year have led to a slight drop in Q2 earnings despite healthy sales.

China driving snacking market, with healthy snacking leading the charge: Blue Diamond

Global demand for almonds is increasing, with snacking driving a lot of opportunities. China is the premier snack growth region, says Bill Morecraft, General Manager of Blue Diamond Almonds Global...

Hershey sales rise 7% in Q2 on strong US candy marketplace

The Hershey Company has posted improved sales and profits in its second quarter (Q2) results driven by a robust US candy, mint and gum market.

Doctors committee urges USDA to remove dairy milk from school menus

A controversial committee of doctors has petitioned the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to remove dairy milk from school menus, calling it an “ineffective placebo.”

Bunge North American CEO: 'Who would have thought Bunge would be involved in cooking and kitchens a few years ago?'

Milled grains and edible oils specialist Bunge is now walking the talk when it comes to collaboration with the launch of a new state-of-the-art culinary center at its Ingredient Innovation...

In pictures: Bunge takes collaboration up a gear with state-of-the-art culinary center in Bradley, IL

Bunge has taken collaboration to a new level with the launch of a new state-of-the-art culinary center at its Ingredient Innovation Center for edible oils and carbohydrates in Bradley, Illinois....

News in brief

Tate & Lyle: US corn prices have increased significantly since mid-June

Corn prices in the US have increased “significantly” since mid-June as a result of the drought in the mid-west, while continued dry and hot conditions in central Europe have also...

Canadian private label makers target affordable luxury: Euromonitor

The Canadian private label sector is no longer confined to cheap, lower quality alternatives to branded products, as Canadian retailers look to appeal to those seeking affordable luxury, according to...

US Hispanics prefer beer over wine: Mintel

US Hispanics’ beverage consumption is the latest aspect of this influential group’s spending habits to enter the spotlight, in a new report from market research organization Mintel.

PureCircle shores up stevia supplies

PureCircle has diversified its supplies of stevia leaf, enabling it to step up global growth plans and defend its supply chain against future issues.

FDA facing lawsuit over failure to respond to mercury petition

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is facing a lawsuit after it failed to respond to a petition urging stricter mercury limits in seafood.

Chinese suppliers merit demonization but progress is being made, says BI chief

The credibility question over ingredients sourced from China are ‘well earned’, says George Pontiakos, president and CEO of BI Nutraceuticals, but the US FDA is doing a great job on...

Too much salt could mean to too little calcium, say researchers

High dietary intake of sodium could lead to depletion of calcium in the body, according to new research.

Some quinoa varieties may be unsuitable for strict gluten-free diets, study suggests

A new study has questioned advice to include quinoa in gluten-free diets for those with celiac disease, finding that some varieties may trigger symptoms.

Strengthening SNAP could tackle obesity and food insecurity: Policy report

Strengthening the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could help tackle the dual problems of food insecurity and obesity in the United States, according to an official policy report from the...

News in brief

Pepsi hopes summer-time NEXT flavors will build brand awareness

PepsiCo has told BeverageDaily.com that it believes its two new summer-time only flavours will continue to encourage consumer trial and awareness of the its new mid-calorie cola launch Pepsi NEXT....

Palm oil-free may be emerging trend

A shift towards palm oil-free foods and ingredients could be an emerging trend in Europe, according to market analysts.

Big interview: Karl Kramer, president, innovation and commercial development, Tate & Lyle

Tate & Lyle innovation chief: ‘We’re not interested in me-too products’

What’s in Tate & Lyle’s innovation pipeline? That’s top secret, says Karl Kramer, “but we are working on some completely new, completely novel ingredients and exciting technologies. We’re not interested...

Innovation in action: Tate & Lyle’s new Commercial and Food Innovation Center in pictures

Designed with collaboration in mind - from the open plan offices and cutting edge video conferencing facilities to a state-of-the art culinary kitchen - Tate & Lyle's Commercial and Food...

Judge approves Land O’ Lakes $25m settlement over alleged egg price fixing

A federal judge has given final approval to a $25m settlement from Land O’ Lakes and its subsidiaries Moark LLC and Norco Ranch over alleged egg price fixing.

Comment

What's the point of dietary guidelines if they don't reflect real-world diets?

Last week, researchers published findings from dietary data collected from thousands of individuals over 40 years, saying that only nine people out of 20,000 ever met the joint guidelines for...

North American recall for infant product over ingredient Salmonella concern

US-manufactured infant product Baby Move Prune Concentrate is being recalled across North America due to concerns it is contaminated with Salmonella.

PepsiCo Frito-Lay asks Facebook favours for flavours

Snack titan Frito-Lay will harness the power of social media engagement to gather recipes and taste insights from consumers and launch three new flavours of Lay’s crisps in early 2013...

Innovative approaches to food safety and health and wellness lead IFT award winners

The award winners at IFT 2012 in Las Vegas are at the edge of innovation in food safety and health and wellness, says Dr Roger Clemens, President of IFT, but...

Consumers seek added benefits from foods: FMI research

A desire for healthier diets and the stagnant economy have led consumers to cook at home more often, and they are increasingly seeking foods with added benefits, according to a...

Meat protein: Can supply match growing demand?

As the global demand for meat protein rises, new and innovative ways to produce the necessary quantities will be required, say researchers.

News in brief

UAS Labs to triple probiotic manufacturing capacity as demand soars

UAS Laboratories has announced it will more than triple its current capacity for probiotics at its plant in Wausau, WI, as the US, European, and Asian markets drive an increase...

Biothera CEO: It’s public knowledge that today’s immune system is not as developed as it was decades ago

Manufacturers of everything from bread to sports supplements are now incorporating beta glucan-based ingredient Wellmune WGP into their products as consumer demand for immune health products grows, says brand owner...

Cargill recalls ground beef after multi-state Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak

Cargill Beef is recalling nearly 30,000 pounds of fresh ground beef products after US federal authorities linked the firm to a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis.

Special edition: The infinite potential of algae

It's flour Jim, but not as we know it... Solazyme Roquette Nutritionals takes algae to the final frontier

The first novel algae products to emerge from a joint venture between French food ingredients giant Roquette and Californian microalgae expert Solazyme have just hit the market.

Chia demand outstripping supply to lead to big crop increase in crop area next year: BI chief

Huge demand for chia will see chia become a ‘great crop’ for the key growing regions, says George Pontiakos, President of BI Nutraceuticals, as consumers embrace the super seed.

Truvia will challenge Splenda in tabletop sweetener market within two years, predicts Cargill

If current trends continue, stevia-based sweetener Truvia will be eyeball to eyeball with sucralose-based rival Splenda in the US retail tabletop sweeteners market within two years, brand owner Cargill has predicted....

CSPI targets DreamWorks for Madagascar 3 character tie-ins

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has taken aim at DreamWorks Animation for its Madagascar 3 character tie-ins with foods it claims are of poor nutritional value....

Innophos expands fortification portfolio with AMT Labs acquisition

Innophos Holdings has completed its acquisition of North Salt Lake-based AMT Labs for $27m, in a move it says will strengthen its position in the fortified foods market.

Retail prepared foods market surges but c-stores still lack healthier options

Retail sales of prepared foods - from rotisserie chicken to sushi, deli sandwiches and soups - are set to reach $32.45bn in 2012 - a 7.5% increase on 2011, according to Packaged Facts.

More than 99.9% of Americans fail to meet both sodium and potassium recommendations: Study

Reducing the sodium-potassium ratio in US diets to within recommended levels would require extraordinary efforts, according to a new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, as more than 99.9%...

Is the food industry under attack from an ‘NGO/media complex’?

With NGOs increasingly turning their attention to food production - and often doing a better job than the food industry of engaging with the media - the debate about issues...

Nestlé invests in US brain food maker: ‘This is a big strategic move for us’

Two months after Abbott Nutrition described brain food research as “one of our top global priorities”, Nestlé Health Science has acquired a stake in Accera, the US firm behind Axona,...

PowerCap technology offers fast market entry for big and small beverage players: Fortitech

All-in-one PowerCaps may offer speedy entry to market for beverage companies, appealing to a multitude of consumers, says Fortitech as it continues to develop cutting-edge on-the-go beverage formats.  

Consumer groups urge government to issue overdue FSMA regulations

A coalition of consumer groups has urged the US government to issue regulations that have not met statutory deadlines under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Special edition: The new product development process

NPD beyond borders: Thinking global for local product launches

Global food companies face big NPD challenges in appealing to widely varied local tastes, but as the world becomes increasingly interconnected, manufacturers are learning lessons from product launches half a...

FBI denies HIV tests as sewing needle sandwich mystery continues

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has denied it ordered HIV tests on sewing needles found in six turkey sandwiches on flights into the US, as investigations into the...

Tight chia supply? Not us, says Australia’s Chia Co., as it continues global expansion

The much touted tightness in the chia supply is not being experienced by all suppliers, with Australia’s The Chia Company extending its growing area 100% year-on-year to satisfy demand.

Millennials: Cautious, volatile – and online

Millennials may be the hot new target demographic for food and beverage manufacturers in the United States, but they are a cautious and volatile group of shoppers, according to a...

Health claims, RCTs and the curious case of the FTC v POM Wonderful: What happens next??

Exactly what kind of evidence is needed to support structure/function or disease risk reduction claims on foods and supplements?

Special edition: The new product development process

How can social media fit into the NPD process?

Social media allows companies to feel out consumer perceptions of ingredients and concepts at the beginning of the product development process – and combines well with more traditional consumer research,...

To boldly go where no frying oil has been before... Monsanto unveils next generation high oleic soybean oil

The next generation of high oleic soybean oils will give the food industry a cost-effective and healthier alternative to partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (HVOs) with flavor and stability current alternatives...

News in brief

Pepsi blunder costs Brazil soccer star Ronaldinho Coke millions

Coca-Cola has cancelled Brazilian soccer star Ronaldinho's $750,000 per year contract after he was sighted with two cans of Pepsi at a recent press conference, according to reports.

Mountain Dew fans will flock to new US malt-based ‘craft soda' - PepsiCo predicts

PepsiCo claims that its new malt-based Mountain Dew is unlike any other soft drink on the US market, and predicts consumers will be keen to try the premium-priced limited edition...

Piñata, Jazz, Cameo: New apple flavors inspired by produce trends

New apple varieties are gaining in popularity in the produce section, opening opportunities for food and beverage companies to incorporate their distinctive flavors into new products, says Virginia Dare's Anton...

Special edition: The New Product development process

Maximizing the bang from your NPD buck: How to launch 55 products in a year (which will sell)

Why is baby, toddler and kids’ food maker Plum Organics’ track record at producing sucessful new products better than average - in fact way better than average?

Cargill acquires beef processing facility from firm crushed by ‘pink slime’ coverage

Cargill has acquired a beef processing facility for $14.1m from AFA Foods, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the wake of a wave of media coverage over lean finely...

Industry commitments help Fairtrade sales grow 12% globally

Fairtrade product sales rose 12% worldwide in 2011 due to ethical sourcing commitments from the food and drink industry and increased consumer awareness.

Kellogg settlement on attention cereal claims rejected

Kellogg will need to negotiate a new deal in a class action dispute over advertising claims for its Frosted Mini-Wheats cereal after a US federal appeals court rejected a $10.7m...

US grain volatility will knock industry by September: Analyst

Price spikes in the US grains market fuelled by a lengthy drought will be felt by bakery and snack manufacturers around September, according to an industry analyst.

Food companies are desperate to get off the guar gum rollercoaster, says hydrocolloids expert

Guar gum prices have taken a rollercoaster ride over the past couple of years - and at IFT in Las Vegas, hydrocolloid expert Dennis Seisun said all bets were on...

Big interview: Rod Sowders, CEO and president, Synergy Flavors

Synergy Flavors plans move into new innovation facility

Synergy Flavors aims to move all of its product development, marketing, commercial and admin functions to a new flavor innovation and manufacturing campus less than a mile from its current...

Dr. Schar bites into giant US gluten-free market with new facility

Gluten-free specialist Dr. Shar will bite into the sizeable gluten-free market in the US with its new manufacturing facility that will produce breads, bagels and frozen goods.

Special edition: The New Product Development Process

Datamonitor analyst: ‘Product failure is the Area 51 of the food industry’

Thousands of new products hit the shelves every year, many of them fail, and few companies are comfortable talking openly about those that don’t make the cut – but manufacturers...

Poultry protein isolates an effective substitute in turkey bologna, finds study

Substituting soy protein isolates and meat protein with poultry protein isolates in turkey bologna can avoid the use of nonmeat ingredients and reduce production costs without impacting quality, according to...

Canadians confident in food safety – but few understand the process, survey reveals

Canadian confidence in the safety of their food supply is increasing, but there is limited understanding of the inspection process or food safety system, according to the findings of a...

Asia-Pacific to overtake Western Europe in natural flavours

Sales of natural flavours in Western Europe are set to be overtaken by sales in the Asia-Pacific market within the next three years, according to market research firm RTS.

Some like it hot: But precisely how hot? asks Kalsec...

What does ‘heat’ really mean in a flavoring system? Heat that burns at the back of the throat or tingles on the tongue?  Heat that lingers or heat that provides...

Mining the stevia leaf: ‘Reb A purity is the old way of thinking’

Combining different sweet components from the stevia leaf – in a similar way to combining artificial sweeteners – may be the next step toward improving the flavor of stevia-sweetened products,...

Special edition: The New product development process

Why do we add milk to coffee? Bridging the gap between sensory research and consumer insights

Why do Swedes like watery coffee? And why do two thirds of Dutch consumers add milk to theirs?  Because they prefer the taste, or because it’s just a tradition?...

Five-year ‘100K Genome Project’ aims to speed foodborne pathogen analysis

Government agencies have partnered with UC Davis and Agilent Technologies to create a new database of 100,000 foodborne pathogen genomes to help speed identification of bacteria responsible for illness outbreaks.

Nanotechology: No longer the 'Wild West' of science?

Nanotechnology has become just one of many tools available to food companies looking to improve food safety, delivery of nutrients, or food packaging, transitioning from the 'Wild West' of science,...

Editor’s Blog

The big guns on degradable gum: Wrigley and Kraft’s enviro-gum plans

ConfectioneryNews.com asks what the two biggest players in the chewing gum market are doing to introduce non-stick gums that degrade quickly in the environment.

Study: Almonds may have 20% fewer calories than previously thought

Almonds may contain 20% fewer calories than previously thought, with potential implications for nutrition labeling, according to new research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Yogurt expertise and US consumer knowledge will differentiate us – Müller Quaker Dairy

Müller Quaker Dairy believes tapping into Müller’s yogurt manufacturing expertise and PepsiCo’s strong American legacy will differentiate it from other brands in the expanding US dairy market....

Special edition: The New Product Development Process

Fast and furious consumer feedback, risk taking and the key to bigger, better, faster NPD…

If you’re big in shredded cheese, chances are you know pretty much everything there is to know about the market, the manufacturing process and the competition. But who do you...

Why did we get so fat, so fast? Toxic sugar, HFCS, obesity and the blame game...

We've all heard the statistics - almost 36% of Americans are now obese. But 50 years ago, it was just 13%. So why did we get so fat, so quickly?...

What does General Mills have in its innovation pipeline?

A raft of new products from whole-grain pizza crusts under the Pillsbury brand to a Cascadian Farm granola packed with ancient grains, will hit stores this summer as General Mills...

Changing demographics could herald long-term disruption for food industry

The aging of the Baby Boomer generation and increased spending power among Millennials is set to disrupt the way the food industry does business, according to a new study.

Non-nutritive sweeteners can help weight loss and maintenance – with caveats

Using non-nutritive sweeteners instead of added sugars may help people reach and maintain a healthy weight, but there is limited evidence about whether this is effective for reducing calories and...

Land O’Lakes enters Kozy Shack chilled dairy desserts acquisition agreement

US dairy giant Land O’Lakes has entered into an agreement to acquire US-based chilled dairy desserts manufacturer Kozy Shack Enterprises.

Polyphenol-rich olive oil blazes trail in functional foods market with OxLDL cardio health message

The creators of OliveHeart, a novel polyphenol-rich extra virgin olive oil claimed to help reduce oxidized LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol - a key risk factor for atherosclerosis - are promising to...

Viral 'Coca-Cola Bag' video spoof dupes world media

A hoax video claiming that the Coca-Cola Company planned to launch a 'Coca-Cola Bag' worldwide has duped the world media, leading the company to rush out a statement yesterday clarifying...

Big Interview: Ilene Gordon, chairman, president and CEO, Ingredion

Ingredion CEO: ‘Some manufacturers are outsourcing NPD to their suppliers’

With R&D departments at some food manufacturers pared down to the bone as bosses slash overheads to control costs, open innovation has moved from a hot topic on the conference...

Kraft seeks ‘radical and inventive’ solution to environmentally-friendly gum base challenge

Kraft Foods is inviting potential partners to pitch “ingredients, formulations or technologies" that could help it create an environmentally-friendly chewing gum base that will degrade after disposal.

Mintel: stevia-containing products show “significant uplift” in number

The number of new products sweetened with stevia extracts in the EU shows a “significant uplift” on last year according to David Jago, Mintel director of innovation and insight.

Researchers back step-wise sodium reduction for consumer acceptance

Reducing salt in processed foods through a series of unnoticed reductions could be an effective way to improve consumer acceptance of low-sodium foods, according to the authors of a new...

Novel plant source of omega-3s DHA and EPA should be commercialized by 2020, says Cargill

A completely new source of the coveted long chain omega-3s EPA and DHA should be commercialized by the end of the decade thanks to a multi-million-dollar tie up between ingredient...

Do probiotics work in outer space? Yakult launches mission to find out...

How do our gut bacteria handle a prolonged stint in space? And do probiotics work in the same way up there vs down here on earth?

PureCircle: High purity stevia volumes up 20% plus

High purity stevia volume sales at PureCircle have increased by more than 20% year-on-year, PureCircle reported in a pre-close update for the second half of its financial year.

PepsiCo and Müller JV yogurts to enter booming US market

Müller Quaker Dairy – the joint venture between PepsiCo and German firm Müller – has set its sights on the booming US yogurt market through the launch of three products never...

Campbell creates $1.2bn healthy beverage platform via Bolthouse Farms deal

Campbell Soup's acquisition of Bolthouse Farms will create a new $1.2bn healthy beverages platform combining Campbell's V8 veg/fruit brand and Bolthouse's super-premium chilled beverages and boost Campbell’s presence in faster-growing...

ConAgra introduces wholegrain white flour with stronger gluten for reduced-cost baking

ConAgra Mills has introduced a new wholegrain white flour that reduces added gluten requirements, is more absorbent, and has high mix tolerance, thereby cutting costs for bakers, the company claims.

'Appetite-suppressing' effect of proteins explained by researchers

Researchers have mapped out the chain reaction of signals that send satiety messages to the brain after a protein-rich meal.

How is industry responding to demand for allergen-free foods?

The range of 'free from' foods available on supermarket shelves has skyrocketed in recent years, alongside increasing incidence and diagnosis of food allergies and intolerance. In this video interview, COO...

‘Natural yogurt liqueurs’ hold Western promise as cream-based options curdle - analyst

With western market sales of cream-based liqueurs turning sour, natural yogurt liqueurs could be one way for brandowners to stem the tide, according to Euromonitor International.

Cancer group urges comprehensive study of sugary drinks’ association with obesity

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has urged the US Surgeon General to carry out a comprehensive study of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption’s potential impact on public health....

News in brief

Hormel teams up with Virun to offer solution for shelf-stable omega-3 beverages - minus the preservatives…

The specialty products division at Hormel Foods has struck a deal with biotech firm Virun to offer water soluble, clear and shelf stable omega-3 EPA and DHA concentrates that enable...

Pilgrim Pride Corp and OSHA settle whistleblower case

Pilgrim Pride Corp. and the US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have reached a $50,000 settlement in relation to the termination of an employee who raised...

New rice fiber adds fiber without bulk or taste issues, claims SunOpta

Canadian natural and organics group SunOpta has introduced a new rice fiber ingredient made from rice hulls, which the company says allows formulators to add clean label fiber without the...

Shaping flavor preference starts in the womb – and ends at about three months, says Monell expert

Humans have a very short window for learning about flavors and developing preferences – and it closes just a few months after birth, says flavor learning expert Dr. Julie Mennella.

News in brief

Cargill claims rising sunflower lecithin demand from chocolatiers

Demand is rising for alternative chocolate emulsifier sunflower lecithin, according to ingredients supplier Cargill.

New ‘drop-in’ sweetener system creates sugar-like taste across categories, claims Nutrinova

Nutrinova has introduced a new ‘drop-in’ sweetener system for reduced sugar and sugar-free beverages and dairy, which aims to closely emulate the taste of full-calorie sweetener systems and simplify product...

Tighter regulations are needed to fight growing waistlines, warns critic

Increased regulation of the food industry is needed to protect ‘the public good’ and help win the global battle against obesity, according to one obesity policy expert.

Inspiring the YouTube generation of R&D professionals

Ingredient distributor Univar is looking to connect with the new generation of R&D professionals in new ways - and is inspiring novel formats for traditional favorites in the process....

Kraft’s gay pride Oreo connects well with ‘neglected rainbow market’, says expert

Kraft displayed a clever piece of targeted marketing in its Facebook upload of an Oreo cookie with rainbow-coloured filling on Gay Pride day, according to an industry expert.

Interview: Samy Jandali, VP Nutrition & Health, North America, BASF

Open innovation at BASF: ‘We want to move beyond the buzzwords'

Chat to any major ingredients supplier at a trade show and you can expect to hear liberal use of buzzwords from ‘partnership’ and ‘collaboration’ to ‘open innovation’ says Samy Jandali.

FoodJobs: People on the Move

FoodNavigator-USA brings you a photo gallery highlighting appointments and movements across the US food and beverage industry during the past month.

More nutrient content class action woes as Muscle Milk lawsuit proceeds

A legal dispute over Muscle Milk bars and sports beverages has moved into a new phase after a federal judge ruled an amended false advertising lawsuit against brand owner Cytosport...

Consumers reject ‘weight management’ for more positive messages: Mintel

Consumers are shifting toward positive messages of overall ‘health management’ and away from more negative associations of weight management, according to a presentation by trend experts at market research organization...

Gluten-free: Room for education and innovation

The snowballing gluten-free trend holds extensive opportunities for ingredients firms but education and innovation is needed to secure the future of this segment, an industry expert has said.

TIC Gums tackles texture in reduced sugar foods and beverages

TIC Gums has released a range of new ingredients to tackle common product development problems in formulating reduced sugar and sugar-free foods and beverages.

Dispatches from IFT 2012 Las Vegas

Natural reds bound for larger distribution

California-based San Joaquin Valley Concentrates aims to boost its range of crystalline natural red colours, which it has developed in the US, in the global market.

Tackling childhood obesity: What role should industry take?

The food industry could play an important role in fighting childhood obesity and improving children’s nutrition, according to a panel of experts speaking at IFT last week.

Kraft Foods to upgrade US Kool-Aid factory

Kraft Foods has been granted funding of nearly half a million dollars for additional packaging equipment at its Dover, Delaware facility.

Texture is 'every bit as important as flavor' in new product development

New product developers need to be aware that texture has a strong impact on how flavor is perceived and should be considered at the beginning of the NPD process, according...

News in brief

Kraft wins innovation award for Trident Layers

Kraft Foods has bagged an innovation award from market analysts Nielsen for its Trident Layers gum brand.

New antimicrobial ingredient targets booming natural demand

Grow Green Industries and PL Thomas showcased their new natural antimicrobial ingredient at IFT, intended to enhance food safety and increase shelf life across a wide range of applications.

June in pictures: Soda wars, ethical sourcing, open innovation and the rise and rise of gluten-free

With the row over Mayor Bloomberg’s soda ban intensifying, major investments in innovation from Tate & Lyle and BASF, business updates from Sara Lee and Kraft and the passing of...