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

Bottled water sellers face lawsuit deadline

Lawyers in the US have warned they will sue any US retailer that has failed to recall, by the end of this week, bottled water found to contain cancer-causing bromate above the legal limit, BeverageDaily.com has learnt.

Fruit and veg juice may reduce Alzheimer's risk

Drinking three glasses of fruit or vegetable juice a week could cut the risk of Alzheimer's disease by a whopping 75 per cent, according to a population based study from the US.

Cognis creates new cost-cutting baking agent

European ingredients group Cognis has developed a baking agent which claims to lower costs and improve performance in the baking of all yeast-based products such as croissants and buns.

Bunge-DuPont to expand soy alliance away from food

US ingredients firms Bunge and DuPont are to expand their soybean partnership to include industrial applications and biofuels, but the development is unlikely to affect their supply to the food industry.

Baby boomers: firms must target different groups separately, report

Food manufacturers are not exploring the full potential of the baby boomers market, according to a new report, which says that companies need to understand that this is not one homogenous group and adapt their products and marketing to target different categories of baby boomers.

LycoRed strengthens US position with new plant

Israeli firm LycoRed has expanded its North American operations with new US headquarters - the latest in a series of moves and acquisitions for the ingredients manufacturer as it strengthens its position this side of the Atlantic.

Allergies: accidental peanut exposure down but more work needed

Good manufacturing practices and more rigorous labeling have contributed to a decline in the accidental exposure to peanut of children with peanut allergies, but more stringent standards still need to be enforced, says a Canadian study.

Private label set to grow, but quality remains key

Consumers are increasingly seeking out private label products that are unique with improved marketing and packaging, according to a new report, which claims the US market is ready to see more private label.

Soy's heart health benefits linked to blood clotting

The heart health benefits associated with soy isoflavones may be due to an affect on platelet aggregation, rather than improving classical cardiovascular risk factors, says a new study from Chile.

Ethnic, organic could boost falling seasonal chocolate sales, report

Chocolate manufacturers suffering from a dip in sales of seasonal products should consider introducing products for lesser holidays, including traditionally ethnic celebrations, according to Mintel.

Innovative merchandising needed to capture declining shelf space

Merchandising, a critical tool in the marketing of packaged goods, is set to undergo a significant transformation, resulting in competition for display and feature ad space intensifying, claims a new report.

Vitamin K1-rich diet linked to better heart health

A high daily intake of vitamin K1, found in green leafy vegetables, could reduce the risk of fatal coronary heart disease by 19 per cent, says a new study.

US enzyme market poised for continued growth

The US enzyme market is set for healthy growth, according to a new report, but continued downward pricing pressures mean that this growth will likely result from a corresponding increase in food and beverage production.

New study links obesity to ovarian cancer

Obesity has again been linked with cancer, in a new study that examines the so far little understood connection between extra body weight and ovarian cancer.

Soft drinks industry to hold benzene summit

Soft drinks industry officials will meet this September to discuss progress on cutting benzene residues out of their drinks, six months after BeverageDaily.com revealed there was still a problem.

USDA expands grains research facilities

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) last week inaugurated a new $5m addition to its grains research facility in Idaho, where it plans to breed superior potatoes and grains such as wheat, oats and barley.

Weekly Comment

Some home-eating truths

As food manufacturers inch closer to the holy grail of low-calorie, trans-fat free flavor-fantastic products one has to ask how we veered so far from the common sense of fresh home-cooked meals.

Anti-GM movement calls for global US rice ban

Greenpeace has called for a global ban on imports of US rice after traces of unapproved GM rice was found in commercial batches.

School wellness policies improve nutrition, reduce vending

The implementation of new nutrition policies throughout the nation's schools this academic year has already resulted in schools undertaking significant efforts to provide children with healthier foods and beverages, according to a new report.

More milk, cheese varieties needed to combat kid calcium deficiency

Children are not getting enough calcium in their diets, according to US dieticians, who recommend that more milk, cheese and yogurt products targeting kids would be one way to address the deficiency.

Cargill food ingredients lag strong overall results

Leading US ingredient firm Cargill last week reported strong fiscal year earnings, although the performance of the firm's food ingredients business lagged the year-ago level.

EC blocks 'illegal' GM rice imports from US

The EC adopted a decision this week requiring imports of long grain rice from the USA to be certified as free from the unauthorised GMO LL Rice 601.

Freshness dating could harm more than it helps, study

Food companies may have more to lose than to gain by placing freshness dating on their refrigerated products, says a new study, which reveals that consumer taste perception is influenced by how fresh they believe a product to be.

Special report

Soft drinks firms settle in benzene lawsuit

Two soft drink firms accused of using ingredients that could mix to form a cancer-causing chemical in drinks plan to sign a settlement with lawyers today, agreeing to change formulas and offer refunds.

Tate & Lyle's new venture arm targets health and renewable ingredients

Food and beverage makers could soon tap into a range of new ingredients with a healthy twist as sugar and sweetener firm Tate & Lyle launches a new venture capital arm to focus on next-generation ingredients.

India rejects soft drink pesticides claims

India's Health Ministry has rejected a campaigns group study that found Coca-Cola and PepsiCo soft drinks containing pesticide residues an average 24 times above the proposed maximum limit.

FDA approves viruses as food additive for meats

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of 'bacteria eating' viruses as food additives in ready-to-eat meat and poultry to protect against Listeria, and offer the industry an interesting alternative.

Whole Grain Stamp approved for use on meat, poultry products

Products containing meat and poultry will now be able to feature the Whole Grain Stamp, after the US government announced it was to expand the list of goods eligible to use the eye-catching symbol.

Court battle looms for Coke in India pesticides row

Coca-Cola is to be sued by an Indian state after new tests showed its soft drinks contained pesticide residues above the proposed legal limit, says a report.

Hunger state affects flavour preference, suggests obesity-related study

A liking or preference for sweetened beverages may be affected by hunger state, suggests a study from the UK that may have important implications in the fight against obesity.

USDA to release new mushroom nutrient data

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is to publish updated data on the nutrient levels of the nation's most commonly consumed mushrooms, which will include an analysis of fat, fiber and protein levels.

Weekly comment

Food science for all

Food scientists are becoming a rare species in Britain, and things won't change unless schools and food firms start telling young people there is more to food than a supermarket depot.

GM rice contaminates US food supply

Trace amounts of a bioengineered variety of rice have been detected in samples of commercial rice seed and may have entered the food supply in the United States, it emerged last week.

MFI strengthens fruit ingredients with distribution agreement

International food giant Mitsui has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with a Chinese apple and pear concentrate processor, the next step in a move designed to strengthen its newly created ingredients division.

Turkish delight at maltitol potential in chocolate

The sugar alcohol maltitol is the most promising polyol sweetener to replace sucrose in chocolate, says new research from Turkey, a result that could lead to new types of sugar-free chocolate to the booming "diet" candy sector.

Health could boost declining US cookie sales, report

Declining US cookie sales may be set for a turnaround if manufacturers focus on gourmet, organic and whole grains, according to a new report.

Horizon dairy targeted for lacking organic practices

A legal complaint filed against the nation's largest organic dairy firm has rekindled an ongoing debate surrounding the integrity of organic production.

Cow completed

It was announced yesterday that scientists have successfully mapped the most extensive cow genetic sequence - bringing and end to a three year project that is promising to revolutionize the beef and dairy industry.

Different omega-3s vary in heart benefits

Eating a diet rich in the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), may positively affect 'bad' cholesterol levels in the elderly, says a study from the Netherlands.

'Edible paint' has food applications, claim scientists

Scientists at Cornell University have created an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, removable, edible paint that could be used in candy and dietary supplements.

Clinton and AHA set nutrition guidelines for schools

Former President Bill Clinton has teamed up with the American Heart Association (AHA) in an effort to reduce childhood obesity through promoting a healthy school environment.

MGPI to revamp food ingredients division after slow sales

MGP Ingredients (MGPI) is set for a major overhaul in its ingredients operations, after disappointing results in the segment for the company's fiscal year prompted it to announce that it will review its entire ingredients business.

Customized branding brings corporate logos to M&Ms

Masterfoods USA will soon allow companies to feature their logos or messages on its M&M chocolates, in a marketing move expected to launch a new platform of growth for the product.

PepsiCo unveils first female chief executive

PepsiCo has appointed Indian-born Indra Nooyi to be its new chief executive, displaying the group's international credentials as it looks to build on recent success.

AHPA plans centralized ODI database

The American Herbal Products Association is planning to compile a database of dietary ingredients marketed in the United States before October 1994, and is calling on companies to send records of the products they sold.

US: Bottled water pulled in bromate scare

Bottled water containing cancer-causing bromate above the level allowed by America's food safety watchdog has been pulled from shelves by one of the country's upmarket retailers.

The obesity blame game- reader feedback

Last week's comment on the food industry's role in the rising obesity epidemic has generated a flood of responses from readers agreeing with or disputing our position that the industry deserves a break. Some of the comments received are published below.

Guest Article

Advertising could calm food safety fears, study

Advertising could play an important role in reducing consumer fears when a product is linked to food safety concerns, write a team of economists and psychologists at Cornell University.

Food industry dooms children to obesity, says scientist

A US paediatrician has said that childhood obesity is due to the high-calorie, low-fibre Western diets that cause hormonal imbalances that encourage children to overeat.

US dairy fights to halt lactose warning labels

A group of American consumers are set to appeal against a court ruling that said dairy products did not have to carry labels warning about the dangers of lactose intolerance.

FDA to amend voluntary nutrition labeling regs

The FDA plans to amend voluntary nutrition labeling regulations by updating the names and the nutrition labeling values for the 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits, vegetables and fish in the US.

Evaluating smell could spell success for food sector

US researchers have investigated how quickly mammals evaluate odours, pushing back the boundaries of understanding smell, and having implications for the food industry.

USDA amends fresh fruit rules

The USDA Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has amended its requirements for the movement of fresh fruit from Florida as of this month.

Emphasis on weight not answer in obesity fight

A newly published UCLA study suggests that media and cultural obsession with achieving a certain weight does little to encourage people to get active.

Older children veer off food pyramid, study

The older children get the more likely they are to stray from dietary guidelines, found researchers at the University of Alabama, who say small increases in fruit and vegetable consumption could dramatically improve the quality of children's diets.

Scientists solve sour taste perception

US-based scientists say they have identified two proteins responsible for the perception of sourness, a taste that up until now has been poorly understood.

Casual dining increase could rub off on packaged goods

A mounting interest in healthy eating, ethnic cuisine and premium ingredients has resulted in consumers increasingly opting for fast casual dining, but continued growth will not necessarily occur at the expense of packaged goods, says Mintel.

USDA to revise nutrition program for women and kids

The US government has proposed that its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutritional program should be revised for the first time in over 25 years in order to better reflect the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

'Fresh' and 'global' to overtake traditional goods, says research

The consumer move towards 'all things fresh', as well as an increased taste for ethnic goods are two trends set to have a sustained impact on the packaged food industry, according to new research.

Chiquita raises US banana prices as profits slump

Banana supplier Chiquita has reported a sharp fall in profits after new European tariffs on bananas forced the company to slash its prices in the region and increase its prices in North America in an attempt to offset losses.

Iron transporter research may deliver higher-nutrient crops

Research into the ways in which crops derive micronutrients from the soil could make it possibly to engineer higher-yield, nutrient-rich crops in poor quality soils and increase biomass in soils currently under cultivations, claim US scientists.

Weekly Comment

The obesity blame game

Laying the blame for a fatter world at the feet of the food industry has become a convenient mistake, and until this is recognized there is little chance of controlling the growing obesity epidemic.

Burcon and ADM push canola proteins

Burcon NutraScience and ADM have entered into material transfer agreements with client food and beverage companies for canola proteins Puratein and Supertein - the latest step on a long path to bringing the potentially groundbreaking ingredients to market.

General Mills targets blacks and Hispanics with new marketing

Leading food firm General Mills has launched two new multicultural marketing platforms in an effort to promote its products to African American and Latino consumers.

National Uniformity for Food Act

Under-resourced FDA unable to regulate food safety, says former official

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is under-resourced, under-staffed, and essentially incapable of overseeing potential threats to the US food supply, according to a former FDA official who last week opposed the National Uniformity for Food Act at a Senate hearing.

Progresso slashes salt content of soup

Progresso has launched a range of soups that the company claims contains 50 per cent less sodium per serving than original Progresso soups.

US consumers convinced they follow 'healthy' diets

More than four out of five Americans characterize their eating habits as either "very healthy" or "somewhat healthy" despite soaring obesity rates, according to a new survey.

NutraSweet targets blended sweetener for best profile

Researchers from NutraSweet and Duke University are working in tandem to produce blends with more desirable sweetness profiles.

Defects caught by pattern, texture

New inspection technology can identify subtle defects in packaging and products based on pattern and texture, its designers claim.

Large portion sizes result in more consumption, confirms study

Part of the reason why the French weigh less than Americans is that their culture dictates smaller portion sizes as the appropriate food unit, discouraging them from consuming more, according to a recent study.

Snacking may be gene-activated, suggests study

Eating snacks outside of set meal times may be due to irregular switching on of genes in brain that 'expect' food at irregular hours, a result that has implications for obesity.

National Uniformity for Food Act

National uniformity crucial for interstate commerce, says lawyer

Different standards and warnings imposed on food in one state but not in others impede commerce, confuse consumers, and increase the cost of food without commensurate benefit, according to an authority on food law.

ADM year profits up on good corn, oilseed results

Agri-giant ADM has reported strong earnings for the year, boosted by increased demand and higher prices for its sweetener and starch products.

Neptune Industries to patent protein technology

Florida-based Neptune Industries is taking steps towards patent protection and commercialization of the technology behind a protein-based nutritional component that it says may one day prove useful in supplying third world countries with a reliable food source.