Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - Europe US edition

Antioxidant content of fruit more than previously thought?

We may be underestimating the antioxidant content of fruit and vegetables, according to an international team of scientists from Spain and the UK.

Soy protein could lead to foamier egg foams: Study

Addition of a soy protein isolate to egg white could enhance the foaming of pure egg white, offering formulators an option of improved egg white foams, suggests new research.

Wild lupins’ protein could rival soy, say Spanish researchers

Wild varieties of lupin seeds could be tapped for their high quality protein content, report researchers in Spain, and could reduce the need to import soybean to Europe from places such as the US, Brazil and China.

BASF ups price of food preservative

Chemical giant BASF is increasing the price of its propionic acid by €100 per tonne, citing market conditions as the cause.

News in brief

Food brands flounder in new green listing

A new index that ranks UK grocery brands according to their impact on the environment has listed only food and beverage brands in the ten worst performing products – which the greenest goods included four detergents.

News in brief

Marc Mortureux named new Afssa director

The French government has named Marc Mortureux as the new director of the food safety agency Affsa, filling a gap left by the departure of his predecessor to the ministry for food, agriculture and fisheries.

Soluble fibre may benefit IBS sufferers: Study

Adding soluble fibre to the diet may improve symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome, but insoluble fibre may worsen the effects, says a new study.

Sales slump fails to cloud Frutarom’s ambitions

The stronger US dollar and ongoing inventory destocking has led to a drop in sales for Frutarom, but the flavour and specialty ingredients supplier remains uncowed about the long term.

Could wheat allergy play a role in diabetes development?

An abnormal response to wheat proteins may tip a person’s delicately poised immune system into developing type-1 diabetes, suggests a study from Canada.

Chr Hansen introduces pure wild yeast for wine-making

Chr Hansen is claiming to be first amongst yeast suppliers in commercialising the pure wild yeast strain Torulaspora delbrueckii to add complexity to wines.

Vine root extract has heart health supplement potential: Study

Extracts from the roots of a vine that has overgrown almost 10 million acres in the southeastern United States may improve heart health, says a new study from the US.

Researchers warn of toxin increase in heated HFCS

The formation of a toxic substance when high fructose corn syrup is heated raises concerns for bee keepers, say researchers, and will help inform advice on safe storage of the ingredient for use in human food.

Trans-fat free shortenings show bakery potential

A blend of trans fat-free stearic acid-rich and oleic acid-rich oils can produce cookies with the same characteristics and consumer acceptance, says new research from Canada.

Glanbia ingredients affected by higher-than-market input costs

Dairy ingredients dragged down the first half of 2009 for Glanbia’s Dairy Ireland division, as sale prices dropped but the price paid to milk suppliers was above the market low.

News in brief

Wasted watermelons could yield nutrients, fuel

Researchers at the USDA have established that watermelons not sold for food use due to cosmetic imperfections could be a source of nutraceutical ingredients and biofuel.

Low carb diet may increase heart risk: Mouse study

A new study has concluded that low carb-high protein diet leads to more atherosclerosis in mice, findings that could have implications for diet strategies if they also hold true for humans.

Work needed for China fish processing to meet new EU rules, report

China’s fish processing industry has made considerable progress in boosting its traceability procedures but must improve further if it wants to meet new EU regulations due to come into force next year.

Brenntag UK buys glucose syrup business from Cargill

Brenntag UK has purchased Cargill’s packaged glucose syrup business for the UK and Northern Ireland, taking direct responsibility for customers as of next month.

Low-salt bread ‘technologically feasible’, says study

Formulating breads with one quarter of current levels is possible without detrimentally affecting the rheological properties and the performance of the dough, says a new study from Ireland.

Consumers want more info on ethical credentials, survey

UK consumers have a great desire to learn about conditions for food producers in poor countries, a new survey indicates, which food manufacturers can satisfy by flagging up their ethical sourcing efforts.

Low calorie drinks and low-fat foods effective for weight loss

Regular consumption of low-calorie beverages and low fat foods may help maintain weight loss and a stable body weight, suggests findings from a new study.

We’re not planning warm ice cream, Unilever says

Unilever has denied that it is actively developing ambient ice cream, following newspaper reports that such a product is part of a programme to reduce the environmental impact of its consumer goods.

Meat in moderation is good nutrient source, says FSA

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said the potential link between red meat and bowel cancer should not discourage consumption, highlighting that meat “in moderation” can also be a good source of vitamins and minerals.

News in brief

Fifth of bees perished last winter

The British Beekeepers Association has said that a fifth of UK honeybees died last winter – emphasising the plight of these vital pollinators and implications for agriculture.

Weekly comment

Folic acid: Old women and children first!

Look at the globe and you’d be hard pressed to find two countries further apart than Ireland and New Zealand. But they stand side-by-side on the folic acid fortification issue – it is not needed.

Chickpea crackers offer iron-rich gluten-free options

Crackers made from the flour of chickpeas may contain between 3 to 6 times more iron than existing products, offering nutrient-rich options to the burgeoning gluten-free market.

New player prepares sucralose launch in Europe

BioPlus is introducing a new sucralose to manufacturers around the world, and sees future market growth in developing new versions of the popular sweetener.

News in brief

Finland found illegal GM in two food products

Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira has said found non-authorised genetically modified material in two of 29 randomly tested products in 2008.

Combine kids’ and parents’ food wish lists, says Leatherhead

Manufacturers of kids foods have the dual challenge of meeting the exacting and fun demands of little consumers – and the health demands of their parents and carers, says Leatherhead.

UK organic industry losing out to other ethical issues, says IGD

Market research organization IGD has concluded that the organic food sector needs to do more to build consumer awareness of organics’ wider benefits to avoid losing customers to other ethical issues.

Could GM offer the next generation of probiotics?

A look into the probiotic crystal ball reveals that genetically engineered "friendly" bacteria could be switched on by specific prebiotic sugar, possibly leading to a new generation of pre- and probiotic products.

‘Unknown’ cholesterol in processed food poses big heart health risk

With all the focus on LDL (bad) cholesterol, a ‘virtually unknown’ form called oxycholesterol may pose the biggest heart health threat, say Chinese scientists.

Enzyme collection boosts juice yield in a volatile market, says Danisco

Danisco has put together a selection of enzymes to increase yield for juice manufacturers and help apple processors in particular deal with a volatile marketplace.

News in brief

Premier joins Unilever in retail price rise demands

Premier Foods, the UK’s largest food manufacturer has added its voice to calls for price rises in the UK’s retails section, according to our sister publication The Grocer .

German firm claims new omega-3 source found

German biotech firm, InterMed Discovery (IMD), has licensed a “microbial source” form of omega-3 it says offers an alternative to existing fish, algae and plant sources.

Low-salt foods may get taste boost from Japanese fish stock

A dried stock made from the fish and seaweed may improve the palatability of reduced-salt products, suggests new research.

Food safety survey finds low pesticide residues

New research from New Zealand has found minimal pesticide residues in the local food supply casting further doubt on the value of organic products.

News in brief

FSA warns manufacturers against fraud emails

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) is warning food business operators about a potential financial scam to extort money from potential rice exporters to the UK.

Givaudan focuses on umami for clean label taste enhancement

Givaudan has developed a new range of flavour ingredients focusing on umami in order to allow manufacturers a clean label approach to flavour enhancement, the company says.

Next generation yoghurt cultures set for global roll-out

Chr Hansen will unveil a new range of premium yoghurt cultures within weeks in response to needs identified by yoghurt producers across the globe.

White sauce stability boosted by gums

The quality and stability of white sauce – a mainstay of frozen dish formulations – could benefit from small amounts of food gums, says a new study from Spain.

Cargill claims strength in recession despite Q4 earnings slump

Cargill has reported a huge drop in earnings during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to a year earlier, but said that it had entered the economic downturn with several effective strategies in place.

'Electronic tongue' could aid sweetened formulations

Scientists have developed an ‘electronic tongue on a chip’ to quickly and accurately identifies sweetness, giving manufacturers an inexpensive quality control tool.

Snack Size Science: The wisdom of nano-food colours and low-fat diets

FoodNavigator's Snack Size Science brings you the week's top science every two weeks. This week we look at how nanotech is expanding the possibilities to colour food, and why it isn't clever to eat a high-fat diet.

Danisco boosts cultures capacity as probiotics market swells

Danisco has said that it is investing €60m ($85m) to boost capacity for its frozen and freeze dried direct vat inoculants (DVI) in Europe and the US, primarily to feed growing demand for probiotic cultures.

News in brief

Science builds for National Starch's resistant starch

Consumption of resistant starch may reduce insulin resistance, and the development of diabetes and heart disease, according to preliminary results from National Starch.

News in brief

Healthy eating 'disorder' on the rise

An obsession with healthy eating is on the increase, but cutting out of large number of foods, or foods that contain certain ingredients may increase the risk of malnutrition.

Lannen Tehtaat merges grain and vegetable oil operations

Finnish food and agriculture firm Lannen Tehtaat has announced that it will combine the operations of its subsidiaries Avena Nordic Grain Oy and Mildola Oy.

Animal fats not linked to breast cancer risk

Intakes of fats from meat, eggs, and dairy products do not increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer, according to findings from a big European study.

Leatherhead opens collaboration for emulsion-led fat reduction

Leatherhead Food International (LFI) is launching a new industry collaboration project to explore the replacement of fats with water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions.

Weekly comment

Free farmers to farm and bank UK food security

How best should Britain plan to secure reliable supplies of reasonably-priced food? Should the nation put its trust in home production or food imports from the world market?

High-fat diets linked to poor mental function

High consumption of fatty foods may reduce both cognitive function and physical endurance, according to results of a rat study from Oxford University.

More difficulty ahead for food sector as European recession eases

France and Germany have emerged from recession but the global nature of the food industry may mean it takes longer to recover than other sectors, according to a senior economist at Wageningen University.

Fenchem earns US and EU organic status for inulin

Chinese supplier, Fenchem, has won organic certification in the US and European Union for its proprietary inulin ingredient, In-fibre, in what the company describes as a “huge project”.

Childhood food sensitivity ‘normal’, says study

The occurrence of food hypersensitivity in children is common, and not necessarily linked to allergy, says a new study from Denmark.

Record sugar prices squeeze food makers

World sugar prices have jumped to their highest levels since the early 1980s, putting upward pressure on the margins of sugar users.

EFSA provides guidance on food enzymes safety evaluation

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a guidance document outlining what information industry needs to provide for the safety of food enzymes to be assessed.

Scientists solve mystery of ‘green oats’

The appearance of an undesirable greenish hue on cooking oats and oat products may be related to leavening agents and the water used, say new results from the US.

News in brief

Food marketing deals threatened by waste reduction efforts

Supermarkets in the UK could be offering half-price deals on perishable food items instead of buy one, get one free offers in an effort to reduce food waste, according to a report in Advertising Age.

Confectionery fat destocking hits AAK, but healthy oils are on the up

Specialty fats firm AAK has said it is benefiting from the trend for manufacturers to substitute more expensive fats with cheaper, healthier oils – but it has been hit by destocking of confectionery fats.

Artificial sweeteners not linked to cancer: Study

Regular intakes of artificial sweeteners like saccharin and aspartame do not increase the risk of certain cancers, like stomach and pancreatic, suggests a new study from Italy.

EU lycopene ADI discussions to continue

The Food Standards Agency in the UK says lycopene levels – at least for the carotenoid’s use as a food colour – are under review at EU level.

ABF sells Polish sugar business in advance of EU rule change

Associated British Foods (ABF) has sold its Polish sugar business to Pfeifer & Langen for an estimated £120 to £130m in preparation for the opening up of EU sugar trade.

Pesticides debate heats up after UK’s Food Security Assessment

The European Crop Protection Association has expressed concern that restrictive EU regulation on pesticide use could stand in the way of global food security, following the UK’s Food Security Assessment.

Treatt launches top note flavours for savoury foods

Independent UK supplier Treatt has launched several new top-note flavour ingredients including a roasted meat odour, a nutty flavour and a tropical flavour.

Nano beta-carotene entrapment offers natural colour options

Nanoparticles containing beta-carotene could be used to naturally colour water-based foods, and offer an array of advantages, according to an innovation from the US.

News in brief

UK Whole Foods losses ‘don’t reflect progress’

Despite losses of £36 million (€41.8 million), Whole Foods Market’s British operation is making progress in the UK and will continue to expand, according to reports.

Defra calls for more UK foods to apply for protected status

The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has called for more food manufacturers and producers to apply for protected status for their products.

JECFA lycopene additive approval could influence EU levels

The recent approval of tomato extract-derived lycopene as a food additive by international body, JECFA, could influence a rethink of Accepted Daily Intakes (ADI) in Europe, according to world-leading Israeli supplier, Lycored.

New NIZO tool may quicken search for flavour enhancers, maskers

A new screening tool may slash the time required to screen for aroma-aroma and aroma-taste interactions, according to scientists at NIZO Food Research.

Weekly comment

FDA’s Commissioner Hamburg: Beefing up US food safety

It looks like the FDA has finally got some muscle. Never mind new legislation – if anything can prevent America acquiring a weedy reputation for food safety, it’s the might of Dr Margaret Hamburg.

Snack Size Science: Hershey’s healthy chocolate cake

FoodNavigator's Snack Size Science brings you the week's top science every two weeks. This week we look at how to make chocolate cake healthier, and boosting the nutritional profile of gluten-free bread.

Government urges radical rethink to ensure stable food supply

The UK government has called for a radical rethink of food production to secure sustainable food supplies at reasonable prices.

Beetroot juice may boost endurance: Study

Consuming beetroot juice may boost stamina and allow people to exercise for up to 16 per cent longer, according to a new study from the UK.

German study links debt, obesity and access to healthy food

People in financial debt are more likely to be obese, concludes a study from Germany that adds to concern that healthier foods cost more than energy-dense foods of low nutritional value.

EFSA proposes new DRVs; leaves out sugar and GI

EFSA has launched a public consultation on dietary reference values for carbs fibre and fats – but has declined to give values for sugar or advice on glycaemic index due to lack of evidence.

News in brief

FSA stands by organic nutrition review

The Food Standards Agency in the UK is standing by its study comparing evidence of nutrient content in organic versus conventional foods, claiming “irresponsible interpretation” has led to misleading claims about higher nutrient levels in some organic foods.

Industry is investing heavily in health, says progress report

Irish food companies are investing heavily to develop new, healthier products, and promote healthy lifestyles, according to an industry progress report.

Calls for supplier relations watchdog; retailers disagree

The UK’s Competition Commission is asking government to establish an ombudsman to arbitrate in disputes between retailers and suppliers, as retailers have declined to act and the Commission does not have the power to do so itself.

Flavours and fragrance market to shrink, says Symrise CEO

Symrise CEO predicts continued shrinkage in the fragrance and flavour market as acquisitions prop up first half sales and weigh down profits.

Enzymes help post-merger cost reduction, Novozymes

Enzymes can help reduce costs and increase productivity for brewers in the wake of a merger or acquisition, says Novozymes, which has a pipeline of new solutions nearing launch.

Naturex buys Natraceutical to form botanicals giant

Naturex has succeeded in its stated ambition to become the world’s biggest independent botanicals extracts supplier by striking a deal that brings on-board the ingredients division of Spanish company, Natraceutical.

Cognis simplifies gels for aerated cakes

Cognis is launching a new emulsifier that is said to vastly simplify the making of cake gels and ensure consistent quality.

DSM files patent for stevia as cognitive health ingredient

Stevia extracts may boost brain function and tap growing interest in natural ingredients for cognitive health, suggests a patent application from DSM.

Soy protein plus pectin may mask bitter taste of casein

A combination of soy protein isolate and pectin may be a bitter taste masker for casein hydrolysate, and improve intakes of an ingredient with purported health benefits, says a new study.

Inquiry puts spotlight on fairness in the food sector

A major new inquiry is seeking evidence on fairness in the global food system and will deliver a set of recommendations for food producers, retailers and governments on ethical practices.

News in brief

DSM extends hand to boost food safety in developing world

Forty-one trainee food safety officials from 20 developing countries have received specialist food safety training, hosted by DSM and sponsored by China’s Ministry of Commerce.

Cost control props up CSM results in Q2

CSM has reported an improvement in its financials for Q2 thanks to close cost control and efficiency drives; volume growth is still hit by the recession.

Food and Fairness inquiry to 'inspire and warn' manufacturers

Helen Browning, chair of the Food Ethics Council, expects the food and fairness inquiry will inspire food businesses to adopt good supply chain practices and warn them off bad ones - ultimately benefit their businesses in the long term.

Weekly comment

Downsize me! FSA right to push for smaller snacks

Chocolate bar makers should embrace the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) proposals on snack portions and adapt their supersizing skills to downsizing.

Alternative grains may boost coeliac nutrition

Replacing standard gluten-free flours with those made from ‘alternative’ grains like oats and quinoa may improve the nutritional profiles, says new research from NY.

EFSA publishes data requirements for food additive approval

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a list of data requirements that industry must submit for the assessment of food additives.

Facebook and Twitter guide flavour firm’s consumer research

Food firms wanting to capture the views and tastes of consumers need to tap social media, says Symrise, which is now dedicating resources to using emerging online tools.

Firmenich and Senomyx sign new deal for sweetness enhancers

Firmenich has extended its collaboration with Senomyx over the development and commercialisation of sweetness enhancers, with a view to helping reduce levels of sucrose, fructose and rebaudioside.

Scientists propose pectin gel alternatives

Strong and stable gels producedby subjecting pectin to the action of enzymes may offer alternatives to acid-sugar gels already used in foods, says new research from Korean and American scientists.

Vitiva’s antioxidant rosemary extracts get USDA organic certification

Slovenian firm Vitiva has received US organic certification for its rosemary extract lines AquaRox and Inolens, which are used in foods, supplements and cosmetics products for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

EFSA to meet stakeholders following GM corn decision

The European Food Safety Authority will meet with stakeholders in September to discuss its recent opinion on Monsanto’s GM corn, MON810.

News in brief

Vegan brand snapped up by Heather Mills

Heather Mills, former wife of Beatle Paul McCartnery and animal rights campaigner, has acquired leading plant-based food brand The Redwood Wholefood Company.