Burcon gains FDA GRAS for canola proteins

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a letter of no objection to Burcon NutraScience Corporation for its canola protein extracts, an important milestone for further development.

GMA details companies’ reformulation efforts since 2002

The food industry is moving en masse to play its part in fighting obesity, according to a Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) survey examining industry reformulation efforts.

Health and wellness trend to boost global flavors market: Report

World demand for flavors is set to increase on the back of new product introductions that are fortified with ingredients for health and wellness, according to a new report from...

FDA reports maggots, mice and manure at egg recall farms

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released reports detailing “significant deviations” from required contamination prevention practices at the two farms central to the ongoing egg recall.

News in brief

Nestle Nutrition boss resigns

Nestle Nutrition has a new interim VP at the helm, as Richard Laube has left today to pursue new personal opportunities outside the company.

Kefir grains could extend shelf life of sourdough bread

Kefir can be successfully used for sourdough-type bread making, leading to bread of good quality, increased shelf-life and better flavour, states new research from Greece.

Milk is top tipple in nutrient-climate index

Milk has come out substantially higher than other beverages in an analysis that pits impact on climate against nutrient density.

News in brief

China ‘blocks or destroys’ foreign foods and cosmetics

China's quality watchdog has destroyed or blocked the import of a wide range of foreign food and cosmetic products after concerns that they posed potential health risks.

Comment

Don’t worry about wheat prices: Look at grain stocks

There’s nothing like a shortage of wheat to send some news media searching for superlatives. Talk of “soaring” wheat prices and “rocketing” bread prices were common, in the British press,...

Monsanto invests in collaboration with Australian wheat breeders

Monsanto has announced a new wheat breeding program with Australian wheat breeding firm InterGrain, which could lead to drought-resistant wheat and improved end-use qualities, the companies said.

News in brief

Canada’s first sterol-containing probiotic yogurt hits shelves

Parmalat Canada has launched Canada’s first yogurt to contain both probiotics and plant sterols, mixing gut health benefits with cholesterol management.

Chip and dip leads top 10 US snack trends

New generation chips and dips, featuring novel varieties and flavors, tops the 2010 list of the 10 most popular snack trends identified by the US Food Channel in association with...

Chocolate beats the recession with US sales expected to top $19bn

Chocolate products are smashing through the recessionary gloom in the US with sales expected to top $19bn within four years, according to the latest report from research group Packaged Facts.

Judge recommends $12m settlement in peanut salmonella case

A federal magistrate judge has recommended approval of a $12m settlement for those who became ill or died after eating salmonella-tainted peanut products from the Peanut Corporation of America last...

FDA calls meeting to consider genetically engineered salmon

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said its Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee will meet on September 19 and 20 to discuss the possible commercialization of genetically engineered salmon.

Broccoli and banana fibers show Crohn’s potential: Study

Dietary supplementation with soluble plant fibers could reduce the effects of Crohn’s disease, whilst emulsifiers in processed foods could be exacerbating the problem, new research reports.

Healthy cocoa butter alternatives show novel food applications

Sustainable, healthy, cost-effective cocoa butter equivalents may be produced from enriched sunflower oils, and enable formulation of chocolates with higher melting points.

Consumers to continue at-home eating post-recession: NPD

Consumers increasingly opted to eat at home during the economic downturn – and that trend is likely to continue, according to a new report from the market research organization the...

‘Novel and competitive’ starter cultures identified for gluten-free sourdoughs

Scientists in Ireland have identified ‘novel and competitive’ starter cultures for gluten-free sourdoughs, a result that may enable the industrial scale production of the cereal products.

Heartland should withdraw ‘99% natural’ sweetener claim, says review board

A National Advertising Review Board panel has recommended that Heartland Sweeteners should stop advertising its Ideal-brand sweetener as ‘more than 99 percent natural’, saying the statement could mislead consumers.

Overall dietary pattern significant for metabolic syndrome: Study

People with metabolic syndrome are nearly twice as likely to reverse the condition if they adhere to a healthy diet, according to a study published in Diabetes Care.

Industry (again) urges Senate to schedule vote on food safety bill

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has urged the Senate to vote on the Food Safety Modernization Act that has been awaiting consideration since it passed through committee in November.

News in brief

Ocean Spray debuts new cranberry offering

 Global cranberry leader Ocean Spray has launched a sweetened dried cranberry (SDC) version it says removes the need to ”call out” sugar as an ingredient.

Pentosans could be beneficial in speciality flours

Variability in flours, and the problems these cause bakers, may be overcome by using compounds called pentosans, according to a new study.

Better understanding of food price impact needed: Study

A greater appreciation of the impact of food costs on food choices is necessary for more effective nutrition policy, claims a new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

MGP Ingredients profits from restructuring during 2010

MGP Ingredients returned to profitability in fiscal 2010 on the back of higher sales of food grade alcohol, the company has said, after sustaining heavy losses for the previous two years.

Digestive model may not be up to measure

Further research is needed into the use of in vitro digestion models in the development of foods, claims new research published in Food Chemistry.

Campbell Soup may bite into United Biscuits

Campbell Soup Company is considering making a move on the biscuit arm of the British-based firm United Biscuits, according to press reports.

US confectioners urge Mexican border dispute resolution

A new 20 percent tariff on American chocolate and gum being shipped into Mexico has prompted an outcry from US confectioners, as the Mexican government has introduced a raft of...

News in brief

Number of eggs recalled exceeds half a billion

 The number of eggs recalled nationwide due to contamination with salmonella enteriditis has exceeded half a billion, as the recall expanded to a second farm on Friday.

SensoryEffects unifies business under one brand

SensoryEffects Flavor Systems, US Foods and Diehl Food Ingredients have unified under the SensoryEffects brand name in order to communicate an integrated approach to formulation.

Caffeine not linked to certain heart risks in women, study

Researchers testing the theory that caffeine consumption is related to an increased risk of certain cardiovascular events have indicated that their findings actually reveal a potential benefit rather than a...

Sugar beet growers concerned about future US sugar supply

Sugar beet growers are concerned that there may not be adequate supply of conventional seed to ensure a reliable US sugar supply in 2011, the American Sugarbeet Growers Association has...

Legislation fails to assess allergen risk-benefits in novel food

Novel hypoallergenic foods that could benefit consumers with serious allergies are being overlooked by current legislation warn researchers from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Further risk-benefit studies are needed...

Pricing not enough to effect long-term dietary change: Study

Increasing the price of less healthy foods may not work to reduce consumption unless accompanied by educational programs and an overall change in cultural norms, suggests a new study in...

Pea fiber ingredient to extend poultry nuggets

A&B Ingredients has developed a pea fiber to extend the meat content and increase stability of poultry nuggets while saving on cost, the company has said.

Special edition: Meat substitutes

Bring back the meat: How flavors can boost product quality

Meat flavors can give an intense meaty note to products made with meat substitutes and instant foods, as well as provide a more authentic and intense taste in meat-containing products,...

News in brief

Fair trade cocoa could protect against price volatility, analyst

Opting for fair trade cocoa could be one way for food firms to protect themselves against price volatility for the commodity, according to an industry analyst.

News in brief

Viterra buys 21st Century Grain Processing

Canadian food producer Viterra has acquired US company 21st Century Grain Processing for an undisclosed sum.

Egg recall renews calls for movement on food safety legislation

A massive multi-state recall of salmonella-tainted shell eggs has led to renewed calls for food safety legislation to move forward in the Senate, as the number of related illnesses looks...

Cargill gets palm oil sustainability certification

A Cargill palm oil plantation in Indonesia has received a sustainability mark, after the smallholder scheme obtained an RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certification.

American Beverage Association spent nearly $4m on anti-tax lobbying in Q2

The American Beverage Association spent $3.5m lobbying the federal government on beverage taxes this month – and a total of $3.95m during the second quarter, according to a disclosure report.

SunChips biodegradable chip package slammed for being ‘too loud’

The world’s first 100 percent biodegradable chip packet – designed by FritoLay for its SunChips brand – has come in for criticism from Facebook members, with more than 30,000 agreeing...

Surfactants in food could speed lipid digestion

The use of surfactants in food could be causing quicker break down of protein-coated lipids, according to a new study with potential to aid future food design.

News in brief

Food cans reach two hundredth birthday

The US Can Manufacturers Institute is inviting the world to celebrate the two hundredth birthday of the food can on August 25 2010.

FTC gives go-ahead to Corn Products-National Starch deal

Corn Products International has said the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has given initial approval of its $1.3bn acquisition of National Starch, with the deal expected to be finalized by early...

Kellogg’s reformulates Special K variations with added fiber

The Kellogg Company has reformulated most of the cereals in its Special K range to contain added fiber, the company has said. The company has not added fiber to its...

New Caravan ingredient aims to make tortillas suave

Caravan Ingredients has developed a conditioner called Tortilla Suave to extend the shelf life and reduce the stickiness of tortillas.

Food safety concerns driving manufacturer and consumer behaviors: Survey

Manufacturers have changed their practices to respond to food safety concerns, as US consumers claim to have changed their shopping habits, according to a new survey from Michigan State University.

Cargill says economic outlook ‘uncertain’; reports FY earnings drop

The outlook for economic growth remains uncertain, Cargill said on Tuesday, as it reported a 22 percent drop in full-year earnings to $2.6bn, from $3.3bn a year earlier.

News in brief

91 per cent of Canadians test positive for BPA

More than 90 per cent of people, aged between six to 79, tested positive for the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in their urine, reveals the Canadian Health Measures Survey.

Special edition: Meat substitutes

Seeing red: The health implications of meat consumption

Headlines continue to raise concerns over the health effects of excessive meat consumption, a situation that is boosting consumer interest in meat substitutes. But what does the science say about...

Norovirus, salmonella most common causes of foodborne illness

Norovirus and salmonella caused the most reported foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States in 2007, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Study warns of limitations to chocolate's heart health benefits

An observational study analysing the eating habits of 31,823 women suggests that only moderate consumption of high quality chocolate has a positive impact on heart failure risk.

Senomyx and PepsiCo collaborate on sweetness enhancement

California-based flavor firm Senomyx has entered into a four-year partnership with PepsiCo in order to develop sweetness enhancers and natural high-intensity sweeteners for new PepsiCo products.

News in brief

US polystyrene sales for food packaging rise

Sales of polystyrene into the US food packaging sector climbed 55 per cent in the first half of this year, according to a report from the American Chemistry Council.

Special edition: Meat substitutes

Where’s the beef? The cutting edge of meat substitute innovation

Vegetarian protein options have come a long way from the once-ubiquitous lentils and tofu as food scientists have stepped up to the challenge of creating innovative meat substitutes.

Protein mix could increase emulsion stability

New research suggests that mixing different protein emulsifiers could create more stable emulsions – reducing the need for surfactants.

News in brief

Swiss group to increase global presence

Swiss food group Aryzta have announced the full purchase of Canadian bakery firm Maidstone Bakeries.

Wheat geneticists call for new techniques to boost yields

New technologies to boost wheat yields are needed to meet an anticipated increase in global wheat demand, claim wheat geneticists writing in the latest issue of Crop Science.

ConAgra Foods rebrands flavors and seasonings business

ConAgra has launched its flavors and seasonings business under a new brand name, following the sale of its Gilroy Foods and Flavors dehydrated vegetable business to Olam International last month.

Comment

‘MacStatins’ are not the answer to unhealthy food

Do you want a statin with that cheeseburger and milkshake? Touting pharmaceuticals as the neutralisers of fast food is not the answer to unhealthy diets and even the suggestion sends...

Court blocks planting of GM sugar beets pending assessment

A federal judge ruled on Friday that genetically modified (GM) sugar beets should not be planted or processed until the US Department of Agriculture has carried out a thorough assessment...

US organic confectioner to source direct from farmers

Trading directly with Ecuadorean farmers ensures a better quality bean and boosts the ecological and ethical profile of a chocolate company, claims a US manufacturer.

Products carrying “may contain” allergen labels often contaminated, finds study

Consumers allergic to milk, egg or peanut should not ignore “may contain” labels – as they are often contaminated with the stated allergen – much more so than those that...

Low saturated fat intake associated with higher stroke mortality

Very low intakes of saturated fats may be just as bad for you as very high intakes, and could lead to an increased risk of death from stroke - according...

Store brands holding on to market share: Report

The place of private label products in the grocery store has been cemented by the economic downturn as many categories have continued to grow, according to a new report from...

News in brief

China to monitor nutrition-related diseases

China is to monitor the nutritional status of its population, with the Ministry of Health focussing on nutritional deficiencies and excesses, according to the People's Daily Online.

Focus on whole foods and eating patterns for dietary guidelines: Health experts

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans should focus on whole foods and eating patterns rather than individual nutrients, argues a commentary in the latest issue of the Journal of the American...

SunOpta cites interest in natural and organic for revenue rise

Canadian natural and organics group SunOpta has reported a surge in operating income to C$11.8m in the second quarter of 2010, up from C$4.6m the previous year, reflecting continued interest...

Energy drinks start to run out of steam, says Mintel

Despite a massive increase in recent years, new research from Mintel suggests that energy drinks and shots may be struggling to find new customers in the US .

News in brief

Bottled tea company introduces organic stevia-sweetened drink

 Organic tea company Honest Tea has become the latest company to introduce a stevia-sweetened beverage on the US market.

Pectin coats could provide eco-friendly oils

A new study has suggested that a cross-linked a pectin coat could improve the stability of natural oil bodies, making their potential for industrial use more viable.

Sports drink stabilizer alternative to gum arabic

Cargill has introduced a new starch-based stabilizer for use in sports drinks as a possible replacement to gum arabic – an ingredient susceptible to supply and cost issues.

News in brief

Altitude could help explain Colorado’s lower obesity rate: CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that part of the reason obesity prevalence is lower in Colorado than in other states could be Denver’s altitude.

Study identifies possible omega-3 stabilizers in yogurt

A new study has identified and sequenced antioxidant proteins in yogurt that could be used as stabilizers in functional foods, following on from previous research on their potential.

Palm oil supplier refutes Greenpeace allegations

Indonesian palm oil supplier PT Smart has refuted Greenpeace claims that it is destroying rainforest, publishing an independent verification report (IVEX) detailing its practices.

New USDA-Israel research agreement to focus on food security, sustainability

The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has signed an agreement with Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to collaborate on research to help meet the world’s food and agricultural...

World wheat shortage unlikely, says US agriculture secretary

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Tuesday that world wheat supplies are robust, despite fires that have devastated Russian wheat crops and flooding in Canada.

Phenols could reduce acrylamide formation

Polyphenols may reduce the formation of acrylamide in food emulsions, a new study has suggested for the first time.

Sweetener users welcome early sugar quota announcement

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set sugar import tariff-rate quotas for the 2011 fiscal year – including extra specialty sugar “to accommodate a rapidly expanding organic food sector”, USDA said.

Cocoa goes lower as signs supply pressure may ease

Cocoa fell to a three month low in London on signs that supplies in the world’s biggest producer countries would be boosted by the better crop husbandry initiated over the...

News in brief

Sara Lee CEO steps down following stroke

Chairman and CEO of Sara Lee Corp. Brenda Barnes has resigned from the company so she can focus on improving her health after she suffered a stroke in May, the...

CJ introduces rice bran fiber and protein

South Korean firm CJ CheilJedang Corp. (CJ) has introduced new rice bran fiber and protein ingredients to boost the nutritional profile of a range of foods including baked goods, pasta...

News in brief

Climate change will affect rice yields, says study

New findings on global rice yields have raised new concerns that levels will drop in coming years due to higher temperatures.

GLG’s profits boosted as proprietary stevia leaf comes on line

Stevia supplier GLG Life Tech’s gross profits increased 126 percent in the first half of 2010, and revenue grew 35 percent, to C$18.7m, boosted by development of its proprietary stevia...

Gluten-free chestnut flour could add nutritional value

Chestnut flour could be used in gluten-free breads to give nutritional and health benefits, according to a new study from Turkey.

Beverage, confectionery makers respond to Child Nutrition Act

The Child Nutrition Act has been broadly welcomed by the food and beverage industry, following its unanimous passage through the Senate late last week.

Comment

Is cloned food legal? Europe must decide, and fast

Big oops. Meat and milk from the offspring of cloned animals has entered the UK food chain. Cue scary headlines and scared consumers. But the leviathan of EU-lawmaking means no-one...

Soluble cocoa fibre could replace muffin fat

Replacing some of the original fat in muffins with soluble cocoa fibre could help manufacturers boost the health profile of their products, says a new Spanish study.

Simplicity trend is here to stay, says Mintel

The concept of simplicity in the food industry has become a mainstream consumer demand, according to market analysts at Mintel – and manufacturers need to find ways to address it.

News in brief

US company recalls 450 tons of beef on E.coli fears

A US meat company has recalled more than 450 tons of ground beef over fears it could be infected with E.coli 0157:H7.

Study suggests GM traits could be common in the wild

Scientists have found evidence that genetically modified (GM) crops could be prevalent in the wild, according to new research presented to the Ecological Society of America last week.

Insufficient ALA could be linked to obesity trend

A new study suggests that a deficiency in alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) coupled with a chronic excess of linoleic acid (omega-6) could lead to ‘inherited obesity’.

TIC Gums warns against switching wood rosin for gum rosin

TIC Gums has warned its North American customers against substituting wood rosin for gum rosin to stabilize fruit-flavored beverages, after the European Food Safety Authority questioned its safety last month.

Rapid revenue rise at Senomyx driven by new products, R&D deals

California-based flavor firm Senomyx has reported a 91 percent increase in revenue for the second quarter of 2010 compared to a year earlier, boosted by sweetness enhancer R&D and further...

IDFA outlines surge in US dairy exports

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has reported a “dramatic surge” in US dairy exports over the past three months.

Kellogg packaging problem resolved – says FDA

The problem with Kellogg’s tainted packaging has been solved, US federal authorities said yesterday – as the company confirmed the chemical responsible for the huge recall is not used in...

News in brief

Drought tolerance ‘next great wave’ of innovation: DuPont

Drought tolerant technologies are part of the next wave of crop development, according to DuPont executive vice president James Borel.

Changing gut bacteria could explain chronic western illnesses: Study

A shift in gut microbial composition may explain the rising prevalence of chronic stomach upsets and even obesity among children in developed nations, suggests new research.

Consumer interest in health and wellness on the rise

Consumers are continuing to increase spending on products for health and wellness – with a renewed focus on whole foods as a foundation, according to a new report from the...

JR Short expands extruded snack production capacity

Pellet snack manufacturer JR Short has said it expects its current plant expansion to be completed in October this year, adding an extra 25 percent production capacity at its Kankakee,...

News in brief

US sales of wheat bread surpass white

Dollar sales of packaged wheat bread in the United States have surpassed those of white bread for the first time, according to new figures from The Nielsen Company.

American obesity rates continue to rise, finds CDC

Self-reported obesity rates in the United States have climbed again, now topping 30 percent in nine states, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Bisphenol A debate rages on

The scientific debate over the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) continues with German safety authorities concluding that findings of two major studies do not show the chemical is hazardous....

Too early to tell impact of high wheat prices on flour products

It’s too early to predict the impact of huge rises in wheat prices on European flour products such as bread and biscuits, according to the National Association of British &...

ADM profits up on stronger oilseed, corn processing demand

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has seen its net profit increase by 15 percent during fiscal 2010, driven by stronger demand and improved margins, particularly in oilseeds and corn processing.

Almond growers given go-ahead to challenge pasteurization law

A federal appeals court has ruled that organic almond growers can challenge a law requiring mandatory pasteurization of almonds intended to reduce risk of salmonella contamination, overturning a previous decision.

Congress demands answers from Kellogg after tainted-packaging recall

Kellogg Company has come under pressure from the US Congress to disclose more information about the “hazardous” packaging chemical that led to the recall of million of boxes of...

DuPont and USDA team up to tackle emerging food safety threat

A new joint project between DuPont Qualicon and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) aims to develop testing to detect hard-to-identify strains of E.coli that are not regulated and have...

Industry challenges ‘misleading’ sweetener-premature birth study

A study linking consumption of artificially sweetened beverages to an increased risk of preterm births has been dismissed by the sweetener industry as ‘misleading’ and ‘not plausible scientifically’.

News in brief

USDA considers ‘natural’ rules for chicken

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considering new rules for the labeling chicken as ‘natural’, after objections from some producers about salt-water injected chicken being promoted as such.

Nutrition labels need changing or campaigning to improve use, say researchers

Consumers who pay attention to nutrition labels are more likely to eat a healthy diet than those who do not, according to a new study, prompting researchers to recommend a...

Feds go after repeat offender food processor

US federal authorities are seeking a permanent injunction against a New York food processor for a host of violations over a four-year period.

Base voluntary front-of-pack labeling on calories, say confectioners

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has said it favors voluntary listing of calories front-of-pack rather than introducing a scale or rating system, in comments to the Food and Drug Administration...

Health burden of obesity doubles in 16 years: Study

The health burden of obesity, measured by the number of quality-adjusted life years lost, has more than doubled from 1993 to 2008, according to a new study published in the...

News in brief

New York State bans bisphenol A

New York State has become the latest US state to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials.

Black carrot extract alternative to carmine coloring

Kalsec has introduced a black carrot extract as a possible replacement for the food coloring carmine, which will be subject to new labeling requirements in the United States from January 5, 2011.

Nano fibres edge closer as novel carriers

Sensitive ingredients like flavours and antioxidants may be nano-encapsulated in specially spun fibres, offering formulators a fresh approach to adding value to products, suggests new research.

Study shows growing price gap between healthy and junk foods

There is a growing disparity between the price of nutrient-dense and less nutritious foods, according to a new study in the journal Food Policy.

PureCircle-S&W Seed deal aims to scale up domestic stevia supply

PureCircle has said it is a step closer to providing US-grown stevia on a scale necessary to meet growing demand from American food and beverage companies, as it signed a...