Sabinsa gets GRAS for CitrinK for drinks

Sabinsa Corporation says it has received independent GRAS status for the use of its flagship proprietary ingredient CitrinK in functional beverages.

More consumers read product labels, says report

Increasingly complicated product labels do not seem to have scared consumers off, according to a new report that revels that more Americans are likely to read food and beverage product...

Canadian food industry calls for food safety measures

A Canadian food industry body has urged the nation's ministers of agriculture to consider a number of food safety recommendations, including a greater harmonization of food safety policies and regulations...

Kraft Q3 operating profit falls 20 per cent

Kraft Foods Inc today posted a 27 per cent decrease in operating profit for the third quarter, blaming high dairy and other commodity costs for the tumble.

TV-hypertension link could fan kid food ad debate

Another study has linked TV viewing to increased incidence of childhood obesity, but this time the researchers also pinpoint a higher risk of the children developing hypertension.

Canada applies pressure for salt reduction

Leading Canadian health groups have joined forces to urge for comprehensive action to reduce sodium levels in food.

Severely restricting calories could lead to longer life

A study out of the University at Buffalo has linked severely restricting calories to slowing the progression of physical disability in age, which could have lifespan implications if carried over...

Brown marine algae mined for functional ingredients

Polysaccharides from brown marine algae could provide the ingredients for a new wave of beverages with health benefits, according to researchers in Ireland.

Kid breakfast items remain constant over decades, report

Breakfast products that are quick and easy to prepare remain the most popular items chosen by moms with young children, revealing that certain trends withstand time, according to the NPD...

Cargill expands high oleic canola line

US ingredient giant Cargill is expanding its line of high oleic canola products, on the back of customer demand for oils and shortenings with no trans fat and low levels...

Nation adapts food habits to cater for allergic kids

The proliferation of food allergies over the past few decades has resulted in sweeping changes to the American way of life as avoidance strategies are increasingly adopted across the nation,...

Chiquita addresses challenges with organizational revamp

Chiquita, a major supplier of bananas to the food industry, today outlined a restructuring plan that includes consolidating operations and slashing jobs in order to improve efficiency and innovation.

Rising costs hit Kellogg's profits

Kellogg today said that high commodity costs led to a one per cent decrease in operating profit during the third quarter, despite a six per cent increase in sales.

Micro-fibres eyed as future functional ingredients

'Micronised' insoluble fibres, insoluble fibres processed to the micron scale, could favourably change the gut health of hamsters and may translate into important ingredients for functional foods, suggests new research.

Special edition: Opportunities in food

Organic Monitor: market consolidation raises supplier challenges

Manufacturers of organic products need to find innovative ways to keep their share of the supply chain as the squeeze of market consolidation begins, says Organic Monitor in the closing...

ISP raises prices across alginate range

Alginate supplier International Specialty Products (ISP) is the latest ingredients firm to hike up its prices, announcing the implementation of the new levels as of  November 1.

Cocoa husks offer green pectin source

Cocoa husks, a by-product of cocoa processing, may offer an alternative, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient source of pectin for food, suggests a new study.

USDA announces new E coli measures

A higher incidence of E coli-contaminated meat has prompted the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to tighten its safety efforts with a number of initiatives including expanded testing and more...

Special edition: Opportunities in food

Hartman: Consumers desperately seeking quality

FoodNavigator-USA.com continues its series of exclusive articles by market research firms with a contribution from The Hartman Group, which maintains that underlying the recent shifts in the marketplace is a...

Omega-3 to cut colon cancer: meta-analysis

A pooled analysis of the small but ever-growing body of science of omega-3 and colorectal cancer indicates more fish oil does protect against the cancer.

Fermented soybeans offer natural antioxidants

Tapping into the ever-growing search for natural antioxidants to prolong the shelf-life of foods, new research from Taiwan suggests polyphenols from soybean could be added to the list.

Bunge sees earnings double in Q3

Bunge, a supplier of agricultural and edible oil products to the food industry, today reported that earnings more than doubled in its third quarter on the back of strong market...

California fires damage avocados, citrus

Avocado and citrus crops are thought to have taken the hardest hit from wildfires sweeping through southern California, although initial estimates suggest that there may not be a significant impact...

Special Edition: Opportunities in food

Datamonitor: The potential and dangers of superfoods

Superfoods have taken the market by storm in recent years, but food manufacturers need to take a step back and use the ingredients with caution if they are to continue...

Natural extract could boost meat shelf life

A new natural extract claims to allow meat producers to extend the shelf life of their products by keeping these looking and tasting fresh for longer, according to manufacturer Kemin...

Nature, not nurture, decides whether we like garlic

A new study has presented strong evidence that food preferences are largely governed by hereditary rather than social and environmental factors, especially when it comes to a taste for garlic,...

FDA finally agrees to re-examine position on salt

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may consider revising its regulations on salt, and has set a public hearing to examine the possible implications of tighter limits.

Chocolate sales set to rocket this Halloween

Halloween is one of the top holiday in terms of volume sales for confectioners, as consumers will spend more than $2.1bn (€1.5bn) on chocolate and sweets later this month in...

Special edition: Opportunities in food

Freedonia: Stevia's potential in an imperfect sweetener market

No sweetener currently available on the market has proven to be a fully satisfactory replacement for sugar, but the emergence of stevia could rekindle hope, according to Freedonia. The analyst...

Other salts offer low-sodium bread potential

The use of potassium, magnesium and calcium salts in place of sodium chloride could lead to breads with 33 per cent less salt than normal, with changes in texture and...

Sensient sales up, boosted by higher prices

Leading supplier of flavors fragrances and colors, Sensient Technologies, has reported solid sales figures and high profit levels in its third quarter.

South emerging as strong market for organics, report

Manufacturers and marketers of organic foods and beverages should keep their eye on the southern region of the US, according to a new market report, which suggests that consumers in...

Whole-grains breakfasts cut heart failure risks - study

Consuming at least one serving of whole grains cereal a day could reduce a man's risk of heart failure by 30 per cent, says a new study from the US.

Weekly Comment

The weather excuse

With all the threats facing food and beverage production -- from contamination in the food chain, to rising input prices -- there appears to be one menace that towers above...

Special edition: Opportunities in food

Mintel: Teens getting a bigger piece of the pie

Food and drink makers need balance between style and substance to capture a slice of the growing market for teen-targeted products, Mintel tells FoodNavigator-USA.com in the first of a series...

WTO food safety database serves as handy reference

Finding out about the food safety requirements and alerts in other countries just got easier, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) launching a searchable database of member governments' measures.

Golden apple extracts eyed as novel pectin source

A collaboration between researchers in Cameroon and France is exploring the potential of ambarella peel as a source of pectin, and could offer industry a novel ingredient with new properties.

New complaint places organic fraud in spotlight again

A Californian mushroom firm could face fraud investigations following accusations that it has violated organic standards and country of origin labeling laws.

Biocell launches taste-free collagen for foods

Biocell Technology has introduced a version of its Biocell collagen II ingredient that is being marketed as taste-free and therefore with applications expanded to include ready-to-drink formulations, chewables and functional...

Specialty foods driven by quest for premium, says Mintel

Consumer demand for quality and taste as well as an increased interest in international food traditions are key drivers for the specialty foods market in the US, says a new...

Soy proteins designed to replace milk

Two new soy-based ingredients could allow processors to replace higher-priced dairy counterparts without significantly affecting nutrition and taste, their manufacturer claims.

Wild promotes diacetyl-free flavors on industry concerns

Flavor firm Wild reports seeing a surge in interest for its diacetyl-free butter flavors, following rekindled concerns in recent months surrounding the safety of the ingredient.

Little capers pack a big antioxidant punch

The humble caper, a small addition to the Mediterranean plate, is a rich source of antioxidants, and exhibits protective benefits even when consumed in the small concentrations used for flavouring,...

Cargill sweetener makes its way to bakery aisles

Ingredient firm Cargill has taken one of its sweetener products to consumer aisles, following an agreement with popular consumer brand Clabber Girl.

USDA updates list of allowed organic ingredients

Manufacturers of organic goods may no longer use certain nonorganic color ingredients or the food additive potassium tartrate, following the publication of a new rule by the US Department of...

Alginates to boost stability of dairy-protein emulsions

The use and stability of dairy proteins as emulsifiers could be massively extended by adding sodium alginate into the mix, according to new research from Massachusetts.

Chrysantis zeaxanthin gets GRAS

Chrysantis announced its branded zeaxanthin has achieved Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) status, opening up the potential for the ingredient to be used in a new category of functional food...

Cargill sued for E coli contaminated meat

Cargill was this week slapped with an E coli lawsuit related to contaminated frozen ground beef products sold by the firm's Meat Solutions Corporation.

Aurora faces lawsuits for organic violations

Aurora Organic Dairy is the subject of class action lawsuits being filed today, which allege that the firm has violated organic requirements in some of its dairy farms.

Raw coffee bean may aid obesity battle

Unroasted green coffee bean extract taken as a drink or supplement can help people reduce weight, according to a new study.

More whole grains found in schools, says report

Increasing the availability of whole grains is the effort most commonly reported by schools for improving children's nutrition, according to a new survey.

Indian herbs offer natural antioxidant alternatives

Traditional herbal medicines from India may also offer a novel source of antioxidants for the food industry for boosting both the shelf-life and nutritional content of food, according to a...

Cake and pie products must evolve to grow, says Mintel

Manufacturers of cakes and pies should focus on health, gourmet and unique flavors in order to increase their competitiveness in the US market, according to a new report by Mintel.

Caravan raises prices for emulsifiers and lactylates

Caravan Ingredients has announced price increases across its product range, becoming the latest in a string of ingredients makers to pass on increased costs to customers.

Fermented tea eyed as natural preservative source

Tea, seemingly always in the headlines for its potential health benefits, could also offer an interesting source of food preservatives, Chinese researchers report.

Small food firms confident for year ahead, says survey

Small food and beverage businesses in the US report confidence in their performance over the next year, forecasting higher revenues and more hiring during the period, according to survey released...

Weekly Comment

Time to get serious on health claims criteria

The European Food Safety Authority's task to assess thousands of health claims is a headache in anyone's book - and one made worse through vague instructions to industry.

Cargill reports Q1 earnings surge

Agricultural and ingredients firm Cargill has said earnings for its first quarter shot up, benefiting from a "new level of market volatility".

Food allergies linked to animals' proximity to humans, says study

Scientists have found that the evolutionary distance of animal proteins to human proteins determines how likely they are to trigger a food allergy - research that could help with the...

USDA organics meeting to review permitted ingredients

The US National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will next month meet to examine whether certain substances should continue to be permitted for use in organic food production.

ConAgra faces lawsuit over salmonella contamination

Food giant ConAgra has been accused of being "reckless" and was on Friday slapped with a lawsuit following its nationwide recall of salmonella-contaminated pot pie products.

CP Kelco raises prices for gums and cellulose

Hydrocolloid firm CP Kelco is raising prices across its range of cellulose and gum ingredients, in an effort to offset rising costs.

New logo for grain foods aims to convey vitality

The industry body Grain Foods Foundation has revamped its logo - used on the packaging of member products - in order to better convey the link between grains and vitality.

Fruit, veg antioxidant profile increases with time

The antioxidant capacity of fresh fruit and vegetables does not decrease during storage, and the polyphenol content even increases, suggests new research.

Marketing to kids: Nestle, Dannon non-committal could lead to regulations

Nestle and Dannon, two of the nation's leading food companies, have declined to join a widespread industry move to limit advertising of unhealthy foods to children.

Gaps in probiotic labeling reveal need for regulatory pinch

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has released a paper on probiotics that adds to claims the value-adding active cultures are not appropriately regulated.

Coffee prices boost market but drive away consumers, report

Coffee sales in the US have seen strong growth over the past five years, although the increases are a result of higher prices rather than higher volumes, according to a...

Fruit & veg event ignites disease prevention discussion

Houston, Texas, is hosting a symposium on the functionality of fruits and vegetables this week, set to provide a forum for academia and industry to exchange ideas on how to...

New bill proposes stricter trans fat labeling

A new bill has been introduced in the US to require food manufacturers to adjust the labeling of their products in order to better inform consumers of their trans fat...

ConAgra hit by another salmonella scare

US packaged foods giant ConAgra is being investigated by government officials after some of its frozen poultry products were found to be linked to cases of salmonella.

Low fat diet shows decreased risk for ovarian cancer

A low fat diet could reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women, according to the US' Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Dietary modification trial.

FDA steps up spinach safety efforts

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the California Department of Public Health last week announced they will extend their produce safety efforts with a broader focus on leafy...

Bad fat awareness on the increase, says AHA survey

Consumer awareness of 'bad' fats is at an all-time high, but people are still lacking key information to better understand what they eat, according to a new survey by the...

FAO fights for the Right to Food

The FAO is flagging events taking place to mark World Food Day next week, with more than 150 countries organising around the theme The Right to Food.

Growing corn demand boosts Monsanto 2007 sales

Biotechnology firm Monsanto has reported strong sales for its fourth quarter, although the company suffered a net loss in the period due to a one-off R&D charge.

Weekly comment: Food prices

Will value-added lose out to the basics?

Food companies have been focussing on value-added products in a bid to reduce their reliance on commodities, which can fluctuate wildly and deliver slim margins. But now that prices of...

E coli meeting to refine food safety efforts

Governing bodies in the US are to hold a public meeting to examine the prevalence of E coli, as well as the best ways to detect and monitor it.

Research targets better sweet potato pigments for foods

Fermenting purple sweet potatoes may lead to better extraction and stability of the anthocyanin pigments for use as natural food colourings, Chinese researchers report.

Mastertaste introduces new ethnic flavors

Flavor firm Mastertaste has expanded its portfolio to include a wider range of ethnic flavors, on the back of growing consumer demand for more adventurous food and beverage products.

Organic market forecast to carve larger niche, report

American consumers who buy organic food regularly are still a small minority, but are growing, according to a survey conducted last month.

Special edition: Food prices

USDA forecasts happy ending to ethanol/food price battle

The link between growing ethanol demand and higher food prices has been overstated, according to the US Agriculture Secretary, who forecasts that supply and price pressures will even out as...

IBIE opens its doors in Florida

Heavyweights in the bakery industry are this week showcasing their latest innovations in Orlando, Florida, at the International Baking Industry Exposition, where millions of dollars of deals are expected to...

ConAgra Mills promotes Sustagrain for fiber intake

ConAgra Mills is promoting what is says is the first commercially available whole grain product that is high in dietary fiber and low in starch.

FDA seeks leaders for product innovation, safety group

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is calling for nominees to serve on the board of a new non-profit organization designed to enhance the development and safety of food...

High GI diet may favour age-related sight loss

People at risk of declining sight from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may benefit from reducing their intake of refined carbohydrates, suggests new research.

Consumers want 'simple' when seeking health, Mintel

Conflicting information on what constitutes healthy living has fueled consumer demand for simpler, more informed approaches to food choices, according to a report by Mintel.

Sugary chocolate gets good for gums go-ahead

A new chocolate product is the first to be endorsed by Toothfriendly International as being harmless to teeth, despite it containing sugar, the manufacturer claims.

Spruce mill waste could rival gums for food

Scientists in Finland suggest that carbohydrates released into process waters of softwood mills could offer the food industry with a novel source of mannans to rival guar gum and friends.

ConAgra pledges to cut food ads to kids

Food giant ConAgra has joined a voluntary industry initiative to reduce its marketing to children as part of a widespread move to improve kids' nutrition and reduce the rates of...

Wild expands, aims to create flavor campus

Wild Flavors will next week expand into new facilities opposite its current location, a move that reflects the flavor manufacturer's fast pace of growth.

Expo East witness to industry's growth

The success of Natural Products Expo East this year is representative of an industry that is simultaneously growing and flourishing.

Hairy roots eyed as flavour factories

Hairy roots, structures formed by a common soil bacterium after it infects a plant, could be tailored to become natural factories to produce food flavourings, researchers have reported.

Shopper marketing to increase brand competitiveness, GMA report

Manufacturers of food and beverage products are expected to start investing more in shopper marketing strategies, which are widely thought to increase sales and competitiveness, and build brand loyalty, according...

US prepares food import safety action plan

Federal agencies and trade bodies met this week in Washington to develop an action plan designed to address the safety of imported goods into the United States.

FMC raises prices for cellulose and carrageenan

FMC Biopolymer is the latest ingredients firm to announce further price increases, with the firm saying it continues to be unable to absorb the full impact of higher production costs.

Soup sales slow, innovation needed, says Mintel

Soup sales in the US have slowed over the past year, prompting Mintel to suggest that manufacturers and marketers need to rethink their level of innovation and their market strategies...

New probiotics conference set for 2008

The International Probiotics Association (IPA) is holding a global conference on probiotics in 2008, thereby setting the stage for discussion on standards and regulations for the so-called friendly bacteria.

Glucose-free increases lifespan, says study

People who avoid eating glucose, a common source of energy in chocolate and sweets, may live longer, according to new research.

Recipe unveiled for 'Green Super Rice'

A sustainable harvest of nutrient-rich, pest- and drought-resistant, high-yield rice could be within reach thanks to recent genetic advances, Chinese researchers have reported.

FDA awaits stevia petition

A recent warning letter sent by FDA has again brought the 'natural' sweetener stevia into the spotlight, prompting the regulatory agency to say it soon expects to be petitioned to...

Flavor & fragrance union targets leading market position

A number of flavor and fragrance companies in the US have united under one umbrella to create Agilex Flavors & Fragrances Group, which aims to carve its niche as a...

Market shift could benefit kids' licensed foods, report

The market for licensed kids' foods has taken a strong blow from recent anti-obesity efforts, but after a period of re-adjustment, sales of these products should again pick up, forecasts...

Hydrocolloids go head-to-head as emulsifiers

Sugar beet pectin has come out top in a comparison of hydrocolloids for stabilising emulsions, researchers from Japan and the UK have reported.

New test spots the toxins, researchers claim

A brand new test for food processors can spot within five minutes the presence of biogenic amines, naturally occurring toxins that cause headaches, researchers claim.

Weekly comment

Ripping the red tape

They say that patience is a virtue. But when it comes to the regulatory process on both sides of the Atlantic, patience too often results in dust gathering in the...

Mintel highlights gaps in frozen meal market

Manufacturers of frozen meals in the US need to focus on new product development and penetration into currently underserved consumer groups in order to achieve growth in a tight market,...

FDA publishes food additive guidance

The US Food and Drug Administration has set out guidance for submissions for approval of antimicrobial food additives.

Good, bad carb definitions misleading, says review

Dividing carbohydrates into 'good' and 'bad' carbs is misleading, and cannot be used as a measurement to prevent overweight and obesity, according to a review of scientific literature on the...

Wal-Mart rating system not a standard says industry

The Wal-Mart environmental scorecard rating system for packaging does not work and should not be allowed to become the standard for suppliers, according to an industry organisation.