FMC Biopolymer raises carrageenan and MCC prices on tight supplies

FMC Biopolymer has said it intends to raise prices of its microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and carrageenan-based products by up to 15 percent due to continued supply/demand imbalance for raw materials.

Eating fewer refined and more whole grains could lower heart disease risk

People who regularly eat whole grains tend to have less of the type of fat associated with heart health and diabetes risk than those who eat more refined grains, according...

Sugar-sweetened drink’s diabetes link ‘clear and consistent’: Meta-analysis

Regular consumption of soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with a clear and consistently greater risk of metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes, according to a meta-analysis of 11 published studies.

Healthy, natural food demand drives carotenoids market: GIA report

Strong growth is expected in the global carotenoids market due to increased research into health benefits and consumer interest in natural foods, according to a new report from Global Industry...

USDA economists up dairy retail inflation forecast

New forecasts published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggest that dairy retail prices in the US could jump by more than 5 per cent in 2011.

Corn Products plans National Starch integration as Q3 sales rise

Corn Products International has reported increased sales in Q3 and raised its outlook, although profits were hurt by costs related to the acquisition of National Starch.

News in brief

FDA hands out $18.5m for food safety projects

Federal regulators in the US have this year awarded $18.5m worth of grants to 84 food and feed safety initiatives.

Lecithins may reduce acrylamide formation: Study

Amino phospholipids and commercially available lecithins such as egg and soybean may reduce the formation of acrylamide, according to new research.

GMA and FMI to create front-of-pack nutrition label

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and Food Marketing Institute (FMI) have partnered to create a new front-of-pack nutrition labeling system based on calories and nutrients to limit, the GMA has...

Weight management segment to grow by 8 per cent: Leatherhead

The international weight management market was worth a whopping US$ 7.3 billion last year, and is expected to grow by up to 8 per cent for the next five years,...

News in brief

Studies to explore BPA effects on children

US scientists are to use a US$2m grant to launch a series of studies to measure the possible effect of bisphenol A and phthalates on children.

Food price inflation remains low this year, to rise in 2011, says USDA

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reiterated its late-August prediction that food price inflation will be at its lowest since 1992 this year – but higher commodity costs are...

SPECIAL EDITION: R&D

Pooling resources to reduce the risks: A closer look at pre-competitive research

Collaborations between big industrial players, small and medium enterprises, and research institutes is an important area of R&D. FoodNavigator.com takes a closer look at the benefits of pre-competitive collaborations....

News in brief

FDA proposes food safety guidance for fresh-cut fruit and veg

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked for comments on proposed guidance for minimizing food safety hazards in fresh-cut fruit and vegetables.

Omega-3 may reduce gum disease: Study

Omega-3 fatty acid intake is inversely associated with periodontitis in the US population, according to research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

GLG signs stevia agreement for distribution to smaller manufacturers

GLG Life Tech has partnered with e-distributor ChemPoint for the exclusive sale, distribution and marketing of its stevia extracts to non-multinational food and beverage makers in North America and Europe.

No US appeal on WTO Chinese poultry imports ruling

The United States has not appealed a final World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling issued this week that a US ban on Chinese poultry imports was illegal, officially ending the trade...

Dietary Guidelines do improve nutrition, says committee chair

Although the Dietary Guidelines for Americans may seem similar to those published in 1980, they contain distinct differences, and certain aspects of Americans’ diets have improved as a result, claims...

News in brief

Ajinomoto and USDA collaborate on MSG research

The US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Ajinomoto have announced a joint research project examining whether monosodium glutamate (MSG) consumption could aid weight management.

Defatted cocoa powder ‘best compromise’ for low-fat choc: Nestle

Formulating reduced fat chocolate using defatted cocoa powder may indeed by the ‘best compromise’ for confectionery producers, says a new study from Nestlé Product Technology.

Senomyx and Firmenich expand sucrose enhancer deal

Senomyx has expanded its collaborative agreement with Firmenich for the commercial development of sweet enhancers to include its S6973 sucrose enhancer in certain beverages, the company has said.

Canada charts progress in wake of fatal Listeria outbreak

Canadian food safety officials said “considerable progress” has been made in overhauling the country’s food safety systems in the wake of the Maple Leaf Listeria outbreak that killed 23 in 2008.

US citric acid industry claims Chinese firms avoiding antidumping duties

The American citric acid industry has asked the US Department of Commerce to investigate possible circumvention of antidumping and countervailing duties in place for citric acid imported from China.

Nestle Prepared Foods Company joins crusade to cut sodium levels

Nestle Prepared Foods Company has unveiled plans to reduce the sodium content of its products 10 per cent by 2015.

One in three Americans could be diabetic by 2050, says CDC

As many as one in three Americans could be diabetic by 2050, according to new research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Probiotics plus counseling may boost obesity management

Supplements of probiotic bacteria combined with dietary counseling may reduce the risk of becoming overweight or obese after pregnancy, suggests a new study from Finland.

Canadian nutrition label campaign to focus on % Daily Value

Health Canada and Food and Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC) have launched a Nutrition Facts Education Campaign, focusing on improving consumer comprehension of % Daily Value amounts.

Rabobank predicts continued commodity squeeze

Food manufacturers may have to face up to high sugar and corn prices over the coming year after food commodity prices shot up in October.

News in brief

Chinese more worried about food safety than cancer- survey

Chinese consumers rate food safety as the second gravest risk to health, with only earthquakes triggering more anxiety, according to a recent report from an insurance company.

Ice cream not a problem for probiotic bacteria: Study

Ice creams with added pre- or probiotics can be formulated to have good nutritional and sensory properties, according to research, with careful balancing of the recipe to ensure acceptable taste,...

Canadian private label consumers becoming older and wealthier, says Nielsen

The typical Canadian consumer of private label products is changing – becoming older and wealthier, according to a new study from The Nielsen Company.

Demand for sustainability is high, comprehension is low, says Mintel

Demand for sustainable foods and beverages has continued to grow – but many consumers don’t know what the various claims mean, according to market research organization Mintel.

New wash solution boosts salad safety, says Chiquita

A breakthrough produce wash has been developed that dramatically reduces the presence microorganisms on leafy greens and helps maintain freshness, said Chiquita.

GMA voices views on childhood obesity strategies

The food industry recognizes the need to change the way it makes and markets its products, the Grocery Manufacturers Association said in a presentation to an IOM childhood obesity prevention...

News in brief

Sensient opens new research laboratories in Guangzhou

Sensient Technologies has opened a new plant in Guangzhou, China, including offices and laboratories for the production of flavors, colors, fragrances, and pharmaceutical coatings, the company has said.

Synergy tackles flavour challenges in high protein stevia drinks

Synergy has launched a range of new flavours which it claims will “tackle the flavouring challenges” in drinks posed by whey protein and natural sweetener stevia-sweetened beverages.

Faster pace of life driving American food trends, says NPD

A faster pace of life has been the biggest factor in the development of American food trends over the past 30 years, according to the NPD Group’s assessment of its...

Dispatches from SupplySide West

Fat burners garner weight management interest, but consumers remain skeptical: Analyst

One of the greatest areas of growth in the weight management category is fat burners, but consumers are also incredibly skeptical of the claims attached, says a leading industry analyst.

News in brief

Egg recall salmonella illnesses top 1,800

Illnesses caused by salmonella-tainted eggs have topped 1,800, according to updated outbreak figures released by the Centers for Disease Control or Prevention (CDC).

Texan produce plant shut down after listeria-tainted celery kills five

The Texas Department of State Health Services has stopped production at a produce processing plant in San Antonio after it linked five deaths to listeria-contaminated chopped celery from the facility.

Cost of obesity as high as $168bn a year, says study

Commonly cited figures may hugely underestimate the true level of medical costs associated with obesity, according to a new study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Tate and Lyle shifts innovation to shiny new Chicago site

Tate and Lyle is establishing a new global headquarters for its innovation and commercial development team in Chicago, as the next step of its new strategy to focus on specialty...

Coupon use still on the up, finds report

Distribution and redemption of coupons in the United States has continued to increase during 2010 despite a recovering economy, according to media and marketing service company Valassis.

Study suggests genetic mechanisms for blood pressure and salt intake

Blood pressure responses to high and low salt intakes may share similar genetic control mechanisms, according to a new study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension.

Fairtrade cocoa supply can support chocolate brand switch, FLO

There is enough volume of Fairtrade cocoa available to supply more large brands switching product lines to Fairtrade, according to the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO).

Bunge to more than double canola processing capacity at Canadian plant

Bunge North America has said that it will more than double the capacity of its canola processing plant at Altona, Manitoba, as part of an expansion plan across the company’s...

Egg company can resume shipping, FDA says

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized one of the firms behind the August egg recall to resume shipping its eggs, but it has warned the other to refrain...

Tea and coffee may reduce brain tumor risk: EPIC Study

Daily intakes of more than 100 ml of tea or coffee may significantly reduce the risk of certain brain tumors, according to new research published in the American Journal of...

Fatty diets linked to sepsis immune overreaction: Mouse study

Consuming a high-fat diet may send the immune system into over-drive, causing it to react more strongly to systemic bacterial infection and leading to inflammation, according to a new study...

Review shows steady US sodium consumption

Rising obesity rates may be a more important factor for hypertension than rising sodium consumption, claim the authors of a new study that suggests US sodium intake has remained relatively...

Research firm GIA predicts polyols could soon outsell artificial sweeteners

Safety concerns over artificial sweeteners and the expiry of patents mean that sales volumes could soon be overtaken by polyols, says a leading market research firm.

Pycnogenol passes formulation test for fruit juice

The French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol shows excellent stability against the harsh conditions of the stomach, and should be considered “a good source of phenolic compounds to be utilised...

Pyure Brands to offer organic stevia

Private label stevia supplier Pyure Brands has introduced a line of organic stevia extracts with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status, the company has said.

Higher food spend linked to better health

A new study has found that higher spending on food is associated with healthier diets, but the authors claim it is possible to improve diets without increased spending.

Salt restriction could increase risk of iodine deficiency

Restricting salt intake could increase risk of iodine deficiency, particularly among women, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Hypertension.

News in brief

Kraft Foods enters Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index

Kraft Foods has become the first US-based food company to be added to the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index – a database of firms that disclose carbon emissions data through the...

Comment

Regulatory clarity for nutricosmetics proves elusive

Somewhere, in some time, there exists a land of beauty and promise for nutricosmetics products, where beauty supplements, foods and drinks can frolic, happy in the knowledge of their justifiable...

News in brief

ChromaDex releases updated reference standards

 ChromaDex has announced the addition of 1,000 new phytochemical and botanical reference standards in its 2011 catalog, including an all-in-one JECFA stevia test kit.

Front-of-pack labels should highlight harmful nutrients, says IOM

Front-of-pack labeling systems would be most useful to consumers if they focused on calories, saturated fat, trans fat and sodium, according to initial findings of an Institute of Medicine (IOM)...

Bisphenol A officially declared toxic by Canada

Canada became the first country in the world yesterday to declare bisphenol A (BPA) to be a toxic substance that poses risks to human health and the environment.

Sethness introduces darker class one caramel color

Sethness Products Company has introduced a new darker liquid class one caramel color for use in a variety of applications in response to higher demand from food and beverage manufacturers,...

Lack of innovation holding back US breakfast cereal growth, analyst

Sluggish demand for breakfast cereals in the US market has been noted by a UBS Securities research report, citing fewer new product innovations as a contributing factor.

Perceptions of texture are shaped by variations in saliva enzyme: Study

Consumers’ perception of starch texture is shaped by individual variations in the amount and activity of salivary amylase, according to new research from the Monell Center.

Congressman Pitts challenges US sugar policy

Congressman Joe Pitts (R-PA) has introduced legislation that challenges United States’ sugar policy, claiming that it is a waste of government money and costs jobs.

Prebiotic-enriched formula may protect healthy infants from allergy: Danone

Feeding infants with a new prebiotic-enriched formula may reduce the incidence of atopic dermatitis by 44 percent, says new data from a Danone Research study.

Study unlocks potential for transparent, food grade nano-emulsions

US scientists have developed a technique to produce transparent nano-emulsions for food and beverages, which may present formulators with new delivery systems for value-added ingredients.

Market volatility spurs Cargill profit surge

Cargill has reported a 68 percent surge in profits for the first quarter of 2011 to August 31, on the back of renewed volatility in global agricultural commodity markets, the company said.

News in brief

More Cadbury executives quit Kraft

Two more senior Cadbury executives have left Kraft Foods, joining the other senior management figures who have resigned since the confectioner's takeover by the US food group in February, claim...

Activ International acquires NJ-based Summit Hill Flavors

Activ International Group has acquired New Jersey-based Summit Hill Flavors in order to expand its presence in the United States’ savory flavors market, the company has said.

Corn prices stabilize after reaching two-year peak

Corn prices stabilized overnight after their biggest rise since 1973 on Monday, following a government downgrade of harvest forecasts at the end of last week.

Glanbia named as GanedenBC30 North America distributor

The team-up between Ganeden and Glanbia has been extended, with the probiotic player announcing that Glanbia Nutritionals will be the primary North American distributor of GanedenBC30.

New umami enhancers discovered in yeast extract, researchers claim

Scientists claim to have discovered new umami-enhancing taste modulators extracted from yeast extract, in a paper published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Stable betalain extracts offer yellow pigment possibility: Study

New research has identified a procedure to create what is claimed to be the first stable natural yellow pigment extracted from betalains.

Marketing push needed to attract young coffee drinkers, says Mintel

Coffee companies need to target younger consumers in order to boost flat sales and ensure a strong market for the beverage in the future, claims market research organization Mintel.

Anti-counterfeiting accord compromises on European food names

Delegates from 37 countries representing more than half the world’s trade have agreed an international anti-counterfeiting trade pact designed to protect against illegal copies of foods and other products.

Marinades may prolong fresh meat shelf life

Soy sauce and red wine marinades may reduce microbial spoilage and oxidation of meat, according to new a new study.

Bunge opens Illinois innovation center for snack products

Bunge North America has opened a new ingredient innovation center for edible oils and carbohydrates in Bradley, Illinois to allow faster commercialization of new products, the company said.

Indulge your hunger for knowledge at Weight Management 2010 - the virtual conference and expo

FoodNavigator-USA.com will host the first virtual conference and expo dedicated to weight management, showcasing the latest trends and strategies in weight management for the food, beverage and dietary supplements industries....

News in brief

Japan calls for trans fat labeling

 Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency has said it intends to ask food makers to voluntarily label the trans fat content of their products, according to Kyodo News International.

Food industry response to obesity may ‘hurt industry interests’

The food industry’s current strategy for addressing public health goals and reacting to criticism often works against its own interests, claims a new commentary critical of industry’s response to obesity....

Novel fibers may blunt blood sugar spikes

Formulating foods with a novel functional fibers may reduce blood sugar spikes after eating, according to a new study.

NYC proposes ban on buying sugary soft drinks with food stamps

Using food stamps to buy sugary soft drinks could be banned in New York City if a proposal submitted to the USDA by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor David Paterson...

FTC scrutinizes eco-friendly claims

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed changes to its guidelines for ‘green’ label claims to help marketers avoid making statements that could mislead consumers.

News in brief

Vitamin A and D milk tests win patents

Canadian firm SciMed Technologies Inc. has won patents in the US, Australia and New Zealand for testing kits that can accurately determine vitamin A and D levels in milk in...

Food wastage accounts for two percent of US energy use: Study

Over a quarter of the American food supply ends up in the garbage – and the energy used to produce this wasted food accounts for about two percent of total...

FDA calls for investment in science to prevent 'food safety breakdowns'

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said it must update its scientific tools to ensure the safety of the products it regulates in a new agency white paper.

News in brief

Fortitech expands in South America

Fortitech South America has announced plans to double its facility in Campinas, Brazil as the company responds to increasing demand for fortified foods and beverages in South America.

Dietary fibres key to stevia-based chocolate formulation, Barry Callebaut

A stevia-based chocolate incorporating a blend of dietary fibres has been developed by Barry Callebaut for Belgian confectioner Cavalier for a tablet product to be launched next month.

New method could speed natural salt enhancer discovery

Redpoint Bio Corporation says it has developed a new method using rodents to detect natural salt enhancers, which may speed the introduction of alternative sodium reduction ingredients.

Cyclodextrins may reduce bitter ginseng flavours: Study

The addition of cyclodextrins to ginseng-containing beverages could reduce the bitter flavours associated with the functional ingredient, according to new research.

Two global stevia trade associations launched this week

Suppliers and stakeholders in the stevia industry are organising to maintain standards and pursue scientific enquiry into the use of stevia sweeteners. But two trade organisations have been announced this...

News in brief

GAP launches Food Integrity Campaign website

The Government Accountability Project has launched a website for its Food Integrity Campaign, intended to protect members of the food industry who speak out against unsafe, unethical or unhealthy practices.

GLG finalizes Indian and Middle Eastern stevia agreement

Stevia supplier GLG Life Tech has finalized a joint venture with Global Agrisystem Private Limited (Global Agri), a Katra Group company, to commercialize its stevia extracts in India and the...

Executives may misjudge consumers’ views of store brands, says Deloitte

Most consumers think that store brand products are likely to be produced by the same companies that manufacture national brands – and often find them to be just as good,...

Frito Lay withdraws eco SunChips bags and goes back to lab

Snack maker Frito Lay has reverted to the original non-biodegradable material for five of its six SunChips brand bags after consumer feedback indicated its new 100 per cent plant-based polylactic...

Paper outlines how to lure lactose intolerant consumers back to dairy

Support from independent sources and targeted marketing campaigns are the keys to convincing lactose intolerant consumers to come back to dairy, according to a new report from the Innovation Center...

Comment

Bisphenol A on the brink?

To BPA or not to BPA? While the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) backed the continued use of bisphenol A last week, the real question is whether the verdict was...

Sugary drinks linked to childhood obesity and heart risk

Reducing consumption of sugary drinks should be a critical dietary approach to reducing cardiovascular risk in children, claims a commentary published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Whole Foods calls for better labeling of GMOs

Whole Foods Market has partnered with the Non-GMO Project in order to raise consumer awareness of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in foods, as part of the project’s first Non-GMO Month,...

Faster grain tracing system may be on the horizon

Recently undertaken research has devised a method for developing a global tracing system to rapidly identify the origin of grain in a bulk shipment, enabling trace-back all the way to...

FDA issues draft guidance on acidified and fermented foods

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance on acidified and fermented foods, such as pickles, relishes and olives, to provide recommendations on manufacturing and quality control.

Milk proteins may aid post exercise fluid retention

Milk proteins could be more effective than carbohydrates at aiding fluid retention after exercise, according to new research.

GMA supports Fudge’s anti-obesity legislation

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) is among more than 50 organizations that have come out in support of Rep. Marcia Fudge’s anti-obesity legislation, the Fit for L.I.F.E. bill introduced last...

New starch sources may improve functional properties of surimi

The addition of newly developed starches could help the functional and textural properties of surimi seafood products, according to new research published in the Journal of Food Quality.

Reformulation not sufficient to tackle childhood obesity, say researchers

Product reformulation alone may not be sufficient to tackle obesity as American children’s top sources of energy provide little more than empty calories, researchers claim.

Corn Products International completes National Starch acquisition

Corn Products International has completed its acquisition of National Starch, the specialty starches business of AkzoNobel, the company said on Friday.

News in brief

Up-to-date FAO reports may stop food price volatility

A system providing up-to-date information on global food stocks could prevent abrupt price hikes that could threaten food security.

WTO says US ban on Chinese poultry is illegal

A World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has ruled that a US ban on Chinese poultry is illegal – the first such reprimand for legislation brought in under the Obama Administration.

Industry welcomes EFSA bisphenol A verdict as boost to consumer confidence

Industry bodies on both sides of the Atlantic have hailed the verdict from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that current safe intake levels for bisphenol A (BPA) should...

High trans-fat diet linked with overweight children: Study

Mothers who consume a diet high in trans-fats may be doubling the risk that their infants will have high levels of body fat, according to new research.

Court finds USDA (again) acted illegally on GM sugar beet planting

A federal court has ruled that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has again acted illegally by allowing limited planting of genetically modified (GM) sugar beets despite a court-ordered ban.