All news articles for November 2006

Differing organic standards impede international trade, report

Selling organic products in different markets is becoming a mounting challenge for organic producers, as global demand continues to soar but different national standards impede international trade, according to a new report.

DuPont on track to launch new biotech soybean

US agricultural firm DuPont has said it is on track to launch a new biotech soybean variety, which is expected to be the first major product to compete with Monsanto's Roundup Ready trait.

Pharmachem's Phase 2 holds new FDA health claim

Pharmachem has announced that the Food and Drug Administration has been notified of structure function claims for weight control and starch reduction for the company's Phase 2 Starch Neutralizer ingredient.

Monsanto predicts market share increase next year

Biotechnology leader Monsanto has announced it expects to see a modest increase in its market share for the 2007 growing season on the back of strong demand for its triple-stack products.

Amidated pectins to boost fish gel properties

Ammonia-treated pectins could boost the mechanical and functional properties of fish gels, with no perceptible colour changes, and enhance the nutritional profile of underutilised fish species.

Peanut gene breakthrough may lead to allergen free nuts

Scientists have identified a new gene in peanuts that codes for a protein with no apparent allergic effects, research that opens up the possibility of allergen-free GM nuts.

USDA approves GM rice in contamination scandal

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) last week approved a genetically modified rice variety that has in recent months been at the heart of a contamination scandal.

'Record' year for cocoa crops

The International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) has revised its gloomy cocoa estimate of a 5,000 tonne deficit to predict a global surplus of 80,000 tonnes of cocoa in the coming year, assuring manufacturers of a steady supply.

FDA issues new guidance on lead in candy

The US food regulatory agency has issued guidance for industry on the maximum levels of lead allowed in children's candy.

Monsanto launches new soybean breeding site

Biotech giant Monsanto has invested in a new soybean breeding facility designed to develop and test new varieties of the bean, the firm announced this week.

ADM expands oilseed crushing business

Leading agri-business Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has announced it will boost its North American oilseed crushing operations on the back of an increased global demand for food and biodiesel.

Trans-free formulas spread further through foodservice

Leading Mexican style fast food firm Taco Bell is the latest foodservice chain to announce a transition to trans fat free cooking oils, marking another step in the nationwide campaign to remove the artery-clogging fats from the food supply.

Oleic acid-rich soybeans offer trans-fat free alternatives

Test results of oleic acid-rich soybean varieties are in, and the results are very positive, say the researchers behind the new varieties, giving industry access to new soybean oils with improved health profiles.

Cadbury's secret benzene recall

As the makers of Perrier water absorbed the full consumer backlash from recalling drinks containing benzene in the US, Cadbury Schweppes quietly pulled one of its own products for the same reason, new documents show.

Weekly comment

Folic acid: Sisters aren't doing it for themselves

When the idea of fortifying staple foods with vital nutrients is raised, the battlecry goes up from industry groups and advocates of consumer choice: "Why should we bear the costs?" "Educate, and let people make their own decisions". But when evidence for the benefits is overwhelming, neither the state nor the individual can afford to let their interests be shouted down.

UK solution to junk food ads more effective, says US lobby group

Regulation introduced by the British government to protect children from junk food advertising is far more effective than the voluntary US approach, an American consumer lobby group has said.

Scientists look to 'desensitise' kids to food allergens

Feeding small amounts of a food allergen to children could build up tolerance and eventually lose their allergy, US-based researchers have said based on a study on kids with egg allergy.

Wild wheat gene could boost nutrient content of modern varieties

US scientists have identified a gene from wild wheat that could increase protein and micronutrient content of its cultivated cousin by 10 to 15 per cent, and could soon be used in food products with enhanced nutritional value.

DSM Savory Ingredients launches US technical support center

Ingredients group DSM has set up a North American center of technical support for its Savory Ingredients business, designed to bolster its technical strength within the region, the firm announced last week.

Energy drinks market continues to sparkle

West Europe's energy drink sales accelerated by 15 per cent to a volume of 383 million litres and a value of over €3 billion in 2005, according to drinks consultancy Zenith International.

Bunge reorganizes to promote growth plans

Oilseed processor Bunge has appointed new leaders to a number of its business units as part of a general reorganization strategy designed to support the company's growth plans.

Nestlé teams up with EPFL for food-brain research

The potential of the brain health nutrition market is only starting to be realised, and Nestlé underlined its intentions yesterday to get a head start on the competition with the signing of an agreement with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) to expand the role of nutrition in cognitive function.

Consumer education on satiety may be called for

Weight management was a topic on many people's lips at HIE in Frankfurt last week, with a particular emphasis on satiety. But while several satiety-boosting ingredients are grabbing industry attention, are consumers ready for the concept?

Consumers need more whole grain guidance, suggests study

Most consumers have a general understanding of the term 'whole grain', but they remain vague on the health benefits of these foods and on ways to identify them in stores, according to a study published this month.

TIC Gums targets dairy firms with new carrageenan

A new cold-water soluble carrageenan system claims to allow manufacturers of dairy goods to achieve a creamy texture and smooth mouthfeel in applications that cannot be heated.

FDA launches tools to explain nutrition labels

The Food and Drug Administration has introduced two consumer tools designed to help people understand nutrition facts panels so that they are able to better control their food choices.

Sweetener distributor combines low costs and quality control

A new sweetener supplier in the US claims to allow food and beverage firms to access ingredient supplies from low-cost manufacturing countries while maintaining Western standards of quality and service.

Wine flour promises taste, health benefits to bakers

A new wine flour manufactured from grape skins claims to allow manufacturers of baked goods, pasta and snacks to naturally fortify their products with healthy fatty acids and fiber.

GM cottonseed could counter malnutrition, claim researchers

Researchers in the US have found a way to genetically engineer cottonseed to remove toxins, making it a potential source of protein for undernourished populations.

EFSA issues draft guidance on GM approvals

Europe's food safety authority has issued draft guidance for the renewal of authorisations of existing genetically modified products lawfully placed on the market.

Doubts hit FDA handling of benzene in soft drinks

Serious questions remain over how America's food safety watchdog handled the presence of benzene residues in soft drinks, a senior ex-official has said, after tests showed some drinks still contained the chemical 15 years after the industry agreed to cut it.

Coca-Cola launches brewed beverages in Singapore

Coca-Cola is entering the hot beverage market in Singapore, where it says the opportunities are double those of its traditional fizzy drinks business.

Mintel identifies key trends for 2007

Sustainability and age-specific products are key trends that will shape the consumer packaged goods industry in the year to come, according to Mintel.

ADM reveals growth strategy for food and fuel

Ingredients giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has announced a global growth strategy designed to boost its position in agricultural processing, including expansion in its cocoa processing business.

Weekly Comment

Self-entitlement and food: the globally irresponsible spiral

Until consumers lose the attitude that they deserve and have a right to goods from all over the world, our food systems and the environment are at peril.

DSM PeptoPro stars in a Rad new drink

DSM Food Specialties' protein ingredient PeptoPro is featuring in a new sports drink being launched in the United States, a formulation for sports beverages that was applauded earlier this year by the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) on sports nutrition and performance.

USDA receives whole grain comments for new WIC guidelines

The government's new WIC nutritional guidelines should allow for a broader range of whole grain foods than currently proposed, according to the AACC International Whole Grains Task Force.

Flat pickle market could see boost from health

The US market for pickles, olives and relishes is struggling to maintain momentum, but there remains a window of opportunity for manufacturers to promote their products as nutritious and fun, according to a new report.

Global organic sales soar but supply is strained

Soaring global organic food and drink sales are driving demand, but undersupply of organic ingredients is undermining the long-term stability of the sector, says a new report from Organic Monitor.

Secrecy surrounds source of Hershey's salmonella outbreak

Four days after announcing the recall of twenty-five chocolate products due to salmonella contamination, Hershey's and the Canadian food inspection agency (CFIA) still refuse to reveal the exact source and cause of the contamination.

Major food firms back new kids' ad guidelines

The US food and advertising industries yesterday announced new guidelines that would tighten the promotion of junk food to children, but the move has already been criticized as being inadequate.

Meat preservatives work as antibacterial agents, scientist claims

Solutions used by meat processors to improve shelf life and taste can also help to reducepathogens, including E. coli 0157:H7, according to a recent study.

MGP sharpens ingredients focus as sales continue to fall

Ingredients firm MGP has seen first quarter sales increases on the back of a good performance from its distillery products, but the firm's food ingredients segment continued to be unprofitable.

US get worst health marks

Even though Americans are willing to spend money on healthy products, they are less likely than other nationalities to make long lasting behavior changes, according to a new report from Business Insights.

New Hispanic nutrition guidelines promote healthy eating

A Californian nutrition council has published guidelines for Hispanic consumers in an effort to encourage good nutrition amongst the nation's most unhealthy population.

Enzyme-modified soybean sugar - another gum arabic replacer?

Soybean soluble polysaccharide (SSPS) modified by a rhamnogalacturonase (RGase) enzyme could be used in flavour emulsions, and is a potential replacement for gum arabic, say researchers from Fuji Oil Company.

'Growth and leadership' top priority, says Monsanto

Monsanto has told European investors that 'growth and leadership' are the decade's top priorities.

Kerry to market calming bars with Essentra

Ingredient supplier NutraGenesis has announced an alliance with Kerry Foods to market its proprietary adaptogen product Essentra for use in functional foods, such as stress relief snack bars.

Red meat linked to increased breast cancer risk

A new study from Harvard has reported that pre-menopausal women who eat more that one and a half servings of red per day may double their risk of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, compared to women who eat less than three servings per week.

Cargill launches fiber fortification ingredient

Cargill has announced the launch of a proprietary ingredient system to increase fiber content and maintain crispiness, as the company expands its health-promoting solutions portfolio.

Low-carb as heart healthy as low-fat, says study

Low-carb diets, like the once fashionable Atkins diet, do not increase the risk of heart disease, says new research from Harvard - and if vegetables rather than meat are the source of fat and protein then the risk of heart disease may be cut by 30 per cent.

Mediterranean diet set for major push in US

Next year could mark the onset of a new diet pattern in the US, with an influential nutrition group saying it plans to comprehensively promote the healthy Mediterranean style of eating.

Guest Article

How new EU ingredient revisions could impact US firms

New measures adopted by the European Commission designed to streamline the approval of additives, colors, flavorings and enzymes, could result in longer approval procedures for US exporters, with some presently approved ingredients potentially restricted in the future, according to a US lawyer.

Polyphenol-enriched tea may double cholesterol excretion

Drinking a cup of polyphenol-enriched oolong tea with a high fat meal may increase the amount of cholesterol excreted by the body by half, says a small study from Japan and Taiwan.

Weekly Comment

Why climate change cannot be ignored

Ignoring climate change will cost countries billions and lead to food scarcity.

Hispanic purchasing trends vary by region, reveals report

Food and beverage manufacturers looking to target the growing US Hispanic market should take into account regional trends in the population group that affect their purchasing behavior, according to a new report.

PLThomas expands Tomat-O-Red distribution

PLThomas is set to offer LycoRed's natural colorant line to food and beverage companies throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, in an exclusive deal that expands the distrutors reach with the natural red antioxidant food coloring.

Food experts examine benefits of olive oil, Med diet

Food professionals and culinary experts from around the world are today gathering in the southern Italian region of Puglia for six days of seminars, symposia and product tasting in an effort to understand and promote the health benefits of the traditional Mediterranean diet.

Future fortunes of cereal, dairy snack sectors analysed

Cereal and dairy snack innovations that respond to lifestyle changes will be key to the future profitability of these sectors, according to Leatherhead Food International.

Workers exposed to nanotech risk, warns scientist

Workers in manufacturing producing nanotech foods and other goods may be exposed to a health risk, according to a scientific article.

Finnish study links salt intake to obesity

Scientists from Finland have claimed that comprehensive salt reduction would be a potentially powerful means to combat obesity, linked to lower consumption of high-energy beverages.

Açai berries top the antioxidant rankings, says study

The Amazonian palm berry, also known as açai, has the highest ORAC antioxidant values of any food, says a new study, but the researchers suggest that such values are dependent on the drying technique and not applicable to other commercially available açai products.

Galactic raises global lactic acid prices

Lactic acid producer Galactic has announced a round of price increases designed to cope with rocketing production costs.

Mars chocolate lowers cholesterol, study

Mars' CocoaVia nutritional chocolate bar range has had its healthy image boosted by a new study indicating that the product actively reduces cholesterol levels.

Cargill taps North Dakota barley farmers

Representatives from Cargill Malt in North Dakota are meeting barley farmers across the state to discuss the benefits of grower contracts.

Chiquita profits slump as market challenges continue

Banana supplier Chiquita has reported a tough third quarter, with profits hard hit by new EU import regulations, irregular weather conditions and concerns about the safety of fresh spinach.

Sugar industry and Splenda embark on new battle

The US sugar industry has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against the popular sweetener product Splenda, which it claims is deceptively marketed to make consumers believe it is natural.

Maypro Group gets investment from Marubeni America

Maypro Group announced it has received a minority investment worth around 20 percent of its value from Marubeni America Corporation, an association that could open up new commodity and ingredient sources.

Dried plums offer natural antioxidant alternatives for meat

Scientists in Texas are investigating the potential of dried plums as a natural alternative for processed meats, slowing oxidative spoilage as well as imparting flavour and aroma.

Scientists start unlocking slowly digestible starch secrets

A US-Chinese collaboration into the properties and structural basis of slowly digestible starches (SDS) could lead to healthier carbohydrates that do not cause spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels.

Weekly Comment

Transparency is the key to the science kingdom

In the food and nutrition world, science is king. So when journals do not force scientists to fully disclose financial support and potential conflicts of interest, they are not helping anyone.

Declining baby foods boosted by health, convenience

A declining US baby food market could receive a significant boost from products that focus on infant weight control, as well as premium baby goods and 'all natural' items, according to a new report by Mintel.

Limagrain launches 'world's first' instant waxy wheat flour

Limagrain plans to launch what it claims is the worlds first instant waxy wheat flour at the HiE in Frankfurt this month.

National Starch raises US ingredients prices

National Starch Food Innovation is to raise food ingredient prices in the US across its entire product portfolio, with corn-based ingredients set to see the highest hikes.

Cargill targets low-fat, whole grain tortilla market

Leading ingredients firm Cargill has developed a number of whole grain, low fat tortilla prototypes in an effort to capture a slice of the growing US market for the healthy bread alternative.

Limagrain, GRDC to bring GM healthy wheat to market

A genetically modified wheat variety that has significantly more resistant starch than regular wheat could reach the market in five years, say Australian scientists who have won financial backing to commercialise the crop.

DSM anounces major ingredients reorganisation

DSM has re-organised its dairy ingredients division into two distinct categories, reflecting growing demand from customers for both added value and efficiency-boosting products.

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