Special edition: Free-from foods

Sorting through the gluten-free toolbox

Gluten-free foods are a hot trend, and formulators are rising to the formidable challenge of replacing this multifunctional ingredient in baked goods, soups and sauces.

Post Holdings suffers the ‘unfavorable commodity cost effect’

Unfavorable grain costs pressed full year earnings for Post Holdings, despite a sales surge in the fourth quarter, it said.

Prop 37, the end of the Twinkie, and ConAgra gets Ralcorp: November 2012 in pictures

It was a fascinating month for the US food and beverage industry, with California rejecting Prop 37, ConAgra Foods finally agreeing a deal to acquire Ralcorp, Hostess Brands throwing in...

Chewing gum tax proposed in Mexico

Mexico is considering forcing gum manufacturers to pay a 50% tax on top of the selling price of products to pay for clean-up costs on streets.

Guar gum buyers aren’t buying, sellers aren’t selling: Industry expert

Guar gum prices have dropped a long way from peaks of $20 to $25 a kilo – but there is now a standoff between buyers and sellers, according to hydrocolloids...

Port strike creating botanical 'fulfillment panic,' supplier says

A strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is interrupting shipments of raw materials and is creating a “fulfillment panic” in the herbal industry, according to a...

Hispanic foods and beverages to reach $8.2 billion

The US market for Hispanic foods and beverages is estimated to be worth about $8.2 billion this year, according to a new report from Packaged Facts.

Senators tilt at Red Bull as FDA hints at energy action

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has told US Senators Dick Durbin and Richard Blumenthal that is reviewing the safety of energy drinks and may take regulatory action if it...

‘Stop deceiving consumers on BVO’: 180,000+ signature petition tells Gatorade

A US student who launched an online petition demanding that PepsiCo brand Gatorade remove patented flame retardant brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from its sports drinks has gained over 180,000 signatories.

Study finds bacterial contamination in majority of US pork products tested

A majority of pork samples tested by Consumer Reports magazine were found to be contaminated with Yersinia enterocolitica, a organism that can cause food poisoning.

Healthy indulgence: What’s possible in chocolate reformulation?

Consumers have high expectations of chocolate in terms of taste and mouthfeel – so how easy is it to tinker with chocolate formulations to create an indulgent product that also...

News in brief

FMC BioPolymer raises global hydrocolloid prices by up to 15%

Global prices for a range of hydrocolloids, including microcrystalline cellulose, carrageenan, alginate products and other gums, have been raised by up to 15% by FMC BioPolymer.

Dearth of science limits aloe's potential, expert says

Aloe vera is a popular botanical in beverages and functional foods, but a dearth of credible science keeps the ingredient from achieving superstar status, according to a consultant.

Correlation vs causation: Is there a link between HFCS and diabetes?

A new study reports that there is an association between HFCS consumption and the incidence of diabetes, but the findings have been dismissed by the Corn Refiners Association.

Sweeteners linked to higher weight gain: Rat study

Consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartame could lead to increases in weight, according to new data in rats.

ConAgra creates private label giant with Ralcorp acquisition

ConAgra Foods will acquire Ralcorp Holdings, the largest private label food manufacturer in the US, the companies announced yesterday.

PepsiCo needs emerging market focus to repair margins: US investment firm

A US-based investment firm insists that PepsiCo needs to focus on its most profitable brands and emerging markets such as China to bolster margins and regain ground on Coke. 

Comment

Pharma seeks bigger dose of booming nutra sector

In just a few years the global health and wellness (H&W) products sector will be worth $1 trillion dollars – that’s a lot of billion dollar blockbuster drugs.

Agropur to invest $100m in US whey processing

Canadian dairy processor Agropur plans to invest more than $100m in a US whey processing facility to increase the plant’s capacity and upgrade existing technology.

Organic claims leave a sour taste when it comes to functional health, says study

Organic logos and claims generally have positive effects on consumers, but even the most positive supporter has negative inferences towards organic products when they are judged on functional health benefits,...

Vodka category risks ‘innovation fatigue’: Euromonitor analyst

After a rash of ‘new launches, gimmicky stunts and outrageous incarnations’, culminating in bubble gum-based vodka, Euromonitor International is warning of potential category ‘boom and bust’.

News in brief

McDonald's restaurant linked to salmonella outbreak

McDonald's is at the centre of an investigation of an outbreak of salmonella at one of its restaurants in Illinois.

NBTY acquires Balance Bar Company

NBTY Inc. has announced the acquisition of Balance Bar Company from Brynwood Partners, its private equity owner. Details of the deal were not announced.

FDA flexes FSMA muscle and suspends Sunland’s food facility registration

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food facility registration of Sunland Inc. after peanut butter made by the company has been linked to an outbreak of Salmonella...

Breaking news

ConAgra to buy Ralcorp for $6.8 billion

After multiple abortive attempts in 2011, ConAgra Foods has announced that it has reached a ‘definitive agreement’ to buy Ralcorp Holdings, the largest manufacturer of private label food in the US.

Could a corn by-product provide industry with new ‘stealth health’ ingredient?

Dried distillers grain, produced during ethanol processing has until now only found use in animal feed. But that could soon change after US researchers developed a way to turn this...

Foster’s Group was ‘undermanaged’ for number of years – SAB Miller CFO

SAB Miller CFO Jamie Wilson admits that the firm has suffered volume declines with Foster’s Group in Australia and is not regaining share, but claims that the takeover was never...

Organic dairy more economically beneficial than conventional dairy – US study

The organic dairy industry has for a long time boasted of its nutritional superiority over conventionally-produce dairy products. Now, according to a US study, the organic dairy sector can also...

Majority of Americans trying to consume less sugar and HFCS: IFIC survey

Some food and nutrition messages are being heard by American consumers, with survey data from the International Food Information Council Foundation’s (IFIC) indicating that 70 and 63% of consumers trying...

SPECIAL EDITION: FREE-FROM FOODS

‘Could this be the next peanut?’: Assessing novel allergen potential

It is vital that industry supports novel food applications with good quality analysis of any potential allergens to avoid issues in regulatory risk assessments, says an allergen assessor.

Kraft designs production method for shelf-stable whole grain flour

Kraft Foods has filed a patent for a new method for a shelf-stable, nutritional whole grain flour for use in cookies, crackers and snacks.

How eco-friendly are meat analogues?

Many meat analogues derived from plant proteins may have environmental impacts comparable to animal protein because of inefficient water and energy use in their production, according to associate professor of...

Prop 37, Coke on ‘disruptive innovation’, and monkfruit’s potential: The best of SupplySide West

Prop 37, Coca-Cola thinking like a lean start-up, sodium reduction, and natural sweeteners dominated this year’s discussions at SupplySide West. In this special focus, FoodNavigator-USA round-ups its exclusive coverage of...

SPECIAL EDITION: FREE-FROM FOODS

Lowering allergenic potential: Can new technologies help to reduce allergens?

Can new scientific knowledge and cutting edge techniques help industry to cut the risk of allergenic proteins in foods without cutting out the whole ingredient?

Tate & Lyle: New stevia sweetener can cut cola sugar levels by 50%

Tate & Lyle tells BeverageDaily.com that its new stevia ingredient, Tasteva, can be used to halve sucrose levels in cola drinks without a bitter aftertaste, and does not use masking...

Special edition: Free-from foods

Consumers equate ‘free-from’ with health: EUFIC

‘Free-from’ has become synonymous with healthy food for a large number of consumers – but how that affects shopping habits remains uncertain, according to EUFIC’s Dr Sophie Hieke.

Hostess Brands: Let the bidding commence…

Twinkies, Wonder Bread, Ding Dongs et al. are up for sale as Hostess Brands wins approval to wind down operations and sell all assets.

Butternut squash pectin shows promise as a food additive

Pectin extracted from by-products of processing of vegetables like butternut and beetroot show promise for stabilizing emulsions and could offer interesting new ingredients for emulsion-based foods.

Sodium reduction trend to stay for another 10 years: Univar

The trend for sodium reduction will remain strong for at least another 10 years, and the solutions need to be ‘natural’, says the director of food industry with Univar.

Cadbury develops temperature tolerant chocolate

Mondelez International-owned Cadbury has filed a patent for a chocolate that can tolerate hot climates by re-refining the chocolate after the conching step.

Hostess fallout: Twinkie imitations, Wonder Bread t-shirts and free publicity

The nearly extinct Twinkie has received a scurry of free publicity over the past two weeks and the saga may just lead to Wonder Bread t-shirts and Twinkie imitations coming...

Response to GRAS self-determination inventory database (GSID) is ‘overwhelmingly positive’

The response to the new GRAS Self-Determination Inventory Database (GSID) has been “overwhelmingly positive and supportive”, according to its creator AIBMR Life Sciences, which has helped dozens of firms prepare...

Balance Bar launches Rainforest Alliance Certified nutrition bars

US nutrition bar specialist Balance Bar has launched a dark chocolate line using cocoa sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

'You can feel the difference in half an hour...' PLT on why Zembrin could be a blockbuster

One of the most interesting new product launches at Supply Side West last week was stress-buster Zembrin, the first patented, standardized and clinically studied extract of Sceletium tortuosum, a succulent...

Sugar Update

EU greets added sugar supplies as US confectioners row with producers

Sugar users in the EU have welcomed plans to release more sugar to the market, while counterparts in the US have condemned the sugar lobby for allegedly exaggerating available supplies.

‘Innovation is the life lead of snacks’, says Kellogg as it looks to 2013

Innovation is the ‘life lead’ of Kellogg’s snacks arm and efforts will be pumped into new product development and flavor additions to set the segment soaring in 2013, the president of...

RAN urges Cargill to take stronger action on palm oil sustainability

The Rainforest Action Network (RAN) has urged Cargill to take clear, decisive action to ensure its palm oil suppliers commit to sustainable production, while Cargill has said that RAN allegations...

Sunland denies releasing contaminated peanut butter

Sunland has denied releasing any products that it knew to be contaminated after a US FDA inspection showed that peanut or almond butter was distributed despite the firm’s testing system...

Hershey antioxidant labeling claims under spotlight in US court

Hershey is to face a lawsuit over antioxidant labeling claims made on its Special Dark Cocoa and Special Dark Kisses.

Durbin seeks meeting with FDA following 5-Hour adverse events news

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) read a statement on the Senate floor late Thursday calling for FDA action on the safety of energy drinks in apparent reaction to the news that...

US dairy industry welcomes Russian trade bill passage

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the US Dairy Export Council (USDEC) have welcomed the passing of a bill that could lead to the establishment of permanent normal trade...

Tate & Lyle on monk fruit: 'Consumers intuitively understand that sweetness that comes from fruit is natural'

While stevia has attracted more publicity, monk fruit has just as much potential in the natural sweeteners market, argues Tate & Lyle.

Should we revise how calories are measured?

The current method of measuring the calorie content of foods could be flawed, says Professor Martin Wickham of Leatherhead Food Research.

Hostess Brands throws in the towel: Strikes cause full business closure

Twinkies and Wonder Bread maker Hostess Brands has today filed a motion with the US Bankruptcy Court for permission to close the business and sell all assets.

5-Hour Energy: Adverse event reports do not prove that our shots caused 13 deaths

5-Hour Energy is “unaware of any deaths proven to have been caused” by consuming its top-selling energy shots, distributor Living Essentials has insisted, after the FDA confirmed it has received...

AMERIPEN: ‘no silver bullet’ for packaging recovery

The American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (AMERIPEN) said there is no ‘silver bullet’ to optimise packaging recovery in the US in an update yesterday.

Soda-Lo: Tate & Lyle's novel solution to sodium reduction (clue: it's salt, only much, much smaller...)

Engineered using a patent-pending process that re-crystallizes standard table salt to create microscopic free-flowing hollow ‘microspheres’, Soda-Lo can help firms slash sodium and retain their clean labels because it is...

Hostess Brands latest: We’ll liquidate if striking employees aren’t back at work by 5.00pm EST today

Twinkies and Ding Dongs maker Hostess Brands says that if employees on strike are not back at work by 5pm EST today, it will move to liquidate the company.

Sensient’s natural apple flavors to plug ‘positive nutrition’ desires

Sensient Flavors LLC has developed a new range of natural apple flavors to plug consumer demands for fruit varietals as ‘positive nutrition’ takes hold.

Diamond Foods CEO: Heavy discounting on Kettle Chips damaged its brand equity

Excessive discounting on Kettle Chips has damaged its premium positioning and hit margins, bosses at brand owner Diamond Foods have admitted.

News in brief

Ingredion expands clean label starch options with new 'all-natural', 'high-tolerance' starch

A new functional native starch promises ‘next-generation process tolerance’ for a range of food products, including dressings, yogurts, processed soups and frozen meals, says Ingredion.

Sourcing non-GMO: Prop 37 supporters have lost the battle, but may ultimately win the war, predicts The Scoular Company

Despite the ‘NO’ vote on Prop 37, the momentum behind sourcing non-GMO ingredients remains as strong as ever, with non-GMO Project verified sales up 66% and a new class action...

Tainted peanut butter shipped despite positive salmonella tests, finds FDA inspection

A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection has shown Sunland Inc cleared peanut or almond butter for distribution despite its own testing system identifying the presence of salmonella. 

GrainCorp rejects ADM’s takeover bid as full-year profits soar

Australian commodity giant GrainCorp rejected ADM’s $2.8bn takeover bid stating it ‘materially undervalues’ the business.

Is having kids bad for your health?

Parents with kids under 18* are very focused on the diet and lifestyle of their offspring but have a tendency to neglect their own health, according to the International Food...

Hostess to union: If strikes continue we’ll liquidate company 'in a matter of days, not weeks'

Twinkie maker Hostess Brands says that if strike action at its bakeries does not end soon, it will move to “liquidate the company in a matter of days, not weeks”.

Coca-Cola on thinking like a start-up, open innovation and avoiding ‘Kodak moments’

Coca-Cola has to "think and act like a lean start-up company" if it wants to stay ahead of the pack, using its Venturing and Emerging Brands (VEB) arm to make...

Children face high exposure to foodborne toxins

Cancer benchmark levels for a number of chemicals in food were exceeded by children in self-reported dietary data, according to a study.

Eased wheat and corn prices set to stir again in Q1 2013, says Rabobank

Wheat and corn prices have eased over the fourth quarter but will spike again at the beginning of 2013 as impacts from demand rationing take hold, Rabobank says.

Kalsec draws a bead on fish oil oxidation

Dealing with oxidation-prone fish oil emulsions in sensitive dairy applications will be a little less problematic with a new system solution from Kalsec.

Supergrains! Why quinoa, farro, chia and amaranth should be in every formulator's toolkit

'Super grains' - from farro, spelt, kamut, millet, quinoa and amaranth to chia, freekeh and teff - are high in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. They also come with a...

Kellogg-Wilmar JV will dive into immediate snacks opportunity

Kellogg and Wilmar’s 50:50 joint venture will dive into immediate opportunities in China’s developed snack market; using Pringles as its springboard, a Kellogg executive has said.

More snacks = healthier diet, report finds

Americans are snacking more than ever, and the more they snack, the healthier their diets, according to a new report.

Is it too risky to market foods containing GMOs as 'all-natural'?

Consumers, market researchers tell us, want foods that are ‘wholesome’, ‘authentic’, and above all ‘natural’, although few of them can articulate what this means. And they are not alone. Regulators have not...

GLG Life Tech: We are still ‘very much’ in business

Loss-making stevia supplier GLG Life Tech has reassured investors that it is still “very much” in business in a Q&A document designed to answer questions about its financial affairs....

News in brief

PepsiCo expects center to speed innovation in China

PepsiCo has officially opened a food and beverage innovation center in China to serve as a hub of product, packaging and equipment innovation for the business throughout Asia.

Hostess Brands strike prompts three bakery closures; 627 jobs cut

Hostess Brands has permanently shut down three bakeries today as a result of nationwide union strikes; equating to 627 job losses.

Goldfish Crackers targeted in ‘natural’ lawsuit over genetically engineered soy as Prop 37 supporters launch ‘GMO inside’ initiative

While Prop 37 did not pass, the failure to disclose the presence of GMOs in foods that are marketed as ‘natural’ is still generating a steady stream of civil litigation,...

Return and rebuild or leave voluntarily: Hostess Brands tells strikers

Twinkies-maker Hostess Brands has called on its striking union workers to either return to help rebuild the struggling firm or leave voluntarily.

Skippy suitors include ConAgra and B&G, says report; but Unilever remains tight-lipped

ConAgra Foods and B&G Foods have both shown interest in Unilever’s peanut butter brand Skippy, according to weekend press reports.

Global aloe market estimated at $13 billion

The global market for aloe vera products is estimated to have reached $13 billion, according to information presented at a recent workshop held by the International Aloe Science Council.

Tea consumption linked to lower diabetes risk: Unilever study

Populations which drink high quantities of black tea have a significantly lower prevalence of diabetes, according to new research backed by Unilever.

TREND INSIGHT

Scratch bakery is a shift into super-artisanal, says analyst

The rising trend of scratch bakery in stores indicates a shift into super-artisanal and super-premium, an analyst says.

Exclusive shots from Pack Expo 2012, Chicago

Pack Expo 2012 in pictures: it’s showtime!

Pack Expo 2012 helped its 45,300 visitors gain a better view of the routes packaging material and machinery firms are taking. Attendees could take in this view of the Chicago...

Dean Foods eyeing further growth to end 2012 after strong Q3

Dean Foods is eyeing further growth to close 2012, after strong third quarter performances from its Fresh Dairy Direct and WhiteWave-Alpro business segments.

Supply Side West 2012 in pictures: Prop 37, supergrains, protein, brain food and Coca-Cola on disruptive innovation

As America went to the polls, FoodNavigator-USA and NutraIngredients-USA headed to Las Vegas for a week of partying, gambling (and a spot of networking) at Supply Side West.

News in brief

Nestlé: We sincerely regret Nesquik recall

Nestlé USA has apologised to customers after a recall of Nesquik chocolate powder linked to salmonella.

Who has self-affirmed GRAS? New database addresses transparency concerns

A new database of self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) determinations has been launched to tackle concerns about a lack of transparency in the process.

DSM buys Fortitech for €495m; “We are done for awhile”

Rampant nutrition business acquirer, Royal DSM, has splashed the cash for the ninth time in two years – this time to the tune of €495m ($634m) on US-based multinational nutrient...

New lawsuit targets Monster and its ‘dangerous and potentially lethal’ ingredient: EGCG

A lawsuit has been filed in Orange County, CA against Monster alleging that the company failed to warn against the dangers of a an extremely dangerous and potentially lethal ingredient...

Americans chomp through the English sandwich

The English-born sandwich is a stern favorite with American consumers; consumed by a vast majority at least once a week, the Grains Food Foundation says.

News in brief

Open innovation in action: Tate and Lyle creates ventures fund

Tate & Lyle will pump up to £30m ($48m/€36.5m) over eight-years in a new venture capital fund that will invest in start-ups and expansion-stage companies in food sciences and enabling technologies....

Mondelēz takes tumble in developing markets

Mondelēz International was weighed down by operational issues in Brazil and Russia in the third quarter (Q3) which harmed overall performance in its first results since it split from Kraft...

Organic sales up 12.2% says SPINS; but be careful what you attach label to, says Hartman Group

Sales of organic foods and beverages rose 12.2% in the year to September 29 in the US retail market, significantly outpacing growth in the overall grocery market, according to data from SPINS.

Beverage giant seeks natural solution to yeast and mold spoilage in acidic beverages

A leading food and beverage manufacturer is looking for new natural ingredients that can prevent yeast and mold spoilage in acidic shelf-stable beverages.

California voters say 'No' to GMO labeling initiative Proposition 37

GMO labeling initiative Proposition 37 has failed at the ballot box in California.

Generation Xers are more frugal than baby boomers and seniors, says SymphonyIRI

Shoppers in Generation X (aged 35-44) are more frugal than baby boomers and seniors - but not quite as miserly as Millennials (aged 18-34), according to new research conducted by...

Fonterra consumer research reveals ‘fantastic opportunity’ to educate boomers on protein

If manufacturers can present them in a more appealing way, there is a huge untapped market in the US for higher protein products appealing to baby boomers looking to stay...

Do organic beat conventional vegetables for immune system support?

Organically grown carrots may stimulate the immune system, with ‘more’ organic carrots have more of an effect, says a new study that adds to the debate on the health benefits...

The US ‘all things fiber’ trend trumps calorie counting in Europe, Beneo finds

The US trend for ‘all things fiber’ has steadily entered Europe with intake now considered more important than calorie counting among consumers, a Beneo research manager says.

Glanbia eyeing 2012 profits target despite marginal growth

Irish dairy giant Glanbia is “confident” of delivering its full year profits target, despite reporting marginal growth for the first nine months of 2012.

Increasing global income will have ‘big implications’ for dairy sector - FAO

The expected increase in disposable income – particularly in developing countries – will have “big implications” for the international dairy sector, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN)...

Q3 wrap: Nutrition stars for DSM and Naturex

Royal DSM saw Q3 sales slip 7% to €2.3bn across all divisions with polymer intermediates performing worst, but as has been the case in recent quarters, the Dutch firm’s nutrition...

GM tomato packed with ‘good cholesterol’ could help unblock arteries

Tomatoes that are genetically engineered to produce a peptide that mimics the actions of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol could help to reduce heart disease risk factors, suggest researchers.

Garuda International gets GRAS approval for oat beta-glucan

Garuda International has received GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) approval for its oat beta-glucan ingredient.

NuVal blasts NCL’s ‘half-truths and misinformation’ over USDA meat labeling issue

A press release from the National Consumers League (NCL) claiming that USDA has rejected the on-shelf nutrition rating scheme NuVal owing to its “inherent problems”, is highly misleading, says NuVal....

Baker’s Pride ups donut capacity with new Iowa facility

Baker’s Pride has upped donut capacity and expanded its portfolio as production commences at a new facility in Iowa.

How much will this summer’s drought impact food prices in 2013?

While the cost inflation situation has eased recently eased for many food manufacturers, summer drought conditions are widely expected to put renewed pressure on food prices in 2013.

Delicious and nutritious: Resistant starch may boost fiber content & taste of cookies

Replacing wheat flour with resistant starches may improve the nutritional profile of cookies that are also tastier than ‘conventional’ cookies, says new research.

US COMMODITIES CORNER

Milk protein prices jump 13% in October - Part Two

In part two of his October dairy commodities breakdown, MilkPrice  blogger John Geuss gives DairyReporter.com the latest on cheese and butter demand and quick look ahead to November, December and the coming...

Hain Celestial on BluePrint Cleanse acquisition: ‘If you look at pasteurized juice today, it's almost like canned soup’

There are “multiple opportunities” to take upmarket New York City-based organic cold-pressed juice cleanse brand BluePrint into new categories, according to new owner Hain Celestial.

Scientists report 'guidelines' for tagatose use in food and beverages

Using tagatose to sweeten food and drink products has taken a step forward as Korean scientists report the ‘first quantitative data on the relationship between the sweetness of tagatose and...

Greek Gods is not affected by 6oz price wars in Greek yogurt fixture, says Hain Celestial

Hain Celestial’s Greek yogurt brand Greek Gods has been shielded from the price wars raging in the Greek yogurt category and continues to go from strength to strength, with sales...

Budweiser US brand health grows but market share falls: AB InBev CEO ‘not happy’

Anheuser-Busch InBev CEO Carlos Brito says his firm is ‘not happy’ with continued US market share losses for Budweiser, and expressed slight disappointment given rising brand health scores.

DISPATCHES FROM INTERBEV 2012, LAS VEGAS

The art of soft drinks: Euromonitor charts world consumption trends

Speaking to BeverageDaily.com at InterBev in Las Vegas, Euromonitor International analysts Claire Moulin and Jonas Feliciano characterize the world’s shifting taste in soft drinks in art history terms.

Ramping up innovation key message in Hillshire's strong earnings report

Hillshire Brands Co. reported strong earnings in its first quarter as an independent company, reporting net income of $53 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 that ended Sept. 29.

Hershey sued over alleged child labor abuses

The Hershey Company faces a lawsuit from a shareholder that claims it uses cocoa produced through unlawful child labor in West Africa.

Cambodians file complaint with US government vs American Sugar Refining over ‘land-grabbing’ deal

Cambodian villagers who claim they were illegally evicted from their land to make way for a sugar plantation that supplies American Sugar Refining (Domino Sugar), have filed a complaint with...

All by myself... Why eating alone is the new norm for Americans

Almost half (46%) of all adult eating occasions are now solitary, according to new research from The Hartman Group.

DISPATCHES FROM INTERBEV 2012, LAS VEGAS

NürnbergMesse will follow Brau Beviale blueprint with InterBev

Dirk Ebener, CEO and MD of NürnbergMesse North America, tells BeverageDaily.com how satisfied he was with his firm’s first InterBev, after it bought the show from the ABA last September....

Maple Leaf CEO identifies signs of improvement in the bread market

Maple Leaf Foods recorded slightly lower bakery sales for the third quarter but its CEO said there were signs of improvement to the challenging bread market.

US COMMODITIES CORNER

Milk protein prices jump 13% in October

US milk protein prices increased by 13% in October. But does the price  increase have the momentum to carry milk protein prices to the "exceptional highs" of 2008? US commodities expert and MilkPrice  blogger John Geuss gave...

Kellogg’s CEO on Mini-Wheats recall: It's the first time we've seen a failure like this

Kellogg’s boss John Bryant said he was "very disappointed" by the recent Mini-Wheats recall in a call with analysts yesterday, but insisted that it was not a reflection of "systemic"...

Dispatch from RT10 in Singapore

‘Name and shame’ irresponsible palm oil producers, says Singapore ambassador-at-large

Palm oil producers who use fire to clear land for plantations should be named and shamed, urged Professor Tommy Koh, ambassador-at-large for Singapore’s ministry of foreign affairs and keynote speaker...

US food safety systems are ‘broken’, says report

Contaminated food makes 48 million Americans sick every year and costs over $77bn in aggregated economic costs, according to a US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) report.

Kansas company launching ALA-enhanced ground beef

A Kansas company has taken the next step in omega-3s fortification by developing a way to boost the levels of n-3 fatty acids in beef.

Prop 37 is a dead heat, latest poll says

California’s Proposition 37, once considered a shoo-in after earlier poll results, is now looking like a dead heat, according to a Los Angeles Times poll.

News in brief

Stevia-expert Sweet Green Fields expands its presence in Mexican and Eastern US markets

Stevia specialist Sweet Green Fields has struck distribution deals with FX Morales y Asociados S.A. de C.V. - a leading distributor of food ingredients to food processors in Mexico; and...

October 2012 in pictures: GMO labeling, FNCE, Pepsi’s protein play… and ‘evaporated cane juice’ (aka sugar)

The ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns for Californian GMO labeling initiative Prop 37 kicked into overdrive this month ahead of the Nov 6 vote; Pepsi hinted at a big protein-based product...