Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - North America EU edition

Spicing up the American palate

An expert from Mintel gives a taster of new flavor trends in the US, and predicts how long it could be before we are all enjoying the likes of peri-peri, lavender and cactus.

Weekly comment

Obesity: A taxing solution

Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing is certain in life but death and taxes, conveniently forgetting the human race’s desire to avoid both inconveniences at any cost.

Mixing modern and traditional Christmas flavors

GSB Flavor Creators continues to tap into the trend for more adventurous flavor combinations with the launch of three new pairs of ‘shuffled flavors’ for the Christmas holidays.

Video season's greetings from Decision News Media

The Decision News Media team would like to bring you its seasonal greetings in person and show you around the offices.

Australian government, industry to set salt targets

Salt reduction targets for food products sold in Australia are expected to be set in October 2009, subject to development and agreement between the government and the food industry.

Soybean oil prices tumble on petroleum fall

Falling petroleum prices and an abundance of other vegetable oils has brought soybean oil prices a new low – but other oils are eating away at market share.

Ready-to-eat segment buoyed by retailers

Retailers are increasingly providing ready-to-eat meals to US consumers, representing growing opportunities for manufacturers to cater for hot and cold convenience products, says a new report.

Gum plus ions may cut fat and salt in meats: Study

A combination of gellan gum and magnesium chloride may lead to low-fat, low salt meat products, according to new research from Mexico.

US coop settles over 'price fixing' amidst market turmoil

A leading US dairy cooperative hopes to close the book on allegations of price fixing by agreeing a multi million-dollar settlement that it says is not an admission of guilt or innocence.

News in brief

EU ban remains on US chicken - report

European Union agriculture ministers have rejected attempts to lift a ban on US poultry which is washed in chlorine, according to media reports.

National Starch sale unlikely in current climate

Hopes for National Starch to be sold by the end of the year have been dashed by the credit crisis and a sale is unlikely in the near future, said owner Akzo Nobel.

Calls to reverse FDA action over stevia sweetener

More stevia sweetened products are lining up for launch but campaigners are calling for the FDA decision that signaled that the sweetener could be used in food and beverages to be reversed.

More companies move into stevia market

A flurry of activity has followed the FDA no objection letters for the stevia-derived sweetener, Reb A, to be used in food and beverages as two companies announce self-affirmed GRAS.

Stevia sweetener gets US FDA go-ahead

The FDA has given the long-awaited green light for Reb A, the sweetener made from the stevia leaf, to be used in food and beverages - opening the flood gates for new product launches.

InBev upbeat despite losing latest ‘Budweiser’ battle

Anheuser-Busch Inbev, the newly formed brewing power house, insists that a ruling in favour of a Czech Republic-based rival over marketing will not set back its global aims for the Budweiser beer brand.

Western diet linked to inflammatory response: Study

Consuming a Western-style diet, rich in saturated fats, may increase markers of inflammation, but Mediterranean-style diets may be beneficial, according to new research.

California celebrates record almond shipments

Total shipments of California almonds were up 18 per cent in 2007/8 compared to the previous year, according to the Almond Board of California, which takes these stats as a sign of the nuts’ ongoing popularity worldwide.

Obama nominates next US secretary of agriculture

President-Elect Barack Obama has nominated the former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack to be the 30th Secretary of Agriculture.

News in brief

Cargill's meat division acquires Carneco Foods assets

Cargill Meat Solutions (CMS) has purchased assets of Carneco Foods LLC, including a ground beef processing plant in Columbus, Nebraska.

Girls lick boys on taste sensations: Study

There may be a shred of truth to sisters telling their brothers that they have better taste than them but we’re not talking about fashion or music, according to findings of a new study.

News in brief

Heinz takes on MyPyramid corporate challenge

Heinz Company has announced that it is partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture’s MyPyramid: Corporate Challenge.

Foodies lead the way in shaping the industry

A growing group of consumers dubbed foodies are shaping the American palate and offering food manufacturers a willing audience for product launches, a new report suggests.

Shift to shelf-stable food amid volatile prices

Consumers are expected to switch from fresh food to more shelf-stable goods in 2009, but the food and beverage sector has a rocky road ahead, according to an industry analyst.

Cargill takes texturizers direct to Australia and New Zealand

Cargill’s texturizing business is opening offices in Australia and New Zealand to serve local markets as well as customers meeting burgeoning demand for dairy products in Asia Pacific.

Explosion costs impact on Imperial Sugar’s full year results

The rebuilding of Imperial Sugar’s Port Wentworth refinery following an explosion in February is expected to total $200m-$220m, taking its toll on the company’s full year results, despite stronger sugar prices.

Hydrocolloids show potential for egg-less bakery: Study

Cutting the cost of cake-making by removing the use of eggs may be achievable by combining a hydrocolloid with a suitable emulsifier, says new research from India.

News in brief

New account manager at Symrise

Liz Canty has been appointed national account manager at Symrise Flavors, North America, with responsibility for key accounts in the Midwest.

Meat and poultry product checks for melamine

US officials are to begin sample checks on processed meat and poultry products that are already on shop shelves for traces of melamine contamination.

Cargill ad campaign to prepare market for stevia

Cargill has begun a nationwide marketing drive to promote Truvia, its brand of natural, zero calorie stevia sweetener.

Cookie maker targets fortification breakthroughs

A US-based food group hopes to continue targeting growing interest in fortified baked snacks with ongoing development of a new range of cookies it claims contain ‘substantial’ levels of omega-3 oil.

Campaigners urge against early stevia product launches

As the drive to bring stevia to shop shelves steps up a gear, campaigners urge caution in what they see as a rush to market, saying FDA GRAS must come first.

Weekly comment

Why is food science the ‘baddie' for consumers?

It sometimes seems as if life is a pantomime, and food science is the baddie, complete with boos and hisses from the audience.

Dark chocolate more filling, say researchers

Dark chocolate may be more filling than milk chocolate, according to researchers at the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Human Nutrition.

Accountability report puts Cargill under the spotlight

Cargill’s accountability record has come under scrutiny in a new report which assesses the performance of some of the world’s most powerful corporate, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

Coca-Cola could launch stevia drink ahead of FDA GRAS

Coca-Cola is expected to launch a drink sweetened with stevia in the US this week, according to reports, but there is still no word from the FDA on GRAS status.

News in brief

GMA appoints new president and CEO

Pamela Bailey, president and CEO of the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), has been named the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s (GMA) new president and CEO.

Berry extracts may ease age-related mental decline: Study

Old lab rats fed a diet supplemented with a compound from berries and grapes called pterostilbene performed better in mental challenges than their un-supplemented counterparts, says a new study.

Cut cocoa-butter for beta-glucan hydrocolloid, suggests study

Beta-glucan-rich hydrocolloids may be able to replace cocoa-butter in chocolate products, according to new research from the US.

Opening trade with Cuba a priority for grain industry

Potential changes to US trade policy with Cuba once president-elect Barack Obama takes office would significantly boost grain markets, the USDA has said.

GMA food industry predictions for 2009

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has highlighted its predictions for 2009, pronouncing it a year when sustainability will become standard.

News in brief

$26m in funding to address food security

The McKnight Foundation has been granted $26.7m funding through 2013 for crop research from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation of Seattle.

FDA revokes ban on antimicrobial

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it has revoked the order prohibiting the extralabel use of cephalosporin antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals.

Animal study suggests existence of sugar addiction, says scientist

Researchers at Princeton University claim that they have laid down the final pieces of evidence necessary to prove the existence of sugar addiction in animal studies.

Malt ingredients company expands into US

Muntons Malted Ingredients (MMI) has opened its first office in the US to grow sales as it anticipates expanding markets for micro-brewing, whole grains and clean label ingredients.

Kosher leads top ten claims for new products

Kosher is the most frequently used claim on food and drink products launched this year, according to Mintel, which suggests that the growing interest may be more to do with food safety than religion.

Almond exports expose inconsistent use of EU rules

The voluntary testing of US almonds for a toxic substance has eased the path for exports, a new report claims, but it also highlights the problem of EU regulations being inconsistently adopted across member states.

Nut allergy fears becoming hysterical: BMJ

Fears over the dangers of peanut allergy, a potentially deadly allergy for certain people, are becoming sensationalist and hysterical, according to a Harvard professor.

FDA aims to improve safety of food imports

Improving the safety of imported food is one of the aims behind a new initiative from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Cannibal pricing strategies dent quality

The perceived quality of a product can suffer from frequent price promotions which can have a "cannibalization" effect on future sales, researchers have shown.

Rebuilding market share after GE rice backlash

Strides have been made by the US rice industry to regain market share after genetically engineered traits were found to have mixed with conventional rice supplies, disrupting trade.

Soybean genome data released

The soybean genome is to be made widely available to the research community after the US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute said it has released a complete draft assembly of the genetic code.

News in brief

Successor named as Monsanto VP retires

Monsanto Company has announced that its vice president and treasurer, Robert Paley, 60, will retire from the company.

Black radish extract may replace sulphur dioxide for wine: study

An extract of black radish (Raphanus niger) may provide a natural alternative to sulphur dioxide for viticulturists, according to a new study from Greece.

New recycled PET thermoform range is low cost, says PPI

Thermoformed packaging targeted at the chilled foods sector is produced using 100 per cent post consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) bottles, claims PPI.

News in brief

$6m agreement to boost canola research

A new $6m federal government and grower group agreement aims to improve coordination of larger scale canola agronomy research projects to help ensure Canadian canola remains one of the countries most valuable crops, it was announced.

New product development needed for baby boomers

Manufacturers need to explore new product developments in health and wellness and functional categories in order to tap into the US baby boomer market, according to a report.

New labeling compliance timetable

Food and beverage companies will have until 2012 to make any labeling regulation changes that are introduced over the next two years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced.

Greater vigilance needed for GE crops

Measures to help prevent the unauthorized release of genetically engineered crops into food do not go far enough, according to a report from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Science supports modified starch as fat replacer and creaminess enhancer

A potato starch-derived ingredient may enhance the creaminess of low-fat yoghurt to that of its full fat equivalent, according to new research.

Weekly comment

Coping with health claim hurt

One of the most fiercely debated and amended pieces of European Union food law history is playing out before our eyes, and its effects are beginning to be felt.

Versatility of Hispanic cheeses could boost market

Hispanic cheeses are offering new market opportunities for processors and food manufacturers in the US due to their wide variety of functions and flavors, according to Dairy Management Inc (DMI).

Survey finds sodium levels largely unchanged

The food industry has again come under fire for the amount of salt used in products as a survey found that levels had stayed ‘essentially the same’ over the last three years.

Nutrition potential of breadfruit explored

Canadian researchers are exploring the benefits of breadfruit which they claim can offer an alternative to wheat flour, help create new food products in the US and improve food security.

Industry defends weight loss products against academic attack

In response to a recent BMJ editorial claiming that only drugs are effective for weight loss, members of the global food and supplements industries have defended the efficacy of their products, calling the article the “latest misinformed campaign”.

Cranberry can inhibit E. coli growth in ground beef, says US study

The addition of cranberry concentrate to ground beef may serve as an supplementary hurdle to control potential E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks associated with ground beef, claims a new US study.

News in brief

Cuba GM corn plan to cut imports

Cuba is expected to give the green light to plant genetically modified (GM) corn for the first time, to help reduce dependence on food imports, it was reported.

Fresh potential for frozen products

Freshness, portion control and convenience are driving opportunities for frozen entrée manufacturers as freezer food sheds its over-processed and drab image, a new report said.

McCormick releases 2009 flavor forecast

McCormick’s annual flavor fusion forecast for the coming year takes a multi-cultural approach and sticks with the sweet and savory theme that was a growing trend in 2008.

Chicken sales growth outpaces other meats

Chicken is showing strong growth compared to other meats as the perception that it is more healthy and affordable appears to hold sway with consumers.

Prebiotic potential of enzyme-converted durum wheat

Treating insoluble durum wheat fibre with an enzyme could produce a soluble fibre with potential prebiotics activity, according to a new study.

Premium chocolate sales predicted to remain buoyant

The global market for premium chocolate looks set to remain strong despite a worsening economic climate, according to new market research.

GM crop output rises but can it deliver?

The US remains the global leader in the production of genetically modified crops but questions remain over their ability to address promises of enhanced yields and nutrition, according to a new report.

Segments driving the health market

The market for healthy and organic products is largely driven by two active consumer groups, according to research which splits shoppers into five categories based on their attitudes and habits.

Cargill launches starch for easier dispersion

Cargill is expanding its starch portfolio with the introduction of a quick-dispersing, cold water swelling starch which it claims can help to improve production time as there is no need for it to be heat activated.

NutraCea deal delivers higher rice bran quantities

NutraCea has entered an agreement with a Californian rice cooperative, which the company says will allow it to directly maintain a consistent supply of its stabilized rice bran ingredient to food manufacturers.

Tea yoghurt may expand healthy dairy options

Addition of green and black teas to yoghurt may boost the colour and flavour of the product, without affecting the starter cultures, says a French-Tunisian study.

News in brief

Fortitech strengthens technical services team

Nutrient premix supplier Fortitech has appointed a new senior technical services specialist, who will be responsible for the formulation of new “nutrient systems” for use in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Nestle junk food ad pledge approved

Nestle has agreed to a raft of restrictions on the promotion of its products to children as it switches from advertising its “best-selling” Wonka candy to 100 percent juice and low-fat chocolate milk.

Potential impact of antidumping on citric acid

The prospect of antidumping measures for citric acid looms in the US after an investigation found Chinese companies selling products below market value. But one industry player says the duties would have a limited impact.

New salt substitute claims to help flavor profile

Redpoint Bio Corporation says it has filed for patents for a new low-sodium salt substitute it has developed and is now looking for a company to license the technology and the know-how.

Model gut brings life-like stomach to the bench-top

Answering questions about food structure, the potential of bioactive ingredients, and general safety could be achievable in-house and on the bench top within 18 months, if development of the most advanced model gut continues as planned.

News in brief

Campbell Soup appoints VP for industry relations

Campbell Soup Company has appointed a new vice president of business development and industry relations to replace Richard Smith who is due to retire following a 37-year career with the company.

AHD expands ‘superseed’ chia ingredient line

AHD International has expanded its line of chia ingredients to include different forms that will make it easier for manufacturers to incorporate the heart-healthy product into different food and supplement applications.

Saccharin antidumping order under review

The antidumping duties imposed on saccharin coming into the US from China that were put in place to protect the domestic market are to be reviewed, the International Trade Commission has announced.

Products without moral code face backlash

Companies risk repercussions if they fail to address the ethical demands of consumers as awareness of the impact corporations have on society and the environment is growing, according to a new report.

Nestle accused of greenwashing water

A coalition of environmental groups is challenging advertising claims made by Nestle Waters that its bottled water is “the most environmentally responsible consumer product in the world".

Weekly comment

Why farm support puts food on plates

“Four legs good, two legs bad.” When the pigs take over the land in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, they have no hesitation; any creature with four legs is beyond reproach and any human is bad, mad and dangerous to know.

World AIDS Day

The role of nutrition in living with HIV/ AIDS

Nutrition and HIV/AIDS are intricately linked. To mark World AIDS Day, NutraIngredients.com looks at the science behind the role of nutrition and nutrients for people living with HIV and/or AIDS.

News in brief

Cweet’s potential explored as it awaits approval for use

The CEO of US firm Natur Research Ingredients, Loren Miles, is to promote the benefits of its Cweet Natural Intense Sweetener to the European market as it awaits regulatory approval.

M&A round-up: October/November

It has been a bumpy ride over the last few months for mergers and acquisitions. The global credit crisis has cut into financing opportunities, while some high-profile deals have been stalled or even terminated.

Opportunities arise in young adults market

Young adults are spending more on alcohol and eating at home which could offer opportunities to food manufacturers when developing and marketing new products, a new report suggests.

Fast food diet linked to Alzheimer’s

A diet rich in fat, sugar and cholesterol could lead to similar changes in substances in the brain which are also seen in the development of Alzheimer’s, according to a new study.