Reorganization activities in Europe caused a dip in International
Flavors & Fragrances' earnings in the third quarter of 2004,
but North America continued to see strong growth, particularly in
its flavors division.
Natural, plant-derived ingredients have been the source of
inspiration for some of this year's most innovative new food
products, often being used to boost the healthy image of
traditional products.
Improved margins and risk management tools help the world's biggest
oilseed processor Bunge more than double its profit for the third
quarter, despite a knock back from soybean trade in China.
Food manufacturers using pecan nuts in their food products can
expect a hike in price as recent hurricanes in the US destroyed
nearly half the crops in major producing states.
The glycemic index, a method established to rank foods based on the
rate of carbohydrate absorption they trigger, is seeing increasing
interest from researchers and the food industry, but there is still
much confusion as to what it...
Hungary has banned sales of its ubiquitous national spice paprika
after high levels of potential carcinogenic aflatoxins were found
in warehouse stocks, writes Lindsey Partos.
Food manufacturers using pecan nuts in their food products can
expect a hike in price as recent hurricanes in the US destroy
nearly half the crops in major producing states.
Russian agricultural processing giant Razguliay is to create a new
holding company called Kubani Ris, which will process 83 per cent
of all the rice grown in Russia and help the company clamp down on
illegal rice production at the...
Changes to the new food code in Australia and New Zealand are
underway as the food agency for the two countries calls for comment
from industry, government and consumers on a raft of fresh
proposals.
Evidence backing the health promoting benefits of chocolate
continues to mount, bringing dynamism to slacking sales, reports
Lindsey Partos. Researchers from Spain have discovered that
polyphenols found in cocoa extract influence...
A fall in bread consumption in the US impacts sales for food enzyme
leader Novozymes in the third quarter with the Danish firm
reporting a 7 per cent fall in sales for this segment to DKK373
million (€50 million) this year from DKK399...
Fonterra intends to make an off market takeover offer for all of
the shares of National Foods Limited [NFD] in a bid to open up the
lucrative Asian food and beverage market, writes Anthony
Fletcher.
The world's number one caramel colour supplier DD Williamson is
driving deeper into the Nordic countries, signing a deal with
Swedish food distibutor Norfoods to build growth in the
increasingly mature caramel colour market.
Europe tackles levels of cadmium contaminated foods, particularly
in children, finding that cereals and vegetables contribute two
thirds of the consumption of this toxic heavy metal that can cause
kidney disease.
GM starch and corn oil are cleared for use in European food
formulations after Brussels gives the green light on a genetically
modified maize line from US biotech giant Monsanto, reports
Lindsey Partos.
Squeezed margins from 'fierce competition' have hit profits at
Swedish oils and fats firm Karlshamns, which this week announced
job cuts in the context of a cost saving programme.
Kellogg reported a solid 7 percent increase in its earnings for the
third quarter with the North America region also putting up a
strong performance thanks to the successful introdution of new
product lines.
Investigations into the benefits of a low calorie diet have led
scientists to pinpoint the gene responsible for an increase in life
span in flies on a calorie-restricted diet, paving the way to
further elucidate the health and longevity...
United International Enterprises Limited (UIE), the majority
stakeholder in vegetable oil firm Aarhus United, confirms it will
sell its considerable stake in the Danish firm, due to be divested
by January 2005.
Individuals, health officials and the food industry must act now to
halt the alarming proportion of low-income Asian and Pacific
Islander children in California becoming overweight, if the figures
of study published last week are...
In line with growing consumer demand for organic products, Butter
Buds Food Ingredients has introduced a certified organic line of
natural butter, cream and cheese concentrates.
Food makers will be encouraged to use green and black tea in their
food formulations as science builds a picture of the possible
health benefits, most recently that they could improve memory.
United International Enterprises Limited (UIE), the majority
stakeholder in vegetable oil firm Aarhus United, confirms it will
sell its considerable stake in the Danish firm, due to be divested
by January 2005.
Number two cultures player Danisco will ramp up production of
frozen pelletised cultures clearing a €7 million investment to
expand facilities in Niebull, Germany.
The US election has been dominated by Iraq and fears over
international terrorism, but whoever wins next Tuesday will also
have to deal with pressing domestic issues such as improving food
production and safety. Anthony Fletcher reports.
Bolt-on acquisitions move ambitious Israeli flavours firm Frutarom
a step closer to its ambitions to reach the top ten flavour club
with the firm closing down on the purchase of IFF's fruit
preparations business in Europe.
Stronger flavoured onions could be better cancer-fighting foods
than their mild-flavoured cousins, find researchers in the US that
analysed an array of common varieties.
Brazil's main association of soybean crushers and exporters last
week warned farmers and co-operatives of the importance of
honouring forward contracts, according to media reports last week.
The FDA published this week the final 2004 Produce Safety Action
Plan aimed at minimizing the number of foodborne illnesses that are
contracted each year through the consumption of fresh produce.
After a slightly slow start to the year, the confectionery group
Hershey Foods, saw sales rise and the gross margin expand in the
third quarter, despite rising commodity costs.
Health promoting compounds found in honey could make this
ingredient a more attractive option for food makers currently using
bulk sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup, say scientists in
the US, and looking to jump on board...
Health-promoting compounds found in honey could make this
ingredient a more attractive option for food makers currently using
bulk sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup and looking to
jump on board the growing health foods trend,...
An international task force meeting in Brazil last week under the
aegis of Codex Alimentarius, the global food standards body,
cleared a decision after difficult discussions on defining the
identity of reconstituted orange juice.
Japanese researchers explain how herbs and spices can cover the
odour of rotten food, finding that these foodstuffs seem to
activate an area in the brain's olfactory bulb that is similar to
that signalled by the smell of rotten...
Novis, now with almost half a million readers, yesterday earned
broad industry recognition with two further publishing awards,
following on from its best publication prize earlier this year.
A popular food oil used extensively in food formulations is the
latest product-type to be pulled from the UK supermarket shelves as
the country's food watchdog identifies the illegal carcinogen Sudan
IV in a batch of palm oil...
Spanish nutritional oils company Genosa I+D has launched an olive
oil-based product, enriched with fish oil and antioxidants, to give
it an ideal balance of fatty acids.
British flavours firm Synergy Flavours is bringing a new organic
vanilla extract to market, locking in suppliers from Madagascar to
help guarantee the source of a product rooted in a vulnerable
global crop.
An international task force meeting in Brazil last week under the
aegis of Codex Alimentarius, the global food standards body, clears
a decision after difficult discussions on defining the identity of
reconstituted orange juice.
European bakery ingredients leader CSM will chip away at its German
subsidiary as the firm announces job cuts and restructuring efforts
to bring about savings and underline its focus on becoming an
international bakery supplies player.
Corn Products International has announced improved sales and
improved earning for the first nine months of 2004, though as the
company had previously forecast, the second half of the year is
proving more challenging.
Fonterra has built a new processing plant in New Zealand as part of
its strategy to move its dairy business away from commodification
and towards producing more value-added products.
Hopes are pinned on a road map for food science of the future as a
food industry group in the UK sees the potential shortage of food
scientists as a 'timebomb' threatening the largest single
manufacturing sector in the country.
Colors and flavors group Sensient Technologies this week reported
an increase in earnings for the third quarter of 2004, a welcome
result after a drop in profit in the first six months of this year.
Japanese functional food company Yakult will next month launch a
new fermented drink designed to lower blood pressure on its home
market, according to a report.
Soy is unlikely to damage fertility in women, report researchers,
who investigated the theory that its positive impact on breast
cancer risk may have other, unwanted effects.