Researchers at Germany's Fraunhofer IME are close to commercialising an inexpensive detector that they claim could save wine producers significant amounts of money and time by detecting 'bad' yeasts within grape must, as Cecilia Diaz from...
International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) is developing a line of culinary herb flavors to respond to demand for fresh flavors, and a line of mushroom flavors to help manufacturers build a complete savory profile, according to Kevin McDermott, executive...
Smoke flavors are becoming increasingly popular, leaving traditional bacon in their dust, according to an expert at Wild Flavors - although he still thinks that pork products taste (almost literally) divine.
Halal consumers spend $20bn on food in the United States each year but few manufacturers are tapping into this affluent market segment, according to director of halal market development at IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America) Asma Ahad.
US authorities are yet to establish regulations relating to third-party food plant auditors – six months after the start of an outbreak later attributed to lacklustre third-party inspection practices.
A new global survey of food manufacturers found that most (98%) are confident about their food safety performance - but 70% of consumers aren't convinced. FoodNavigator-USA spoke to Hank Lambert, general manager of food and water at UL, which commissioned...
As the global food system has become more complex, food manufacturers are looking for ways to harmonize safety standards. Cargills Mike Robach, a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) board member, tells FoodNavigator-USA about what's driving the...
Dispatches from Feeding the World conference in Geneva
How to tackle obesity and hunger remains a two-pronged challenge for the agri-food industry, but increasing crop yield is not the answer - instead the focus should be on boosting the nutritional value of crops, claims a sustainable food systems activist.
From nature to the laboratory to supermarket shelves, FoodNavigator-USA takes a journey behind the scenes of flavor development. IFF flavorist Rich Dandrea tells us about his 20-year career in the industry.
Reflecting on a successful last year in research terms, US Dairy Research Institute (DRI) president Gregory Miller told Dairy Reporter.com about the key challenges facing the industry in 2012.
Companies should be concerned about their environmental sustainability - but it has more to do with ensuring profitability than it does with saving the planet, according to president of Bluehorse Associates Sara Pax.
Cargill is looking beyond beverage to dairy as it flags up pending product launches for Truvia in both table-top and as an ingredient on the EU market next year.
Special edition: Dealing with higher commodity costs
“I think it’s safe to say that inflationary pressures have reached their worst,” claims research economist Ricky Volpe of the USDA’s Economic Research Service, in an interview with FoodNavigator-USA.
Retailer and consumer demand for more sustainable practices is one factor driving Campbell Soup Company's development of major solar power generation projects in California and Ohio, according to the company's vice president of infrastructure...
Food manufacturers continue to seek ways to cut sodium without sacrificing flavor - and ingredients companies continue to find innovative solutions. Caroline Scott-Thomas tracked down some interesting offerings at IFT.
Univar Food Ingredients has developed an interactive formulation tool, bringing together trend data, technical expertise and case studies to help food manufacturers in effective new product development.
The stevia industry has not yet lived up to expectations - but it will, as more companies and consumers look to the sweetener as the answer to many American health problems, claims president and CEO of SweetLeaf Jim May.
Researchers developing new meat products grown from stem cells say that the first products, which should be ready within the next year, could begin a movement to more sustainable meat production.
General Mills is throwing more and more resources behind an ‘intellectual outsourcing’ project that has significantly reduced its product fail rate. But gaining the trust of start-ups has not been easy, says Kamel Chida, associate director of its Worldwide...
The food industry is equipped to achieve realistic sodium reduction goals, but formulators must think about sodium not salt to have a greater likelihood of success, says Cargill’s salt application leader.
There are numerous ways for food manufacturers to take advantage of trendy Greek yogurt, says Sharon Gerdes, a senior account manager at the US Dairy Export Council.
Egg replacement is an up and coming trend for food manufacturers – for food safety and improved functionality – as well as to cut costs, according to Harmony Villemin, a project manager with Ingredia Group.
The Interpack trade show currently being held in the German city of Dusseldorf is a truly global event that has attracted around 2,700 exhibitors from 60 countries.
Why do so many ‘functional’ foods fail? Sometimes, it’s just bad luck or bad timing, but in most cases, manufacturers only have themselves to blame, product development guru Mark Crowell tells Elaine Watson at SupplySide East.
The non-GMO symbol is a useful reference point for consumers, many of whom still have gaps in their knowledge of genetically modified (GM) foods, according to natural and organic food companies.
Reformulation is not the only route to healthier foods and beverages, as manufacturers increasingly are seeking to build healthy products from the ground up, according to a research chef at IFF.
Is it possible for a food to be healthy and indulgent at the same time? FoodNavigator-USA asked exhibitors at the recent Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California.
Americans need to shift the way they think about protein and consume it in small amounts throughout the day rather than in one large meal, says marketing coordinator for Fonterra USA Teresa Polli.
Tea is the most popular beverage worldwide after water but only ranks seventh in the United States, presenting a huge opportunity for beverage manufacturers, according to founder and president of World Tea Media George Jage.
Younger and older consumer groups may be interested in gaining similar benefits from functional food ingredients but products should address them in different ways, says president and co-founder of Integrated Marketing Group, Jeff Hilton.
Corn Products International is probably best known for its corn sweeteners, but its approach to stevia has altered significantly over the past few years.
Latin food trends are beginning to expand into geographies that have only featured marginally in the United States in the past, with Venezuelan, Colombian and Peruvian flavors coming to the fore, according to Joe Scott at Symrise.
Communication between industry, government and health organizations, and consumer nutritional education are crucial to ensuring that all Americans get adequate nutrition, according to Dr. Deshanie Rai, senior scientific leader at DSM.
Consumers are not as adventurous when it comes to flavors as most food product developers would like to think, according to Kim Holman, director of marketing at Wixon.
Food and beverage product developers spend a shockingly low amount of time examining how texture may impact a finished product, according to TIC Gums' vice president of research and development Matthew Patrick.
The improving economy, an East Coast location, and a tie-in to consumer drivers with a keynote speaker from the Food Network's test kitchens boosted this year's Research Chefs Association conference and expo, says RCA president Janet Carver.
Special Edition: 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The latest version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans includes a new focus on the importance of total diet. FoodNavigator-USA spoke to Cynthia Harriman of Oldways to get the perspective of the organization behind the Mediterranean diet pyramid.
Reducing salt in food products is a key challenge for the industry, but reducing salt can impact consumer perceptions of taste and preference. Is it possible to maintain, or boost salt intensity and flavours, whilst reducing actual salt levels?
It started with beverages, but with intense work being carried out by the food industry on other applications for stevia sweeteners novel products are coming to market in the US, and in other global markets with regulatory approval - from yoghurts, to...
Nestle Prepared Foods Company is one of many food manufacturers to announce a bold sodium reduction strategy, recently pledging to slash sodium in its products by ten percent by 2015. The company's manager of marketing communications told FoodNavigator-USA...
The Coca-Cola Company has accelerated its launches of 'better for you' beverages in recent years but consumers often have conflicting preferences - how does Coca-Cola keep ahead of new trends?
Six weeks ago a Kansas State University nutrition professor started a calorie-controlled diet based on high-fat snacks. FoodNavigator-USA caught up with Mark Haub and found that he is doing remarkably well.
Consumers are no longer satisfied with drinks that cause energy to spike and rapidly drop - but manufacturers are looking at new ways to provide consumers with an energy boost, says Beneo's Claudia Meissner.
The IFT trade show is not just about business - it's about fostering the next generation of food professionals. University of Nebraska staff share their view on industry prospects and the value of IFT for students.
Americans are becoming increasingly interested in the food that's prepared in their own neighborhood - and as their palates become more sophisticated, flavor companies are responding with authentically local flavors.
The IFT trade show has ended for another year, but before they quit Chicago the FoodNavigator team gave a final round up of what caught their attention.
By Caroline Scott-Thomas, Jess Halliday and Mike Stones
FoodNavigator-USA's team on the ground at IFT in Chicago give their impressions of the trade show so far on award-winning innovations, new omega-3 and gluten-free ingredients, and great taste improvements in stevia sweeteners.
In an interview with FoodNavigator-USA.com, Dr. Luke Zhang explains why he thinks the future looks sweet for stevia - and for his company, GLG Life Tech, one of the world's major stevia suppliers.
