Biotech firm Lycotec has developed an ingredient that it claims can harness the health potential in both dark and milk chocolate and lead to products with anti-ageing, injury recovery and increased physical performance properties.
Visits to US restaurants and other foodservice outlets rose by 1% in the first quarter (January, February, and March) of 2012 compared with the first quarter of 2011, the strongest growth since spring 2008, according to NPD Group.
From smoky flavors to healthful spices, 'hot & spicy' is one of the hottest culinary trends this year, according to a new report by Packaged Facts and CCD Innovation.
The coffee pod revolution is here to stay in the US, and the expiry of patents relating to Green Mountain’s coffee pods next year could even cut prices further and strengthen its grip.
California-based dairy producers have called for an increase in the price paid to them for raw milk by cheese processors, in an effort to collect a greater share of the market value of whey protein.
PepsiCo has refuted claims that it allows police to snoop on drug gangs in Mexico after a spate of arson attacks on distribution centres and delivery vehicles transporting its Sabritas snacks brand.
Flavors and colors specialist Flavorchem Corporation has introduced a new line of Hispanic-inspired flavors for yogurts and other dairy products to tap into growing demand for more authentic tastes and aromas.
Californian juice maker POM Wonderful has expanded its presence in the industrial ingredients market with the launch of a new 100% Pomegranate Juice Concentrate for use in foods, beverages, supplements and cosmetics.
May has proved a mixed bag for the nation’s food manufacturers, many of whom were still reeling from last month’s probe into ‘toxic’ sugar on 60-Minutes when HBO’s Weight of the Nation hit screens on May 14.
As it races to become a mobile marketing ‘pioneer’, Coke has signed a deal that will see QR codes serviced by US firm Scanlife’s platform printed onto all Spanish Coke Classic and Coke Zero cans.
ConAgra has reverted back to using high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in its Hunt’s ketchup less than two years after replacing the much-maligned sweetener with sugar.
Clarisoy, the ‘invisible’ soy protein developed by Burcon NutraScience and commercialized by ADM, is attracting interest from everyone from “top-tier multinational companies to niche regional fruit juice companies”, says ADM.
High pressure processing (HPP) is emerging as a powerful weapon in the fight to reduce sodium, enabling formulators to eliminate or cut sodium-containing preservatives in prepared foods and clean up product labels, claims one expert.
At-home preparation of Mexican food is on the up in the United States, mirroring restaurant trends, where Mexican food is growing faster than any other segment, according to Bell Flavors and Fragrances.
Firms sourcing sucralose from China are struggling to secure supplies owing to a combination of factors including rising demand as sugar prices rise, electricity shortages in southern China and tighter enforcement of environmental legislation, FoodNavigator-USA...
Social media use is increasing, and that could be good news for manufacturers of branded products, as frequent social media users tend to be more loyal to name brands, according to new research from the NPD Group.
POM Wonderful has gone on the offensive following a ruling on its legal battle with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from an administrative law judge (ALJ) with a bold series of new ads selectively quoting from his 335-page initial decision.
While consumer concerns about fats appear to have waned somewhat, the percentage of Americans blaming sugars for their expanding waistlines has almost doubled since last year, according to new research.
Israeli lycopene expert LycoRed says it has seen a surge in demand for its tomato-based natural color Tomat-O-Red as a growing number of manufacturers follow Starbucks’ lead and seek a replacement for bug-derived colorant carmine.
Brands are often keen to portray themselves as one of the family – but could subtle differences in linguistic intimacy make some potential customers feel uncomfortable?
Confectioners face big rewards by tapping into market potential in Mexico, but will face “oblivion” if they fail to address growing health concerns, according to an analyst.
Monk fruit extract may be set to become a mainstream natural sweetener alongside stevia, but price remains a barrier, according to a Euromonitor industry analyst.
A consecutive deficit in 2012/13 is set to move cocoa prices higher as supply struggles to meet rising demand for chocolate products in Asia, according to financial services group Rabobank.
Innova has developed a new low-sodium hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), which it claims solves a riddle that has plagued food scientists for decades – how to create a low-sodium HVP without relying on potassium chloride.
Many Americans claim that the reason they choose less healthy foods is because it costs more to eat healthily, but a new analysis from the Department of Agriculture claims that healthier foods are actually cheaper than junk foods – it all depends on how...
General Mills sees great potential for its snacks and cereals segments outside North America as population growth in emerging markets looks set to soar.
Belgian firm Nutrilab NV is preparing to introduce low-calorie, low glycemic bulk sweetener Tagatose to North and South America later this year, six years after dairy giant Arla Foods pulled the plug on the ingredient claiming it was not commercially...
US consumers are beginning to spend more on groceries – but are still looking for ways to maximize their spending at the supermarket, according to a new research report from MaxPoint Interactive.
Canada-based refinery NovaGreen has announced plans to produce sugar substitute xylitol over the next two years to supply confectioners in North America.
US consumers now drink around 142,000 bottles of Yakult's probiotic fermented dairy drink a day, 24% more than they were gulping down this time last year.*
Alcoholic beverage brands increasingly are looking to connect with Millenials via social networks, as younger members of the demographic begin to celebrate their 21st birthdays.
The ever-growing popularity of ‘better-for-you’ organic and functional food is set to drive US dairy sector sales in 2012, according to an industry trends report.
Global cereal giant, Kellogg’s is investing in a ‘significant’ revamp of its 106-year-old brand in a bid to resonate better with today’s tech savvy consumers, but analysts say it won’t be anything significant.
PepsiCo says it is ‘reviewing’ the Public Health Advocacy Institute’s letter to the US Federal Trade Commission, attacking the firm for claiming that Gatorade helped basketball star Michael Jordan win a key match whilst ill, and asking whether film had...
The US market for in-store bakeries is rising year-on-year with no decrease forecast, according to a report from the International Dairy, Deli and Bakery Association (IDDBA).
The Coca-Cola Company is poised to test its own mid-calorie sodas in the US using Sprite and Fanta using natural sweeteners including Cargill's stevia brand, hot on the heels of PepsiCo’s mid-calorie cola launch Pepsi NEXT.
Dispatches from the 6th Annual Food Technology & Innovation Forum, 2012, Chicago
Wild Flavors is in advanced negotiations with leading food and beverage firms about using a novel milk-based digestive health ingredient claimed to help maintain and repair the lining of the gut wall.
Dispatches from the 6th Annual Food Technology & Innovation Forum, 2012, Chicago
Nine out of 10 customers using potassium-chloride-based salt replacers from Nu-Tek Salt are now reducing sodium by stealth to avoid antagonizing shoppers, says the Minnesota-based firm.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has predicted a record corn harvest in 2012-13, potentially easing cost pressures on food manufacturers by the end of the calendar year.
US beer consumers sprung a crafty surprise in an influential 2012 research poll by Harris Interactive, reporting higher satisfaction levels with smaller craft brands and below average scores for mainstream beers such as Budweiser and Coors.
Dispatches from the 6th Annual Food Technology & Innovation Forum, 2012, Chicago
If you didn’t make it to Chicago for the Food Technology and Innovation Forum last week – or were too busy speed-dating with suppliers in the exhibition hall to attend the conference - we’ve rounded up some of the best bits…
The National Consumers League (NCL) has filed a formal complaint with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the NuVal on-shelf nutrition rating system – and urged the agency to standardize nutrition rating schemes.
The proportion of Americans who say they would like extra on-pack information about their food has increased over the past two years, according to new poll results from the International Food Information Council (IFIC).
Ultima Foods has signalled its intention to “solidify” its leadership of the Canadian dairy industry through a double edged agreement that will see it continue to produce Yoplait brand yogurt and launch of its own brand of yogurt products.
US processor Dean Foods has reported 'stronger than forecasted' results for the first quarter of 2012 – citing the declining price of raw milk and solid growth across its segments as defining factors.
Demand for cocoa is expected to climb 30% in the next 10 years creating a 25% shortage of current supply, according to North American cocoa processor and chocolate ingredients supplier Blommer Chocolate Company.
Red Bull is launching a new variant of its eponymous energy drink with no calories, sugar or carbohydrates, adding to a limited product portfolio that analysts had identified as a weakness.
