Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - Europe

PAVA’s future starch sales negotiations to minimise financial risk

31-Oct-2008 - Russian grain processor PAVA says it is already in negotiations with major firms to supply products from its new grain fractionation plant, due to be up and running by 2010.

British Sugar certifies carbon footprint with new method

30-Oct-2008 - The UK’s British Sugar has become the first sugar company to use a new method to certify the carbon footprint of its granulated sugar.

BASF helps retailer with sustainable fruit and veg standards

30-Oct-2008 - BASF Crop Protection is developing a new set of criteria and standards for sustainable fruit and veg production for supermarket chain Rewe, which are intended to give sustainability assurances throughout the food chain, right through to consumers.

DP Supply invests in fat powder and creamer capacity

30-Oct-2008 - DP Supply is radically increasing its capacity for producing spray dried fat powders and vegetable-based creamers with the purchase of Nordmich’s plant in Beesten, Germany.

Ajinomoto confirms aspartame price increase for Europe

30-Oct-2008 - Ajinomoto Europe has announced a 15 per cent price increase for aspartame produced at its plant in Gravelines, France, just weeks after the US business made a similar announcement.

Indian food show reports record visitors

29-Oct-2008 - This month’s Food Ingredients India 2008 trade show in Mumbai received more than 3200 visitors over two days – 106 per cent more than last year, say the organisers.

News in brief

ADM makes cocoa management appointments

29-Oct-2008 - ADM Cocoa International has appointed Benoît Villers as its new director of chocolate, and Steven Laning as innovation and marketing director.

Food allergy programme a success, says FSA

29-Oct-2008 - The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) says that its Food Allergy and Intolerance Research Programme has directly influenced FSA policy concerning allergies, which has in turn informed manufacturers.

How chefs set standards for new food flavours

29-Oct-2008 - IFF's master chef talks through the process of establishing gold standards that new flavours aim to meet - from selection of the finest materials, to collaboration with the technical team.

Cocoa supply chain and sustainability headline African symposium

29-Oct-2008 - With sustainability a buzz word for today's confectionery makers, a symposium that kicked off in Ghana today will attempt to get to grips with current issues impacting sustainability in Africa's cocoa supply chain.

Symrise optimistic in face of financial crisis

28-Oct-2008 - German flavour and fragrance manufacturer Symrise remains confident of seeing growth for the remainder of this year and next, despite the financial downturn which is gripping the world markets.

Price-fixing in the food industry

28-Oct-2008 - Competition authorities are sniffing about the food industry for evidence of price-fixing activities. A partner at law firm Eversheds explains how cartels come about, and why food may be a fertile breeding ground.

Purac takes lactic acid message direct to consumers

28-Oct-2008 - Purac has launched an effort to assure consumers that lactic acid is a safe and natural ingredient, and dispel misconceptions about its origins and association with muscle stiffness.

Industry won’t ignore health for cheap food, says FDF

27-Oct-2008 - The food industry will keep up momentum on healthier products, despite economic gloom and consumer focus on price, says the head of the Food & Drink Federation.

Weekly comment

The hour of stevia is nigh

27-Oct-2008 - The course of true love never did run smooth. The same could be said of stevia’s road to regulatory approval as a food ingredient. One final concerted effort is needed to ensure approval of this hot ingredient.

Kids want to eat healthily, says survey

24-Oct-2008 - Children and teenagers in the UK are becoming increasingly conscious of the importance of healthy eating, according to data from TGI Youth.

Price tumble for cocoa aids confectioners

24-Oct-2008 - Prices for cocoa continue to tumble compounded by the global financial crisis, offering further relief in costs for confectioners.

Adapting to price volatility

24-Oct-2008 - Cargill Texturizing Solutions explains how the food industry must adapt to ongoing raw material price volatility, and what consolidation amongst manufacturers means for their suppliers.

Stevia potential bigger than we thought, PureCircle

23-Oct-2008 - PureCircle is reviewing its operational strategy and development plans, as high purity Reb-A, derived from stevia, is attracting attention as a potential complement to sugar as well as a replacement for existing high intensity sweeteners (HIS).

Dispatches from SIAL

Confectionery ideas flourish at food design event

23-Oct-2008 - Continuing our focus on innovative product ideas showcased at this year's SIAL event in Paris, we present a round-up of new food designs yet to hit the market.

Grim Christmas prediction shows need for cheap treats

23-Oct-2008 - UK shoppers are expected to spend money on Christmas food, treats and presents but buy less due to high food inflation – a message that reinforces the need for product innovation in a tough economic environment.

News in brief

Groups launch campaign for better nursery food

22-Oct-2008 - A Soil Association and Organix report says a loophole that allows for UK nurseries to serve up poor quality and nutritionally void food to under-2s that is banned in establishments for older kids.

BakeMark launches butter-margarine baking blends on UK market

22-Oct-2008 - BakeMark UK has launched a range of baking fats containing a mix of butter and margarine designed specifically for use in cakes and pastries.

ADM makes cocoa liquors in Asia, for Asia

22-Oct-2008 - ADM has launched a new range of cocoa liquors for Asian chocolate-makers, which is said to leverage the characteristics of specific cocoa beans – including fine Papua New Guinean beans.