Commission regrets Parliament's blocking of nutrition claims revision

03-Feb-2012 - The European Commission said it strongly regrets the European Parliament’s decision yesterday to veto the ‘percentage less’ claims on foods, claiming its proposal, if backed, would have favoured industry efforts to reformulation.

Daily dose of diet soda may increase heart attack risk: Study

02-Feb-2012 - People who drink diet soft drinks could be at an increased risk of suffering from heart attacks or stroke, according to new research findings.

UK ad watchdog dismisses complaint against Kellogg

01-Feb-2012 - The UK advertising watchdog has ruled in favour of breakfast cereal giant Kellogg’s in relation to a complaint that a TV advert for a cereal was misleading in relation to its nutritional content.

MEPs vote against amended nutrition claims, food sector rallies

31-Jan-2012 - MEPs have rejected the revised nutrition claims list recently adopted by the European Commission, a move which could be detrimental for reformulation efforts in the food sector says a trade body.

Animal fat and cholesterol may increase gestational diabetes risk: Study

27-Jan-2012 - A pre-pregnancy diet that is high in animal fat and cholesterol could almost double the risk of pregnancy related diabetes, says new research.

‘Cheese makes you chubby’ New York billboards scream

20-Jan-2012 - The US-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has taken shock tactics to consumers by posting two huge billboards in New York warning of what it claims are the obesity-related dangers of eating cheese.

Danish meat group claims 'fat tax' violates EU law

20-Jan-2012 - A Danish meat lobby group is suing the Danish government over the country’s recently introduced 'fat tax' on foods, claiming the levy fails to comply with EU legislation.

End to soft drink ‘parity pricing’ could help ease obesity epidemic: expert

17-Jan-2012 - A UK expert claims that a suggested 10% tax on sugar-sweetened soft drinks in the UK would be an ineffective means of tackling a rising obesity epidemic, but that an industry-led end to ‘pricing parity’ between sugared and sugar-free soft drinks could have a positive effect.

Low fat mayo - soy milk and gums could be the answer say Iranian researchers

16-Jan-2012 - Soy milk can act as an egg yolk substitute in low-cholesterol low-fat mayonnaise, finds new research from Iran.

FrieslandCampina told to remove healthy foods logo from pack

13-Jan-2012 - Dutch dairy manufacturer FrieslandCampina has been cautioned about the use of a healthy foods logo from packs of its reduced fat ham and cheese.

Better knowledge of natural sugars could lead to ‘designer sweeteners’, say researchers

04-Jan-2012 - Better defining the relationship between chemical structure and digestibility of under-used natural sugars could help industry to produce a new generation of “designer” sweeteners, say researchers.

Calories alone, not protein, responsible for body fat increases, says research

04-Jan-2012 - Calorie consumption alone is responsible for increase in body fat, whilst protein intake may contribute to changes in energy expenditure, according to new research.

Trans fats and nutrient intake linked to Alzheimer’s brain shrinkage

02-Jan-2012 - Consumption of ‘junk food diets’ containing high levels of trans fats may lead to brain shrinkage associated with Alzheimer’s, whilst consumption of foods high in vitamins may offer protection, says new research.

Preference for salt may begin in the cradle, scientists warn

22-Dec-2011 - Early dietary exposure to foods containing added salt shapes a greater preference for salty tastes throughout infancy and childhood, suggests a new study.

CCE catches Olympic fever but French soda tax dampens spirits

20-Dec-2011 - Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) says it is focusing on the London 2012 Olympics to spur sales, but admits that any French soda tax could lead to retail price rises there of around 10 per cent.

Exclusive interview

Beneo board: “Let us not forget that functional food responds to a clear demand of the consumer”

20-Dec-2011 - In the first part of this exclusive interview, Beneo Group executive board member, Yves Servotte, explains how European Union health claim rules have informed strategic thinking at one of Europe’s biggest and most vocal ingredient vendors.

UK food industry comes together to answer big questions in salt reduction

19-Dec-2011 - Leading members of the UK food industry have announced a partnership to fund and deliver a new comprehensive report on reformulation and sodium reduction methods.

Leatherhead cites category overlap as ‘overriding’ soft drinks trend

19-Dec-2011 - There is an overriding trend within the world soft drinks market towards an overlap between categories, while economic unrest is expected to consolidate a trend towards cheaper products, according to Leatherhead Food Research.

Special Edition: Stevia

Getting a handle on flavour, bulking and bitter blocker systems key to stevia formulation

22-Nov-2011 - In-depth understanding of how stevia works with different flavour systems, bulking agents, and other ingredients is required to optimise NPD or reformulation of existing food and drinks using the natural sweetener.

Create Flavours pioneers fruit flavours with low-fat dairy affinity

17-Nov-2011 - UK company Create Flavours has spent a year working on an in-house research project to develop a new fruit flavours range with increased acceptability in low-fat dairy products.

More fibre, not less sat fat, may be key for metabolic syndrome: Study

15-Nov-2011 - A diet high in fibre – but not necessarily one low in saturated fat or cholesterol – is associated with lower risks of heart disease and type-2 diabetes in teenagers, according to new findings.

Euromonitor: CLA is a “key” to future of weight management market

07-Nov-2011 - Market analyst Euromonitor has produced a global weight management report that predicts an ongoing prevalence of reduced-calorie foods in the category but highlights conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as a nutrient with a “key” role to play.

‘Cost-saving’ dairy bulking agent for chocolate and bakery to go global

04-Nov-2011 - Arla Foods Ingredients has announced that a dairy bulking agent for chocolate and bakery formulation that it said offers cost savings on sweet whey powder (SWP) is set for global roll-out in 2012.

Tate & Lyle signs agreement for salt reduction technology

31-Oct-2011 - Tate & Lyle has announced an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Eminate Ltd for its novel salt reduction technology Soda-Lo.