Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - Europe US edition

Corn borer epidemic spurs GM growth in France

Plantations of GM corn in France in increased more than tenfold between 2005 and 2006, according to growers' association AGPM, as the European corn borer population thrived.

Industry heavyweights push GDA labels in France

Big hitters in the food industry, including Danone, Unilever, Nestle and Coca-Cola, have announced they plan to roll out a nutrition labelling system based on Guideline Daily Amounts in France.

Added benefits drive growth for Symrise flavours and nutrition

German fragrance and flavours group Symrise saw a strong increase in sales and profits for its Flavours and Nutrition Division in full year 2006, largely attributed to innovations like its 'and' range of products.

ARS develops steps to retain bioactives in food samples

Scientists in the US have developed a set of procedures for the extraction, preparation and preservation of food samples to be analysed for their nutrient content, in order to reduce the impact of these processes on the bioactives to be measured.

Lactalis promises innovation with Croatian acquisition

Safety and innovation were on the agenda this week, when the head of French dairy group Lactalis met with the Croatian vice president to discuss the company's plans for rejuvenating the country's dairy sector.

Vitiva extends pate shelf-life with SyneRox formulation

Slovenian plant extract supplier Vitiva is extending its line of SyneRox 4 rosemary-based ingredients with an oil-based formulation aimed at extending the shelf life of high-fat meat products such as chilled pâtés.

Tate & Lyle teams up with Eridania for Italian sugar supply

Tate & Lyle and Italian sugar producer Eridania Sadam have formed a joint venture for the marketing and sales of all sugar products to the Italian market, seen as an important step in developing new sugar markets following EU sugar reform.

Beef-fertility study seeks to raise awareness of chemicals in meat

A study from the US has raised the hackles of the meat industry by reporting a link between male fertility and their mother's high beef consumption during pregnancy - an observation researchers say may be down to growth hormones and other chemicals in beef.

New enzymes help distillers cut costs

Alcoholic drinks makers could benefit from a new range of enzymes that claim to increase production at the same times as significantly reducing operating costs.

Another Indian company moves in on sucralose

An Indian pharmaceutical firm has completed a new sucralose facility and is ready to begin production of the popular sweetener, using what it claims to be a non patent-infringing process.

Researchers develop new nut allergen test

A research laboratory has developed new tests that enable processors to identify pine nuts and chestnuts in food, which could help protect consumers with allergies.

Frutarom buys Belmay, becomes UK flavour leader

Frutarom has signed an agreement to acquire flavours firm Belmay - a strategic move said to position it as the leader in UK flavours and bolster its global position in the market.

FSA launches saturated fat consultation

The UK's Food Standards Agency has launched a three-month consultation on ways to reduce saturated fat in the diet and make healthy eating easier.

Super Gum 'wows' as delivery system for food

The modified gum arabic product 'Super Gum' could stabilise water-in-oil-in-water emulsions, opening up opportunities for fat reduction and novel encapsulation, researchers from New Zealand have reported.

Givaudan forges agreement to build healthy TasteSolutions

Flavours giant Givaudan has entered into a research and licensing agreement with taste technology developer Redpoint Bio Corp, which is expected to build the company's TasteSolutions programme for health and wellness.

Organic kiwis healthier than non-organic?

The nutritional profile of kiwi fruit grown organically is healthier than conventionally grown fruit, American researchers have reported.

DSM talks vitamin quality with Quali-C brand

DSM Nutritional Products is emphasising quality as the crucial point of differentiation between the vitamin C it produces in the green hills of Scotland - now known as Quali-C - and cheaper material from Asia.

Expanding EU offers growth opportunities to food makers

Consumers in countries that have recently joined the EU are adopting Western tastes and eating habits, and could represent new growth opportunities for Western European and US food companies, says a new Euromonitor International report.

Sweetener study shows no cancer link in humans

An epidemiological study in Italy concluded that there is no indication of an association between sweetener consumption and cancer risk - findings that lend some support to EFSA's conclusions on the safety of aspartame.

FAO builds presence in Eastern Europe

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is expanding its presence in Hungary with the establishment of two new offices and a deal with the government to contribute to projects of safety, rural development and long-term goals.

EFSAs GM maize assessment to take several weeks

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is consulting with EU member states to ascertain whether further data are available to help it with its renewed assessment of Monsanto's GM maize MON 863; its evaluation, based on this input and the work of its GMO panel, is expected to take several weeks.

How processors are coping with trans fat changes

A survey of three large food manufacturers have found that they were among those who moved fast to change their processing methods and ingredients to offset the consumer and regulatory backlash against trans-fatty acids.

Codex labelling committee to discuss GM, organics

The agenda for the 35th meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling includes items on two of the most emotive issues for consumers and industry - genetically modified foods and organic foods.

Weekly Comment

Swallow your tongue

Fluffy language is increasingly clogging up the information air passages, and the food and drink industry must accept blame like everyone else.

Citrus pigment waste could offer cheap sweeteners for industry

Researchers in Italy have developed a process to produce high purity sugars from citrus processing waste that could offer natural and inexpensive sweeteners for the food and beverage industries.

Watermelon juice may be novel amino acid source

Watermelon juice may provide a novel source of the essential amino acid arginine, says a new study that shows the juice is a rich source of its metabolic precursor.

Danisco breakthrough could boost cultures' resistance

Scientists from Danisco have identified peculiar regions of a starter culture's genome that allow the bacteria to be resistant to infections by bacteriophages (bacterial viruses).

EC must push for nutritional labelling

The European Commission must accelerate the push for nutritional labelling without stifling innovation, said Robert Madelin, director of the EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity & Health.

Real progress in salt reduction, claims PepsiCo

'Real progress' has been made in achieving meaningful reductions in salt, according to PepsiCo UK's president.

Tate & Lyle launches 4m R&D centre

Tate & Lyle has announced a €4m investment to establish a Wellness & Nutrition Centre in Lille, France.

Are peanuts OK for pregnant women?

New scientific research suggests that most women who follow general medical precautionary advice and avoid peanuts when pregnant may be doing so unnecessarily.

Novozymes recognised for sustainable practices

Novozymes has been recognised by the United Nations for its efforts to further integrate sustainability into its business.

Folic acid fortification could be safely doubled, says study

With the impending introduction of folic acid fortification in Ireland and the UK, a new study reports that double the US level of folic acid can safely be used in flour.

Monsanto and BASF sign R&D agreement

Monsanto and BASF have entered into an R&D agreement that aims to pool the companies' resources.

Wild develops 'natural' blue colour

Wild has developed a blue colour from nature that it claims is ideal for confectionery applications.

Frutarom flavour focus yields strong results

Frutarom has reported another year of progress with its fast growth strategy, as it continues to snap up acquisitions to bolster its flavours and fine ingredients divisions.

Changing consumer trends driving polyol growth

The increasing demand for low-calorie foods is expanding the application base for polyols, according to a new report.

Danisco on track after structural change

Danisco recorded revenue of DKK 15,220 million in the first three quarters of 2006/07, a period which saw significant structural change within the company.

Reducing coffee's acrylamide may also hit flavour, antioxidants

A study by the European Commission and Nestlé Product Technology reports that efforts to reduce the acrylamide content of coffee also negatively affect flavour and nutritional benefits.

ADM taps Eastern European sunflower seed demand

Ingredients firm Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is to consolidate its position in Eastern Europe's burgeoning market for sunflower seed by gaining control of a plant in the Ukraine.

Industry responds to fructose-obesity study

The Corn Refiners Association has responded to the recent research linking fructose consumption to obesity, stating that fructose cannot be related to high fructose corn syrup.

CIAA welcomes CAP proposals

Europe's food and drinks industry has welcomed the recent proposed regulatory simplifications made to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Sudzucker confirms 06/07 profit forecast

Sudzucker believes its confirmed profit forecast for FY 2006/7 underlines the group's relative strength within a tough trading environment.

Prosoy to offer 'hands-on' protein course

Prosoy has organised a three-day 'hands-on' course on applications for food proteins in Europe.

Goat's milk ice cream targets speciality market

Danisco has developed a new ice cream based on goat's milk, plugging the formulation as a means for companies to target the growing demand for speciality products.

UK organic food funding cuts criticised

The UK's Soil Association has criticised the government's decision to end funding for organic vegetable and potato trials by the end of March.

Weekly Comment

Rise and shine: the GM wake-up call

News that a variety of GM corn produced signs of liver and kidney toxicity in rats should be a wake-up call for better testing and more transparency from biotechs, if GMOs are to be accepted by increasingly sceptical consumers.

Bunge eyes edible oil sector consolidation

Bunge appears set to consolidate its position in the edible oils market in order to meet growing demand amongst Eastern European consumers and processors.

UK leads world in salt reduction, claims FDF

The UK food industry is leading the world in salt reduction, claims the country's Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Danisco launches Howaru for colds and flu

Danisco has developed a new formulation of probiotics called Howaru Protect, specifically targeted to reducing cold and 'flu symptoms, and is exploring its use by the food, supplements and pharmaceutical industries.

Dairy UK to host cheese summit

A special summit on cheese will be held in the UK early this summer, reflecting the category's growing importance for dairy industry earnings.

Raisio drops Russian potato business

Raisio executed an agreement yesterday on selling its Russian food potato business.

EU aflatoxin peanut project completed

A European project has reported success in controlling aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, a product that has seen its export value fall in recent years.

Wanted: Food business journalists

As it continues to expand, Decision News Media is currently seeking two new journalists to join its Food, Beverage, Nutrition and Cosmetics News Group in Montpellier, France.

Mechanism proposed for fructose syrup-obesity link

Scientists studying the effects of ingesting fructose syrup have reported a possible mechanism that may explain the alleged link between rising obesity and sweetened beverages.

EFSA publishes opinion on pesticide levels in food

EFSA has issued an opinion on the possible health risks from certain proposed residue levels of pesticides in food and feed.

Report tips top flavours for 2007

Ethnic flavours are expected to expand this year, together with an increased consumer demand for bigger, bolder tastes, according to a new flavours and ingredients report.

Cadbury to split drinks and confectionery businesses

Cadbury Schweppes has said it will separate its confectionery and US soft drinks businesses, sending ripples of speculation across the financial sector about the firm's motives.

Wild promotes taste receptor flavour technology

Wild claims to have developed flavour technology that improves the taste reception of artificially sweetened products.

EFSA to review Monsanto maize concerns

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has revealed that it will review the new data presented by French scientists that revealed toxicity concerns in rats fed the MON863 variety of GM maize from Monsanto.

Serious concerns raised over Monsanto GM maize variety

Monsanto's genetically modified maize MON863, authorised for human consumption since 2006, showed signs of liver and kidney toxicity in a rat study, raising concerns about its safety.

Australian food industry targets trans fat reduction

The Australian food industry has vowed to significantly reduce tran fats within its products by the end of the year, to meet increasing health concerns over their products.

Coffee price decline in February, says ICO

Coffee prices recorded a further downward correction in February but were still at higher levels than the average for 2006, according to the ICO.

CAP reform vital for health, claims group

A UK health pressure group has called on Europe to reform the CAP - for health reasons.

Food science recruits on the rise

One of Britain's top universities for food science says interest is growing in the subject, offering the industry hope of beating a severe shortage of recruits.

Palatinit eyes Russian sugar-free market

Palatinit is confident that further growth in the Russian sugar-free confectionery market will lead to new opportunities.

Danisco targets hydrogenation-free baking

A new emulsifier designed to ease the move towards hydrogenation-free baking has been launched.

Scientists develop palm-like oil from non-tropical plants

Using GM techniques to change the activity of a plant enzyme could convert unsaturated oils in the seeds of a temperate plant to the more saturated kind usually found in tropical plants like palm oil, new research suggests.

CP Kelco to overhaul business structure

Hydrocolloid firm CP Kelco has announced a complete overhaul of its business structure, in a move designed to boost its regional operations.

Research to develop organic processing standards

EU researchers will discuss ways to improve the safety and processing of organic and other "low-input" foods at an upcoming meeting in Stuttgart, Germany.

Weekly comment

GM: A healthy debate

The development of genetically modified crops to improve human health could be the golden ticket for advocates to persuade the wary public that GM is not a wholly nefarious idea after all. But will a new, healthy spin be enough to counter deep-rooted fears that genetic modification, by its very nature, poses an equal and opposite threat to human health?

Emulsion oil concentration affects flavour release - study

The release of flavour from food is dependent on the oil content of the emulsion, says new research from Canada that offer insights into better formulation and flavour.

Givaudan heralds cooling technology breakthrough

Givaudan explains why it believes its ImpaQ Cool range of ingredients represents a breakthrough in cooling ingredient technology.

'Robust' EU food sector set to profit in 2007

The uplift in European consumption is still threatened by input cost increases, though business has shown strong resilience, according to a major new trends survey.

Tate & Lyle confirms UK citric acid closure

Tate & Lyle will cease production of citric acid at is UK plant at the end of the month following the completion of an employee consultation process.

EFSA issues barley glucose allergenicity opinion

EFSA has issued an opinion on the production of glucose syrups from barley starch following a request from the EC.

Novozymes shareholders meeting pinpoints strengths

Novozymes' strengths and opportunities were outlined at yesterday's annual shareholders meeting.

Gloomy cocoa forecast as bad weather hits supply

The International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) has published its first cocoa forecast for 2006/07 in which global supply is expected to dip.

Managers under pressure due to higher input costs

Input and energy costs for such commodities as wheat, corn, and barley, will remain high on the list of pressures plant managers will face over the course of this year, according to a new forecast report by Standard & Poor's (S&P).

Danisco fears effects of proposed corporate tax

Danisco believes that a bill to change the Danish Corporation Tax Act would significantly affect the company's expansion strategy.

Royal Cosun extends ingredients operations

Bakery ingredients manufacturer Royal Cosun has added to its global businesses with the acquisition of supplier Atlanta Dethmers - allowing the Dutch company a bigger share of the ingredients market.

GM food industry eyes growth in the east

The growing commercialisation of GM crops could have significant benefits for the food industry in Eastern Europe over the coming decade.

Industry calls for action on biofueled price rises

The EU's food and drink industry yesterday called on the bloc's governments to take action on halting price rises for their supplies, as more crops are diverted for biofuel production.

Opinions on MSG safety updated

The 1997 Hohenheim consensus on the physiological effects and safety of monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been updated.

EFSA disputes key citrus canker study

EFSA believes that the findings of a recent US study on citrus canker are not supported by sound scientific evidence.

Novozymes targets Indian enzymes expansion

The announcement of Novozymes' plans to expand into India comes as a recent EU-India trade conference outlined the opportunities available.

Wild targets savoury market with umami flavour

A new taste modification platform from Wild Flavors claims to allow manufacturers of savoury goods to add the distinct umami flavor - and mouthfeel - to their products.

Tate & Lyle ANZ expands regional presence

Tate & Lyle's new Australasian subsidiary is set to assume responsibility from Danisco for the distribution of Krystar crystalline fructose in the region.

Breakthrough technology

Putting the designer into pectin

Recent breakthroughs have given us a better understanding of the functionalities of pectin, a high value food ingredient widely used as a gelling agent and stabiliser.

Trehalose best for improving aroma in dried fruit products?

Trehalose, a sugar found naturally in mushrooms, honey, lobster and shrimp, improves the aroma and quality of dried fruit ingredients, suggests a new study.

Human genes in rice spark new GM row

Genetically modified rice containing human genes has received preliminary approval in the US, sparking new concerns and fears on both sides of the Atlantic.

Baking sector responds to salt criticism

The UK's Federation of Bakers has responded to criticism that the sector has not done enough to meet food standard targets on salt reduction.

Retail sector pushes for self regulation

The retail sector is to show how it plans to direct consumers towards healthier lifestyles within the context of the EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health.

Kettle launches modern take on traditional crisp flavour

Premium crisp manufacturer Kettle Chips has launched a new variety of an old classic to tempt lovers of the traditional best-selling cheese & onion flavour.

FSA continues to drive traffic light labelling

A new TV ad designed to raise awareness of traffic light food labelling was launched yesterday in the UK.

EFSA publishes opinion on aflatoxin danger

Increasing the maximum levels of aflatoxins in certain nuts would have a minor effect on the risk to consumer health, according to EFSA.

Novozymes recognised for sustainable practices

Novozymes has been named among the 100 most sustainable corporations in the world for the second year running.

Enzymatic modification to boost vegetable protein gelling

Modifying vegetable protein with transglutaminase enzymes improves the gelling properties, claim German researchers - a result that may offer value-added solutions for a wide range of food products.

Weekly Comment

No excuses for illegal labour

There is no legitimate defence as to why some companies continue to use illegal labour. This isn't the vice trade, this is the food industry: no excuses.

Givaudan Quest acquisition finalised

Givaudan's acquisition of Quest International closed on Friday after regulatory approvals were obtained in both Europe and the US.

CNI launches functional, nutritional texturiser

A new 'nutritional texturiser' combining Acacia gum fibres and wheat fibres has been launched on both sides of the Atlantic.

Flavonoid-rich GM rice to boost antioxidant levels?

Rice genetically modified to have high flavonoid content has a 22 per cent higher antioxidant activity than untransformed rice, says a joint German-Indian study.

Gelatine handbook targets better understanding

A comprehensive work of reference on gelatine could help food makers make better use of an important but rather unfashionable ingredient.

Lactococcus strain may offer end to food allergies

Non-pathogenic gut bacteria, bioengineered to produce a compound that regulates immune response in the gut, may offer significant potential for beating food allergies, if results from an animal study can be translated to humans.

BASF announces changes to GM potato testing

BASF has announced that it proposes to conduct UK GM potato trials at a new location in Yorkshire instead of the previously intended site in Derbyshire.

Moisture-releasing ingredients may boost acceptance of other fish

Amid fears of falling fish stocks, adding moisture-releasing ingredients like diced vegetables or milk could boost acceptance of less desirable but abundant fish to consumers, suggests new research.

France tightens food and drink advert rules

All adverts for food and drink in France must now carry healthy eating messages or companies will face fines, under rules launched by the government (Thursday) to tackle obesity.

UK health bodies target unhealthy fats

Two leading UK health organisations want the food industry to radically reduce the amount of saturated fat used in its products and to eliminate trans fats altogether.

UK moves towards environmental food labelling

The UK has outlined its commitment to developing environmental labelling for food.

EU must wake up from 'GM food inertia'

When it comes to GM food, the EU needs to wake up from its political inertia, according to biotechnology pressure group EuropaBio.