Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - Europe US edition

Vitiva reports strong growth on rosemary extracts

Extracts firm Vitiva has reported strong first quarter results on the back of an aggressive expansion strategy.

EC president digs heels over agriculture concessions

There is no reason for the EU to put more agricultural concessions on the table at the WTO, according to current EC president Josef Proll.

Phytosterols market set to continue growth

Sales of phytosterols in Europe are predicted to more than double by 2012, but companies need to turn consumer awareness into understanding and acceptance, says a new report from Frost and Sullivan.

Appetising advertising linked to obesity - study

Cambridge scientists have shown that the reward centres of some peoples' brains are more sensitive to appetising food cues, and may help explain compulsive eating disorders.

Quest develops deep freeze flavour technology

Quest has developed a unique freezing technology that it claims captures the essence of true-to-fruit flavours.

Could micronutrients be the future of diet design?

Planning diets around key micronutrients like amino acids could be the future of diet design and a way to help the fight against obesity, says research published in Science.

Strawberry technology boosts UK super fruit growth

The use of polytunnels has revolutionised soft fruit production in the UK, and the advantages vastly outweigh the drawbacks, according to the NFU.

Weekly Comment

Food industry must face its faults

The food industry must be honest if it is to convince consumers - and audiences - that it is not the corporate monster portrayed in the media.

Exotic sweet fruit concentrate gains GRAS status

A New Zealand product development company has announced that PureLo, the company's proprietary Luo Han fruit concentrate, has been affirmed as a GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) food ingredient.

Europe's biotech industry 'seriously underfunded'

The European biotechnology industry is chronically under-funded and is in danger of floundering, according to a report published today.

Scientists look at rapeseed proteins as novel ingredient

Using rapeseed proteins as ingredients in experimental sausages boosted taste and aroma of the finished product, as scientists continue the search for novel functional ingredients.

Scientists look to stabilise natural red food colour

Adding one per cent vitamin C to the natural red coloured betalains from the purple pitaya fruit boosted pigment stability, say German researchers, and could offer a viable alternative to red beets.

Fortitech invests in oil-soluble nutrient premixes

Fortitech Europe has begun a brand new production line for oil-soluble nutrient premixes for the food and beverage industries.

Academia links with private firm to develop fermentation methods

The University of Amsterdam is teaming up with a food research firm to boost its development of novel fermentation methods.

Healthy food shows further growth in UK

The average UK citizen spends £34.31 per week on food and drink and is increasingly spending this money on healthier foods, according to a recent Defra report.

Salt reduction

The politics and the science of salt reduction

The decision by Unilever to slash the salt content of its ubiquitous Pot Noodle snack underlines the current trend in the UK - but is this trend based on sound science or just political pressure?

Salt reduction

MacGregor: Why salt reduction is vital

Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at St George's University of London, tells FoodNavigator why the salt content of food must be reduced.

BASF expands crop biotech capabilities

BASF's acquisition of CropDesign, a Belgian biotech company, will help establish the German chemical giant as a leader in the development of important crop traits in corn, soy bean and rape seed.

Britvic's profits slump as consumers shun sugar

Soft drinks firm Britvic has issued a profit warning following a 32 per cent drop in first-half profit, as demand for sugary carbonates declines sharply.

Salt reduction

EuSalt: Why salt restrictions are not necessary

Robert Speiser, director of EuSalt, tells FoodNavigator why he strongly disputes the need for salt intake restriction guidelines.

Nestlé expands nutritious snack business

Nestlé is to strengthen its presence in the Australian nutritious snack market through the acquisition of the nation's Uncle Tobys snack business.

GM organic contamination stokes EU controversy

The threshold for the contamination of organic products with genetically modified organisms (GMO) was one of the most controversial issues discussed by EU agriculture ministers this week.

Glanbia turns whey into functional, nutritional emulsifier

Modification of whey protein concentrates with high phospholipid proportions could turn standard emulsifiers into functional health promoting ingredients, results that could have important implications for the food industry.

Culinar develops fat-reducing food flavour system

The demand for low-fat food has significant implications for the flavour industry, as Culinar technical manager Ian Olof Lundberg explained last week.

UK food ingredient analysis centre functional

Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) has reorganised several of its analytical services to create a specialist department dealing with functional ingredients.

FSA proposes new Sunset Yellow food colour standards

The UK's Food Standards Agency is seeking views and comments on proposed amendments to European colour regulations covering Sunset Yellow FCF (E 110) and Titanium Dioxide (E 171).

Cognis and WILD team up to innovate

Cognis and WILD are joining forces to form a powerhouse of food and beverage product innovation, combining Cognis' store of ingredients with Wild's formulation expertise.

Tate & Lyle sues over sucralose patent 'infringement'

Tate & Lyle has filed a suit in the US over an alleged infringement of its patented sucralose manufacturing technology.

Frutarom expansion drives sales growth

Israeli flavours giant Frutarom has attributed its solid 2006 first quarter results to an ambitious acquisition strategy.

Danisco technology taps low-fat ice cream demand

Danisco claims that ice cream with less than one per cent fat is possible thanks to new technology that prevents unwanted ice crystals from forming.

Weekly comment

Hacks v Lab-Rats: who's at fault for consumer confusion?

The relationship between journalist 'hack' and scientist 'lab-rat' must be developed if science is to get a fair deal in the press, and for consumers to be presented balanced and accurate science coverage.

ABF's African sugar offer shows global vision

ABF's offer to acquire 51 per cent of Illovo, Africa's largest sugar producer, underlines how the new EU sugar regime has forced European sugar producers to think truly globally.

New food laws must overcome scepticism, says lawyer

Following plans in Europe to harmonise health claims in food labelling, experts at Eversheds law firm claim any new rules will have to overcome historical scepticism to be truly effective.

FDF 'regrets' new English nutrition standards

New minimum nutrition standards for English school food, designed to ensure healthier eating, has resulted in the banning of certain products high in salt, fat and sugar.

UK committee needs more time for folate decision

The road to fortification of bakery products with folate in the UK looks less clear as the FSA's Scientific Advisory requested more time to review evidence on dosage, despite a positive preliminary report last month.

Cereal and snack focus

US snack food packaging set to grow

US demand for snack food packaging is projected to increase by 3.7 per cent per year to $5.6bn in 2010, according to a market researcher.

Cereal and snack focus

Roquette opens its doors to healthy snack ingredients

Roquette, a global leader in starches, has developed new ingredients designed to help snack makers tap the health trend, as FoodNavigator discovered on a visit to the group's headquarters in Lestrem, France.

Cereal and snack focus

Cereals and snacks at the forefront of the health revolution

Cereals and snacks are at the cutting edge of the healthy eating debate, as highlighted by this week's European Parliament Plenary vote and a high-level industry conference on meeting consumer demands.

Cereal and snack focus

Moroccan snack market ripe for expansion

Europe is beginning to take notice of the North African snack market, which is increasingly receptive to new products and ideas.

Cereal and snack focus

Limagrain invests in high-tech cereal breeding

Limagrain, which has invested heavily in research designed to breed healthier crops, believes that the future is bright for the cereals sector.

Organic food fraud sends shockwaves through sector

The Food Standards Agency's development of new testing methods for organic food follows allegations that some suppliers have been involved in fraud.

Danisco extends trans fat-free range to cake sector

Danisco's extension of its European trans-free fat solutions comes on the back of growing interest in the development of healthier snacks.

Unimills-Nizo partnership seeks to tap oil innovations

The European subsidiary of a Malaysian plantation giant is set to sign a four-year deal with Nizo food research in order to tap the latest innovations in vegetable oil.

Obesity a truly global problem, says FAO

Europeans are eating worse now than 45 years ago, but agriculture and the right farming policies can promote healthy diets, according to FAO economist Josef Schmidhuber.

Soy imports delayed as Argentina fights Monsanto over GM

Argentina's government joins a group of meat producers in Denmark in a court battle against Monsanto over genetically modified soy, one that has led to imported supplies being held up at the EU's ports.

Growth in tinned meals presents new prospects, report

A new report by Mintel reveals that the canned meat and beans market in the UK has gathered momentum in recent years, something that could present an opportunity as food firms spice up these traditional favourites.

Danisco ups production of frozen cultures

Number two cultures player Danisco has ramped up production of frozen pelletised cultures with a €7mn expansion of its facilities in Niebl, Germany.

Bird flu prevention hampered by poor international coordination

Measures to prevent avian influenza in poultry flocks could be compromised by lax management, poor international coordination, and a lack of funds, according to researchers.

CSM to put millions into US style bakery products

CSM is to invest almost €20m to expand production capacity for its American style bakery products, as the company continues its restructuring process after a disappointing 2005.

More fruit could mean less asthma in adults

People with an antioxidant-rich diet could reduce their risk of developing asthma in adulthood, say Cambridge researchers - adding to a growing body of science on the subject.

Simply change ingredients to reduce acrylamide, say researchers

Substitution of certain ingredients could reduce acrylamide content of finished products by as much as 70 per cent, say Swiss researchers.

Ajinomoto blames income drop on lysine prices

Ajinomoto has reported a 15 per cent drop in operating income on the back of falling prices of lysine, an important amino acid-based product.

Garlic, onions could protect against stomach cancer

Garlic and onions could help protect against stomach cancer, says a massive European-based study, but total fruit and vegetable intake has no benefit for this disease.

Recovery policy pulls Parmalat through

Disgraced Italian dairy giant Parmalat, still suffering from 2003's fraud revelations, has posted a jump in first-quarter income - thanks to CEO Enrico Bondi's recuperation strategy.

EFSA to up co-operation on GMO risk assessment

Scientific experts from European Union member states yesterday met with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to discuss ways to strengthen scientific co-operation in the risk assessment of GMOs.

Marketing focus

Vitafoods 2006: kids driving the health revolution

Healthy eating is no longer motivated simply by self-interest. Family welfare has become the overriding concern, and children have become the real driving force behind the health trend.

Greenhouse gas trading data points to problems

Preliminary data from the first year of the EU's greenhouse gas trading scheme has highlighted problems in the allocation of plant outputs and in the tracking of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Commissioner warns of obesity-related economic melt-down

Obesity threatens not only our physical health, but also the health of our economies, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection said in his closing speech at last weeks EU - US Conference on Diet Physical Activity and Health.

Food industry must tap consumer needs, says CIAA

The European food industry has announced that its bi-annual congress in Brussels will be firmly focused on meeting consumers needs.

NutraIngredients.com wins food industry award

NutraIngredients.com has been named Website of the Year in the prestigious 2006 Business Food and Drink Journalism awards.

Marketing Focus

Vitafoods 2006: target your health products carefully

Food firms must carefully target their health food products to specific sectors of the population if they are to succeed, delegates at this week's Vitafoods event learned.

EU-US debate self regulation on obesity

An EU-US conference on obesity, being held in Brussels today, will attempt to draw conclusions on whether industry self-regulation can work.

Glanbia offers OlivActiv for functional foods and drinks

Glanbia Nutritionals chose Vitafoods as the launchpad for OlivActiv, a high potency-low bitterness antioxidant ingredient derived from Spanish olives that is marketed for immune system activation.

Firmenich taps Omega 3 demand with flavour know-how

Firmenich used Vitafoods 2006 as the platform to unveil a new microencapsulated Omega 3 ingredient innovation.

Biotech booming, claims Ernst & Young report

The biotechnology sector is booming across the globe, with revenues of the worlds publicly traded biotech companies growing by 18 per cent in 2005.

Danone brings US organic yoghurt to Europe

French food giant Danone looks set to launch a new range of organic yoghurts in Europe, made by its US subsidiary Stonyfield Farm.

Givaudan on track with world's largest flavours plant

Leading flavours house Givaudan says a new facility in Shanghai, claimed to be the world's largest flavours plant, will allow it to capture rising demand for quality and innovative flavours in the Chinese food and beverage market.

Out of Africa: Novel botanicals enter market

Functional food and beverage makers could soon be turning to Africa for more and more novel plant extracts, Vitafoods attendees heard yesterday.

Irish processor recognises R&D need

Following concerns that food and drink R&D investment across Europe has hit a low ebb, Irish meat manufacturer Dawn Farm Foods has pledged to spend 28m on research.

Nestlé removes artificial colours from Smarties

Pursuing a consumer health trend Nestle Rowntree has decided to eliminated artificial colours from its Smarties brand of confectionary.

Test kit could help consumers avoid caffeine

A testing kit that uses antibodies from llama blood could help consumers and companies identify the presence of caffeine in beverages.

NZ company turns wine waste into chemical-free antioxidant

The Grape Seed Extract Company is the latest New Zealand company to tap the nutraceutical potential of a waste product of a traditional industry, with an antioxidant extracted from grape seeds left over by wine-makers using a non-chemical method.

Kraft and Premier Foods eye United Biscuits

US food giant Kraft is partnering with Britain's Premier Foods to launch a bid for United Biscuits, according to industry insiders.

Vitafoods 2006: Food industry must take action on salt

The food industry must take responsibility for the continued excessive consumption of salt, according to professor Graham McGregor of St Georges University of London.

Sara Lee sees Q3 profits tumble

Yesterday American-owned Sara Lee reported a massive 77 per cent drop in third quarter operating profit from $189m last year to $42m in 2006, impacted by a vast portfolio cull.

Legislators forge compromise on nutritional claims law

The EU's legislators yesterday came up with a compromise deal on nutritional claims, further watering down requirements originally proposed by the European Commission, according to a newspaper report.

Majority of recalls preventable, says UK consultancy

The majority of food recalls around the world are caused by preventable problems, with poor allergen control and failure to follow international standards as the major culprits, according to a UK consultancy.

EU backs Poland's GM crop ban

Poland's controversial ban on the use of 16 varieties of genetically modified maize has been backed by the European Commission, despite warnings the law broke EU rules.

Ocean Spray set to emphasise health at Vitafoods

Ocean Spray plans to reinforce the health benefits behind its portfolio of cranberry ingredients at this week's Vitafoods exhibition in Geneva.

Scientists achieve allergen-free soy breakthrough

Researchers have isolated two Chinese soybean lines that can grow without the primary protein linked to soy allergies in children and adults.

Chr Hansen launches 'natural' colours for soft drinks

Chr Hansen's new range of natural colours has been formulated to help transparent beverage manufacturers reinforce the sector's healthy image.

Weekly comment

Chasing down obesity

It is time to admit that society is fighting a part-time battle against the bulge, willingly lambasting soft drinks, burgers and chocolate, while shuffling silently away from a fairly dismal exercise rate.

EU artisan cheese makers push their products

A Euro-Mediterranean network for the protection, promotion and territorial development of Mediterranean artisan cheeses is bringing together diverse regions of Spain, Italy and France.

Aspartame safe for consumption, food agency concludes

The EU's food safety agency today said aspartame is safe for consumption, contradicting a scientific study by the Ramazzini Foundation that claimed the artificial sweetener caused cancer.

Glycaemic index review could help food makers

A new review could help food developers and technical managers appreciate how dietary fibre influences the glycaemic index of foods, especially cereal products.

Salt reduction 'not beneficial' during pregnancy

Recent scientific research does not support the common assumption that women should lower their salt intake during pregnancy to reduce the risks for developing pre-eclampsia or oedema, according to a recent forum.

ADM set to emphasise health credentials at Vitafoods

ADM plans to highlight its organic whole soybean powder NutriSoy and its soy isoflavones brand Novasoy at next week's Vitafoods exhibition in Geneva.

Splenda increases presence in Norwegian beverage market

Norwegian soft drinks manufacturer Lerum is launching a new range of no-added-sugar dilutable fruit drinks sweetened with Splenda sucralose.

Vitamin C, lysine still blight BASF margins

BASF's fine chemicals division is bolstered by higher sales volume of aroma chemicals and vitamins A and E for animal nutrition, but the pressure over vitamin C and lysine has not abated, dragging down the division's profitability.

Acquisitions help Numico tap new markets

Europe's largest infant nutrition firm Royal Numico has announced a record 43.5 per cent profit rise, boosted by acquisitions in Asian and Southern European markets.

Texting used to measure food 'on-the-go' market

If alive even the Earl of Sandwich would have been impressed that his namesake food has now become a £ 2.8bn (€ 4.1bn) market in the UK.

Food industry urges caution on biofuel promotion plan

A plan to increase biofuel production could lead to an increase in prices for agricultural ingredients, in particular rapeseed, the bloc's food industry association warns in a position paper.

Scientists encapsulate uncommon oils in milk proteins

The micro-encapsulation of essential oils in skimmed milk gives higher flavour retention compared to whey, say scientists.

European court backs bank in Parmalat dispute

A new European Court of Justice ruling should provide Bank of America with a degree of comfort over its recent travails with Italian dairy giant Parmalat.

Formula milk firms slammed over health worker links

Britain's formula milk industry has faced down a new wave of criticism from senior paediatricians, who accused it of dodging a ban on direct advertising by snuggling up to doctors and health professionals.

Salt study 'flawed' claims professor

A Finnish professor of pharmacology has questioned the findings behind a study that suggests that lowering the salt content of food could be bad for people's health.

Polish GM bill 'violates EU regulations'

The Polish parliament's proposed ban on the sale and registration, but apparently not planting, of biotech seeds, will likely violate EU regulations, according to a USDA foreign agricultural service GAIN report.

CSM announces further streamlining measures

CSM's merger of two North American businesses is the latest move in a wide-ranging strategy to cut costs and achieve better operational focus.

EC vows to recover misspent CAP millions

A total of € 128.2 million of EU farm money unduly spent by Member States is to be claimed back, following a decision adopted last Friday by the European Commission.

Weekly comment

Working at self-regulation

Self-regulation has become the mantra of food groups who argue that laws are not always necessary - but can industry be trusted when it has failed so spectacularly in the past?

Frutarom targets Korean market with healthy plant extracts

Flavours and plant extracts firm Frutarom is investing in clinical trials in South Korea to tap into the strong growth of functional food and beverages in this market.

Ethical sourcing boosts M&A activity in food sector

Mergers and acquisitions in Europe's food sector bounced back last year, boosted by increased activity at the top end of the market and the growing influence of ethical sourcing, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Cargill taps Thai tapioca potential

Cargill's finalised acquisition of a major Thai tapioca flour business in Thailand underlines its commitment to establishing a globalised ingredient-sourcing network.