Tate & Lyle results ‘upbeat’ but 'real test to come': analysts

Financial analysts have welcomed Tate & Lyle’s trading update for the six months ending September 30 but warned of a challenging second half.

News in brief

UK food and drink exports continue to rise

UK food and non-alcoholic drink exports have continued to grow this year, rising to £5.9bn in the first six months of the year – an increase of 2.2% compared with...

Stevia set to be a ‘mass volume, mainstream ingredient’, says PureCircle after striking deal with Coca-Cola

PureCircle says it is one step closer to establishing its high-purity stevia as a “mass volume, mainstream ingredient” after signing a joint development and supply agreement with soft drinks giant...

RTS identifies growing market for natural flavour materials

Market research firm RTS has identified a burgeoning market for natural flavour materials as companies increasingly move away from artificial ingredients – but its first report on the market is...

EP committee votes to curb food commodity trading to tackle price spikes

A European Parliament committee has voted to limit ultra-fast computerised trading on food commodity and energy markets in an effort to curb the kind of speculation that contributed to food...

EFSA approves safety of GM oilseed rape

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved the safety of a genetically modified (GM) oilseed rape for use in foods and feed on the EU market.

Can early exposure shape better diets for future generations?

From sweet tastes, to saltiness and even garlic – the latest research is suggesting that early exposure to tastes can help shape long term food preferences, but just how important...

News in brief

WWF Germany compares sustainable soy schemes

The WWF Germany has compared the ProTerra Certification scheme for sustainable soy with the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) – and has found now reason to prefer one over...

Self-regulation of food advertising to children is failing across Europe, says IASO

Self-regulation of food advertising to children has been labelled a failure by the International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO), which has said in a new report that advertising...

Barry Callebaut UK strikes end as settlement reached

Barry Callebaut has reached a settlement with workers at a factory in the UK after strikes were staged earlier in the week over a pay dispute.

Ads for almond milk with 2% almonds not misleading, rules ASA

The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled that Alpro UK’s advertising of its ‘almond milk’ was not misleading, despite complaints that the product contained just 2% almonds.

Could the EU implement a Europe-wide fat tax?

European policymakers may be considering a Europe-wide fat tax in an effort to combat obesity – although such a move would be complicated and subject to considerable debate, according to...

Russia bans GM maize in wake of controversial Monsanto cancer study

Russian authorities have places a temporary ban on imports of genetically-modified maize produced by Monsanto in the wake of last weeks’ controversial GM cancer study.

EU project to test how well health claims are understood by consumers

A new EU project aims to tackle how consumers interpret health claims and symbols on food products in the hope of developing future guidelines on how such claims can be...

Consumer demand for packaged foods boosts Russian specialty fats market

Russia’s specialty fats market has rocketed in the past decade, driven by increasing consumer demand for processed foods and higher levels of disposable income – and the sector is expected...

Special edition: Life stages 2012…

How to sell more products using, totally, like, mind-blowing arcade games and you know, facebook…

What do teenagers want? Kraft, which has just launched a gum targeting this demographic, believes it has the answer.

Dispatches from IBA 2012

Citrus fibers give 70% cost saving as partial egg replacers, claims Fiberstar

Bakers can make big savings by replacing half of the eggs in the formulation with a citrus fiber blend, according to US ingredients firm Fiberstar.

UK food industry upbeat as sales expected to rise

The UK food and drink industry is optimistic about sales prospects in the third quarter (Q3), according to a survey conducted by the UK’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF’s)...

The 20 most significant food inventions of all time

The Royal Society, the UK's national academy of science, has issued a list of what it considers to be the 20 most significant inventions in the history of food and drink.

FrieslandCampina introduces organic milk price to reflect growing demand

FrieslandCampina has proposed the introduction of an independent milk price for organic dairy farmers – in line with growing European demand for organic dairy products.

Dispatches from IBA 2012

Control raising agents for sodium reduction, says Campden BRI

Bakers can reduce sodium by controlling raising agents used in products, according to UK research institute Campden BRI.

Dairy Crest profits fall, but full year expectations ‘remain unchanged’

Dairy Crest’s full year financial expectations remain “unchanged”, despite what the firm has described as a challenging first half to the year.

Scottish government and industry renew partnership for healthier foods

The Scottish government and the Scottish Food and Drink Federation (SFDF) have committed to a further two-year partnership to support small businesses in reducing salt, fat and sugar in their...

Purac touts its lactic acid ingredient for stabilising anthocyanin colours

Purac researchers have said that the company’s natural purified lactic acid ingredient reduces the fading of natural red-purple colours from anthocyanins in acidified foods and beverages by up to 50%...

‘Holistic’ approach needed to protect children from unhealthy food ads

Regulators need to work with multiple stakeholders to protect children from advertising of unhealthy foods throughout the European Union, argued Dr Amandine Garde at a conference on regulating lifestyle risks...

News in brief

Stevia sweetened Pepsi NEXT hits Australia in cola first

Pepsi NEXT has been launched in Australia, but intriguingly the drink has been formulated with stevia for this market to achieve a 30% sugar reduction, rather than the 60% effected...

Salmonella outbreak likely to increase due to lack of control measures, says scientific report

Further cases of a strain of Salmonella are likely to be reported as the outbreak continues in Europe with no control measures yet in place, warned two European agencies.

Marketing to children, salt reduction and reformulation top WHO regulatory priorities for food in Europe

Regulating to mitigate lifestyle risks – including overconsumption of unhealthy food – can produce good results over a relatively short period of time at a reasonable cost, according to World...

New global chocolate firm carved out of Callebaut plant sale

A new player has entered the global chocolate market after Barry Callebaut sells its final consumer goods factory, based in France.

Online event to explore opportunities and challenges of marketing to different life stages

What is a life stage and why are they important to food manufacturers? There are the obvious ‘stages’ like pregnant women, infants, children and seniors. But what about millennials? Teens?...

Guest article

The challenges of ‘natural’ and ‘bumpy road’ tests: Efficient troubleshooting in action

Dealing with problems that may arise in the formulation of food and beverage products is vital for manufacturers. In the second part of his look at troubleshooting, Leatherhead Food Research’s...

European programme places renewed emphasis on research and innovation

The European Technology Platform (ETP) ‘Food for Life’ yesterday launched its new Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda (SRIA), which focuses upon improving food safety standards.

Food labels may help consumer battle obesity: Study

Reading nutritional information placed on food labels works to help fight obesity, according to new findings confirming that people who read labels are generally thinner than those who do not.

‘Safe’ levels of Monsanto herbicide and GM crop linked to cancer

Long term exposure to even relatively low levels of Monsanto’s herbicide Roundup and a genetically modified resistant crop strain could result in a ‘greatly increased’ risk of tumors’ and premature...

Guest article

Expert outlines top 10 tips for efficient formulation troubleshooting

As foods become ever more complex, the need to be able to efficiently troubleshoot problems becomes even more critical. In this guest article, Wayne Morley, PhD, head of food innovation...

Innovation vs. green: The conflict of new technology investment

Product innovation and quality is a stronger priority for industry than sustainability and efficiency when considering new technology investments, Leatherhead finds.

News in brief

FSA strengthens ACNFP committee

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has appointed six members to the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP).

‘Best alternative to breast milk’ complaints upheld against Pfizer ads

Complaints that an advertising campaign for SMA Follow-on Milk made misleading claims that it is the best alternative to breast milk have been upheld by the UK Advertising Standards Authority...

Chemists dispute BPA link to obesity

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) has disputed the findings of a study linking Bisphenol A (BPA), a substance used in a range of food packaging materials and coatings, with childhood obesity....

ASA rejects allegations that Allinson’s bread advertising was misleading

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has rejected a complaint from the Real Bread Campaign about the advertising of ABF Grain Products’ Allinson brand loaves.

R&D challenge: Developing texture-modified foods for the elderly

Texture-modified foods for the elderly are likely to become an important area for R&D in the coming years as the population ages – but there are many challenges to producing...

Supply chain sustainability is a priority for our customers – Glanbia

Dairy supply chain sustainability, at farm and processor level, is a priority for blue chip firms, Irish dairy giant Glanbia has claimed.

News in brief

EU food and drink exports to China up more than 50% in H1

European Union food and beverage exports to China increased by more than 50% in the first half of this year, compared to the same period a year earlier, according to...

Study labels food security as important as world peace

New research suggests that securing a sustainable supply of nutritious food to feed the world’s fast-growing population is as big an issue as fighting wars, preventing disease and saving the...

Synutra signs Sodiaal deal in Chinese consumer confidence effort

Leading Chinese infant formula manufacturer Synutra l has entered into a commercial partnership agreement with French dairy giant Sodiaal and its subsidiary, Euroserum – a deal the Chinese firm hopes...

Making connections with young adults: ‘A new area for most European food companies’

Young adults in Europe are communicating with food brands in new ways – and expect an emotional connection through multiple online and offline media, according to director of innovation and...

European commissioners backtrack on crop-based biofuel targets

The European Commission has backtracked on biofuels targets, proposing 5% a cap on the amount of fuel that should be produced from food crops to 2020, on concerns that biofuels...

Millions of Europeans still at heart disease risk from trans fat

Millions of Europeans are still at increased risk of heart disease due to consumption of artificial trans fatty acids, according to a new pan-European review published in BMJ Open.

Dispatches from IBA 2012

Future opportunities in low-fat tortillas: AB Mauri

Ingredients firm AB Mauri has a patented technology for reduced-fat tortillas that opens up opportunities in a vastly untapped market sector, a company director said.

News in brief

British Poultry Council unveils new duck welfare assurance scheme

The British Poultry Council (BPC) and Red Tractor Assurance have partnered to develop a new duck welfare assurance scheme, the BPC has said.

European sugar users welcome debate on sugar reform

The EU Sugar Users Association (CIUS) has welcomed debate on sugar reform scheduled in the European Parliament on Monday, ahead of an EU vote on whether to abolish sugar quotas...

‘Dynamic’ market spurs novel research to boost red wine quality

Spanish researchers have developed a novel process that involves adding dehydrated waste grape skins to red wines before bottling to improve their color, aroma and phenolic content.

Robert Wiseman promises ‘substantial’ milk price increase

Müller Dairy UK and Müller-owned Robert Wiseman Dairies have promised a “substantial increase” in the price they pay to their dairy farmer suppliers for milk.

French firms urged to back away from ‘no palm oil’ label claims

Products labelled ‘no palm oil’ have proliferated on French supermarket shelves in recent years but Malaysian officials have said that such labels misrepresent an industry that has made strides toward...

‘Virtue not vice makes a dull beverage nice’: US research finds

US academics have found that exposing college students to stories of moral transgression or virtue prior to tasting a mixture of Gatorade and water affected perceptions of disgust and delight...

Unilever to cut 500 UK jobs, close four plants

Unilever has confirmed that it will close four plants in the UK with a net loss of 500 jobs, carrying through proposals that it outlined in June.

Global food security challenge creates food industry opportunities, says UK government

The challenges of global food security present real opportunities for the food and farming industries, the UK government has said in its response to the Environmental Audit Committee’s Sustainable Food...

Global wheat trade down 11%: USDA

Tightening supplies and price surges have led to a slowdown in global wheat trade, according to the latest USDA report.

Rousselot increases gelatine prices (again) on raw material squeeze

Rousselot has said it intends to increase gelatine prices in the coming quarter due to ongoing shortages of beef bones and pig skin, and extra pressure on the market from...

High fat diet in pregnancy linked to offspring’s breast cancer risk

The offspring of those who consume a high fat diet during pregnancy may be at greater risk of developing breast cancer, suggests new research in rats published in Nature Communications....

Swiss consider Emmental production quotas in price boost effort

The Swiss government is considering implementing production quotas across the Emmentaler supply chain, in an effort to keep manufacturers of the iconic cheese and their milk suppliers afloat.

Scientists hail beverage-chocolate matches made in heaven

New research from Italian scientists suggests that consumers value coffee, liqueur wines and port as the most desirable pairings with chocolate, but that preferences depend on cocoa content.

Bord Bia sustainability scheme underlines Ireland’s ‘green and natural’ image

Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, has introduced a new programme intended to cement the reputation of the Irish food industry as a world leader in sustainability.

Gluten-free binding system plugs market demand: Kampffmeyer

Kampffmeyer Food Innovation has developed two gluten-free functional flours for use in soups and sauces, in light of industry demands for allergen-free binding systems.

Stevia in transition: Reb A accounted for 40% of PureCircle revenues in 2012 v 90% in 2009

Further evidence that steviol glycoside Reb A is no longer the only game in town when it comes to delivering high intensity natural sweetness has emerged in PureCircle’s full-year results,...

Tate & Lyle says new stevia sweetener ‘won’t turn off bitter-sensitive consumers’

Tate & Lyle has developed a new stevia sweetener, which it claims does not have the bitter flavour associated with many stevia sweeteners on the market.

Meat reduction: ‘Recommendations should no longer be based on health effects alone’

Dietary recommendations to cut back on red and processed meat could help the UK government toward its target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as providing health benefits for...

Bottled beer recalled from UK supermarkets due to glass contamination fears

Sainsbury's, Tesco and Asda are among six UK supermarkets that have had to withdraw bottles of beer over fears they may contain pieces of glass due to a manufacturing fault.

Arla targets high protein yoghurt trend

European interest in high protein foods has moved into the mainstream, according to Arla Foods Ingredients, which has introduced two new ingredients for boosting the protein content of yoghurt.

‘We unlock the power of wheat’: Kampffmeyer

Kampffmeyer Food Innovation has developed a highly nutritious wheat aleurone that plugs a market demand for healthy, good-tasting baked goods, according to its product manager.

ABF says it will meet expectations despite £100m charge

Associated British Foods (ABF) has said that its full year results will include a £100m (€125m) impairment charge for its Australian meat business – although it expects second half earnings...

Ireland ‘the right environment’ for The Jelly Bean Factory’s booming export business, says MD

Irish confectioner The Jelly Bean Factory has opened its upgraded manufacturing site in its homeland, which it says will help export sales to double.

Picture comparison can predict children’s food preferences, study suggests

Children’s liking of specific foods can be accurately assessed by asking them to compare pictures on a computer screen, suggests new research that could help manufacturers in their development of...

Market researcher: Naturalness is a key consideration for industry

Consumer demand for ‘more natural’ foods and beverages continues to grow – and food manufacturers are responding by highlighting naturally derived ingredients and the natural credentials of new products, according...

Bel eyes UK lunchbox demand with Laughing Cow Blue Cheese launch

French cheese giant Groupe Bel is targeting the UK lunchbox market with the launch of its new The Laughing Cow Light with Blue Cheese product.

Global food prices stabilise, calming food crisis fears

The global food price index held steady in August, calming fears of a repeat of the 2007-08 food crisis – but governments could still do more to stabilise markets, according...

News in brief

New TV show to target ‘lies’ told by some food manufacturers

Major food manufacturers which tell marketing “lies” and are “only concerned with the bottom line” will be exposed in a new TV series, one of its presenters has vowed.

Fat but fit: Obese people can still be ‘metabolically healthy'

A large subset of people can be obese yet remain but metabolically healthy and fit, with no greater risk of developing or dying from heart disease or cancer than normal...

Heinz driving ‘aggressive changes’ in Europe, says CFO

Heinz has said it is investing in aggressive change in Europe, in a presentation at the Barclay’s Back to School Conference.

The Mondelez Series - New confectionery powerhouse

BRIC markets to drive growth for Kraft’s Mondelez spin-off

The developing markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China will drive sales for Kraft’s global snacks business Mondelez International, according to CEO Irene Rosenfeld.

Suitable for diabetics? Diabetes Ireland says diabetic label claims are misleading

Diabetes Ireland has called on food manufacturers to stop using the term ‘diabetic’ or ‘suitable for diabetics’ on product packaging, saying that such claims could mislead consumers.

News in brief

Döhler develops portfolio of ginger flavours

Döhler has developed a range of ginger flavours for a wide variety of applications, to tap into what the company says is a growing trend for ginger flavours in foods...

Ice cream prices rise, volumes decline, says Mintel

Ice cream prices have risen by more than a quarter over the past five years and sales volumes have declined, but most Europeans still consider ice cream an affordable treat,...

Investment will see WikiCells edible food packaging ready by 2013, claims developer

WikiCells, a food packaging technology that could eliminate the need for plastic containers, has secured a $10m investment to launch its product next year.

Double emulsion technology backed for salt reduction

The use of duplex emulsion technology could help to boost the perceived saltiness in reduced sodium processed foods, according to new research.

UK dairy contract code of best practice agreed

UK processor and farmer representatives have settled on a code of best practice relating to milk supply contracts – the latest effort by the British dairy industry to rebuild relations...

EFSA should improve communication, say auditors

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) generally operates in a transparent, independent and open way, but it could improve its international reputation and communication on potential conflicts of interest, according...

European organic market improving – but national differences remain

Some organic ingredient suppliers are seeing sales rebound as market conditions improve across Europe, but there are still wide variations between countries, according to Organic Monitor.

Dyadic Netherlands to develop enzymes for EU-funded HealthBread Project

Enzyme specialist Dyadic Netherlands has been awarded a €143,000 grant to develop commercial enzymes for the HealthBread Project, a two-year EU-funded research programme intended to develop nutritionally enhanced bread.

Comment

Organic nutrition: Does it really matter?

Yesterday a large scale scientific review revealed that organic produce may not be more nutritious than ‘conventionally’ produced goods. But since that isn’t the main reason people buy them, does...

Chobani sets its sights on UK Greek yogurt market domination

US yogurt giant Chobani has set its sights on UK Greek yogurt category domination and is aiming to mirror its impressive US yogurt market achievements.

UN agencies urge action on rising food prices to avoid food crisis

Three United Nations agencies have urged governments to take immediate action on the rapidly rising cost of staple grains in order to avoid a repeat of the 2007-08 food crisis.

Conference urges drive toward GMO-free Europe

The European Green Party and the European GMO-free Regions Network is meeting with politicians, scientists, EU institutions and businesses in Brussels today to discuss the future of GMO-free food and...

Arla increasing UK milk prices in confidence rebuild effort

Arla Foods UK has increased the standard price it pays to dairy farmers for milk and adopted a new, more transparent milk pricing and sourcing model in an effort to “build...

Cargill builds science for new high-intensity Monatin sweetener

Extracts from the South African plant Sclerochiton ilicifolius are amongst the ‘most potently sweet naturally occurring substances known’, report scientists from ingredients giant Cargill.

Organic produce is no healthier or nutritious, finds review

Organic produce offers no benefits over conventional farming methods when it comes to nutrition and health, according to the findings of a new wide ranging review of the evidence.

Irish CPG firms eye US retail market

Enterprise Ireland invited executives from major US retailers to stay an extra day following the Navy-Notre Dame football game in Dublin on Sunday to meet with Irish consumer goods companies...

‘Stealth health’ may account for decline in low salt label claims

European food manufacturers are embracing ‘stealth health’ when it comes to salt reduction, according to International Programme Lead for World Action on Salt and Health (WASH) Clare Farrand.

FSA Scotland report identifies gaps in E.coli knowledge

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Scotland has published a report identifying knowledge gaps and future research areas on a group of E.coli.

Maternal nut consumption may be beneficial for childhood allergies

Children are around a third less likely to suffer from allergies if their mothers eat nuts during pregnancy, according to new research from Denmark.

Fewer low salt products – but the Netherlands bucks the trend

Europe is the most active region in the world for low salt product innovation – with the Netherlands leading the pack – although food manufacturers globally are using the claim...

A bitter sweet symphony? Consumers who prefer milk chocolate rapidly reject bitter flavours

Consumers who prefer milk chocolate have a significantly lower threshold for bitter tastes, according to a new study that suggests manufacturers could benefit from testing consumer rejection thresholds as part...

News in brief

Treatt introduces flavour modulators for improved sweetness profiles

Flavour ingredients supplier Treatt has added two new ingredients to its TreattSweet range, to improve sweet flavours in products containing high intensity sweeteners, including stevia.

Maize-based nut substitute targets allergen-free market

Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI) has introduced a maize-based nut substitute ingredient to add a nutty taste and texture to food products without introducing nut allergens to food facilities....

Arla posts H1 profits drop as milk crisis cancels out revenue growth

Dairy giant Arla Foods has reported a net profits decrease for the first six months of the year, as the continuing impact of the European dairy price war cancelled out...