Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - Europe US edition

Christmas feature

Food: the adult love affair

Ask any child what's most important about Christmas and you're almost sure to hear it's presents, or Santa Claus, or school holidays. But certainly not food.

Christmas feature

The old Christmas pudding

The Puritans described its rich ingredients as "unfit for God-fearing people". The Quakers referred to it as "the invention of the scarlet whore of Babylon ". Who would have thought that the humble Christmas pudding could evoke such strong feelings?

Europe-wide organic labelling is on the way

The European Commission has adopted a proposal for new regulations for organic production and labelling, which makes the use of the EU logo or wording obligatory for all organic food products sold in EU member states.

Danisco Sugar gets ISO 22000

Danisco's sugar factory in Assens, Denmark, has been certified to the new ISO 22000, one of the first ingredient firms to get the safety approval released in September this year.

UK organic market doubled, says new report

Sales of organic food and drink in the UK have doubled in recent years, with strong growth set to continue into the future, as the market remains "wide open for new entrants," according to a new report by Mintel.

Christmas Feature

The festive food frenzy

0600 hours, 24 December - touched down on planet earth, life force appears rounded and inert.

Convenience trend driving demand for coated foods

Coated foods, particularly fish and cheese, will see significant growth over the next four years, despite the general consumer perception that they are unhealthy.

Combining food additives could harm nervous system, study

The combination of common food additives could interfere with the development of the nervous system, raising new concerns about the health implications of children's diets, according to a new report published today.

Christmas Feature

Evolution of the Christmas dinner

Humble pie, stuffed peacock and sugar mice have left our Christmas tables seemingly never to return. But what was it that forever pushed such dishes from our hearts and feasting?

CASH raises awareness of salt dangers of African Caribbeans

Some UK ethnic groups are at an increased risk of suffering ill effects as a result of too much salt according to CASH, which is making the African Caribbean population the focus of next year's National Salt Awareness Week.

Christmas feature

The sum of chocolate

Chocoholics rejoice: 2005 was the year it became clear chocolate really is good for you. But before Christmas ushers in a race to cram the candy, reflect a moment on where the benefits truly lie, and where they don't.

Sugar blocks pain in sweet-toothed children, study

A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down - but only if the child likes sweet foods and is not overweight, say US researchers.

Christmeas feature

Anyone for a reindeer roast?

All those who still believe in Santa, stop reading here. For his sledge-pulling reindeer, Dancer, Prancer, and Rudolph, have long been consumed in a tasty stew.

ADM soy protein promises better quality meat products

A new injectable soya protein designed for use in meat products could help increase shelf life and cooking yields, while also improving the texture of products, says supplier Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).

Christmas feature

Wassail away your Christmas

Forget the family 'bored' games this Christmas. It's time to get down to the local orchard with a slice of toast, a loaded gun and a big bowl of steaming Wassail for some real festive tradition.

Genencor swells sales at Danisco

Leading ingredients group Danisco posted a 21 per cent rise in sales for the first six months thanks to the acquisition of enzyme business Genencor and organic growth in cultures and texturants.

Food temperature affects taste, reveal scientists

A new study reveals why our taste perception is enhanced as the temperature of food and beverage products increases, explaining why beer is more bitter and ice cream is sweeter when consumed warm.

Europe's dairy sector cautious on export subsidy cuts

The last-minute deal to scrap export subsidies by 2013, agreed at last week's WTO meeting, has been greeted with a sense of inevitability and caution in Europe's dairy sector.

EFSA starts aspartame study evaluation

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has received the primary data for Ramazzini Foudation's recent study on the sweetener aspartame and is commencing its risk assessment as a matter of priority.

Christmas feature

The chemistry of delicious

If only they taught chemistry in schools as it happens at Christmas tables across Europe. For here lies the secret of delicious. Come next weekend, the centrepiece from north to south will be a roast. A British turkey, a German goose, a French roast beef: all amount to a grand fiesta of chemical reactions that few other methods of cooking can match.

Consumers demand better seafood labelling

Over 80 per cent of consumers consider the environmental impact of seafood as an important factor in their purchasing decisions, according to a new study.

Palatinit targets better tasting reduced-sugar spreads

German firm Palatinit claims that Isomalt GS can make reduced-sugar fruit spreads healthier, fruitier and more colour-stable.

DSM sees probiotics potential in cheese

Cheese may be a better carrier of probiotic bacteria than other dairy products, suggest tests carried out by DSM Food Specialties.

Phytosterols ingredient seeks UK approval

The UK's Food Standards Agency has received an application for a phytosterols ingredient to be approved as 'substantially equivalent' to one already on the market.

Nestlé plans chilled dairy improvement with Lactalis venture

Nestlé will use a new European joint-venture deal with French dairy giant Lactalis to try and resurrect its "unsatisfactory" chilled dairy division.

Tagatose approval gives Arla access to EU market

Arla Food's low calorie sweetener D-Tagatose can now be used throughout the EU following yesterday's approval from the UK's FSA.

Energy drinks sector gaining momentum

New concepts and strong marketing have driven the global energy drinks market into the mainstream.

Palsgaard ice-cream emulsifier promises enhanced creaminess

Palsgaard has launched a new self-dispersible emulsifier-stabiliser compound to ensure creaminess and hinder fast meltdown in ice cream.

Probiotics set for explosive growth in China

Probiotics, unheard of a year ago, are now being added to more and more products in China, and look set to see rapid growth in demand, according to key supplier Chr Hansen.

Commission investigates Cargill's Degussa acquisition

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into Cargill's take-over of Degussa's food ingredients business.

DSM launches taste-neutral flavour-enhancing yeast extract

Ingredients firm DSM has launched a neutral-tasting yeast extract that promises to improve taste and flavour impact in a wide variety of food applications.

Cargill targets energy bars with low GI sweetener

Ingredients giant Cargill showcased its Xtend Isomaltulose product at the FiE in Paris, targeting energy and sports food and beverage manufacturers with the low GI sweetener.

Drought resistant tomatoes promise increased yields

Scientists have developed a strategy to engineer drought-resistant tomatoes, which could lead to dramatically increased yields.

'Be bold', urges WTO director general

WTO director general Pascal Lamy has urged ministers in Hong Kong to be 'bold and courageous', but negotations have seen little progress.

Commodity outlook for 2005

The FAO's predictions concerning commodity costs and production show sustained high prices for milk and growing sugar consumption in the developing world.

Europe moves to protect mountain food products

Agreement over what should define a mountain quality food product will help ensure accurate labelling and better protect a niche European food market.

Tate & Lyle share price 'too optimistic', says analyst

The stock market is too optimistic about Tate & Lyle's ability to hold on to market share for sucralose once its patent expires, says market analyst Morgan Stanley.

Greenfacts gives industry access to latest GM findings

An online summary of a key FAO study into genetically modified food has given the food industry unprecedented access to vital information concerning the safety and potential risks of this technology.

EU urges end to trade distorting subsidies

Trade-distorting farm support must end, says the EU, as world ministers finally meet in Hong Kong to try and revive the WTO Doha trade round.

New aerating agent from Cognis for egg-free cakes

German health ingredients firm Cognis has introduced an emulsifier-protein compound targeted for use in bakery applications, which claims to replace the need to use eggs in formulations without any significant changes to taste or texture.

Weekly Comment

The shimmer of patent valuation

Complex webs of assumptions are spinning a lie about the real value of today's companies, lulling directors and shareholders alike into a false sense of value creation.

Cereal forecast revision could ease price pressure

Global cereal production for 2005 will be higher than previously thought, and large inventories will continue to mitigate against upward price pressure, says FAO.

Starch sweetener sector braces for sugar reform impact

EU sugar reform will have serious consequences for the long-term future for cereal starch sweetener producers, claims the AAC.

Global regulatory cooperation vital in fight against obesity

European and US food regulators will never be able to fully tackle issues relating to nutrition and obesity unless they work together, claims a pressure group.

New Palsgaard emulsifier promises viscosity and yield

A newly developed citric acid ester of mono- and di-glycerides promises to replace lecithin in chocolate applications where the main functionality is to lower the viscosity and yield value.

German anti-trust authority clears Wild expansion

The German anti-trust authority's approval of Wild's DSF acquisition should enable the firm to achieve a coordinated sales base in Europe.

UK food industry welcomes EU obesity strategy

The UK food industry has called the EC green paper on the promotion of healthy diets a 'sensible, integrated effort to tackle food and health issues'.

Pessimism pervades pre-WTO summit atmosphere

Pessimism and intransigence from both Europe and the US means that next week's vital WTO trade talks in Hong Kong will collapse in embarrassing failure unless concessions are made fast.

Different fibres impact different heart disease risk factors

Most kinds of fibre are related to lower risk of various heart disease risk factors, finds new research on a French population.

India mulls compulsory GM labelling

India could soon become the latest country to make the labelling of GM foods compulsory.

Scientists again raise possiblity of fructose obesity link

Researchers have again raised the controversial claim that fructose intake could be linked to rising obesity rates.

DSM puts science behind protein ingredient claims

DSM Food Specialties has established a scientific advisory board to target potential new applications for the company's protein ingredient PeptoPro.

Nutrient profiling here to stay

Nutrient profiling, one of the most controversial elements of Europe's proposed health claims law, looks set to remain in the future legislation, according to experts, and some firms have already signalled their acceptance.

EU smoke flavouring regulations made clearer

A judgement reinforcing the harmonisation of smoke flavouring regulations has been welcomed by the European Commission.

Palatinit pushes sports drinks into mainstream market

Palatinit believes that recent EU novel food approval for its Palatinose product could transform European beverage formulations.

Reform vital to food summit success, says FAO

The FAO's warning that urgent policy reform is needed comes just days before the make-or-break WTO Hong Kong summit on liberalising agricultural trade.

Danone research taps new probiotics

Danone, France's iconic dairy group, is working with a prestigious French research institute to find new probiotic strains for dairy products and understand more about how the 'friendly bacteria' work.

Nutritional profiling scheme 'political' claims food industry

The UK food industry has criticised the Food Standard Agency (FSA)'s latest nutrient profiling model for being 'subjective' and 'having no rational scientific basis'.

EU hopes for cessation of hostilities in banana feud

The European Union, which was left fuming after a second WTO rebuttal earlier this month, has finally agreed to a new import tariff of €176 per tonne.

Symrise targets global beverage flavours growth

Symrise is investing £1.5 million at its Nördlingen production site in order to re-establish itself as a leading force in the global beverage flavours market.

Palatinit sees further growth in sugar-free candy

Palatinit believes that its Isomalt sugar replacer is well-positioned to tap the growing sugar-free functional confectionery market.

Palsgaard emulsifiers promise low cost mayo production

Palsgaard has developed two emulsifier solutions that it claims could cut the cost of producing quality all-vegetable low-fat mayonnaise.

Further lycopene safety trials necessary, says EFSA

Further trials are needed before lycopene, obtained from Blakeslea trispora, can be classified as a safe food colour, says EFSA.

HVP market ripe for growth, claims Exter

Netherlands based ingredient firm Exter claims to have discovered an excellent source of vegetable protein, and plans to launch the product in early 2006.

Rice protein concentrate has advantages for food makers

UK-based AMC Chemicals says a new rice protein concentrate can offer food makers a non-allergenic alternative to soy and whey that is better absorbed by the body than other vegetable-derived proteins.

Software solution for pH prediction developed

A computer-based system to improve pH prediction of food ingredients was launched at last week's FiE show in Paris.

Carbery corporate relaunch focuses on value added market

Carbery believes that its new corporate structure will enable the dairy ingredients giant to tap growing demand for added value products and provide a one-stop-shop for manufacturers.

Weekly Comment

The reach of lobbying

The oft-said adage that there are two things people don't want to see being made - sausage and legislation - falls apart at the doors of the EU's parliament.

Roquette invests in pea protein potential

French ingredient supplier Roquette believes that its new pea protein product, Nutralys, can help manufacturers tap into current health concerns and cut manufacturing costs.

Tate & Lyle expands ingredients empire

New acquisitions announced today by Tate & Lyle underline the UK group's strategy of achieving a truly diverse added value ingredients portfolio.

CIAA warns of missed opportunity at WTO Hong Kong meet

The draft WTO Hong Kong ministerial declaration is considerably less ambitious than the stated original objectives of the meeting, according to the European food industry.

Chr Hansen appoints Danish board chairman

Jens Bigum, former CEO of Europe's largest dairy company Arla, has been appointed chairman of Danish ingedients giant Chr Hansen.

Tate & Lyle targets better industry understanding

Tate & Lyle believes that developing a better understanding of food manufacturing concerns will enable the company to deliver better ingredient solutions.

Consumer connection vital in restoring faith in food industry

Unless the food industry accepts that emotional connections drive consumer decisions about what is and what is not acceptable, full public confidence will be hard to restore.

Takeover rumours boost Danone's shares

Danone is once again at the centre of takeover speculation as traders predict that American rival Kraft may make a bid for the French food company.

Champagne house celebrates injection of science

Champagne market leader Moet-Chandon demonstrated at FiE in Paris how an industry constrained by limted ingredient supplies and an incredibly tough regulatory environment can successfully innovate to increase both quality and efficiency.

Tapping the trends: the keys to beverage innovation

The sky is the limit when it comes to beverage innovation, so long as consumers continue to trust the claims made by manufacturers, according to an interesting seminar at yesterday's FiE show in Paris.

Wood sterols gaining interest in GM-sensitive markets

Companies extracting sterols from pine trees are looking for a greater share of Europe's cholesterol-lowering foods market, exploiting the challenges faced by producers of vegetable oil-derived sterols.

CP Kelco wins top accolade at FiE

CP Kelco scooped the top Gold Trophy Award at this week's FiE show in Paris for its innovative new Genu pectin product.

Cognis offers rooibos tea extract, expands plant line

Health ingredients firm Cognis has introduced two African plant extracts that it claims can offer real antioxidant benefits to iced tea and other drinks looking for a healthy positioning.