Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - Europe US edition

Encapsulation innovation highlights

Encapsulation of sensitive ingredients continues to generate interest and research, with innovative encapsulating compounds making waves.

CIAA lobbies for changes to environmental, trade policies

The Confederation of Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA) has outlined its strategy in lobbying EU legislators in the upcoming year on environmental policies and international trade issues.

World coffee production on the rise, but stocks remain low

World coffee production is estimated to increase next year, after improved weather and better yields contributed to a larger coffee crop in a number of producing countries, according to the latest report from the US Department of Agricultures Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS).

BSF reports juicy berry sales

British supermarkets are reporting that sales of berries have been strong this year hitting £204m (€304m) despite adverse weather conditions, due to consumer health trends.

Which? calls for watershed ban on junk food advertising

Consumer group Which? has called for a total ban on the advertising of unhealthy foods in the UK before the 9PM watershed as the most effective way to protect childrens diets.

EU Council backs Austrian ban on GM corn

The European Council is today due to formally back Austria's ban on the cultivation of two genetically modified crops, a move the biotechnology industry has branded as a "departure from rational decision making" .

ABF Ingredients seeking expansion in China

Food and retail group Associated British Foods (ABF) is actively looking for opportunities to increase its presence in China's ingredients market, and could make an acquisition in the coming year, according to the unit's chief executive.

Gluten-free bread promises improved texture, taste

Scientists have developed a new variety of gluten-free bread suitable for consumers suffering from coeliac disease and boasting a longer shelf-life, increased nutritional value and better texture than products already available.

Christmas feature

Reindeer milk - not on Santa's list this year

In a year that has seen camel, sheep and donkey milk grab the headlines in turn, Mrs Rudolph and her chums neednt fear that theyre next to get the "other milk" treatment.

Sunoko continue Serbian sugar investments

Leading Serbian sugar producer Sunoko will continue to invest in it operations throughout 2007, despite continued uncertainty over the future of sugar production in the neighbouring EU.

Food regulations round-up 2006

The past 12 months have seen several important developments on the European regulatory scene, which will play a big role in shaping the supplements and health foods industries for the future.

Protein-sugar combo could boost encapsulation stability

A protein-polysaccharide combination for stabilising water-in-oil-in-water emulsions could lead to customised double emulsions with differing release behaviours, German researchers report.

Coffee prices recovering after years of crisis

The coffee market recorded a significant rise in Arabica prices in November, while Robusta prices rose only slightly according to the ICO.

EFSA adopts opinion on Bayer GM crop

Europe's Food Safety Authority has ruled that a genetically-modified cotton plant, which can be used for food applications, presents no cause for concern.

EC unveils simplified CAP plans

The EC has proposed simplifying the CAP by replacing 21 Common Market Organisations (CMOs) with a single CMO.

Tate & Lyle announces 2007 ingredients pricing rounds

Tate & Lyle has issued an update regarding the 2007 calendar year pricing rounds.

Weekly Comment

Response and Responsibility

Bah, Humbug! It has been that kind of year in general for the food industry, and in particular for some major companies.

Abolish maize intervention, says EC

The system of public intervention purchases for maize should be abolished from the 2007/2008 marketing year, says the EC.

Industry comment

Food firms: legal knowledge vital to Christmas profits

If businesses are not aware of the rights of temporary workers, Christmas profits could be eroded by costly employment disputes warns law firm Eversheds.

New potato variety boasts less acrylamide, better aroma

Scientists at the University of Idaho have produced a genetically modified potato variety of Ranger Russet with enhanced French fry aroma, and reduced amounts of processing-induced acrylamide.

EC vows to capture misspent CAP millions

The EC has vowed to recover €263.5 million of unduly spent CAP money from member states.

Wild identifies key three beverage trends

The growth rate for beverages following trends towards healthy, natural and single portion drinks is set to continue, claims Wild.

Danisco earnings 'progressing as planned'

Danisco's first half performance for 2006/7 has been 'as expected', said the company.

Crop diseases still pose threat to food supply

The British Society for Plant Pathology (BSPP) is using the Christmas period to highlight the risks plant diseases create in the food chain.

Baking invention cuts spoilage, lengthens shelf-life.

Scientists have devised a means of preventing contamination of commercially baked bread - helping manufacturers to minimise the loss caused by spoilage and halt the common problem of 'ropey bread'.

DuPont streamlining targets high value growth

DuPont's aggressive reorganisation strategy for its nutrition and crop protection businesses, involves closing or streamlining 10 plants and slashing 1,500 jobs globally.

Women remain overwhelmingly influential in making food choices

Three-quarters of women still do most of the cooking and food shopping, according to new research that could help health promotion policies be targeted more effectively.

Court annuls 2002 decision on Spanish agriculture

An EC decision relating to measures adopted by Spain and implemented within the agricultural sector has been annulled.

EC Health claims publication update

The new European health and nutrition claims regulation and food fortification regulation will enter into force in January 2007, as the EC decides not the wait for adoption of the comitology amendments.

Food industry 'in compliance' with illegal dye regs

The vast majority of foods tested for a range of illegal dyes comply with the law, claims the UK's FSA.

McDonald's New Zealand changes to healthier oil

McDonald's New Zealand said yesterday that it would replace its frying oil with a blend that is lower in saturated fat and virtually trans-fat free.

Sugar-gelatin alternative to pure gum Arabic developed

A matrix of sucrose, gelatin and gum Arabic can successfully encapsulate citrus flavours, and offer potential as a cheaper alternative to pure gum Arabic for the process.

EU research driving healthier food formulation

Food is getting healthier and better thanks to EU research, according to results showcased in Brussels this week.

Obesity guidance targets co-ordinated solutions

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued the first-ever national guideline addressing both the prevention and treatment of obesity in adults and children.

Wild launches natural fruit flavourings

German confectionery ingredients supplier Wild is encouraging manufacturers to get ahead of the trend towards healthier, natural flavours with new products set to be unveiled at the ProSweets confectionery trade fair in the new year.

Novozymes appoints new executive vice president

Novozymes has appointed Benny Loft as its new executive vice president and chief financial officer following the death of Per Mansson on 17 November.

Water-in-oil-in-water emulsions to offer low-fat options?

On-going research by Anglo-American researchers into water-in-oil-in-water emulsions could offer significant potential for low-fat products, and novel encapsulation systems.

Health claims publication tabled for March/April

Publication of the new European health and nutrition claims and food fortification regulations has been delayed until next spring - a scenario that should affect nothing but the timescale for entering into force, although experts expect more amendments will be required.

Quest taps global demand for fruit flavours

Quest International has announced the global launch of an apple flavour originally designed for the Asian market.

Support for EU food exports approved

The EC has approved measures designed to promote agricultural products outside the bloc.

Weekly Comment

Trans Fats: A Farewell to Harm

There's no way but out for heart-damaging trans fatty acids, and procrastinators in the food industry will achieve nothing by delaying reformulation other than lagging behind in the game as the rest of the world waves goodbye.

EFSA calls for data on food colours

Europe's food safety authority has called for data on food colours as part of a systematic re-evaluation of all authorised food additives in the EU.

Collagen to boost rosemary's antioxidant activity in meat?

Impregnating collagen fibre with rosemary extracts could boost the antioxidant activity of the extract, and has significant potential for processed meats, say Polish scientists.

EC simplifies agriculture aid rules

The EC's adoption of new rules on state aid to agriculture is designed to provide simpler and more effective regulation.

AB launches 'texture improving' enzyme ingredient

AB Enzymes has launched what it describes as a 'novel breakthrough' in enzymatic bioemulsifying for bakery applications.

EU 'strongly committed' to Mediterranean agriculture

The EU has sought to ease frustrations that agricultural trade within the Mediterranean region has not advanced as quickly as hoped.

Western diet pattern linked to colorectal cancer risk

The high calorie, low fibre dietary pattern associated with the Western diet are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, says new research from France.

Borregaard announces major vanillin price increase

Borregaard Ingredients has announced an immediate 20 per cent price increase for its vanillin and ethyl vanillin product lines.

Cereal prices at highest levels for a decade

Cereal prices, particularly for wheat and maize, have reached levels not seen for a decade, according to FAO's latest Food Outlook report.

EU sugar reforms leave east in the cold, claims expert

Central and Eastern European sugar processors are bearing the brunt of new EU reforms due to dominant Western European companies within the industry acting in a political and not economic manner, claims an agricultural expert.

New Danisco stabilizer cuts fat, costs for ice cream makers

Danish ingredients group Danisco has launched a new stabilizer ingredient designed to allow ice cream manufacturers to cut the fat content of their products while still maintaining a creamy mouthfeel.

Australia firm patents natural low GI sugar

An Australian firm has patented what it describes as a 'totally natural low GI sugar'.

Chilled food sector must tap consumer patterns

The western European market for chilled prepared foods, worth over €14.62bn in 2005, must take into account changing consumer patterns if it is to avoid stagnation.

Sugar not linked to diabetes rise, suggests study

High sugar intake does not directly affect insulin resistance and subsequent diabetes risk, say researchers from Northern Ireland.

Heat-tolerant wheat: the future of food development

A major global research effort has generated climate-resilient innovations such as crops bred to withstand heat, salt, submergence or waterlogging.

Garlic, onions may offer wide-ranging cancer protection

High intake of garlic and onions was associated with significantly reduced risks of a wide-range of cancers, according to a large epidemiological study from Italy.

Use of nisin in liquid eggs 'not a safety concern'

Extending the use of the additive nisin to cover the preservation of liquid eggs does not pose a safety concern, says EFSA.

Rice bran protein concentrate: huge potential for formulators?

The functional properties of protein concentrates from rice bran are better than casein and some soy protein isolates, and could be an inexpensive ingredient for a wide range of food products, say Indian researchers.

GM starch potato approval goes Council of Ministers

The decision on approving the GM starch potato Amflora for cultivation has been transferred to the Council of Ministers.

CIAA urges effective food legislation

The food industry needs European policies that will make the sector's own efforts more successful, said CIAA president Jean Martin.

GM potatoes could 'strengthen competitiveness'

Amflora, the GM starch potato at the centre of recent controversy, could help strengthen the competitiveness of the potato starch industry, according to EuropaBio.

New Quest berry flavours target dairy growth

Quest claims that its new Berrysense range of fruit flavours could give dairy product firms the edge in capturing lucrative new markets.

Novel oligosaccharides as sweeteners for food, beverages?

Scientists from Korea and Denmark have reported the synthesis of novel oligosaccharides with a relative sweetness of about 80 per cent that of sucrose, potentially offering formulators with an alternative sweetener source.

EU food industry tackling trans fats, says RSSL

The European food industry is tackling the issue of trans-fatty acids (TFA) in its products, according to a UK research centre.

Sugar reform fails to sweeten ABF sales

Associated British Foods (ABF) yesterday blamed a drop in operating profits of 21 per cent to £413m (€612.9m) before on higher energy costs and instability arising from EU sugar reforms.

Avebe 'on track' with solid year results

Starch group Avebe's net loss of €4.6 million for financial year 2005/2006 marks the completion of what the firm calls its 'reconstruction phase'.

Weekly Comment

Taking the junk out of junk food

The relationship between child and crisp has long been a sacred one but instead of exploiting this dynamic to shovel unhealthy food into young mouths isn't it about time healthier companies exploited it to push junk food without the junk?

Scientists look to better flavour, mouthfeel from whey-based dairy

The hydrocolloid high-methoxy pectin (HMP) may offer the best potential to enhance the thickness of whey-based lactic beverages.

BASF GM potato trial stokes controversy

UK approval for BASF to undertake trials of a GM disease-resistant potato has met with inevitable opposition.

FDF defends food industry commitment to health

Consumer groups should stop painting the food industry as the villain, says the UK's Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Blend palm kernel oil and palm oil to better replace cocoa butter?

Blending palm kernel oil, extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide, and palm oil leads to new cocoa butter replacers (CBR), offering cheaper alternatives with good physical and chemical properties.

Royal Numico sells gluten-free food division

Royal Numico has sold its Coeliac business for an undisclosed amount to Italian firm Dr Schar.

Cargill launches Halal pork fat replacer

Cargill has developed an ingredient to help food manufacturers replace the pork fat used in many meat products with restructured vegetable fat.

Barry Callebaut promotes cocoa's healthy side

Barry Callebaut has produced a new website entirely devoted to promoting the nutritional benefits of cocoa in an effort to counteract the increasingly unhealthy image of chocolate products and their unpopularity in a health-conscious market.

EC proposes new NZ butter import rules

The EC has proposed new import arrangements for New Zealand butter in order to avoid 'discriminatory practices'.