GM controversy, organic nutrition, sweetener and weight management: 2012’s top science under the microscope

It’s been a busy year in the food science arena, with a whole host of important and controversial findings that would affect the industry. FoodNavigator was there to break you...

Bad science: The studies we didn’t cover in 2012…

Every day FoodNavigator scans a heap of scientific journals to bring you all the latest research news relevant to your industry – but there’s a lot of dodgy research out...

FoodNavigator's 2012 news quiz

So you think you know all there is to know about the food industry in 2012? Let FoodNavigator put your knowledge to the test in this news quiz!

2012 in food science: Is phosphorus the new trans-fat? HFCS, GMOs, organics, gluten sensitivity and measuring calories...

From new research into the relationship between excess dietary phosphorus and the risk of cardiovascular disease to questions over the accuracy of how we currently measure calories, 2012 was an...

News in brief

Premier renews £60M a year deal to make Cadbury cakes

Premier Foods has renewed its long-standing license to manufacture Cadbury-branded cake products until at least June 2017 as part of its plan to boost growth...

Researchers seek EU-wide exposure data for nutrients and contaminants

An EU-funded project is seeking dietary information from across the bloc to better assess exposure to contaminants and nutrients – and to harmonise data collection.

Looking back on 2012: The year in pictures

It's been another big year for the food industry, with food taxes, palm oil, GM maize, nutrition labelling and organics dominating the headlines. Check out our photo gallery with links to our...

Are all foods linked to cancer? Yes … but don’t worry, say researchers

There is evidence linking almost every food or ingredient to cancer, but don’t worry because the evidence for pretty much all of it is very weak, say researchers.

Heineken ‘disappointed’ by €200m cartel loss in last chance EU saloon

Heineken yesterday lost its final appeal against a European Commission decision to fine it around €200m ($264.7m) for alleged collusion in an illegal Dutch beer cartel, as the European Court...

Value engineering: Better food structure and improved ingredient delivery can reduce costs

Techniques employed by industry to slash levels of salt, fat and sugar in food could be better utilised to cost effectively manage the levels of other expensive ingredients in foods.

EFSA on caramel colours: Consumer exposure lower than previously estimated

Consumer exposure to three caramel colours used in a variety of food and drink applications is ‘considerably lower’ than a 2011 scientific opinion published by EFSA suggested, says the Authority.  ...

Frito-Lay technology slashes potato chip oil content by a third

Frito-Lay North America has filed an international patent for a method it has developed to reduce the oil content of potato chips by around a third.

Heineken, Carlsberg ratings will survive French beer tax: Moody’s Investment Service

Moody’s says it will not downgrade its ratings of Carlsberg and Heineken, despite the potential harm a massive French tax increase in January could pose to national beer sales.

Special edition: Reformulation

'Rollercoaster of pricing and availability' for key ingredients driving reformulation solutions: Ingredion

Increases in the price of key ingredients, or widely fluctuating prices, are driving reformulation efforts in the industry, with suppliers like Ingredion offering solutions to replace ingredients and cut costs.

5-minute festive flick

Happy holidays from William Reed Business Media!

The working year is almost done, time to pause from ‘the business’ and embrace the festive season…go on, give it a big hug. Happy holidays!

'Bad science' on soft drinks a fact of life: Coca-Cola Enterprises CEO

Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) CEO John Brock has taken a sideswipe at detractors of soft drink ingredients who he claims base negative comments on ‘bad science or no science’.

Lindt and Haribo Gold Teddy row to rumble all the way to German Supreme Court

Lindt and Haribo’s trademark battle over golden bears in Germany will drag on until a Supreme Court decision despite yesterday’s ruling in favour of Haribo, sources told this site....

European science agency backs GM pollen use in food

Europe’s top food safety regulator has delivered a scientific opinion backing Monsanto’s application to place genetically modified (GM) pollen on the market for use 'in or as foods.'...

Guest article

General Mills: We’ll only solve global food security challenge if we embrace open innovation

Can we feed nine billion people by 2050? Only if we embrace the principles of open innovation, says Jeff Bellairs, senior director of the General Mills Worldwide Innovation Network (G-WIN) ,...

Red Bull welcomes French court action to strike out energy drink tax

Red Bull has welcomed a ruling from France’s highest constitutional court striking-down the government’s plans to tax caffeine and taurine-rich energy drinks from 2013.

News in brief

Cheese recalled due to metal contamination

Two types of cheese have been withdrawn from three UK supermarkets after being found to be contaminated with pieces of metal.

Special edition: Reformulation

How to save cash, boost nutrition and clean up product labels…Tate & Lyle on win-win reformulation

Retail buyers, as every food and beverage manufacturer knows, want it all. Cleaner labels, an improved nutritional profile (lower fat, sugar and salt), great taste and texture - and an...

editor's comment

‘Drinkifying snacks’: PepsiCo mush or master stroke?

Despite giving us object lessons in corporate word wash, can PepsiCo pull off what seems like a slightly puzzling mission, namely a long-term plan to ‘drinkify' snacks and vice versa...

Innovation key ingredient in cost-cutting recipe, says expert

Food companies are looking for new ways to appeal to frugal consumers while cutting their own costs – and ingredient companies are coming up some innovative answers.

Stevia in Europe: PureCircle highlights emerging trends

Regulatory restrictions and lessons learned from other markets are shaping the way food manufacturers are using stevia-derived sweeteners in Europe, according to supplier PureCircle.

EC’s pension proposals would be ‘disaster’ for UK business

The European Commission (EC) wants to impose pension changes that would cost UK businesses £350bn (€440bn) and 180,000 jobs, according to research commissioned by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

EU health claims: FoodDrinkEurope welcomes “certainty and clarity”

The EU’s biggest food industry group – FoodDrinkEurope – has backed Friday’s enabling of the article 13 list of 222 approved and 1500+ rejected health claims in the European Union’s 27 member states.

European economic woes have led to less ‘real innovation’, says Mintel

Major food and drink brands are producing fewer truly innovative new products as recessionary mindsets and behaviours continue throughout Europe, according to Mintel director of innovation and insight David Jago.

Non-detectable aromas may be key to driving mood and behaviours: Study

Low levels of aroma compounds in foods could be driving important consumer behaviours and may even play a role in moods and activity levels, say researchers.

It’s official! There are 222 general function approved health claims in the EU; 1500+ rejected

From today food and supplement products marketed in the EU’s 27 member states must comply with the article 13, permitted list of health claims or face prosecution for misleading marketing.

Food makers turn to natural antioxidant blends to manage price spikes

Food manufacturers looking to extend shelf life with natural antioxidants have started using blended ingredients in an effort to deal with spiralling raw material costs, according to Frost & Sullivan.

European gluten-free thresholds are working to protect coeliacs, study finds

A maximum threshold of 20 mg of gluten contamination per kilogram of food marketed as gluten-free has been successful in protecting coeliac consumers in Europe, according to a new study...

Comment

Greenpeace gone too far with GM Golden Rice scandal

“Human guinea pigs”, “gambling with health” and “shadowy research project”—the terms came thick and fast in Greenpeace’s revelation about Golden Rice earlier this year.

Special Edition: Fibre

From bakery to beverage: Are ‘high fibre’ claims diversifying?

‘High fibre’ claims are traditionally the realm of bakery products, but has recent growing demand for fibre by consumers resulted in a shift away from bread-based products?

Expensive taste? Barry Callebaut defends hefty $950m Petra Foods deal

Market analysts have branded Barry Callebaut’s $950 million takeover of Petra Foods' cocoa division ‘pricey’, but the Swiss chocolate giant has defended the move despite admitting it will hurt its...

Risk assessment report aims to strengthen food system

A risk assessment report delivered to the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) should enhance trust and the wider food system, according to the working group that put it together.

Gourmet fruit range targets artisan chocolatiers and bakers

Taura Natural Ingredients has developed a range of natural concentrated fruit pieces to specifically target and cater to the needs of artisan chocolatiers and bakers.

ANALYST INSIGHT

Suntory UK focus after $6bn IPO could see it snaffle Barr Britvic: Analyst

With rumors swirling that Japanese giant Suntory is considering a $6bn IPO next year, one analyst reasons that any desire to enter the UK market could see it target Barr...

Taxing junk food could improve diets, review finds

Taxes on soft drinks and foods high in saturated fat and subsidies for fruits and vegetables could improve diets and overall health, according to a new review from New Zealand...

UK food industry trebles apprenticeships

The UK food industry has trebled the number of apprenticeships across the country since August last year, smashing its original target to double apprenticeships by the end of 2012.

News in brief

Food promotions prompt shoppers to change meal plans

More than half of shoppers change their meal plans according to which products are on promotion at supermarkets, claims new research published by the grocery think-tank IGD’s ShopperVista team.

Government praises food manufacturers’ environmental record

The environment secretary Owen Paterson has praised the environmental record of food and drink manufacturers.

Safety data for stevia extracts is ‘robust’: Cargill/Coke-funded study

All stevia glycosides are safe with respect to their genotoxic/carcinogenic potential, says a new review that seeks to silence doubts once and for all about the ingredient’s potential in food...

Unilever takes top spot on climate responsibility scorecard

Unilever has topped the Climate Counts scorecard for the second year running, as the corporate climate responsibility watchdog unveils a new ‘soaring’ tier in its scoring to reflect the nearly...

EC study: Do retailers’ own brands reduce consumer choice and industry innovation?

The European Commission (EC) has said it intends to conduct a study on whether expanded use of private label food and beverage products has restricted consumer choice and industry innovation.

All in the mind? Meal memories may influence later feelings of satiety

People who believe they have eaten a large meal feel less hungry for hours after the meal, irrespective of the actual amount they consume, say researchers.

Tate & Lyle takes on new protein ingredient technology for food texturants

Tate & Lyle has signed an agreement with Nandi Proteins Ltd to develop an early-stage protein ingredient technology for use in food texturants.

DuPont develops new culture range for Tvarog cheese

DuPont Nutrition & Health has developed a new mesophilic culture range for Tvarog cheese, in an effort to speed the company’s growth in Eastern Europe.

FrieslandCampina to cut German workforce in efficiency drive

FrieslandCampina plans to cuts its German workforce by more than 15% in an effort to increase its competitiveness in the country's supermarket-dominated “difficult” dairy market.

News in brief

Coca-Cola reformulates Glacéau vitaminwater with stevia in GB

Coca-Cola has reformulated Glacéau vitaminwater for the British market by revamping packaging and reformulating its eight-strong range with a stevia-based sweetener that cuts sugar levels by 30% and cuts the calorie...

FAO urges greater use of ‘neglected’ grains

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has urged greater use of neglected traditional grains, saying that there is global overreliance on just a handful of staple foods.

Financial crisis has sparked UK nutrition crisis, says Euromonitor

Euromonitor says a ‘nutrition crisis’ is underway in the UK as low-income consumers are dropping fresh fruit and vegetables from their diets – with fresh fruit consumption falling 5% in...

Career profile

'More than magical': Dow Wolff application specialist on the tricks that make eyes light up

Linda Bellekom-Allen, customer applications specialist at Dow Wolff Cellulosics GmbH, tells FoodNavigator about the enthusiasm of foodies, E number paranoia, and Dow's big box of toys.

French Gruyere cheese granted EC protected geographical status

French Gruyere cheese has been granted protected geographical indication (PGI) status by the European Commission (EC), after Swiss and French officials met to discuss measures to avoid misleading consumers.

New French system rates products’ health and eco-credentials

French organisation Institut Noteo has developed a free-access system that allows shoppers to check and compare products’ health and eco-credentials online.

Health experts back hybrid nutrition labels

Food manufacturers that are serious about improving public health should sign up to the hybrid nutrition labelling scheme proposed by the government and backed by retailers, say public health experts.

Groupe Caravelle to acquire equity stake in Naturex

French industrial business Groupe Caravelle has said it intends to acquire an equity stake in Naturex, following Spanish group Natraceutical’s sale of its 15.35% stake in the company earlier this...

News in brief

Rousselot develops new gelatine for dressings and sauces

Rousselot’s European applications laboratory has developed a new gelatine for egg replacement and for use in dressings and sauces, the company has said.

EC should help retailers sell non-perishable goods after 'best before' date

The European Commission (EC) should help retailers to sell non-perishable goods after the 'best before' date to reduce food waste.

UK hasn’t ‘scratched the surface’ with craft brewing potential: academic

A UK brewing science academic tells BeverageDaily.com that a regional project to help microbrewers crack China could benefit similar firms nationwide, and that the country hasn't ‘scratched the surface’ in...

Asian savory, Mexican sweet highlight McCormick's global flavor forecast

Flavor trends blending familiar ingredients with formerly exotic  tastes such as Asian savory sauces and Mexican caramel will drive food product and restaurant menu innovation in the coming year according...

News in brief

Synergy introduces ‘authentic’ cheese flavour range for bakery

Synergy has introduced a new range of cheese flavours for savoury baked goods such as breads, scones, bagels and muffins, the company has said.

Enhanced manufacturing parameters will improve granola quality and consistency, suggest researchers

A better understanding of how the manufacturing parameters impact the production of granola could help the industry to create products that better match consumer expectations and have consistent quality, say...

Thrifty, value-seeking and health-conscious: Euromonitor picks top 10 consumer trends

Euromonitor has highlighted economic uncertainty, ageing populations and a growing middle class as macro global trends – but what about consumer trends? Analyst Gina Westbrook has picked her top ten...

DSM completes €85m acquisition of Cargill's cultures and enzymes business

DSM has successfully completed its €85m acquisition of Cargill’s cultures and enzymes business – increasing its “critical mass” in the €1bn market for dairy industry cultures and enzymes.

‘We need a revolution in the way we think about food’: Futurologist

The future of food is an area that is often overlooked in the context of short political cycles, but we all need to have a view on how we can...

EC to consider adopting UK model for Groceries Code Adjudicator

The European Commission (EC) is considering the creation of an adjudicator to police supermarket abuse of power within the EU using the UK as a potential model, according to a...

Chr. Hansen initiates camel cheese development project

Chr. Hansen has teamed up with Kenyan firm Oleleshwa Enterprises Ltd to increase its knowledge of camel cheese production - knowledge it intends to pass on to camel owners in...

EU to hear Cypriot dairy industry ‘Hellim’ trademark appeal

The European Union General Court (EGC) will hear an appeal from the Cypriot Milk Industry Association relating to a decision to allow a German company to market dairy products using...

EU food industry competitiveness ‘lagging behind’: Report

The European Union’s food industry is lagging behind the rest of the world in terms of competitiveness, according to a new report from FoodDrinkEurope, which outlines priorities for new EU-wide...

News in brief

Trade bodies welcome UK tax decision

The Food and Drink Federation has welcomed UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s move to further cut corporation tax and increase the Annual Investment Allowance.

'See you in court Nespresso!' Rival alleges ‘systematic’ smear campaign

The Ethical Coffee Company (ECC) has launched a law suit against Nestlé subsidiary Nespresso in Paris claiming its larger rival ran a ‘systematic smear and defamatory’ campaign to discredit ECC's...

Hydrosol develops sauce stabilisers for better freeze-thaw stability

Hydrosol has developed a range of stabilising systems for spicy ketchups and sauces, allowing better freeze-thaw stability and cost savings, according to the company.

NASA food science: We’re 20 years away from foods with extended shelf-lives

The quest to have food to survive a five-year mission to Mars is at least two decades away, but ‘we’ll get there’, says Dr Michele Perchonok, advanced food technology project...

FrieslandCampina lactoferrin ingredient granted EC novel foods approval

The European Commission (EC) has given Dutch dairy giant FrieslandCampina the go-ahead to market bovine lactoferrin as a novel food ingredient.

Intersnack has been ‘eyeing’ KP Snacks for six years

Intersnack Group has been eyeing KP Snacks ever since it went into private equity hands back in 2006, the group’s marketing director said.

Intersnack snaps up KP Snacks for undisclosed sum

European Intersnack Group has snapped up United Biscuits’ KP Snacks for an undisclosed sum in a move that will enable the UK firm to 'dedicate focus' to its biscuits business, United...

‘No way back’ from natural colour trend, says Nestlé scientist

The trend toward natural colours for foods, drinks and sweets is here to stay – but raises huge technical challenges, according to Steve Tolliday, principal product technologist at Nestlé’s Product...

News in brief

Chocolate firm announces factory closure

Chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut is to close its Chester plant in a move that could lead to 25 job losses.

FoodDrinkEurope welcomes EU free trade talks with Japan

Food industry trade body FoodDrinkEurope has welcomed the EU Council’s decision to launch free trade negotiations with Japan, saying it will create jobs and additional income for many sectors of...

News in brief

Vitafoods Europe 2013 calls for conference speakers

Vitafoods Europe wants speakers to get in touch for its annual scientific an commercial conference which runs in conjunction with the trade fair to be held in Geneva, Switzerland on...

CASH retracts cheese salt claim after admitting ‘error’

Campaign group Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) has issued an apology and retracted a recent press statement that wrongfully labelled cheese as the third “biggest contributor of salt in...

Dutch companies to double use of sustainable soy from 2011 levels

Dutch food companies and trade organisations have signed agreements with Brazilian growers to double the supply of RTRS-certified soy to the Netherlands from 2011 levels, according to the Foundation for...

Thin models in chocolate ads tempt consumers to overindulge, study finds

Chocolate adverts portraying ‘ideal’ thin models may tempt even the most restrained of consumers to overindulge, suggest researchers.

Cargill sights ‘red hot’ energy sector following sucromalt fatigue study

Cargill is exploring opportunities in the energy sector after an ‘exciting’ study suggested that its novel carbohydrate Xtend sucromalt  reduced and delayed mental fatigue in adults when formulated within a...

Artificial sweeteners backed for weight management in functional food products

Functional food and drink products should utilise non-nutritive artificial sweeteners as a means to help consumers aid weight management and reduce the risk of diabetes, say scientists.

Diageo files 'pourable slush' patents for RTD cocktails

Diageo has filed patents in a range of nations detailing a formulation process for alcoholic cocktails, sold in bottles at ambient temperatures then frozen by consumers to form a ready-to-serve...

Biosensors a key area for nanotechnology

Nanobiosensors hold considerable potential as future areas of development for nanotechnology, according to a recent study.

News in brief

FDF guide aims to help food companies manage supply chain risk

The UK’s Food and Drink Federation has introduced a guide for food companies on how to identify risk in their supply chain, as part of an approach to sustainable sourcing....

Juicier processed meats may taste saltier, claim researchers

NIZO researchers claim to have found a way to reduce the salt content of sausages and other processed meat by at least 15% while retaining the same saltiness perception –...

Guest article

Can reduced portions reduce consumption? IGD reviews the evidence

Many food companies are promoting smaller portions and reducing the size of existing products as part of a plan to reduce overall calorie intake – but is this the most...

Chr. Hansen expands in Russia

Ingredient supplier Chr. Hansen has upgraded its Moscow offices and added an applications laboratory, in a move it says will help it to better respond to local customers’ requests.

Comment

Acrylamide: A scandal in the making

Acrylamide is a recognised carcinogen that we’ve known is in our food at dangerous levels for a decade. Today, the food industry has tools to mitigate it, but uptake is...

Sustainable cocoa: Action needed in two years, not ten

Action on sustainable cocoa must happen in two years, not ten and requires a holistic approach far beyond simple certification and increased production, the editor of a new report says.

Collaborate to deal with high food prices, urges PwC

Greater collaboration along the food and drink supply chain from supplier to retailer could help manage ongoing price volatility, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Danone eyeing Southern European dairy demand restoration

French dairy giant Danone has pinpointed the restoration of Southern European dairy product consumption and demand as one of its main short term strategic priorities.

News in brief

FAO stresses importance of industry for global food security

The private sector has an important role to play in promoting sustainable agriculture and fighting poverty and hunger, according to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) director-general José Graziano da Silva.