It is not how much you eat, but what you eat that could influence
life span, say UK researchers, investigating how calorie quality,
not quantity, may dictate longevity, writes Lindsey Partos.
Low doses of Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical widely used in plastic
food containers, baby bottles, cans, toys and dental sealants could
be a contributing factor to the development of breast cancer
inwomen, scientists say in a new study.
A meeting of agricultural seed industry experts this week is
focusing on some countries' quarantine regulations, which they say
are being used to hinder world trade.
Drinks makers looking for gains in the vibrant flavoured water
market could opt for new additions to WILD's exotic natural fruit
range, says the German flavour firm.
Encouraging signs for chocolate makers in Western Europe as a new
report suggests sales of chocolate tablets could be picking up
after a dip in recent years.
Normal exposure to phthalates, a chemical group used in plastics
packaging to make products flexible and pliable, may harm the
genital development of unborn baby boys, according to a study by
US-based scientists.
Tyson Foods has launched an investigation into whether some of its
workers are regularly slaughtering chickens inhumanely, after
claims by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) about
practices at the company's Heflin,...
A new framework to set favourable tariff quotas for certain
agricultural products from certain countries has been endorsed by
Russia's parliament yet rejected by the upper house, reports
Chris Mercer.
Two thirds of Russians are against genetically modified foods and
the majority of experts support a ban on GM crops as the government
prepares new production laws, reports Chris Mercer.
Finding out if the truck delivering your frozen fish fails to keep
your goods at the proper temperature could become easier with Agent
QC's undercover transport tracking system, reports
AhmedElAmin.
A new potato starch launched on Friday by the Dutch starch company
Avebe could help lower costs and improve baking stability in bakery
creams and fruit filling products, writes Lorraine Heller.
Ambitious rice giant Hisparroz will link up with a gene discovery
firm to bring new rice varieties to market and fresh gains to the
bottom line, the Spanish group has announced.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development moved to calm
investor fears over state intervention in Russia and outlined a new
focus on Eastern Europe at its annual conference, reports Chris
Mercer.
Consolidation in food ingredients continues with Nordic fats and
oil firms Aarhus United and Karlshamns set to merge, creating one
of the world's leading suppliers of cocoa butter alternatives,
reports Lindsey Partos.
The glycaemic index (GI) is emerging as a new weight loss regime,
despite the belief of some nutritionists that there is not enough
science to demonstrate it can effectively control weight, writes
Lorraine Heller.
The European Parliament voted yesterday to radically modify the
proposed regulation on nutrition and health claims so that food
companies do not need to gain prior authorization for claims, nor
subject their healtlh products to nutrient...
A whey protein additive that keeps nutritional bars soft could help
food makers break into what is a lucrative and highly innovative
market, writes Anthony Fletcher.
A new report from market analyst Datamonitor reveals that UK
consumers are continuing to abandon traditional sit down family
meals in favour of snacks.
Food safety focus on fats and oils as fresh data finds consumers
could be open to risk from harmful toxins created through the
breakdown of lipids in foods.
Hydrocolloid industry sees competition step up a gear as US
ingredients firm Cargill, for the first time, buys into the pectin
market through the acquisition of Citrico, reports Lindsey
Partos.
Umami, the fifth basic taste, falls under the spotlight as Dr.
Jacqueline B. Marcus in the US discusses how understanding this
inexplicable taste sensation can help food technologists increase
consumer acceptance and preference in...
Officials continue to remain tight-lipped over reports of a foot
and mouth (FMD) outbreak outside Beijing - as the country takes
precautions to avoid another bird flu pandemic, Tom Armitage
reports.
Confectionery makers continue to tap into consumer weight and
health concerns in a bid to boost stagnant sales as UK confectioner
Cadbury launches a new range of chocolate bars with under 99
calories.
Hungry food ingredients giant Cargill to enter Brazilian sugar and
alcohol production sector for the first time, announcing a new deal
to buy Açucareira Corona sugar mills.
Australian and New Zealand food agency calls on stakeholders in the
food industry to comment on a range of proposed changes to its food
code, including using GM cotton as a food and a new source for an
approved cheese processing enzyme.
Published details of a Monsanto report are at the center of a new
storm over whether genetically modified (GM) food could be harmful
to human health, writes Anthony Fletcher.
Dutch dairy giant Campina has clearance to call its new milk
derivative product Valess a 'meat alternative' but must provide
more nutritional information about the recipe on its website, a
Dutch court rules, reports Lindsey...
Sales volumes improve for speciality fats but bulk vegetable oils
continue to feel the pressure in the first quarter for fats and
oils firm Aarhus United.
A diet rich in milk does not increase the risk of heart disease and
stroke as previously thought and may even be protective, concludes
new research, reports Dominique Patton.
The familiar pungency of the common food ingredient garlic used
extensively by food makers comes down to one particular compound
and its ability to activate specific protein thermoreceptors in the
mouth, say researchers.
The source of the bacterium Campylobacter on poultry farmsand in
processing plants probably lies in the birds' lungs, according to
research by two scientists, reports Ahmed ElAmin.
The EU's restrictive position on biotechnology food products is
closely connected to domestic political reversal in key countries
such as France and the UK and concerns over the power of
multinationals and globalisation, according...
Strong branded milk lines stepping away from generics, and a rise
in porridge, tea and coffee consumption are helping to turn around
figures for milk use in Britain.
The UK government must introduce a compulsory new supermarket code
ofconduct if it is to make up for past mistakes and save the food
industryfrom a spiral into anti-competitive practices.
Finnish bakery group Fazer has bought its way in to Moscow to take
advantage of the growing demand among restaurants for bake-off
bread products and frozen dough, reports Chris Mercer.
As the country cautiously introduces GM imports, China has ratified
the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, a global protocol signed by
over 130 countries that aims to regulate international trade of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
In light of new European 'one up-one down' rules on traceability,
Finnish food safety receives a 'special focus' in 2005 with the
government announcing a clampdown on fruit and vegetables.
Trans fatty acids could 'modestly' increase the risk of gallstone
disease, say US researchers, providing yet more evidence to
encourage food makers to remove these fats from food formulations.
Deep divisions over biotech food ingredients once again evident as
member states fail to approve a gene-altered corn designed by US
biotech giant Monsanto, reports Lindsey Partos.
As banned colours continue to turn up in the food chain, the UK's
food agency will build a taskforce to reduce the risk of
contamination to supplies, and to improve risk management in the
advent of recalls.
Increasingly dominant ingredients supplier Cargill ups its stake in
the Romanian edible oils market, as the competition authorities
clear the way for the US firm to buy Olpo Podari, the largest
Romanian sunflower oil maker.
Weeks and weeks after the UK's food agency issues official warning
about contaminated Worcester sauce, alarm bells ring as two
prepared foods containing the illegal ingredient, and previously
withdrawn from sale, turn up on the...
