Natural flavours firm Wild taps into growing demand for processed
foods in Middle East and India, breaking ground on its first Middle
Eastern manufacturing plant to improve one-stop supply service to
the region.
European Commission calls for comments ahead of April Codex meeting
on proposed maximum levels of the potentially carcinogenic chemical
contaminant 3-MCPD in hydrolysed vegetable protein and soy sauces.
With the US public starting to be aware of the impact avian
influenza could have, poultry processors have started taking action
now to ward of a potential drop in demand.
Morrisons, Britain's fourth largest retailer, today posted a £73.7
million pre-tax loss for the first half of the year after failing
to take control of its massive Safeway acquisition.
Recent media hype surrounding avian flu - and news that the deadly
virus has spread to Romania and Greece - is sure to have a knock-on
effect for British retailers who are struggling to keep a brave
face.
In a bid that could help food processors pick the best marketable
package for their products, European associations have launched a
consumer study to find out their concerns.
Children born from women who consume alcohol when pregnant could
have eye problems, claims yet another study to highlight the risk
of alcohol consumption on the unborn foetus.
The market for salt-reduced food formulations set to rise in
Ireland as government and scientists launch campaign to slice the
salt from consumer diets.
A 40 per cent increase in marketing funds should help French wine
makers tackle falling sales in the UK and combat the very real
threat from New World wines.
Leading pectin and xanthan gum supplier CP Kelco becomes the latest
hydrocolloid firm to pass costs onto the market, announcing price
rises across its biogum, carrageenan and cellulose gum range.
EU moves to cut agricultural subsidies survived a French-led revolt
in an emergency Council of Ministers meeting Tuesday, but calls for
closer scrutiny of Commission negotiations could still dash a deal
at the WTO.
Europe's food agency calls on scientists across the food industry
to contribute data on the potentially carcinogenic compounds
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) identified in foods.
A tutti-frutti-flavoured cheese culture will be launched by leading
ingredients firm Danisco as flavour becomes increasingly important
for dairy firms looking to add value to their products.
Rising disposable incomes fuel strong double digit growth for
processed food sales in India, creating new opportunities for
international flavour houses ready to make the shift to Asia.
With the human-pathogenic form of bird flu hitting Greece, EU
poultry processors are facing immense potential to damage to their
industry due to losses from plunging consumer demand and exports.
Dairy players must beware of misleading nutrition claims as the
UK's advertising watchdog upholds a complaint against Nestle
propelled by the country's vegan society.
Ingredients firm Wild has devised a new solution for fizzy soft
drinks with up to 40 per cent less sugar and no artificial
sweeteners, offering more opportunities in low-calorie soft drinks.
Independent High Street shops could be eradicated by 2015 unless
leading supermarkets limit their expansion into the convenience
sector, according to the Forum for Private Businesses (FPB).
Asda Wal-Mart's treatment of workers has been condemned by unions
and charities, who claim that the international retailer has drawn
up a "chip away strategy" aimed at reducing costs and increasing
productivity.
PricewaterhouseCoopers' (PWC) asserts that retailers cannot afford
to ignore emerging Eastern European markets - but warns that only
the most exploratory and adaptable food retailers will succeed.
Unlocking new opportunities, New Zealand food scientists add value
to popular corn kernel by-product hominy through the development of
an ingredients matrix for snack foods.
Exploring how dietary components can interact to influence the
metabolic state of the body, scientists show that a high fat, low
carbohydrate diet eases Alzheimer's disease in mice.
A new range of specialty carrageenans designed to increase yield,
prevent drip loss and ensure freeze/thaw stability for meat, fish
and poultry is set to be unveiled.
Metro Group's innovative radio chip technology has the potential to
changethe face of food retail - but only if major retailers and
suppliers caneffectively work together to homogenise current
labelling standards.
In response to growing concerns about children's nutrition, a
Spanish candy firm is to launch a range of healthy vegetable snacks
that it hopes will appeal to children who are already familiar with
the brand name.
The production of gluten-free products could be the way for craft
bakeries to increase sales, which are suffering in the face of
lower priced mass-produced goods from industrial bakeries,
according to German company Hanneforth Food...
Five years in development, Danisco looks for strong gains from two
new enzymes, a lipase to enhance flour performance and an amylase
to extend the shelf-life of bread, targeted at bread makers.
The Californian attorney who sued both Kraft and McDonald's over
trans-fats tells FoodNavigator-USA.com how he forced the
issue onto the front pages, and what his next plan of action is.
The EU's CAP reforms continue to force changes on Europe's dairy
firms as Arla Foods announced it will close a Danish milk powder
plant that is no longer vital for production.
A daily glass of alcohol can prevent heart disease by thinning the
blood, but moderate drinkers may also raise the risk of
bleeding-type strokes, confirm researchers.
As supply and demand issues for non-GM lecithin propel ingredients
manufacturers to push alternatives onto the market, Danish
emulsifier firm Palsgaard launches citric acid ester as a lecithin
replacer.
Harrods is set to open a late-night gourmet food and drink outlet
opposite their flagship Knightsbridge store to tap into the booming
convenience food sector.
Rewe, Europe's fourth biggest retailer, plans to invest around €220
million into Bulgaria over the next three to five years as entry
into the Eastern European market eases.
The aesthetic demands of food retailers is leading to the mass
standardisation of fruit and vegetable produce sold in supermarkets
and causing obscene amounts of food waste, according to a UK
pressure group.
Private equity sets its sights on the food industry once again,
with France's Activa Capital injecting equity between €5 and €10
million in organic food firm Pro Natura.
The Philippines is developing a genetically modified (GM) coconut
with at least as much lauric acid as canola to allow it to hold
onto its leading share of the world's vegetable oil market.
