The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) continues to expand its
scientific work this year, with an eye on the upcoming
implementation of new EU legislation covering a variety of industry
segments.
A sweetener system for bakery products is designed to reduce the
fat and calorie content of baked goods without altering the taste
and texture, according to manufacturer Cargill, which introduced
its product at the IFT show in Orlando...
China has lifted a three-year ban on imports of selected cuts of US
beef that has been in place since the first case of mad cow disease
was detected in the nation.
Tate and Lyle has announced the launch of Meritab - a new direct
compressible dextrose that can be used in confectionary,
nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
Irish researchers are working on using genomics to enhance flavour
in dairy products - and enhancing the country's technological
standing in international R&D.
Biotech giant Monsanto has reported strong results for its third
quarter, with its sales continuing to benefit from a good
performance by its seeds and traits business.
The presence of salmonella in samples of most raw meat and poultry
products tested by federal inspectors decreased slightly in the
first quarter of 2006.
Turmeric, normally used as a spice to Asian foods, can be used to
curb bad flavors from forming in pickles packaged in plastic
containers, according to a study.
Danish company, Chr. Hansen has announced that it has won a patent
case to protect its natural LiquidCap colour, a result that
protects not only Chr. Hansen but also the customers, said the
company.
French retailer Carrefour has been found guilty of allowing
hypermarket staff to be paid directly by suppliers, depriving the
employees of payroll benefits and collective bargaining agreements.
The role of food craving must be properly investigated if we are to
successfully develop measures to counter the current obesity
crisis, said Marcia Levin Pelchat from Morell Chemical Senses
Center in the US.
Global sales in fairtrade products have increased 37 per cent to
€1.1bn (£758m) in the last year, as leading supermarket chains
switch sourcing policies to tap the growing consumer trend for
ethically produced goods.
A review of the European Union's dairy strategy will take in place
in 2008, with intervention prices, storage subsidies and milk
quotas all up for discussion.
The obesity issue is not going to solve itself, concluded
participants in a CIAA debate this month who advocated an EU-wide
approach to tackling the problem, with the food and drink industry
forming part of the solution.
Start-up Origo Biosciences has discovered the presence of an
anti-cholesterol immunoglobulin in milk and is investigating its
commercialisation as an ingredient for functional foods that may,
one day, give plant sterols a run for...
A new packaging system provides an extended shelf life for fresh
food products without using the more expensive thermoforming
process, its Swiss-based manufacturer claims.
Following a month of negotiations, Sara Lee has agreed the sale of
its European meats business to Smithfield for $575m (€457.6m), as
both firms reposition themselves in the marketplace.
A caramelized onion flavor is set to hit the US market, with
manufacturer DD Williamson announcing that it has started
commercial production of its new ingredient, designed for use in
soups and sauces.
Specialised diploma courses for various manufacturing segments of
the food industry will be created in the UK, part of a bid to
increase the skills levels in the industry.
The current move towards harmonising global regulations on
genetically modified food is a good thing, though agreement on
labelling remains as far away as ever, an IFT conference heard this
week.
Food preferences and flavour perceptions may be formed in the womb,
and form the basis of understanding selection and consumption,
experts told delegates in Orlando.
The world's biggest oilseed processor Bunge has announced a
revision of its net income guidance for full year 2006, after Q2
was more challenging than expected.
Scientists have renewed calls for a listeriosis reporting network
across the EU, pointing to the relatively high rates of the deadly
disease throughout the bloc.
Leading oilseed producer Bunge has developed a new process to
incorporate protein into candy bars, which the company claims does
not have a negative impact on the product's texture and taste.
The world's leading spice manufacturer McCormick has bought
Epicurean International's portfolio of Thai cooking ingredients and
convenience foods for $97m (€77m).
Progress is being made in reducing the levels of the potentially
cancer-causing acrylamide from many foods, but reducing its
presence in coffee still poses a challenge, scientists say.
A new pressure tester compensates for temperature and also predicts
shelf life, helping food and beverage packagers to ensure the
quality of their products.
Unilever has developed a new genetically modified protein that it
says will serve up low-fat ice cream without compromising on taste,
as ice cream firms step up the race to please health conscious
consumers.
President of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Margaret
Lawson has become vice president for science and innovation at
global food colour manufacturer DD Williamson.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has announced that it
is on-course to meet salt reduction recommendations but stressed
that more research and investment is necessary if the ultimate
targets for 2010 are to be achieved.
American manufacturer Kraft will make a bid for United Biscuit's
southern European division, while Premier Foods and a Dutch equity
firm negotiate for stakes in UB's northern European operations.
The EU's approach to GM food regulation has little theoretical
basis, and panders to the fears and prejudices of its citizens,
according to a US scientist.
Members of Britain's GMB workers' union have voted three to one in
favour of industrial action against Asda Wal-Mart, following months
of dispute over pay and collective bargaining rights in depots
around the country.
Unilever must change its British television advert for Flora
pro.activ margarine as it contains unsubstantiated health claims,
said the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
The health-enhancing properties of hemp have come under the
spotlight this month with the launch of a drink containing
hemp-blossom syrup (Cannabis sativa) in the UK, which is
also being tested by multiple sclerosis sufferers for...
Scientists at Iowa State have developed soybean oil rich in oleic
acid and low in linolenic acid, and are now seeking food companies
to test if the oil can be used in applications previously beyond
the scope of conventional soybean...
UK ingredients firm Tate & Lyle is using the IFT convention in
Orlando as a platform to introduce two new sweetener solutions on
the US market, designed to be convenient delivery systems for the
firm's proprietary sucralose...
With confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission of the avian
influenza virus, scientists are now warning that mass vaccination
of domestic poultry may hinder detection of the deadly H5N1 strain
of the disease.
Severe shortages of passion fruit supplies from Ecuador threaten to
disrupt food and drink firms, as Britvic says it will pull its J2O
Orange and Passionfruit drink from shop shelves in Britain this
summer.
ADM is targetting the burgeoning healthy snacks market, launching a
wheat protein isolate that mimics the properties of sugar as a
binder in reduced sugar applications.
Adding fiber to beverages, dairy products and soups is a major
focus for ingredients giant National Starch, which is featuring a
water soluble fiber product at the ongoing IFT food expo in
Orlando.
