Banana supplier Chiquita has reported a tough third quarter, with
profits hard hit by new EU import regulations, irregular weather
conditions and concerns about the safety of fresh spinach.
The UK's Soil Association has questioned a BBC News survey that
claims that moves to improve the quality of meals in England has
resulted in fewer pupils taking them this term.
Scientists in Texas are investigating the potential of dried plums
as a natural alternative for processed meats, slowing oxidative
spoilage as well as imparting flavour and aroma.
Associated British Foods (ABF) yesterday blamed a 21 per cent drop
in operating profit on European sugar industry reform and
significantly higher energy costs.
Price is the most significant barrier to companies looking to
market omega-3 fortified products in Asia, says an analyst, but it
is not big enough to prevent growth in demand.
In the food and nutrition world, science is king. So when journals
do not force scientists to fully disclose financial support and
potential conflicts of interest, they are not helping anyone.
A declining US baby food market could receive a significant boost
from products that focus on infant weight control, as well as
premium baby goods and 'all natural' items, according to a new
report by Mintel.
Leading ingredients firm Cargill has developed a number of whole
grain, low fat tortilla prototypes in an effort to capture a slice
of the growing US market for the healthy bread alternative.
National Starch Food Innovation is to raise food ingredient prices
in the US across its entire product portfolio, with corn-based
ingredients set to see the highest hikes.
Citric acid leader Jungbunzlauer has jumped on the price hike
bandwagon, announcing last week that it is to up the stake on
citric acid, GdL and xantham gum in all markets where it operates
The UK's processors will be given more leeway on how they apply the
EU's traceabilityrequirements, under proposed guidance notes issued
by the country's food safety regulator.
US health officials investigating a salmonella outbreak that
infected 171 people across 19 States believe fresh produce may have
been the cause of the spread.
Scientists in Pakistan and Canada have used a novel bacterial
strain to produce thermostable alpha-amylase for use in starch
processing, brewing and sugar production.
Sainsbury's are introducing ten new products to its successful SO
organic fruit and nut range, taking full advantage of consumer
trends towards organic produce.
Croda is taking steps to assure customers of the purity of its
omega-3 concentrates, certifying that dioxin-like PCB levels in
Incromega are more than 60 per cent below the new EC limits due to
come into force this month.
A diet low in folate may increase the risk of developing colorectal
cancer, says an animal study from Canada, backing up previous
studies and highlighting potential additional benefits of folic
acid fortification.
There appears to be widespread consumer interest for nutrition
information on food packages but the industry still knows next to
nothing about how such labelling is actually used on a day-to-day
basis.
Leading agri-business Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has seen
earnings more than double in its first quarter, with performance
boosted by improved market conditions and price increases for some
of its primary products.
The suspended WTO farm talks featured in the organisation's
agriculture committee's meeting yesterday, with members' failure to
supply up-to-date information a source of frustration.
DSM has re-organised its dairy ingredients division into two
distinct categories, reflecting growing demand from customers for
both added value and efficiency-boosting products.
A new automated extraction system increases the amount of high
viscosity fluids that can be removed from bulk bag-in-box packages,
its manufacturer claims.
Food manufacturer Unilever has reported a 20 per cent decrease in
third quarter pre-tax profit of 1.12bn, despite bucking the trend
in the European market.
A genetically modified wheat variety that has significantly more
resistant starch than regular wheat could reach the market in five
years, say Australian scientists who have won financial backing to
commercialise the crop.
British supermarkets are reacting to mounting fears over trans fats
in foods, pledging to remove them from own branded products by the
end of the year.