Food industry experts and academics are to convene next week to
debate the conflicts between modern food provisions and healthy
living, and how these could be considered in devising food
marketing strategies.
The European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) GMO panel has no safety concerns after reviewing data from French scientists suggesting toxicity concerns in rats fed the MON863 variety of GM maize from Monsanto.
Raisio has revealed that it is considering shutting down its grain
mill in Nokia, Finland, to raise profitability in the face of
changing market conditions.
Fonterra, New Zealand's largest food group has pledged to step up
its commitment to tackling climate change amidst new findings from
the country suggesting businesses could profit from greater
environmental concern.
Zurich-based chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut said today
that like-for-like sales increased 6.1 per cent in
the nine months to 31 May, despite the unstable cocoa
market.
The sourness of acidified beverages is related to concentrations of
hydrogen and organic acid species, says a new study from the US
that may offer an easy method for formulators to test sourness.
Nippon Suisan Kaisha has become the first Japanese food company to
set up R&D operations in The Netherlands' Food Valley to cater
to the European consumer - and others are expected to follow suit.
Raisio is to cease production of margarine at its plant in Istra,
Russia from September, when it will transfer the operation to a
subcontractor in an effort to reduce over-capacity and boost
profitability.
DSM and Buhler today announced the opening production facility of
their Chinese joint venture Wuxi NutriRice Co, marking the imminent
start of the first commercial production of nutritionally-enriched
rice kernels for mixing with...
Fungal species of Rhizopus could offer a valuable alternative
source for lactic acid production, with significant advantages over
bacterial production, says a new review from Australia.
Quinoa, dubbed the mother of all grains, is starting to put in an
appearance as a meat analogue in vegetarian foods, with Israeli
company Soglowek launching quinoa-based patties to the
international market.
Swedish company Billerud will next week open a research centre to
develop packaging that can extend the shelf life of fruit and
vegetables during transportation.
Regulatory bodies in the United States and Europe have said they
will review a new study linking aspartame to an increased risk of
cancer, but have reiterated that until an evaluation of the data is
conducted they continue to support...
Food firms and industry associations are stepping up a campaign to
reform the US sugar policy, urging Congress to reject proposals
that would increase the cost of sugar price supports.
Concerns over the safety of aspartame could be reignited after a
new study with rats linked regular intake of the sweetener with
increased risk of leukaemia, lymphomas and breast cancer.
Using cinnamon as a functional ingredient may lead to slower
emptying of the stomach and reduce the rise in blood sugar after
eating, says a new study.
Stabilizer manufacturer TIC Gums has self-affirmed the GRAS status
for a line of modified gum acacia emulsifiers, which the company
says opens up a wider market for the product.
The use of pitaya as a source of red colours for foods is in its
infancy, but the potential of these fruits to offer alternatives to
re beet is growing, say the German scientists working on bringing
the pigments from the lab bench...
Chr Hansen has sold its paprika business activities and production
facilities in Spain and India to allow it to focus on value-added
activities, the company announced on Thursday.
A new guidance from the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA)
is designed to help manufacturers cut down on salt in their
products without compromising quality and safety.
Agro-firms Monsanto and Bayer CropSciences have entered into a
series of new agreements, which could result in crops that contain
two of the leading herbicide technologies - Roundup Ready and
LibertyLink.
Using a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process to encapsulate
lycopene could lead to greater stability and offer important
advantages over the conventional method of encapsulation.
A new stevia sweetener product has made its way into a number of
leading US retailers, where its manufacturer claims it is placed
side by side with the nation's top sweetener brands, despite its
regulatory status as a dietary...
Replacing unhealthy fats with healthy alternatives reduces risk
markers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) more than reducing the
quantity of fat, suggests new research from the US.
Agribusiness Monsanto has completed the divestiture of its US
branded cottonseed business, in a move required as part of its
takeover of the Delta and Pine Land Company (DPL).
Food allergies in Australian children have risen 12-fold since 1995
and there is an "urgent need" for further research into the trend,
according to a new study.
Italian dairy group Parmalat continues its fight back from
insolvency after emerging victorious yesterday from another set of
legal disputes over responsibility for its financial collapse in
2003.
A UK company claims it has developed a natural alternative to
traditional flavourings for food manufacturers wanting to give
their products a smoky taste.
Making batters with methyl cellulose could remove the need for
pre-frying of fried foods and boost the healthy image of battered
foods, suggests new research from Spain.
The Canadian beef industry took a step closer to easing the pain of
the country's BSE crisis after Quebec Superior Court Justice
Richard Wagner granted authorization for a billion dollar class
action suit against the Federal...
Tate & Lyle has completed its majority stake
acquisition of the German family-run specialty ingredients
firm GC Hahn - a further step in its plans to focus on value-added
ingredients over commodities.
The EU's dairy management committee last week revoked
subsidies on all exported dairy products for the first time in 40
years, as increased demand amongst processors and consumers
continues to drive up prices.
The board of the UK's Food Standards Agency yesterday gave the
go-ahead for the recommendation on mandatory folic acid
fortification be made to health ministers, but it remains unclear
whether the nutrient will be added to flour...
Chocolate ingredient manufacturer Barry Callebaut has announced the
opening of its new North American head office in Chicago, which it
claims is a step towards becoming the top player in the sector.
A new orange flavor claims to allow beverage makers to bring the
taste of freshly squeezed orange juice to their products, a flavor
that has remained elusive in the past, says manufacturer
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF).
Brazilian soy crusher Imcopa has set up operations in The
Netherlands with the aim of supplying the European market with
non-GM soy lecithin directly and building awareness of its own
brand amongst food manufacturers.
Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson yesterday delivered a strong
exhortation to the EU to take a lead in shaping global rules on GM
trade - particularly in defending objective science as a benchmark
- or suffer the economic consequences.
Friesland Foods this week announced plans to scale down
its production facilities in the Netherlands in a bid to brace
itself for wide scale changes within the EU's dairy market.
The overall body of science does not support the view that organic
food is more nutritious than conventionally grown food, says a new
review from the British Nutrition Foundation.
Scientists in Australia are scrutinizing the country's flora for
fruit with the potential to tap into the growing trend of exotic
fruits as sources of colours, flavours and health ingredients.