Cutting out the junk will be a major for manufacturers in 2008 said
Mintel in its prediction of trends to shape food for the next 12
months, as consumers buy into natural and environmentally-friendly
products.
Fine chemicals firm Allylix is to get more than $3m worth of
investment by a team of companies including Tate & Lyle
Ventures to produce cost effective plant extracts called terpenes.
Stevia, the natural sweetener causing a whirlwind of interest
around the globe, could also be a rich source of antioxidants and
may protect against DNA damage and cancer, says a study from India
published yesterday.
Wild is extending offering of fruit and vegetable juice
compounds by using new kinds of produce, like pumpkins and bell
peppers, in a bid to halt shrinking sales in the orange-carrot
drinks category in Germany.
Tapping into the ever-growing search for natural antioxidants to
prolong the shelf-life of foods, researchers from Portugal report
that the leaves, flowers, and skins of chestnuts could be added to
the list.
Campina has announced its intention to acquire Satro from Germany's
Humana Milchunion, to boost growth in value-added ingredients and
make it stronger in the face of price issues.
Fine chemicals firm Allylix is to get more than $3m worth of
investment by a team of companies including Tate & Lyle
Ventures to produce cost effective plant extracts called terpenes.
The acquisition of Tradin Organic Agriculture by fast-expanding
SunOpta will enable it to extend its current organic programs while
adding new sourcing projects worldwide.
Debate has been stirred in the UK over a future that could see GM
foods on supermarket shelves, as the government's outgoing chief
scientific advisor said he believes GM food to be safer than
convention food.
The top 10 trends to watch for next year include fresh and organic,
superfruits, bold flavors, and probiotics beyond yogurts, according
to Datamonitor's Productscan database.
Symrise has developed a sugarless version of its Evoglass flavor
encapsulation technology, catering to growth in the sugar-free
confectionery and packaged foods market.
A new biomass boiler in Tate & Lyle's East London refinery,
considered a first for the UK food and drink industry, will slash
carbon emissions from energy use by 25 per cent in less than two
years.
A food industry initiative launched this year is promoting one
standard, easily recognisable symbol to aid identification of
healthy foods across the world and encourage manufacturers to
reformulate products along healthier lines.
It all started with a trip to Greenland in 1970. Three Danes, a couple of dogsleds, and several years of study later and the omega-3 was born. Since then, awareness and understanding of marine omega-3 has sky-rocketed.
It all started with a trip to Greenland in 1970. Three Danes, a
couple of dogsleds, and several years of study later and the
omega-3 was born. Since then, awareness and understanding of marine
omega-3 has sky-rocketed.
A blend of native Australian herbs with synergistic preservative
qualities could prove a natural alternative to sodium benzoate in
beverages, claims its inventor.
High intakes of sucrose and fructose may contribute to an increased
risk of pancreatic cancer, suggest data from a cohort study, but
the researchers say insulin resistance could also play a part.
Food and beverage processors will be fighting it out for an
increasingly dwindling supply of grains sourced at ever higher
prices, ING Group warned in a new forecast report for the sector.
The salt level in UK ready meals is 45 per cent lower than four
years ago, according to a new survey from the Consensus Action on
Salt and Health (CASH) highlighting the food industry's progress to
reduce levels.
Sales in the UK food ingredients industry are falling on average as
a result of increased competition, both domestically and
internationally, according to a new market report by analysts
Plimsoll.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has appointed a new
interim director for its Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition (CFSAN), to keep up strong leadership at a time of
heightened focus on food safety.
A big handful of almonds every day could boost the antioxidant
defences of smokers, a group at risk of low antioxidant levels due
to higher oxidative stress, by up to 35 per cent, says a joint
Chinese-US study.
Nestle intends to step up its focus on beverage production with the
opening yesterday of its first research and development centre
dedicated solely to drink brands destined for the food service
industry.
The adoption of draft opinions on the safety of six food colours is
on hold pending EFSA's review of the Southampton study on certain
food additives and hyperactivity in children.
Natural extracts from olive and grape showed better anti-microbial
activity against a bacteria and yeast than three synthetic
antioxidants, showing their potential as food preservatives, says a
new study.
Talks are under way in Hungary aimed at returning 50 per cent of
the country's sugar quota to the restructuring fund, in light of
the latest sugar reforms announced by the European Union.
The European Commission yesterday outlined reforms the bloc's
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), proposing further
measures aimed at weaning farmers off handouts and boosting
commodity supplies.
The health benefits of curcumin, the natural pigment that gives the
spice turmeric its yellow colour, could be enhanced by
encapsulation in nano-emulsions, suggests new research.
Enzymatic modification of protein from canola could enhance the
gelling properties of the canola protein isolate, and boost its
potential as a food ingredient, suggests a new study from Canada.
Friesland Foods Domo and Novasep Process aim to accelerate
production times while developing purification technologies and
reducing cost for the functional foods and dairy markets through
their new partnership.
Herb and fruit infused beers are set to become a major growth
category for brewers facing dwindling sales of ale, according to
the manufacturer of a new range of natural flavours.
The Soil Association has declared the elimination of synthetic
antioxidants in its certified organic fish feeds, giving a new
layer of assurance to consumers who wish to purchase organic
produce.
The proposed restrictions on air freighting of organic produce into
the UK could have implications for the flavour industry, as some
valuable raw materials are grown far way and would not survive
lengthy sea freighting times.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has appointed Tim Smith as its chief executive.Smith, former chief executive of Arla Foods, will take up his post in...
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has created the board of
its new Reagan-Udall Foundation, taking the agency one step closer
to its goal of enhancing the development and safety of food and
food ingredients.
Frutarom has snapped up RAD Natural Technologies in its seventh
acquisition of the year - a move that adds to its growing weight in
the taste and health arena.
Kerry Group is in negotiations over the sale of its fruit
ingredients division, with a possible bidder rumoured to be Swedish
private equity company Industri Kapital.
The rise in health and wellness, a 'sea of change' in the food
industry, is creating challenges for formulators, but hydrocolloid
companies can offer solutions, says CP Kelco.
A new dairy culture can reduce the fermentation time needed for
milk processing, while meeting demand for lower fat, clean label
dairy products in emerging markets like Eastern Europe, its
manufacturer claims.
National Starch introduced an extension to its Homecraft range of
functional flours to the European market at FIE this year called
Express 760, aimed at building viscosity and texture in instant and
ready-to-heat foods.
Neotame has moved a step closer to being approved for use in the
European Union as a sweetener and flavour enhancer, following a
positive safety opinion from EFSA.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to veto a
bill that would have required the labeling of foods from cloned
animals has attracted fierce opposition from consumer groups.
Yesterday's landmark decision by the European Court of Justice,
ruling Germany failed to fulfil its obligations concerning the free
movement of goods by refusing to import garlic extract powder
capsules, has paved the way for...