Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) has warned that the average Christmas meal could contain over 11g of salt – almost twice the recommended daily limit for adults.
Market analysis have expressed concern that demand for organic food will shrink in the tight economic situation, as consumers become less willing to part with a premium.
UK organic certifiers are in early stage discussions over whether it could be feasible for organic farmers to feed some animals conventional feed for a limited period, without compromising their organic certification in the long term.
The UK is set to have its first Own Label Show next November, billed as a forum for sourcing new product lines, finding partners and tracking developments.
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned the food sector to be on alert regarding a bogus letter which falsely identifies the sender as an agency official demanding payment for alleged breaches of food safety regulations.
Salt reduction targets for food products sold in Australia are expected to be set in October 2009, subject to development and agreement between the government and the food industry.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is launching a 9-month project to investigate the causes of honey bee ‘colony collapse disorder’, and is encouraging all parties to share any data on the problem.
Canada’s largest food processor, Maple Leaf Foods, has settled consumer lawsuits filed in the wake of an outbreak of listeriosis in August to the tune of CAN$27m (US$22.5m).
Scientists have warned that food manufacturers should move quickly if they wish to reformulate their products befor the official calorific value for fibre goes up next October.
The impact of this year’s melamine dairy crisis has rumbled through the food chain and although quality assurance measures can benefit responsible firms, downturn in Chinese dairy has still led to lost of ingredients sales.
As 2008 draws to a close, FoodNavigator has been reviewing which articles generated the most interest amongst you, the readers. Interest in sweeteners has been intense – from new science and market entrants in sucrose, to new possibilities for the market.
An article published in the British Medical Journal today has dismissed the commonly held belief that sugar causes hyperactivity in children as a ‘medical myth’.
Novozymes is introducing the first new technologies to be born out of its acquisition of Indian enzyme-maker Biocon, such as a new enzyme to increase apple juice yield and overcome apply supply issues.
The FDA has given the long-awaited green light for Reb A, the sweetener made from the stevia leaf, to be used in food and beverages - opening the flood gates for new product launches.
Dairy co-ops Campina and Friesland are to become one at the end of this year, following competition clearance subject to conditions, and a favourable final vote by the councils of both.
Everyone knows that broccoli is good for you, and advances in transgenic plant engineering by Danish researchers may soon see that goodness replicated in other plants.
New guidelines can assist ready-to-eat (RTE) food producers in identifying the Listeria monocytogenes risk in their products as well as informing decisions on when and which shelf-life studies are needed.
Manufacturers of children’s breakfast cereals and lunchbox snacks have been accused of misleading parents about high levels of salt, sugar and fat in a British Heart Foundation report.
EFSA has released new draft guidance on transparency in the scientific aspects of risk assessment, building on previous guidance on the purely procedural side.
Chr Hansen has introduced a new yoghurt culture specifically designed to meet taste and texture preferences of Middle Eastern consumers, and help producers make cost savings.
There may be a shred of truth to sisters telling their brothers that they have better taste than them but we’re not talking about fashion or music, according to findings of a new study.
The popularity of spelt has rocketed in recent years, leading to a 130 per cent increase in European product launches containing the ancient grain over the past three years.
A newly released publication, targeted at the meat production sector, evaluates the latest production and processing strategies to help ensure better meat quality.
Cutting the cost of cake-making by removing the use of eggs may be achievable by combining a hydrocolloid with a suitable emulsifier, says new research from India.
Margin pressure in its sweeteners and Genencor business divisions has caused Danisco to lower its bottom-line outlook and take a long hard look at its production set-up for xylitol and other products.
Canada-based scientists report the successful incorporation of Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, potentially offering a new probiotic product.
‘Tis the season for food trend predictions, but this year’s list from Thefoodpeople is marked by back-to-basic measures to reduce food spending in the recession.
Associated British Foods (ABF) has announced that it has reached an agreement with Ebro Puleva for the acquisition of its Spanish sugar business, Azucarera Ebro, for €385 million.
Companies should check now whether their additives, enzymes and flavourings comply with the EU’s new Food Improvement Agent Package, says Xavier Lavigne, food law manager with nutrition policy consultancy EAS.
Ongoing talks in the US over a potential tax on methane emissions from dairy cows and other livestock farming is unlikely to be rolled-out globally and would not be welcomed within European dairy, according to one industry expert.
Scientists have made strides into understanding how to increase crop yields by boosting a plant’s intake of nutrients and water, which could help improve food sustainability.
DSM is introducing stringent cost-saving measures to withstand the economic slump despite a good performance from nutrition, including slashing 1000 jobs from across its businesses.
Researchers at Tufts University have reported that low-carbohydrate diets may impair cognitive performance, following a study comparing an Atkins-type diet with a reduced-calorie regime.
Symrise is expanding the capabilities at its site in Vienna in a bid to gain more traction in the southeastern European market, with a particular focus on fat-based products.
A survey into the levels of colourings in food products in Australia showed usage far below the maximum permitted levels (MPL); FSANZ says this shows there is no public health risk associated with their use.
A new software programme manages the complete Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) operational cycle to provide a powerful food safety and quality control system, claims its US developer.
Researchers at Princeton University claim that they have laid down the final pieces of evidence necessary to prove the existence of sugar addiction in animal studies.
Vitiva is introducing a new version of Inolens rosemary extract to protect citrus flavours in food and beverage applications, without using chemical antioxidants.
The European Commission is proposing a package of ways to safeguard affordable food for consumers, including investigation of retailer payment practices, EU-wide price monitoring, and examination of commodity market regulators.
DSM has launched a new yeast extract for chicken flavours, as it predicts innovation in meat flavours will continue on the back of natural and authentic taste needs.
The levels of dioxins found in some Irish pork would not necessarily lead to adverse health effects following consumption, claims the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Danisco's director of regulatory affairs explains what the newly adopted legislation on food additives and enzymes means for industry, and the question marks that remain.
The Irish pork crisis has consumers staring at the prospect of an empty table at Christmas, and industry doing sums on how much the so-called ‘biggest meat crisis since BSE’ is going to cost. It’s no wonder new questions are being asked of food safety...
