Researchers at ETH Zurich, an international university for technology and the natural sciences, have come up an alternative method to produce lactic acid, as demand for biodegradable plastic packaging from PLA (polylactic acid) grows.
Midnight cereal chomping, energy-dense sports snacks and on-the-go breakfast replacements are just some of the trends set to shape the snacking market next year, according to Datamonitor Consumer.
Renewed calls to attack health problems by taxing sugary drinks have been slammed by a leading nutritionist, who claims cutting portion sizes and sugar content and tackling irresponsible retail promotions would be better.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE say they are increasing inspections of organic products, both imported and home-grown, in order to protect consumers.
Saudi billionaire Mohammed Al Amoudi has revealed plans to pump US$100m into his stalled 15,000-hecatare Ethiopian rice farm project, as part of a US$500m investment plan.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has restarted its support for 1.7m Syrian refugees following a US$52m donation from Saudi Arabia, along with funds from other governments and donors.
Sugar, gluten-free foods, front-of-pack nutrition labelling, and the 'utter nonsense' behind popular diet claims were among the most popular subjects of the year on FoodNavigator.
The outbreaks of bird flu in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands are hampering efforts to create export markets in mainland China for these countries’ poultry and poultry products.
A secular organisation has called the Polish Constitutional Court’s decision to overturn a ban on non-stun slaughter ‘regrettable’, while a UK halal group says ‘common sense prevailed’.
Bruker Corporation has resolved Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charges around providing non-business related travel and improper payments to Chinese government officials to try and win business.
Salmonella and E. coli were found in fresh herbs sold at farmers’ markets but the sources and extent of contamination remains unclear, according to a study.
Less and less controls and a complex administration… says ‘ La politique de sécurité sanitaire des aliments’, a report presented to the minister of agriculture, Stéphane Le Foll, last week, which paints a grim picture of France’s food safety policy.
Not all dietitians recommend the use of low-calorie sweeteners in weight management, a study published in The European Journal of Public Health has found.
A distributor and processor of sprouts has stopped operations after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) repeatedly found unsanitary conditions during inspections.
Russia’s largest turkey meat producer Eurodon will triple its production within the next two years in order to meet growing demand on the domestic market, according to its management.
Researchers from the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at the University of York are working with local food manufacturers in Yorkshire and Humberside to find ways of deriving useful materials from food waste.
The CEO of Stevia Natura tells us why the French company is winning with customers including one high-profile dairy-based drinks brand, but admits high ingredient quality carries a cost.
Egypt is revamping 93 of its regional wheat storage facilities to cut wastage and improve efficiency, as part of an estimated US$350m development plan.
Chocolate maker Mars has invested a total of US$140m in new manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to increase production of its Galaxy and Snickers lines.
98.3% of foods in the EU contain pesticide residues within legal limits, but there were “significantly higher” maximum limit exceedance rates for products from outside of Europe, according to a report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Industry trade body FoodDrinkEurope has called FIC labelling changes a step in the right direction and has established a website to explain reference intakes, which will replace GDAs (guideline daily amounts).
Organic means different things to different consumers around the world – and this is holding back the organic packaged food sector, according to a Euromonitor analyst.
Mexican inspectors have visited 15 meat businesses in Spain as trade negotiations between the European Union (EU) and Mexico raise the prospect of greater exports to the Latin American country.
Poland’s Constitutional Court has ruled that the country’s ban on non-stun slaughter is unconstitutional, and represents a violation of religious freedom.
During the first three quarters of 2014, production of meat in Moldova jumped by 25.3% year-on-year to 162,300 tonnes (t), according to a new report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
Allergens, country of origin labelling and online sales are some of the most problematic areas for food companies as FIC regulation comes into force this week, according to Campden BRI.
Food and drink manufacturers must emphasise the role of exercise in reducing obesity or risk being sidelined in the debate and hit with stricter regulation, according to new research.
Alternative proteins are a “hot area” of interest and products such as sandwich spreads made with meal worms could be a thing of the future, according to one food trend expert.
PREMIUM WATERS 2014, ZENITH INTERNATIONAL, DUBAI, DECEMBER 8-9
Waters connoisseur Michael Mascha believes hydration alone is boring and believes that premium water brands should push their epicurean credentials to emphasize distinctive terroir and taste.
A new inulin-propionate ester (IPE) ingredient may increase appetite-reducing hormones and make people feel fuller, according to research published in the journal Gut.
A food safety audit firm can be held to answer in court for claims that its negligence in performing an audit resulted in the sale of contaminated food and the subsequent injury, or death, of a consumer.
The European Commission has extended health controls on imports of live pigs from the USA and Canada until 31 October next year (2015) because of concerns about continued cases of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDv).
Performance of laboratories showed improvement in a second assessment but participant numbers could have been higher, according to an EU report on the quality of Listeria typing.
A new and extensive review of the associations between food and drink groups and major diet-related diseases will guide the way for future research and policy interventions, say researchers.
