By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
To successfully launch a plant-based product onto the market today, businesses have to go above and beyond in flavour to stand out. How can a new, more holistic flavour approach put an end to organoleptic compromise?
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
While much attention has been given to developing vegan alternative products, manufacturers are also turning towards 'blended' or 'hybrid' products that combine the advantages of animal-based and plant-based ingredients. But a more...
New research suggests food wastage – much of which comes from people simply not eating what they buy – is a bigger problem than previously thought, which if cut in half would help remove around one-quarter of total greenhouse gas emissions from the global...
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
With consumers increasingly aware of the health consequences of their diet and businesses facing an increasingly challenging economic environment, is there a way to repurpose leftover microbes to help both groups?
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
While Listeria is generally associated with ready-to-eat foods such as dairy cheeses and deli meats, manufacturers cannot ignore the potential risk in plant-based products, says NIZO.
Reading scientific study reports is part and parcel of working in this industry but many have not come from a scientific background, making it difficult to confidently read reports and critically analyse how robust and impactful findings really are. This...
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
Why should food makers be paying attention to polyphenols and how can advances in their characterisation help both protein and food producers improve their products?
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
Membrane filtration has proven itself as a protein extraction technology in the dairy industry, attracting attention from players across the plant protein field. The technology offers clear benefits...but what are its challenges?
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
How are new sequencing technologies, combined with multidisciplinary expertise, making it possible to identify microbes in hours instead of weeks, and significantly speed up investigations into how they got into your food or ingredient?
Date labels are often cited as a food waste driver. But to appreciate the relevance of a review of the rules on date marking it is necessary to go back to the beginning of the debate about the current requirements, suggests Katia Merten-Lentz of Food...
By René Floris, Food Research Division Manager at NIZO
How can manufacturers unlock the potential of plant-based ingredients? According to NIZO's Wim Engels, Senior Project Manager, and Herwig Bachmann, Expertise Group Leader Fermentation, bio-purification can play an important role.
Plant-based infant formula takes a tiny share of the market, all the while plant-based in adult nutrition is booming. FoodNavigator speaks to Danone, Sprout Organic, and Mills & Reeve to find out which plant-based options are available for infants...
By René Floris, Food Research Division Manager at NIZO
Meeting consumer expectations for alt meat is a complex mission. How can ingredients and processes help take plant-based protein products to the next level?
As both the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and Safe Food Advocacy Europe release reports detailing how the food industry conveys information, calls for change emerge.
By René Floris, Food Research Division Manager at NIZO
Sustainability goals have already made reducing energy consumption a priority for the food industry. Now, soaring energy costs are adding economic urgency to that drive. How can vital energy savings be achieved?
The novel food regime aims to balance between operating as a system of generic authorisations and protecting IP to reward research and innovation. Katia Merten-Lentz, Partner and Founder of international niche firm Food Law Science & Partners, discusses...
By René Floris, Food Research Division Manager at NIZO
From providing new protein sources or health-boosting ingredients to improve the taste, texture, and safety of food products, Janneke Ouwerkerk, microbiome and fermentation expert at NIZO, explains how fermentation can add value to the food industry.
How is the ‘clean label’ trend evolving? FoodNavigator invites Mintel, SAFE, and Yuka onto the podcast to discuss ultra-processed foods, the definition of ‘natural’, and what exactly shoppers want from food and drink.
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
What challenges do food makers experience in minimising the impact of fouling? And how is an industry consortium focused on 'proteins on steel' combining practical and scientific approaches to help food manufacturers find real solutions?
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
In plant-based milk, consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of nutritional parity - including protein levels - with dairy milk or high-protein beverages. Is it as easy as simply adding protein to the mix?
As a 100+-year-old company of some of the most well-known CPG brands, Mars Inc. sees innovation as the driving force behind the company's next chapter of growth and the key to maintaining consumer relevancy.
The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) has revealed animal protein production is under significant and accelerating pressure from climate change – representing a significant material risk for investors. This is according to the FAIRR Initiative, an...
What part does FMCG play in turning the tide on plastic pollution? What more can governments do to make an impact? And whose responsibility is it to educate consumers about their role in tackling the global plastic crisis?
Amongst FMCGs, governments, and consumers, who is responsible for turning the tide on plastic pollution? FoodNavigator asks Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB, NGO A Plastic Planet, and plastic alternative start-up Sulapac, for their takes on the plastic...
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
While bacteria-related spoilage for UHT drinks containing cocoa powder is rare, reducing food waste is a concern for every player in the food production chain. How can a consortium of cocoa suppliers, cocoa buyers and technology providers get to the root...
Are the current EU animal welfare standards future fit or can we expect further updates? Katia Merten-Lentz, Partner and Founder of Food Law Science & Partners, weighs in.
From post-Arabica coffee to single-origin tea and completely traceable hot chocolate from bean to cup, what’s trending in the hot beverage category? FoodNavigator asks industry experts.
Spain has proposed a ban on influencers, famous sportspeople, and television presenters advertising HFSS food and drink to children. It’s imperative national governments take notice.
Marketing skills in food and drink have declined during the pandemic, says the Chartered Institute of Marketing Food, Drink and Agriculture Sector Interest Group.
Rewilding is not the only method to improve biodiversity across the UK. According to NGO Earthworm Foundation, regenerative agriculture should also be part of the toolbox used to encourage soil health and ‘billions of species’ thrive.
The UK Food Safety Authority (FSA)’s Novel Foods process is not fit for purpose and is holding back originality and growth in the UK’s food and beverage industry, believes Richard Horwell, owner of London-based Brand Relations, a specialist food and drink...
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
How can manufacturers deliver the right sensory experience while reformulating food products? René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager and member of the FoodNavigator expert advisory panel member discusses consumer demands and food renovation...
Biofortification of staple foods should be used to support improved global nutrition outcomes, according to Dr Jan Low, Principal Scientist at CGIAR’s International Potato Center and 2016 World Food Prize Laureate.
Where should food businesses begin net zero action? With a ‘forest positive’ approach, Earthworm Foundation CEO Bastien Sachet tells FoodNavigator, stressing action is required this decade.
By Robyn Eijlander, microbiology and food safety expert at NIZO
Food waste is a global concern. What role can microbial quality control play in reducing its prevalence? Robyn Eijlander, Microbiology and Food Safety expert at NIZO, weighs in.
From forced labour to deforestation, FMCGs are committed to eliminating unethical practices in their supply chains. How is food tech helping them get there? In our latest edition of The FoodNavigator Podcast, we talk transparency in global supply chains...
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
Producing proteins from single cell microorganisms is an exciting and fast-growing area in the food industry. But as Fred van de Velde, NIZO’s Expertise Group Leader Protein Functionality explains to René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager and...
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
All too often, controlling pathogenic and spoilage microbes in a new or reformulated food product comes at the end of the development process. René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager and member of the FoodNavigator expert advisory panel hears...
By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager
How can fermentation - including selecting cultures, blending strains, and controlling processes - improve foods and beverages in dairy and plant-based categories? René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager and member of the FoodNavigator expert...
With UK mussel producers starved of income and European consumers denied a product, the EU has reiterated that its ban on shellfish imports from the UK is permanent. The stalemate benefits no one.
