Carbohydrates and fibres (sugar, starches)

‘A mandatory approach may be necessary’: Campaigners slam out of home operators as supermarkets make more progress on reformulation and labelling

12-Sep-2019 By Katy Askew

A new survey has revealed high levels of ‘hidden’ sugar and calories in breakfast options sold through restaurant chains and other out of home channels. UK campaigners are now calling for mandatory labelling and reformulation to spur progress and 'level...

Snack tax may be more effective than soda tax in obesity fight: BMJ study

09-Sep-2019 By Rachel Arthur

Taxing high sugar snacks – such as sweets, cakes and biscuits – may be more effective at reducing obesity than taxing sugary drinks, according to a new study published in the BMJ.

The case for traditional foods: ‘Production has to take place close to consumption’

03-Sep-2019 By Flora Southey

Whether ancient crops or insects, eating traditional foods close to production can help reduce food waste and curb global hunger, says Nestlé’s deputy head of public affairs: “We need to find ways to make traditional foods hip and happening”.

‘Consumers are not satisfied with its taste’: FMCG Gurus research flags shortcomings of stevia

27-Aug-2019 By Katy Askew

Consumers are increasingly working to cut their sugar intake. But, according to a recent poll from consumer research and insight provider FMCG Gurus, shoppers are also unconvinced by one of the most common natural alternatives: stevia.

Study finds celiac disease more likely for at-risk children who eat gluten

27-Aug-2019 By Kristine Sherred

Researchers analyzed the gluten intake of more than 6,000 genetically predisposed children and found a 6% to 7% risk level for every additional gram of gluten consumed.

Germany concerned over energy drink buzz: ‘Excessive consumption increases health risk’

26-Aug-2019 By Flora Southey

Having assessed the effects of energy drinks on the cardiovascular system, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment warns that excessive consumption can pose a health risk in young adults.

‘We want to be the number one snack bar brand in the UK’: Fulfil

23-Aug-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Fulfil CEO Brian O’Sullivan discusses the Irish snack bar’s heady rise.

Sugar levels in chocolate have soared 23% since 1992: study

21-Aug-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Reformulation efforts in sugar have been hampered by costs and consumer tastes, research suggests.

Food industry warned against promoting restrictive diets after Beyoncé posts ‘dangerous’ plan

13-Aug-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Beyoncé is undoubtedly a hugely talented and prosperous singer-songwriter, actress and all-round creative polymath. But a nutritionist she is not.

‘Great taste, texture, stretch, and melt-behaviour’: Avebe innovates for vegan cheese market

09-Aug-2019 By Flora Southey

Dutch starch manufacturer Avebe has developed a 100% plant-based alternative to cheese with no ‘off-taste’ and a dairy-like melt.

‘Concern for young people’s health’ prompts energy drink restrictions in Scotland

06-Aug-2019 By Flora Southey

The Scottish government has announced a ban on sales of high-energy drinks to under-16s in publicly funded leisure centres across the country.

Start-up applies ‘latest frontier in sugar reduction’ to orange juice giant

30-Jul-2019 By Flora Southey

Israeli start-up Better Juice will apply its sugar reduction technology to Citrosuco’s orange juice in a co-funded pilot facility.

'If you’re looking for a banana that’s lower GI, go for a green one…’ nutritionist explores benefits of ripe and unripe bananas

30-Jul-2019 By Oliver Morrison

An Australian sports dietitian investigates the fascinating pros and cons of the various ripeness levels of bananas.

Ireland’s food board aims to ‘sex up the spud’ to attract younger consumers

29-Jul-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Bord Bia launches makeover ‘to re-position potatoes in the minds of millennials’, while UK groups are countering a decrease in consumption and ‘demomising’ of the humble spud.

Roquette breaks 60% protein barrier with pea isolate crisps

15-Jul-2019 By Flora Southey

Roquette has developed a ‘simple composition’ pea isolate crisp to meet nutritional requirements for higher protein and lower carbohydrate foods.

News In Brief

Cargill invests in European wheat protein and specialised starch capacity

09-Jul-2019 By Katy Askew

Cargill is diversifying its starches and sweeteners portfolio with a US$200m investment that will see it start producing wheat-based ingredients at its manufacturing facility in Krefeld, Germany.

Food tech investment data: Delivery, robotic chefs and personalised nutrition bring home the bacon in Q2

05-Jul-2019 By Katy Askew

FoodNavigator, in partnership with investment data and analysis provider Tracxn, brings you a quarterly round-up of the latest wheelings and dealings in the EMEA food tech start-up space.

NPD trend tracker: From discount fusion to 'healthy' treats

24-Jun-2019 By Katy Askew

This week's round-up of innovation from across Europe sees the opening of a meatless butcher and the launch of some unusual 'fusion' cuisine from discounter Aldi. Healthier options are also on display, with the introduction of 'better-for-you'...

Interest in clean label expanding to a ‘greater breadth’ of product: Ingredion delivers a starch targeting ‘delicate’ flavours and colours

18-Jun-2019 By Katy Askew

Ingredion has developed what it describes as a ‘breakthrough’ clean label starch suitable for use in products with ‘delicate’ colour or flavour profiles. According to the company this is necessary because consumer demand for simple ingredient lists continues...

Low-gluten wheat alternative ‘miracle grain’ presents ‘clear market opportunity’

18-Jun-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Tritordeum – a Mediterranean cereal that boasts a significant reduction in gluten proteins associated with food intolerance compared to wheat – offers a clear market opportunity for food producers seeking an ingredient with nutritional, agronomical and...

Olam backs mapping tech for food security: ‘We can reimagine global food systems for the better’

18-Jun-2019 By Katy Askew

Olam International has awarded its annual prize for food security to a mapping technology that provides information on what crops and farming practices are the ‘best fit’ for conditions in food insecure regions.

Could music hold the key to discovering healthy food that tastes good?

13-Jun-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Scientists are using music and sound to make food taste better. Could this help food innovators discover the Holy Grail: healthy food that tastes good.

Citrus peel boosts fiber and shelf life in bread: Study

12-Jun-2019 By Kristine Sherred

A study published in Frontiers of Nutrition revealed that adding 2% of blood orange and lemon fibers to wholewheat durum flour was a viable approach to producing high-fiber bread with respectable shelf life.

Flow Hive ‘single frame honey’ creates buzz in boutique market

11-Jun-2019 By Flora Southey

Unprocessed, single-frame honey allows for greater flavour retention, according to Flow Hive CEO Cedar Anderson, who told FoodNavigator his invention is adding value to the boutique honey market.

4 out of 10 Germans are unsure which bread and baked goods are healthy: Mintel

05-Jun-2019 By Flora Southey

According to Mintel data, younger consumers are interested in bread with a ‘healthy angle’, yet many remain unsure how best to choose a better-for-you option.

Obesity campaigners demand ban of cartoon characters on food and drink packets

04-Jun-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Campaigners in the UK are calling for a government ban on cartoon animations on packets that market unhealthy products to children and compulsory ‘traffic light’ nutrition labelling after a survey discovered that half of over 500 food and drink products...

Fresh evidence of links between ultra-processed food and health risks revealed

31-May-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Two pieces of research published in the British Medical Journal provide fresh evidence of the links between popular processed food and a range of health risks.

Sugar vs fat reduction in cakes and biscuits: ‘It’s not one or the other’

31-May-2019 By Flora Southey

Public Health England has been urged to include cakes and biscuits in its calorie reduction programme after researchers found “a considerable amount” of fat in own- and private-label brands.

New test kit measures lactose even in chocolate and coffee flavoured dairy

28-May-2019 By Flora Southey

Chr. Hansen says its new lactose biosensor test kit can determine lactose concentration in all dairy products, including those with added flavours, vitamins, fruits and sugars.

Are UK sandwich retailers cut out for growing plant-based demand?

24-May-2019 By Flora Southey

A survey assessing sandwiches sold by supermarket and high street retailers in the UK has revealed that uptake in plant-based is still lagging. “The sheer volume of meat-based sandwiches is a big concern,” says Eating Better.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Fat-replacing starch to lower calories in savoury and sweet

16-May-2019 By Flora Southey

Ingredion has added a new corn-based starch to its portfolio, which the ingredients supplier claims can replace fat and oil in dairy products without compromising texture.

Rare sugar researchers hit sweet spot with nigerose production

15-May-2019 By Oliver Morrison

The rare sugar nigerose can now be “easily” produced via a process that “can readily be scaled up for potential industrial purposes,” claims a breakthrough study.

DouxMatok’s 40% reduced sugar allows for indulgence: ‘Sugar is not the new tobacco’

15-May-2019 By Flora Southey

The Israeli start-up’s 40% reduced sugar allows for sweet indulgence without changing consumer behaviour, says CEO Eran Baniel.

Sugar reduction: Blend the trends with functional formulations

15-May-2019 By Katy Askew

Efforts to cut sugar can unlock additional opportunities to ‘blend the trends’ of health, wellness, functionality, indulgence and an authentic sensory experience.

Cost of reformulation offset by sugar taxes and improved value proposition

15-May-2019 By Katy Askew

Reformulating products to reduce sugar can be a costly process. While the impact of sugar taxes on consumer behaviour is a moot point, they do provide the food sector with a financial incentive to trigger change.

Childhood obesity won’t be reversed by 9pm junk ad curfew, claims advertising head

10-May-2019 By Oliver Morrison

A ban on junk food ads before 9pm won’t help tackle England’s childhood obesity epidemic, according to the director of public affairs at the Advertising Association.

BEVERAGE FORUM 2019

How big soda is taking an ‘honest’ approach to consumer health habits

09-May-2019 By Beth Newhart

PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) and other major soda brands are still learning to grapple with the health and wellness wave that’s causing consumers to drop their sugary drinks for something ‘better-for-you’. Executives spoke at the 2019 Beverage Forum...

‘Nutritional landscaping’ drives Nestlé’s portfolio for kids

08-May-2019 By Flora Southey

One year on from the launch of its ‘Nestlé for Healthier Kids’ initiative, the food giant continues to expand its portfolio with focus on personalised nutrition for specific geographies, according to Nestlé's Henri-Pierre Lenoble.

Sugar sweetened drinks and BMI study questions ‘simplistic’ sugar tax in UK

30-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

A new study has found no direct link between the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and elevated BMI in children, prompting authors to question the effectiveness of the UK’s single-nutrient tax approach.

PHE sugar scheme will cut obesity rates…if all goes to plan, finds study

18-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

Public Health England’s sugar reduction strategy is expected to cut obesity rates and save the NHS £265m over the next 10 years, if industry and consumers behave as intended.

Nine trends driving flavour innovation

17-Apr-2019 By Oliver Morrison

The ‘Instagram effect’ means consumers are more open than ever to new flavours. International Taste Solutions (ITS), which manufactures and supplies natural flavourings to the baking, snacks, dairy and active lifestyle sectors, teamed up with market research...

It’s a match: Equinom app couples seed variety to application needs

12-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

Equinom has launched an app to match food companies’ taste, colour, nutritional value and textural composition requirements to seed variety.

Why ‘beating up the food industry’ won’t solve the UK’s obesity crisis

10-Apr-2019 By Oliver Morrison

A holistic approach is needed to tackle the UK’s obesity crisis, according to Dominic Watkins, head of food at the global regulatory and compliance at law firm DWF.

GMO ‘overregulation’ hinders tech development, market diversity, and food security, says researcher

08-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

Current GMO regulation is crippling advancements in sustainable development and food security, according to agricultural economist Matin Qaim, who told FoodNavigator he is optimistic EU law can be adjusted to be ‘more science-based’.

Beyond fat and sugar: Diets low in whole grains, fruit and nuts associated with 1 in 5 deaths

05-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

A suboptimal diet lacking in whole grains, fruit, nuts and seeds, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids is responsible for more deaths than any other risk factors globally, according to findings published in The Lancet.

Cancer Research UK condemns junk food promotions: ‘Special offers fuel obese shoppers’

29-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Shoppers that purchase around 40-80% of goods on special offer have a greater chance of being obese, says Cancer Research UK, which is pushing for restrictions on price promotions for less healthy products.

Creating added-value in oat processing: Lantmännen acquires Tate & Lyle oat facility

28-Mar-2019 By Katy Askew

Swedish agricultural cooperative Lantmännen is expanding its oat processing capacity through the acquisition of a production facility from UK ingredients group Tate and Lyle.

Plant Lipids UK on a natural, vegan and transparent supply chain: ‘If you don’t have traceability, invariably you won’t supply’

27-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

There is growing demand for vegan status, 100% natural processes, and transparency across the supply chain, ingredients supplier Plant Lipids UK tells FoodNavigator.

BRUSSELS BULLETIN

Brexit extension on the table, MEPs blacklist UTPs, and Tequila gains PGI status: A round-up of EU news & views

22-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

The European Commission has granted a conditional extension to the Article 50 deadline, import duty on brown rice has risen to €60 per tonne, and Mexican spirit drink Tequila has been accepted into the EU register of protected geographical indications....