Cereals and bakery preparations

NEWS IN BRIEF

Cargill responds to demand for healthier snacks with ‘high protein egg chip’

18-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

The food giant has filed a patent application for a high-protein, low fat snack in response to changing consumer behaviour: “Snacking has expanded to occur at all times in the day.”

Grain of truth: Watchdog demands food makers clarify ‘multigrain’ content

18-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

Tighter regulations are required to stop manufacturers claiming products are ‘multigrain’ if “hardly any grains” other than the main wheat component are present in the finished product, says consumer watchdog Foodwatch.

The carrot is more effective than the stick: How to entice consumers to up their fiber intake

18-Feb-2019 By Gill Hyslop

Research conducted on behalf of the Beneo-Institute found that Europeans still do not manage to consume the recommended daily intake of fiber, despite being aware that it is key for a healthy digestive system. BakeryandSnacks chats to Thomas Schmidt,...

Bridging the fibre gap: High amylose wheat flour could ‘open new area of food formulation’

15-Feb-2019 By Katy Askew

Although high amylose starches are associated with a number of health benefits their use is not widespread in the food industry. The development of new sources like high amylose wheat flour could be set to change this, researchers predict.

Growing the French hemp market: ‘Europeans need more education’

15-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

Europe is lagging in the global hemp market, says Green Leaf Company, a French firm working to widen access to the ‘superfood’ in protein bars, hemp pasta, and hulled seed products.

Open Sesame: ‘Financially attractive’ and ‘farm-to-fork’ seed developed for local cultivation

14-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

Equinom has developed a sesame variety suitable for mechanised harvesting, which product manager Oron Gar says could “dramatically change the global sesame production map”.

France ups resale threshold to favour food distributors & farmers

14-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

France has enforced measures designed to re-balance power in the supply chain and limit buy-one-get-one-free promotions.

NPD trend tracker: From climate-neutral ice cream to broccoli-flavoured breakfast cereal

11-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

From an environmentally conscious organic ice cream, to a broccoli and almond flavoured breakfast cereal, and an aloe vera coconut water. FoodNavigator brings you the latest new product development trends in Europe.

Plant protein alliance to improve structure and taste of gluten-free bread

31-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Coeliac UK and Innovate UK are helping fund research to develop three new plant proteins for gluten-free bread, which Nandi Proteins chairman Neil Crabb says could improve its taste and texture.

Matcha buzz for millennials: Start-up launches naturally caffeinated energy drink

30-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

A UK start-up blurring the lines between ‘classic matcha’ and ‘energy drink’ has developed a caffeinated beverage for millennials. FoodNavigator spoke to Matcha Works co-founder Harvey Hodd to find out how the sparkling drink sets itself apart in both...

2019 on the pulse: France champions nuts, legumes and wholegrains in dietary guidance

28-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Unsalted nuts, pulses and wholegrains have been added to France’s dietary guidance, which in 2019 also promotes environmental sustainability and consideration of the Nutri-Score label system.

NPD trend tracker: From vegan butter to 'wonky' veg crisps

28-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

From a functional, on-the-go apple cider vinegar juice, to a two-ingredient vegan butter, and gluten-free Japanese rice flour for French bakers. FoodNavigator looks at what is trending in Europe's new product development space.

Sustainability goals hamstrung by competition law, Fairtrade body argues

25-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

A Fairtrade report has found that UK businesses perceive competition law as a hindrance to sustainability objectives across the supply chain.

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ANNUAL MEETING 2019

Waste experts gather in Davos: There is ‘no silver bullet’ to the world’s plastic pollution problem

24-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Is there an end in sight to plastic pollution? Industry experts say the answer lies in addressing the economics of waste, changing consumer behaviour, and prioritising product design.

WEF embraces the fourth industrial revolution: ‘Food systems are ripe for technology disruption’

23-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Big data, the Internet of Things, artificial learning and blockchain technologies are largely underused in food systems, but present a major opportunity in accelerating their transformation, according to a World Economic Forum report.

Savoury sweets, chilli snacks and warming botanicals: Kerry lists taste trends

23-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Ethnic flavour profiles from Africa and the Caribbean, eastern flavours and citrus varieties will attract increased interest in food and beverage R&D this year, predicts ingredients supplier and consumer foods business Kerry Group.

EU votes to blacklist ‘dual quality’ food with maximum €10m penalty

22-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

MEPs have voted to fine companies marketing ‘dual quality’ food up to €10m, or 4% of the trader’s annual turnover, in a bid to protect consumer rights.

‘Europe has huge potential and a long way to go’: Algaia eyes growth in algae ingredients

22-Jan-2019 By Katy Askew

French algae ingredients supplier Algaia wants to expand the European market for algae-based products. CEO Fabrice Bohin speaks to us about the region’s potential and runway for growth.

Food firms slammed for mislabelled bread products in Norway: ‘This is a clear breach of trust’

21-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

The Norwegian Consumer Council has criticised food manufacturers after eight out of ten bread products sold in Norway were found to be mislabelled, including errors in ingredients and allergens lists.

NPD trend tracker: Aperitif pairings, Arabica coffee & Fairtrade basmati

21-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Another chocolate and hazelnut spread enters the market, organic rice varieties come to Germany, and experts pick which snacks best match our wines. FoodNavigator looks at what is trending in new product development.

WATCH: A gluten-free flour rich in prebiotic fibre made from pinot noir grapes is helping to challenge the food waste paradigm

21-Jan-2019 By Gill Hyslop

A Brazilian academia-turned-entrepreneur duo, recently relocated from New Zealand to France, has developed the world’s first range of low calorie fermented flours – from byproducts of fruits and veggies usually thrown away – that are rich in protein...

'Drastically increased price': Damaged crop drives cardamom and poppy seed price spike

18-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

EHL Ingredients says it is working hard to fulfil orders for UK customers after adverse weather in India and the Czech Republic damaged cardamom and poppy seed crops.

Sustainability rankings: FMCG ‘more responsive’ to campaigners but single-use plastics still a top concern

17-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Unilever and Nestlé’s initiatives in palm oil sustainability and animal welfare have helped rank the corporates among the most praised by non-government organisations.

Innovation in new categories can help lift fibre consumption

16-Jan-2019 By Katy Askew

The health benefits of fibre are becoming more widely discussed and consumers say that they want to eat more of it. But while foods like fruits, vegetables and grains are fibre rich, most of us are still struggling to eat as much as we should. Fibre enriched...

From flax and quinoa to beans and pulses: On trend ingredients driving fibre innovation in bakery

16-Jan-2019 By Katy Askew

High fibre claims are a natural fit for bakery manufacturers working to meet growing demand for products with positive nutritional associations. What grains and ingredients have most potential?

Quality not quantity: Study links minimally processed, high-fibre diets with reduced mortality

16-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Increased intake of fibre and wholegrains has been associated with a reduction in body weight, cholesterol, and non-communicable disease – the “main killers” of today, says researcher.

WATCH:

Indulgence, regionalisation & health: Tate & Lyle talks today’s ‘big challenges’

16-Jan-2019 By Katy Askew

Ingredients supplier Tate & Lyle opens up its innovation centre in Lille, France, to talk the ‘big challenges’ that its customers face in today’s market.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Fazer expands in Finland with €40m production facility for plant-based products

15-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Finnish food manufacturer Fazer has announced plans to build a €40m production plant for in Lahti, Finland. “We want to be a forerunner in value added grain-based products”, says CEO.

Germany targets food waste with supermarket scanner tech

15-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

A compact scanning device that determines the freshness of food in supermarkets is under development in Germany, where the Bavarian government is tackling food waste.

Acquisition of ‘complementary player’ Lecico to boost Avril’s speciality ingredients portfolio

14-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Agri-food giant Avril says the purchase of German lecithin and phospholipids producer Lecico improves its position in the specialty ingredients market.

FuturMaster on 2019 supply chain trends: Machine learning, IoT and data sharing

11-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Food companies are increasingly aware that processing big data, and sharing selected sets with competitors, can help boost their bottom line, says FurturMaster sales manager, Martin Sewell.

It is technically feasible to double the yield of EU agriculture by 2050, says researcher

09-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

The European Union is investing in ‘future proof’ crop research to help increase agricultural yields, encourage optimal use of water and minerals, and secure food supply for the future.

Germany calls for food manufacturers to voluntarily reduce sugar, fats and salts

08-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

The nationwide strategy, which aims to reduce sugar, fats, and salt content in finished food products to promote healthy eating and reduce obesity levels, has received criticism for its voluntary approach.

UK manufacturers achieve 'mixed picture' on salt reduction targets

19-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

Manufacturers and retailers have achieved “a mixed picture” on UK salt reduction targets, according to a government report, although there has been clear progress in cutting salt since targets were first set in 2006.

Offering e-shoppers alternative products leads to healthier food choices

18-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

Offering similar but healthier food alternatives to online grocery shoppers as they select items can improve the healthiness of people’s shopping baskets, particularly when it comes to lower salt foods, according to UK research.

NPD trend tracker: Lärabar in the UK, gluten-free for kids & popping nougat

17-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

General Mills is bringing its healthy snack brand Lärabar to the UK; French firm Nature & Cie creates a gluten-free brand just for kids and German confectioner Viba expands its popping nougat. Here are some product launches that caught our eye this...

'Date paste, sugar beet juice... Using pseudonyms for sugar is not acceptable,' says complainant

Kellogg, Hipp and five others told to remove misleading 'no added sugar' claims

14-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

The Dutch Advertising Authority has told seven manufacturers and retailers, including Kellogg, Albert Heijn and Hipp, to remove ‘no added sugar’ claims from products that are sweetened with date paste, apple juice concentrate and sugar beet syrup.

Start-up nation? A round-up of France's top food start-ups

14-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

From plant-based sweeteners to clean label additives; urban farming to healthy eating apps, we round up some of the most interesting start-ups to come out of France in recent years.

'An open trading zone covering one-third of global GDP'

EU vote puts EU-Japan trade deal on track to enter into force

13-Dec-2018 By EU-Japan trade deal to enter in force following EU vote

The EU Japan trade deal is set to enter into force on 1 February 2019 after receiving the backing of EU politicians yesterday.

'We're getting fatter but more healthy': The lifestyle trends having a 'profound impact' on UK food choices

12-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

Clean eating and health and wellness are having a “profound impact” on the UK’s eating and drinking habits, according to new research, but consumers still want to indulge. What does this mean for food brands and retailers?

Analysts predict £7bn UK grocery spree in Christmas run-up

11-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

UK shoppers are set to spend £7 billion (€7.8bn) on food and drink in the next two weeks, according to analysts.

Farmlogics ag-tech brings sourcing closer to SDGs by 'digitising the field'

06-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

Farmlogics' ag-tech give suppliers more control of their supply chains, aligning commodity procurement with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it says.

ScanUp: The app that tells consumers if food is 'ultra-processed' and helps manufacturers reformulate

04-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

The developers of ScanUp, a French app that allows consumers to scan food products and see just how ‘processed’ or ‘ultra-processed’ they are, are working with manufacturers to develop simple products that score more highly.

NPD trend tracker: Oat-based cereal, 'birch sugar' baking mixes & seaweed salt

03-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

Oat-based Cheerios for people who don't like the taste or texture of porridge; sugar-free baking mixes made with wood-derived xylitol and premium sea salt with seaweed feature in this week's snapshot of new product launches across Europe.

RSPO suspends FGV palm oil mill and four plantations over labour rights abuses

30-Nov-2018 By Niamh Michail

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has suspended the membership of one mill and four plantations belonging to Malaysian palm oil giant FGV, which supplies manufacturers including Nestle and Mars, due to labour rights abuses.

Citrus fiber delivers clean label and nutritive benefits to baked goods: research

27-Nov-2018 By Gill Hyslop

Demand for foods made from clean label ingredients containing bioactive compounds that provide additional health benefits is increasing.

'Patchy' roll-out of WHO advice on junk food marketing

26-Nov-2018 By Niamh Michail

European uptake of World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on junk food marketing to children has been "patchy" in part because of intense private sector lobbying, according to a WHO report.

UK watchdog reverses ban on Kellogg's Coco Pops advert

21-Nov-2018 By Niamh Michail

The UK advertising watchdog has reversed a previous decision to ban an advert for Kellogg’s Coco Pops Granola following an independent review.

WATCH

Thermal tasters: Linking phantom taste, product perception and temperature

21-Nov-2018 By Katy Askew

People who are ‘thermal tasters’ report phantom taste responses when orally exposed to different temperatures. Understanding this phenomenon is important for product development in the food industry.

The end of the ENL? Nestlé pulls out of Evolved Nutrition Label; others suspend involvement

20-Nov-2018 By Niamh Michail

Nestlé is ceasing involvement in the Evolved Nutrition Label (ENL) while the four remaining companies, Unilever, Mondelez, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, have put trials for food "on hold".