Fruit, vegetable, nut ingredients

Investors eye ‘game changing innovations’ as climate change and antibiotics threaten aquaculture sector

05-Jun-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Investors are eyeing “game-changing innovations” in the aquaculture sector as climate change and antibiotics threaten to “sink” the fast-growing $232 billion global fish farming sector, according to a report by an ethical investment network.

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.

The Netherlands cracks down on child labour with due diligence bill

04-Jun-2019 By Flora Southey

The Child Labour Due Diligence Law aims to stamp out modern slavery in the Netherlands’ global supply chains, according to the Senate.

Exploring the commercial potential of aquafaba

03-Jun-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Aquafaba may offer potential for food innovators looking to capitalise on the growing demand for vegan and plant-based food recipes.

Huel CEO calls for mindset change: ‘Food should not be about taste the entire time’

03-Jun-2019 By Katy Askew

Huel, the ‘complete food’ brand, can help answer some of the food sector’s most pressing challenges – from food waste to obesity, CEO James McMaster believes. For this reason, society needs to embrace a “mindset change” that recognises “food is fuel”.

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.

WATCH: Vertical farming start-ups target consumers, restaurants and retail

29-May-2019 By Flora Southey

Vertical farming systems needn’t be manufactured exclusively for farmers growing produce at scale. FoodNavigator meets two innovators developing closed cultivation systems for the sitting room or restaurant.

Worrying levels of phytoestrogens found in soy-based products, claims French consumer group

28-May-2019 By Flora Southey

UFC-Que Choisir has raised concerns over the safety of soy-based products after elevated levels of phytoestrogens were found in various drinks, desserts, sauces, and prepared foods.

Danish researchers extract protein from seaweed: 'We have proven the principle'

28-May-2019 By Katy Askew

Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark (DUT) have discovered a way to extract proteins from three varieties of seaweed.

‘Last 10% is always the hardest’: Inside General Mills’ push for sourcing, agriculture and communities

27-May-2019 By Kristine Sherred

According to its 2019 Global Responsibility Report, the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based company sources 85% of its top ten ingredients in responsible ways.

‘Palm and soy are just the beginning’: Retailers push for traceability, sustainability in their supply chains

24-May-2019 By Katy Askew

Sustainably sourced palm oil and soy have shot up the agenda of European retailers. According to Penny Coates, non-executive director of own brand retail solution providers S4RB, this is “just the beginning”.

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.

Morrisons to introduce plastic-free fruit and veg in 60 stores after positive trials

24-May-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Morrisons is to become the first British supermarket to launch plastic-free fruit and veg areas in many of its stores

Julian Mellentin: 'Investors in meat substitutes are likely to be disappointed'

What does ‘plant-based eating’ really mean, and how can firms tap into the trend?

23-May-2019 By Elaine Watson

Next-generation meat, egg, and dairy alternatives have garnered a huge amount of press (and investment), but there are many other ways for brands to meet demand for plant-based foods, says a report from consultancy New Nutrition Business querying whether...

EU says pricing transparency scheme will boost farmers’ position in food supply chain

23-May-2019 By Flora Southey

The European Commission has made steps to enhance price transparency across the agri-food supply chain, including in meat, eggs, dairy, and olive oil sectors.

From personalisation to plant power: Top trends on show at London Food Tech Week

23-May-2019 By Katy Askew

London Food Tech Week is a five day ‘festival’ showcasing the best and brightest in food innovation. Spread across five different venues, each day has a theme – from manufacturing to retail and out-of-home consumption. So what food and beverage trends...

Side-stream innovation: Rice, barley, and soy by-products take centre stage

22-May-2019 By Flora Southey

From organic soybean pulp to brewers' spent grain and rice husks, by-products are attracting increased interest from start-ups looking to upcycle food waste.

Surging demand for plant-based and sustainable foods whets investor appetites

22-May-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Pret A Manger’s plans to buy rival Eat and turn the chain's 94 stores into vegetarian outlets illustrates the surging demand for plant-based and sustainable foods, according to Ecovia Intelligence. We spoke to the research company ahead of the Sustainable...

Outcry from farmers over Soil Association’s call for reduced meat in schools

21-May-2019 By Flora Southey

British farmers have taken to social media to voice concerns regarding the Soil Association’s suggestion that the government instate a ‘plant-based protein’ day in schools.

Upcycling coffee cherries for food: 'Every major chocolate company is looking at this'

20-May-2019 By Flora Southey

The Coffee Cherry Co. is paying coffee farmers for their cherry by-product and transforming it into a gluten-free, high fibre, antioxidant-rich food ingredient, CEO Tom Clemente tells FoodNavigator.

‘Denmark can take the lead in global food challenges’: MFVM details investment programme

17-May-2019 By Katy Askew

The Danish government recently unveiled plans to step up investment in food and ingredients research and development, stating that the country can “take the lead” in tackling global food insecurity and providing innovative new solutions that advance the...

Compostable packaging start-up tackles the ‘flexible plastic problem’

16-May-2019 By Flora Southey

Israeli agri-food start-up TIPA Corp says its bio-based packaging has the same functional properties as conventional flexible plastic packaging, yet is fully compostable.

Nutritious, sustainable, convenient: Does ‘smart food’ have it all?

15-May-2019 By Flora Southey

Competition is heating up in the ‘smart food’ category with brands claiming their meal-on-the-go offerings are convenient, rich in nutrients, and provide sustaining protein from plant-based sources.

A tough nut to crack: Macadamia firm explores innovations in the ingredient sector

15-May-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Green & Gold Macadamia is discovering ways of using macadamias as an ingredient and hopes to capitalise on the growing dairy-free trend among consumers.

‘Are vertical farms even remotely efficient?’ Putting a figure on plant factories

15-May-2019 By Flora Southey

Researchers in the Netherlands are calculating the feasibility of vertical farming in urban areas. “The main goal is to put a figure on vertical farming,” Wageningen University & Research’s Luuk Graamans tells FoodNavigator.

Start-up develops edible markers to prove sustainable sourcing

14-May-2019 By Flora Southey

IN-Code Technologies has developed invisible makers that can be used to combat illicit trade and prove the sustainable sourcing of food ingredients, such as palm oil, says CEO Joe Tilley.

Governments should recommend nuts to pregnant women, says study

09-May-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Governments and food regulators in Europe should have special recommendations for pregnant women to eat nuts in order to develop the health of the baby, according to the coordinator of a first-of-its-kind study suggesting that nut intake during early...

WATCH

‘We are right at the starting gate’: Vertical farming could change the food system

08-May-2019 By Katy Askew

Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) talks vertical farming, demand growth and its unique technological proposition.

Palm oil brings limited economic benefits to remote areas – study

Palm oil brings limited economic benefits to remote areas – study

06-May-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Deforesting virgin areas to plant palm oil brings limited economic benefits to the local communities, a study suggests.

WATCH

Tapping E414 in Senegal: “This is the ‘grand cru’ of acacia gum”

03-May-2019 By Flora Southey

Acacia gum, or food additive E414, is used by food and beverage manufacturers as a natural texturizing agent. FoodNavigator travels to Senegal to find out how the plant exudate is ‘tapped’ from African acacia trees, before being exported and processed...

Social media influencers unfit for weight management advice: ‘Misinformation can undermine public health campaigns’

30-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

Researchers warns that social media influencers with weight management blogs may not offer credible or trustworthy advice.

‘It is time for a new position’: Denmark’s Ethics Council calls for updated GMO law

29-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

The Danish Council of Ethics recommends that legislation regarding the approval of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be changed to help achieve sustainability objectives.

IBM and Yara take guesswork out of farming: ‘We want to drive quality and sustainability in food production’

29-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

Yara International has teamed up with IBM to offer digital farming services to the agricultural sector, in an effort to bolster food production and “transform the future of farming”.

Plant-based diets linked to heart health - but not all plant-based diets are healthy

26-Apr-2019 By Oliver Morrison

A plant-based diet cuts heart failure risk by over 40%, claims new research which strengthens the case that an intake of mainly of fruits and vegetables can reduce risk of heart disease.

Brussels Bulletin: Iceland Foods loses trademark dispute & France bans titanium dioxide

26-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

The Nutri-Score nutritional labelling system has officially launched in Belgium, France has announced plans to ban the use of additive titanium dioxide from 2020, and Iceland Foods lost its trademark dispute at the EUIPO. FoodNavigator brings you the...

Denmark aligns with SDGs to combat food waste ‘farm to fork’

24-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

A think tank designed to strengthen efforts preventing food waste and food loss has been established by Denmark’s Ministry of Environment and Food.

Italian biotech taps DNA barcoding to increase food safety and prevent fraud

24-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

FEM2-Ambiente has developed a DNA barcoding tool for food companies to verify ingredients and trace contaminants in both raw and processed foods.

Heat-resistant antioxidants in ‘super berry’ to enrich convenience segment

23-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) fruits could disrupt the breakfast, snack and dairy markets, according to researchers in Poland, who say the super berry’s antioxidants are heat-resistant to certain food processes.

Mediterranean diet can prevent overeating and protect against NAFLD, study claims

23-Apr-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Mediterranean diets deter people overeating, suggests a new study that claims to provide the first experimental evidence that a Mediterranean diet can protect against increases in obesity and prediabetes compared to a Western diet.

Voicevale hopes to crack new markets with nut pasteurisation technology

18-Apr-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Nut supplier Voicevale has validated the safety equipment at its seed pasteurisation plant in the UK.

Ella’s Kitchen, Asda launch recycling pilot for baby food pouches

18-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

The baby food brand and British retailer have teamed with post-consumer waste company TerraCycle to trial a recycling service for Ella’s Kitchen’s pouch packaging.

Innovation and geographical expansion to boost Danone’s plant-based businesses

18-Apr-2019 By Katy Askew

French dairy giant Danone’s plant-based business, which includes the Alpro brand in Europe, expects to accelerate growth trends, propelled by innovation and expansion into new markets.

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...

INFOGRAPHIC

Are Europeans getting their ‘five a day’?

17-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

A survey has revealed that some Member States are consuming many more portions of fruit and vegetables in a typical week than others.

THE INGREDIENTS SHOW

Redeeming a bad reputation: ‘Sustainable palm oil is the best oil we have’

17-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

Unsustainably sourced palm oil deserves its bad name, and requires industry action. Should we eliminate all palm oil from the food supply chain? How can we change consumer perceptions of the commodity when responsibly produced? Nestlé, RSPO, CDP and S4RB...

Bet on black goji? Berries a potential natural colourant for red, blue and purple - study

17-Apr-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Black goji berries have been identified as a potential natural colourant source that is able to produce red, purple, and blue colours depending on the pH levels.

Nestlé’s withdrawal of Garden Gourmet shows intense competition in UK plant-based

16-Apr-2019 By Katy Askew

Nestlé has confirmed it will pull its plant-based Garden Gourmet brand from shelves in the UK. What does this tell us about category trends in the market?

ADM's micronized powders: ‘This makes colours more intense to the eye’

16-Apr-2019 By Katy Askew

Ingredients supplier Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is expanding its line of WILD colour solutions with the addition of new micronized colour powders that, it says, deliver a more “intense” finish.

The Co-op’s sustainable soy pledge: ‘There are certain things that customers just expect’

15-Apr-2019 By Katy Askew

UK retailer The Co-operative has said it will move to 100% sustainable soy in its supply chain by 2025. “There are certain things that customers just expect you to do and this is one of them,” sustainable sourcing and fairtrade manager Sarah Wakefield...

Döhler acquires Spanish sweet fruit processor Zucasa: This is a 'great step forward'

15-Apr-2019 By Katy Askew

Natural ingredients supplier Döhler Group is strengthening its presence in the European fruit concentrates market with the acquisition of Spanish fruit processor Zumos Catalano Aragoneses (Zucasa).