Fruit, vegetable, nut ingredients

Kaffe Bueno to scale upcycled coffee grounds business with seed boost

29-Oct-2020 By Flora Southey

The Danish biotech making upcycled flour from spent coffee grounds is preparing to scale up production having secured €1.1m in seed funding, co-founder and CCO Alejandro Franco tells FoodNavigator.

'Vegan cheese' banned but 'veggie burger' still on the table, votes European Parliament

23-Oct-2020 By Flora Southey

The European Parliament has voted to ban dairy-related terms for plant-based alternatives. An amendment proposing to ban ‘meaty’ terms for vegan products, however, has not passed – much to the sector’s delight.

How safe is your sage? Study uncovers high levels of adulteration

23-Oct-2020 By Katy Askew

A fresh study looking at the authenticity of popular herb sage finds that more than a quarter of products sampled in the UK are adulterated. The results, the researchers say, emphasise that global herb supply chains are susceptible to food fraud.

Fava bean innovation opens new avenue for plant-based product development: ‘We are thrilled to imagine where this will lead us’

22-Oct-2020 By Katy Askew

Verso Food has secured a patent covering its fava bean processing technology for plant-based foods and meat analogues. FoodNavigator hears from the company's CEO Tomi Järvenpää about the product development opportunities it could unlock, the group’s...

Ajinomoto talks ‘nutrition without compromise’ and 'first mover advantage' in healthy ageing

21-Oct-2020 By Katy Askew

Ajinomoto has launched a nutrition strategy that the company believes will enable it to leverage its unique expertise in amino acids to deliver solutions that meet its two global strategic priorities: salt reduction and optimal protein intake for the...

Meet the 7 brands promising to disrupt the healthy snacking space

21-Oct-2020 By Oliver Morrison

A business accelerator fund has handpicked a group of start-ups it believes can help tackle the UK’s childhood obesity problem.

AI tech offers food brands a finger on the pulse of trends

16-Oct-2020 By Oliver Morrison

An Israeli start-up has launched its AI-powered food intelligence platform in the UK. The company – called Tastewise – says it can offer real-time industry insights on how consumers order, cook, and eat, to help brands with product innovation.

How innovation can boost the ‘overlooked’ and ‘undervalued’ health benefits of cereals

15-Oct-2020 By Katy Askew

Cereal crops like maize and wheat deserve greater consideration as part of a healthy, nutritious diet, according to a new paper. FoodNavigator caught up with the authors to learn why.

Cryogenically frozen avocados offer food security solution

14-Oct-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Millennials’ obsession with avocado toast is probably an unfair stereotype. But a scientific breakthrough is promising to secure the supply of smashed avo for future generations.

Allmicroalgae continues to expand microalgae production as demand rises

14-Oct-2020 By Will Chu

Portugal’s Allmicroalgae is to ramp up production of its algae-based ingredients with the installation of a second fermenter, which the firm says will double output and meet increasing demand.

Tesco suspends Kenyan avocado supplier after rights abuse claims

12-Oct-2020 By Oliver Morrison

The UK’s largest supermarket has stopped supply from Kenyan agricultural company Kakuzi, which is being investigated over claims of human rights abuses.

Grass Fed Standard for Beef launched by Irish Food Board: ‘The standard will be Ireland’s USP in international markets’

07-Oct-2020 By Flora Southey

Bord Bia has rolled out a new Grass Fed Standard for Beef, allowing it to track and verify the percentage of grass consumed in the diet of Irish beef herds.

Equinom expands R&D centre to tackle plant-based sector’s price and sensory challenges

06-Oct-2020 By Oliver Morrison

The Israeli seed specialist hopes the new facility will help food manufacturers meet the tests of plant-based food production.

What does the list of top most valuable UK brands tell us about food trends?

02-Oct-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Despite the nightmare that has been 2020, it has been a good year for food companies, according to the 2020 top 75 Most Valuable UK Brands report from ad giant WPP and insight firm Kantar.

Food waste upcycling ‘ripe for innovation’: report

30-Sep-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Food waste upcycling is an area ripe for innovation, says Oakland Innovation. Its report aims to show how food and beverage manufacturers can make upcycling a viable and effective solution to address the food waste challenge.

Cracking the clean label conundrum: Beneo discusses tapping consumer desire for fewer ingredients and improved nutritional profiles

28-Sep-2020 By Oliver Morrison

There has been a global shift among consumers towards clean and clearer labels that promote natural claims, and a willingness to pay a premium for products that do so, notes functional ingredient manufacturer Beneo.

Food giants launch new deforestation pledge after missing 2020 objectives: ‘Our approach was not agile enough’

24-Sep-2020 By Katy Askew

The Consumer Goods Forum has launched a fresh initiative to tackle deforestation in the food chain. FoodNavigator takes a look at this new effort – and asks why the CGF’s previous zero-deforestation commitment missed the mark.

Olam Cocoa hits 100% traceability in direct cocoa supplies: ‘This is a crucial step towards… eradicating child labour and deforestation’

22-Sep-2020 By Katy Askew

Olam Cocoa has achieved 100% traceability for directly sourced cocoa across its global supply chain. FoodNavigator speaks to Andrew Brooks, Head of Sustainability, to learn more about reaching this milestone and the work that lies ahead to move the cocoa...

Princes adopts blockchain as part of its 'proactive approach' to illegal labour in Italian agriculture

21-Sep-2020 By Katy Askew

Princes is leveraging blockchain developments to improve traceability and communicate its sourcing story to customers and consumers. Starting with its Napolina brand – but with plans for a further rollout – the company is working with Provenance to communicate...

Functional beverages see ‘lifestyle consumer’ boost: Kerry

21-Sep-2020 By Katy Askew

The functional beverage sector is expected to gain traction as more ‘lifestyle consumers’ are attracted to the category, according to Kerry Taste and Nutrition.

Vanilla and black pepper fraud: Researchers develop method to detect adulteration in food

21-Sep-2020 By Flora Southey

Researchers in Denmark have developed a food fraud detection method for vanilla and black pepper, both of which can be adulterated for ‘high economic gain’, DTU’s Amelia Sina Wilde tells FoodNavigator.

Huel aims to scoop ‘time-poor, health conscious consumers’ with new hot meals

18-Sep-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Meal replacement brand Huel is expanding its powdered food range and launching its first hot meals in the UK.

ChicP founder urges shift to healthy snacking: ‘Large food companies should be fined for producing products that are literally killing us’

17-Sep-2020 By Katy Askew

UK challenger brand ChicP was founded with a twofold ambition: to create healthy food and to address food waste. The company’s founder talks to FoodNavigator about her vision for a zero-waste food system that puts health at its heart and launches a blistering...

Fruit snacks under fire: Is Action on Sugar's call for 'honest labelling' justified?

16-Sep-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Action on Sugar wants a ban on the use of claims such as 'one of your five a day', 'naturally occurring sugars' or 'made from real fruit' on fruit snacks for children that can contain the equivalent of five teaspoons of sugar....

Consumers ‘may not understand difference’ between a food’s carbon footprint and calories

16-Sep-2020 By Oliver Morrison

An academic has urged food brands to innovate with carbon footprint labelling after a study discovered a lack of understanding among the general public about the carbon footprint of foods.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Oatly defends Blackstone funding: ‘We need to speak a language that capital markets can understand’

15-Sep-2020 By Flora Southey

The oat drink business has publicly defended its decision to receive investment from Blackstone, after Oatly fans and activists pledged to boycott the brand.

Ground-breaking trial gives new hope for peanut allergies

15-Sep-2020 By Oliver Morrison

A trial suggests that oral immunotherapy treatment, which involves repeated exposure over time to gradually increase doses of the allergen, could allow sufferers to increase their tolerance to peanuts. They would not be able to eat nuts at will, but their...

The key to healthy and sustainable diets… more processed foods?

09-Sep-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Opportunities abound for the food industry to address public health and environmental issues through clever food processing, say nutrition scientists.

Warnings over ‘unintended adverse consequences’ of ditching animal protein

08-Sep-2020 By Katy Askew

The argument that plant-based foods are healthier and more sustainable than animal-based products has become increasingly common. However, experts warn that the ‘unintended adverse consequences’ of any push to eliminate meat, dairy, eggs and fish from...

Healthy eating takes lockdown hit: IGD

02-Sep-2020 By Katy Askew

People feel that their diets have got worse during the coronavirus lockdown. And, while more people say health is an important purchase motivator, fewer consumers are going to make healthy changes to their diets, according to IGD data.

Future ready: Loryma’s sustainable wheat ingredients poised for post-corona consumer demands

02-Sep-2020 By Gill Hyslop

According to the specialist in native and modified wheat starches, wheat proteins and wheat-based functional blends, consumers will increasingly demand sustainable, safe and uncomplicated products in the post-corona era.

Attention, algae! Food agency warns against carcinogenic contamination in edible seaweed

27-Aug-2020 By Flora Southey

French food agency ANSES has published recommendations for edible algae, raising concerns about cadmium levels in seaweed eaten as vegetables or used in processed foods and supplements.

Chr. Hansen reviews Natural Colors division, boosts focus on plant-based fermentation

25-Aug-2020 By Flora Southey

In its newly launched 2025 Strategy, Chr. Hansen plans to increase focus on its microbial and fermentation technology programmes. Non-microbial assets therefore, such as its Natural Colors division, are not central to the new strategy, CEO Mauricio Graber...

Kellogg commits to 100% responsibly sourced vanilla by 2020

24-Aug-2020 By Flora Southey

A new partnership with Symrise will see Kellogg use 100% responsibly sourced vanilla by the end of the year. FoodNavigator speaks to the German flavours and fragrances firm to find out more.

France’s Sabarot becomes an entreprise à mission: 'Our mission is to support the dietary transition'

21-Aug-2020 By Katy Askew

French pulse and grains supplier Sabarot has joined the ranks of Danone and Atos by establishing itself as an entreprise à mission - a ‘company with a mission’ - under France’s Pacte Law, declaring its raison d'être through several social and environmental...

Nestlé launches plant-based Vuna with ‘rich flavour and flaky texture of tuna’

20-Aug-2020 By Flora Southey

The Swiss company is making its first move into plant-based seafood with a six-ingredient vegan alternative to tuna: Vuna.

The moment of ‘ground truth’: Unilever pilots Orbital tech to boost transparency in palm oil and soy

19-Aug-2020 By Flora Southey

Orbital Insight’s technology will combine satellite images of Indonesia and Brazil with geolocation data to provide specific information on ‘the first mile’ – the journey that palm oil fruit or soybeans travel from the plantation to a mill. “With a clearer...

Earthworm, Nestlé tie-up tackles deforestation in Côte d’Ivoire: ‘Cocoa farming in the Cavally forest reserve is illegal’

19-Aug-2020 By Flora Southey

Nestlé has partnered with NGO Earthworm and government agencies on the ground to preserve what is left of the Cavally forest reserve in Côte d’Ivoire. FoodNavigator speaks to Earthworm’s country head Gerome Tokpa to learn more illegal cocoa plantations...

Organic ancient grain range from Kröner-Stärke adds wholesomeness and nutritional benefits to baked goods

19-Aug-2020 By Gill Hyslop

Kröner-Stärke has launched a range of spelt gluten, starches, flours and pregelatinized starches to allow producers to capitalise on the growing popularity of ancient grains as consumers embrace clean label.

Plant-based snacks brand tailors to taste, wellness, and dietary needs: ‘Personalisation is in our DNA’

17-Aug-2020 By Flora Southey

The concept allows London-based start-up Erbology to better understand what its customers want, and ultimately, make a better product for them, co-founder Irina Turcan tells FoodNavigator.

Big Idea Ventures talks future proteins: From clean meat to bio-fermentation and plant-based

12-Aug-2020 By Katy Askew

Big Idea Ventures is welcoming a second cohort of start-ups to its New Protein Fund accelerator. From cellular agriculture, to bio-fermentation and plant-based innovation, Managing Partner Andrew Ive shares his thoughts on building a more sustainable...

Nomad Foods predicts permanent shift toward frozen produce

07-Aug-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Nomad’s latest financial results illustrate the consumer shift to the frozen food category amid the COVID lockdowns.

Oat drink maker eyes B2B opportunity: ‘Brexit may result in more demand for our British made products’

05-Aug-2020 By Katy Askew

Glebe Farm, the maker of oat drink brand PureOaty, is developing its business-to-business model. Managing director Rebecca Rayner tells FoodNavigator the company expects to see a jump in demand, supported by category growth and Brexit disruption.

Adjusting to the new normal: FoodBytes! by Rabobank’s four pandemic-proof innovations

03-Aug-2020 By Oliver Morrison

As the food industry adjusts to the ebb and flow of COVID-19, FoodBytes! by Rabobank shares the trends that are here to stay.

Danone CEO sees COVID-19 polarizing the food sector: ‘There won't be a middle class anymore’

03-Aug-2020 By Katy Askew

Danone believes that the cornonavirus pandemic will result in a polarization of the food sector, as consumers trade up to healthier products in some areas and trade-down to cut household expenditure in others. “There will be a polarization of the market....

Fig extract can benefit diabetic treatment: study

31-Jul-2020 By Oliver Morrison

Botanical ingredients supplier Euromed claims a study shows that its fig extract product, called ABAlife, can lower the glycaemic index of foods, and could potentially be a treatment for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, while also help to make products...

Unilever and Algenuity discuss the potential of microalgae: ‘Algenuity’s technology unlocks a wealth of food applications’

30-Jul-2020 By Katy Askew

Unilever has entered into a tie-up with biotech start-up Algenuity. FoodNavigator hears from both companies about the ‘huge potential’ to develop ‘future foods’ using Chlorella vulgaris microalgae as a nutritious and sustainable protein source.

Robot developed that 3D prints and grills meat analogues in 6 minutes: ‘We are completely disrupting the supply chain’

29-Jul-2020 By Flora Southey

Israeli start-up SavorEat has developed an automated, closed system that 3D prints and cooks plant-based meat alternatives for foodservice. “This robot can replace manufacturing practices,” CEO Racheli Vizman tells FoodNavigator.

Romanian plant-based brand Verdino eyes international expansion: ‘The future of food is also produced in Romania’

29-Jul-2020 By Katy Askew

Romanian food company Salconserv Food has invested €3m to grow its sustainable plant-based brand, Verdino, and the brand now has international ambitions. “The future of food is also produced in Romania,” CEO Eberhart Răducanu says.

‘A 21st century food and farming revolution’: Produce & Provide backs farmer-to-consumer shift

28-Jul-2020 By Katy Askew

UK start-up Produce & Provide is launching a new service that aims to help connect farmers and consumers. The company’s founder Neil Darwent believes the transition to shorter, more local supply chains represents a ’21st century food and farming revolution’.