The humble caper, a small addition to the Mediterranean plate, is a
rich source of antioxidants, and exhibits protective benefits even
when consumed in the small concentrations used for flavouring, says
a new study from Italy.
A shocking report which predicts more than half the population of
Britain will be extremely overweight by 2050 could give an
incentive for developing personalised nutrition as a tool for
cutting obesity.
Traditional herbal medicines from India may also offer a novel
source of antioxidants for the food industry for boosting both the
shelf-life and nutritional content of food, according to a new
review.
Manufacturers of cakes and pies should focus on health, gourmet and
unique flavors in order to increase their competitiveness in the US
market, according to a new report by Mintel.
Tate & Lyle has opened a new research and development centre in
Shanghai, China to help manufacturers develop food products that
are targeted to the preferences of Asian consumers.
Phytosterols incorporated into low-fat fermented milk was effective
in lowering LDL cholesterol levels in people with slightly elevated
cholesterol, French researchers have reported.
Soup sales in the US have slowed over the past year, prompting
Mintel to suggest that manufacturers and marketers need to rethink
their level of innovation and their market strategies if they want
to grow sales over the next five...
Pickles, chutneys and relish should develop a healthier image by
using low calorie content and switching to fresh ingredients to
reverse their increasing unpopularity, according to market research
firm Mintel.
Pasta, enriched with soy isoflavones in the aglycone form, can
effectively reduce blood levels of total and LDL cholesterol by
about eight per cent, new research from Italy has reported.
The future of research into the potential health benefits of cocoa
should focus on the mechanisms and active compounds, with well
defined clinical trials key to this burgeoning segment, says a new
review by Nestlé.
DSM is set to launch a casein ingredient aimed at regulating
glucose levels in type-2 diabetics, which can be added to a wide
range of functional foods and beverages to stop post-meal spikes.
Common food additives like calcium chloride and l-cysteine could
reduce the formation of acrylamide in potato chips by about 85 per
cent, according to a new study.
The future of research into the ability of phytochemicals to treat
modern disease lies in Asia because of restrictive laws and
"cynicism", a UK based research company has said.
Vegetarian is an outmoded term for products that do not contain
meat, yet meat-free does not communicate positive advantages of
plant-based products, says Prosoy, which believes careful
positioning could draw in more consumers.
DSM has today announced it will restructure manufacturing at its
Nutritional Products arm in China, a move it called a "big step" in
its plan for Asian expansion.
Manufacturers targeting the US Hispanic food and beverage market
should position their products within one of the category's three
major segments, depending on the type of consumer targeted,
according to a report by Packaged...
Orafti has announced a price increase for its Beneo fibre
ingredients in response to increasing raw material and energy costs
- a measure it says it has tried to stave off as long as possible
but which is now inevitable.
The final article in a FoodNavigator-USA.com series on the health
and wellness practices of major US food firms reveals that Campbell
Soup Company is expecting a major shift in the market, which will
affect the way products are developed...
Chinese ingredients maker Biogin Biochemicals said it has seen an
approximately 30 percent growth in demand for its flax lignans from
clients in the US and Europe and it is increasing its production
capacity accordingly.
Kraft explains its approach to health and wellness in the second of
a series of FoodNavigator-USA.com articles examining the practices
of major US food firms in the face of a growing need to address
human nutrition.
The third in a series of FoodNavigator-USA.com articles on the
health and wellness approach of major US companies examines
Nestlé's increasing focus on research and development as a means to
improve human nutrition.
Less than three months after its launch, a Mediterranean diet
packaging symbol already appears on 50 products in the US, and a
number of new initiatives are underway to make it more accessible
to smaller food companies.
Chitosan plus maltodextrin could offer an interesting alternative
for the encapsulation of omega-3 rich fish oils, suggests a new
study that uses a novel ultrasonic technique to generate impressive
results.
Encapsulation of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) using whey protein
led to better stability of the ingredient and consumer acceptance
when used in dairy, says a new study.
Whey proteins hydrogels - 3D networks with the ability retain water
in it structure when dissolved - have the potential to encapsulate
sensitive ingredients, suggests a new study.
Chr Hansen regards nutrigenomics as technology to underlie the food
industry's future away from one-size-fits-all nutrition, and has
placed exploration of this area high-up on its R&D agenda.
Mastertaste has developed a new line of natural botanical extracts
using a process that allows for specific aromatic factions to be
isolated, then blended into a custom solution for use in beverage
or dairy products.
Hydrocolloid supplier TIC Gums has developed a new gum blend that
claims to allow bread manufacturers to add high levels of fiber to
their products without affecting the bread's texture.
The European Commission has issued a paper to Member States
outlining the next step for the setting of maximum mineral and
vitamin levels across the bloc - with many highlighted for
exemption on the grounds of no evident safety concerns.
Groupe Danone expects to conclude its acquisition of nutrition
company Numico in the first half of November, the two companies
said today, setting a timetable for the French group's bid to lead
the field in health and nutrition.
The sensory aspects of cheese could be boosted by the addition of
prebiotic ingredients, in addition to improving the nutritional
profile of the product, suggests new research.
A new market report attributes higher incomes, lifestyle changes,
growing health awareness, an aging population and a preference for
convenience foods as driving the functional foods and drinks
market.
CRS Technologies has revealed its novel shearing process applied to
fruit and vegetable waste produces stable emulsions and powders
rich in phytonutrients, and with increased bioavailability.
The organic food and beverage market has been predicted to surpass
$86bn (€62bn) by 2009, with consumers increasingly turning
'organic' in search of health and safety in their food products.
Riding the trend for natural ingredients in food and drink
products, Wild says its natural ACE beverage concept - which uses
vitamins exclusively derived from organic sources - is boosting
flagging sales in the beverage sector.
Agricultural firm DuPont is to open a new soybean research facility
to enhance its soybean product development and testing efforts, the
firm announced today.
NutraCea has commenced production of its stabilized rice bran at a
plant owned by agricultural firm Archer Daniels Midland (ADM),
following an agreement announced by the two companies in April this
year.
New Zealand today launched a major initiative to boost its food and
beverage exports, including NZ$19m earmarked for new market
development and a roadmap for innovations.
A task force designed to examine the link between food advertising
and childhood obesity has delayed the release of its formal report
to take into account the new marketing measures expected to be
imminently announced by major food...
Organically grown tomatoes contain higher levels of beneficial
flavonoids, says a new study from the US that fans the flames of
the debate between conventional and organic foods.
Parents aspire to offer the very best to their children, which of course requires high standards of quality and food safety. It also means introducing...