Preservatives and acidulants

Organic food is fuelling the growth of natural preservatives: Report

22-Jan-2016 By Will Chu

A growing demand for organic food, coupled with healthy eating trends and a preference for premium products, is driving the growth of the natural food preservatives sector, according to a report.

Food-based probiotic may inhibit pneumonia-causing bacterial growth

12-Jan-2016 By Will Chu

A probiotic found in foods such as yoghurt and miso soup has been found to inhibit the development of a pathogen that causes middle ear infections in children and pneumonia, a study has shown. 

Readers' review of 2015

From trans fats to triathlons, PhDs to palm oil and quinoa to kittens, 2015 was YOUR year

22-Dec-2015 By Niamh Michail

It’s that time of the year when we look back and reflect on the highs and lows of the past 12 months – but this time we asked our readers to share some of their professional and personal highlights, as well as what they are looking forward to in 2016. Happy...

Commission clears Solina acquisition

26-Nov-2015 By Niamh Michail

The European Commission has cleared the acquisition of French ingredient supplier Solina by private investment company Ardian.

Gelatine is more than just a texturiser: Rousselot

23-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Gelatine should be seen as a functional ingredient for use in ‘better for you’ products, according to gelatine supplier Rousselot.

EFSA cannot rule out that food additive may cause cancer

07-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

EFSA cannot rule out that the food additive octyl gallate (E311) may cause cancer due to a lack of data, it said in a safety review published last week.

EU project aims to slash food waste by 30% by 2025

28-Sep-2015 By Nathan Gray

A new EU-funded research project involving partners across the EU, as well as in China, will help reduce food waste by 30% by 2025, say those behind the project.

Is the clean-label trend fuelling food waste?

24-Sep-2015 By Niamh Michail

As demand for preservative-free food rises, whose fault is it if food waste increases too – industry or consumers?

WHO adviser warns against production and sale of cheap salty snacks

11-Sep-2015 By Nathan Gray

Governments must to stop food manufacturers and distributors producing and selling unhealthy, cheap, salty junk food, warns World Health Organisation (WHO) advisor Professor Francesco Cappuccio.

€6m bust for vinegar price fixing: 'This is a very serious cartel'

13-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Two Dutch vinegar firms have been fined over €6m for cartel arrangements lasting over a decade – but the whistleblower sidestepped payment under EU rules.

Fast food fever: Modern diets impact immune health of you and your kids

05-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

Modern ‘Western diets’ can lead to poor immune functioning and increased risk of inflammatory conditions, allergy, and auto-immunity, researchers warn.

Targeting salt reduction in low and middle income countries

28-Jul-2015 By Nathan Gray

Policy makers and industry must work together to develop and achieve salt reduction targets in countries with developing economies, say researchers.

Souring on sweet: How sugar health concerns are spurring sour flavours

16-Jul-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Ongoing consumer concern about sugar consumption means some consumers are turning away from sweet tastes altogether, according to market research organisation Mintel.

Clean label has become industry standard, says Innova

01-Jul-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

‘Clean label’ is no longer a niche trend – it is now standard across the food industry, according to a report from Innova Market Insights.

EU Parliament vote rejects calls to scrap nutrient profiles

16-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Parliament’s Legal Affairs committee has voted to reject amendments to the EU Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation, which would have seen nutrient profiles abandoned.

Researchers urge government to ‘seriously consider’ food taxes

09-Jun-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The UK government should seriously consider taxing unhealthy foods and drinks to reduce their consumption, a paper from the Food Research Collaboration (FRC) has urged.

Dispatches from Vitafoods, Geneva

Tree-mendous: NPD boom in plant waters, with 'natural' and 'no preservatives' leading health claims

19-May-2015 By Rachel Arthur

Plant waters such as aloe, birch, artichoke, maple, cactus, and almond water are starting to challenge coconut water’s pedestal, with NPD in this emerging category booming, according to Innova Market Insights. 

Coffee by-products may have prebiotic, antimicrobial and antioxidant potential

11-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

More than 2 billion tons of coffee by-products that are currently thrown away could have applications in the food and nutrition sector, say researchers.

Corbion acquires ADM’s lactic acid business

10-Apr-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Corbion N.V. has acquired the lactic acid business from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) for an undisclosed cash sum, the company said on Friday.

Near zero compliance with WHO sodium and potassium guidelines

08-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

As a 16,000-strong four-nation survey finds only 0.5% meet guidelines at best, researchers say education and individual action is not enough to ensure compliance – industry reformulation for sodium is needed.

Improving foods works better than educating consumers, says expert

03-Apr-2015 By Joyeeta Basu

Reformulating foods to be healthier without telling consumers is a brilliant health policy, says Professor Graham MacGregor.

Heinz Kraft merger: Synergies and cost cutting

26-Mar-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The super-merger of Heinz and Kraft is less about synergies and more about cutting costs, analysts have said.

UK budget largely positive, says food and drink industry

19-Mar-2015 By Joyeeta Basu

The drop in corporation tax, promise of increased investment funding and support for British farmers in the 2015 UK budget were largely supported by British food and drink manufacturers.

Low mycotoxin levels found in European cereals, EFSA

16-Mar-2015 By Joyeeta Basu

A study by the European Food Safety Authority of cereal grain and cereal products has found low levels of mycotoxin sterigmatocystin in most of the samples to be below proposed limits.

Campaigners win case against Bayer over pesticide bee claims

13-Mar-2015 By Joyeeta Basu

Friends of the Earth Germany has said it will step up its fight to protect bees after German chemical giant Bayer CropScience failed to sue it in court for claiming that a pesticide manufactured by the company could harm bees.

Russian ban on Ukrainian salt challenges supply

13-Mar-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Russian sanctions have affected its salt supplies after it banned imports from state-run Ukrainian firm Artyomsol, which previously accounted for 24% of the market.

EFSA backs anti-caking agent safety for salt substitutes

26-Jan-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

EFSA has backed the safety of an anti-caking agent (Fe mTA) for salt or salt substitutes – but said a new risk assessment would be necessary if the use level or application were to change.

Study suggesting salt intake is ‘less of a risk’ for the elderly is flawed, say experts

20-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

New research has suggested that salt intake is not linked to mortality or heart disease risk in older people, however experts have said the study flawed and the findings do not contradict current advice.

WHO urges national dietary targets to cut preventable deaths

19-Jan-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The World Health Organisation has outlined potential strategies to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including junk food taxes and cutting salt intakes.

FoodNavigator predicts top industry drivers for 2015

22-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray and Caroline Scott-Thomas

It’s time to get out our crystal balls and predict the hottest trends in the European food and drink sector for the year ahead. What’s in store for 2015?

Looking back on 2014: How did we do with last year’s predictions?

19-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

As 2014 draws to a close, let’s take a minute to look back and ask, how accurate was our forecast for the year? FoodNavigator looks back at its trend predictions for 2014.

FoodNavigator's top 10 articles of 2014

16-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Sugar, gluten-free foods, front-of-pack nutrition labelling, and the 'utter nonsense' behind popular diet claims were among the most popular subjects of the year on FoodNavigator. 

Study: Cutting salt could reduce headaches

15-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Halving salt intake from 8 g to 4 g per day could significantly reduce the occurrence of headaches, according to a new study published in BMJ Open.

ARCHIVE ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

Naturally opposed? Balancing new technologies with consumer perceptions

10-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

New technologies are vital to the future growth of the food and nutrition industry, but their future success depends on much more than the science behind them.

Ingredient origin labelling should remain voluntary under FIC regs, say suppliers

09-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Food Information for Consumers (FIC) legislation should allow manufacturers to choose whether to label ingredient origins to avoid costly, complicated and unnecessary changes, say suppliers.

Clear guidelines needed on potassium-based salt replacers, says CASH chair

25-Nov-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The UK’s Department of Health should establish clear guidelines on potassium-based salt replacers and back down from its current recommendation for a complete ban, according to CASH (Consensus Action on Salt and Health) chair Graham MacGregor.

Salt reduction not a priority for UK consumers, finds LoSalt survey

24-Nov-2014 By Anna Bonar

UK consumers prioritise reducing fat and sugar intake ahead of salt, according to a consumer survey conducted by Klinge Foods, the producer of LoSalt.

How important is saltiness when reducing salt?

24-Nov-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Many different approaches have been taken to reducing salt, from mineral-based salt replacers to gradual reduction to alter consumer preference – but some ignore salty flavour altogether.

Mandatory salt reduction could save more in healthcare costs: Study

21-Nov-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Mandatory salt reduction may save more in healthcare costs than the current voluntary system, say the authors of a study published in Value in Health.

Myth busting? High salt intake may not increase thirst

18-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

It is commonly believed that consumption of salty foods increases thirst, and could be a reason for increased consumption of sugary soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. But just how true is this notion?

Are salt reduction efforts reflected in heart health?

17-Nov-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Salt reduction efforts around the world are making progress – but how has lower salt consumption affected health?

Challenges remain for salt reduction: Expert forum

23-Oct-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The UK’s salt reduction programme has been hugely successful – but it has challenges ahead, according to experts speaking at FoodNavigator’s Salt Reduction Forum last week.

Nestlé, Kellogg accused of ‘chaotic’ approach to salt

16-Oct-2014 By Rod Addy

Healthy eating campaigners have slammed Nestlé, Kellogg and other food firms for including varying amounts of salt in the same products depending on where they are sold.

Salt reduction roadmap: FoodNavigator forum this week

13-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

Salt reduction remains a key challenge for many in the food industry. Join our team of salt reduction and policy experts on Wednesday, October 15th to discuss where current efforts can be improved, and what the future holds.

Repeat exposure: No need for low salt diet to alter salt preferences

06-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

Multiple exposures to lower salt foods could encourage consumers to prefer them, even when they are consuming a high salt diet, according to new research.

FoodNavigator 2015: What’s on our editorial calendar?

06-Oct-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

From developments in fats and flavours, to the latest trends in fighting obesity, food for kids, and protein, FoodNavigator's special editions calendar for 2015 spans the hottest topics for the European food and drink industry.

What would a Scottish vote for independence mean for food?

18-Sep-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

As Scots head to the polls today, FoodNavigator asks, how would an independent Scotland affect the food industry there and in the UK as a whole?

Cognition & colours among DSM targets at 2-day Swiss open innovation event

17-Sep-2014 By Shane STARLING

DSM Nutritional Products (DNP) wants to engage with commercial, government and academic entities at a 2-day open innovation (OI) summit with selected participants in December.

Salt reduction and social inequality? UK reduction policies 'have not reached those most in need'

27-Aug-2014 By Nathan Gray

Despite overall drops in salt intake over last 10 years, social inequalities in salt intake have hardly changed in the period, say researchers.

Big brands must step up to salt challenge, says CASH

07-Aug-2014 By Nathan Gray

Large brands must step up their commitment to reducing salt, and match the progress being made by own-brand products from supermarkets, says CASH, as a new study shows salt levels in some cheeses are still too high.