Sweeteners (intense, bulk, polyols)

DSM on bringing fermented stevia to Europe: 'There could be an advantage in being first'

11-Jul-2017 By Niamh Michail

DSM is seeking approval to sell fermented stevia in Europe. We caught up with the director of its stevia platform to discuss how it could be labelled, consumer acceptance and when it expects EFSA to give the green light.

Kerry innovation chief talks investment, R&D and working with start-ups

10-Jul-2017 By Niamh Michail

Following Kerry Group's $220 million (€193m) investment into research and development (R&D) last year, what's next for ingredient innovation at the Irish company? We caught up with the firm's Chief Innovation Officer.

IFT 2017

‘Consumers will not compromise on taste,’ says FlavorHealth

10-Jul-2017 By Mary Ellen Shoup

FlavorHealth has found that most consumers will pick an indulgent beverage over a better-for-you option when given the choice, even when they say trends like sugar reduction are among their top health concerns.

ADM finalises Chamtor deal

05-Jul-2017 By Nathan Gray

Agri-food giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has confirmed the acquisition of French sweetener and starch producer Chamtor for an undisclosed fee.

Stevia antioxidant product announced by PureCircle

26-Jun-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

A stevia product with antioxidant properties is the latest innovation from Malaysian headquartered supplier, PureCircle.

Sugar tax study: compelling evidence to carry out 'fascinating experiment in public health policy'

23-Jun-2017 By David Burrows

Overweight and obese children tend to drink more sugar-sweetened drinks than those of normal weight, making a “compelling case” for taxing the beverages, according to researchers in Ireland.

FDE: ‘Products may be different but there’s no East-West divide’

No evidence of lower quality foods in Eastern Europe, says Commission

22-Jun-2017 By Niamh Michail

For the moment, there is no evidence to suggest manufacturers are using lower quality or less nutritious ingredients in food and drink products in Eastern Europe, the Commission has said, after meeting with manufacturers and consumer groups on dual quality...

Child weight gain linked to diet beverage intake during pregnancy, study claims

20-Jun-2017 By Will Chu

Children born to women who drank at least one artificially sweetened beverage per day during pregnancy, were more likely to be overweight or obese in later life, a study claims.

Bayn to extend sweetener reach in Norway with distribution deal

19-Jun-2017 By Niamh Michail

Swedish supplier Bayn has inked a distribution deal with Norwegian flavour firm Storms for its range of sugar-reducing ingredients.

Sweden’s Real Stevia to bring sweetener back to its roots with Paraguayan plant

14-Jun-2017 By Niamh Michail

Swedish supplier The Real Stevia Company will open a processing plant in the sweetener's native Paraguay, adding to its portfolio an 'origin' stevia that is sustainably sourced and Paraguayan from farm to fork.

PureCircle develops stevia plant 20 times sweeter than standard plant

09-Jun-2017 By Niamh Michail

Using traditional plant breeding techniques, PureCircle has developed a stevia plant with 20 times more sweet-tasting steviol glycosides than standard stevia, it says.

Lampados International launches 3D stevia sweetner

08-Jun-2017 By Jenny Eagle

Lampados International’s 3D sweetener for hot drinks, Liteez, has now been launched with stevia instead of sucralose.

Product visuals more impactful to parents than nutritional information: Study

07-Jun-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

Product visuals are a deciding factor when it comes to parents choosing food for their children, according to a study from researchers in Australia.

Sugar-restricted diet hits certain cancers harder: Study

01-Jun-2017 By Will Chu

A low-sugar diet may affect the speed at which certain cancer cells spread after a study finds some types rely more on sugar as an energy source than others do. 

Tate & Lyle profits jump 85% as weak pound provides boost

26-May-2017 By Niamh Michail

British ingredient supplier Tate & Lyle has reported an 85% increase in profit before tax, putting the successful performance down to higher sales, a weak pound and fewer exceptional costs.

Be still my beating heart: Chocolate’s 'anti-fluttering' qualities highlighted

26-May-2017 By Will Chu

The link between moderate chocolate intake and lower risk of irregular heartbeat may be due to chocolate’s flavanol content, say researchers.

Does a high-fibre claim on premium ice cream still sound indulgent? Absolutely, says Koupe

24-May-2017 By Niamh Michail

Dutch start-up Koupe's high-fibre, high-protein ice cream is more than just a 'healthy' product, says its founder, who aims to compete with premium brands Häagen-Dazs and Magnum.

OmegaIngredients launches sweetening flavour modifier in powder form

23-May-2017 By Niamh Michail

OmegaIngredients' "smarter than a sweetener" flavour modifier in powder form allows manufacturers to shift sugar reduction efforts beyond beverages to cakes, biscuits and ice cream, it says.

Taiyo introduces sweet-tasting dietary fibres

22-May-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

Combining sweetness with fibre, is the aim of Taiyo’s new varieties of Sunfiber, an all-natural range of soluble dietary fibres which can also be used as a sweetener.

The right dose: Are confectionery players misreading the sugar obesity debate?

18-May-2017 By Oliver Nieburg

Confectionery companies should print teaspoon visualization of sugar doses front of pack instead of focusing on calories, says a consultant.

One in three adolescents is obese, say WHO

17-May-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

Health promotion campaigns are failing to reduce obesity in adolescents, according to a report published by World Health Organization (WHO) today.

EFSA: Sucralose is safe and does not cause cancer

10-May-2017 By Will Chu

Scientific evaluations of sucralose, conducted by The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), find no link between the sweetener and cancer.

Artificial sweeteners raise stroke and dementia risk, study claims

21-Apr-2017 By Will Chu

Drinking at least one artificially sweetened beverage daily may increase the risk of developing stroke or dementia compared to those who consumed this drink less than once a week.

PureCircle plans to bring glucosylated stevia to Europe with EFSA request

20-Apr-2017 By Niamh Michail

PureCircle has requested a safety opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for glucosylated stevia as it hopes to bring the enzymatically modified sweetener to the European market in 2018.

New insights reveal how stevia controls blood sugar levels

13-Apr-2017 By Will Chu

How stevia controls blood sugar levels has remained a mystery until now as researchers think they have unravelled the natural, no-calorie sweetener's action that results in its observed health benefits.

Nutritionists dispute relevance of sugar levels in chocolate spreads following report

13-Apr-2017 By Louis Gore-Langton

Chocolate spreads and jams contain huge amounts of sugar, with two slices of bread containing the entire maximum daily intake - but some experts have questioned whether the quantities eaten are large enough to contribute to obesity

DSM opens new Dutch biotechnology centre

03-Apr-2017 By Nathan Gray

Global food and nutritional ingredients supplier DSM continues its €100 million investment in R&D with the opening of a new biotechnology facility near its Delft HQ for food.

The big debate: Can sugar survive a public health crisis?

31-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

The world is getting fatter and unhealthier - are smaller portions and diet drinks really going to help when they sit next to full-sugar, supersized products? Is it time to tax or is industry doing enough? Catch the highlights from our live debate.

Sugar, salt and fat taxes are 'very positive', says Health Commissioner

30-Mar-2017 By David Burrows

The EU Health Commissioner has said that taxation on certain ingredients and products can be a “very powerful” tool for tackling health issues, including obesity. Campaigners have welcomed his comments but food industry representatives said small businesses...

ADM ramps up sweetener investment with French acquisition

29-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

Agri-food giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) will continue its investment into sweeteners and starch production in Europe with the planned acquisition of French wheat processing plant Chamtor.

EFSA to recommend daily intake values for added sugar by 2020

24-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will publish a scientific opinion on how much sugar can be included in a healthy diet by 2020, it has confirmed.

A 20% sugar cut by 2020? ‘It won’t be possible,’ says FDF

23-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

A 20% sugar cut across all food categories by 2020 – as per voluntary targets set by the UK government – is not technically possible, nor would it be acceptable to consumers, industry lobby the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has said.

Tate & Lyle unveils upgraded innovation center

22-Mar-2017 By Jim Cornall

Tate & Lyle PLC, a global provider of speciality food ingredients and solutions, has unveiled its upgraded Food Systems Global Innovation Centre in Lübeck, Germany. 

Allulose low-cal sweetener credentials boosted as glucose control is highlighted

20-Mar-2017 By Will Chu

Allulose, a low-calorie, natural sugar could help regulate blood glucose levels as preliminary animal studies have highlighted this rare sugar’s ability to also manage weight gain.

5-C NutriScore to be France's official nutrition label

16-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

The five-colour NutriScore is the most effective nutrition label in promoting healthier food choices and will be adopted as the official (but voluntary) label in France, the health minister has said. 

CGF celebrates healthy reformulation of 180,000 products in 2016

16-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

Manufacturers made over 180,000 consumer goods products healthier in 2016 by reducing salt and sugar or adding whole grain and vitamins, according to a report by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF).

The tint, taste and texture of food: What matters to older consumers?

15-Mar-2017 By Will Chu

As the population ages, modifications to the flavour, texture and colour of food for the elderly have become a key focus area for food manufacturers eager to cater to the specific needs of this demographic.

Natural flavours and colours can reassure health-conscious parents

14-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

Industry used to shy away from scrutiny towards ingredients lists, but by choosing the right colour or flavour firms can add value to products and reassure consumers, according to colouring food supplier GNT and kids' food brand Appy Kids Co. 

Stop claiming calcium lactate and glucose-fructose syrup are 'natural' ingredients, ASA rules

09-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

Children’s drink manufacturer Appy Food & Drinks has been told to stop referring to its juice as “100%” natural as they contain calcium lactate and glucose-fructose syrup by the UK’s advertising watchdog.

Synergy to launch dairy-based, natural sugar replacers

09-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

UK flavour house Synergy will launch a range of dairy-based, natural flavours to replace sugar in biscuits and cookies next month.

South African sugar tax could be blueprint for all Africa: WHO

09-Mar-2017 By John Reynolds

The impending tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in South Africa could be a blueprint for other African nations to follow suit, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) public health specialist.

Six industry giants to launch UK-style traffic light labels in Europe

08-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

Coca-Cola, Mars, Mondelez, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever will add nutrition logos modelled on the UK’s traffic light label to their European portfolios. However, critics have slammed the use of portion size as a reference.

SCIENCE SHORT

Stevia’s stability affected by light

27-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

The stability of stevia’s sweet-tasting molecule rebaudioside A is adversely affected by light exposure, say researchers, but light-protective packaging could be the answer.

Children's sugar intake equivalent to five doughnuts a day: Obesity Health Alliance

24-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

Children in the UK are eating the equivalent of five doughnuts a day in sugar, according to the Obesity Health Alliance, as it calls on industry to reformulate its products.

Nestlé pledges 18,000-tonne sugar cut in European products

23-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

Nestlé has pledged to remove at least 18,000 tonnes of sugar from products in its European portfolio by 2020, equivalent to a 5% reduction of current levels.

When nudge comes to shove: What are the best tactics for sugar reformulation?

21-Feb-2017 By David Burrows

Every EU country is battling with obesity, but is 2017 set to be the year that many more governments move from the comfort zone of industry-led “nudge” tactics to blunt policy tools that push manufacturers to reformulate?

Study says stevia on par with sugar in drinks satisfaction, but finds fibre fouls feelings

20-Feb-2017 By Elliot Beer

Drinks sweetened with high-Reb A stevia may have similar or higher satisfaction ratings than sucrose drinks, but added fibre lowers scores, according to a new sensory and sensation-focused study.

Brexit will be sweet for cane and beet, says British sugar industry

13-Feb-2017 By Louis Gore-Langton

Brexit’s impact on the food industry remains speculation, but one British market feels the outcome of the UK’s impending departure will be sweet: the sugar industry.

European soda makers vow to reduce added sugar by further 10%

08-Feb-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

European soft drink brands, including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Orangina and Red Bull, have announced plans to reduce added sugars by an extra 10% by 2020 in Europe.

Sweet and spicy flavours add beverage calories, study notes

03-Feb-2017 By Will Chu

Individuals are piling on excess calories by sweetening or adding spice to their coffee or tea, according to a study from the US.