Stop talking about food taxes like they are some sort of panacea that will alter consumer behaviours overnight, and magically eliminate obesity and diabetes. They won’t.
Experts from both sides of the sugar tax debate have set out their arguments in a ‘head to head’ article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). Where do you stand on the sugar tax issue?
Research demonstrating that fatty acids have a taste sensation that is distinct from other basic tastes ‘confirms’ that fat is the sixth basic taste, say researchers.
Citrus food flavouring perilla aldehyde causes DNA damage to the liver, says EFSA – a finding that calls into question the safety of nine other chemically similar flavourings.
Sugary drinks may cause type 2 diabetes regardless of obesity – and artificially-sweetened drinks or fruit juice are not necessarily healthier alternatives, according to new research.
After years in the making, quinoa protein concentrate will be the latest plant-based protein to be commercialised, competing with the likes of whey, soy and pea.
Meat and dairy consumption has fallen from favour in many European countries and consumers are increasingly on the lookout for foods and drinks high in plant-based protein, according to Mintel analysts.
Manufacturers must do more to help consumers halve their overall energy intake from free-sugars to less than 5%, commentators on Twitter have urged after the release of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition's report on carbohydrates today.
The UK government’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) has ditched a 10% upper limit on sugar intake instead recommending that less than 5% of daily energy should come from free sugars.
UK food retailers could face stiff fines and court action after the nation's competition regulator found evidence that supermarkets were misleading customers with confusing pricing promotions.
Ongoing consumer concern about sugar consumption means some consumers are turning away from sweet tastes altogether, according to market research organisation Mintel.
US researchers have created a ‘healthy beverage index’ – a scoring system designed to measure the quality of beverage intake and help prompt healthy drink choices.
The British Medical Association (BMA) is calling for a soft drink tax in the UK, but an industry body says targeting a single category is ‘misguided and unlikely to prove effective.’
Asian consumers are fuelling demand for clean labels and natural colourings - and will bolster a trend that has been dominated by western Europeans until now, a 5000-strong global survey has found.
Industry bodies around the globe have slammed a US study which attributes 184,000 deaths a year to sugary drinks, saying its authors fail to show cause and effect or prove a direct link with beverages.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved the use of stevia-derived sweeteners at up to 29 mg per litre in hot drinks, following a request from Tata Global Beverages GB Ltd.
Positive product feedback is a good thing, right? Not if it is from a ‘harbinger of failure’ who repeatedly buys niche market and flop products, warn researchers.
Although research into the ‘apéritif effect’ (where alcohol increases food consumption) is well-documented, a study has linked the brain, as well as the gut, to the phenomenon.
The insect protein market has been relying on its youthful enthusiasm and faith in sustainability but it needs a solid business plan to move forward, says Invenire as it seeks crowdfunding for its edible insect roadmap.
Consumption of sugary drinks may lead to an estimated 184,000 adult deaths each year worldwide, according to research, which warns of an urgent need for strong global prevention programs.
A 20% duty on sugary drinks in England could result in 2,400 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes and 1,700 fewer cases of stroke and coronary heart disease, according to a study from Food Active.
A diet rich in fat and sugar could cause changes in the make up of our gut bacteria, which in turn lead to losses of cognitive functions, suggest researchers.
Almost two-thirds of global consumers are concerned about sugar intake – but the choice between low-sugar and sugar-free depends on the food or drink category, according to a new report from DSM.
Manufacturers should be wary of using pictures to depict artificial flavourings, warn food lawyers as a German court ruling sets a new precedent for misleading marketing.
Coffee and wine are both complex drinks with strong followings among their respective connoisseurs, but wines tell a stronger tale - connecting better with consumers, say industry experts.
Danish ingredients firm Chr Hansen claims it has produced carmine through fermentation, meaning a cheaper, vegetarian, halal and kosher version of the natural red colouring could be just a few years from commercial use.
The Portuguese Association of Nutritionists (APN) and Nestlé joined forces this month to unveil a new e-book promoting the benefits of cereal-based beverages in Portugal.
UK-based researchers are seeking industry collaboration and inspiration for work creating electrospun nanofibres that could provide improved products and ingredient delivery systems for foods.
A mother's environment and dietary habits around the time of conception could permanently change the function of genes influencing the risk of diseases in her child, say researchers.
The top causes of food waste in homes include buying too much, preparing in abundance, unwillingness to consume leftovers, and improper food storage, say researchers from the Cornell Food and Brand Lab.
Coca-Cola Enterprises is positioning itself as ‘part of the solution to obesity,’ as it pledges to reduce calories by 10% per litre across its beverage portfolio in the next five years.
The trend toward raw foods is being driven by a growing group of consumers looking for ‘clean food’ – not just those who consider themselves raw foodists, says Teresa Havrlandova, founder of raw food firm Lifefood.
A proprietary carrier particle can reduce sugar content and calories by more than 50% – without a loss in sweetness or a rise in costs, says Israeli company DouxMatok.
The use of whey protein fluid gels can produce ‘very stable’ foams that may be useful in the commercial production of food foams and areated products, say researchers.
Consumption of a sugar-sweetened drink on a daily basis may be associated with an increased risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), say researchers.
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) CEO says failing to reformulate products to reduce added sugars would be like slow food poisoning of the nation.
The pressures of raising children, juggling work and home life, and other daily responsibilities mean older millennials are increasingly turning to energy drinks, according to a report from Mintel.
The Swedish National Food Agency (NFA) has begun an investigation into levels of nutrients and potentially undesirable substances present in common foods on the Swedish market.
More than 20 health bodies have resigned from the EU Alcohol and Health Forum, saying the European Commission is ignoring calls to develop a new EU Alcohol Strategy.
Telling a story is important for any brand – even more so when trying to market hemp juice and overcome pre-conceptions about cannabis, according to Sana Hemp Juice.
When compared to the same amount of glucose, consuming fructose could cause ‘significant’ weight gain, physical inactivity, and body fat deposition, say researchers.
