The development of better extraction methods and control over growing fruit will enable the flavour sector to meet increasing demand for naturally sourced flavours, despite pressures of natural resources, says EFFA president.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says it believes approval of its recently drawn up aquaculture guidelines by an EU Parliament committee in January 2011 will be a “formality”.
Danisco says a new independent life cycle assessment (LCA) shows that a ‘unique’ hydrolysis method for its newly branded version of the low-calorie sweetener xylitol can yield environmental impact savings of up to 99 per cent.
Existing ethical and environmental food labels are poorly understood by consumers, and even those seeking them out struggle to understand them, consumer group Which? has found.
Around 1.2 million farmers and workers around the world are estimated to have benefited from Fairtrade certification and labelling schemes in 2009, says FLO, with coffee still the largest category.
Cargill’s global food safety activities have landed it recognition by the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUoFST), which will next week present the firm with a new award in the field.
A new study has suggested that a cross-linked a pectin coat could improve the stability of natural oil bodies, making their potential for industrial use more viable.
The organisers of the new Biodiversity Awards to be given at the HIE trade show in Madrid later this year are now seeking entries from companies with conservation-related initiatives or programmes linked to a product or supply chain.
A UK consumer study has uncovered serious misunderstandings about what ‘organic’ food is, with one in four people admitting confusion and one in five believing organic food is lower in fat.
TNO has teamed up with industrial algae producer Ingrepro Renewables for a two year research project investigating the extraction of proteins, healthy oils, and possible carbohydrates from algae.
The Food Ethics Council (FEC) has published a set of recommendations to improve social justice, after its year-long Food and Fairness Inquiry. The next step involves spreading the word stimulating debate with business and government policy-makers.
The Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Round Table has formally adopted ten guiding principles to give a coherent way for assessing and communicating the environmental performance of food and drink products.
Sustainability has become a mainstream concern for UK consumers but does not necessarily translate into altered shopping behaviours, according to a new survey from The Nielsen Company.
New voluntary standards for the responsible production of soy have been agreed by the industry roundtable, and the first certified material from South America is expected to be in the market in 2011.
Food companies and consumers have moved from talking about sustainability to taking action in the last 18 months, says Solae – and the societal change that is taking place will help propel more growth in the soy sector.
A new research project suggests there is a wide gap between what consumers say their ethical and environmental concerns are, and what they actually buy; food companies should assess the impact the info they provide.
Two new surveys indicate that animal welfare is playing a greater role in food purchasing decisions in the UK, beating food additives as the most worrying issue in consumers’ minds.
New Britain Palm Oil (NBPOL) has completed a major acquisition that increases its plantation area by more than 50 per cent, at a time when a shift is underway towards use of oil produced without causing deforestation.
The UK and other developed countries’ food supplies could be badly affected by global water shortages – and exacerbate the problem, according to a new report from an alliance of engineering bodies.
Organic food brands are turning to sustainability in an effort to justify their price premium and combat declining sales, according to Organic Monitor.
Segregated sustainable palm oil will be available on the European market in the coming months, as IOI-Loders Crokaan and New Britain open dedicated refineries. The news marks the latest step towards changing the commodity supply chain.
A new initiative is underway to develop to supply chain for oil from the African Allanblackia tree oil in food and personal care products by devising a verification scheme for sustainable and ethical trade.
Corporate responsibility is now accepted as a major part of doing business, even when the economic climate is less than ideal. FoodNavigator.com rounds up the main messages of some of the world’s biggest food and beverage companies.
France’s Group Casino has pledged to remove palm oil from all its own brand products, starting with 200 by the end of this year, for environmental and health reasons, and use only certified sustainable palm oil in non-food products.
A new ranking of major food and beverage companies by their corporate social responsibility is published today, with Unilever, Nestle and Danone occupying the top three spots.
Corporate responsibility is not just about writing cheques for charity or mitigating impacts, says Nestle boss. It’s about creating value for communities and stakeholders in the long term.
Marks & Spencer’s new sustainability commitments could open up new opportunities for its supplier manufacturers, as it plans to engage its business partners and make sustainability a driver of innovation.
Reduction of meat and dairy intake on climate change grounds would pose nutritional concerns for some nutrients but better public health advice on alternative sources and fortification could bridge the gap, write nutritional and climate experts from the...
More resources and regulatory support are needed to develop fair trade schemes, says a new opinion from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Approaches should be harmonised where they agree, and their differences clearly communicated.
If our planet is to feed a projected population of 9 million by 2050, political will and judgement is needed to manage a confluence of factors that are impacting production, the UK’s former chief scientist has said.
50,000 and counting. We'll probably never know exactly how many perished in the 7.0 earthquake that brought Haiti, quite literally, crashing down last Tuesday, 12th January 2010, just before 5pm. But for those who survived and who make it through...
Consumer power packs a punch when it comes to making food production more sustainable and healthier, says Defra chief, as the government publishes its priorities for changing the food system by 2030.
The CIAA has signalled its priorities for Spain’s six month presidency of the EU, with competitiveness, food information, novel foods revisions, research and sustainability topping the bill.
Globalised food safety issues, demand for sustainable production, new technologies and Europe-wide food labelling will shape upcoming food policy debate, according to a new report.
Consumers will demand greater transparency and ethical responsibility from food and beverage makers in the year ahead, according to a trend forecast for 2010 from market research organization Mintel.
The globe’s two biggest food firms, Nestlé and Kraft, have launched internal investigations after a Greenpeace report claimed both purchase palm oil from Indonesian company PT Smart whose parent group Sinar Mas allegedly engages in widespread illegal...
Unilever has halted all purchases of palm oil from Indonesian company PT SMART after a Greenpeace report alleged that its parent group Sinar Mas is engaged in widespread illegal deforestation and peatland clearance in Indonesia.
Reducing meat and dairy consumption, eating fewer fatty and sugary foods, and wasting less food are the three changes to consumption habits that will have the biggest impact on making diets more sustainable, says a new report.
Danisco’s CEO talks of his optimism that a political agreement will be reached during the Copenhagen climate talks, and for subsequent rules and regulations to enable an even playing-field for competition globally.
Most grocery manufacturers have either maintained or increased their investment in sustainability during the recession a survey has found, indicating the importance it will play for businesses in the coming decade.
Two food industry executives discuss the importance of people, planet and profits, the need to keep and eye on energy use and emissions, and how to ensure long term security of food supply.
The EU food and drink industry is keen for a deal in Copenhagen next month as ongoing uncertainty over climate change policy would undermine its ability to invest profitably and innovate, says the CIAA.
Developing a sustainability strategy makes sense for food ingredients companies to ensure security of supply, to leverage brand opportunity in innovations, and to realise returns on investment in agriculture, says an Oxfam expert.
There’s a perfect storm building for food prices. You don’t have to scan the horizon to see the signs; the clouds are developing all around us - at a faster rate than anyone expected.
Food and beverage manufacturers are driving sustainability in the supply chain, says an Oxfam specialist, but they face more risks in catering to demand for ethically-produced products than retailers.
An initiative to improve the agricultural, environmental and social aspects of sourcing cocoa from West Africa achieved has achieved a milestone, as the first beans have arrived in Europe for processing.
