Weekly comment
Waking up to smell the caffeine
Before reading this you’re probably going to need a coffee, in fact why not have a few? After all who’s to say when enough is enough in our hunt for a caffeine kick.
Archives for October 12, 2008
Study expands additives' effects on gelling properties
Food additives in alginate-based gel will affect the characteristics of the resulting gel, with new information from the US sure to help food scientists optimise formulations.
New fish packaging captures convenience
Convenient access and greater shelf impact are the benefits claimed for new metal packaging for anchovies launched by Crown Food Europe last week.
FSA to change advice following sustainability commitment
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has formalised a commitment to bring its decision-making process more in line with the government’s policy on sustainable development, meaning it will have to reconsider some of its advice.
Testing could reveal ‘perfect egg’ for bakery
Researchers at Campden BRI have devised a way to measure eggs’ performance during cooking which they say could lead to the discovery of the perfect egg for use in bakery products.
Melamine crisis makes manufacturers extra-cautious over safety
The fall-out from the melamine crisis in China is prompting manufacturers to be super careful about sourcing safe ingredients, say industry sources – not just dairy and not just those coming from China.
US stevia approval may spice up sweetener demand - report
While the jury is still out on the safety of sweetener stevia in US food and beverage formulations, approval of the plant-derived extract could significantly shake up the market for sugar substitutes in the country.
Cargill profits jump 62 percent despite ingredients drop
Cargill has turned in a healthy first quarter for the 2009 financial year, partly driven by increased demand for its high yield crops and “exercising fiscal discipline”.
Colour trademarks: a powerful weapon in the war of food brands
Strong brands are a powerful weapon in a company's armoury, and when new rules emerged in the 1990s allowing colours to be registered as a trademark, the fight for brand recognition stepped up a gear, encapsulated in the ongoing case in Australia that...