No bunny scraps in our santas: German chocolate industry
The German confectionery Association (BDSI) has denied media rumors that allege unused chocolate bunnies are melted down and remade as chocolate Santas.
Archives for April 15, 2013
FDA moves to dispel ‘confusion’ surrounding flavoured milk sweetener petition
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has moved to defuse remaining consumer “confusion” surrounding the US dairy industry-filed request to amend the standard of identity for milk to include non-nutritive sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame.
California officially adds BPA to its dangerous chemicals list
The state of California has placed bisphenol-A (BPA) on its ranking of dangerous chemicals that should not be used in products consumers are exposed to.
Plum Organics to donate 500,000 smoothies formulated to meet needs of food-insecure kids
Plum Organics, a company founded on getting nutritious food to kids, has committed to manufacturing and distributing 500,000 pouches of food designed to meet the needs of food-insecure babies and toddlers.
Sorghum: The next big gluten-free grain?
Leading scientists have hailed sorghum as a highly nutritious and cost-effective gluten-free grain, but said industry use remains nascent.
Can demographics, Trop50 and coconut water pull the US juice category out of its funk?
While the US juice market has been “essentially flat” for five years, Packaged Facts predicts stronger growth in future driven by reduced calorie products, better-for-you premium juices and blends, and an increase in the number of ‘multicultural’...
Chr Hansen targets dairy players with vitamin K-boosting probiotic
Probiotic leader Chr Hansen is targeting dairy players with an L. Lactis probiotic strain it says produces vitamin K at significant enough levels to utilise approved health claims.
Omega-3s for clot prevention: EPA for men, DHA for women?
Men and women may benefit from different types of omega-3 fatty acid supplements to reduce their risk of stroke or heart attacks linked to blood clots, says a new study from Australia.
OIE warns over detecting bird flu in China
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has warned that the current outbreak of avian influenza H7N9 in China will be difficult to control, because birds infected with the virus show no visible signs of illness.
Ankush at large
Food makers should love India’s new food security Bill
The charter of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Indian constitution is pretty consistent with the modern idea of liberal democracies. Much like elsewhere, an Indian citizen has the rights to free speech and equality, and the right to be free from...
New Zealand stages environmental forum for farmers
Sheep and beef farming leaders from across New Zealand will attend the first-ever major industry event that focuses on the environment and farming.
Marshfield Food Safety adds Roka Bioscience food pathogen detection
Marshfield Food Safety, a Wisconsin-based testing laboratory, has implemented the Atlas System at two of its 11 locations.
Rousselot introduces ‘synergistic’ gelatine systems
Rousselot has launched a range of synergistic gelatine systems to improve texture, stability or emulsification in a range of products.
exclusive interview
Transparency and traceability vital in ensuring food safety, says LRQA
Food firms need to ensure transparency and traceability up and downstream in their supply chain to minimise risk, according to Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA).
Now non-food plants can help feed the world
Researchers have produced starch from plants not usually used for food purposes, potentially opening up whole new sources for foods and packaging materials.
Healthy logo: Netherlands ‘Choices’ logo confirmed as first government-backed scheme in EU
The Dutch version of the Choices logo has been confirmed as the first government-backed healthy logo scheme to gain EU and Member State support.
Nestlé to sell-off Mexican Pfizer infant formula business in anti-trust deal
Mexican anti-trust officials have approved Nestlé’s $11.85bn (€9bn) acquisition of Pfizer Nutrition on the condition that the Swiss firm sells off the acquired infant formula business to an independent third party.
New administration outlines China’s tough food-safety agenda
China’s new administration is continuing to demonstrate its newfound determination to tackle longstanding food-safety problems by issuing a blueprint of measures it plans to take this year.
High fructan barley holds wholegrain promise, says CSIRO
A barley variety high in fructans and positively linked to improved gut health holds promise for wholegrain foods, according to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO).
US supports Japan TPP entry
The US government has given its agreement to Japan joining the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a move welcomed by US meat bodies.
Conditions in VIP Foods’ rodent-infested facility “just deplorable”, says FDA
US Marshals have seized food products from the Ridgewood, NY, factory and warehouse of kosher food specialist V.I.P. Foods after FDA investigators found “widespread rodent infestation”.
Rise of ciguatoxin food poisoning forecast as German cases confirmed
The first outbreak of ciguatoxin poisoning from fish in Germany has been confirmed, with scientists claiming the problem is on the rise as more exotic fish species are consumed around the world.
Danone results get Asia baby food boost
Danone reported sales growth in the first quarter of 2013 as demand for baby food in Asia boosted profits, despite continued weakness in Europe.
Nestlé USA launches Balance Your Plate initiative as data shows Americans meet dietary guidelines less than 2% of the time
Nestlé USA has launched a new initiative called ‘Balance Your Plate’ after data from NPD Group revealed that US consumers meet the dietary guidelines on average on just seven days out of 365 (less than 2% of the time).
Grain development
New salt-tolerant rice strain could help in fight for food security
A newly developed strain of rice tolerant to levels of salt found in seawater might become available to farmers in the next four to five years, and its impact on food security could be massive.
StarchLite gets Australasia distributor
New Jersey-based Pharmachem Laboratories has signed Pacific Resources of Sydney as its exclusive distributor for StarchLite for the food and beverage markets across Australia and New Zealand.