dispatches from fie 2015
Will 'Peru-perfood' sacha inchi be the next quinoa?
High in protein and omega-3, Peruvian sacha inchi has ‘superfood’ potential, according to a supplier of its oil and protein powder.
Archives for December 4, 2015
EU could soon ease Fukushima produce restrictions
Japanese media have reported that the European Union may no longer require radiation screening for some food products imported into the bloc from the beginning of next year.
Salmonella illnesses linked to nut butter spreads
Salmonella has sickened 11 people from nine states with a link identified to raw nut butter products.
Danone sells scandal-hit China formula unit to Yashili
One of France’s biggest dairy companies has unloaded its failing Chinese infant formula unit to Yashili in a deal worth US$159m
Largest European investment to date
Danone doubles Dutch baby milk production capacity
Danone-Nutricia has invested €240m in a new production plant in the Netherlands on the back of double-digit sales growth of infant formula products such as Aptamil and Nutrilon.
Starbucks recalls Christmas panini over US E.coli scare
Starbucks has rushed to remove its Christmas turkey panini from over 1,000 US stores after discovering an ingredient in the sandwich was linked to an earlier E.coli outbreak.
Study highlights heart health benefits of red wine extract of onion
A red wine extract of onion may offer more heart health benefits than red wine alone, says a new study from Taiwan.
Food Fraud Network exchanges boosted by IT system
The European Commission has launched an IT system which will be used to exchange information on cross-border violations of EU food chain rules such as food fraud.
Taiwan outlaws trans fats over three years
Taiwan’s lawmakers have banned artificial trans fats in processed foods, with violators facing fines of up to NT$3m (US$92,000).
Clean label is the major concern for EU food firms
The reduction of sugar and the removal of additives are currently the biggest headaches for the European food industry, according to new research.
Commission report backs a legal limit for trans fat
A limit on permitted levels of industrial trans fats in food is the most effective way to reduce Europeans' risk of heart disease, says the European Commission in its long-awaited report - but it does not say what that limit should be.
No siesta for rising Spanish pork exports
Exports of pig meat in Spain have risen by 17% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2015, according to research published by UK body AHDB Pork.
BRF in ‘final stage’ talks with two firms
BRF is close to acquiring two more firms after buying Golden Food Siam (GFS) for $360m and said its ambitious expansion plans in Argentina and the UK have “intensified”.
Is industry too old-fashioned to connect with living, breathing, sustainability-loving consumers?
At FiE the nutrients and ingredients industry quacked a good game, but can it really walk like a sustainability-loving duck? Or is it a sitting duck for hypocrisy and business blindness? wonders Scandinavian strategist, Virpi Varjonen in this FiE post.
ADM strengthens natural vitamin E range with first ever succinate offering
ADM has added two sunflower-sourced, non-GMO versions to its vitamin E portfolio targeting foods, drinks and food supplements and the “world’s first commercially available sunflower-based succinate form of vitamin E.”
The top 10 specialty food trends for 2016: From seaweed and full-fat dairy to floral flavors
Seaweed, full-fat dairy, floral flavors and mushrooms will all gain traction in 2016, according to the Specialty Food Association (SFA), which has released a list of 10 trends to watch in US food culture next year:
Term ‘soymilk’ is not misleading, says judge in Trader’s Joe’s lawsuit
Is it lawful to use terms such as ‘almondmilk’ and ‘soymilk’ to describe plant-based beverages? Yes, according to a ruling from a California court this week, which has dismissed claims in a long-running class action lawsuit* v retailer Trader Joe's...
Agar shortage due to fluctuating yields and demand from other sectors - Merck
Merck has confirmed a shortage of agar in the market and told us it has stopped sales of it as a raw material until further notice.
8 healthy food trends to watch in 2016 that could influence children’s eating
The shift towards cleaner, more nutrient dense foods will continue to spread in the US in the coming year with parents increasingly looking for healthy options for the whole family – including picky children, who in generations past might have been...
Far East digest
Taiwan court’s decision to clear ‘tainted oil’ chief provokes backlash
A not guilty decision by a district court in the trial of the heads of a food giant embroiled in a tainted oil scandal has prompted a boycott of Ting Hsin International Group’s products.