Extreme weather may bring change in baking practices, claim crop researchers
Bakers may need to alter production techniques in the face of climate change, according to the authors of a new study on the impact of drought on cereal production.
Archives for January 7, 2016
South African bodies lock horns on US poultry
South Africa’s Poultry Association (SAPA) has said it will not lower poultry testing standards to accommodate US imports, after an industry body criticised it for “stubborn protectionism” over the country’s poultry market.
Global food prices plunged by nearly 20% in 2015
In 2015 prices of the world’s major commodities fell for the fourth year in a row, averaging nearly one fifth (19.1%) lower than in 2014, says the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Dateline Southeast Asia
Cool Indonesian economy still attracts billions in foreign investment
Despite an economic slowdown, Indonesia’s food manufacturing sector is continuing to attract international companies, with investments worth UDR164tr (US$11.9bn) registered in 2015, according to government figures.
Sheep milk industry can earn billions for New Zealand
A multi-billion dollar industry in sheep milk is available to New Zealand farmers, if they can be convinced of the opportunity, and if they work together.
Over 7,000 pounds of US sausages recalled
California-based Neto’s Sausage has recalled 23 types of beef, pork and chicken products after they were shipped for sale without a food safety inspection.
Ecolab action to combat Venezuelan uncertainty
Ecolab is making an accounting change in relation to Venezuela due to the ‘limited ability to maintain normal operations’ in the country.
Yili sells stakes in livestock company to Hong Kong dairy
Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. (Yili) has sold its 40% stake in its livestock company to Yogurt Holding I (HK) Limited
'The huge disparity between what the guidelines advocate and what Americans actually eat is beyond alarming'
Dietitians respond to 2015 Dietary Guidelines: ‘The American public needs more forceful messages.’
What do registered dietitians and nutritionists think of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and how much do they ultimately matter, since the gulf between what Americans are told to eat – and what they actually eat - remains huge?
Almarai in $1.5bn NFPC possible purchase
Saudi food giant Almarai may buy a US$1.5bn stake in the UAE’s National Food Products Company (NFPC), as the Saudi firm ups its dividend payment and plans to boost its equity.
Meat packaging to enjoy near-decade of growth, report says
A report by marketing intelligence consultancy Future Market Insight (FMI) says meat packaging sales will achieve single-digit growth between now and 2025.
Could chicken movement indicate Campylobacter infection risk?
Monitoring chicken behavior can give an indication of which flocks are likely to become Campylobacter positive within seven to 10 days of life, according to a study.
Are manufacturers losing market share by playing it too safe with allergen labelling?
Allergen Safe is an independently-audited accreditation initiative proposed by organisation FreeFrom that allows manufacturers to respond to increasing consumer worries about allergens. But by playing it too safe, do they risk losing market share?
BfR drives home hygiene message when handling raw food
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has urged consumers to pay attention to hygiene to avoid foodborne illness.
Post-meal blood sugar levels promote heart attack complications
The level of sugar in your blood can affect the contraction of blood vessels, with potentially dangerous effects on the heart and blood pressure, a recent study has shown, highlighting the potential risks of regularly consuming rich, sugary foods.
SGS partners with Biopremier to grow NGS availability
SGS has partnered with Biopremier to deliver next generation sequencing (NGS) to the global food supply chain.
Sakara Life secures $4.8 million to expand nationwide meal delivery service that feeds body, mind
Most players in the increasingly crowded subscription food delivery category focus on providing high quality nutrition and hard-to-find or novel ingredients, but Sakara Life sets itself apart from the pack by going one step farther and also promising to...
Philippines could see nutrition labelling after Bill submission
A law has been tabled in the Philippines that will require food manufacturers to label their products with nutrition information.
Food poisoning cases soar as 650 Vietnamese workers are hospitalised
Hundreds of factory workers have been hospitalised in the latest incident in Vietnam of mass food poisoning caused by eating at a staff canteen.
Durable demand for flax leads supplier Pizzey Ingredients to expand facility
Demand for flax ingredients is likely to continue upward in 2016, an executive with supplier Pizzey Ingredients says. The company is responding with manufacturing improvements at its Canadian processing facility.
The US egg market is recovering well, but will avian flu have a longer-term impact on industrial egg use?
While the US egg supply is rebounding well after last year’s devastating avian flu outbreak, it is too early to say whether manufacturers that reformulated products to reduce or replace eggs will revert to using the same amount of eggs they were using...
2015 Dietary Guidelines soften many controversial suggestions, but still advocate eating more plants
The long-awaited 2015 Dietary Guidelines released today substantially soften many of the most controversial recommendations made by an advisory committee early last year – but a close reading suggests subtle support for some of the provocative...
Bird flu virus claims Chinese woman's life
A woman from the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen has died after she became infected with the deadly H5N6 bird flu strain, Hong Kong’s Health Department has said.
Fonterra breaks its export volumes record
Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited announced it exported record volumes for the month of December 2015.
Fishmeal free? Protein alternatives key to Australia’s prawn future
Australia’s prawn sector must prioritize sustainable fishmeal replacement and R&D in protein alternatives will be the key, say industry heads.
What works for cigarettes may not work for food: Plain packaging increases snacking
The use of plain packaging on unhealthy food as an obesity prevention measure may have the opposite effect by increasing snack intake among men, a study has found.
Jet-fuel fish farm gets UAE ministry blessing
A UAE government ministry has given a boost to a pilot scheme to combine aquaculture with biofuel production, as it pledges its support and collaboration.
Cutting sugar in soft drinks by 40% could prevent 300,000 cases of diabetes: Study
Reducing the amount of sugar in sugar-sweetened beverages by 40% over five years could prevent 300,000 cases of type 2 diabetes in the UK over the next two decades, according to a study in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Aussies even keener to buy Australian, though China loses out
Australians are increasingly opting for locally made products, even at a time when overseas options are becoming more readily available, according to new market research.