Government Chemist: Authenticity continues to be issue of concern
Ensuring food is what it claims to be, oil speciation analysis and mushroom poisoning cases were some topics presented at the Government Chemist Conference last week.
Archives for June 26, 2016
France creates new ice cream trade group
Nestlé, Unilever and General Mills are among the founding members of France's new ice-cream industry group.
French MPs drop palm oil tax - but accuse producer countries of blackmail
French politicians have dropped the proposed palm oil tax, leading some politicians to say the country is being blackmailed by producer countries. "We are legislating with a knife at our throats," said one.
China angry with US over WTO poultry dispute
China is upset with the US after it asked the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to check if China complied with a 2013 order to reform its anti-dumping duties on chicken broiler products.
Brexit may trigger meat price hike
Analysts expect the cost of imported meat, such as bacon, to rise after the pound plummeted in the wake of the UK’s historic decision to leave the European Union.
Innovation
Aussie inventor turns potato into milk-cheese-and-custard wonder-food
“This potato format could well be the biggest thing to happen to the potato industry since the frozen French fry,” I’m being told, and it’s hard to disagree, no matter how bold the statement.
Celebrity chef Pete Evans pens Arcadian meat deal
Australian TV chef Pete Evans has signed a bumper contract with Arcadian Organic & Natural Meat Co to continue his ambassadorial work for a further two years.
Brexit: Reactions from the beverage industry
Britain has voted to leave the European Union, and the negotiation of new trade agreements will be a key area of focus for the wine and spirits industries.
Bigger-than-expected baskets at first 365 by Whole Foods Market: ‘I never saw so many Trader Joe’s bags in a Whole Foods store before’
If the next wave of 365 by Whole Foods Market stores performs as strongly as the first one, which opened in Los Angeles on May 25, the new format will be scaled up “very rapidly,” says co-CEO John Mackey.
Hain: 'We are in full compliance with the law’
Hain Celestial urges court to toss organic infant formula lawsuit: ‘Plaintiff wants jury to second-guess USDA's definition of organic'
A lawsuit alleging that Earth’s Best organic infant formula contains a “spectacular array” of ingredients prohibited in organic foods, reflects the plaintiff’s ignorance of USDA regulations, brand owner Hain Celestial argued in court documents filed...
Veestro rebrands to make plant-based diet more approachable to non-vegans
Frozen meal delivery service Veestro’s revamped branding that launched this month aims to expand the company’s consumer-base by making vegan-eating easier and more approachable for consumers who follow a variety of diets.
What makes food brands ‘authentic’? Survey asks Millennials to weigh in
Both consumers and marketers often use the buzzword 'authentic,' but what exactly does it mean? A new consumer report zoomed in on today’s favorite demographic—millennials—to find out what a brand needs to do to embody authenticity.
No specific link in two related EIEC outbreaks - study
Whole genome sequencing showed organisms isolated from case-patients in two UK outbreaks were genetically related but no specific epidemiologic link was identified, according to a synopsis.
Eastern promise: Is Central and Eastern Europe the solution to EU’s unsustainable soy imports?
Europe’s problematic reliance on “unsustainable” soy imports could be solved using Central and Eastern European farming land, the European Commission heard last week.
New Chinese guidelines recommend reducing meat consumption by half
The Chinese government has detailed a plan to reduce its citizens’ meat consumption by half, leading climate campaigners to cheer a policy which they expect will go a long way to reduce a surge in global warming.
Pulses, Seeds, and Grains
Rancho Gordo brings heirloom beans to American doorsteps
Working with farmers from Central California, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, and Mexico, Napa-based Rancho Gordo is resurrecting long-forgotten beans and bringing them back to the American table.
Enviro-friendly: Seattle Chocolate taps 'superfood' coffee by-product
Seattle Chocolate Company has fortified its latest product, due to hit US retail shelves next month, with fiber-rich dried coffee cherry pulp.
Even doubled income for farmers won’t make cocoa sustainable: Mars
Cocoa living income may need to quadruple to secure the long term future of the crop, says Mars’ global procurement head.
Canada poised to allow beef irradiation
Canadian health officials will consider the pros and cons of allowing the sale of ground beef exposed to radiation to go ahead.
BREXIT
British food firms set to increase trade with US following Brexit vote
UK confectionery and snack businesses may look to ramp up their trade with the US in light of last week’s vote to leave the European Union.
Food workers union backs Jeremy Corbyn
The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) has voiced strong support for embattled Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, after a wave of resignations from his shadow cabinet, including food and farming minister Kerry McCarthy.
Taking a bite out of calorie-counting: New app helps users lose weight
Wearable technology that provides feedback on meal behaviour could help people lose weight as research has revealed the effectiveness of a new interactive tool in monitoring food intake.
Microbial test works a Charm, finds AOAC
Charm Sciences’ Peel Plate YM (Yeast and Mold) microbial test has received AOAC Research Institute approval.
Lindt launches 'shop-in-shop' concept in Hong Kong
Passengers at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) are now able to pick and mix their favorite Lindor chocolate for the first time, thanks to the recent partnership between Lindt and DFS.