Danisco has entered into a license agreement for its
anhydrofructose technology with Japan's Nihon Starch Co, the first
such deal aimed at bringing the new calorie-free sugar to
market.
The refusal by regulators to provide a formal definition of the
term 'natural' will ultimately lead to confusion for consumers and
a legal headache for manufacturers.
Agar and carrageenan are set to lose their status as organic
ingredients later this year, pending a review by the National
Organic Standards Board (NOSB), which would impact on the status of
foods using them.
Chinese corn-based sweeteners producer Global Sweetener Holdings
has taken a new step towards its aim of becoming a leader in the
Asian and worldwide markets for corn sweeteners by buying out
Mitsui's share of their sorbitol...
Ulrick & Short has developed an additive-free phosphate
replacer to maintain moisture in sausages in response to increasing
pressures for food manufacturers to provide clean label products.
Excessive intake of sorbitol, a widely used sweetener in
"sugar-free" products such as chewing gum and sweets, may lead to
weight loss and diarrhoea, German doctors report.
A leading organic dairy processor in the US has announced a new
research initiative for reducing its carbon footprint, as part of a
new funding program designed to improve efficiency in sustainable
production.
The superfruits trend is set to endure for the long term, according
to a Datamonitor analyst, as consumers will prioritise their own
health over environmental concerns like food miles and carbon
footprint.
Flavours Inc is exploring uses for its new Spun Matrix
microencapsulation technology in teas and baked goods, and expects
to launch a next generation liquid version later this year.
Ingredient innovators looking for inspiration from exotic fruits
may be able to cash in on an Agricultural Research Service project
which is looking into ways to bring even more tropical fruits to
the US.
Tasteless and edible antifreeze proteins could prevent the
formation of ice crystals in ice cream, and maintain the smooth,
silky texture, reports research from the US.
Indian spice processor Vallabhdas Kanji Limited (VKL) has started
commercial shipments from its new pepper plant in Vietnam; it
claims the new facility makes it the only processor in the main
pepper-producing countries with steam...
Lycopene may show benefits against benign prostate hyperplasia
(BPH), a condition said to affect more than half of all men over
the age of 50, suggests a new study from Germany.
American scientists have reported the development of a variety of
hybrid rice with improved cooking quality and double the protein
content of normal rice.
Israeli firm Enzymotec has received GRAS status for its PS
cognitive health ingredient, opening up the US functional food and
beverage market for the product.
The US branch of Krispy Kreme has finally decided to remove trans
fat from its products, following similar moves by the company's
divisions in the UK and Australia last year.
Using the asparaginase enzyme to treat French fries could reduce
the formation of acrylamide by 60 per cent, a joint Chilean-Danish
study has reported.
France's Naturex has bought the active ingredients division of
compatriot Berkem - its second strategic acquisition in three weeks
and one that will open up major new sales channels for Berkem's
science-backed ingredients.
FMC BioPolymer, an operating unit of chemical company FMC
Corporation, will expand microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)
production to meet growing demands from the food industry,
particularly for low fat products.
The health benefits of honey are the focus of discussions taking
place today at an international symposium bringing together
scientists to examine the potential of the natural sweetener.
French manufacturer of ingredients for flour, bread and cereals
Eurogerm has acquired Spanish counterpart LEAG with the intention
of increasing its presence in Spain and Latin America.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has
spearheaded a group of organisations across 20 countries calling on
Coca-Cola and PepsiCo to limit soft drink marketing to help fight
obesity.
UK snack and cereal makers have a new source of juice-infused dried
fruits, as Polish ingredients firm Frubella has signed a deal with
JO Sims to take its range into the high-potential market.
Pork belly, watermelon and goji are amongst some of the more
unusual soup flavours predicted to be popular in 2008, according to
Campbell's Kitchen and Swanson Broth.
Volatile extracts from celery can enhance the flavour of chicken
soup, and could offer novel flavour enhancers for food
formulations, suggests new research.
Cargill has helped MolliCoolz develop cryogenically frozen ice
cream beads that do not melt and fuse together during distribution
and storage using its proprietary Daritech stabilizer.
Ingredient firm GLG Life Tech Corporation will construct two new
stevia processing plants in China, in a bid to meet the supply
demands of Coca-Cola and Cargill.
PureCircle has secured an extension to its agreement with Cargill
to supply its stevia-derived Reb-A until mid-2010, helping to
ensure availability for what is tipped to be the next big thing in
sweeteners.
Wild is putting together an experienced team in preparation for its
planned initial public offering, tapping Symrise's CFO to take it
through the process.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no plans in the near
future to establish a definition of the term 'natural', saying it
has other priorities for its limited resources.
Functional snack company Corazonas is launching potato chips
containing plant sterols for cholesterol reduction, and claims to
be the first manufacturer to take the healthy ingredient into this
kind of snack product.
Four cases of listeria contamination in the US are increasingly
thought to have come from a Massachusetts dairy although officials
say they still have not found a source of the bacteria at the
processing plant.
Tate & Lyle Ventures and Scottish Enterprise hope to prosper
from the emerging market for dissolvable and edible films as a
delivery mechanism for active ingredients, with the acquisition of
BioFilm Limited.
Extracts from plant essential oils (terpenes) can be stabilised by
encapsulation in the polysaccharide beta-cyclodextrin and modified
starch, suggests new research from Greece.
Polyphenols from wine may reduce the negative impact of high-fat
foods, according to a small study from Israel that suggests a role
in the formulation of healthier food products.
Coca-Cola and Cargill will move to introduce their stevia sweetener
product in countries where the ingredient is already approved, the
firms have confirmed.
A beverage containing alginate-pectin and calcium forms a stable
gel in the stomach and boosts the feeling of fullness, report
researchers from the University of Buffalo in collaboration with
McNeil Nutritionals.
Prices for hydrocolloids in the US are expected to continue rising
in 2008, while more progress is being made to meet growing demand
for organic products, according to market analyst IMR
International.
Naturex has acquired US-based natural flavour ingredients firm
Chart Corporation, reaffirming the French company's strong position
in the global plant extracts market.
An agreement has been reached between Raisio and Unilever to grant
non-exclusive global rights to a number of plant sterol and stanol
patents - a move which will allow both companies to develop their
business and applications and...
A new 'all natural' sweetener blend for baked goods claims to be
able to replace sugar on a one to one basis without compromising
the sweetness or structure of a product.
In our second round-ups of new ingredients that have become
available this year, we highlight launches of
carbohydrates and fibres, cultures, enzymes, and fats and oils.
The Danish manufacturer of processing equipment Upfront
Chromatography is commercialising its technology for the production
of vegetable proteins on the back of a successful launch with
Solanic.
Cranberry is no longer just for Christmas as growth in consumer
demand has helped the little red berry find its way into some 900
brand new products this year - a staggering rise from the 2006
position of 54 launches, according to...
