Scientists working for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) are
developing new techniques to produce bread with high beta-glucan
content in a bid to create a loaf with increased functionally and
health benefits.
Following World AIDS Day, the food industry should reflect on its
own potential to advance the fight against a disease that continues
to sweep a devastating toll.
Israeli soy ingredient supplier Solbar has announced a change in
its management structure for 2008 in order to strengthen its sales
efforts and invest in business development.
Stevia, the natural sweetener causing a whirlwind of interest
around the globe, could also be a rich source of antioxidants and
may protect against DNA damage and cancer, says a study from India
published yesterday.
Fine chemicals firm Allylix is to get more than $3m worth of
investment by a team of companies including Tate & Lyle
Ventures to produce cost effective plant extracts called terpenes.
Tapping into the ever-growing search for natural antioxidants to
prolong the shelf-life of foods, researchers from Portugal report
that the leaves, flowers, and skins of chestnuts could be added to
the list.
Wild is extending offering of fruit and vegetable juice
compounds by using new kinds of produce, like pumpkins and bell
peppers, in a bid to halt shrinking sales in the orange-carrot
drinks category in Germany.
The seemingly opposing trends of health and indulgence will
dominate the confectionery market over the next few years, and
manufacturers who do not target both risk losing market share, says
a new report.
Cutting out the junk will be a major for manufacturers in 2008 said
Mintel in its prediction of trends to shape food for the next 12
months, as consumers buy into natural and environmentally-friendly
products.
The acquisition of Tradin Organic Agriculture by fast-expanding
SunOpta will enable it to extend its current organic programs while
adding new sourcing projects worldwide.
Fine chemicals firm Allylix is to get more than $3m worth of
investment by a team of companies including Tate & Lyle
Ventures to produce cost effective plant extracts called terpenes.
Debate has been stirred in the UK over a future that could see GM
foods on supermarket shelves, as the government's outgoing chief
scientific advisor said he believes GM food to be safer than
convention food.
Campina has announced its intention to acquire Satro from Germany's
Humana Milchunion, to boost growth in value-added ingredients and
make it stronger in the face of price issues.
Natural and gourmet are two leading trends in the US food and
beverage market - and they look to be joining forces to stimulate
even greater growth, according to Packaged Facts.
Cadbury, Mars and a number of other leading global confectioners
are under investigation in Canada over allegations of price fixing
in the country, press reports have said.
A new biomass boiler in Tate & Lyle's East London refinery,
considered a first for the UK food and drink industry, will slash
carbon emissions from energy use by 25 per cent in less than two
years.
A food industry initiative launched this year is promoting one
standard, easily recognisable symbol to aid identification of
healthy foods across the world and encourage manufacturers to
reformulate products along healthier lines.
Symrise has developed a sugarless version of its Evoglass flavor
encapsulation technology, catering to growth in the sugar-free
confectionery and packaged foods market.
The top 10 trends to watch for next year include fresh and organic,
superfruits, bold flavors, and probiotics beyond yogurts, according
to Datamonitor's Productscan database.
It all started with a trip to Greenland in 1970. Three Danes, a
couple of dogsleds, and several years of study later and the
omega-3 was born. Since then, awareness and understanding of marine
omega-3 has sky-rocketed.
High intakes of sucrose and fructose may contribute to an increased
risk of pancreatic cancer, suggest data from a cohort study, but
the researchers say insulin resistance could also play a part.
A blend of native Australian herbs with synergistic preservative
qualities could prove a natural alternative to sodium benzoate in
beverages, claims its inventor.
It all started with a trip to Greenland in 1970. Three Danes, a couple of dogsleds, and several years of study later and the omega-3 was born. Since then, awareness and understanding of marine omega-3 has sky-rocketed.
Food and beverage processors will be fighting it out for an
increasingly dwindling supply of grains sourced at ever higher
prices, ING Group warned in a new forecast report for the sector.
A large number of global breakfast cereal manufacturers are failing
to take advantage of the potential for their products in markets
such as Eastern Europe and Asia, according to consumer analyst
Euromonitor.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has appointed a new
interim director for its Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition (CFSAN), to keep up strong leadership at a time of
heightened focus on food safety.
The salt level in UK ready meals is 45 per cent lower than four
years ago, according to a new survey from the Consensus Action on
Salt and Health (CASH) highlighting the food industry's progress to
reduce levels.
A big handful of almonds every day could boost the antioxidant
defences of smokers, a group at risk of low antioxidant levels due
to higher oxidative stress, by up to 35 per cent, says a joint
Chinese-US study.
Sales in the UK food ingredients industry are falling on average as
a result of increased competition, both domestically and
internationally, according to a new market report by analysts
Plimsoll.
Natural extracts from olive and grape showed better anti-microbial
activity against a bacteria and yeast than three synthetic
antioxidants, showing their potential as food preservatives, says a
new study.
The adoption of draft opinions on the safety of six food colours is
on hold pending EFSA's review of the Southampton study on certain
food additives and hyperactivity in children.
Enzymatic modification of protein from canola could enhance the
gelling properties of the canola protein isolate, and boost its
potential as a food ingredient, suggests a new study from Canada.
The health benefits of curcumin, the natural pigment that gives the
spice turmeric its yellow colour, could be enhanced by
encapsulation in nano-emulsions, suggests new research.
Nestlé, Bunge, Danisco, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and Tyson
Foods are the first food processors to join a programme to develop
global reporting standards on sustainability projects in the
sector.
Talks are under way in Hungary aimed at returning 50 per cent of
the country's sugar quota to the restructuring fund, in light of
the latest sugar reforms announced by the European Union.
US ingredients company Cargill today said it will increase cocoa
product operations at the Sao Paulo plant in Brazil, as rising
incomes in the country push up local demand for chocolate.
Extracts from the bark of the magnolia plant formulated in mints
and gums can effectively tackle dental bacteria, suggests a new
study from the Wm Wrigley Jr. company.
Friesland Foods Domo and Novasep Process aim to accelerate
production times while developing purification technologies and
reducing cost for the functional foods and dairy markets through
their new partnership.
Herb and fruit infused beers are set to become a major growth
category for brewers facing dwindling sales of ale, according to
the manufacturer of a new range of natural flavours.
The proposed restrictions on air freighting of organic produce into
the UK could have implications for the flavour industry, as some
valuable raw materials are grown far way and would not survive
lengthy sea freighting times.
The Soil Association has declared the elimination of synthetic
antioxidants in its certified organic fish feeds, giving a new
layer of assurance to consumers who wish to purchase organic
produce.