Improving nutrition in schools and fighting trade barriers are two
priorities of the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) 2007 farm
bill proposal, unveiled yesterday by Agriculture Secretary Mike
Johanns.
Drinks giants Coca-Cola and Nestlé were today slapped with a
lawsuit for claiming that their new Enviga energy drink can help
consumers burn off calories.
China is one of five nations worldwide set to drive massive growth
of in the carbonated drinks market by 2011, according to a new
report by consumer analyst Euromonitor.
The results of a consumer survey on healthy chocolate suggests that
the substance once considered solely as a sweet confectionery item
has made huge strides towards the realm of health foods.
A new whole grains fact sheet aims to provide consumers with easy
to understand information on the healthy grains: what they are,
what they do and where to find them.
The effects of increased folic acid intake amongst the elderly may
be a double-edged sword, with benefits and harm dependent on the
person's vitamin B12 levels, says a new study.
Private label food and beverage products continue to grow in
popularity, opening up new opportunities for some manufacturers,
while presenting tougher competition for others.
Leading US flavor and fragrance firm IFF has reported strong growth
in its fourth quarter and full year, indicating that the company
could be coming up for air after a tough year in 2005.
A voluntary commitment by British Retail Consortium (BRC) members
to eliminate industrially added trans-fats represents a major
change of gear in the battle to make processed food products
healthier.
The changing dynamics of the organic dairy industry may have
resulted in different production practices, but these are not
necessarily wrong, and accusations must stop if there is to be any
hope of meeting increasing demand, according...
US agricultural giant ADM has sold its North American bakery
ingredients division in a move designed to streamline its
operations and focus on its core areas of expertise, the company
told FoodNavigator-USA.com.
Netherlands-based DSM has announced the publication of the full
genome for the fungus Aspergillus niger used to produce a
range of enzymes and other compounds for the food industry.
Encapsulation of probiotics in whey protein gel particles could
offer protection during processing and storage, as well as
extending the food applications of the bacteria to biscuits,
vegetable and frozen cranberry juice, indicates...
Over half of the most heavily advertised children's food and
beverage products that clearly feature fruit on their packaging
contain no fruit at all, according to a study released last week.
The UK Food Standard Agency's expert advisory committee on novel
foods is consulting on draft opinions on applications on the
substantial equivalence of two novel ingredients.
Here we go again. Yet another technology in its infancy is likely
to be introduced into the food supply, while industry remains
cautious and consumers divided.
Incorporating ingredients that deliver the umami taste into food
products could be one way to enhance flavor and avoid the use of
artificial flavoring agents such as MSG, according to a recently
published paper.
UK food formulators and manufacturers should be applauded for their
progress on salt reduction, say the findings of a survey from the
Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH).
Higher intake of fats is associated with lower body weight, says
new research from Sweden that offers an alternative side to the
role of fat intake in the rise of obesity.
Manufacturers of flavor products formulated with significant levels
of meat or poultry ingredients must have these approved by the US
Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service
(USDA/FSIS), the agency said...
European farmers are lagging behind the rest of the world in terms
of access to agricultural biotechnology, according to the president
of the European Federation of Biotechnology.
US demand for sweeteners is expected to continue its steady growth
to the end of the decade, but despite the expected increase in
volumes, market value will be suppressed by falling prices, reveals
a new report.
ACNielsen has shone the spotlight on drinkable yogurt as the
fastest growing food and beverage product, findings that may
inspire healthy ingredient manufacturers to more aggressively
target this functional beverage format.
The European Parliament is next month set to vote on a report that
calls obesity a "European epidemic" and proposes that all countries
implement certain measures to combat the growing condition.
The presence of low-level formaldehyde in gelling agents like
carrageenans and alginates does not pose a threat to human health,
the European Food Standards Authority (EFSA) has reported.
Encapsulating resveratrol, the red wine polyphenol reported to have
heart health benefits, in beta-cyclodextrin could increase the
polyphenols availability, says new research.
A new genetically modified corn is to become available in the US,
after the variety was approved by the nation's Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA).
A combination of calcium plus vitamin D during weight loss in
overweight and obese women could improve blood cholesterol levels,
says new research from Canada.
Low fat varieties of peanut flour - a common ingredient in many
baked goods - can improve food texture and efficiency during the
baking process, according to scientists from the US Agricultural
Research Service (ARS).
Food products with lower levels of 'bad' ingredients, such as fat
and sugar, have seen a sharp rise in popularity over the past year,
according to Mintel.
Leading spice firm McCormick has reported a dip in its fourth
quarter and full year financial results, with profits weighed down
by restructuring charges.
Legislation has been introduced in California to require the clear
labeling of all products derived from cloned animals if these are
approved for human consumption.
The federal food safety inspection unit has approved an additional
batch of additives, antimicrobals and agents for use as processing
aids directly on meat and poultry products.
Onion extract, rich in the natural antioxidant quercetin, may not
only improve the shelf life of a processed meat product but also
enhances the flavour, Irish researchers report.
US agricultural and chemicals firm DuPont has reported a surge in
fourth quarter net income, but results were dragged down by a weak
performance from the company's agriculture and nutrition division.
Food products with lower levels of 'bad' ingredients, such as fat
and sugar, have seen a sharp rise in popularity over the past year,
heading up new food and beverage product launches in 2006,
according to Mintel.
Danish ingredients giant Danisco has launched a new range of
flavourings designed for yoghurt candies - allowing confectioners
to give boiled sweets a healthier image.