Food professionals and culinary experts from around the world are
today gathering in the southern Italian region of Puglia for six
days of seminars, symposia and product tasting in an effort to
understand and promote the health benefits...
More than one in 20 pesticides sold in the EU could be fake,
potentially endangering food safety and human health, according to
the Society of Chemical Industry.
Cereal and dairy snack innovations that respond to lifestyle
changes will be key to the future profitability of these sectors,
according to Leatherhead Food International.
Food and beverage manufacturers looking to target the growing US
Hispanic market should take into account regional trends in the
population group that affect their purchasing behavior, according
to a new report.
Ingredients company Palatinit is to launch its palatinose slow
release carbohydrate in the Russian food sector as it looks to
exploit growing demand for energy drinks and snacks in the country.
Scientists from Finland have claimed that comprehensive salt
reduction would be a potentially powerful means to combat obesity,
linked to lower consumption of high-energy beverages.
The Amazonian palm berry, also known as açai, has the highest ORAC
antioxidant values of any food, says a new study, but the
researchers suggest that such values are dependent on the drying
technique and not applicable to other commercially...
Mars' CocoaVia nutritional chocolate bar range has had its healthy
image boosted by a new study indicating that the product actively
reduces cholesterol levels.
The natural ability of the milk protein, casein, to form nano-sized
micelles offers huge potential to nano-encapsulate sensitive
ingredients, say researchers from Israel.
Associated British Foods (ABF) yesterday blamed a 21 per cent drop
in operating profit on European sugar industry reform and
significantly higher energy costs.
Maypro Group announced it has received a minority investment worth
around 20 percent of its value from Marubeni America Corporation,
an association that could open up new commodity and ingredient
sources.
The US sugar industry has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) against the popular sweetener product Splenda,
which it claims is deceptively marketed to make consumers believe
it is natural.
Banana supplier Chiquita has reported a tough third quarter, with
profits hard hit by new EU import regulations, irregular weather
conditions and concerns about the safety of fresh spinach.
Scientists in Texas are investigating the potential of dried plums
as a natural alternative for processed meats, slowing oxidative
spoilage as well as imparting flavour and aroma.
A US-Chinese collaboration into the properties and structural basis
of slowly digestible starches (SDS) could lead to healthier
carbohydrates that do not cause spikes in blood sugar and insulin
levels.
Price is the most significant barrier to companies looking to
market omega-3 fortified products in Asia, says an analyst, but it
is not big enough to prevent growth in demand.
In the food and nutrition world, science is king. So when journals
do not force scientists to fully disclose financial support and
potential conflicts of interest, they are not helping anyone.
A declining US baby food market could receive a significant boost
from products that focus on infant weight control, as well as
premium baby goods and 'all natural' items, according to a new
report by Mintel.
Leading ingredients firm Cargill has developed a number of whole
grain, low fat tortilla prototypes in an effort to capture a slice
of the growing US market for the healthy bread alternative.
National Starch Food Innovation is to raise food ingredient prices
in the US across its entire product portfolio, with corn-based
ingredients set to see the highest hikes.
Citric acid leader Jungbunzlauer has jumped on the price hike
bandwagon, announcing last week that it is to up the stake on
citric acid, GdL and xantham gum in all markets where it operates
Two different new conveyer belts have been released on the market,
one designed to reduced energy consumption, while the other targets
the tortilla manufacturers.
Scientists in Pakistan and Canada have used a novel bacterial
strain to produce thermostable alpha-amylase for use in starch
processing, brewing and sugar production.
Croda is taking steps to assure customers of the purity of its
omega-3 concentrates, certifying that dioxin-like PCB levels in
Incromega are more than 60 per cent below the new EC limits due to
come into force this month.
A diet low in folate may increase the risk of developing colorectal
cancer, says an animal study from Canada, backing up previous
studies and highlighting potential additional benefits of folic
acid fortification.
Leading agri-business Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has seen
earnings more than double in its first quarter, with performance
boosted by improved market conditions and price increases for some
of its primary products.
DSM has re-organised its dairy ingredients division into two
distinct categories, reflecting growing demand from customers for
both added value and efficiency-boosting products.
A genetically modified wheat variety that has significantly more
resistant starch than regular wheat could reach the market in five
years, say Australian scientists who have won financial backing to
commercialise the crop.
Wal-Mart yesterday announced the online rollout of a "green"
ratingsystem for the packaging used by all of its product
suppliers, onethat will eventually determine who can sell to the
world's largest retailer.
Danish group Danisco has become the latest in a string of
ingredients firms to pass on increased raw material and energy
costs to the market, announcing today that it is to up the mark on
its glucoamylase for the US brewing and portable...
Two top scientists claim to have developed a frozen dairy dessert
that contains no sugar, trans fats or lactose, heralding new
opportunities for dairy firms to target consumer health trends.
A new meta-analysis of clinical trials of the effect of salt
reduction in children reports that a modest reduction in intake
does have a significant effect on blood pressure.
Integrating social and environmental concerns into business
practices ultimately benefits a firm's bottom line as well as the
environment, according to the CEO of energy bar manufacturer Clif
Bar.
UK firm Create Flavours has developed an innovative method that it
claims is capable of recreating more accurately the original
flavour of strawberries.
A team of food researchers has been awarded a patent for a new
variety of tortilla targeting consumers eager for a low fat, low
carb, soy-free version of the popular bread alternative.
The world needs an independent trade watchdog to properly regulate
the international food supply chain if we as a society are to truly
create a more sustainable and ethical food market.
Novozymes has reported 'highly satisfactory' results for the first
nine months of 2006, enabling the enzyme giant to adjust the
outlook for earnings upwards.