Preservatives and acidulants

Mintel GNPD data: 15.7% of new US food/bev products made non-GMO claims in 2015 vs 2.8% in 2012

17-Mar-2016 By Elaine Watson

Organic and Non-GMO claims are both gaining strong traction on US food and beverage labels, while there has been a slight decline in the percentage of new launches featuring 'natural' claims, according to Mintel.

Dieting is out – find out what is “in” at our Weight Management forum March 16

25-Feb-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Normally about this time of year the airwaves and social media begin to buzz with messages about getting ready for bikini season or offers to help consumers shed the last few stubborn holiday pounds with special diet foods – but increasingly these types...

A new era of sports drinks: health-conscious consumers, functional beverages & entrepreneurial brands

23-Feb-2016 By Rachel Arthur

While functional sports drinks have been used by athletes for decades, a wider range of consumers are now turning to the beverages, according to a report from MyDrink Beverages. 

Unilever unveils egg-free spread under Hellmann's brand (but it's not calling it 'mayo')

02-Feb-2016 By Elaine Watson

Unilever has unveiled a new Hellmann’s egg-free spread, and an organic mayonnaise range using 100% cage-free eggs, in a move described by one animal welfare group as "a clear indicator that the market is heading towards increased plant-based options...

Chobani loses first round of legal battle in Simply 100 false advertising spat, but says it is winning the war

29-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

Dannon and General Mills are claiming victory in their legal spat with rival Chobani over the latter’s provocative new ad campaign for its Simply 100 Greek Yogurt after a judge granted their requests for a preliminary injunction to stop Chobani making...

Can “green” claims turn the GMO debate around in 2016, analysts ask

18-Jan-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

Growing consumer concern about food waste and the environmental impact of food production could be a “conversation starter” for food manufacturers to shift consumers’ focus on genetically modified organisms away from the perceived negative impact to the...

General Mills: Chobani’s 'wilfully deceptive' ads assert that safe & legal ingredients in rival products are toxic and unsafe

13-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

The legal firestorm prompted by Chobani’s provocative new ad campaign for its Simply 100 Greek yogurt range has intensified this week as General Mills has filed a lawsuit accusing Chobani of false advertising and unfair competition.

Got MALK? Start-up seeks to disrupt nut-milk market with organic, cold-pressed options

12-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

While the plant-milk market is maturing, there is still room for new entrants offering a premium take on the category, says the CEO and founder of Texas-based MALK, which uses high-pressure-processing (HPP), and no preservatives, thickeners, or emulsifiers...

What are the key beverage trends - and companies - to watch in 2016?

11-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

What distinguishes the winners from the losers in the ultra-competitive beverages market?

'The huge disparity between what the guidelines advocate and what Americans actually eat is beyond alarming'

Dietitians respond to 2015 Dietary Guidelines: ‘The American public needs more forceful messages.’

07-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

What do registered dietitians and nutritionists think of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and how much do they ultimately matter, since the gulf between what Americans are told to eat – and what they actually eat - remains huge?

Chobani unveils media campaign to support Simply 100 Greek yogurt: ‘It’s a choice between natural and artificial’

06-Jan-2016 By Elaine Watson

Chobani has launched a multi-media campaign homing in on the ‘all-natural’ credentials of its Simply 100 Greek yogurt range and drawing shoppers’ attention to ‘artificial’ ingredients in rival products.

I can't believe it's Just Mayo ... so will Just Butter be next?

'Just Mayo' name can stay, says FDA, so what does this say about FDA standards of identity?

18-Dec-2015 By Elaine Watson

Just weeks after telling Hampton Creek it was playing fast and loose with food labeling regs by branding its flagship egg-free spread ‘Just Mayo’, the FDA says Hampton Creek can now keep the ‘Just Mayo’ brand name - as long as it makes minor tweaks to...

Coca-Cola urges court to toss class action over ‘artificial’ phosphoric acid

03-Dec-2015 By Elaine Watson

Coca-Cola has urged a California federal court to toss a class action lawsuit alleging it misrepresents its flagship product as being free from added preservatives and artificial flavors.

FDA denies GMO labeling petition: What matters is the characteristics of the food itself, not the process by which it was made

23-Nov-2015 By Elaine Watson

The FDA has rejected a citizen’s petition calling for mandatory labeling of foods from genetically engineered crops, arguing that labels are not warranted unless there is a material difference in the safety or nutritional profile of the foods in question.

Union Kitchen: Inside a food and beverage incubator

5 strategies to drive initial trial, create a new category from startup Element [Shrub]

20-Nov-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Transparent advertising is essential for reaching modern consumers, but as the maker of Element [Shrub] discovered – knowing which facts to emphasize first is key to driving initial trial. 

Union Kitchen: Inside a food and beverage incubator

The Sweet Farm taps into the rise of fermentation and food waste reduction to expand it is portfolio

19-Nov-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Fermented foods and beverages are growing in popularity as consumers learn more about their health benefits – in turn opening the door for entrepreneurs like The Sweet Farm, which sells fresh sauerkraut and is developing a line of cultured sodas and probiotic...

Is nitrite free processed meat possible for the mass market?

09-Nov-2015 By Nathan Gray

While no single substitute for nitrite can replace all of its functions, a combination of emerging technologies and plant-based ingredients could be used to reduce or completely replace nitrite in processed meats, say researchers.

True Drinks teams up with Niagara Bottling to make AquaBall preservative-free

27-Oct-2015 By Elaine Watson

True Drinks Holdings has struck a deal with Niagara Bottling under which the latter will produce a preservative-free formulation of True Drinks’ flagship sugar- and calorie-free kids’ beverage AquaBall.

Nourish Snacks co-founder Joy Bauer talks sugar, portion control, and the key pillars of healthy snacking

20-Oct-2015 By Elaine Watson

The ‘healthier’ snacks market is awash with non-GMO, gluten-free, and ‘no artificial’ claims, while corn syrup is out and ‘real’ (cane) sugar, coconut sugar, and agave syrup are in. But are these products really delivering in the nutritional stakes, given...

FDA: We are eveloping draft voluntary targets for sodium reduction

CSPI sues FDA for dragging its feet over sodium reduction; FDA still working on voluntary targets

08-Oct-2015 By Elaine Watson

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is suing the FDA in a bid to compel it to respond to a 2005 petition requesting that it revoke the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status of salt and treat it as a food additive under the law.

What will ditching artificial ingredients really do for big CPG brands?

06-Oct-2015 By Elaine Watson

While ditching ‘artificial’ ingredients may not transform the fortunes of flagging legacy brands, consumer survey data from Instantly suggests it may give consumers a warmer and fuzzier feeling about them, and convey the impression (deservedly or otherwise)...

Fast food fever: Modern diets impact immune health of you and your kids

05-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

Modern ‘Western diets’ can lead to poor immune functioning and increased risk of inflammatory conditions, allergy, and auto-immunity, researchers warn.

Talking Rain (Sparkling ICE) CEO: We might acquire brands, or build our own new brands

20-Jul-2015 By Elaine Watson

The Sparkling ICE brand notched up sales of more than $500m in 2014, is on course to top $600m in 2015, and has a fighting chance of reaching its well-publicized target of $1bn in 2018, assuming it can secure the shelf space it deserves, says Kevin Klock,...

Kraft in legal hot water over 'natural cheese' and 'all-natural' Capri Sun

30-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

Kraft Foods Group has come under renewed fire over ‘natural’ claims this month, with a judge certifying a false advertising lawsuit over its ‘natural cheese’ and a plaintiff filing a new lawsuit alleging Capri Sun 100% juice is not ‘all natural’ as it...

General Mills to remove artificial ingredients from cereals by 2017

23-Jun-2015 By Kacey Culliney

General Mills will remove all artificial flavors and colors from its breakfast cereals across the US over the next two to three years.

Americans believe ‘preservatives / chemicals’ are significantly more harmful than added sugar, saturated fat and sodium, says new poll

02-Jun-2015 By Elaine Watson

A poll* of more than 4,200 US consumers conducted in April 2015 by CivicScience shows Americans believe that ‘preservatives / chemicals’ are significantly more harmful to their heath than added sugar, saturated fat and sodium.

Experts untangle GMO developments and impact on firms at FoodNavigator-USA’s Going Non-GMO forum May 20

19-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Pressure on food manufacturers to label genetically modified food and provide non-GMO alternatives is mounting as consumer concern and confusion about the technology increases in response to a deluge of negative messaging about it. 

Food service, retail distribution offer different strengths for growing a start-up

04-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Rather than choose between food service and retail distribution, start-up Spread the Love The Love Jams & Jellies embraced both, and as a result, it has quickly outgrown its production facility and is ready to level up within one year of launching. 

Attorney: This case could end up in the Supreme Court

What does the ruling in Vermont mean for GMO labeling?

30-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

While opponents of Vermont’s GMO labeling Act 120 suffered a major setback this week after a federal judge rejected many of their arguments, some attorneys predict the case could ultimately end up in the Supreme Court to settle a long-running debate over...

VitaminFIZZ seeks to emulate meteoric success of Sparkling ICE in enhanced waters market

29-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

VitaminFIZZ – a new zero-calorie enhanced sparkling water backed by former Red Bull executives and other beverage industry veterans – is now available in 1,400+ stores in the US nine months after launch, and is about to enter the UK market.

Chipotle goes non-GMO, and embarks on ‘quest to eliminate additives’

27-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

Chipotle Mexican Grill has “achieved its goal of moving to only non-GMO ingredients to make all of the food in its US restaurants”, and is now embarking on a quest to eliminate additives such as dough conditioners from its foods.

FDA’s list of food priorities include finalizing rules for GRAS & gluten-free labeling for fermented foods

21-Apr-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

FDA is considering adding pre- and post-market enforcement “enhancements” to the final rule for the process of determining food substances are GRAS – or generally recognized as safe, according to a top agency official. 

And now the lawsuits… FDA warning letter to KIND triggers wave of consumer litigation

20-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

As widely predicted, multiple class action lawsuits were filed against KIND on Friday following the publication of a Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter citing a long list of concerns over label claims on its bars and its website.

Kraft to remove artificial colors & preservatives from Original Mac & Cheese in 2016

20-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

Kraft has unveiled plans to remove artificial preservatives and synthetic colors from its iconic Original Kraft Macaroni & Cheese in the U.S. starting January 2016. Meanwhile, Kraft Dinner Original in Canada will be free from synthetic colors by the...

Isomalt protects vitamin C status of baked apple snacks, finds study

15-Apr-2015 By Kacey Culliney

Isomalt can be used to protect the ascorbic acid content of apple snacks during baking, say researchers.

Is ALDI the ‘most underestimated grocery retailer in the US?'

15-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

While Trader Joe’s gets plenty of plaudits, its German parent company ALDI – which operates nearly 1,400 stores in 32 US states - is probably “the most underestimated grocery retailer” in the nation, according to a new report from market researcher Hartman...

Joint compliance with WHO sodium and potassium goals is ‘close to zero’, reveals study

09-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

Analysis of dietary intake data* in the USA, Mexico, the UK and France has revealed that meeting World Health Organization (WHO) targets for potassium and sodium - but at the same time complying with government healthy eating guidelines - is virtually...

EWG calls on food manufacturers to stop using the preservative propyl paraben

08-Apr-2015 By Elaine Watson

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has launched a social media campaign and online petition calling on food manufacturers to stop using the preservative propyl paraben.

Jamba Juice settles ‘all-natural’ lawsuit, but will pay no damages

24-Mar-2015 By Elaine Watson

Jamba Juice has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit filed in California alleging it misled shoppers by labeling its smoothie kits as ‘all-natural’.

Salt of the Earth launches sodium-reduction ingredient that preserves clean finished food labels

11-Mar-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Salt of the Earth’s new Umami-Essence Sea Salt can help food manufacturers reduce sodium up to 50% while preserving a clean label because it does not use MSG or artificial ingredients, the Israeli company claims. 

Gen Mills ‘well down path’ of removing BHT from cereals; Kellogg ‘actively testing natural alternatives’

06-Feb-2015 By Elaine Watson

Food blogger Vani Hari (a,k.a. the ‘Food Babe’) claimed victory on Wednesday after Kellogg said it was “actively testing natural alternatives” to the antioxidant BHT in cereal packaging liners and General Mills said it was “already well down the path...

Watch our beverage innovation summit on demand!

05-Feb-2015 By Elaine Watson

Missed some of the presentations or debates in our beverage innovation summit? No problem, they are all available on demand to registered delegates.

Fruigees finds the white space in the fruit snacks category: ‘We’re not getting much sleep, but it’s the best thing we’ve ever done’

05-Feb-2015 By Elaine Watson

While it might not have been a classic Eureka! moment, watching his fellow medical students squeezing baby food into their mouths during lectures was certainly a defining moment in the genesis of LA-based fruit snacks sensation Fruigees and the life of CEO...

Join us today at the Beverage Innovation Summit

04-Feb-2015 By Elaine Watson

Are you interested in what's happening in beverages? Well today is your lucky day!

Monsanto exec: GMOs are not the Holy Grail. What they are is an important tool if used properly

08-Dec-2014 By Elaine Watson

Genetically engineered crops are not a magic bullet and some weeds have become resistant to the herbicide glyphosate (RoundUp) used with selected GM crops, said Monsanto’s chief technology officer Dr Robert Fraley in a debate on Wednesday. But that doesn’t...

'Quiet’ salt reduction is vital – but gourmet salt growth may stifle industry efforts

25-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

Salt replacer use is growing but low salt claims are not, as food companies favour a ‘quiet’ approach – but growth in gourmet table salts may threaten salt reduction efforts.

60-second interview: Mel Mann, Director of Flavor Innovation, Wixon

Sodium reduction: Has all the low-hanging fruit been plucked?

25-Nov-2014 By Elaine Watson

Food manufacturers are under increasing pressure to reduce sodium, but surveys suggest many shoppers are, well, not that bothered. So where does this leave firms plugging sodium reduction solutions? 

Sodium reduction

Will proposals to mandate potassium labeling on the Nutrition Facts panel give potassium-chloride based sodium replacers a shot in the arm?

25-Nov-2014 By Elaine Watson

Some food manufacturers still worry that using potassium chloride to replace salt in their recipes might compromise their clean label credentials. But the FDA’s recent proposal to include potassium as one of the nutrients that must be listed on the Nutrition...

Sodium reduction

AHA education campaign pressures food manufacturers to reduce sodium

25-Nov-2014 By Elizabeth Crawford

The American Heart Association says its recently launched consumer education campaign encouraging Americans to “break up with excess salt” seeks to “build an army of passionate and willing supporters” to pressure food manufacturers to reduce sodium in...

Sodium reduction

Advanced technology eases sodium reduction efforts

25-Nov-2014 By Elizabeth Crawford

Advances in technology can help firms more quickly and easily reduce sodium in breads and grain-based packaged foods – a previously repetitive and expensive trial and error process, according to Janice Johnson, food applications leader in salt at Cargill.