Chaucer sees freeze dried future for snacks, nutrition

Chaucer Foods is seeking to extend the use of freeze dried ingredients into new snack and nutraceutical concepts, leveraging the technology’s ability to preserve flavour, colour and nutrient content in...

Acrylamide may be added to Canada’s toxic substance list

Health Canada has recommended that acrylamide – a possible carcinogen found in French fries and potato chips – be included on the nation’s list of toxic substances.

Multinationals adding more fiber to their food, says Datamonitor

New data released today from Datamonitor finds that food manufacturers are increasingly adding fiber to their products, in a move described as going “back to basics”.

Lupin-enriched bakery may slash blood pressure, boost heart health

Bread enriched with lupin kernel flour at the expense of wheat flour may reduce blood pressure and boost heart health, says new research from Australia.

GMA extols irradiation’s virtues for food safety

The Grocery Manufacturers Association has been at pains to reassure consumers that it does not consider irradiation a replacement for current food safety procedures, but it could be incorporated...

News in brief

Maple Leaf in listeria-linked recall

More than 1,100 cases of hot dogs have been voluntarily recalled by Maple Leaf Foods after the products were shipped in violation of the company’s rigorous food safety protocols in...

Further calls for BPA free infant food packaging

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should ban Bisphenol A (BPA) in children’s products and food containers, and has enough scientific data to support such a move, claims the...

New alternatives to modified starches and fats target dairy desserts

UK-based ingredients supplier Ulrick and Short has extended its range of starches and fat replacers for use in dairy desserts, custards and fruit compotes.

News in brief

Scientists pinpoint disease-fighting gene in bread wheat

An international team of researchers has identified a gene that could make bread wheat capable of resisting stripe rust, a disease that causes severe crop losses in global wheat-growing regions.

Campbell on board with salt reduction effort

As the Institute of Medicine (IOM) considers a strategy to reduce salt in the American diet, the food industry is under pressure to cut products’ salt content. Campbell is the...

Mushroom extract shows promise for meat preservative

An extract from the edible mushroom Flammulina velutipes may prolong the shelf-life of tuna meat, while also stabilising the colour of the meat, suggests new research from Japan.

Comment

Turning the key on new food technologies

Consumer concerns about a synthetic growth hormone used in milk production have prompted two leading food producers in the United States – General Mills and Dannon – to reformulate...

Walkers cuts salt levels in crisp range

Industry continues to slice salt levels from formulations with Walkers crisps, part of PepsiCo, announcing they will cut salt levels across Walkers crisps, Baked and Sensations brands by 10...

Carotenoids from annatto, paprika may reduce off-flavours in emulsions

Extracts from paprika, annatto and marigold, rich in antioxidant carotenoids, could significantly reduce the spoilage due to oxygen of model oil-in-water emulsions, says new research from Greece.

Dannon removes growth hormone from dairy products

Dairy giant Dannon has said it is phasing out milk from rBST-treated cows, a commitment that parallels the move announced by competitor General Mills earlier this month.

News in brief

Solae builds quality assurance bulk

Soy ingredient firm Solae is extending its internal food safety and quality assurance capabilities with two new specialists, in line with growing expectations from consumers.

Peanut-gate: Will consumers still trust American food – your views

The salmonella contamination of peanut products has brought American food safety under scrutiny causing some to question the value of the Made In America brand.

Give (probiotic) cheese a chance, says probiotic big cheese

One of the world’s leading probiotics specialists says consumers are interested in probiotic cheese products but cheese manufacturers and probiotic suppliers need to get their scientific house in order and...

News in brief

Leasing good credit crunch option, says equipment supplier

A new lease-purchase programme will enable meat, chicken and food processing sectors to secure material handling plastic containers during periods of budgetary constraint, claims Remcon Plastics. 

Confectionery coating system provides alternative to gum arabic

TIC Gums has developed a fast-drying shell coating system for chewing gum, confectionery and nuts, which it said was prompted by continued high demand and uncertain supply of gum arabic.

News in brief

Naturex Foundation progress in Morocco, Peru

Naturex has reported the first benefits of the Naturex Foundation, flagging up social contributions in Morocco and Peru.

News in brief

Cranberry group seeks 'cran'sparency

Three European cranberry extract suppliers have formed a new association with the explicit aim of clarifying standards governing the manner in which proanthocyanidins (PACs) content is communicated to consumers.

News in brief

School nutrition tour at Expo West

Southern Californian nutrition officials have been invited to visit this year’s Natural Products Expo West to discover new healthy foods for inclusion in school lunches.

Tainted formula passed tests pre export, says manufacturer

Health and safety officials in South Korea said that they found a meningitis causing bacteria in a French baby formula product but the company in question said the product was...

Sponge-bacteria may yield food-grade pigments, say researchers

Food-grade pigments may be obtained by fermenting bacteria sourced from sponge, according to preliminary studies from India.

More food fraud expected as prices rise

Counterfeiting is a major problem in the global food and drink industry with the level of fraud estimated at around $50bn a year, an audience at the American Association for...

New National Starch range to withstand processing rigours

National Starch Food Innovation has extended its Novation range of functional native starches with the launch of two new products that are instant, clean-label and said to stand up to...

Coconut-palm oil blend could offer trans-fat free shortenings for bakery: Study

A blend of oils from coconut and palm could produce a plastic fat for use as a shortening in bakery products as a trans-fat replacer, says new research from India.

News in brief

CIAA takes GDA info to Parliament

The CIAA will be discussing nutrition labelling directly with MEPs this week, with a stand and nutritionists corner at the European Parliament.

Comment

Changing the tune on GM

The GM debate at times seems much like the Hokey Cokey (or Pokey, if you’re US-based). There’s been a lot of putting in, some putting out, and quite a lot...

Partnership to speed stevia-sweetened product development

A new partnership between a stevia supplier and a flavors and ingredients firm will speed the process of bringing low-calorie stevia-sweetened products to market, the companies claim.

Monitoring program shows trans fats declining in Canadian foods

The Canadian government has released data showing that levels of trans fats have declined since the first results of its monitoring program were released in 2007 – but some food...

Mercury labelling of fish products is needed now, says NGOs

A coalition of different environmental organisations, the Zero Mercury Working Group, claims that there are risks associated with eating fish due to its mercury content, and consumers need to be...

Innovative ingredients unlock opportunities in Indian bakery market

Manufacturers of bakery ingredients such as enzymes, shortenings, and improvers have "to ratchet up levels of innovation" to drive higher margins and unlock opportunities in India's thriving bakery segment,...

Maryland eyes artificial food color ban

Maryland could become the first US state to ban several artificial food colorings which have been linked to hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children, if proposed legislation is approved.

Smart label can indicate product freshness, says developers

A ‘smart’ barcode for food packaging can inform consumers and retailers whether refrigerated food products such as chicken, milk and beef are no longer fresh, says the development team.

EU project on micronutrient levels calls for food industry feedback

Small and medium-sized food producers are encouraged to access growing knowledge on micronutrient recommendations in the EU, with Commission-funded project EURRECA calling on the industry to actively engage in the...

Phosphorus additives pose ‘hidden’ danger to kidney patients

Patients with kidney disease may be at danger from a ‘hidden threat’ of phosphorous additives found in processed and fast foods, says a new study from the US.

News in brief

Tests to find elusive pathogens within reach, says DuPont Qualicon

A new technology deal will enhance the diagnostic capabilities of DuPont Qualicon in terms of detecting microorganisms that affect food safety and quality, claims the company.

News in brief

PCA knew peanut products contained salmonella, says FDA

The Peanut Corporation of America knew it had distributed peanut products tainted with salmonella as long ago as 2007, the FDA said on Friday.

EFSA reveals milk protein safety conclusions

A new European review of the safety of proteins used in milk and dairy product formulation has found no link between their consumption and an increased risk to health, which...

Fragrant olive may offer red pigment for formulators

Seeds of the Osmanthus fragrans plant may offer a novel red colour for food formulators, and tap into the growing demand for natural colours, says new research from China.

New polishing agent brings shine to chocolate-coated cereal flakes

German ingredients firm Alfred Wolff rolls out a one-step polishing agent for chocolate-coated cereal flakes to meet the industry's need for improved surface shine and protective coatings.

Dairy team-up leverages research towards healthy ingredients

A newly formed collaboration could see US industry, government, academia grasp the opportunities in dairy foods and ingredients, particularly for health and nutrition.

Study says nano zinc oxide dots can kill foodborne pathogens

The application of zinc oxide nanoparticles in food systems may be effective at inhibiting certain pathogens, claims a study published in the Journal of Food Science.

News in brief

Blue California notifies FDA of GRAS for its stevia ingredient

Blue California has notified the FDA of GRAS for its stevia-based Reb-A sweetener and has said that it is confident of receiving a letter of non-objection after two other...

CSPI rejects task force trans fat advice

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has urged Pennsylvanian officials to ignore the advice of a task force on trans fat, which concluded that a mandatory ban...

Valio spreads probiotics into new category

Unilever has teamed up with Finnish dairy and ingredients supplier, Valio, to launch a probiotic spread in Germany and Sweden with “strengthening natural defences” as the central selling point.

Purac builds science for salt replacer in meats

A potassium lactate and sodium diacetate mix may reduce the sodium chloride content by 40 per cent, and significantly increase shelf-life, says a new study from Purac.

Flavanol-boosting chocolate to double in 2009, projects Barry Callebaut

While industry observers and stakeholders continue to speculate on whether chocolate is, or is not, 'recession-proof', Belgium's Barry Callebaut expects the number of consumer products containing its health and wellness...

FSA lists products free of Southampton colours

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a list of food products that have been voluntarily reformulated to remove six food colours associated with hyperactivity in young children.

High quality tops consumer shopping list, say researchers

The market research organization The Hartman Group has released a report on emerging trends for the year ahead, with perception of high quality topping its predictions, despite economic uncertainty.

Beta-glucan-rich fat replacers pass taste test for cookies: Study

Hydrocolloids containing beta-glucan could be used to replace fat in cookies and peanut spreads, according to a new study from the US and Korea.

News in brief

FDA provides recall information via Twitter

The FDA has started using the social networking site Twitter to communicate its recall updates, market withdrawals and safety alerts.