Europe approves new vegetarian omega-3 source

UK-based supplier Croda Health Care has won European Union Novel Foods approval for a vegetable oil-sourced, omega-3 ingredient, as it expands its omega-3 offerings.

Omega-3s more effective for mental slowdown than Alzheimer’s: study

Brain benefits from regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids may be more pronounced in people with mild cognitive decline than people with mild Alzheimer’s: study.

Global divide over natural color regulation

In the third of a four part series on natural colors, FoodNavigator looks at the regulatory situation in the US and Europe and the challenges this poses for food manufacturers...

Food additive could inhibit C. perfringens growth in poultry

Inorganic polyphosphates (polyP) can be effective as antimicrobial agents against Clostridium perfringens in meat products, claims a new US study.

Soy bean extract seeks EU Novel Foods status

Touchi, a fermented soy bean extract that has been used for centuries in Japan, China and other parts of Asia may be available to European consumers if a European Union...

New phage offers rapid E. coli detection in meat, says BioMerieux

A new detection system for E. coli 0157: H7 is faster and more precise than molecular methods, claim the French licence holders.

Energy savings could arise from pack pasteurisation study

The level of pasteurisation required for the packaging of hot-fill products is being evaluated by UK group CCFRA as part of its food packaging research programme.

Comment

Can we believe the Danisco-Apax rumours?

Rumour, according to the Romans, is a feathered beast with a myriad eyes and tongues. Last week she went bristling through the Danish business pages, spreading the news that Danisco...

Ready meal technology offers processors range flexibility, says developer

A ready-meal tray sealer packs a wide variety of products using a modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology that eliminates the need for vacuum, said packaging equipment manufacturer Hefestus.

Green tea catechins go nano: study

The controlled release of green tea catechins may be achieved by encapsulated in chitosan-tripolyphosphate nanoparticles, suggests new research.

Organic food ‘good for you’ says EU

The European Commission has launched a campaign to inform consumers of the benefits of organic food and support those involved in the ever-growing organic market.

Regulator confirms safety of BPA for use in food packaging

International food safety experts have concluded that the human body rapidly metabolises and eliminates Biphensol A (BPA) and thus the substance presents no risk to adults, children or infants.

EFSA reaffirms safety view of cloned meat and dairy products

Meat and dairy products from cloned pigs and cattle are probably safe for human consumption, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded in its scientific opinion on animal cloning released...

Intertek acquires honey testing expertise with Applica - claim

Intertek has acquired the German-based food analysis centre, Applica, to expand its range of quality and safety services targeted at the food sector, according to the company.

Resistant starch raises fibre in gluten-free bread: study

A new study has concluded that partially replacing corn starch in gluten free breads with tapioca and corn resistant starch can raise dietary fibre significantly, but without having a great...

Guest article

Fresh, natural guidance gives clarity to industry

FSA guidance on terms like 'fresh', 'natural' and 'pure' helps protect responsible businesses against unscrupulous competition. But labelling that does not meet guidance in full would still be legal if...

UK Sport eases position on food supplements

UK Sport has altered its position in regard to the use of food supplements and now says supplements such as whey, isotonic drinks, creatine and multivitamin and mineral complexes should...

Wild taps potential for fruit and blossom combos

Wild is extending its use of blossoms in flavour blends for use in beverages and other products, and is working with more companies to use the likes of lavender, rose...

Organic nutritional advantages questioned again

A debate has ignited over the nutritional benefits of organic produce compared to conventional, with recent analysis disputing claims of its nutritional superiority.

Industry fall-out from salmonella link to tomatoes

Food processers and manufacturers with tomato-based products are expected to feel the impact of a salmonella outbreak that has infected more than 1,200 people in the US.

Comment

Budweiser to be Belgian? Big deal

The news that all-American brewer Anheuser-Busch is to be sold to Belgium’s InBev for $52bn has made sports bar patrons across the US weep into their Budweisers. But the idea...

FSA sets out areas for healthy eating action

The UK Food Standards Agency has set out core challenges for the food industry as part of its strategy to beat obesity, but recognises that work is already underway by...

Icing reformulated to meet health and wellness demand

A product reformulation provides naturally derived icing for use in toppings and eye-catching decoration on baked goods, according to supplier BakeMark.

Saturated fat solutions for bakers speared at new ADM baking facility

Fats and oils supplier ADM Pura steps up solutions for bakers, opening a new R&D test bakery at its production site in Purfleet, Essex to look into reformulation and novel...

EFSA sets new intake level for aluminium in food

Scientists at EFSA have assessed the safety of aluminium in food and established a Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) of one milligram of aluminium per kilogram of body weight.

New developments in anti-acrylamide enzymes

DSM is introducing application-specific versions of its Preventase enzyme; meanwhile, Novozymes is launching Acrylaway in Australia and New Zealand after having received regulatory approval.

Asthma study may reignite pregnancy-peanut debate

Consuming peanuts and peanut products during pregnancy may raise the infant's risk of developing asthma by about 50 per cent, suggests new research from The Netherlands.

Weekly comment

Diet better than statins in kids' cholesterol control

The prescribing of statins for eight years-olds is tantamount to saying that food and diet have failed, and that children are incapable of changing their eating habits and lifestyle.

Sifter offers quality assurance for high volume processing, claims firm

A new pneumatic in-line sifter provides baked good and cereal grain processors a quality assurance tool for moderate to high production volumes, claims Great Western Manufacturing.

High pressure processing kit wins IFT science award

High pressure processing equipment, which uses a working pressure of 87,000 psi (6116.7 Kgf/cm2) was one of three food packaging and processing systems honoured with a 2008 IFT Food Expo Innovation Award.

Low-fat dairy again linked to healthier hearts

A healthy lifestyle should include low-fat dairy products to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) associated with poor kidney function, suggests new research from the US.

European definition of colourings causes confusion

Gaps and a lack of clarity in European regulations for colourings mean the food industry is "often working at the boundaries of legal controls," said an industry expert.

Colour and health driving rise of betalains

The potent antioxidant activity of pigments from beet and cactus pears may be the key to their potential, suggests a new review from Brazil.

Novel food draft report released

The European Parliament has published its draft report on amendments to the novel foods regulation, having made revisions to ensure better clarity.

USDA looks at ways to decontaminate leafy produce

Combining sanitizers with ultrasound, optimizing oxygen conditions and not reusing washing water can reduce bacterial contamination of lettuce and leafy greens, according to a summary of recent USDA laboratory research.

FDA unlikely to trace 'smoking gun' in salmonella outbreak

It is highly likely that the source of the recent salmonella outbreak linked to raw tomatoes will not be traceable, claims the US Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

Colourings to come with a warning

The European Parliament has adopted a legislative package that will see products containing any of six artificial colours labelled with a health warning for children.

New wireless hand-held data logger

T and D Corporation, manufacturer of data loggers, launched a Wireless Core Temperature Data Logger at last week's IFT 08 Annual Meeting and Food Expo in New Orleans, United States.

Codex adopts 35 international food standards

Thirty-five new international food standards were adopted during last week's 31st session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, including guidelines on the use of flavourings and gluten-free products.

Recent advances pave way for fish gelatine for food

Increasing demand for gelatine, coupled with consumer concerns over the mammalian variety, may open the door for fish gelatine to fill the gap for food formulators, says a new review.

Protein analyzer wins IFT food science award

The Sprint Rapid Protein Analyzer from CEM Corp, North Carolina, USA, has won a 2008 IFT Food Expo Innovation Award at the IFT trade food show in New Orleans.

Unicorn Ingredients: new seed supplier targets bakers

Bakers can access a new supply source for their seeds needs as UK ingredients firm Unicorn Ingredients hits the market.

Soy products may raise dementia risk: study

Consumption of soy products like tofu may raise the risk of dementia, according to a new study from Britain and Indonesia.

Radio frequency heating could remove food pathogens

New disinfection and disinfestant food technology using radio frequency (RF) heating can eliminate microbes and insects without the use of chemicals, claims US investment firm Allied Minds.

CIAA questions need for labelling law

The need for new European legislation on nutrition labelling has been called into question by the CIAA (Confederation of Food and Drink Industries in Europe), as a survey indicates that...

Lycopene as effective as statins for artery health: rabbit study

Supplements of the lycopene, the carotenoid that give tomatoes their red colour, may be as effective as statins to reduce the formation of plaques in the arteries that cause atherosclerosis,...

EFSA issues guide on food grade plastic recycling

New guidelines concerning the recycling of plastics intended for use in the packaging of foods have been published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

France approves beta-glucan claim

A beta-glucan health cholesterol-lowering health claim has been approved in France, making it only the second disease reduction claim permitted in a country notorious for conservative food laws.

Low energy X-ray system offers unrivalled imagery, say developers

New low energy X-ray technology allows for on-line inspection of defects and impurities in food packaging seals and baked goods, its developer claims.

EPA approved antimicrobial could control listeria in food plants

A phage-based decontaminant has been sanctioned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US for use as antimicrobial against Listeria monocytogenes in food processing plants, says its developers.

Sparks remains as Miller sticks with caffeinated beer

The Miller Brewing Company will not be following in the footsteps of rivals by reformulating its caffeinated alcohol brands in the US, claiming the products are fully compliant with regulatory...

EFSA in good shape after productive 2007

The European Food Safety Authority is bigger, better, more accountable to stakeholders and in touch with the 450 million citizenry it serves, according to its 2007 annual report.