All news articles for 2024

Are preservatives killing good gut bacteria? GettyImages/BDLM

Are preservatives killing good gut bacteria?

By Donna Eastlake

Research from the University of Chicago has found that one of the most widely used food preservatives, nisin, has a damaging effect on the good bacteria in our gut

‘Africa's becoming increasingly investable’: Sherief Kesseba. Managing partner at Climate Resilient Africa Fund (CRAF), speaking at last year’s World Agri-Tech summit in Dubai

AGTECH INVESTOR PROFILE

Are we at the dawn of African agri-tech innovation?

By Oliver Morrison

The continent’s agtech sector is rife with challenges but the potential rewards are huge, Sherief Kesseba, managing partner at Climate Resilient Africa Fund (CRAF), tells AgTechNavigator.

As the clock ticks on the application of the EUDR, there were still plenty of unanswered questions in Amsterdam surrounding its guidelines. Pic: WCF

WCF Partnership Meeting 2024

How ready is the EU Commission to implement its deforestation regulation?

By Anthony Myers

Apart from farmer income/poverty, the most discussed topic on day one of the World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting in Amsterdam was the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) that will be implemented at the end of this year.

Cutting carbon emissions in coffee production: ofi sets its sights on a 30% reduction by 2030 GettyImages/Hero Creative

How ofi plans to cut coffee supply chain emissions by 30%

By Donna Eastlake

Ingredients supplier ofi is setting the ambitious target of reducing supply chain carbon emissions for its coffee by 30% by 2030. So how will this be achieved and can other coffee manufacturers follow in their footsteps?

The product is nutritionally similar to gluten-containing wheat flour. Image Source: Ulada/Getty Images

Gluten-free but wheat? Coeliac-safe wheat flour developed in Spain

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Gluten-free substitutes such as rice and corn flour have for decades aimed to take the role of wheat flour in baked goods, so that those with coeliac disease can consume them. Now there is a new substitute: wheat flour itself.

High-protein is projected to be the fastest growing segment within dairy yogurt this year, with a growth rate of 17.2%, according to Circana. Image: Getty/YelenaYemchuk

High-protein dairy is booming, but how 'healthy' is it?

By Teodora Lyubomirova

Danone has become the latest manufacturer to release a range of high-protein dairy products in the UK. But can high-protein yogurts - that typically contain thickeners, starches and sweeteners - really be considered ‘healthy’?

The BTOM will affect GB/EU trade. Image Source: Getty Images/emarto

How will the BTOM impact food imports into Great Britain?

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

The Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), the first stage of which came into force on 31 January, will have a significant impact on how the EU trades with Great Britain. Over three stages throughout 2024, new checks and declarations will be required for...

GettyImages/Adam Gault

NPD Trend Tracker: The chocolate edition

By Flora Southey

An NPD round-up dedicated to chocolate? Yes please. In this edition you’ll read about a Easter-themed chocolate from Lir and Guinness; a new Aero bar flavour; and a white chocolate ice cream mixed in with ‘Scandinavian mountain cranberries’. Yum.

Ireland's DRS comes into effect this month. Pic: getty/vejaa

Ireland introduces Deposit Return Scheme

By Rachel Arthur

Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) – a nationwide money-back initiative for plastic bottles and aluminum cans – launches this month in a bid to improve recycling rates.

Quality assessment is an important part of the food production process. Image Source: Getty Images/Monty Rakusen

3 start-ups boosting food quality in Europe

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Food quality technology plays a vital role both in ensuring that food is safe to eat, therefore reducing food waste, and providing insights around its health and composition. Three European start-ups tell FoodNavigator how technology can help them understand...

Research suggests eating beans could aid cancer prevention GettyImages/grandriver

Could eating beans aid cancer prevention?

By Donna Eastlake

Research suggests consuming nutrient and fibre-rich foods, such as beans, which support the health of good bacteria in the gut, could help in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer

The terms 'vegan,' 'vegetarian' and 'plant-based' are not legally defined. Image Source: Getty Images/Vincent Ryan

'Vegan' labels don't always mean free from animal products

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Despite common public understanding that the word ‘vegan’ means free from animal products, there is no legally binding definition for the term in the UK and EU. This means that products labelled ‘vegan’ can contain trace amounts of eggs or dairy. Furthermore,...

Eatable Adventures founder and CEO José Luis Cabañero

AgTech Investor Profile

Eatable Adventures on how technology can solve the ageing farmer timebomb

By Oliver Morrison

Agtech innovation is playing a critical role in addressing food security and environmental challenges. But it is also key to cracking the problem of an ageing farmer population threatening global agriculture, says Eatable Adventures founder and CEO José...

Younger generations appeared more willing to accept animal-free dairy alternatives, the study suggested. Image: Getty/Drazen Zigic

How keen are consumers on animal-free dairy? Not so much, research finds

By Teodora Lyubomirova

An experimental study on consumer perceptions found that European shoppers have little appetite for animal-free dairy alternatives, though positive associations with the products’ perceived environmental benefits can enable manufacturers and retailers...

The study found that most consumers perceived the supermarket as associated with norms related to meat consumption. Image Source: Giselleflissak/Getty Images

How do 'norms perceptions' relate to meat consumption habits?

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Norm perceptions – what one perceives as ‘normal’ – differs between both individuals and groups of consumers, including when it comes to meat consumption. One’s meat consumption habits can affect these perceptions. A new study explores how different groups...

Many consumers now value broth for its health benefits. Image Source: RUSS ROHDE/Getty Images

Protein, collagen, non-UPF: Bone broth as a functional food

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Broth has been used for centuries as a component of traditional meals such as soups and stews. But many consumers are now attracted to it for a different reason – it has a range of health benefits, and is non-UPF (ultra-processed food). Startup Freja...

Mars has completed the buy-out of Hotel Chocolat. Pic: Hotel Chocolat

M&As

Mars completes takeover of Hotel Chocolat

By Anthony Myers

Mars has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Hotel Chocolat, a UK premium chocolate brands, after ConfectioneryNews reported in November 2023, that the company had reached agreement with Hotel Chocolat’s Board on the terms of the acquisition,...

Study of bees reveals environmental vulnerability and exposes threat to future of food production GettyImages/no_limit_pictures

Bee study reveals environmental vulnerability and food production threat

By Donna Eastlake

Research revealing bees’ ability to synthesise specific nutrients, to support the colonisation of their gut bacteria, offers insights into the symbiotic relationship they have with their gut microbiota. But changes to their habitat is placing this delicate...

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