The European Commission has imposed anti-dumping tariffs of almost
40 per cent on monosodium glutamate (MSG) imported to the EU from
China, following an investigation into the effects of lower-priced
imports on EU industry.
The FAO food security summit concluded with a declaration
calling for the international community to step up
assistance to developing countries, but no decision is reached on
biofuels policy.
Talks on the European Union's draft Renewable Energy Directive
should be postponed until after independent research into the
effects of biofuels production, argues the confectionery and
biscuit industry.
Private equity backed, billion-euro deals in the food sector are
gone as the credit crunch impacts the landscape, but smaller
transactions will remain and today's difficult climate will throw
up acquisition opportunities for...
The potentially damaging effects of trans fats may also be passed
from a mother to her child during breast feeding, suggests a new
study that heaps more misery on the enfant terrible of the
food industry.
Borregaard is increasing prices for its vanillin products across
the board due to the drastic oil price increases and is looking at
ways to improve efficiency at its plants.
The Grain Processing Company is targetting its organic rice-derived
ingredients into the Western United States with the signature of an
agreement with ET Horn.
Consumers in the UK believe risk analysis on animal cloning and
products from cloned animals and their offspring entering the food
chain should be as thorough as drug research, according to a survey
published today by the Food Standards...
National Starch is extending its range of Novation functional
native starches to include two new starches from waxy maize that
are suitable for use in products geared towards the certified
organic trend.
The European Parliament's Heart Group has declared its preferred
best approach to front of pack labelling for food so consumers can
see at a glance whether a product is good for their heart: four key
nutrient quantities, plus...
The European Union has slapped anti-dumping duties on Chinese
imports of citric acid after an investigation concluded two
European producers have been injured by unfair competition.
The hype surrounding stevia has been ratcheted up another notch
after the US's largest supplier announced it is launching the
natural sweetener beyond the dietary supplements aisle for the
first time.
Stepping up food production and ending trade restrictions could
lift millions out of poverty while helping bring down soaring
prices, said UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon.
Treatt is expecting Earthoil to make a better contribution to
results since acquiring the remaining 50 per cent of Earthoil
Plantations and Earthoil Kenya, giving it full control over
operations.
More consistency and clarity is needed on the USDA's labeling and
advertising rules on meat and livestock-raising claims, Tyson Foods
has said as it announced the withdrawal of its 'raised without
antibiotics' chicken...
NutraCea has today launched its stabilized rice bran (SRB) RiBran
Isolate as a cost-effective meat enhancer, and simultaneously
announced a new distribution agreement.
Natural sulphur containing-compounds may prevent the browning of
fresh-cut fruit, and offer a more potent alternative to vitamin C,
suggests new research from Spain.
As world leaders gather in Rome for the first day of talks on food
price escalation and, with luck, to settle on a common strategy to
deal with the crisis, the FAO has put a price on eradicating
hunger: $30bn.
New labelling guidelines were issued this week by the UK Food
Standards Agency (FSA) to help manufacturers in present vital
product information in a clearer way.
A new study adds to existing evidence that orange essential oils
could prove useful in the formulation of all-natural and organic
ingredients that live up to stringent food safety standards.
A new advanced oxidation sanitization process provides an alternative to using chlorine, while reducing down-time for food processors, claims its manufacturer.
As the decision on patent infringement allegations in the US is
pushed back by three months, UK sucralose supplier Tate & Lyle
confirms its confidence in the outcome of the case, while Chinese
sucralose competitors affirm their...
Avesthagen is hoping to step up its superfruit offerings with the
launch of a new powdered extract derived from an India, which it
claims offers an antioxidant-rich food and cosmetics ingredient for
US manufacturers.
A three-pronged approach including stepping up scientific research
and embracing innovative technology will help combat new food
challenges, says US secretary of agriculture, Ed Schafer.
Efforts to reduce acrylamide remain a priority as the European Food
Safety Authority (EFSA) concludes risk assessments regarding the
carcinogen will stay the same.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has won approval for use in foods
and beverages within the European Union from the Food Safety
Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
French sugar and food solutions company Tereos has confirmed it is
hoping to acquire Danisco's sugar business, and that it is bidding
against Germany's Nordzucker.
Sensible, nutritious, snacking twice a day combined with three
small meals can form a healthy, balanced diet, claims Kellogg's
Smarter Snacking Report published earlier this month.
The swell of the tide against trans fats has reached new levels in
recent months, as fast food group McDonalds has switched to using a
blend of canola, corn and soybean oils to cook fries and other deep
fried products.
Global agriculture and trade for most commodities are set to centre
on developing countries in the next ten years - a prediction that
gives weight to food industry strategies to build a presence in
emerging markets.
New opportunities are opening for the US bakery industry as
consumers become more health-conscious mirroring trends in Europe,
according to a recent report by consultancy Frost & Sullivan.
Two major players in the US healthy oils market are joining forces
to develop a DHA oil from canola, which could lead to the launch of
a new, cost effective source of the blockbuster ingredient down the
line.
Chefs have long had a role to play in the food industry's
development of new products, but ingredients companies are placing
greater emphasis on how their sensory skills can be used to prepare
foods that are more appealing to...
Pursuit Dynamics and Air Products claim that a new cooperation amalgamating their respective cooking and chilling technologies into a single line production unit can reduce cold fill sauce production time.
UK-based ingredients giant Tate & Lyle has dipped into its independent €30+m venture capital fund to the tune of €3.5m to partner with a Belgian start-up researching the gut health and antioxidant properties of bran fibres.
There is evidence that European potato starch suppliers are losing
out to Chinese competitors, as anti-dumping measures drive rampant
growth for leading Chinese starch maker.
Ingredients company Alfred L Wolff is vigorously denying
accusations against two of its US executives who were arrested for
allegedly importing honey from China mislabelled as coming from
Russia and the Ukraine.
A new study from Japan into the rheological properties of a
hydrocolloid from the leaves of Corchorus olitorius has
found it to have even better viscosity than guar hum and locust
bean gum, adding to evidence of its food industry...
Many UK biscuit and cake products have reached their salt-reduction
limit, thanks to bakers' efforts to cut salt components, according
to Barbara Gallani, manager of the Food and Drink Federation's
Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate...
Quebec-based company Nutra-Fruit is looking to develop a niche area
in cranberries by creating high-end functional foods containing the
nutritious berry, and sees large potential for expansion overseas.
Synergy is introducing a new variant of its Saporesse lactic yeast
extract, which is said to extend salt reduction possibilities to a
broader range of food categories.
Supplies to food and supplements makers for the fruit that packs a
powerful antioxidant punch continue to grow as Italy, the world's
largest producer of kiwis, reports strong production figures for
2007.
US specialty chemical firm Lubrizol Advanced Materials has filed a
petition to the FDA proposing that food additive regulations be
amended to provide for the safe use of cassia gum as a stabilizer
in frozen dairy desserts.
Food makers to see alternative supplies for sucralose as new
manufacturer for this booming sweetener hits European markets for
the first time, launching today in Amsterdam.
The European Commission has set tough import standards for
Ukrainian sunflower oil following the recent discovery that some
products were contaminated.
Efforts to reduce salt in packaged foods involve more than just
salt replacers and flavour enhancers, as suppliers contribute to
overall efforts by tweaking processes to make lower sodium
ingredients.