Countries should not use export bans to cope with the current food
crisis as it would place further strains of the global situation,
said the World Bank.
The market for Halal foods is growing according to experts, as US
Muslims grow accustomed to seeing Halal in their grocery aisles,
and non-Muslims see it as healthier.
FoodNavigator.com spoke to three companies taking part in the CEE
Pavilion at FiCEE about their plans to move into new markets, and
new products being aired at the show for the first time.
The International Grains Council (IGC) and Rabobank Group, a
specialist in food and agribusiness banking, forecast that the
prospect of a record world wheat harvest in 2008/09 could help to
reduce wheat prices on global markets.
"Subtle language differences" may confound regulators in
the midst of translating thousands of health claims ahead of a
pan-European 2010 approval deadline, according to various industry
sources.
Danish dairy group Arla Foods is increasing its investment in
Argentina by a further US$10 million to boost its processing
capacity and target new markets.
A Unilever symposium at its Dutch research institute in Vlaardingen
has brought together some of its food industry partners and members
of academia to discuss ways companies can meet health and wellness
trends with an emphasis on...
Using enzymes to cross-link pectin may produce new emulsions with
enhanced functional properties, and opportunities for food
formulators, American researchers report.
A second article in a series on probiotic regulations and health
claims in different markets around the world examines the situation
in the Canadian market.
Biogin Biochemicals has received a patent for its standardized flax
seed extract, AlaLife Flax Lignan, as the Chinese botanicals
supplier bids to develop its international presence in the foods,
beverages and cosmeceuticals sectors.
NutraCea is expecting to see its first sales of stabilised rice
bran in Central and Eastern Europe following this week's FiCEE
trade show, where the ingredient has been warmly received for its
potential to reduce manufacturers'...
Ingredients firm Cargill yesterday completed the expansion of its
Polish wheat processing facility, designed to meet consumer demand
across the European bloc.
Demand for fat replacers is set to increase as health trends
continue, with particular growth experienced in the meat and dairy
sector, according to a new report.
Senomyx has reported a 98 percent increase in revenue for the first
quarter of 2008 over the comparable period in the previous year,
owing to the flavor specialist's collaboration with Ajinomoto and
two new partnerships.
The prebiotic inulin may enhance the texture of probiotic
ice-cream, resulting in a potentially health friendly summer snack,
according to new research.
Corn Products International is investing in what it sees as the
eventual approval of stevia as a sweetener by the US Food &
Drug Administration (FDA), by adding a stevia-based high-intensity
sweetener to its portfolio.
The US market for soy foods and beverages is poised for strong
growth as consumer awareness of the health benefits of soy
increases, according to a new report.
Demand for nature-identical flavours in Central and Eastern Europe
(CEE) remains strong, as lower prices override the Western clamour
for all-things natural and organic, say exhibitors at FiCEE.
Nordson, the US-based producer of coating measurement machinery for
packaging manufacturers, has teamed up with compatriot Sensory
Analytics to offer a wider range of facilities to its clients.
Jan Dekker has launched a new ingredient to extend the use of
vegetable oils for frying - an innovation expected to save costs
for manufacturers as oil prices soar.
Ingredients supplier Wild has introduced a solution for adding natural antioxidants to light-coloured ice cream and baked goods products without compromising on flavour.
Accucaps Industries, an encapsulation firm, has converted its
Strathroy, Ontario facility to focus on health and nutritional
(H&N) products, a move the firm says will double its total
production capacity.
National Starch Food Innovation has developed a flexible
heat-resistant starch for adding texture to cold applications
mayonnaise and dressings and heated products like soups.
Market analysts say the organic market trend is here to stay,
despite rising food prices. In fact, issues surrounding these price
hikes - the globalization of food and environmental factors - may
actually bolster this market.
Hydroxytyrosol, a natural polyphenol from olives, may extend the
shelf-life of fish products to the same extent as synthetic
preservatives, suggests new research.
A new range of softer wholegrains do not need pre-soaking and so
the 'hard bite' texture often associated with grain products is
eliminated, the manufacturer claims.
Addition of the common food additives L-cysteine, glycine and
L-lysine may inhibit the formation of acrylamide in potato
products, suggests new research from Belgium.
Global food manufacturer General Mills last week said its US Rice
Chex cereal will from now on be gluten-free, as part of the firm's
plans to target the ever expanding free-from market.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has published new
labelling guidance for food manufacturers, which it hopes will help
international companies meet the nation's labeling requirements.
Gelatin producer Gelnex has announced it will launch a platform at
IFT 2008 highlighting a 100 percent traceability program it says it
has always followed, but that now more than ever needs to be
marketed.
Rice flour that has been pin-milled appears to make bread with a
better texture than when common commercially-produced rice flour is
used, say US researchers.
France's upper house of parliament has passed a bill that sets out
conditions for growing genetically modified crops, despite heavy
opposition from environmental campaigners.
A hydrocolloid extracted from the leaves of Corchorus
olitorius, a relative of jute, can enhance the strength of
gels made with kappa-carrageenan, suggests new research from Japan.
Alkalising cocoa beans reduces the total flavanoid content by
two-thirds, reducing the antioxidant potential of the product,
according to new research.
A puree from gold kiwifruit may enhance the immune response by
promoting the production of antibodies in mice, suggests a new
study from the home of the fruit.
Kerry Ingredients & Flavours has extended its line of
functional flavors, which are said to combine the flavor and
nutritional value of fruits and vegetables.
Which? has renewed calls for greater controls on food marketing to
children, claiming that new technologies like text messages are
contributing to the 'pester power' of manufacturers.
The European Commission opened an in-depth investigation today into
Associated British Foods' plan to buy parts of Dutch yeast producer
GB Ingredients.
Coca-Cola has defeated a legal challenge that alleged it attempted
to convince consumers that Diet Coke available from soda fountains
commonly found in fast food restaurants contained the same
sweeteners as those in cans and bottles...
Flavor ingredients supplier Treatt has added Apricot 9853 to its
Treattarome soft fruit flavor line and says the new ingredient
could make headway in a flavor category that has not been commonly
used in North America.
Pressure is growing on the US Food and Drug Administration to set
new restrictions on the use of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in
food packaging following a new safety study.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association is pinpointing food for fuel
as a major factor in US food price hikes as indexes this week
showed finished food prices are rising at twice the rate of all
other finished goods.
Food supplements manufacturers may have to reformulate thousands of
products aimed at both children and adults if calls for bans on the
use of certain artificial colours become reality.
Long term R&D strategies look to be paying off as Danisco is
recognised as being one of the strongest patentees compared with
other companies in the food sector.
Tomato pulp powder, a by-product of the tomato processing industry,
could be used at low levels as a thickening agent in ketchup, in
place of other hydrocolloids, says a study from Iran.
Citizens for Health, a US consumer advocacy group, has launched an
online campaign to warn consumers about the dangers of genetically
engineered (GE) sugar beets in food products.