Following plans in Europe to harmonise health claims in food
labelling, experts at Eversheds law firm claim any new rules will
have to overcome historical scepticism to be truly effective.
ABF's offer to acquire 51 per cent of Illovo, Africa's largest
sugar producer, underlines how the new EU sugar regime has forced
European sugar producers to think truly globally.
Cereals and snacks are at the cutting edge of the healthy eating
debate, as highlighted by this week's European Parliament Plenary
vote and a high-level industry conference on meeting consumer
demands.
Roquette, a global leader in starches, has developed new
ingredients designed to help snack makers tap the health trend, as
FoodNavigator discovered on a visit to the group's headquarters in
Lestrem, France.
Around a quarter of Bunge's soybean processing plants in Brazil
have been affected by farmers' protests in recent weeks, but the
situation looks to be returning to normal, said the company.
An electronic biosensor using nanotechnology techniques could help
companies to develop the right smells for their foods, or to sniff
out rotting ingredients in the receiving area.
The European subsidiary of a Malaysian plantation giant is set to
sign a four-year deal with Nizo food research in order to tap the
latest innovations in vegetable oil.
Europeans are eating worse now than 45 years ago, but agriculture
and the right farming policies can promote healthy diets, according
to FAO economist Josef Schmidhuber.
Argentina's government joins a group of meat producers in Denmark
in a court battle against Monsanto over genetically modified soy,
one that has led to imported supplies being held up at the EU's
ports.
A new report by Mintel reveals that the canned meat and beans
market in the UK has gathered momentum in recent years, something
that could present an opportunity as food firms spice up these
traditional favourites.
Tesco and Wal-Mart are the undisputed champions of the
international grocery market, but little-known fringe grocers may
rise to eat into their margins over the next decade, says a new
report.
Rising health concerns and demand for low-fat foods is set to drive
demand for food emulsifiers, according to a recent report by market
researcher Frost & Sullivan.
Measures to prevent avian influenza in poultry flocks could be
compromised by lax management, poor international coordination, and
a lack of funds, according to researchers.
CSM is to invest almost €20m to expand production capacity for its
American style bakery products, as the company continues its
restructuring process after a disappointing 2005.
People with an antioxidant-rich diet could reduce their risk of
developing asthma in adulthood, say Cambridge researchers - adding
to a growing body of science on the subject.
The US food regulatory agency last week rejected a proposed health
claim submitted by Nestlé, which would have implied that its whey
protein infant formulas reduced the risk of food allergy symptoms.
Britain's number three supermarket Sainsbury's announced a 12 per
cent rise in year-end profit, as the company ploughs funds into
competitive prices and new store openings to boost sales.
Scientific experts from European Union member states yesterday met
with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to discuss ways to
strengthen scientific co-operation in the risk assessment of GMOs.
New weighers released for the European market indicate machine
manufacturers are attempting to meet processors' demands for
increased speed and hygiene on the line.
Garlic and onions could help protect against stomach cancer, says a
massive European-based study, but total fruit and vegetable intake
has no benefit for this disease.
Disgraced Italian dairy giant Parmalat, still suffering from 2003's
fraud revelations, has posted a jump in first-quarter income -
thanks to CEO Enrico Bondi's recuperation strategy.
Troubled catering firm Compass Group today announced a five per
cent drop in first-half operating profit, amid allegations the
company bribed UN officials for war contracts.
Healthy eating is no longer motivated simply by self-interest.
Family welfare has become the overriding concern, and children have
become the real driving force behind the health trend.
Obesity threatens not only our physical health, but also the health
of our economies, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer
Protection said in his closing speech at last weeks EU - US
Conference on Diet Physical Activity...
Belgian supermarket Delhaize has announced a 9.1 per cent rise in
first-quarter domestic sales and strong growth in Greece, following
a tough 2005 on the European retail scene.
Britain's fifth largest supermarket chain Somerfield today
announced a new advertising campaign with the slogan "giving you
what you want", but has taken the unfashionable step of sidelining
ethical practices.
Just a month after the reformulation of its flagship 7Up drink,
Cadbury Schweppes is set to face a lawsuit that accuses the firm of
deceptively advertising the product as 'natural'.
Food firms must carefully target their health food products to
specific sectors of the population if they are to succeed,
delegates at this week's Vitafoods event learned.
Parents should avoid infant formulas made from intact proteins, a
Stanford researcher told doctors assembled at the annual meeting of
the Pediatric Academic Societies.
Glanbia Nutritionals chose Vitafoods as the launchpad for
OlivActiv, a high potency-low bitterness antioxidant ingredient
derived from Spanish olives that is marketed for immune system
activation.
Carmine and cochineal extracts, the red food dyes made from the
dried bodies of the cochineal insect, should be removed from the
food supply once and for all, claims the non-profit Center for
Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).