What’s wrong with Europe’s novel food approval system?
The novel foods approval system has evolved since its birth near three decades ago, but has it progressed enough to meet the needs of a growing and innovation-heavy food and drink sector?
Food safety & quality
Are there hidden dangers to fortification?
Fortification is fast becoming the go-to for F&B brands looking to boost the health benefits of products. But could this actually have the opposite effect?
Saccharin daily intake threshold almost doubles post EFSA review
Safe daily intake limits for saccharin have been almost doubled by the European Food Safety Authority following a new review on the sweetener.
Insect protein buzz waning as patents slow
Insect protein’s predicted take off has been less than a flutter as market innovation stagnates, with worldwide patents sliding year-on-year again.
EU-wide ban on aloe vera preparations in food overturned
A three-and-a-half year legal war, fought by the supplement and natural food sectors, has resulted in a damaging ruling being overturned.
Why understanding allergens should be top priority for F&B manufacturers
Undeclared allergens in food and beverage products can be deadly. So why are allergen-related recalls still happening? What is industry doing to prevent them? And what NPD opportunities are being missed?
Protein Vision 2024
5 must know plant-based meat trends
Meat alternatives are back in growth, with recent Europe-wide data showing the category has rinsed away its droop and is ticking up. But what at are the factors behind this early-stage turnaround?
Why biodiversity is vital to food security
Biodiversity makes soil function effectively, pollinates plants and ensures the functioning of the food system. But what's being done to support biodiversity and is it too little too late?
UPF debate not black and white
There's a lot more to the UPF debate than just 'good' foods and 'bad' foods. We dive into the great UPF debate to discover more.
Deadly: New Bird Flu variant strength alarming industry
Death rates of 100% are leaving farmers and manufacturers concerned about the new Bird Flu strain.
Protein Vision 2024
Protein Vision 2024: Big name speakers announced
Quorn, Redefine Meat, THIS, La Vie and Rude Health are among the high-profile brands providing their valuable market intelligence at this year’s Protein Vision digital event.
NOVA reform: The flawed UPF classification system requires change
Some nutritious foods under the current NOVA system could be demonised alongside unhealthy variants. Industry's calling for reform, but what would the next generation look like?
Food industry attacked as ‘accountability’ taxes called for
Food manufacturers could be bound by a list of measures compiled in a bid to better regulate and hold industry accountable for unhealthy products and their consequences to consumer health.
Protected cheeses and vineyards receive €6.8m EC ‘resilience’ funding
Protected cheeses and world-renowned vineyards will take a share of the European Commission’s new €380m support package to help build climate resilience.
When is iron most bioavailable?
When it comes to essential nutrients, its vital to understand when they are at their most bioavailable. Iron is no exception.
Future Food-Tech 2024
How two start-ups are improving food safety and quality with innovation
Food safety and quality are two sides of the same coin. But how is the process of making food not only safe but beneficial for the consumer being made more efficient?
New EU novel food rules countdown begins
Novel foods in Europe will be subject to new safety assessments early next year as the European Food Safety Authority updates processes to better reflect the changing landscape and potentially speed up approvals.
Why shoppers are turning towards costly organic food and drink
More consumers are buying pricier organic food and drink, despite continuing cost-of-living pressures, with sales expected to rocket as governments push to make organic farming central to future sustainability strategies.
Opinion
How the food industry can excel – hot takes from Future Food-Tech
What was the gossip and top trends from this year’s Future Food-Tech? The FoodNavigator editorial team reveal their key insights and takeaways.
Vertical farming breakthrough could save industry from failure
Vertical farming has come under fire in the past, with opponents blasting its high energy usage and cost. So, will new findings to mitigate these drawbacks, silence the critics?
Top food and drinks trends for 2025 revealed – and it’s a big shift
Consumers are shifting towards uncharted food and drink trends territories in 2025, as they straddle health and indulgence and make peace with new origins and ag-tech, including GM.
Is all chocolate a UPF?
Controversy around ultra-processed foods (UPFs) continues to grow, especially with mounting scientific research as well as media attention scrutinizing the food group.
Speedier novel food approval as UK FSA changes regulation
The changes could make cultivated meat, precision fermentation and animal feed additive novel food applications quicker and more efficient.
Dangerous food contact chemicals found in humans
Thousands of food contact chemicals, including 100 of those potentially hazardous to health, have been found in humans.
Unilever, Nestlé and Coca-Cola villainised for government scientist ties
Mondelēz International, Tate & Lyle, Pepsico and a host of other global food and drink manufacturing majors face fresh scrutiny over their links to government-advising scientists.
Lactose-free dairy: A look at labeling standards and recommendations
The lactose-free milk market is in growth, but how are lactose-related packaging claims regulated in major global markets?
Business giants pile on pressure to cut antibiotics in global food chain
Food and drink suppliers will face increased scrutiny as 80 of the world’s biggest investors today join forces to pressure global leaders into tackling the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis or risk a worldwide financial meltdown.
Kraft Heinz leans on NPD to grow Lunchables sales post-lead claims
Kraft Heinz will launch “unseen” innovation to help stabilise Lunchables sales following US watchdog Consumer Reports' claims the product contained lead, news coverage of which spread globally.
Are phthalates linked to reduced fertility?
Phthalates are highly useful chemical compounds often used to soften plastic to make it more flexible. They have also been linked to a range of negative health effects.
Can front-of-pack labelling improve consumer perceptions of products in plastic packaging?
When a healthy product is encased in plastic packaging, this can negatively affect consumer perceptions of the product. Can front-of-pack labelling mitigate this?
The demand for ‘clean label’ meat alternatives?
With many consumers classing plant-based meats as ultra-processed, the race is on for manufacturers to ‘clean up’ labels.
Toxic trouble in gluten-free goods: Report finds concerning levels of gluten and glyphosate and pesticide contamination
A US consumer advocacy group tested 46 samples of organic and non-organic gluten-free (GF) goods – bread, pasta, crackers, snacks, flour, dessert mixes and chips – for herbicides, pesticides, gluten and minerals.
Inside Europe’s fight against fake olive oil
Squeezed supplies and higher prices have triggered a spate of olive oil fraud across Europe in recent months, with a knock-on impact on producers and consumers.
How to produce a clean-label beverage with a long shelf life
Without artificial additives, ensuring that products have a long shelf-life is more challenging.
What are the risks of non-alcoholic beer on tap?
Without the antimicrobial properties of ethanol, non-alcoholic beer can be riskier even than soft drinks when sold on tap. How can this be mitigated?
How the push for ‘seed oil free’ is heading to Europe
Concerns around the health impacts of seed oils have migrated from the US to Europe. Could seed-oil free claims be on the rise?
Is dairy linked to deforestation?
Deforestation has been linked to a range of commodities including palm oil, soy, cocoa and cattle. But how close is its link with dairy?
Bird flu-hit dairy farmers can apply for milk loss assistance
The US Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications to reimburse dairy farmers who incurred milk losses due to the avian influenza outbreak in cattle.
What are the nutritional needs of older people?
With an increasingly ageing population worldwide, it is important to understand the specific nutritional needs of over-65s.
Smart packaging that fights food waste
Packaging that lowers food waste? It seems too good to be true but scientists say it’s possible, in fact, it already exists!
Ice cream brands including Hershey’s, Chipwich in FDA product recall
Listeria contamination fears have sparked the recall of almost 70 ice cream products after FDA sampling uncovered the presence of the pathogenic bacteria.
Convenience over cooking: The unstoppable food trend
Why ready meals, takeaways and eating out, trump home cooking for consumers.
How Nestlé is making its cocoa more traceable
Nestlé is striving to make its cocoa traceable right back to the farm. Can the multinational give consumers confidence they’re eating sustainable cocoa?
AI in crop development: The future is here
How scientists are helping the food industry to grow crops, using AI.
Plant-based egg separates yolk and white
Already producing a plant-based egg alternative with separated yolk and white, Neggst plans to develop a raw egg for retail which may, eventually, have a shell.
How brands are capitalising on gut health
Gut health is proving to be hugely popular with consumers and enormously profitable for food and beverage manufacturers. In financial terms, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
How healthy are baked snacks?
Baked snacks, from baked fruit to baked crisps, are a key part of modern snacking. But how healthy are they, really?
Affordability still major barrier to plant-based adoption
When it comes to promoting a plant-based diet, one consumer belief is proving tough to break.
Why are soybean prices falling?
Despite challenges from regulation and climate, soybean prices have spent the last year falling. What accounts for this?
Does it matter that consumers don’t understand the term ‘ultra-processed’?
Consumers have consistently been shown not to understand what the term ‘ultra-processed’ means. But how much does this matter?