Food inflation in the UK is falling for the first time this year, say the British Retail Consortium and Nielsen, as the grocery market is spurred by greater competition.
Broadening its portfolio of origin sources for cocoa formulations, private label player Natra will buy 50 tonnes of cocoa from Colombian co-operatives that have switched from cocaine to cocoa cultivation.
Falling durum wheat prices this year have led to a 10 per cent reduction in pasta prices from Italy’s Barilla so far this year, but the market situation for H2 is still unclear.
The European Commission has today adopted a communication on the importance of fair trade and non-governmental trade-related sustainability schemes, recognising their progress and pledging ongoing support.
Swiss firm Nestle ranks second in terms of innovation targeted at Asia's emerging markets, claims a fresh 'business vitality' index from the Global Intelligence Alliance Group (GIA).
Food firms looking to trim costs in the recession must be sure to complete due diligence in their ingredient sourcing and not compromise the long-term image of their brands by reduced quality, warns a food chain consultant.
Food and beverage companies should look to Asia to bolster their business in times of economic crisis, while differentiating their products closer to home, according to a Frost and Sullivan analyst.
The Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA) has said that industry has made ‘important progress’ in its efforts to tackle obesity and other diet-related diseases over the past four years.
Three biscuit products made by Cow & Gate are to be discontinued next month, after a survey of products for young children found they contain trans fats.
Danisco is introducing a new enzyme for vegetable oil refiners which is claimed to increase yield during refining and enable more sustainable use of water and energy.
A new survey by FLABEL indicates widespread listing of nutritional information on food products across the EU and Turkey, with 85 per cent of goods surveyed giving info back-of-pack and 48 per cent front-of-pack.
Food giants Nestle and Unilever are keeping their cards close to their chest over reports that they are both bidding to acquire the soy foods company Alpro.
This year’s Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) trade show in Frankfurt, Germany, will focus on key trends such as fat, sugar and salt reduction, global sourcing, and satiety.
Arla Foods Ingredients has introduced a new milk protein designed to replace skimmed milk powder in meat formulations, which it claims offers better texture for less cost.
Danisco has developed a new series of ingredients for processed meat products that it claims can help improve yield and cut costs in production whilst maintaining quality.
Ohly is launching an upgraded version of its torula yeast extract Provesta 512, following improvements to its processing and increased free glutamic acid level.
The wheat futures market, used by wheat farmers and processors to manage price risk, could lose its relevance unless efforts are made by the Chicago Board of Trade to bridge the wide gap between futures and cash prices, finds a new study.
Partnering with an external research organisation can bring new insights into ingredient uses, and help develop new tools to meet manufacturers’ pressing needs, according to National Starch Food Innovation.
Nestle has indicated that the recession need not be all about cutting costs and keeping prices down, unveiling initiatives to tackle longer-term economic and social challenges, and create shareholder- and public-value.
The swine flu virus first identified in Mexico cannot be contained, warns Dr Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), as the economic impact of the outbreak continues to spread.
DSM is launching a new liquid solution for preserving sausages and cheeses, which is said to allow for even surface coverage and overcome the dust and stickiness problems associated with powder-based products.
As yet another TV show concludes that supplements are unnecessary, is the ignorance of the mainstream media few putting the health of the many at risk? Isn’t it time to change the record?
As the crusade against saturated fats gains pace, UK snack and biscuit manufacturer United Biscuits has achieved gains in product formulations for a range of its popular biscuit brands.
Organic, lower sugar and reduced carbohydrate foods that have seen growing interest in Western European and North American markets are likely to become importantly popular in markets like Japan in coming years, says research.
Refined vegetable fats derived from palm oil, used for margarines and infant formulae, may contain glycidol fatty acid esters, says the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).
The multinational food corporation Royal Wessanen has announced plans to exit North America to concentrate on its European natural, organic and specialty food products as part of a strategic overhaul.
The Soil Association has criticised Hilary Benn’s decision not to ban pesticides believed to damage honey bees’ neurological and immune systems while millions are invested in trying to halt honey bee decline.
As consumers seek out food with a reduced carbon footprint, some experts believe a dietary shift from red meat and dairy consumption may be more effective than turning to locally sourced products, suggests new analysis.
Tate & Lyle has continued its push into the health and wellness area by linking with a Canadian coffee and tea specialist to distribute a green tea extract in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Unilever has announced plans to cut the salt content across its global range of 22,000 products with an eye on achieving the five grams daily maximum salt intake recommended by the World Health Organization.
As stakeholders across the dairy supply chain look to put cows’ backsides at the forefront of efforts to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, researchers suggest consumer acceptance will be a major factor in any successful solution.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said there is no indication that aspartame causes cancer following its assessment of a study that linked regular intake of the sweetener with increased risk of certain cancers.
Associated British Foods (ABF) has reported strong growth in its sugar and ingredients divisions for the first half of the financial year but the group’s profits have fallen.
Naturex has divided its business into three distinct business units so as to develop products that are targeted to the main markets it serves, and has unveiled a new corporate image.
Falling UK demand for bottled water products is being seen by some industry associations as a potential obesity risk due to increased consumption of higher sugar soft drinks.
Speculation in the commodity markets needs close monitoring to help ease price volatility, the first ever G8 meeting of agricultural ministers has concluded, and agri-food chains should be more closely-coordinated to boost efficiency.
FoodNavigator talks to Peter Melchett, policy director at the Soil Association, about communication efforts to help more consumers understand and engage in organics, and the all-important issue of climate change.
Ocean Spray's Ingredient Technology Group is to hold online auctions for its cranberry concentrate, which it claims will help customers ensure supply and protect against commodity fluctuations.
What does health taste like? As a kid, I was encouraged to hold my nose and swallow down broad beans and cod-liver oil. If they tasted bad, it was only ‘cos they were good for me.
Australian claims that consumers may be cutting nutritional value - as well as spending – by consuming more private label goods are not being backed by one European health group, which suggests there is dietary parity with branded goods.
Danisco is compiling a comprehensive toolkit to help its customers deal with cost issues based on solutions it has and will develop, and analysis of how businesses and consumers respond in the recession.
Fear of the recession is causing consumers to cut back on spending rather than more than an actual change in circumstances, according to Mintel, but building on consumer trust can help tackle the down turn.
Consumers don’t just expect companies to do no harm in communities they source from, but to actually contribute to development, a major international survey commissioned by FLO International indicates – and they appear to be sticking by their principles...
Purac has developed a new calcium lactate product which it claims can reduce acrylamide in snacks by up to 80 per cent without affecting crispiness and taste.
Fruit juice is still a dynamic, growing sector in France and is showing no sign of slowdown, according to trade organisation UNIJUS – although data do belie some trading down in purchasing patterns.
The food and beverage enzyme market looks set to continue growing, says Danisco chief, as food firms turn to processing aid to solve issues of cost, safety and quality, and new health and nutrition benefits are uncovered.
Prices for bread flour have fallen from their highs of 2008, but price pressures are constant for wheat flour used in bread formulations as quality concerns remain.
Kemin is introducing a new blend of rosemary and green tea extracts in Europe and Asia, which it says work together to neutralise each others’ distinctive flavours and can help retain an appealing colour and flavour of meat products.
The ongoing slide of global capitalism is decimating industries, but the food supplements industry is not one of them as fraught consumers turn to its potential low-cost, anti-medical, wellness promise.
