Carbohydrates and fibres (sugar, starches)

Guest Article

Navigating complex global rules for soft drinks

20-Jun-2016 By Oliver Leedam, principal regulatory analyst, Leatherhead Food Research

For soft drink and fruit juice manufacturers looking to expand into new geographies, understanding global regulations is vital. However, this is no mean feat.

‘Make Europe's food healthier by 2017,’ Council tells member states

17-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

The Council of Health Ministers has called on member states to draw up national plans to improve Europe's food composition by the end of 2017.

Call for UK Eatwell Guide overhaul sparks 'real food' debate

17-Jun-2016 By Natalie Morrison

A call for the new UK healthy eating guidelines to be completely overhauled has reignited debate among nutrition experts.

Sugar tax could eat into unhealthy breakfast cereal sales, study finds

16-Jun-2016 By Will Chu

A sugar tax of 20% could discourage shoppers from buying unhealthier breakfast cereals, research has shown. 

'The resources to tackle obesity are there. It's just the will that's lacking': Expert

16-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

The global discourse on obesity is full of people saying it's a complex problem but offering simple solutions - it's time we put in place a bottom-up and top-down approach, says food and health expert Dr Mike Gibney.

Sugar tax reformulation: Could your company claim an R&D tax credit?

15-Jun-2016 By Shraddha Sisodia

The UK's sugar tax will spur some companies to reformulate. Here, a leading R&D tax consultant at Ayming UK explores how manufacturers can make full use of R&D tax reliefs to offset the investment costs and challenges.

Belgium to reduce nation's calorie intake by 5%

15-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

Belgian manufacturers and retailers have signed a voluntary convention with the Health Minister to cut the nation's calorie intake by 5% by next year - but without independent monitoring, critics say it lacks credibility.

Heart healthy grains: Increasing intake each day linked to longer life

14-Jun-2016 By Will Chu

Eating at least three servings of whole grains (WG) every day could lower the risk of a cardiovascular disease-related death according to research.

Are you dictating to me? UK industry group and health charity clash over reformulation

14-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

When it comes to joint stakeholder efforts on public health issues such as obesity and reformulation, where does cooperation end and 'dictating' policy begin? UK industry group Food and Drink Federation and NGO Action on Sugar can't decide.

EU sugar prices could rise as supply and demand tightens

14-Jun-2016 By David Burrows

Global sugar prices have rocketed 30% since mid-April as the balance between supply and demand tightens. In Europe prices have remained steady but could soon increase, according to Rabobank’s latest sugar quarterly.

Plant-based sweeteners can regulate blood glucose levels: Study

13-Jun-2016 By Will Chu

Replacing half the sugar content of food with a plant-based sweetener could lead to improved sugar control without affecting textural properties, a study has shown.

It’s official: Manufacturers can make sugar replacement claims

13-Jun-2016 By Lynda Searby

From 20th June, manufacturers will be able to claim a “lower blood glucose rise” when using non-digestible carbohydrates as sugar replacers, following the publication of a new article 13.5 claim in the EU Official Journal.

Nestlé selling Rosanna and other Italian candy brands to Fida

13-Jun-2016 By Vince Bamford

Nestlé is selling six of its Italian confectionery brands including Rossana and Fondenti to Italian manufacturer Fida.

Early nutrition vital to fighting back against EU childhood obesity crisis

10-Jun-2016 By Nathan Gray

European children are ‘in crisis’ over the risk of gut disease and obesity, according to a new report that calls for renewed focus on pediatric digestive health. 

Wood-derived ingredients: Clean label innovation or consumer turn-off?

07-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

Finnish researchers are developing a range of clean-label wood-derived ingredients to replace current emulsifiers, texturisers and additives for bakery, meat and dairy products - but do consumers want wood in their food?

Prehistoric instinct could explain mystery of glucose-boosted self control

07-Jun-2016 By Natalie MORRISON

Glucose’s mysterious positive effect on self control could be due to the brain’s natural instinct to grab immediate rewards when deprived of sugary foods, a new theory suggests.

Binge behaviour mechanism ‘switched off’ in brain study

02-Jun-2016 By Will Chu

Binge eaters are less motivated to eat a treat after hearing a ‘sugar cue’ when certain brain pathways are suppressed, an animal study has found.

Potato-heavy diet could raise blood pressure, study claims

01-Jun-2016 By Will Chu

A high intake of potatoes is related with an increased risk of developing high blood pressure in adults, according to a controversial study.

NUTRITION LABELLING IN THE US AND EUROPE

Should Europeans be told how much sugar is added to their food?

01-Jun-2016 By Niamh Michail

Nutrition labels in the US will now have to tell consumers how much sugar has been added by manufacturers and how much is naturally occurring. Is it time Europe introduced similar measures so consumers know whether the food they are eating is healthy?

Europe divided

Russia to extend EU embargo until late 2017

31-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

Russia’s embargo of EU food products will be extended until the end of 2017 but the list of banned foods or countries affected will not change, according to a draft government decree.

Beneo launches clean label native starch

30-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

Beneo has launched a clean label native rice starch made using a thermal production process developed as part of a three-year research project.

Obesity: Blame game holds no weight as collective efforts are favoured

30-May-2016 By Will Chu

Obesity cannot be solved by pointing fingers at consumers, industry or governments, but all parties must demonstrate accountability and responsibility in solving this public health crisis.

EFSA health claim opinion

EFSA rejects Tate & Lyle polydextrose-defecation claim

27-May-2016 By Shane Starling

The link between polydextrose consumption and maintenance or normal defecation is ‘weak’, EFSA has found in rejecting an article 13.5 submission from agrifood sugar giant Tate & Lyle.

Ditching 'diet' and laying off 'light': Consumers mistrust healthy processed foods, says Mintel

27-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

The National Obesity Forum's advice to shun processed foods such as low-fat yoghurts and cheeses for whole foods this week has provoked mixed reactions – but consumers are already turning away from foods labelled as low-fat, diet or light, according...

Artificial sweeteners cut calories but may affect glucose control in obese: Study

25-May-2016 By Will Chu

Artificial sweeteners may help obese individuals cut calories and lose weight but a new study has suggested that these sugar substitutes impair how glucose is utilised in the body.

Sweet potential: Tongue enzyme research may aid zero calorie sweetener industry

25-May-2016 By Nathan GRAY

The discovery of ‘gut enzymes’ in sweet taste receptors on the tongue could point industry towards a new route in the development of non-caloric sweeteners, say those behind the research.

Expert dispels common myths in following a gluten-free diet

24-May-2016 By Will Chu

Consumers are buying gluten-free products as part of a healthy lifestyle, with few adopting this diet as part of a treatment for coeliac disease (CD), a study has concluded.

'Food science has been 'corrupted by commercial influences,' slam authors

Government guidelines for low-fat diet 'disastrous' for health: report

23-May-2016 By Will Chu

Following a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, recommended by official UK guidelines, is based on "flawed science" that has had "disastrous" health consequences, according to a report by a UK health charity.

Food and drink firms welcome Queen’s Speech – mostly

20-May-2016 By Michael Stones

Government plans to support business, education and the economy – set out in the Queen’s Speech – have been welcomed by food and drink manufacturers. But plans to introduce a sugar tax continued to draw criticism from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Serving suggestions play important role in consumer expectations and willingness to buy

19-May-2016 By Nathan GRAY

Pack images that depict serving suggestions play a vital role in driving consumer expectations and ‘willingness to buy’, say researchers.

Hunger hormone also encourages acting on impulse, study discovers

17-May-2016 By Will Chu

The hormone responsible for controlling appetite may have a detrimental effect on the ability to make decisions and control impulse, a study has concluded.

Low-fat or 'light' foods encourage over-eating in the long-term

17-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

Low-fat, light and diet versions of products may actually contribute to rising obesity rates by encouraging over consumption compared to regular products both in the short- and long-term, Dutch scientists have found.

Health officials in Liverpool name sugary soft drinks

17-May-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Public health officials in Liverpool are to be the first to name leading soft drink brands – such as Lucozade, Coca-Cola, Tropicana, Capri-Sun and Ribena – warning how many sugar cubes are in each drink.

Spotlight on Turkish regulation: 'It's an easy market to enter'

16-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

Harmonisation of Turkish and EU food law make it an easy and attractive market for foreign companies, but on issues that affect public health - such as nutrient profiles, health claims, GM food and salt reduction - the country is forging its own path. FoodNavigator...

Imprinting obesity: Mum's metabolic health may have lasting impact on baby

16-May-2016 By Nathan GRAY

Mothers who gain excess weight or have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy could ‘imprint’ obesity on their children, even if they are born with a normal body weight.

The big issue: How can industry be part of the obesity solution?

13-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

Obesity and overweight rates continue to rise across the globe and although no country has managed to reverse the trend to date, all agree action is required. Join us for a free online event on May 25 where key issues will be up for debate.

Super growth for superfoods, but is the halo starting to slip?

13-May-2016 By Lynda Searby

Rates of ‘superfood’ new product development have tripled in the past five years, according to Mintel, but a nutrition expert warns that with no clear definition in existence, the allure of the ‘superfoods’ sell is starting to fade. 

Brexit debate

Former Tory food ministers slug it out over Brexit

13-May-2016 By Rick Pendrous

Britain’s ability to develop genetically modified (GM) foods was a central theme of a debate on next month’s EU referendum between two former Tory food ministers yesterday (May 12) in London.

SCIENCE SHORT

Junk food diet can cause damage seen in diabetes, experts warn

11-May-2016 By Will Chu

A diet that is made up of junk food rich in fat and sugar can cause kidney damage normally seen in those with diabetes, a study has observed.

Healthier pack lunches needed to change kids' eating habits: Study

06-May-2016 By Will Chu

Children as young as 9 years old are receiving almost half of their daily energy requirements from "discretionary" or junk foods, research has discovered.

TTIP leaks: Five points of interest for the food industry

06-May-2016 By David Burrows

The publication of almost 250 pages of internal documents from the controversial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the EU and the US suggests that a deal is increasingly unlikely. 

Where East meets West: Highlights from FI Istanbul

06-May-2016 By Niamh Michail

FoodNavigator is at Food Ingredients Istanbul, scouting out the latest ingredient trends and developments in the region. Here are some that caught our eye.

Sweets & Snacks Expo 2016

Snacking chocolate brand Brownie Brittle taps organic boom with new range

06-May-2016 By Douglas Yu

Snacking chocolate brand Brownie Brittle will be highlighting its first organic line at the upcoming Sweets & Snacks Expo as consumer interest in an organic diet grows.

Denmark chews over carbon tax on foods

05-May-2016 By David Burrows

Denmark is considering a carbon tax on foods following research that suggests consumers need to be pushed rather than nudged towards ethical diets.

Coconut oil bread? Swapping fat in bread dough could help control blood sugar

05-May-2016 By Nathan GRAY

Altering the type of fat used in bread baking could help to blunt post-meal spikes in blood sugar, say researchers.

Do we need a better global approach on whole grains?

04-May-2016 By Nathan GRAY

The lack of a harmonised message on whole grain intake in many countries may be leading to confusion and creating barriers for industry, warn researchers.

Leicester football win celebrated in crisps and rum

04-May-2016 By Gwen Ridler

Snack food manufacturer Walkers has released special edition Salt & Victory crisps to mark Leicester City Football Club’s shock Premier League win, while Morgan Rum is to pay tribute to team captain Wes Morgan.

UK obesity soars as government inaction 'disappoints' campaigners and industry

03-May-2016 By David Burrows

Levels of obesity in the UK have almost doubled since the early 1990s, with 58% of women and 65% of men overweight or obese. Obesity-related hospital admissions for children have almost doubled in the past 10 years, which makes the government’s failure...

High-carb meals better in curbing appetite amongst the obese: Study

03-May-2016 By Will Chu

Foods high in carbohydrates may help promote better short-term appetite control than high-fat foods, a nutritional study has revealed. 

UK businesses ‘stable’ but skills shortage fears growing

03-May-2016 By Gwen Ridler

Business conditions for UK small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) stabilised over the past quarter but the looming skills shortage is still cause for concern, warned the latest Confederation of British Industry (CBI) quarterly trends survey.