Carbohydrates and fibres (sugar, starches)

Green credentials, a transparent supply chain & climate change-proof profits? WeFarm promises 3-in-1

10-Dec-2015 By Niamh Michail

How can companies tighten their global supply chains, future-proof profits against climate change and boost their sustainable credentials for consumers in one go? Information-sharing platform WeFarm promises to do just that.

Coca-Cola controversy kills anti-obesity group

09-Dec-2015 By David Burrows

A specialist group formed to combat obesity has been binned after it was forced to return a huge chunk of funding to Coca-Cola amid allegations of industry-biased science.

FiE 2015: Our best bits

09-Dec-2015 By Niamh Michail

Our teams of journalists were out in force at Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) last week. We’ve picked out some of our highlights from over one thousand exhibitors, a packed conference programme and talks on industry insights.

FoodNavigator 2016: What's on our editorial calendar?

09-Dec-2015 By Niamh Michail

Putting the spotlight on innovative start-ups, sugar reduction, sustainable sourcing and the latest trends in colour, texture and flavour, FoodNavigator's special editions calendar and online events for 2016 spans the hottest topics for the European...

Breaking into emerging markets: ‘You cannot succeed in Africa without emotion’

08-Dec-2015 By Niamh Michail

Establishing an emotional connection between consumers and brands is a universal key to success – but this is especially true when breaking into the African market and there are certain ways to create this connection, says one marketing consultant.

Can modified starch be clean label? It's all about perception, says Cargill

07-Dec-2015 By Niamh Michail

Recently showcased at FiE, Cargill's modified starch can reduce the fat content of yoghurt by at least 50% while keeping the taste and mouth feel of full fat yoghurt - but can it meet consumer demands for clean label? 

Clean label is the major concern for EU food firms

04-Dec-2015 By David Burrows

The reduction of sugar and the removal of additives are currently the biggest headaches for the European food industry, according to new research.

Sugar addiction much harder to address than salt

01-Dec-2015 By David Burrows

Weaning the public off salt is a piece of cake compared to reducing their addiction to sugar, scientists have discovered.

EFSA gives green light to new applications for thaumatin

01-Dec-2015 By Lynda Searby

Following a favourable scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), formulators will soon be able to use the natural protein sweetener and flavour modifier thaumatin in a broader range of applications.

Bold and urgent action required on obesity – that means a sugar tax, say UK MPs

30-Nov-2015 By Niamh Michail

A report by health select committee MPs has called for bold and urgent action on child obesity, which includes a sugar tax - but industry has slammed the report as displaying a "worrying lack of understanding".

Dutch start-up bags DSM funds for immune ingredient ‘shelved’ by Unilever

20-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Dutch start-up Nutrileads has secured seed financing from four investors including DSM, which it plans to use to develop an immunity ingredient previously developed by Unilever.

Consumers getting to know their carbs: BENEO study

20-Nov-2015 By Lynda Searby

Consumers are starting to differentiate between carbohydrate types as more than 50% of participants making a distinction between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ carbs in a 5000-strong study shows – with important implications for industry.

Soya milk better with phytosterols & inulin for LDL cholesterol: Study

17-Nov-2015 By Louisa Richards

Phytosterols and inulin added to soya milk has a more beneficial effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol than soya milk alone, according to a study. 

Market forecast

Will chewing gum recover from sticky patch? Technavio releases five-year forecast

16-Nov-2015 By Oliver Nieburg

Market research firm Technavio has unveiled its predictions for the global gum market up to 2019.

UK opens door to adverts targeting obese in wake of public health crisis

16-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK's Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has changed rules to allow firms to target obese adults for the first time with ‘responsible lifestyle weight loss programmes’. 

Finnish children’s dietary intake of heavy metals falling but still high

16-Nov-2015 By Lynda Searby

Many Finnish children are exceeding safe intake levels of heavy metals from food and drinking water, although exposure is falling, says a new study from the Finnish food safety authority, Evira.

exclusive guest article

The state of the health and wellness market in 2015

13-Nov-2015 By Ewa Hudson, head of health and wellness research at Euromonitor International

Is organic still selling? Does the 'natural' trend mean fortified/functional food is now passé? And why are consumers turning their noses up at better for you (BFY) offerings? Ewa Hudson, head of health and wellness research at Euromonitor International,...

Junk food dominates marketing landscape in Scotland: study

12-Nov-2015 By David Burrows

Nearly three quarters of the food and drink marketing seen by children in Scotland is for junk food, according to new research that the Scottish Government will use to push for stricter UK-wide advertising rules.

Obesity-promoting foods? Study digs in to association between specific foods and weight

06-Nov-2015 By Nathan Gray

A number of specific foods including potato chips, refined grains, processed meats, and soda are all associated with excess weight gain, finds new research.

Food price index rises on back of bad weather: FAO

06-Nov-2015 By Nathan Gray

Major food commodity prices rose in October, spurred by weather-driven concerns about sugar and palm oil supplies, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The camera never lies: Micro-cameras improve dietary reporting accuracy

06-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Equipping participants with micro-cameras would improve the accuracy of dietary intake assessments and strengthen confidence in results, researchers behind a pilot study have said. 

Medical experts and industry slam study linking sugary drinks to heart failure

06-Nov-2015 By Michael Hurley

A study suggesting men consuming two or more sugary drinks per day are more likely to suffer heart failure does not provide conclusive evidence, say medical professionals while industry calls it 'unhelpful'.

Porridge's prebiotic potential previewed by Nordic researchers

02-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Eating a bowl of porridge oats a day could alter gut microbial functions, according to Scandinavian researchers who have tipped the ingredient as a possible prebiotic.

Low-fat diet ‘ineffective’ for long-term weight loss

30-Oct-2015 By Nathan Gray

A low-fat diet does not lead to greater long term weight loss than higher-fat diets including low-carb and Mediterranean style diets, finds a large meta-analysis of more than 68,000 adults.

EU sugar reform will damage public health, warn researchers

29-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

The EU sugar reform will harm public health by flooding the market with cheap sugar and tempting manufacturers to reformulate – an agricultural policy that takes into account public health is needed, say researchers.

In the firing line: Can cutting sugar benefit health ‘within 10 days’?

28-Oct-2015 By Nathan Gray

New research suggests obese children can rapidly improve markers of metabolic health by reducing sugar but not calories; however experts have issued caution over the quality of the study.

Botanical health claims & nutrient profiles make Commission’s list of 2016 priorities

28-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Botanical health claims and nutrient profiles will be looked at as one of the European Commission’s key 23 initiatives next year.

What the Swedish eat: 1740-strong dietary survey

26-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

People in Sweden fall into one of three dietary camps - a ‘healthy dietary’, ‘Swedish traditional’ or 'light-meal' pattern - a national dietary survey of 1740 adults has found.

Public Health England report: Key points and reactions

23-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

"No single action will be effective in reducing sugar intakes," concludes Public Health England's report which recommends cutting price promotions, junk food advertising and setting a sugar tax. We look at some reactions to the findings.

Public Health England tells UK government: Sugar taxes do work

21-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

All the evidence shows that sugar taxes decrease purchases and curb obesity– but restricting price promotions and junkfood advertising could have an even bigger impact, concludes Public Health England's report to the UK government.

Will Cargill's EverSweet be a gamechanger for stevia?

15-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

Extracted or fermented, blended or pure, stevia can take many forms - and the arrival of EverSweet will mean even more possibilities for positioning the sweetener, says Cargill. But will it get past the EU's regulatory roadblocks?

‘Elemis’ sugar replacer to revolutionise bakery industry

UK bakery market to grow by 9% by 2020

12-Oct-2015 By Jenny Eagle

Ulrick & Short has sold its first sugar displacement product, ‘Elemis’, as it predicts the UK bakery market will grow by 9% by 2020.

UK city calls for sugar tax to tackle ‘devastating’ addiction

09-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

UK city Brighton is urging food businesses to levy a 10p voluntary sugar tax on sugary drinks in a bid to address “the devastating harm caused by sugar addiction”.

UK agency launches €13.5 m reformulation competition

06-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

The UK government is calling on businesses, scientists and agricultural producers to submit their proposals for salt, sugar, fat and fibre reformulation with the chance to win up to €13.5 m in funding.

More than half of EU countries set to opt out of GM

02-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

Sixteen countries have requested to opt out of GM cultivation in Europe – but while the Commission says the opt-out clause is necessary for such a complex issue, campaigners are calling it ‘Kafkaesque’ and one scientist warns Europe is walking 'an...

UK body set for public consultation on junk food advertising rules

30-Sep-2015 By Niamh Michail

The UK's Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) will begin a public consultation on new rules for marketing junk food to children in early 2016 amid growing concerns over children's diet, it has announced.

Added sugar in the firing line: Experts call for aggressive efforts to reduce consumption

29-Sep-2015 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of sugary drinks that contain high levels of added sugars can lead to excess weight gain and higher risks of developing diabetes and heart disease, says the most comprehensive review of evidence ever undertaken.

EU project aims to slash food waste by 30% by 2025

28-Sep-2015 By Nathan Gray

A new EU-funded research project involving partners across the EU, as well as in China, will help reduce food waste by 30% by 2025, say those behind the project.

Dutch company HYET buys Ajinomoto aspartame factory

22-Sep-2015 By Niamh Michail

HYET Holding will purchase Ajinomoto Sweeteners Europe as part of its global expansion, the Dutch company has announced.

Investigation

Anti-dumping: Will Tate & Lyle pull the trigger on Chinese sucralose?

22-Sep-2015 By Dominic Morgan, CCM

Concerns are mounting within China’s sweeteners industry over the risk of Chinese sucralose becoming a target for an anti-dumping investigation by the US or EU, according to industry sources.

UK government rules out sugar tax

22-Sep-2015 By Niamh Michail

The British government has no plans to tax sugary drinks, despite an online petition receiving more than the 100,000 signatures required to spark a parliamentary debate on the issue.

Bigger portions and packages lead to higher food and drink consumption: Cochrane review

15-Sep-2015 By Nathan Gray

People consume more food and drink when offered larger portion sizes or when using larger items of tableware, according to the most conclusive review of evidence to date.

Children should be discouraged from consuming sugary beverages – but what should they drink instead?

10-Sep-2015 By Rachel Arthur

Researchers suggest milk may be a good alternative to sugary drinks, among young children who are prone to obesity.

French get taste for sliced bread

10-Sep-2015 By Rick Pendrous

While sales of plant bread are falling in the UK, in France they are up as consumers seek better shelf-life over baguettes, as Rick Pendrous discovers

Heinz drops healthy claim from sugary baby food

09-Sep-2015 By Niamh Michail

Heinz has removed the word ‘healthy’ from adverts for sugary biscotti for babies – but the campaigner who filed the complaint has slammed the powerlessness of advertising regulators and impunity of Heinz as the word will remain on the packaging.

Tate & Lyle raise price of corn-based ingredients by up to 20%

08-Sep-2015 By Niamh Michail

Tate & Lyle will raise the price of corn-based food ingredients by up to 20% following a European heatwave which has lowered yields.

Back to school – but not for Ribena as retailer rings sugary drink recess

03-Sep-2015 By Lauren Bandy

Return to school can be an abundant time for food and drink makers, but stakeholder actions are rupturing market safeholds as health concerns rise, says Euromonitor analyst Lauren Bandy in this guest article.

Up fibre intake to lower blood pressure: 2000-strong study

03-Sep-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Higher intakes of fibre may contribute to lower blood pressure, say researchers.

Spirals of success: Vegetable pasta is on the rise

28-Aug-2015 By Niamh Michail

With sales of traditional pasta falling across Europe, homemade 'spiralised' vegetables are an increasingly popular alternative – but analysts say there is potential for food manufacturers too.

Stop counting calories and start promoting nutritional value, urge researchers

27-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

When it comes to cutting levels of obesity-related heart disease and death, it’s time to stop counting calories, and start to make simple changes that improve the nutritional value of diets, argue public health experts.