Carbohydrates and fibres (sugar, starches)

Sugar low: “The use of such a health claim would convey a conflicting and confusing message..."

Glucose health claims: EFSA says yes; EC says no (and closes door)

09-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Five glucose health claims approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) back in 2012 have been officially banned by the European Commission due to concerns over what they would say to consumers about sugar consumption.

Food prices slump after stability: FAO

09-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

The FAO monthly food price index dipped once more in December, after three months of relative stability.

Rabobank: Lower sugar prices set to continue in 2015

08-Jan-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Global sugar prices are likely to remain low in 2015 as production looks set to continue at a similar level, according to Rabobank’s Q4 sugar report.

UK lack of calorie awareness 'deeply concerning', says British Heart Foundation

08-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Around two thirds of people in the UK do not know how many calories an average person needs to maintain a healthy weight, according to a survey commissioned by two charities and supermarket Tesco.

Beyond GMOs: Europe needs to update biotech regulation

08-Jan-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The European Union needs to update the way it regulates biotechnology as advances are made in plant breeding – or risk disrupting trade in commodity crops, according to Professor Huw Jones of Rothamsted Research.

Zenith International has 'Thirst for Change' with 2015 Global Soft Drinks Congress

07-Jan-2015 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Zenith International's 2015 Global Soft Drinks Congress has the theme 'Thirst for Change', and its program includes leading players such as Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Talking Rain and the American Beverage Association.

No juice brand is an island: UK firms must see export markets as more than ‘side’ business

06-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Exports of UK fruit and vegetable juice have increased by about 40% since 2010 - but the country must shake its island mentality if it wants this growth to continue, says a Mintel analyst.

Healthier eating is top UK New Year’s resolution

05-Jan-2015 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

A third of UK consumers intend to eat more healthily in 2015 – but nearly half will have dropped their resolution by the end of January, according to a Canadean survey.

Nordic diet may reduce inflammation, say researchers

05-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A Nordic diet may help reduce the expression of inflammation-associated genes in abdominal fat tissue independent of body weight changes, according to research.

Sugar science: Fructose more ‘toxic’ than sucrose, suggests mouse study

05-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of fructose may be more harmful to a number of key health measures, including mortality and fertility, than consumption of sucrose, according to research in mice.

FoodNavigator predicts top industry drivers for 2015

22-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray and Caroline Scott-Thomas

It’s time to get out our crystal balls and predict the hottest trends in the European food and drink sector for the year ahead. What’s in store for 2015?

Is low GI too complicated for consumers?

22-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

As pressure on the food industry to reduce sugar in products increases, is the science behind that reduction getting lost?

Looking back on 2014: How did we do with last year’s predictions?

19-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

As 2014 draws to a close, let’s take a minute to look back and ask, how accurate was our forecast for the year? FoodNavigator looks back at its trend predictions for 2014.

Federation of Bakers: 2015 will be a fight back on carbs

17-Dec-2014 By Kacey Culliney

The UK will publish an extensive report on the role of carbohydrates in the diet next year, presenting opportunities for bread makers to fight back against carb-bashing, says the Federation of Bakers (FOB).

No clear benefit of low GI diet for heart health, say 'surprised' researchers

17-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Using glycemic index (GI) as a guide to healthy food choices may not help improve cardiovascular risk factors or insulin resistance, researchers warn.

Sugary drinks tax slammed by nutritionist

17-Dec-2014 By Rod Addy

Renewed calls to attack health problems by taxing sugary drinks have been slammed by a leading nutritionist, who claims cutting portion sizes and sugar content and tackling irresponsible retail promotions would be better.

UK campaigners suggest London soda tax

16-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

A suggested 20 pence per litre tax on sugary drinks in London would benefit health and save up to £39 million in healthcare, say campaigners.

‘We have some good customers, but sweetener price is an issue’: Stevia Natura

12-Dec-2014 By Ben BOUCKLEY

The CEO of Stevia Natura tells us why the French company is winning with customers including one high-profile dairy-based drinks brand, but admits high ingredient quality carries a cost.

Food manufacturers could be ‘forced out’ of the obesity debate

12-Dec-2014 By Laurence Gibbons

Food and drink manufacturers must emphasise the role of exercise in reducing obesity or risk being sidelined in the debate and hit with stricter regulation, according to new research.

Researchers eye satiety market following 'encouraging' results

11-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A new inulin-propionate ester (IPE) ingredient may increase appetite-reducing hormones and make people feel fuller, according to research published in the journal Gut.

Is added sugar worse than salt for heart health?

11-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Sugar in processed foods may have a larger impact on heart health than salt, argues a paper published in the journal Open Heart.

ARCHIVE ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

Naturally opposed? Balancing new technologies with consumer perceptions

10-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

New technologies are vital to the future growth of the food and nutrition industry, but their future success depends on much more than the science behind them.

Brain mechanism may explain glucose cravings

09-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

An enzyme in the brain called glucokinase may drive our desire for glucose-rich starchy and sugary foods, according to research in rats from Imperial College London.

FAO: Global food prices have stabilised – for now

09-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Global food prices have stabilised after several years of volatility, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Ingredient origin labelling should remain voluntary under FIC regs, say suppliers

09-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Food Information for Consumers (FIC) legislation should allow manufacturers to choose whether to label ingredient origins to avoid costly, complicated and unnecessary changes, say suppliers.

Reformulating dairy with stevia should be about overall calorie counting – not a fat-sugar divide: PureCircle

08-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Next year will be the year of dairy for stevia launches, PureCircle says as it launches a stevia ingredient specifically formulated for the category.

EU deal would allow member states to ban GM crops

05-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The European Parliament and member states have agreed rules to allow member states to ban or restrict the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops, even when they are approved at EU level.

SPECIAL EDITION 2014, BEVERAGE SWEETENER INNOVATION

Stevia sweetness + new health benefits: Mintel analyst sees future potential

05-Dec-2014 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Mintel says the presence of nutritionally beneficial compounds could see stevia-based sweeteners of the future that combine functional benefits as well as calorie-free sweetness.

Gluten-free prospects: Finnish project highlights faba bean potential

04-Dec-2014 By Paul Gander

Finland’s VTT research centre has developed processing technologies and recipes for the faba bean – up to now little-used in human food – which deliver high-protein, gluten-free alternative breads, pasta, snacks and other products.

Labour plans tougher food regulation

03-Dec-2014 By Rick Pendrous

Labour is about to set out its plans for improving public health if elected next year and while tougher regulation can be expected, sugar and fat taxes will not be part of the mix, it has emerged.

Finland to provide specific dietary fibre information

01-Dec-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira has introduced a method to better define the constituent parts of dietary fibre in foods.

Porous starch has flavour delivery potential

01-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

Sponge-like porous starch could offer flavour delivery potential on an industrial scale, say researchers.

Agro-industry seed ‘waste’ is promising source of oils and ingredients

01-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

Agricultural and agro-industry waste could serve as an important alternative source of vegetable oils and bioactive ingredients for functional foods, according to new research.

Ulrick & Short introduces starch-based meat glaze

21-Nov-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

British starch specialist Ulrick & Short has developed a glaze for meat products and pies, which it claims can cut costs compared to other available glazes.

Mediterranean, vegetarian or pescetarian: Which is best for health and the environment?

21-Nov-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The global drive toward more meat and dairy consumption could increase diet-related disease and boost greenhouse gas emissions by 80%, but other dietary patterns could provide answers, claims a study published in Nature.

Healthy planet, healthy people: Balancing carbon footprint and optimal nutrition

19-Nov-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Plant-derived foods have been suggested as preferable to those of animal origin from an environmental perspective as well as for health – but nutrient density must be taken into account, suggests a new study.

Forget calorie counting and start eating healthily, say UK healthcare leaders

17-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

Following a Mediterranean style-diet may be better at cutting obesity rates than following diets that involve continually counting calories, say researchers in the UK.

Trial data backs ‘moderate’ consumption of sugary drinks for teenagers

14-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

Moderate consumption of sugary drinks has little impact on adolescents' metabolic health, as long as they remain physically active, according to a new trial.

Mondelez to invest $24m in Turkish confectionery plant

13-Nov-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Mondelez International has said it will invest $24m (€19.3m) to expand its Gebze plant in Turkey, as the company continues its plan to increase productivity and cut costs.

Could a short term vegan diet improve overall health?

13-Nov-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Participants in a ten-day vegan diet programme saw significant improvements in biomarkers associated with risk of heart disease and metabolic disorders, according to a retrospective study.

Global food price index shows signs of stability, says FAO

10-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

The FAO's monthly food price index was largely stable in October, as increasing prices for sugar and vegetable oil were offset by declines in dairy and meat.

Unilever R&D searches out new ways to quantify thickeners in foods

06-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

A new strategy to identify and quantify the levels of polysaccharide used to structure food has been developed by a group of Dutch researchers led by industry giant Unilever.

DuPont: ‘We will launch 4000 products by 2020’

31-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

DuPont’s nutrition & health division will play a big part in the launch of 4000 food-related products in the next six years, its chief said as the company celebrated 50 years at its Brabrand base in Aarhus, Denmark yesterday.

Bran more effective than whole grain in alleviating obesity symptoms: Study

31-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Supplementation with finger millet bran may help alleviate symptoms of obesity like oxidative stress, inflammation and gut microbial imbalances, according to mice research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Sugar policy shake-up to squeeze cane producing countries

31-Oct-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The Fairtrade Foundation has urged food companies and retailers to choose Fairtrade sugar, amid concerns that a sugar price slump and CAP reforms could push thousands of workers into poverty.

Tate & Lyle backs fibre to battle Asian bulge

30-Oct-2014

Tate & Lyle used the recent Food Ingredients-Asia trade event in Jakarta as a springboard for its mounting ambitions in the country of 250 million people as well as other parts of Asia. Fibre and low-calorie sweeteners for weight control were a big...

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