Carbohydrates and fibres (sugar, starches)

Isoglucose may take a third of EU sugar market

14-Jan-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Isoglucose may take up to 30% of the current European sugar market after quotas are removed in 2017, according to a new report.

EFSA health claim opinion

Get inulin! Northern European giants win EFSA claim for non-digestible carbs and glycaemia

13-Jan-2014 By Shane STARLING

The three giants of chicory-derived inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) supply have won a significant European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claim approval linking non-digestible carbohydrates and improved blood glucose response.

Sugar concerns spark market gains for sweeteners

13-Jan-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The market for high intensity sweeteners is growing rapidly, with plant-derived stevia providing the fastest growth, according to a new report from Mintel and Leatherhead Food Research.

Obesity counterattack: sugar reduction campaign in quotes

13-Jan-2014 By Rod Addy

Prominent nutritionists have provided their exclusive feedback on Action on Sugar’s sugar reduction campaign, designed to combat the rising incidence of obesity in the UK.

Higher meat and dairy prices offset lower cereal prices in 2013: FAO

13-Jan-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Global food prices are high but have fallen slightly since last year, with higher meat and dairy prices offsetting declines in cereals, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s food price index.

Action on sugar? Reducing sugar in foods and drinks could boost industry profits too, says policy expert

10-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

Fresh calls to reduce the 'excess' levels of sugar in food and drinks products by newly formed Action on Sugar could help industry to higher profits through the use of cheaper non-nutritive sweeteners, according to Professor Jack Winkler.

Big interview

Bye-bye black box: Could ‘radical transparency’ transform the food industry?

10-Jan-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Lack of transparency in blended ingredients is harming trust in the food industry – but there is another way, says president and CEO of Premium Blendhub, Henrik Stamm Kristensen.

Action on Sugar: New global campaign takes aim at high level of sugar in foods and drinks

09-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

A new global campaign will bring together experts and policy makers to tackle the current global epidemic of obesity and diabetes by reducing 'unnecessarily high' levels of sugar in food and beverage products.

GM free: Ulrick & Short becomes first UK firm to gain 'Ohne Gentechnik' certification

07-Jan-2014

Certification by German-government backed 'Ohne Gentechnik' labelling scheme will help British supplier Ulrick & Short to a competitive advantage in the GM-sensitive German market, says the firm.

Few people with metabolic syndrome follow nutrition recommendations: Nordic nutrition study

07-Jan-2014

People who suffer from metabolic syndrome - or are at high risk of developing the condition - have a very weak level of adherence to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, according to research from Finland.

Trans-fat alternative? Low calorie sugars can structure and solidify vegetable oils, finds study

06-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

Semi-solid vegetable oils created using low-calorie sugars such as mannitol and sorbitol dioctanoates could provide alternatives to trans- and saturated fats, according to new research.

FoodNavigator predicts top five industry drivers in 2014

06-Jan-2014 By Caroline Scott-Thomas and Nathan Gray

As the New Year dawns, FoodNavigator predicts the top five drivers of the European food industry in the year ahead.

FoodNavigator 2014: What’s on our editorial calendar?

03-Jan-2014

From the newest developments in sweeteners, fats and oils and flavours, to the latest trends in gluten-free formulation and plant-based diets, FoodNavigator's special editions calendar for 2014 spans the hottest topics for the European food and drink...

UK government to intervene in Monsanto GM soy case

03-Jan-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The UK government has confirmed its intention to intervene in a case against the European Commission's approval of a Monsanto GM soy variety at the European Court of Justice.

Festive video insights: Mintel experts offer up highlights and predictions

23-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

With 2013 fast drawing to a close and 2014 just around the corner, we took the chance to catch up with analysts and experts at Mintel to ask them what their highlights from this year have been ... and a few predictions for what might be in store in the...

Gut reaction: Zero-calorie sweeteners produce same response as water

19-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of zero-calorie artificial sweeteners in a drink may have an identical effect on gut responses as water, according to newly published human data.

Diet can 'rapidly and reproducibly' alter our gut bacteria: Study

16-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

Shifts in dietary patterns can radically alter the microbial make-up of our gut in less than a day, leading to rapid alterations in the functions of our microbiota, say researchers.

Sugar limits should be halved to protect teeth: Study

12-Dec-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations for added sugar intake should be halved to protect teeth from dental caries, suggests a review published in the Journal of Dental Research.

EU labelling overhaul to affect (nearly) all food companies: What’s in store?

11-Dec-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The Food Information for Consumers regulation (FIC) is set to come into effect this time next year. FoodNavigator spoke with Campden BRI’s principal food law advisor David Leeks to find out what changes to expect.

Diet drinks and satiety: Kids don’t compensate for missing calories from other sources, says study

11-Dec-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Sugar-sweetened and sugar-free beverages produce similar satiety in children, says a new study that challenges the oft-quoted hypothesis that artificially sweetened drinks make people crave sweeter foods or serve as an appetite stimulant.

Sugar-rich junk food coupled with poor oral health should be heart disease target

04-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

The high levels of sugar contained in fizzy sodas and 'junk food' - and the effect that this has on oral health - may be an important additional mechanism for increased risks of heart disease, warn researchers.

Stevia companies target half-sugar soft drinks

02-Dec-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The taste of stevia-derived sweeteners has come a long way in just a few short years, and the major stevia suppliers are now focusing on cutting sugar by half in mainstream soft drinks.

Clean labels, transparency and the rise of Greek yoghurt: Ingredion talks top European trends

02-Dec-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The horsemeat crisis has boosted consumer demand for clean labels and ingredient traceability, according to vice president and general manager EMEA at Ingredion Jorgen Kokke.

Drop by Drop: Is there a market for water enhancers in Europe?

28-Nov-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Tate & Lyle continued to tout its Drop by Drop flavoured ‘water enhancer’ at FIE in Frankfurt last week following on from successful product launches in the United States – but will it do so well in Europe?

Sugar-sweetened drinks linked to higher cancer risk: Study

27-Nov-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages may be associated with an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women, according to new data.

PepsiCo-funded study: Oatmeal better for satiety than RTE cereal

25-Nov-2013 By Kacey Culliney

Oatmeal increases a sense of fullness and reduces hunger due to the viscosity and hydration properties of its beta-glucan content, according to research from PepsiCo.

‘Enjoy, it’s from Europe’: European Commission revamps food promotion policy

25-Nov-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The European Commission has revamped its promotion policy for foods and drinks produced in the EU, with a bigger budget and a new slogan: ‘Enjoy, it’s from Europe’.

Low carb claims double in five years

25-Nov-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The number of new products carrying low carb claims has nearly doubled in Europe in the past five years, according to new research from Mintel.

Obesity may alter our sense of taste, say researchers

25-Nov-2013 By Nathan Gray

Obesity may drive fundamental changes in our perception of sweet tastes by modifying the number of cells that respond to sweet stimuli, according to new research in mice.

Live from Fi Europe 2013

Food for Health Ireland expands network as second term of funding kicks off

20-Nov-2013 By Nathan Gray

Food for Health Ireland (FHI) has announced the start of its second term of funding with an expanded network of research institutions and companies involved.

Beneo chief: ‘It is the duty of the food industry to offer healthy solutions'

19-Nov-2013 By Shane STARLING

With the World Health Organization just last week calling on the food industry to do more to improve global nutrition levels, the new(ish) chief of European ingredients giant Beneo says better nutrition will always be front and centre at his company....

Dietary acid load may increase diabetes risk: Study

12-Nov-2013 By Nathan Gray

A high overall acidity of the diet, regardless of the individual foods making up that diet, may be linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to new research.

Coca-Cola vows to engage with Tate & Lyle Sugars over ‘land grabbing’ controversy

08-Nov-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Coke’s today vowed to ‘engage’ with key sugar suppliers Tate & Lyle Sugars, Trapiche and Bunge after a powerful Oxfam report raised concerns about the land rights of poor rural communities.

Sugar prices drive FAO food price index rise

08-Nov-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Sugar price increases have led to the first rise in the global food price index since April, but food commodity markets are becoming less volatile, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

European Union moves toward GM corn approval

07-Nov-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The European Union has moved toward approving a variety of genetically modified (GM) maize for cultivation, 12 years after a request was first filed.

Sugar intake not directly related to liver disease: Human data

05-Nov-2013 By Nathan Gray

A diet that is high in calories, not sugar-rich foods, may be key driver of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, according to new research that contradicts current thinking.

EFSA chiefs: 'It is important EFSA understands the context of its scientific opinions'

04-Nov-2013 By Shane STARLING

After NutraIngredients attended EFSA’s one-day transparency debate recently, we sat down with panel heads, and found an agency content with its transparency progress and its broader role as protector of EU food safety.

Taxing sugary drinks could reduce UK obesity, claim researchers

04-Nov-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

A 20% tax on sugary soft drinks could reduce the prevalence of obesity in the UK by 1.3%, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.

Nesquik website drops ‘wholesome’ claims after ASA investigation

31-Oct-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Nestlé has removed claims from its Nesquik UK website after investigation from the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), although the ASA has not upheld a complaint.

Roquette talks algae hope after Solazyme split

25-Oct-2013 By Kacey Culliney

Despite a recent split from Solazyme and an on-going legal case, Roquette is “full speed ahead” with its new algae flour and says the health halo effect should propel the ingredient forward.

Lowering blood sugar could help prevent cognitive declines: Study

24-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

People with higher blood sugar levels are more likely to have memory problems, according to new research that suggests reducing levels of blood sugar could help to protect against cognitive declines.

Citrus fibre improves nutritional quality of meatballs: Study

22-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

The addition of citrus fibre to meatballs improves nutritional quality of the food without affecting taste, according to new research.

What’s the public health effect of a health claim for fructose?

22-Oct-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The EU recently approved a health claim for fructose – but the EFSA opinion also included a health warning. So could the positive health claim lead to negative health outcomes?

Expert rubbishes Oreo cookies addiction claim

21-Oct-2013 By Rod Addy

A leading psychobiologist has slammed recent claims by researchers that Oreo cookies, made by international food manufacturer Mondelēz, are as addictive as cocaine for rats.

Nestlé pledges zero waste in Europe by 2020

18-Oct-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Nestlé has said it intends to eliminate all waste from its 150 European factories by the end of the decade.

Sweet sales future for fructose products?

16-Oct-2013 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

EFSA backing of a blood glucose lowering health claim for fructose products spells good business prospects, Israeli supplier of the ingredient Galam Group has said.

Using maths to make the most of bees for improved food production

16-Oct-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Global food production and bees are closely interrelated – but optimising how honeybees pollinate food crops could help improve yields, despite declining populations.

Unilever joins with Solidaridad to tackle sustainable sugar cane challenge

15-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Food manufacturing giant Unilever will work with international non-profit Solidaridad to drive the sustainable development of the sugar cane industry in Central America.

Soil Association chief: “I want us to be known for what we are for, not what we are against”

15-Oct-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Organic food advocates gathered at the Soil Association conference in London last week with a programme that extended well beyond organics in an effort to “start where people are” on their journey toward healthier eating, according to chief executive...

New Nordic dietary guidelines emphasise whole diet quality

14-Oct-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

New Nordic dietary recommendations focus on whole diet quality, rather than individual nutrients, with some key changes that could make a difference to how foods qualify for healthy choice logos.