Fruit, vegetable, nut ingredients

Beyond fat and sugar: Diets low in whole grains, fruit and nuts associated with 1 in 5 deaths

05-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

A suboptimal diet lacking in whole grains, fruit, nuts and seeds, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids is responsible for more deaths than any other risk factors globally, according to findings published in The Lancet.

RSPO CEO talks sustainable palm oil’s big challenges: Smallholders and Africa

05-Apr-2019 By Katy Askew

The Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is working to bring sustainable palm oil into the “mainstream”. And while notable progress has been made – in terms of both awareness and uptake of the certification scheme – RSPO CEO Datuk Darrel Webber...

‘Game changer’ cheese enzyme increases yield by up to 1%: ‘There is nothing on par with this’

03-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

Chr. Hansen’s latest enzyme for cheesemakers, the CHY-MAX Supreme, is ‘a game changer’ in the production of cheddar, continental and mozzarella cheeses, the Danish bioscience company told FoodNavigator when we caught up last month.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Nestlé launches ‘cook from raw’ plant-based burger in Europe

02-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

The Swiss food giant says it will roll out the Garden Gourmet Incredible Burger in Europe this month, with plans to launch in the US after summer.

Guittard Chocolate on ethics, education, and ‘the evolution of artistry’

02-Apr-2019 By Flora Southey

San Francisco-based Guittard Chocolate Company has invested in farmer training to preserve chocolate flavours from cocoa growing regions and advance its sustainability mission, director of marketing Amy Guittard told FoodNavigator.

DuPont’s clean label, plant-based, protein packed nuggets bang on-trend for healthier snacks

02-Apr-2019 By Gill Hyslop

DuPont Danisco has zeroed in on three burgeoning trends – plant-based, protein and healthy snacking – to expand offerings for snack producers.

Cancer Research UK condemns junk food promotions: ‘Special offers fuel obese shoppers’

29-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Shoppers that purchase around 40-80% of goods on special offer have a greater chance of being obese, says Cancer Research UK, which is pushing for restrictions on price promotions for less healthy products.

Creating added-value in oat processing: Lantmännen acquires Tate & Lyle oat facility

28-Mar-2019 By Katy Askew

Swedish agricultural cooperative Lantmännen is expanding its oat processing capacity through the acquisition of a production facility from UK ingredients group Tate and Lyle.

Algaia attracts AgTech investment: ‘The algae trend is here to stay’

28-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

French biomarine group Algaia say it is “benefitting from a pool of investors” having announced AgTech firm Sapec will take a 31% stake in the business.

From primary production to household: EU quantifies food waste across the bloc

27-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

The European Commission is preparing to rollout a common methodology for Member States to measure food waste at every stage of the food supply chain.

WATCH

Brexit: The best and worst-case scenarios

26-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

The fresh food sector may well be the hardest hit when the UK withdraws from the EU, with a no-deal Brexit potentially costing the UK food industry €1.3bn, according to market research provider, Euromonitor International.

Pfeifer & Langen invests in pioneering plant protein group Amidori: ‘All signs point to growth’

26-Mar-2019 By Katy Askew

Pfeifer & Langen – the German sugar company and Intersnack owner - has taken a stake in European plant protein innovator Amidori. FoodNavigator caught up with the people behind the deal to find out more.

Superfood stardom: Social media drives the rise of ‘standout colour’ purple

25-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

The nutritional benefits of purple superfoods, together with their social media ‘worthiness’, have contributed to an increase in all things purple on supermarket shelves, according to Mintel analyst.

BRUSSELS BULLETIN

Brexit extension on the table, MEPs blacklist UTPs, and Tequila gains PGI status: A round-up of EU news & views

22-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

The European Commission has granted a conditional extension to the Article 50 deadline, import duty on brown rice has risen to €60 per tonne, and Mexican spirit drink Tequila has been accepted into the EU register of protected geographical indications....

Heather Mills expands vegan ‘meat’ biz: ‘We are ahead of the game on quality, texture and manufacturing’

21-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Ex-model Heather Mills speaks to FoodNavigator about the expansion of her company VBites, which recently acquired a facility in northeast England for the manufacture of meat-free vegan meat substitutes for the global market.

EU urged to support local Fair Trade initiatives: ‘We see a willingness to buy sustainable and fair’

21-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

The Fair Trade Advocacy Office has called on the European Commission and European Parliament to help boost the uptake of Fair Trade at a local level, which FTAO director Sergi Corbalán says could incite the food and beverage industry to source a larger...

How can the food industry accelerate action on deforestation?

21-Mar-2019 By Katy Askew

More food companies than ever are making commitments to tackle deforestation in their supply chains. However, there is an increasing concern that many are failing to translate their words into action on the ground.

WATCH

Inside the lab: Tate & Lyle reveals on-trend prototypes

20-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Ingredients supplier Tate & Lyle takes us behind the scenes at its application centre in Lübeck, Germany, to try a number of vegan, reduced-sugar and clean label prototypes.

Planetarians ties-up with Barilla, Amadori to innovate with up-cycled sunflower flour

19-Mar-2019 By Katy Askew

Ingredient start-up Planetarians produces a plant-based protein from up-cycled defatted sunflower seeds. Founder and CEO Aleh Manchuliantsau reveals that the group has been working with European food majors Barilla and Amadori to develop high-protein,...

Corn protein is allergy-friendly, and has ‘interesting functional benefits,’ says Cargill

18-Mar-2019 By Elaine Watson

Cargill will have commercial quantities of Non GMO corn protein available by 2022 as it seeks to capitalize on growing demand for plant-based proteins.

NPD trend tracker: From ‘nostalgic’ fudge to premium ice cream for adults

18-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

From fudge flavours inspired by the school tuck shop, to turmeric and mango muesli, and exotic ice cream championing Australian macadamia and salted caramel. FoodNavigator brings you the latest new product development trends in Europe.

WHO calls for age ban on HFSS digital marketing in Europe

15-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Children continue to be targeted by HFSS advertising campaigns on social media, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is calling on Member States to implement measures that restrict underage ad impressions.

Modifying texture can boost satiety in lower calorie foods, says researcher

14-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Reshaping the texture of well-liked foods could help combat obesity and over-eating, according to a scientist in Norway.

On the frontline of climate change: Cargill building ‘resilience’ into its red seaweed supply chain

14-Mar-2019 By Katy Askew

Cargill has said it will source 60% of its red seaweed sustainably by 2025. Building “resilience” into a supply chain on the sharp end of climate change will be key to securing long-term supply, sustainability manager James Ede explains.

Fresh potential: Is Amazon shaking up the UK grocery sector?

12-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

The e-commerce giant made a splash when it rolled out its grocery business Amazon Fresh in 2016, but needs brick and mortar stores to truly disrupt the sector, says analyst.

WATCH

What’s in a name? 25% of consumers object to meat-related words for vegetarian products

12-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

A survey has revealed that one in four consumers support a ban on traditionally meat-related words being used for vegetarian products.

NPD trend tracker: From insect-based snacks to chocolate coated superfruit

11-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Nestlé launches its first ever Milkybar milk and white chocolate offering, cricket-based crackers hit UK shelves, and Red Date superfruits get a dark chocolate makeover. FoodNavigator brings you the latest new product development trends in Europe.

‘It’s about managing risk’: Food industry urged to tackle deforestation in soy

08-Mar-2019 By Food industry urged to tackle deforestation in soy

Food makers need to do more to manage the risk presented by deforestation in their soy supply chains, an investor coalition has said.

BRUSSELS BULLETIN

Japanese milk hits EU shores, EC targets fishy behaviour, and glyphosate ruling is overturned: A round-up of EU news & views

08-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

The last two weeks have seen the EU overturn EFSA’s call on unpublished herbicide studies, the unveiling of Africa-Europe food and farming initiatives, and the authorisation of Japanese dairy imports into the EU. FoodNavigator brings you the latest news...

Cargill overcomes colour challenge in cocoa with enhanced ‘reddish’ pigment

06-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Food giant Cargill has filed a patent for a method to “naturally adjust” the colour of chocolate products with an increased reddish hue.

Transport authority jams breaks on Farmdrop advert under new HFSS policy

06-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Online grocery service Farmdrop has cropped out butter, eggs and jam from an advertisement proposal following Transport for London's ban on HFSS product promotions.

Beneo enters textured wheat protein JV: ‘We see great potential in 2019 and beyond’

05-Mar-2019 By Katy Askew

Functional ingredients manufacturer Beneo has extended its partnership with BioWanze and invested €4.3m to open a new textured wheat protein plant in Wanze, Belgium.

A ‘game changer’ for the sushi industry: Ima launches vegan ‘salmon’ sushi

05-Mar-2019 By Katy Askew

London-based sushi company Ima has developed a vegan ‘salmon’ sushi set that it says will be a “game changer” for the market. FoodNavigator caught up with founder Jessica Chan to find out more.

NPD trend tracker: From Brexit hampers to kombucha energy drinks

04-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

From an Italian 'Brexit Box' full of non-perishables for UK shoppers, to a kombucha and apple cider vinegar energy drink, and a 300th-year anniversary Jubilee cheese in Liechtenstein, FoodNavigator brings you the last new product development...

Norwegian gov’t called to action: ‘Social media is actively used to promote unhealthy food’

01-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

Norway’s youth is not adequately protected from the often subtle and sophisticated digital marketing techniques of unhealthy food brands, says the Norwegian Consumer Council.

‘Food will define the future’: Compass CEO sees tech and trends transforming the food system

01-Mar-2019 By Katy Askew

More than any other sector, the food industry will be key to achieving a sustainable future. Technological innovations and emerging trends play an essential role in reaching this goal, says Compass CEO Dominic Blakemore.

GFSI CONFERENCE 2019

Reaping the fruits of blockchain: How Albert Heijn links orange grove to shopping basket

01-Mar-2019 By Flora Southey

From farms in Brazil to supermarket shelves in the Netherlands, blockchain technology has enabled Albert Heijn to enhance traceability and transparency across its orange juice supply chain.

Five health & wellness trends transforming packaged food strategies

28-Feb-2019 By Natasha Spencer

As health and wellness and snacking trends emerge as leading influences in the packaged food industry, we explore how food manufacturers and brands can appeal to consumer needs in this competitive landscape.

Healthy, low impact and tasty: Unilever and WWF name 50 foods we should be eating more

27-Feb-2019 By David Burrows

Wakame seaweed, moringa and lotus root are amongst the ingredients that will help reduce the environmental impact of food production and improve public health, according to a new report published by Unilever-owned Knorr.

NPD trend tracker: From Nestlé ‘on the go’ cereal to Kinder ice cream for kids

25-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

As February draws to a close, Nestlé launches recyclable breakfast cereal boxes, Unilever and Ferrero bring Kinder ice cream to the UK, and a Welsh bakery champions historical legends in a range of packaged breads. FoodNavigator brings you the latest...

Brussels Bulletin

EDC policy under fire, General Food Law backed by ENVI, and MEPs address animal protection laws: A round-up of EU news & views

22-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

BEUC has called on the future Commission and Parliament to make EDCs a top priority in 2019, the CAP reform vote has been scheduled for April, and Wales' only native plum has been granted PDO status. FoodNavigator brings you the latest news from...

Finland taps WeChat for entry into China’s cross-border e-commerce market

20-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

Finland’s ‘clean, safe and pure’ reputation in Asia presents an opportunity for Finnish food SMEs, says Business Finland, which is piloting a WeChat platform to boost export channels to China.

More than a matter of convenience: Behind the UK’s surge in e-commerce

20-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

The UK’s high ranking among the world’s digital commerce markets is driven by 4G connectivity, app-based shopping, and London’s high-earning millennials, according to Euromonitor International.

Food for thought

Why the food industry can’t ignore the bioeconomy boom

20-Feb-2019 By David Burrows

Publication of the European Commission’s new bioeconomy strategy last October may have passed many in the food sector by. However, the agri-food chain lies at the heart of the concept.

‘Combining traditional manufacturing with innovative technologies’: Fraunhofer taking out palm oil and replacing fat with plant proteins

19-Feb-2019 By Katy Askew

The Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV has launched two research projects focused on lowering the level of saturated fatty acids in foods by 30% without using chemical additives and replacing palm oil with healthier alternatives.

Growing the French hemp market: ‘Europeans need more education’

15-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

Europe is lagging in the global hemp market, says Green Leaf Company, a French firm working to widen access to the ‘superfood’ in protein bars, hemp pasta, and hulled seed products.

Open Sesame: ‘Financially attractive’ and ‘farm-to-fork’ seed developed for local cultivation

14-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

Equinom has developed a sesame variety suitable for mechanised harvesting, which product manager Oron Gar says could “dramatically change the global sesame production map”.

France ups resale threshold to favour food distributors & farmers

14-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

France has enforced measures designed to re-balance power in the supply chain and limit buy-one-get-one-free promotions.

Nut butter brand brings Moroccan flavours to UK: ‘We are targeting foodies’

13-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

UK start-up Yumello has developed a range of nut butters that champion ingredients from Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, including the nutty, rich and slightly sweet argan oil.

Cloud tech tapped for urban greenhouses: ‘This is the return of small farms’

12-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

An urban farming business that develops modular, automated greenhouses for the city environment says it is looking to expand beyond Russia into EMEA markets.