Fruit, vegetable, nut ingredients

Field-to-bottle: British farmer grows cold pressed juice market in Europe

11-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

A third-generation farmer in England has expanded his company’s cold pressed juice range in the UK, with plans to export to Scandinavia later this year.

Ella’s Kitchen talks recycling, food waste and sugar reduction

08-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

The baby food brand says it will make 100% of its packaging widely recyclable by 2024 and completely eliminate palm oil from its products by 2021. FoodNavigator spoke to Ella’s Kitchen about its future plans in sustainability, B Corp initiatives, and...

Overarching EU food policy presented to Brussels: ‘The first movers shall be rewarded by consumers’

07-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

A Common Food Policy can achieve what the CAP – as a Common ‘Agricultural’ Policy – cannot, according to IPES-Food.

Future food challenges: Swiss food giants pump €3.5m into homegrown research

04-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

Nestlé, Givaudan and Bühler have teamed with Swiss research institutions to address hunger, affordable nutrition and sustainable packaging across the food chain.

Ketchup for kids: Start-up markets tomato ketchup with no added sugar or salt

04-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

UK start-up Wonderchup is targeting children and families with its clean label, healthy alternative to classic tomato ketchup. “We’ve had a lot of interest from people with health problems,” co-founder Elise Daly told FoodNavigator.

Sweet end to bitter taste? Researchers identify unpalatable compound in rapeseed

01-Feb-2019 By Flora Southey

Scientists have pinpointed the compound in rapeseed responsible for its bitter taste, marking an encouraging step towards the creation of palatable rapeseed by-products for human consumption.

‘Warm, sensual and rounded’: How IFF-LMR's wild-harvested Peru Balsam supports biodiversity

01-Feb-2019 By Katy Askew

IFF-LMR, a subsidiary of International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), hopes to build food industry awareness of Peru Balsam as a “warm and sensual” source of “brown notes” having secured FairWild certification for the ingredient.

How Danone’s Alpro is future-proofing its soy supply: local sourcing direct from farmers

01-Feb-2019 By David Burrows

Alpro has quietly increased the proportion of European soy used in its products to 60%. It’s a sensible move given that soy supply chains are under severe scrutiny.

Germany pushes for EU-wide ‘binding regulations’ in cocoa production

31-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Establishing a single standard for sustainably-produced cocoa could impact how industry buys and processes the soft commodity.

Matcha buzz for millennials: Start-up launches naturally caffeinated energy drink

30-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

A UK start-up blurring the lines between ‘classic matcha’ and ‘energy drink’ has developed a caffeinated beverage for millennials. FoodNavigator spoke to Matcha Works co-founder Harvey Hodd to find out how the sparkling drink sets itself apart in both...

Food for thought

Soy: this year’s dirty commodity?

30-Jan-2019 By David Burrows

Europe is heavily reliant on imports of soy – both to feed its livestock and consumers’ appetite for plant-based diets. However, food brands are beginning to realise that this crucial commodity comes with a heavy footprint.

‘We want to ensure labels are clearer’: UK mulls tougher allergy labelling regulations

29-Jan-2019 By Katy Askew

The UK government is looking at how “tougher labelling laws” can protect allergy sufferers and close loopholes in labelling requirements.

2019 on the pulse: France champions nuts, legumes and wholegrains in dietary guidance

28-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Unsalted nuts, pulses and wholegrains have been added to France’s dietary guidance, which in 2019 also promotes environmental sustainability and consideration of the Nutri-Score label system.

NPD trend tracker: From vegan butter to 'wonky' veg crisps

28-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

From a functional, on-the-go apple cider vinegar juice, to a two-ingredient vegan butter, and gluten-free Japanese rice flour for French bakers. FoodNavigator looks at what is trending in Europe's new product development space.

Sustainability goals hamstrung by competition law, Fairtrade body argues

25-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

A Fairtrade report has found that UK businesses perceive competition law as a hindrance to sustainability objectives across the supply chain.

BRUSSELS BULLETIN

Controversial pesticides, single-use cutlery ban, GMOs and ‘dual quality’: A round-up of EU news & views

25-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

A potential alteration to bee-safety standards, MEPs vote to ban throwaway cutlery, and EFSA says it will share data on an open-access platform. In this bulletin, we round some of the biggest news from Brussels over the past fortnight.

WEF embraces the fourth industrial revolution: ‘Food systems are ripe for technology disruption’

23-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Big data, the Internet of Things, artificial learning and blockchain technologies are largely underused in food systems, but present a major opportunity in accelerating their transformation, according to a World Economic Forum report.

‘Europe has huge potential and a long way to go’: Algaia eyes growth in algae ingredients

22-Jan-2019 By Katy Askew

French algae ingredients supplier Algaia wants to expand the European market for algae-based products. CEO Fabrice Bohin speaks to us about the region’s potential and runway for growth.

UAE bans formula ads in attempt to promote breastfeeding

21-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

The UAE Cabinet has implemented a blanket ban on the advertising of infant formula and other infant nutrition products, including follow-up formula and complementary foods.

Yofix yoghurt alternative taps into clean label trend: ‘People are fed up with ingredients they don’t know’

18-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Yofix Probiotics uses a zero waste production method to make its clean-label, plant-based yoghurt alternative, which has launched in Israel.

Innovation in new categories can help lift fibre consumption

16-Jan-2019 By Katy Askew

The health benefits of fibre are becoming more widely discussed and consumers say that they want to eat more of it. But while foods like fruits, vegetables and grains are fibre rich, most of us are still struggling to eat as much as we should. Fibre enriched...

From flax and quinoa to beans and pulses: On trend ingredients driving fibre innovation in bakery

16-Jan-2019 By Katy Askew

High fibre claims are a natural fit for bakery manufacturers working to meet growing demand for products with positive nutritional associations. What grains and ingredients have most potential?

Quality not quantity: Study links minimally processed, high-fibre diets with reduced mortality

16-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Increased intake of fibre and wholegrains has been associated with a reduction in body weight, cholesterol, and non-communicable disease – the “main killers” of today, says researcher.

Danish ‘foodshakers’ advise government on ingredients policy

15-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Denmark’s advisory board for the ingredients industry has issued recommendations to the government, detailing how to “reap the industry’s large growth potential up to 2030”.

Designer fatty acids: Researchers aim to utilise microalgae to produce ‘tailored health benefits’

15-Jan-2019 By Nathan Gray

The use of microalgae to produce a new fatty acid that combines both linoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid could herald a revolution in 'designer triacylglycerols' with tailored health benefits, say researchers.

WHO appeals to policymakers: ‘A healthy diet is a sustainable diet’

10-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

Recommendations for healthy eating based on sustainable food choices have been published by the World Health Organization (WHO): “Food manufacturers have a big role at all levels,” says the director of nutrition for health and development.

Few UK consumers recognise RSPO logo, but does it matter?

10-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) says it is ‘not surprised’ by findings that just 5% of consumers in the UK recognise its logo, noting that as a voluntary label, “not all companies want to draw attention to an ingredient that is one of many”....

Seaweed success? Nestlé files patent on non-dairy liquid coffee creamers

09-Jan-2019 By Kacey Culliney

Nestlé has developed non-dairy coffee creamers with improved mouthfeel using a blend of red seaweed extracts and high oleic vegetable oils that have an extended shelf life of up to six months.

Split pea start-up targets sustainable tempeh market

09-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

A Swedish start-up has developed an organic, vegan, gluten-free tempeh made entirely out of split peas, which founder Pia Qvarnström hopes will help consumers transition to a more sustainable diet.

UK sees in new year with raft of recalls over undeclared allergens

09-Jan-2019 By Niamh Michail

Several manufacturers have recalled products from the UK market due to undeclared allergens, such as peanut, sesame and gluten.

It is technically feasible to double the yield of EU agriculture by 2050, says researcher

09-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

The European Union is investing in ‘future proof’ crop research to help increase agricultural yields, encourage optimal use of water and minerals, and secure food supply for the future.

Spirulina may boost effects of exercise for obese individuals: RCT

08-Jan-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Results of a randomized clinical trial from Mexico indicate that supplementation with the blue-green alga Spirulina may enhance the effects of exercise on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Study confirms carbon label efficacy: 'They had the predicted effect... lower-emission food choices'

04-Jan-2019 By Niamh Michail

An easy-to-understand, front-of-pack carbon label is effective in driving more environmentally-friendly food choices - and this is what it could look like, say researchers behind a recent study.

‘Our world is entering a fourth agricultural revolution’, says UK environment secretary

04-Jan-2019 By Flora Southey

UK environment secretary Michael Gove has urged industry to embrace the potential of a fourth agricultural revolution: “We can guarantee a future for the UK as a major, global food producer.”

Roquette looks to plant milk category for future pea potential

04-Jan-2019 By Niamh Michail

French pea protein supplier Roquette believes pea protein could make waves in the booming plant-based dairy alternative category. “It’s a big market, and there’s more innovation to come," says its head of pea protein.

Unilever accelerates its 'plant-based journey' with Vegetarian Butcher buyout

20-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

Unilever will acquire plant-based meat alternative brand The Vegetarian Butcher. "This acquisition will help us to accelerate our journey towards more plant-based food," it says.

'Date paste, sugar beet juice... Using pseudonyms for sugar is not acceptable,' says complainant

Kellogg, Hipp and five others told to remove misleading 'no added sugar' claims

14-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

The Dutch Advertising Authority has told seven manufacturers and retailers, including Kellogg, Albert Heijn and Hipp, to remove ‘no added sugar’ claims from products that are sweetened with date paste, apple juice concentrate and sugar beet syrup.

Start-up nation? A round-up of France's top food start-ups

14-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

From plant-based sweeteners to clean label additives; urban farming to healthy eating apps, we round up some of the most interesting start-ups to come out of France in recent years.

'An open trading zone covering one-third of global GDP'

EU vote puts EU-Japan trade deal on track to enter into force

13-Dec-2018 By EU-Japan trade deal to enter in force following EU vote

The EU Japan trade deal is set to enter into force on 1 February 2019 after receiving the backing of EU politicians yesterday.

'Purposeful packaging': Mineral coating keeps food fresh and reduces waste

12-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

Coating the packaging of fresh fruit and vegetables with a blend of minerals and clay can extend the shelf life by up to two to four days and reduce food waste, says UK company It's Fresh!

'We're getting fatter but more healthy': The lifestyle trends having a 'profound impact' on UK food choices

12-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

Clean eating and health and wellness are having a “profound impact” on the UK’s eating and drinking habits, according to new research, but consumers still want to indulge. What does this mean for food brands and retailers?

Alkion CEO on biostimulation to scale up sweet proteins: 'Our technology massively amplifies what nature can do'

10-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

Thanks to a patented biostimulation process, Alkion BioInnovations produces sweet-tasting proteins, high-value flavours and plant proteins in a cost-effective way that (for now at least) can be labelled as organic. “This is a real advantage [over] our...

Healthier, tastier and safe – but will consumers accept microwave drying?

07-Dec-2018 By Katy Askew

Non-thermal food processing technologies – such as microwave drying – offer a number of functional benefits. But a new study conducted across three European countries has found consumers are resistant to the use of these techniques.

Future food predictions; fighting malnutrition & nano guidance: A round-up of EU news & views

07-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

What will food and farming in 2030 look like? The Commission makes its predictions; the EU opens a centre to fight global malnutrition and guidance for manufacturers using nanoparticles is published. This is our round-up of news and views from the EU.

Farmlogics ag-tech brings sourcing closer to SDGs by 'digitising the field'

06-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

Farmlogics' ag-tech give suppliers more control of their supply chains, aligning commodity procurement with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it says.

‘Urban farming is becoming a reality’: Agricool completes €25m funding round

05-Dec-2018 By Katy Askew

French urban farming company Agricool has completed a €25m funding round that, the company says, will help it make “the dream of urban farming” a reality.

France tops Food Sustainability Index

03-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

France has the most sustainable food system, according to the Food Sustainability Index, a data tool that should be used to drive a race to the top, say its creators.

NPD trend tracker: Oat-based cereal, 'birch sugar' baking mixes & seaweed salt

03-Dec-2018 By Niamh Michail

Oat-based Cheerios for people who don't like the taste or texture of porridge; sugar-free baking mixes made with wood-derived xylitol and premium sea salt with seaweed feature in this week's snapshot of new product launches across Europe.

News in brief

CP Kelco plans pectin production capacity expansion

26-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Hydrocolloid supplier CP Kelco has announced it plans to increase its pectin production capacity at its Lille Skensved, Denmark facility by about 15%.

EU announces push to promote domestic plant protein market

23-Nov-2018 By David Burrows

Food manufacturers could soon be able to source more plant-based proteins locally after the European Commission announced new policies to promote production and consumption of soy, chickpeas, lentils and rapeseed.