Fruit, vegetable, nut ingredients

Study reports weight and heart health benefits of baru nuts

11-Jun-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Adding baru nuts to the diet may help improve levels of HDL cholesterol and reduce waist sizes in overweight and obese women, says a new study from Brazil.

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Mondelēz expands sustainable wheat program to cover 100% of European biscuits by 2022

11-Jun-2018 By Gill Hyslop

The Oreo maker has announced it is expanding its Harmony program to ensure that its entire European biscuit production will be made from sustainable wheat within the next five years.

FSA investigating claims traces of meat found in vegetarian ready meals

11-Jun-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has opened a probe into allegations that traces of meat were discovered in vegetarian and vegan ready meals.

Green caffeine: Can a broccoli latte boost veggie intake?

07-Jun-2018 By Lester Wan

Consumers struggling to get their daily intake of veggies have a new option — a broccoli latte.

In 30 years, every successful food company will be a ‘personalised food company’: Nutrino CSO

06-Jun-2018 By Niamh Michail

As consumers become increasingly invested in their health, personalised nutrition and gene-tailored diets will become the norm, says the chief science officer of Israeli start-up Nutrino. “The future of food is in personalisation and companies who fail...

EFRA seeks clarity for ag policy after Brexit

06-Jun-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

MPs have welcomed plans for agricultural policy after Brexit but warned a lack of clarity on funding, timing and delivery risks damaging the sector.

‘Extended supply chains are broken’: Why Mars thinks the commodities era is over

06-Jun-2018 By Katy Askew

Food giant Mars is using procurement to tackle some of the most significant social and environmental challenges facing the world today. FoodNavigator spoke to Barry Parkin, chief procurement and sustainability Officer at Mars, to find out more.

FoodProfiler app shines light onto European's eating habits

05-Jun-2018 By Niamh Michail

Which vegetable do Brits eat the most? When do Belgian girls eat yoghurt? And do Dutch men prefer dessert or fruit? An app that gathers insights into European's eating habits could help fine-tune new product development.

Acrylamide, arsenic and lead intake high if Dutch diet guidelines followed

05-Jun-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

Intake of most contaminants is within an acceptable range if people follow Dutch Dietary Guidelines, according to an analysis.

Macadamias: On a mission to crack the on-trend nut market

01-Jun-2018 By Niamh Michail

Macadamias only represent 1.5% of the tree nut market, held back by limited supplies and high prices, but a tree-planting programme could change that. "Customers are crying out to use macadamias as an ingredient. It’s up to us to make that opportunity...

Plant-based meat substitutes are 'useful transition foods' for a healthier diet

01-Jun-2018 By Niamh Michail

The science is clear: a vegetarian diet is better for heart health, a study says - but does that include processed meat analogues? "While not as healthful as whole plants, they are useful transition foods," says one researcher.

ANIA sets 1000-day deadline to 'make food better'

31-May-2018 By Niamh Michail

The French trade group ANIA has set itself a 1000-day deadline to ‘make food better’ in a bid to close France’s food and nutrition gap.

The claims are there but does ‘deforestation-free’ palm oil exist?

30-May-2018 By Niamh Michail

Companies' unilateral, no-deforestation commitments - and on-pack deforestation-free claims - are unsuited to the complex palm oil supply chain and, therefore, likely to fail, say researchers. "A broader suite of complementary mechanisms"...

Veg of Lund’s emulsion tech pushes the boundaries of plant-based snacking

30-May-2018 By Katy Askew

Scandinavian start-up Veg of Lund’s science-based approach to innovation has enabled it to develop a new snack concept that taps into wide-ranging consumer demands.

Second life possible for food manufacturing waste - researchers

30-May-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

Around 300,000 tonnes of food manufacturing waste is discarded in the Yorkshire and Humber region of the UK each year, according to a study.

Carob's health halo beats cocoa for kids confectionery, says UK start-up

29-May-2018 By Niamh Michail

Far from being cocoa's poor cousin, carob powder is the ideal ingredient for healthy confectionery for kids, mimicking the "shine, snap and silky smooth texture" of milk chocolate without the stimulants caffeine and theobromine, says Supertreats...

French politicians back mandatory labelling of GM feed and pesticide use

28-May-2018 By Niamh Michail

After a week of debates on the country's Agriculture and Food Bill, French politicians have backed mandatory labelling for GM animal feed and pesticide use on fruit and vegetables but rejected measures to stop marketing unhealthy foods to children.

The Mediterranean diet is gone, says WHO chief

24-May-2018 By Niamh Michail

With Greece, Italy, Spain and Cyprus showing the highest levels of childhood obesity in Europe, the Mediterranean diet is gone, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) chief João Breda. “Those who are close to the Mediterranean diet are the Swedish...

‘Expanding beyond traditional boundaries’: Algaia bets big on marine ingredients

22-May-2018 By Katy Askew

French biomarine group Algaia is expanding its production and innovation capacity with investments targeting the growing demand for marine ingredients and seaweed extracts.

Multi-country Hepatitis A outbreak potentially foodborne

22-May-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

Six EU countries have reported 42 confirmed and 50 possible hepatitis A cases in a potential foodborne outbreak.

‘Early adopters’ add plastic-free logo to products

18-May-2018 By Niamh Michail

Retailers Iceland and Ekoplaza and tea brand Teapigs will add the plastic-free logo to select products this year.

Open call for candidates: PepsiCo accelerator hunts for 10 start-ups

17-May-2018 By Niamh Michail

After helping 2017's winners generate growth worth €10 million, PepsiCo's accelerator programme Nutrition Greenhouse is looking for 10 more start-ups for the 2018 round.

Organix protein snacks for babies are 'junk-busting', responsible snacking, it says

17-May-2018 By Niamh Michail

UK market leader in infant snacks, Organix 'savoury finger food for babies’ range is part of its junk-busting mission. "Some infant snack products contain more than 30 ingredients and that is not really necessary," says the managing director.

True blue botanicals: Why the appeal of spirulina and butterfly pea flowers is more than just colour

16-May-2018 By Niamh Michail

Blue mermaid lattes and unicorn smoothie bowls may have star status on social media but their appeal is not just visual. The ingredients behind the blue hue – spirulina and butterfly pea flowers – are seen as inherently healthy.

Avril alliance to transform Costa d'Oro into world's third biggest olive oil brand

15-May-2018 By Niamh Michail

French agri-food giant Avril is partnering with family-owned Italian olive oil manufacturers Costa d’Oro, a move that will create the world’s third biggest olive oil brand.

Impact of Nordic and Mediterranean diet policies ‘not well defined’ – WHO/Europe

09-May-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

WHO/Europe has found 15 countries in the region recommend or implement policies based on the Nordic and Mediterranean diets.

ProGnosis Biotech targets aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin

09-May-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

ProGnosis Biotech has launched two lateral flow tests for aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin.

‘Stop lecturing and start inspiring’: UK fund targets veg marketing

03-May-2018 By Katy Askew

A fundraising initiative, Veg Power, has been launched in the UK with the aim of increasing vegetable consumption through marketing that makes vegetables “inspiring”, “fun” and “contemporary”.

Certification schemes are holding back true sustainability, says report

03-May-2018 By Niamh Michail

Many certification schemes are blocking true sustainability by watering down standards in order to get stakeholders on board and even providing 'green cover' for firms that are destroying the environment, according to a report.

EU audit finds ‘risk of failure’ in Chinese peanut aflatoxin controls

02-May-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

An EU audit has found a risk of failure in the Chinese control system to prevent and detect aflatoxin contamination in peanuts and uncover fraud.

Galicia sets legal definition of artisan food

30-Apr-2018 By Niamh Michail

Spain's Galicia has set a legal definition of artisan food, which prohibits the use of artificial colours, flavours and tropical fats such as palm oil and coconut oil.

Calls for EC to link agriculture and health policy

27-Apr-2018 By Katy Askew

European health campaigners and some MEPs argue the European Commission should take a joined up approach to its food, agriculture and health policy by linking farmer payments to the healthiness of the food they produce.

Are popped lotus seeds the next popcorn?

25-Apr-2018 By Niamh Michail

Also known as fox nuts, the gluten-free seeds of an Asian water lily could soon rival popcorn as consumers' guilt-free, savoury snack of choice, says UK start-up Nuto.

Chlorine can make pathogens undetectable - study

23-Apr-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

Chlorine can make foodborne pathogens undetectable according to research by the University of Southampton.

'Processed food is practically 3D printed. The difference is, this is with fresh, real ingredients': Natural Machines

19-Apr-2018 By Niamh Michail

When Natural Machines printed a branded manufacturer's product using "fresh, real" ingredients, the company tried to shut it down. But this technology is coming and manufacturers can make it work for them, says the co-founder.

EC proposals to ban unfair trading practices welcomed

19-Apr-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

A European Commission proposal to ban unfair trading practices (UTPs) in the food supply chain has been welcomed by numerous groups.

EIB loans to strengthen competitiveness in agriculture sector

17-Apr-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is to increase support for the agriculture and bioeconomy sector with a €400m financing initiative.

Austria develops voluntary quality logo

11-Apr-2018 By Niamh Michail

AgrarMarkt Austria has developed a voluntary quality logo for processed foods, meat, eggs, fruit and vegetables.

Audit finds gaps in US aflatoxin controls for pistachios it sends to Europe

09-Apr-2018 By Joseph James Whitworth

An EU audit has found deficiencies with the US system to prevent aflatoxin contamination in pistachios after an increase in cases in the last few years.

Sweden to investigate low uptake of Keyhole logo

09-Apr-2018 By Niamh Michail

Sweden's National Food Agency will investigate why many manufacturers choose not to add the free-to-use, healthy eating Keyhole logo to their products despite being eligible.

Sugar, salt or sweeteners may be key to getting children to eating greens

06-Apr-2018 By Niamh Michail

Adding very small amounts of sugar or salt to food may increase vegetable intake by reducing bitterness, and could be an important first step in getting children to eat leafy greens, researchers have found.

Industry, academia and government action united in common food waste cause

29-Mar-2018 By Will Chu

Food waste reduction efforts were high on the agenda this week as the Dutch government, the Weizmann Institute of Science and Ocado, continued united efforts to minimise food loss.

Add a little, gain a lot: Assessing seaweed's health halo

28-Mar-2018 By Niamh Michail

Adding seaweed to a food product can boost consumer purchase intent – and a 5% addition can have the same effect as 50%, Dutch researchers have found.

Givaudan bulks up in natural ingredients with Naturex acquisition

27-Mar-2018 By Katy Askew

Swiss flavours and fragrances group Givaudan wants to increase its presence in the natural ingredients market through the acquisition of plant extracts group Naturex.

Orkla refreshes sustainability goals to include sugar and salt reduction

19-Mar-2018 By Will Chu

Norwegian-based food firm Orkla places an emphasis on lowering salt and sugar in its products as part of a sustainability drive that also includes a curb on food waste.

EU-US trade spat: ‘This is the last thing we need,’ say EU farmers

09-Mar-2018 By Niamh Michail

A trade dispute between the US and EU would hit the agricultural sectors of both countries hard, farming association Copa and Cogeca has warned.

That's a wrap: Algae-based tortilla wraps will mainstream sustainable eating, says creator

09-Mar-2018 By Niamh Michail

Tortilla wraps made with 50% seaweed will normalise sustainable eating thanks to their affordable price and ease of use, according to Dutch start-up Seamore.

‘Exotic but not too exotic’: Esarom believes mango flavours are poised for growth

09-Mar-2018 By Katy Askew

Austrian ingredients supplier Esarom notes strong global growth in demand for mango flavours, which it attributes to the fruit’s “exotic but not too exotic” appeal.

Regulation ‘could boost clean label’ and build trust

05-Mar-2018 By Katy Askew

There is currently no clear legal definition of what constitutes a clean label product. One marketing and economics expert argues certification and regulation could actually boost clean label sales.