Fruit, vegetable, nut ingredients

Cut global meat intake to 300 g a week, says Greenpeace

05-Mar-2018 By Niamh Michail

Greenpeace has set a global target: we need to eat no more than 300 g of meat a week by 2050, and it's calling for a radical overhaul of the EU's farming policy to achieve it.

Probiotic fruits: The future of healthy snacking?

05-Mar-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

The possibility of incorporating the health benefits of probiotics into fortified fruit snacks could be a reality thanks to researchers in Brazil.

‘Genetic bar codes’ to combat counterfeit superfoods

02-Mar-2018 By Katy Askew

Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed “genetic bar codes” that, they say, can be used to identify fake “superfoods”.

Choose your category carefully for protein-rich foods, say researchers

28-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

Many Europeans see protein-rich foods as unnatural and unnecessary so choosing the right kind of foods to enrich - such as dairy - is important for manufacturers, researchers say.

EU auditors to scrutinise organic food supply chain

27-Feb-2018 By Will Chu

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) is to carry out an audit of organic food in the EU in response to growing retail sales within the sector that leaves the industry open to fraudulent organic claims.

EU food exports 'holding strong'

22-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

EU food exports are “holding strong” with a 5.1% increase in value in 2017 compared to the previous year, according to a Commission report.

What's the cost of rising demand for superfoods?

22-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

Demand for superfoods like avocados and blueberries has exploded in recent years. But what's the impact on global food dynamics and can production keep up with demand? A Rabobank analyst weighs in.

Power to the people: How alternative proteins can reinvigorate European grocery

21-Feb-2018 By Katy Askew

Increasing numbers of Europeans are adopting vegan and vegetarian diets. As power continues to shift from big brands to shoppers, food makers and retailers are stepping-up their response to this long-term trend and building excitement in the European...

Brexit report calls for food industry support

19-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

The UK government must start investing in measures to support the food and farming sectors in case it fails to secure a free trade agreement with the EU, a parliamentary committee has warned.

Abakus Foods brings 'extremely versatile' superfruit jujubes to the West

19-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

Jujubes are a nutritious superfruit with caramel flavour notes that are "extremely versatile" and ideal for bakery, confectionery and dairy products as well as beverages, says the CEO and founder of Abakus Foods.

‘Hotspot’ food groups make up nearly 50% of waste retail costs, study finds

16-Feb-2018 By Will Chu

Seven types of fruit and vegetable account for almost 50% of food waste costs, not just in economic terms but also quantity and climate impact, says a team looking into Swedish retail practices.

Clean label pectin can shorten ingredient list, says DuPont

15-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

DuPont's pectin for reduced-sugar jams, fruit spreads and ice creams can clean up labels by removing the need for calcium salts, it says.

Ancient chickpeas have the ‘novel’ traits we need, say scientists

14-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

The modern, domesticated chickpea has an extreme lack of genetic diversity, leaving it vulnerable to climate change, prompting scientists to seek out wild varieties for crossbreeding programmes.

Nestlé and Tesco best placed to reap plant protein profits, says FAIRR

14-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

Nestlé and Tesco are the best prepared in terms of meeting consumer and investor demands for having diversified protein portfolios, according to a FAIRR report.

Taking the pulse: Europe leads world with surging legume innovation

13-Feb-2018 By Katy Askew

Peas and beans, soybeans and lupins are on the menu in Europe, the region that boasts the highest levels of pulse-based product development globally.

Coconut jerky serves up plant-based protein in snack form

13-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

The protein trend in the UK has led to an interest in meat jerky and Mighty Bee's vegan jerky, made from dehydrated coconuts, is ready to serve flexitarian consumers, its CEO and founder says.

Food innovation in Denmark is 'a clear political goal', says Food Nation CEO

13-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

Years ago, Danish food meant salted pork, pickled fish and little else to most people. Now it’s Europe’s gastronomic capital with high-value food exports. We spoke to the CEO of Food Nation about this transformation and how manufacturers are tapping into...

Free-from foods are seen as healthier - especially GM-free and palm oil-free: study

09-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

Free-from labelled foods seem healthier, with GM-free and palm oil-free labels having the strongest effect, according to a study of almost 2000 French, Swedish, British and Polish individuals.

Meet your matcha: A look at healthy indulgent launches with matcha green tea

07-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

Matcha green tea has a sophisticated, adult flavour and is packed with nutrients, making it an ideal ingredient to add a health halo to indulgent desserts, says Mintel.

The six trends driving a record-breaking year for UK organic food and drink

07-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

As the UK organic sector hits a record value of £2.2 billion (€2.47bn), what's the secret to its success? Six trends are influencing our food choices today - and organic fits into all of them, says the Soil Association.

Why food makers should look to feed to tackle the protein challenge

06-Feb-2018 By Katy Askew

Food makers need to scrutinise what is fed to the livestock used in their products in order to develop a more sustainable production system that will be able to feed the world’s growing population, forecast to reach 9bn people by 2040, a new report by...

Images help people who are not 'health-conscious' make better food choices

05-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

Health-conscious people will choose healthy foods anyway – but visual cues, rather than words, can help those who are less health-conscious to make better food choices, researchers say.

Italian court quashes €0.5m Lidl olive oil fine after appeal

05-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

An Italian appeal court has quashed Lidl's €0.5 million fine over its extra virgin olive oil that sensory panels flagged as virgin oil, in a case that highlights the importance of control checks throughout the supply chain, a food law expert says.

Soy milk alternative beats almond, rice and coconut rivals for nutrition: Study

01-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

"It is quite clear that nutritionally soy milk is the best alternative for cow’s milk in the human diet,” according to McGill researchers who compared the plant-based milk alternative to almond, rice and coconut milks.

‘From fringe to mainstay’: Germany's demand for animal-free products

01-Feb-2018 By Katy Askew

The vegetarian and vegan sector continues to be one of the fastest-growing segments in the German food and beverage market, as popular diet choices are supported by an up-tick in product development. What are the best opportunities to grow in the market?

Superfruit sea buckthorn is top natural preservative for clean labels, says Superfruiticals

01-Feb-2018 By Niamh Michail

Whole sea buckthorn is a natural preservative that has an even cleaner label than rosemary (which must be listed as an extract) for foods ranging from meat to confectionery. "It's the most powerful superfruit that gets the least amount of attention,"...

Protecting biodiversity must become a priority when ingredient sourcing, says EBBC

31-Jan-2018 By Niamh Michail

Opting for traditional or rare crop varieties, avoiding GM and sourcing ingredients from alternative cultivation regions are just some of the ways food manufacturers can help protect biodiversity, according to the European Business and Biodiversity Campaign...

Glanbia ventures into citrus and berry flavors with BevEdge Whey Protein A-220W

30-Jan-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Glanbia Nutritionals has expanded its protein powder capabilities with the launch of BevEdge Whey Protein A-220W, a pre-acidified whey protein isolate that allows for berry- and citrus-flavored protein drink mixes.

Small ingredient tweaks could make packaged sandwiches more eco-friendly

25-Jan-2018 By Niamh Michail

Small changes to the recipe - such as cutting out the lettuce or using less meat - could reduce the carbon footprint of the humble packaged sandwich, researchers say.

Sriracha in soup? Danes, Koreans & Americans rate chili sauce food pairings

25-Jan-2018 By Niamh Michail

Some like it hot - but not everyone likes the same kind of hot. With Sriracha's reign waning, Korean gochujang is tipped to take over but which foods does it pair well with - and do Americans, Danes and Koreans like it equally? Korean researchers...

Flavour forecasts: Bell’s predictions for 2018 food trends

24-Jan-2018 By Katy Askew

Botanic flavours and gourmet snacks are among the top trends expected to take Europe by storm in 2018, Bell Flavors and Fragrances predicts.

EFSA flags health concerns over hydroxyanthracene in food

24-Jan-2018 By Katy Askew

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has confirmed it has “health concerns” over the use of hydroxyanthracene derivatives in food.

Why does a fibre-fat combo fight metabolic disease? Scientists find 'previously unappreciated' mechanism

24-Jan-2018 By Niamh Michail

Scientists have uncovered a 'previously unappreciated' mechanism which may explain why eating dietary fibre, in particular fermentable inulin, prevents the negative health effects of a high fat diet.

Nestlé Switzerland targets 100% ‘responsible sourcing’ by 2020

23-Jan-2018 By Katy Askew

Nestlé aims to ensure 100% “responsible sourcing” in its supply chain across 12 categories of key raw materials in Switzerland by 2020.

EJC opinion suggests genetic engineering exempt from GMO regs

19-Jan-2018 By Katy Askew

The European Court of Justice Advocate General has issued an opinion that genetic engineering techniques such as CRISPR should be considered exempt from European regulations governing GMOs.

'Ultra-processed' food is obesogenic and must be made less available & affordable, say researchers

19-Jan-2018 By Niamh Michail

There is a "significant" link between eating ultra-processed food and obesity levels in adults, say researchers who studied data for 19 European countries.

What categories will win as free-from foods gain popularity?

17-Jan-2018 By Katy Askew

Demand for free-from foods has jumped in Europe as consumers buy into the concept as part of a broader understanding of what constitutes a “healthy lifestyle”. FoodNavigator examines the categories that will be the biggest winners.

Calorie caps in processed food: Industry welcomes ‘focus beyond sugar’

17-Jan-2018 By Niamh Michail

Calories in processed foods such as pizzas and readymade sandwiches could be capped in the UK, according to recommendations in an upcoming report by advisory body Public Health England (PHE).

Avoid the ‘V’ word, and other tips to boost meat-free and dairy-free sales

15-Jan-2018 By Niamh Michail

Plant-based proteins may be booming but if sustainable eating is to become mainstream – and companies are to maximise sales – they should avoid vegan or vegetarian labels, says the executive director of the Good Food Institute (GFI).

Meet barus, the newest nut in town, says healthy snacking start-up Kinomi

15-Jan-2018 By Niamh Michail

Kinomi blends exotic flavours like Indian green mango and kombu seaweed with nuts including baru - a nutritious but little-known nut from Brazil. “I season lightly so the hero flavour is always the nut," the company's founder says.

Bayer renews sustainable soy commitment

12-Jan-2018 By Niamh Michail

Agrifood giant Bayer has renewed its 2015 co-operation with the Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS), which saw it mobilise farmers and the use of certified soy in its supply chain.

Infographic

The protein challenge: meeting global demand

10-Jan-2018 By Katy Askew

The food sector has witnessed a jump in demand for protein. But conflicting pressures mean this complex issue requires a nuanced response and leadership from the food industry.

Soy consumption may aid in reducing prostate cancer risk: Review

10-Jan-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Soy consumption may lead to a lower risk of prostate cancer, according to a review and meta-analysis published in Nutrients.

'Democratising the options': Tesco & Sainsbury's launch vegan private label range

09-Jan-2018 By Niamh Michail

The UK's two biggest retailers, Tesco and Sainsbury's, have launched private label vegan ranges after seeing demand for chilled vegetarian meals and meat alternatives jump by up to 25%.

Fast food in Asia, health & wellness in the West fuels global sesame demand: “The open sesame moment is coming," says Olam

08-Jan-2018 By Niamh Michail

Global demand for sesame seeds is set to explode thanks to two very different macro-trends – the rise of fast food in Asia and healthy food in the West. Agrifood giant Olam is doubling capacity in its plants to meet that demand.

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