Fruit, vegetable, nut ingredients

Culture Pop blends French gastronomy and healthy on-the-go popcorn

11-Apr-2017 By Niamh Michail

Popcorn start-up Culture Pop is blending French gastronomy and healthy on-the-go snacks with its premium popcorn flavoured with specialty ingredients such as white truffle.

Pulses are popular but don't stop investing in consumer awareness, say researchers

10-Apr-2017 By Niamh Michail

The Year of the Pulse may be over but pulses are still a trending ingredient, although industry needs to invest in greater consumer awareness if it is to benefit from the buzz, according to researchers.

Fruit and veg can lower blood pressure according to reviewers

06-Apr-2017 By Will Chu

Increasing potassium-rich natural foods in the diet could reduce blood pressure and thus, cardiovascular and kidney disease, according to a review conducted in the US.

Higher consumption slashes risk by 35%

Legumes linked to lower diabetes risk

31-Mar-2017 By Nathan Gray

A higher total intake of legumes is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes by more than a third, the long-term PREDIMED trial had concluded.

Finnish food tech firm bags first prize for innovative ingredient sensor

21-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

Finnish food tech firm Spectral Engines has scooped up first prize in an EU competition for its food sensor that analyses ingredients, nutrients and detects allergens.

Baobab could be the next big thing in gluten- and grain-free baking: Mintel

21-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

Baobab fruit powder is about to make the jump from superfood smoothie staple to gluten- and grain-free free baking ingredient, according to Mintel.

Growth in deforestation commitments hides transparency issues

17-Mar-2017 By David Burrows

The number of manufacturers using one of the four key commodities linked to deforestation has increased from 67% to 71%, but a worrying number of targets have been missed or forgotten, according to a new report.

Unilever wants stronger UK protection from foreign takeovers

15-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

Anglo-Dutch giant Unilever has called on the UK government to revisit the country's rules on takeovers and acquisitions to protect ‘national champions’ against foreign takeovers.

Symrise reports major growth in 2016

15-Mar-2017 By Louis Gore-Langton

German flavours and nutrition supplier Symrise reports strong growth in 2016 following expansion and decentralisation of the company.

Plant Meat Matters: Unilever, Givaudan and Ingredion invest in vegetarian steak

13-Mar-2017 By Niamh Michail

Plant-based steak, with a taste and texture to rival the real thing, is one step closer to the market as Unilever, Givaudan and Ingredion join Wageningen researchers in the Plant Meat Matters consortium.

FOOD VISION 2017

Seamore is campaigning for seaweed to be on everyone’s everyday menu

10-Mar-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

We caught up with ‘seaweirdo’ and founder of Seamore, Willem Sodderland, at Food Vision 2017 to speak about sustainable packaging, seaweed stigma and high prices for healthy foods.

FOOD VISION 2017

Subscription snacking: How Love with Food is gathering consumer opinions through its products

08-Mar-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

Love with Food is a subscription service that allows food companies to gain consumer feedback on their products.

Sustainability superhero? UK meat alternative Hooba uses food waste, YMCA programmes and eco-friendly methods

28-Feb-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

UK flexitarian brand, Hooba, is using sustainably grown mushrooms in favourite meat products to help the environment and consumers’ health.

US deal will flood UK market with food people don’t want, warns respected academic

24-Feb-2017 By David Burrows

A trade deal with the US will give “the majority of the UK public food they don’t want” as well as open “a very new can of worms” in terms of food fraud, according to Chris Elliott, professor of food safety and founder of the Institute for Global Food...

Eat 10 pieces of fruit and vegetables a day to live longer, say scientists

24-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

Eating 10 portions (800 g) of fruit and vegetables a day can greatly reduce the risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease and could prevent 7.8 million premature deaths worldwide, according to researchers.

Obesity-related pain eased by foods found in the Mediterranean diet: Study

23-Feb-2017 By Will Chu

Obesity-related joint discomfort may be eased by a diet that is high in anti-inflammatory foods such as fish, nuts and beans.

Perfectly imperfect: UK snack company 'rescues' unwanted English fruit from food waste fate

23-Feb-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

As food waste levels become higher than ever, UK start-up Spare Fruit is saving English apples and pears from ending up in the bin by turning them into healthy snacks.

Trailblazers: Sustainable hummus, barista-style superfood tea & healthy noodles win innovation award

22-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

Hummus made from surplus vegetables, barista-style rooibos tea with superfoods and gluten-free noodles with a difference have won the Trailblazers contest hosted William Reed Business Media’s Food Vision event.

What connects crickets, coffee & mushrooms in a sustainable urban food loop? This Danish start-up's protein juice

22-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

Another month, another insect start-up? Maybe, but Danish firm Insekt KBH's apple, ginger and cricket juice is different: it's sustainable not only thanks to its ingredients but because it's produced in Copenhagen's self-sustaining...

BREAKING NEWS

Unilever rejects $143bn Kraft-Heinz mega-merger bid

17-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

Dutch-Anglo food giant Unilever has rejected a $143bn (€134bn) merger proposal from US company Kraft Heinz as being too low.

Romanian & Hungarian local food laws breach EU single market : Commission

17-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

Romania and Hungary's laws on promoting domestic food over imports are in breach of EU law, according to the Commission which has launched infringement proceedings against both countries.

MEP urges Commission to tighten up laws on misleading labels

15-Feb-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

The use of misleading images of blood oranges on coloured orange juice cartons has been called into question by Giovanni La Via, MEP, saying it is “not fair for the consumers”.

Final push: Commission promotes CETA ahead of vote

14-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

As EU politicians prepare to vote on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada this week, the Commission has launched an interactive guide to show Europeans how it would boost trade and jobs without compromising food safety and...

Sweet soups on trend in Poland as lines between healthy snack and meal on-the-go blur

13-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

Sweet soups are a traditional summer speciality in Poland currently undergoing a revival. And although still niche, it's set to gain traction across Europe, says Mintel.

Backing up health claims is key to marketing fruit, says kiwi producer

10-Feb-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

New Zealand kiwifruit producer, Zespri, says the best marketing strategy for fruit is to back up health claims, which is how it will position the fruit in its new European expansion. FoodNavigator spoke to Chief Operating Officer, Simon Limmer, to find...

Good year, bad year: 2016 was challenging for RSPO; Will it fare better in 2017?

08-Feb-2017 By David Burrows

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) faced a number of well-publicised challenges last year. Consumers remain confident in the scheme, it appears, but can the same be said for the companies involved? Is this a make or break year?

Preaching to the converted? Only dieters are responsive to healthy eating adverts

07-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

Most people choose unhealthy snacks that are high in salt, fat and sugar regardless of whether they have watched adverts for healthy or unhealthy food, with only dieters choosing the healthy snack, according to research.

MEPs vote to protect European banana growers from imports

06-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) gave the green light to measures aimed at protecting European banana producers from import surges last week as one of the biggest global producers, Ecuador, signed up for more trade with the EU.

From algae ice cream to veggie sandwich slices: Ecotrophelia gives industry NPD inspiration

06-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

Lacking inspiration for new product development (NPD)? Look no further than Ecotrophelia, where Europe’s brightest young minds pitch ideas for innovative and sustainable foods, and have commercialised over 40 products in Europe so far.

Could Brexit trigger a race to the bottom for Britain's food safety & quality?

03-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

As the UK government's white paper on Brexit calls for "frictionless trade", the National Farmers' Union has spoken out in favour of a level playing field with new trade partners, such as the US - could this trigger a race to the bottom...

Audit confirms quality of EU protected origin products

02-Feb-2017 By Niamh Michail

Consumers are guaranteed a reasonable level of assurance regarding the quality of protected origin products, such as Parmesan cheese, according to a recent report by the European Commission.

Updated food model predicts ‘calorie fate’ to avoid weight gain and disease

30-Jan-2017 By Will Chu

A food model that factors in caloric load, nutrient breakdown and even how food is perceived may help those who accumulate fat and are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

French agency ANSES slashes recommended meat intake in new guidelines

30-Jan-2017 By Niamh Michail

French food agency ANSES has updated its nutrition guidelines, cutting the recommended intake for meat and encouraging more pulses and less sugar. But how does it compare to other national dietary advice?

Retailers call for 'smart legislation' on food waste

27-Jan-2017 By Niamh Michail

European retailers have welcomed a draft EU report on food waste, reiterating its calls for for "smart legislation" that incentivises action to prevent food waste in the supply chain.

Government funds help Mazza put last piece into commercialization puzzle

26-Jan-2017 By Hank Schultz

Water extraction technology pioneer Mazza Innovation has received an $840,000 ($1.1 million CDN) investment from the Canadian government to install new drying technology at its plant in British Columbia.

Belorussian confectioner turns wasted 'sweet water' into valuable fruit fillings

26-Jan-2017 By Niamh Michail

Belorussian confectioner Kommunarka is reusing its ‘sweet water’ - water used to rinse production lines which contains traces of sugar and sweeteners - to make fruit fillings for its chocolates, opening up a whole new business plan, it says.

Laser loving: Dutch and Swedes team up for plastic-free laser label trial

26-Jan-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

Laser labels or 'natural branding' are increasing in popularity as Dutch fruit and vegetable supplier Nature & More teams up with a Swedish supermarket in saying no to plastic labels on fresh produce.

NGOs publish best practice guide on transparency in palm oil supply chain

25-Jan-2017 By Niamh Michail

Environmental and scientific organisations, including Ceres and Oxfam, have published a best practice guidance on how to improve transparency in the palm oil supply chain.

East meets West is best: Middle Eastern flavours gain popularity

24-Jan-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

Middle Eastern flavours are gaining popularity in unexpected European food categories, such as ice cream and cheesecake, as they tap into the demand for both floral flavours and modern twists on traditional recipes.

$Olive oil could slash your chance of bone fractures in half, study says$

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