Fruit, vegetable, nut ingredients

Fruit ingredients shows super European growth

07-Apr-2014 By Nicola Cottam

Food manufacturers have pampered to health-conscious Europeans with a raft of new fruit-based product launches in 2013, with overall fruit ingredient launches up 22% over the preceding year, according to Innova Market Insights.

FAO officials condemn unnecessary loss and waste of good food

04-Apr-2014 By Nathan Gray

Private and public sectors actions must take ‘coordinated and forceful’ actions to help to reduce supply chain waste and change consumer behaviours, say FAO officials.

Time for ten-a-day? UK scientists formulate compelling argument to extend ‘five a day’ message

03-Apr-2014 By Nicola Cottam

Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day is not enough to ward off killer diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease, warn researchers.

FAO: Ukraine-Russia tensions and poor weather lead to sharp rise in food prices

03-Apr-2014 By Nathan Gray

Unfavourable weather conditions in the Asia, Brazil and the US, coupled with increased political tension in the Black Sea region have led to a steep increase in world food prices, says the FAO.

Special edition: Nuts, pulses and legumes

No picnic: Is pea protein moving from the fringe to mainstream?

02-Apr-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Pea protein may be moving in from the food and beverage fringes, however formulating with the fast-growing ingredient is 'no picnic' according to functional confectionery firm Carmit.

Waste date beans- from eco coffee alternative to beyond

31-Mar-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

An Israeli company that has released a range of coffee alternatives made from roasted date kernel, says the waste material has potential as a sustainable food and drink ingredient stretching far beyond this initial creation.

Special edition: Nuts, pulses and legumes

Omega-3 content sets walnuts apart from other tree nuts

27-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

Now that the mania about fat in the diet is mostly over the story has become that some fats are good. And as far as fat-rich tree nuts go, the story is: They’re all good. But walnuts have a leg up on their tree nut competitors in that they are the only...

Special edition: Nuts, pulses and legumes

Doubling of pistachio harvest will increase nut’s use as an ingredient

27-Mar-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Pistachios – most associated with snacking in the consumer’s mind – could be finding their way into many a food product as an ingredient over the next few years, says the executive director of the American Pistachio Growers, as production is set to double...

Special edition: Nuts, pulses & legumes

Roasted and salted? Peanuts can be so much more, NPB says

26-Mar-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Sometimes it’s hard to think inventively about the ingredient that comprises half the ubiquitous peanut butter and jelly sandwich or is passed to us in small pouches on most airplane rides. But from flours and spreads to use as a legume, the potential...

Special edition: Nuts, Pulses & Legumes

Has soy lost its sparkle? Not from where we’re standing, says DuPont as it taps into high-protein craze

24-Mar-2014 By Elaine WATSON

The current high-protein craze in the US food and beverage market is driving continued demand for soy-ingredients, with particular growth opportunities in sports nutrition, food for kids, and weight management, says one leading supplier.

Healthy midlife diet may prevent dementia later

18-Mar-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Making healthy dietary choices in midlife could lower the risk of dementia in later years by almost 90%, according to new research.

Indian start-up targets global snacks with high protein, price stable quinoa

18-Mar-2014 By Kacey Culliney

Snack makers should consider sourcing quinoa from India where the exotica strain is sweeter, higher in protein and sells at a stable, lower price, says the managing director of Ashtral Biotech.

FAO reports rise in GM material in non-GM food trade

14-Mar-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Detection of genetically modified (GM) material in internationally traded non-GM food and feed has spiked in the past few years, interrupting trade and adding to food losses, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Turnaround for organic sector in UK

13-Mar-2014 By Sarah Hills

The organic market has seen annual growth for the first time since 2008 in the UK, according to campaign organisation, the Soil Association.

Heat and spice are two things nice: Treatt talks soft drinks trends

11-Mar-2014 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Stronger and bolder flavor combinations are emerging in soft drinks with higher heat and spice levels, while vegetable-based beverages are on the rise, according to Treatt.

Sainsbury’s launches Rwandan ‘women’s coffee’ in UK Parliament

11-Mar-2014 By Ben BOUCKLEY

UK retailer Sainsbury’s launched the UK’s first mainstream coffee ‘grown by women’ at a tasting event in the nation’s parliament last week.

Study reveals growing global reliance on handful of crops

07-Mar-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Global per capita food supply has increased over the past 50 years – but it has become more similar among countries, increasing reliance worldwide on a narrow range of commodities.

Strawberry compounds could boost foods’ sweetness without sugar

07-Mar-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Naturally occurring flavour compounds in strawberries could be used to improve the flavour and sweetness of processed foods without using sweeteners, according to a study published in PLOS ONE.

Food allergies may be outgrown only to become more serious

04-Mar-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Children who outgrow one type of food allergy may go on to develop a more serious allergy to the same food, according to a new study.

Action on Norovirus outbreak stopped ‘double the cases’

03-Mar-2014 By Joseph James Whitworth

Authorities who stopped delivery of tainted strawberries as part of Germany’s biggest foodborne outbreak halted more than 11 tons reaching the consumer.

Rising allergen-free demand spurs free-from food launches

28-Feb-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Demand for allergen-free foods is on the rise – a trend witnessed by ingredient supplier EHL Ingredients, which says sales of its allergen-free spices have climbed sharply in the past 12 months.

Special edition: Gluten-free

Pulses for gluten-free: ‘We are what they need,’ says Best Cooking Pulses

26-Feb-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

From ready meals to breakfast bars, lots of pulse flour-based gluten-free products are coming on stream, says Margaret Hughes from Best Cooking Pulses, Inc., with the favorable nutritional profiles and moderate costs gaining traction with manufacturers...

Which profession is the worst offender for snacking ‘al desko’?

26-Feb-2014 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

A third of all snacking takes place at our desks and marketing professionals top the unhealthy table, with lawyers at the bottom, according to UK research from yogurt brand Fruyo.

High cost of fruit and vegetables linked to higher body fat in young children: Study

24-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

High prices for fresh fruits and vegetables are associated with higher Body Mass Index (BMI) in young children in low- and middle-income households, according to new research.

Commercial baby foods may provide greater variety than homemade

21-Feb-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Infants who eat commercially prepared baby foods tend to consume a wider variety of vegetables and more fish than those who eat homemade baby foods, according to a new study.

Special edition: Gluten-free

Industry already has all the ingredients for great gluten-free products: Univar

21-Feb-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Gluten-free baked products have a historically bad reputation—be it in the flavor, texture, performance or shelf life department. But the surge of demand from all corners of the market has forced bakery and snack manufacturers to respond with improved...

Is the food industry falling out of love with ‘natural’ claims? Not according to the data, says Mintel

21-Feb-2014 By Elaine WATSON

When PepsiCo replaced the word ‘Simply Natural’ with ‘Simply’ on some Frito-Lay lines recently, some commentators wondered if this signaled the beginning of the end of the industry’s love affair with all-natural claims. However, new data suggests otherwise.

Mood foods: Thinking about the future leads to better food choices, say researchers

19-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

As researchers uncover more about the way our mood impacts dietary choices, one research group has found that thinking about the future can help us to make better food choices.

Healthy snacking trend boosts sugar-free fruit ingredients

18-Feb-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Health and wellness trends have boosted fruit ingredient sales, with shapes, inclusions and snacks gaining in popularity, says veteran fruit specialist Paradise Fruits.

Chinese chestnut major buys French company to conquer Europe

17-Feb-2014

One of China’s biggest processed snack and frozen foods companies has acquired a majority share of an EU counterpart in a move that it says is to “achieve a strategic command” of a European value chain.

Ferrero moves to enhance Serbian hazelnut production

12-Feb-2014

Italian confectioner Ferrero has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Serbian government to support hazelnut growing in the country.

What do the eco heretics mean for GM golden rice?

10-Feb-2014 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

Dr Patrick Moore – Greenpeace founding member and GM defector – represents a fear that lurks in the heart of all ideologists: Am I on the right side of the fence? Am I the goodie or the baddie? 

GM golden rice: Tables turn on Greenpeace

07-Feb-2014 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

A dissident Greenpeace founding member claims the environmentalist group has become “a force for evil” in its campaigns against GM golden rice.

German government to abstain from GM maize vote

07-Feb-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The German government will abstain from a vote on the cultivation of a variety of genetically modified (GM) maize next week, spokesperson Steffen Seibert said on Wednesday.

EU programme aims to boost kids’ fruit and milk consumption

03-Feb-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The European Commission has unveiled proposals to reverse declining fruit and milk consumption among young people, as part of its efforts to improve children’s health.

Special Edition: Plant-based diets

Beyond meat substitutes: What’s hot in vegetarian food?

30-Jan-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Vegetarians aren’t necessarily looking for alternative proteins or meat analogues, and makers of meat-free meals are embracing a range of trendy flavours and ingredients, says Classic Cuisine’s new product development manager Paul Hunt.

Special Edition: Plant-based diets

Plant-based diets: The rise and rise of flexitarian eating

22-Jan-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Meat reduction – or ‘flexitarian’ eating – is on the rise. In this special edition article, FoodNavigator asks why are consumers reducing meat, and how prevalent is the trend?

Tree nut consumption may cut obesity risk: Study

17-Jan-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

High tree nut consumption is strongly associated with lower risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE.

Visual prompts may help shoppers choose healthier foods: Pilot study

16-Jan-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Shoppers are more likely to buy healthy foods if they are given strong visual prompts in-store, according to a new study.

Mung bean sprouts illness source revealed

10-Jan-2014 By Joseph James Whitworth

An outbreak that sickened 126 people in Germany and the Netherlands traced to mung bean sprouts was caused by a single strain of Salmonella Newport.

Few people with metabolic syndrome follow nutrition recommendations: Nordic nutrition study

07-Jan-2014

People who suffer from metabolic syndrome - or are at high risk of developing the condition - have a very weak level of adherence to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, according to research from Finland.

FoodNavigator predicts top five industry drivers in 2014

06-Jan-2014 By Caroline Scott-Thomas and Nathan Gray

As the New Year dawns, FoodNavigator predicts the top five drivers of the European food industry in the year ahead.

Nut consumption in pregnancy may cut allergy risk: Study

06-Jan-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Women who eat peanuts and tree nuts while pregnant are significantly less likely to have children who suffer from nut allergies, according to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics.

FoodNavigator 2014: What’s on our editorial calendar?

03-Jan-2014

From the newest developments in sweeteners, fats and oils and flavours, to the latest trends in gluten-free formulation and plant-based diets, FoodNavigator's special editions calendar for 2014 spans the hottest topics for the European food and drink...

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Sweet tooth Scots: Scotland has poorest diet in UK

23-Dec-2013 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

According to new government research Scottish people consume more fizzy drinks and sweets and eat less fruit and vegetables when compared to the UK average.

Looking back on 2013: How did we do with last year’s predictions?

23-Dec-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Before we take out our crystal balls in January and look ahead to 2014, let’s take a moment to ask, how accurate was our forecast for the past year? FoodNavigator takes a look back on its predictions for 2013.

Turkish baklava, Wensleydale cheese and Santorini tomatoes gain EU protected status

20-Dec-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

The European Commission has granted protected status to three additional products – Santorini tomatoes, Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese and Turkish baklava.

Can an apple a day keep the doctor (and statins) away?

18-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

The old proverb may stand the test of time, according to new research that suggests consuming an apple a day has the same benefits as statin drugs for people over 50.

ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY: CLAIM IS NOT MISLEADING

Carling 'British' Cider need not use British apples, Molson Coors tells ASA

18-Dec-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Molson Coors tells the ASA its Carling British Cider need not contain British apples to be deemed ‘British’ and concedes that amount used vary between batches, with foreign fruit supplying the balance.

Diet can 'rapidly and reproducibly' alter our gut bacteria: Study

16-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

Shifts in dietary patterns can radically alter the microbial make-up of our gut in less than a day, leading to rapid alterations in the functions of our microbiota, say researchers.