Fairtrade International’s cocoa beans have seen the highest growth in sales during 2016-2017 compared to its other certified goods, including coffee, sugar and tea. However, most West African cocoa farmers still do not earn a living income.
Brothers Craig and Greg Sams will take to the stage next week to talk about how they entered the healthy-eating market with their Whole Earth Food Brand in the early 70s, before it became on-trend and how biochar is changing the future of organic farming.
From the rise of foodtech to the end of the commodities era; from the organic sector's boom to the Mediterranean diet's bust, these are the most read stories on FoodNavigator this year so far.
The rise in global trade wars and the recent EU decision to classify new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) as genetically modified organisms will inevitably impact food safety and quality, experts warn.
Chestnuts can add creaminess to dairy-free products, work well in gluten-free bakery and are naturally sweet allowing for sugar reduction, giving them massive potential beyond Christmas, says supplier Porter Foods.
The latest products hitting the shelves in Europe reflect the concerns of an increasingly adventurous consumer base. Recent introductions range from celebrity-backed protein bars made from worms to better-for-you confectionery balls that are made without...
The UK’s health authorities have commenced a collaborative effort with the food industry and health NGOs to develop the next phase of the government’s proposed calorie reduction programme.
Not enough big food companies have the "digital maturity" needed to embrace open innovation, according to the national director of France's start-up network FoodTech.
“Founder-led brands are going to beat big brands,” Distill ventures co-founder Shilen Patel believes. “You have an unfair advantage over the big boys.”
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) creates ecosystems of entrepreneurship to solve the food industry's biggest problems. We spoke to its CEO about the challenges and the start-up success stories.
Nestlé announced it closed its joint venture with the Indofood Group last month, while PepsiCo reiterated its stance to not source palm oil – either directly or indirectly – from the company and its subsidiaries, purportedly linked to deforestation and...
It is well documented that certain things affect how we perceive flavour: from smell to visual appearance. But what about some of the less obvious factors, like the room in which you are eating or your expectations around price?
Norwegian food research agency Nofima, partners with Belgium's CRA-W (Centre wallon de Recherches agronomiques) to further their efforts in the fight against food crime by setting up its dedicated reporting website.
Acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, likely to be completed by end of year, subject to approval, as Swiss manufacturer looks to extend its presence in growing Russian confectionery market.
Heads of state and global governments came together last week with a commitment to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as obesity and diabetes. The food sector has welcomed the initiative but health campaigners warn the measures ‘lack ambition’.
French trade group ANIA has reacted angrily to the parliamentary report last week that called for tough measures to make 'ultra-processed' food healthier through stricter regulations.
From snack bars made with beetroot to rice made from pulses, manufacturers continue to invest in better-for-you products. Brands are also gearing up for Halloween and Christmas with themed products aiming to drive impulse purchases.
Fresh consumer research demonstrates the ongoing importance of the clean label trend and suggests that the ingredients list trumps both the brand and product description in motivating purchase.
A French parliamentary report, voted yesterday, calls for a raft of measures to make processed and 'ultra-processed' food healthier, from maximum limits on salt, sugar and fat to caps on the number of additives used per product.
Olam International has a “considerable” presence in Africa as the world’s leading originator of cocoa beans and a globally leading cocoa processor. Andrew Brooks, Olam Cocoa’s head of sustainability for Africa, speaks to us about how the group leverages...
The UK government has appointed David Rutley, who previously held senior executive positions at PepsiCo and Asda, minister to oversee and protect food supplies during Brexit amid fears of a no-deal scenario.
French start-up CarréLéon has created a culinary aid that blends cocoa butter and vegetables in a bar that consumers add to sauces and other dishes to make them more healthy and tasty.
Famous food marketing researcher Brian Wansink admits failings but denies fraud, plagiarism and intentional misreporting as a Cornell University committee finds him guilty of academic misconduct.
PepsiCo is on a drive to grow its healthy portfolio faster than its core 'treat' products. We talk to its director of innovation about finding the right healthy ingredients, working with start-ups and how it plans to give 'more nutritious...
A Hungarian company is bringing sorghum syrup to Europe for the first time, a liquid sweetener with a caramel flavour that can be used across food and beverage categories.
New French research shows that ‘nutrient signalling’, or the ability to taste the presence of a given nutrient in foods, becomes less efficient and less reliable as foods become more complex and different tastes compete for attention, potentially confusing...
If food companies are to survive today's tariff-prone, populist global economy, they need to radically re-engineer their supply chains and start offering consumers personalised products that are locally sourced, says a report.
Big brands are responding to consumer trends that continue to gain traction in the food space, as evidenced by the latest products to hit the shelves in Europe. Unilever brought the vegan version of its well-known Hellman's mayonnaise over from the...
As US supplier MycoTechnology turns its attention to the European market, its CEO explains how fermented mushrooms can reduce sugar, block bitterness and improve the nutritional content of plant protein. “It’s really unlimited what we can do with our...
Rabobank brings its start-up pitching competition, FoodBytes!, to London today (13 September). Before the excitement kicks off, FoodNavigator caught up with Rabobank’s Nina Meijers to learn more about how food innovation ecosystems are boosting the triple...
The food industry's Evolved Nutrition Label (ENL) showed "inconsistent" results across food categories, and even appeared to nudge consumers towards choosing more chocolate spread than no label at all in a 25,000-strong study.
Launches this month include quinoa pasta, probiotic bars and fava bean crackers while some manufacturers are gearing up for Halloween and Christmas with seasonal products.
Sourcing vanilla is a significant challenge for food makers. FoodNavigator speaks to flavours group Bell Flavors and Fragrances about the problems in the market and the launch of its new line of "authentic vanilla solutions".
Saffron is the latest on-trend flavour for packaged food, adding intense colour, an exotic flavour and premium appeal, according to market research agency Mintel.
New product developers often focus on overall liking of a food or drink during the NPD stage - but which sensory characteristic is most important? Danish researchers tried to find out.
Despite living on a planet with 50,000 edible plants, 60% of our energy intake comes from just three: rice, maize and wheat. What is this lack of dietary diversity doing to our health and the environment?
From the health benefits offered by turmeric infused coconut oil, to the morning wake-up call offered by cereal made with coffee extracts and meat-free mince made using oats, FoodNavigator brings you a rundown of some of the most interesting new products...
The Commission's general food law proposal must be significantly amended to prevent companies withholding safety information on chemicals in food in the name of protecting trade secrets, ClientEarth lawyers say.
Eating a carbohydrate-rich meal may activate healthy brown fat that burns energy, suggesting future possibilities to preventing obestiy, researchers say.
Allanblackia seed oil can now be used in greater quantities in margarines, spreads and dairy alternatives as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has okayed a novel food application submitted by Unilever.
