Dispatches from Pack Expo
Food safety and sustainability trends dominate Pack Expo
Food safety issues and sustainability were the two biggest issues dominating food and drink processing and packaging show Pack Expo 2012 in Chicago.
Archives for November 8, 2012
Carrefour Belgium tightens welfare requirements
Carrefour Belgium is tightening its animal welfare requirements for suppliers – banning all meat from castrated pigs and animals slaughtered without prior stunning.
Canada food safety revamp approved by agriculture committee
A dramatic overhaul of Canada’s food safety system is nearing final approval by policy-makers. The Safe Foods for Canada Act has been passed by the country’s Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Foods and will now be passed back to the House of...
Americans chomp through the English sandwich
The English-born sandwich is a stern favorite with American consumers; consumed by a vast majority at least once a week, the Grains Food Foundation says.
US commercial bakery sector pulls in $30bn a year
The US commercial bakery industry generates annual revenues of around $30bn each year and is a highly concentrated sector, a new report shows.
Organic sales up 12.2% says SPINS; but be careful what you attach label to, says Hartman Group
Sales of organic foods and beverages rose 12.2% in the year to September 29 in the US retail market, significantly outpacing growth in the overall grocery market, according to data from SPINS.
Comment
Kiwi idea may help Aussie battle against the bulge
Though the government is taking its sweet time in deciding on a preferred approach to food labelling, Australians are increasingly showing that their intolerance towards obesity and the high-fat, high-calorie foods that are a part of its rise.
New lawsuit targets Monster and its ‘dangerous and potentially lethal’ ingredient: EGCG
A lawsuit has been filed in Orange County, CA against Monster alleging that the company failed to warn against the dangers of a an extremely dangerous and potentially lethal ingredient epigallocatechin-3-gallate.
Strong Q3 fuelled by product growth and innovation, says Kraft Foods
Kraft Foods have reported strong third quarter 2012 results with growth fuelled by new products and gains in productivity, says the newly independent business.
Creating a healthier Europe: EU project calls for better data on policy impact
Policy makers must collect more high quality data to evaluating the effectiveness of current healthy eating campaigns if future strategies are to be successful, say researchers behind the EATWELL project.
Open innovation in action: Tate and Lyle creates ventures fund
Tate & Lyle will pump up to £30m ($48m/€36.5m) over eight-years in a new venture capital fund that will invest in start-ups and expansion-stage companies in food sciences and enabling technologies.
Pushing for rational risk assessment: ‘Eating is risky…but we don’t stop eating’
Policy makers, MEPs, member states, and individuals are often poor at assessing food-related risks – and researchers need to do a better job of communicating the evidence, according to chief scientific adviser of the European Commission, Professor Anne...
Dispatches from Pack Expo 2012
Mocon showcases oxygen permeability equipment
Mocon marketing manager Guy Wray talked FoodProductionDaily editor Rod Addy through the latest upgrades to its oxygen permeability testers at Pack Expo 2012 in Chicago.
Who has self-affirmed GRAS? New database addresses transparency concerns
A new database of self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) determinations has been launched to tackle concerns about a lack of transparency in the process.
Probiotics may ease eczema for children: RCT data
Daily supplements of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP133 may improve eczema in children, says a new study from South Korea.
'Fuel-injected' rice closing in on reality
A project to develop a cutting-edge variety rice has received a significant funding boost, and is now about to roll into its second phase.
Mondelēz takes tumble in developing markets
Mondelēz International was weighed down by operational issues in Brazil and Russia in the third quarter (Q3) which harmed overall performance in its first results since it split from Kraft Foods in October.
Tate & Lyle delivers ‘solid’ H1 despite weak European market
Ingredients group Tate & Lyle have made solid progress in the first half of this year despite the ‘headwinds’ of softer market conditions in Europe, says the firm.
Biothane secures deal for wastewater treatment plant in Indonesia
Biothane is to supply an Indonesian food and beverage manufacturer with a wastewater treatment system to transform elements of wastewater into biogas.
DSM buys Fortitech for €495m; “We are done for awhile”
Rampant nutrition business acquirer, Royal DSM, has splashed the cash for the ninth time in two years – this time to the tune of €495m ($634m) on US-based multinational nutrient blending giant, Fortitech (€212m/$270m annual turnover).
‘Weak global chocolate consumption’ hurts Petra Foods
Singapore-based Petra Foods has posted sales and profit declines in the third quarter (Q3) as it complained of weak global demand for chocolate that halved profits in its cocoa ingredients division.
NZ study finds that we binge because we don't care
We might know it from our own personal experience, but now it’s backed up by research: the reason why diets fall flat while drinking can go through the roof during the Christmas holiday season is because people just don’t care.
FSANZ approves Nestlé infant formula L-histidine level amendment
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has provisionally approved an application by Nestlé to reduce the minimum requirement for L-histidine in infant formula products
Beverage giant seeks natural solution to yeast and mold spoilage in acidic beverages
A leading food and beverage manufacturer is looking for new natural ingredients that can prevent yeast and mold spoilage in acidic shelf-stable beverages.