Active/intelligent packaging capturing global attention
US demand for active and intelligent packaging technology will hit $3.5bn by 2017; one expert outlines advancements and what’s behind the increased demand.
Archives for February 11, 2014
Russia considers lifting year-long ban on US pork
American pork exporters have welcomed the news that Russia is considering lifting its ban on US pork.
Overweight Middle East struggles with heart disease and diabetes
The Middle East is grappling with a rise in non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, the roots of which are in a rise in obesity among its populace, a new study has found.
Judge gives initial thumbs up to $3.4m settlement over Trader Joe's ‘all-natural’ claims
A federal judge has granted preliminary approval to a $3.4m settlement of a class action lawsuit accusing Trader Joe’s of falsely advertising certain products as ‘all natural’.
Kraft pulling artificial preservative from some American slices
Kraft Foods is removing the artificial preservative sorbic acid from some of its individually wrapped Singles slices in the latest of a series of moves by major food producers to clean up their labels.
Are 3D printed insect snacks the taste of the future?
Hurdles in food safety, taste and consumer acceptance await on the London South Bank University’s quest to join two big food innovations: 3D printing and insect-based ingredients.
$20m project to make PET dairy cups in Saudi
Octal Petrochemicals will manufacture polyethylene terephthalate (PET) cups and trays for the dairy and poultry industry in Saudi Arabia.
‘Happiest agriculture minister in the world’ announces bumper crop
India is expecting to post its highest ever level of foodgrain production this year, according to the country’s agriculture minister, who is hopeful that a bumper yield will cool down the fast-rising food prices that have been a feature of the last six...
Testing reveals third of food products mislabelled
Testing from a UK public laboratory has revealed mislabelling in a third of products ranging from food supplements to meat.
Canadian supplier launches omega 3-6-9 oil from ancient oilseed species
Canadian oil supplier Biodroga is hoping to make a splash in the omega oils market with the launch of an oil derived from camelina sativa that is rich in omegas 3, 6 and 9, the company says.
FDA: You can't call HPP-treated juice ‘fresh'... (But can you call it ‘raw’?)
High pressure processing (HPP) has breathed fresh life into the US juice market. But if beverage firms are excited about the technology, so, it appears, are plaintiffs' attorneys, who are starting to take issue with the way some HPP-treated products are...
Food producers reveal mixed full-year results
Regional food manufacturers have seen mixed results 2013, with Savola Group's earnings up 21% and Agthia up 28%, but dairy giant Almarai posting profits of just 4%.
Food waste cannot be tackled in isolation, says Slow Food
Slow Food has urged the European Commission to take a more holistic view of food sustainability, saying that food waste must be seen as part of broader sustainability issues.
World Food Programme raises food aid targets for Syria
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is expanding its US$2bn Syrian programme, aiming to increase its reach within Syria and extend its food voucher programme for refugees.
Australians’ love of ice cream is cooling
Despite having a broader choice of flavours and healthier, reduced fat product options available, Australians are now less tempted by tubs of ice cream.
China’s meat imports surge, live cattle trade slackens
China’s imports of live cattle appear to have dropped back in 2013, although there has been a surge in cattle for beef breeding and finishing. According to China Customs data, China imported 102,245 cattle (cows, bulls and weanlings) in 2013 – down...
Mettler Toledo: FSMA drives detection tech evolution
Regulatory efforts such as the Food Safety Modernization Act mean food manufacturers are demanding greater flexibility and stepped-up performance from metal detection gear.
Smoke signals: Sugar industry needs to embrace moderation (like the rest of us)
Sugar is not like tobacco. So why does the sugar industry keep borrowing tobacco industry terms?
Ethiopia tries to crack down on livestock black market
Ethiopia’s large livestock industry is set to undergo a shake-up following a new livestock trading bill, passed on 21 January. The new law, due to be enforced in March, is designed to tighten Ethiopia’s livestock market, increasing its efficiency and...
Salmonella behaviour focus for IFR
Identifying and solving weak spots in the food chain for Salmonella is the aim of a newly-appointed molecular microbiologist at The Institute of Food Research (IFR).
Coke takes skids off special edition Sochi Olympics cans
The Coca-Cola Company has launched three special edition cans and bottles across 24 Eastern European countries in homage to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Hunger increases smell perception and influences food intake: Study
Feelings of hunger lead to increased smell perception by modifying the way specific receptors in our brain function, according to new research that may explain why smells drive increased food intake.
Global bread launches shift away from functional claims to general health: Innova
Bread product launches have continued to rise globally in recent years, though amid tightening health claim regulations in the EU and North America, growth in the functional bread sector has slowed somewhat, according to Innova Market Insights.
Brazzein entrepreneur seeks partner to take next-generation natural sweetener to market
Brazzein - a protein from the berry of the West African plant Oubli claimed to be 2,500+ times sweeter than sucrose - could play a key role in the natural sweeteners market in future as formulators look beyond stevia, says one entrepreneur intent on...
Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice linked to illnesses in 3 US states
Mars Foodservices US is recalling Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice after products were linked to burning, itching rashes, headaches and nausea.
ConAgra Foods: Deal to create flour milling giant Ardent Mills delayed again - until Q2, 2014
A major new player in the flour milling industry may not now emerge until the second quarter of this year, as regulators continue to scrutinize the proposed merger of ConAgra Mills and Horizon Milling (a joint venture between Cargill and CHS) to create...
Indian court stays FSSAI action on product approvals
One of India’s highest courts delivered a split verdict on whether the country’s relatively new food regulator had the right to subject existing products to its approval process.