Fair Trade USA and UTZ Certified strike pilot cocoa certification partnership
Fair Trade USA and UTZ Certified are piloting a collaborative cocoa certification scheme that they say will reduce costs for farmers looking to get dual certification.
Archives for June 10, 2014
No involuntary contamination of minced meat when GMPs followed
There should be no detectable carry-over contamination of meat when produced in line with current good manufacturing practice and properly cleaned, according to a report.
ASA: Chia and flax ad should be ‘super-seeded’
The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld four complaints about the implied health claims of Bioglan ‘superfood’ chia and flax seeds.
‘The unique characteristics of oatmeal’: Quaker Oats-funded study shows that instant oatmeal keeps hunger at bay from breakfast until lunch
Eating instant oatmeal for breakfast may help to manage hunger better than the leading oat-based, cold cereal, says a new study funded by Quaker Oats with implications for weight management.
Australia
Grocery council highlights Australia as priciest place to produce food
Australia now has the highest manufacturing costs in the world, according to the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) following the publication of a gloomy report on the state of the country’s food industry.
EUROPEAN RSPO 2014
Mondelēz throws down sustainable palm oil gauntlet
Mondelēz is challenging palm oil suppliers to step up their game so it can move towards using physical supplies of purely sustainable palm oil for all its products.
Seafood slavery: Asian slave labour producing prawns for European and US retailers
European and US retailers including Tesco, Carrefour and Walmart have been selling seafood from supply chains that involve slave labour, according to the Guardian.
Stevia-sweetened Coca-Cola Life set for UK launch
Coca-Cola Life - a mid-calorie coke sweetened with a blend of sugar and stevia - will be launched in the UK later this year following its successful pilot in Argentina and Chile.
Dispatches from the World Cocoa Conference 2014
‘We can afford to increase the price of chocolate,’ says ICCO executive director
Manufacturers can increase the price of chocolate without fear of putting off consumers thus ensuring cocoa farmers are fairly paid, according to executive director of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO).
Seafood processor cited after worker’s death
Sea Watch International has been cited for seven serious safety violations after a worker died at its New Bedford plant.
Protein matters: Red meat linked to breast cancer, while poultry may lower risk
Women consuming more poultry, fish, nuts and legumes and less red meat during early adulthood may have a lower risk of breast cancer, according to expert estimates.
Romania and China keen to develop livestock cooperation
Senior government officials from China and Romania have agreed that livestock is a priority area for cooperation between the two countries.
EUROPEAN RSPO 2014
Food firms risk exposure over non-sustainable palm oil
Food manufacturers that don’t use purely sustainable palm oil supplies risk being named and shamed on social media, the WWF has warned.
Russia did not impose a ban on Irish beef imports
The announcement that Russia had placed a temporary ban on imports of beef from Ireland was incorrect, according to official sources.
HACCP certification means no more dirty laundry
Electrolux Professional has become the first HACCP International certified laundry manufacturer.
Food manufacturers ‘unprepared for digital revolution’
Food manufacturers are unprepared to exploit the digital revolution that is boosting online sales of food and drink, warns Rabobank.
US FDA green light for Weston 705 food contact applications
Addivant, which makes polymer additive technologies, has announced its Weston 705 liquid antioxidant, the next generation of nonylphenol-free phosphite technology, has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food contact...
Switched ON? Ornithine & caffeine combo promises a more sophisticated approach to energy drink formulation
The neuropsychologist behind cognitive health beverage Nawgan reckons his latest innovation 'ON powered refreshment’' - which combines caffeine and the fatigue-busting amino acid ornithine - has more mainstream appeal, bringing a fresh twist to the...
6% of US food & beverage launches made protein claims in year to March 31, says Innova
Nearly 3% of global food and beverage launches and 6% of US food/bev launches were marketed on a ‘high-protein’ or ‘source-of-protein’ positioning in the year ending March 31, 2014, according to data from Innova Market Insights.
Why are so many CPG innovators frustrated and demotivated?
Many people developing new products at CPG companies feel frustrated and demotivated according to a new survey, which probably comes as no surprise given the high failure rate in the trade. But looking at what firms that produce more winners have in...
Dispatches from Sweets & Snacks Expo 2014
General Mills: We're committed to driving growth in c-store snacking
Merchandizing gaps in convenience stores need to be plugged and snack makers must collaborate to drive progress forward, says the category development head at General Mills Convenience as it launches Nature Valley c-store tailored products.
ISAPP consensus: Gut, yes. Immunity, no (for now)
Time to recognise ‘core benefits of certain probiotics’: ISAPP
The evidence has grown so strong for the best-documented probiotic strains that a generic digestive health claim should exist, according to a consensus statement from leading international researchers published this week in Nature Reviews:...
Diamond Foods bets big on ready-to-eat popcorn as category tops $600m
The US ready-to-eat popcorn category has been “growing in the double-digits for the past 3-4 years” and is now worth “north of $600m in annual [retail] sales”, according to Diamond Foods CEO Brain Driscoll, who says new launches under the Kettle and Pop...
Australia
Queensland wild rice could save crop if supply were to be compromised
The unique history of Australia’s wild rice means it could play a key role in tackling global food security as part of future breeding programmes, according to a leading plant geneticist at the University of Queensland.
Healthy bread: The promise and challenges of maize, oat, barley, sorghum and millet
Non-wheat cereals have huge potential for nutritional breads, but further in-depth research is needed to overcome dough difficulties and nutrient retention concerns, say researchers.
Hershey in the race to develop 3D chocolate
US firm 3D Systems is collaborating with chocolate manufacturing giant Hershey’s to develop 3D chocolates fit for the commercial market.