Food Standards Scotland names chair and chief executive
The chair and chief executive of Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have been named ahead of the body becoming active in April next year.
Archives for November 25, 2014
Poultry welfare coming to the fore – but not for all
For grocery retailers in many markets, offering cage-free eggs and cruelty-free poultry meat has virtually become the new industry standard. The next point of public contention – namely the unpalatable fate of “wrong-sex” chicks – is already looming...
Bulgaria strip stamp change threatens premium spirits, spiritsEUROPE warns
spiritsEUROPE revealed today that it has written to the Bulgarian Finance Minister asking him to delay a duty strip stamp change, which it warns could cost premium spirits producers.
Special edition: Cutting calories in confectionery
Reduced or no sugar SKUs help confectioners cut calories without risk
Manufacturers can create reduced or no sugar hard and soft candy product extensions without the risk of changing the taste of a proven seller through reformulation, according to Cargill.
Sodium reduction
AHA education campaign pressures food manufacturers to reduce sodium
The American Heart Association says its recently launched consumer education campaign encouraging Americans to “break up with excess salt” seeks to “build an army of passionate and willing supporters” to pressure food manufacturers to reduce sodium in...
60-second interview: Mel Mann, Director of Flavor Innovation, Wixon
Sodium reduction: Has all the low-hanging fruit been plucked?
Food manufacturers are under increasing pressure to reduce sodium, but surveys suggest many shoppers are, well, not that bothered. So where does this leave firms plugging sodium reduction solutions?
Sodium reduction
Salt substitutes help reduce blood pressure
Efforts to reduce consumer blood pressure and risk of hypertension by replacing normal salt with blends of potassium chloride, magnesium sulfate and less sodium chloride are working, but may be more effective in countries where the majority of salt comes...
Private equity firm snaps up Aussie-style yogurt brand Noosa
Aussie-style yogurt brand, Noosa Finest Yoghurt, has been snapped up by Advent International for an undisclosed sum.
China-Australia FTA will provide fillip for Aussie organics
Last week’s free-trade agreement between China and Australia will potentially complement existing agreements between the two countries by boosting access for Australia organic wines, dairy products and possibly meats to Chinese consumers.
Australia
Australia’s biosecurity could be in for a shock
European honey bee colonies wiped out and an invasion of a devastating wheat disease are just two of the potential biosecurity threats facing Australia, according to a report released by Australia’s research agency.
Setria Glutathione approved for use in Australia
Australia’s Therapeutics Goods Administration has approved Setria Glutathione for use as a “therapeutically active ingredient in adults”.
Professor: 'Congratulations to the FDA for putting public health first'
Menu labeling rules: A quick guide, plus industry reaction
The FDA released its much-anticipated final rules on calorie information on menus and vending machines today as part of the Affordable Care Act.
Sodium reduction
Advanced technology eases sodium reduction efforts
Advances in technology can help firms more quickly and easily reduce sodium in breads and grain-based packaged foods – a previously repetitive and expensive trial and error process, according to Janice Johnson, food applications leader in salt at Cargill.
Sodium reduction
Will proposals to mandate potassium labeling on the Nutrition Facts panel give potassium-chloride based sodium replacers a shot in the arm?
Some food manufacturers still worry that using potassium chloride to replace salt in their recipes might compromise their clean label credentials. But the FDA’s recent proposal to include potassium as one of the nutrients that must be listed on the...
Clear guidelines needed on potassium-based salt replacers, says CASH chair
The UK’s Department of Health should establish clear guidelines on potassium-based salt replacers and back down from its current recommendation for a complete ban, according to CASH (Consensus Action on Salt and Health) chair Graham MacGregor.
'Quiet’ salt reduction is vital – but gourmet salt growth may stifle industry efforts
Salt replacer use is growing but low salt claims are not, as food companies favour a ‘quiet’ approach – but growth in gourmet table salts may threaten salt reduction efforts.
MEPs reject nanoparticles in novel foods
Members of the European Parliament’s health and environment committee last night rejected a Commission proposal that would have updated novel foods rules to allow the use of nanoparticles.
Functional foods market is expected to grow 25% by 2017: Leatherhead
The global functional food market is forecast to reach $54bn (€43bn), an increase of 25% compared to the last available data from 2013, says Leatherhead Food Research.
Northern Irish butcher’s wins European sausage award
A Northern Irish butcher’s has won top European accolades for its products at the Sausage Awards in Normandy, France.
Secret snacking: Most Brits feel guilty, finds Canadean
Many British consumers feel guilty about snacking and even more associate it with ‘breaking’ a diet plan, research finds.
Oldways Whole Grains: Breaking Barriers
5 myths about wheat and whole grains dispelled
The ideas that wheat is genetically modified, bred to have more gluten, is addictive and causes inflammation are “myths” that the Whole Grains Council wants to bust.
WINE VISION 2014: THE AGE OF OPPORTUNITY & DIVERGENCE
‘Bringing movie magic to the wine world will win new drinkers’: Direct Wines CEO
Direct Wines CEO Simon McMurtrie insists that bringing ‘some of the magic’ associated with movie and perfume launches into the wine world will entice a new generation of wine drinkers.
Double-the-price US premium Fairlife milk brand will ‘rain money’: Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is confident its premium Fairlife milk brand, due to launch across the US next month, will "rain money" once established in the market.
Sprouting for ‘superior’ gluten-free bread: Study
Sprouted brown rice flour can increase the protein, lipid and antioxidant activity in gluten-free breads, finds research.
ICN2 'framework' document outlines action plan for better food and nutrition systems
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) have published a 60 point plan as part of a ‘framework for action’ to improve global food and nutrition systems.
Israel set to send supplies of meat to Russia by the year-end
Russia is negotiating with Israel on the launch of meat supplies, with the first deliveries likely to take place before the end of 2014, Russian officials have claimed.
Finland poultry system strong but could improve - FVO
Finland’s control system for poultry meat and products is organised and has extensive guidelines but still could improve, according to the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO).
Special Edition: Cutting calories in confectionery
Reducing portion sizes: Cutting calories or cheating consumers?
Shrinking a confection is a surefire way to reduce calories, but can it aggravate consumers and even discourage sales?