Concerns over spread of US bird flu
Reported cases of avian influenza in the US have now reached 156 in the past six months, making the current situation the most extensive outbreak of the disease ever reported in the country.
Archives for May 18, 2015
Enzyme processing may offer new textures from egg protein
Researchers exploring the potential to create new food textures have suggested that egg protein hydrolysates could provide chefs and the food industry with solutions that aid the development of new products.
European animal welfare survey to launch this year
A Eurobarometer survey on animal welfare is to be launched by the European Commission in 2015, in the first survey of its kind since 2007.
Flexitarians fuel innovation in vegetarian food
Vegetarians are enjoying a wide range of packaged food– but it's their flexitarian friends who are fuelling innovation in the taste and texture of plant-based meat alternatives.
Pakistan meat sector hopes new government budget will boost halal exports
The meat industry in Pakistan is hoping an upcoming government budget will promote investment enabling the sector to hit a government target of doubling the country’s export earnings from the global halal food market by 2018.
Futurology
Megatrends that could throw the world into freefall
What will the future look like, and how should we respond to changes brought about by disruptions like technology and the changing environment?
Experts untangle GMO developments and impact on firms at FoodNavigator-USA’s Going Non-GMO forum May 20
Pressure on food manufacturers to label genetically modified food and provide non-GMO alternatives is mounting as consumer concern and confusion about the technology increases in response to a deluge of negative messaging about it.
FSAI cracks down on ‘misleading’ marketing terms
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has published guidance for food companies to ensure consumers are not misled by terms such as ‘natural’, ‘artisan’, ‘traditional’ and ‘farmhouse’.
DHA supplements may help restore insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle: Mechanism mooted
Supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA helps to restore insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle by blocking inflammation and the accumulation of other lipid intermediates, say researchers.
Agriculture briefing
Big Data and drones could bring more precision to Indonesia’s farms
Not long in office, Indonesian president Joko Widodo plans to grow rice production by 30% each year—a sum that is vitally necessary for the country to be self-sufficient in rice by 2017.
Algae oil: The next big healthy cooking oil? Products have a cleaner taste than other cooking oils, report consumers
Consumer feedback on Solazyme’s new high-oleic algae oil reveals high acceptance levels, with 98% of healthy oil purchasers sent samples for at-home testing reporting it had a ‘pleasant or no aftertaste’, 87% agreeing it had a ‘cleaner taste than other...
WTO rejects US’ arguments in country-of-origin labelling case
The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Appellate Body yesterday (18 May) ruled against the US’ country-of-origin labelling (COOL) requirements for meat, prompting more fears over retaliatory measures.
SGS boosts UK food testing capabilities
SGS has described its acquisition of SVA as fully in line with the development of its food testing network.
Dispatches from Vitafoods, Geneva
Tree-mendous: NPD boom in plant waters, with 'natural' and 'no preservatives' leading health claims
Plant waters such as aloe, birch, artichoke, maple, cactus, and almond water are starting to challenge coconut water’s pedestal, with NPD in this emerging category booming, according to Innova Market Insights.
3M Food Safety upgrades its Petrifilm Rapid Yeast & Mold Count Plate
3M Food Safety has updated its 3M Petrifilm Rapid Yeast & Mold Count Plate adding rapid plates that speed up the time it takes customers to get test results, as well as making the plate easier to work with, as it celebrates scooping bronze in the Edison...
Fonterra's impact on New Zealand dairy industry competition to be investigated
The New Zealand Commerce Commission is to investigate Fonterra's impact on competition in the country's dairy sector.
China
Party over for infant formula firms as China’s remarkable demand slows
The “easy money has been made” for Chinese and international infant formula companies as they prepare for the rush for powdered baby food to tail off over the next five years after a decade’s stratospheric growth.