Higher cocoa chocolate may not mean more flavanols, say researchers
The most familiar quality parameter of chocolate – the cocoa solids percentage – has no correlation with flavanol levels, according to a study by the University of Reading.
Archives for August 16, 2016
Government reticence on sugar tax and obesity policy leaves everything to play for in bitter battle
The UK food industry, the government and health campaigners are locked in a bitter battle to determine the country’s plan to tackle obesity. At its heart is the proposed sugar tax on soft drinks.
Somalian meat traders seek rehab for conflict-hit port
Livestock exporters using the key southern port of Kismayo have called for facility improvements to spur meat trade, of critical importance to the economic health of war-wracked Somalia.
Access to fresh food may impact on heart health: Study
Restricted or low access to fresh food may increase the risk of developing heart conditions in later life, according to research.
UK criticised over EU research funding shortfall pledge
The UK government’s promise to underwrite EU research funding post Brexit is welcome, but ultimately too short term, director of Newcastle University’s Human Nutrition Research Centre has said.
Mondelēz warns multinationals to reposition during China’s economic slowdown
Multinational companies should reconsider their business strategies amid China’s economic slowdown, Mondelēz China president Stephen Maher told the audience at the recent Food and Beverage Innovation Forum in Shanghai.
Wellard expects profits, despite ‘complex’ position
Australia’s largest livestock shipping business, Wellard, expects its full-year profits to be in line with company estimates, despite a double ship breakdown which cost the business AU$7.7 million in repair fees alone.
India
Vegetable prices soar as wholesale-retail price gap reaches 80%
Limited distribution of commodity vegetables has translated to substantial price rises, with no improvement in sight, according to an Assocham study.
Veggie mates: Australia sees slow but steady rise in vegetarians
Between 2012 and 2016, the number of Australian vegetarians grew from 1.7m to comfortably break the 2m barrier, with New South Wales leading the way for those moving away from meat.
Soapbox
Are venture capitalists buying into bugs as food?
As it gathers increasing attention, is the edible insect market really worth the hype—at least from a financial perspective?
Spartan Cube to bring molecular testing to handheld format
Spartan Bioscience has unveiled the first assays for its molecular diagnostics device and promised further launches in food and water safety testing.
Walkers rapped for failing to spell out online holiday giveaway rules
PepsiCo-owned Walkers Crisps has been rapped by the UK's advertising watchdog, which received more than 100 complaints about the way the potato chip brand ran a major on-pack promotion.
PASS launches food complaints service
Public Analyst Scientific Services (PASS) has launched a service to investigate reports of food faults received from consumers and manufacturers.
Russia poised to lift Turkey food ban
Russia may lift its food embargo on Turkey, due to be in place until the end of 2016, according to the Russian Minister of Economic Development Alexey Ulyukaev.
IBM shows use of Big Data and analytics in outbreak investigation
Analyzing retail-scanner data from grocery stores against maps of confirmed foodborne illness cases can speed up investigations, according to IBM Research - Almaden.
Hostess extends into frozen food market with Deep Fried Twinkies
Sweet baked goods manufacturer Hostess has entered the US frozen snacks market with a deep-fried version of the Twinkie.
BeyondBrands: 'The future of the natural products industry is about conscious products. Natural is almost so yesterday it’s embarrassing...'
While the word ‘natural’ still appears on the label of 11% of new food and beverage introductions in the US according to Mintel data, brands that are part of the so-called natural foods industry need to embrace a new form of conscious capitalism if they...
Who uses meal kit subscription services?
While many meal-kit delivery services seem to be targeting foodies and people that love to cook but don’t always have time to prepare meals from scratch during the week, new research from CivicScience suggests that Americans who are the least...
Commission releases draft report on Fonterra’s base milk price calculation
New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has released its draft report on Fonterra’s base milk price calculation for the 2015-16 dairy season.
Animal welfare is under the spotlight in Australia
Australian meat companies could lose out in Asian markets if they focus too much on animal welfare, Dawson Bradford, president of the West Australian Pork Producers’ Association (WAPPA) has warned.
India
Paper Boat invests in R&D for more trendy beverage flavours
Hip beverage brand Paper Boat has budged INR130m (US$2m) for research and development at a new science and technology facility in its native Bangalore.
BfR leading project on detection of highly pathogenic bacteria
A research project to protect against highly pathogenic bacteria entering the food chain is being co-ordinated by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).
Half-year profits slashed at Ukraine’s MHP
MHP, the largest agro-industrial firm in Ukraine, saw its pre-tax profits drop by nearly 20% in the first half of the year, according to the company’s unaudited half-year financial results.
Wild Himalayan fruits provide nutritional and nutraceutical opportunities: Study
A study of wild edible fruits found in the Himalayas indicates they are a rich source of antioxidants, with researchers concluding they can help meet the nutritional needs of the local population and play a crucial role in nutraceutical development.
Palm oil plantations moving in on lowland forests can damage ecosystem functions
Replacing tropical lowland forests with oil palm plantations can damage 11 out of 14 functions of a healthy ecosystem, some of which will be irreparable, researchers say.
Protein pacing helps weight loss and maintenance: Study
Protein pacing and calorie restriction can result in significant short-term fat loss, and compared to a 'heart-healthy' low cholesterol diet can significantly improve longer term weight management, a study suggests.
The top 25 soft drinks brands by value are…
Brand business valuation and strategy consultancy Brand Finance announced its list of the 25 most valuable soft drinks brands. Even top contender Coca-Cola, on the throne for many years, couldn’t escape the segment’s decline.
Huhtamaki snaps up second Indian packaging company
Finnish packaging firm Huhtamaki has acquired a majority stake in Valpack, a privately held paper cup manufacturer based in Mumbai.
‘Sugar taxes and education’ needed to tackle obesity in expectant mothers
Trying to tackle obesity in women when they become pregnant is usually “too little too late”, according to two authors from the University of Sydney and Charles Perkins Centre.