66% of foods containing trans-fats have been reformulated, but progress is slowing: Harvard study

Industry efforts to reduce and/or remove trans fats from food products have led to progress, but this progress is slowing, and the industry must continue its effort to reformulate, says...

Eight most innovative Sweets & Snacks 2013

Retailers have voted for the new confectionery products that have the best go-to-market potential in the US.

What characterizes a whole grain product?

Cereal science association AACC International has put forward recommendations on how whole grain products should be characterized.

£100M: the ‘high price’ of Tyrrells crisps

A Far Eastern food firm could snap up UK crisp brand Tyrrells, which is reportedly up for sale for £100M.

UK may have to stick to wheat imports, says commodities analyst

The UK was hit by an extreme wheat crisis last year forcing industry into import mode and forecasts suggest this trend may stay, says a commodity analyst.

News in brief

New CEO for Snack Food Association

The Snack Food Association (SFA) has announced a new CEO, effective from July 1.

How to slash oil content in sweet potato chips by 60%: Study

The oil content of sweet potato chips can be reduced by 60% if vacuum fried with an additional de-oiling mechanism, finds new research.

Women bigger snackers than men, finds NPD Group

American women are 15% more likely to snack than their male counterparts, according to research from The NPD Group’s SnackTrack.

We should get down to 2,300mg sodium/day, but data does not support 1,500mg target, says IOM

New research supports significant reductions in sodium from where most Americans are today, but does not justify population-wide reductions below 2,300 mg per day, according to a new report from...

Study unlocks benefits of walnut for heart health

The heart health benefits of walnuts may be linked to different parts of the nuts acting on different physiological functions, says new data in the Journal of Nutrition.

Plant-based protein craze drives renewed interest in peanut flour

While peanut flour has been around for years, recent interest in protein - particularly the plant-based variety - has sparked renewed interest, particularly in the nutritional bars market, according to...

Snyder's-Lance CEO: We're on course to become premium, differentiated leader in snack foods

Increased investment in marketing and advertising will drive sales in the back half of the year, said the company’s CEO who sees the company as being on track to being...

BRIC snacking: Stereotypes must be cast aside

Snack makers must cast aside stereotypes when targeting the BRIC region because the markets and consumers are a lot more complicated, an analyst says.

‘Loyal consumers see brands as a reflection of themselves’: Kellogg

Consumers want to invest in a product that aligns with their values - and they do care about corporate responsibility, says Kellogg.

Symphony Consulting: Growth rates of key label claims - organic, natural, gluten-free - are leveling off

Growth rates of several individual label claims under the health & wellness umbrella have started to level off, according to new research from Symphony Consulting.

Lay’s is no. 9 most chosen global FMCG brand

Frito-Lay’s flagship brand Lay’s has a global penetration of 26% and is the ninth most chosen fast-moving-consumer-goods (FMCG) brand in the world, according to Kantar World Panel.

NYC start-up aims to carve a niche in the healthy snacks market with frozen bite-size fruity cubes

New York-based start-up LifeIce is aiming to create a completely new category in the healthy snacking market with new bite-sized all-natural frozen fruit snacks that are sold as a shelf-stable...

Milk allergen risk prompts ConAgra RTE popcorn recall

ConAgra Foods has issued a precautionary recall on two varieties of Orville Redenbacher’s ready-to-eat popcorn due to the risk of undeclared milk allergens.

ADM edges closer to A$3.4bn GrainCorp takeover

ADM will put forward a third, higher bid of A$3.4bn ($3.5bn) for Australian bulk grains specialist GrainCorp after a full financial review of the company.

Kraft drops its MilkBite milk and granola bars. But were they doomed from the start?

In February 2012, Kraft unveiled a category first: MilkBite milk and granola bars for the refrigerated dairy aisle combining “real milk” (and as much calcium as an 8floz glass of...

Gluten-free app could drive nutrition innovation, says research fellow

A gluten-free scanning app in Australia could prompt industry to improve nutritional content and label on-pack, says a research fellow from the George Institute for Global Health.

PepsiCo bites into Southeast Asia with expansion partnership

PepsiCo will push its snacks brands further into Asia in a new deal with Swiss market expansion specialist DKSH.

Sugar-reduced cookies: Inulin shows potential, erythritol maybe not, says study

Formulators seeking reduced-sugar cookies that are also acceptable to consumers may consider inulin to replace some of the sucrose, but erythritol isn’t a valid option, suggests new research from Spain....

SNACKING ON PACKAGING IDEAS WITH BOSCH

Retail-ready snack packaging: Bigger margins on smaller investments

Consumers and manufacturers want smaller snack packaging but with this trend comes the demand to be smarter and stronger, says Bosch.

News in brief

Ex-Snack Food Association chairman dies

Former Snack Food Association (SFA) chairman and founder of Rudolph Foods John Rudolph has died, aged 88.