Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

Natural enzymes improve product texture, say EU scientists

European Union scientists have developed new natural enzymes that claim to improve the texture of high-protein food products, reducing the need for certain product-enhancing ingredients.

Industry develops whole grain 'action plan'

A whole grain 'action plan,' which aims to make whole grains more wide spread, was recently developed by healthy eating executives together with marketing, regulatory and food technology executives from 40 leading US food manufacturers.

Weekly Comment

Time to ditch the FFQ

Little wonder consumers are confused about which foods are good for them, and which bad, when scientists use methods with almost no chance of meaningful results.

Junk food marketers target kids with dirty tricks

Snack food advertisers should be banned from targeting children with underhand advertising campaigns that parents are oblivious to, says a new report.

Bean extract could lower GI of baked goods

Bakers may be set to benefit from the launch of a white bean extract that claims to reduce the glycemic index of products by reducing the amount of starch absorbed by the body.

Company develops process to make vegetable dough

An Israel-based company has developed a method to make pastry dough mix that contains 50 per cent of vegetable ingredients.

Maize imports free from illegal GMOs, says FSA

The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) claims it has found no trace of unauthorised genetically modified material in samples of imported maize.

Cost cuts to balance high input prices, Nestlé says

Prices for raw materials and energy are forecast to rise by around five to 10 per cent this year, but Nestlé believes cost cuts will balance the equation out, the company's chief executive said yesterday.

Chocolate chip cookie lowers cholesterol

A chocolate chip cookie containing soluble fiber and plant sterols reduces cholesterol, according to the manufacturer.

EU firms can withstand sugar reform, says study

The slow nature of EU sugar regime reform should enable European producers to offset the worst effects, according to a new credit rating report.

Global cereal initiative promises long term benefits

A new scientific programme promises to transform the development of the planet's three most important crops: rice, wheat and maize.

Healthy eating creates dilemma for the food industry

Food companies are facing a business conundrum in the wake of the consumer stampede towards healthier eating, according to a new report from JPMorgan: continue going against the grain with high margin, not-so-healthy products or deliver healthier foods at smaller margins.

UK revamps bakery apprenticeship programme

The UK has revamped apprenticeship requirements for the bakery sector in a bid to attract more people into the workforce.

Weekly Comment

Food miles leave a bitter taste

The organic food movement has been hijacked by supermarkets intent on being seen to be green, but their disrespect of food miles shows they are anything but.

US consumers lack wholegrains, claims Uncle Ben's

The majority of US adults are not consuming enough whole grains despite growing dietary awareness, according to a new industry study.

Northern Foods files appeal against Melton Mowbray pie decision

Northern Foods yesterday said it has filed an appeal in the UK's High Court against a decision that could cut the company out of the lucrative market for Melton Mowbray pork pies.

Low carb lives on - at least for scientists

The low carb boom may be over for businesses but some scientists remain convinced that it is a benefit approach to several health conditions including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Kellogg to face lawsuit over 'junk food' ads to kids

Cereal giant Kellogg and media conglomerate Viacom are to face a lawsuit because of their marketing of 'junk food' to children, it emerged today.

Cargill sales up, acquisitions, expansion high

As Cargill continues to expand its global supply chain, the company yesterday reported a 19 percent rise in its second quarter net earnings.

'Direct evidence' that cocoa benefits heart health

International researchers claim to have 'direct evidence' for a cocoa flavanol improving blood vessel relaxation.

Natural enzyme could reduce peanut allergens, say scientists

New research may provide insight into how to reduce the allergenic properties of peanuts through the use of an enzyme found in certain fruit and vegetables, findings that could lead to the development of "hypoallergenic peanut products," say scientists.

Golden Wonder's January sale

Following last week's collapse of British snack maker Golden Wonder, more than 60 prospective buyers have approached the administrators hoping to acquire the rights to some of Britain's most well known crisp brands.

Northern Foods slashes profit forecast

UK-based Northern Foods has issued a profit warning after failing to offset rising production costs with necessary price hikes.

Weekly comment

Some news is good news

I am beginning to feel like a freak among journalists. Good or bad, my reporting is the product of hours of questions, fact-hunting and often-times editorial debate. Yet, despite this rigour, every day we receive emails from people asking, or even instructing, us to publish their press release on our sites.

Danisco sees future in reformed EU sugar sector

Danisco remains confident that an impressive sugar output in 2005 will stand the firm in good stead when the EU sugar reform kicks in.

Handy packaging drives snacking mega-trend

Manufacturers must adapt an innovative packaging design and marketing approach to tap burgeoning consumer demand for on-the-go snacking, says report.

Machine automates confectionery bar packing

An automated machine for packing cereal and confectionery bars into cartons helps manufacturers speed up their production lines and cuts down on labour costs, its manufacturer claims.

Sucralose breakthrough could smash Tate & Lyle monopoly

An India-based company claims it has developed a sucralose that will break Tate & Lyle's lucrative monopoly in the sweetener.

Wholegrains ease metabolic syndrome in older people

More than three wholegrain servings per day could reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older adults, new research claims.

EU orders Greece to lift GM ban

The EU has ordered Greece to lift its ban on genetically modified (GMO) maize seeds, setting the scene for yet another battle over the controversial technology.

Pasta mill head arrested, wheat stocks alleged to be contaminated

With the head of Europe's largest wheat mill under arrest, pasta makers are checking their supplies to see whether any came from a stock found to be contaminated with a cancer-causing toxin.

Carbohydrate-rich diets may improve insulin control

A new review claims that a diet rich in carbohydrates may help improve insulin control, giving more support to FAO/WHO recommendations for a high-carbohydrate diet with low GI foods.

Dough mixer upgrade package improves bread quality, cuts costs

Bakers using APV Baker's Tweedy range of mixing machines can now improve the quality of their products and cut costs by attaching a pressure and vacuum mixing package to the machines, says the bakery equipment supplier.

New licensed products set to be best-sellers, says BakeMark UK

BakeMark UK, subsidiary of Dutch ingredients firm CSM, is to use the upcoming Food & Drink exhibition in Birmingham as a platform to launch a range of new licensed doughnut and cookie products.

Golden Wonder gone for good

Renowned UK crisp manufacturer Golden Wonder has filed for bankruptcy following more than a decade of disappointing sales and lack of direction.

Glycaemic index 'here to stay'

The glycaemic index has not risen to the same astronomic trend proportions of its low-carb predecessor, but this does not mean there is a lack of interest. Rather, a slow build up could be a sign that it is here for the long-haul.

Atkins advertises new look range

Atkins Nutritionals, the company that created the low-carb diet craze, said today that it has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with a slimmer range of products for a broader customer base.

CSPI sues Frito Lay over fat replacer olestra

Snack firm Frito Lay is to face a law suit for deceptively marketing its 'Light' potato chip range in order to trick consumers into believing the products do not contain the controversial fat substitute olestra, said the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

CNS gains control of IP on FiberChoice

CNS, the Breathe Right company, has announced its takeover of a portfolio of domestic and international patents related to FiberChoice as it begins to grow the successful brand.

Malaysia expects record cocoa exports from 2005

The Malaysian cocoa board expects 2005 to set a new record for cocoa exports, exceeding RM 2 billion ($530 million), thanks to increased global consumption and access to new markets.

National Starch deal expands global reach

National Starch Food Innovation's appointment of Fiske as its new distributor of nature-based ingredients to the Swedish, Danish, Spanish and Portuguese markets extends a long-running relationship.

Palsgaard whips up emulsifier innovation

Palsgaard has developed a new cost-effective whipping emulsifier system that it claims can add freshness to a range of baked products.

Process shortens multigrain cereal production

A new technique for producing multigrain flakes allows cereal makers to shorten processing times.

New wholegrain white products to hit US market

With consumers increasingly opting for white wholegrain baked goods that deliver the health benefits of the grains but do not compromise on taste, a leading US bakery chain has introduced a new range of white wholegrain breakfast breads and English muffins.

Vitamin D fortified bread to solve deficiency?

A growing body of research is driving strong growth in foods fortified with vitamin D, and bread, being a mainstay in diets worldwide, could provide the ideal food for fortification.

Barley products to carry heart health claim

US Manufacturers of products containing barley are allowed to claim that they may help reduce the risk of heart disease, according to the Food and Drug Administration, which has approved the health claim for immediate use.

Manufacturers must work to fight private label threat, warns report

The global private label goods trend will continue to enjoy record expansion and eat into famous brand profits if manufacturers fail to adopt winning strategies to combat competition, say analysts.

Northern Foods appeals Melton Mowbray pork pie decision

Northern Foods has vowed to take its battle over who can make Melton Mowbray pork pies to a higher court, after being stymed by a UK judge who ruled that an application by local producers for protected status can proceed under EU laws.

Kraft to scrap GM ingredients in China

Kraft Foods, the US snack and dairy firm, has agreed to remove all genetically modified ingredients from its products in China, in a sign anti-GM attitudes are on the increase.

Australian food safety tester buys into European market

SAI Global has acquired EFSIS Ltd., one of the food safety inspection and certification firms companies will be turning to when checking whether they are in compliance with the EU's new hygiene regulations.

Trans fat label law could lead to new opportunities

Food manufacturers in the US may well be set to benefit from the new trans fat labeling law, in effect as of yesterday, despite the panic this has caused over the past two years.