All news articles for March 2005

Food dehydration method keeps quality but cuts cost

Norwegian researchers have developed a new dehydration method that produces granulated food of the quality of vacuum freezing-dying at a fraction of the cost, writes Anthony Fletcher.

Obesity moves higher on French political agenda

Fears that French people could reach the obesity levels currently preoccupying US health officials has prompted the country's opposition party to call for new laws to tackle increasing weight gain.

Bunge spears Russian edible oils market with first plant

Spearing opportunities in the emerging Russian oil market, US edible oils giant Bunge has signed off €54 million to build its first sunflower seed crushing and refining plant in Russia, writes Lindsey Partos.

Brussels calls for risk analysis on GM ingredients

GM ingredients highlighted again on the Brussels agenda with the Commission calling for a risk assessment of the impact genetically modified foodstuffs might have on human health.

EU states call for acrylamide research update

Member states have called for more information and full presentation of findings on acrylamide, a harmful chemical identified in baked and fried foods, reports Lindsey Partos.

US food giants attacked over 'low sugar' claims

An American woman has launched a lawsuit aimed at food companies including Kraft Foods, General Mills and Kellogg alleging that "low sugar" breakfast cereals are leading the customer astray.

Soy flours to help bakers launch health foods

Speciality ingredients group Cerestar has launched a range of functional soy products across Europe aimed specifically at the baking industry, believing demand for this practical and healthy ingredient will offset rising soybean prices, writes Chris Mercer.

Consumers snub General Mills price rise

A dip in profits for US cereal giant General Mills highlights the rising threat of private label competition on the cereal market, making branded players work harder to justify higher prices to consumers, writes Chris Mercer.

Splenda sales boost trading at Tate & Lyle

Tate and Lyle said today that overall trading had continued to be strong during the last three months boosted by demand for its high intensity sweetener Splenda.

Atkins gives low-carb a low-g makeover

Atkins Nutritionals is hoping to offset the consumer drift away from the low carb lifestyle by incorporating a glycemic measurement into its programme which indicates the immediate effect different types of carbohydrates have on a person's blood sugar levels.

EU struggles to control grain surplus

A bumper harvest across Eastern Europe has forced the European Commission to intervene, buying up and moving large amounts of surplus stocks to prevent Europe-wide market disturbance, reports Chris Mercer.

Brazilian drought drives up soy prices

Food makers using soybeans suffered further price increases last month as a worsening drought reduced production in Brazil.

Honey carbohydrates have prebiotic properties

Complex sugars found naturally in a New Zealand variety of honey appear to have prebiotic effects, offering food makers a natural gut health ingredient.

Organic, fair trade cocoa and sugar supplier born

Leading merchant of cocoa, sugar and coffee ED&F Man has launched Corigins, a US-based supplier offering traceable, quality sugar and cocoa ingredients, Philippa Nuttall reports.

Artisan, premium focus lifts Finsbury profits

UK speciality cake and bread maker Finsbury Foods has recovered well from a rocky 2003, showing just how quickly a company can progress by focusing on premium and indulgence trends across both branded and private label sectors, writes Chris Mercer.

European Commission backs GM ingredients framework, despite discord

GM ingredients are here to stay as Brussels confirms 'full confidence' in the regulatory framework that controls the entry of biotech foodstuffs into the European food chain, reports Lindsey Partos.

Snack demand lifts Cosun results

Compound ingredients for the snack industry, inulin and sugar activities lift operating profit in 2004 for Dutch ingredients and foodstuffs group Royal Cosun.

Lawsuit looms for battered Krispy Kreme

The knives are out for the cash-strapped Krispy Kreme doughnut company as a class action lawsuit looms, threatening to destroy the firm's attempts to overhaul losses caused by a lack of innovation and over-expansion, reports Chris Mercer.

UK food watchdog launches labelling consultation

Food industry pressure over nutrition labelling has begun to pay off as the UK Food Standards Agency launches a consultation for the final stage in its simple signposting project using guideline daily amounts as one of two central themes, reports Chris Mercer.

Salt and labelling top consumer food concerns in UK

The publicity craze surrounding nutritional content and labelling has helped these two issues replace BSE as the biggest food concerns among an increasingly sceptical British public - warning the food industry to stay on its toes, reports Chris Mercer.

ADM ramps up alternative trans fat line

Reflecting the booming market for trans fatty acid alternatives, speciality oil supplier ADM ramps up production of its zero/low trans-fat oils and margarines, for the second time in a year, Lindsey Partos reports.

Whole grain stamp goes public

The Whole Grains Council yesterday launched its food stamp to the general public at the Natural Foods Expo West show taking place in Anaheim. Cynthia Harriman, head of the council, told Philippa Nuttall how the food industry has reacted to this labeling.

Government pledges tougher fines for food safety lapses

The UK government has announced a regulation overhaul across many industries, including the food sector, promising less inspections and more incentives for firms with a good record on quality standards, but a crackdown on those breaking the rules, reports Chris Mercer.

Atkins to pull out of UK market

Atkins Nutritionals, the company behind the trendy low-carb diet, is closing its operations in the UK, in a move that seems to herald the end of its presence in Europe and signal an upturn for carbohydrate-rich foods, writes Dominique Patton.

Tate & Lyle unveils healthy snacks ingredients

Snack makers will have the chance to extend their presence in healthy eating trends after British food ingredients firm Tate & Lyle unveiled a new ingredients formula for wholegrain crackers claiming extra fibre and a lower glycaemic index, reports Chris Mercer.

EU food and drink industry commits to obesity challenge

New voluntary labelling initiatives, a tighter advertising code and increased investment in innovation could be on the way for food manufacturers as the European Commission, along with a dozen stakeholders, launches a platform to curtail the rising numbers of obesity in Europe, reports Lindsey Partos.

Acrylamide does not raise breast cancer risk, new findings

Acrylamide, a harmful chemical identified in baked and fried foods, does not increase the risk of breast cancer in women, say US and Swedish researchers, writes Lindsey Partos.

Egypt opens door to UK wheat

New opportunities have emerged for British wheat growers after an industry association used a new classification system to successfully negotiate the export of UK wheat to Egypt, the world's second largest buyer, reports Chris Mercer.

Greggs thrives on image change

Takeaway sandwich and pastry ranges for on-the-go consumers drove up profits and sales for UK bakery retailer Greggs, but the company is working hard to compete in this increasingly crowded sector by developing both healthier products and a premium image, reports Chris Mercer.

Tagatose sweetener to enter European market?

Arla Food Ingredients seeks entry into the high growth European sweetener market, making a bid for regulatory approval of its low calorie, milk derived ingredient tagatose, reports Lindsey Partos.

IAWS cornering specialist in-store bakery

Specialist bakery group IAWS is aiming to benefit from a renewed focus on supplying in-store bakeries across the UK as the company announces a strong profit rise, increasingly driven by canny acquisitions and joint ventures abroad, writes Chris Mercer.

Lobbyists face EU sugar reform struggle

EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel has dealt a blow to sugar reform lobbyists across Europe and developing countries by voicing her opposition to special arrangements for different states when proposals are adopted later this year, reports Chris Mercer.

Innovation and focus lift Kellogg above General Mills

Cereal and snack producer Kellogg will have the edge over arch-rival General Mills over the next few years as superior innovations in the premium health sector and a more focused product portfolio drive the firm forward, writes Chris Mercer.

Flour fortification introduced in Uzbekistan

Demand for vitamins and minerals in developing countries is being boosted by UN-backed funding for flour fortification that seeks to eliminate common nutrient deficiencies.

Meincke to present new systems at Interpack

The new Danish owners of Meincke, the specialist bakery and confectionery equipment supplier, say they aim to attack a strongly growing market for premium cakes and biscuits by unveiling new products at the up-coming Interpack expo, reports Chris Mercer.

Napier Brown confirms takeover talks

UK sugar and dairy powder firm Napier Brown Foods confirmed rumours this week that it is in discussions that could lead to a possible takeover, writes Lindsey Partos.

Nutrition is key to Britain's health

Healthy eating is key if Britain is to get into shape, HealthSecretary John Reid told attendees today at the launch of his plan to improve the health of the nation.

New rules to govern nutrition label errors

New regulations will tighten error margins on food nutrition labels as a new study claiming many UK foods, including biscuits and pizzas, are significantly higher in fat and sugar than their labels suggest, threatens to further dent consumer trust, reports Chris Mercer.

ADM gains €70m on sale of share stake in Tate & Lyle

US oilseed and cocoa processor Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) said on Monday it will post a gain of €70 million in its fiscal third quarter, due to the sale of a 27.9 million share stake in UK starch and sweeteners firm Tate & Lyle, reports Lindsey Partos.

Soy and wheat prices still open to risk

Food makers still vulnerable to rising ingredients prices as soybean, wheat and corn prices rise 20 per cent, 16 per cent and 9 per cent respectively last month, reports Lindsey Partos.

Crisps and coffee highest acrylamide levels, warns UN

A global risk analysis of nearly 7000 food items finds French fries, potato crisps and coffee recording the highest contamination levels of the carcinogen acrylamide, warns UN committee, but confirm that recent studies by food industry show processing methods could significantly reduce the levels, writes Lindsey Partos.

Sweeteners showing double-digit growth on rising consumer appeal

Strong growth and opportunities for sweetener use in food formulations is assured with fresh figures from the UK finding health concerns are driving nearly one in four consumers to use sugar replacers, reports Lindsey Partos.

Confused Europeans snub nutritional label information

The majority of European consumers appreciate the benefits of eating healthily but remain confused over the terminology used in nutritional labelling, according to a recent report by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC), Tom Armitage writes.

Lack of healthy snacks major barrier to healthy eating in UK

British consumers are increasingly seeking convenient food and drinks that are also healthy but food makers are failing to answer their needs, claims a new report.

Food manufacturers call for risk/benefit analysis on acrylamide

Food manufacturers need to consider a risk/benefit analysis of activities on acrylamide, a harmful chemical recently identified in carbohydrate-rich foods, conclude stakeholders after a recent meeting in Brussels,reports Lindsey Partos.

New food chilling method offers energy and cost savings

A new refrigeration technology that promises to both halve carbon emissions and cut energy bills by more than 30 per cent could help food manufacturers now striving to meet tough regulations on greenhouse gas reductions and control rising costs, reports Chris Mercer.

ADM ramps up oil production

Raised demand for rapeseed oil leads agri-giant ADM to expand crushing facilities in Europe.

Flawed research exaggerated US obesity crisis

The US Centre for Disease Control has helped to create a climate of fear by exaggerating America's obesity crisis, claims a consumer and industry group, as one major cereal producer warns the whole obesity issue is becoming too emotional, reports Chris Mercer.

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