Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

News in brief

Post-melamine, interest grows in healthy snacks

Interest in health-positioned snacks is on the rise in Asia as fall-out from the food contamination melamine crisis in China continues.

Polyphenols could lead to allergen-free peanut butter: Study

Adding polyphenols compounds to liquid peanut butter may reduce the level of proteins in the product responsible for peanut allergy, suggests a new study.

Dough and lipid firm Vandemoortele raises cash and ambitions

A cash injection for frozen dough and lipid supplier Vandemoortele is set to boost the firm's business-to-business activities targeted at bakers and snack makers.

US-wide pistachio recall shows how FDA should work, claim officials

A Californian company is recalling over a million pounds of pistachios distributed nationwide due to possible salmonella contamination.

New training facility aims to drive food sector innovation

A recently opened UK university based food packaging and processing training factory, supported by equipment manufacturers and organisations, is aimed at food sector employees.

Tate & Lyle targets texture with natural snack starch

Tate & Lyle has introduced a new natural starch to its line of waxy maize starches in order to provide a wider range of clean label textures for snack foods.

Bakery solutions urgent as UK consumers bin 7m bread slices a day

Pressure continues on the bakery industry to design solutions to combat food waste as figures reveal that UK consumers bin seven million slices of bread every day.

Weekly comment

Obama’s veg plots point the way to healthy eating and more

“If you don’t plan to plant a garden in Lake Wobegon in the spring, it means you plan to be planted yourself.”

HP rolls out high-volume digital press for competitive costs per label

As digital printing technology moves from niche into mainstream, HP launches the Indigo WS6000, a high-volume digital press to "unlock lean manufacturing benefits" and beat costs for packaged bakery and snack goods.

News in brief

Australia food watchdog seeks views on new GM food

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is inviting individuals and organisations to comment on an application to seek approval for food derived from a genetically modified soybean, which must undergo a safety evaluation by FSANZ before it can be sold in Australia and New Zealand.

UK consumer ups spending on bakery products, but innovation crucial

Figures released this week suggest the popularity of bread and bakery products prevails with UK consumer spending rising to £3.8bn (€4.08bn) in 2008, but despite the growth, a push in innovation is crucial to arrest an overall contraction in consumer spending on bakery products.

Chewing the Fat: How big is gluten-free?

The Chewing the Fat series has the FoodNavigator team getting its teeth into food issues. The gluten-free market is set to continue its expansion in the coming years, fuelled by better diagnosis and a fad for gluten-free foods. The FoodNavigator editorial team discusses the issues behind the trend, and considerations for food manufacturers.

French crisp maker Sibell boosts production capacity after fire

Following a fire last year that ravaged half of its factory, French crisp maker Sibell is set to be fully operational this month, following a €15m clean-up investment that has increased production capacity by 40 per cent.

Scara robots bring cost savings, says TM Robotics

FoodProductionDaily.com caught up with Ryan Guthrie of TM Robotics to discuss the specific applications for the food industry of the company's next generation line of pick and place robot systems.

New robotic technology offers greater orientation and reach, claims TM Robotics

FoodProductionDaily.com caught up with Ryan Guthrie of TM Robotics to discuss the company's new six axis model and its particular applications for the food industry.

Robotics supplier now focusing on food sector

Robotic technology, which featured largely at the recent Anuga FoodTec trade show, has untapped potential to improve productivity, increase product yield and bring greater flexibility to the food manufacturing production line, claims TM Robotics.

Spotlight on sustainability in packaging

Bob Hogan, director of international sales and marketing at flexible packaging suppliers, Zip-Pak, spoke to FoodProductionDaily.com about some of the misperceptions surrounding the concept of sustainability and food and beverage packaging.

Rise in gut hormone levels key to satiety factor in low GI foods: Study

With satiety food formulations on the rise, breakthrough research from British scientists offers a deeper insight into the role of gut hormones on appetite and why a low GI (glycaemic index) meal, such as a morning bowl of porridge, keeps consumers feeling fuller.

News in brief

Food Commission seeks celebs to sign no junk ad charter

The UK’s Food Commission is introducing a charter for celebrities who want to pledge they will not use their image to promote foods high in fat, saturated fat, sugar or salt.

New findings challenge studies linking mercury to HFCS - CRA

Results from third-party testing conducted on high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) from all the production facilities in the US and Canada show that no quantifiable levels of mercury were detected in any of the samples analyzed, claims the CRA.

Weekly comment

Omega-3: Fishing for alternatives

Short of an earth-bound deity walking amongst us and miraculously multiplying our fish stocks, industry must invest more in alternative sources of omega-3 to meet nutritional needs.

Gluten-free baguettes get formulation boost

Combining buckwheat flour and guar gum could lead to the gluten-free French bread with “improved quality attributes”, says a new study from France.

Ball valve for mixing delivers maximum flow rates

Maximum flow rates with minimal pressure drop via a full port design are delivered through the new series 3BV2 automated ball valve by Australian firm WE Anderson, a division of control and instrumentation company Dwyer Instruments.

Robotics could offer quick wins for bakery sector

Greater efficiencies for the UK bakery industry can be gained by investing in robotic systems for oven loading and unloading, packing line automation and the centralization of palletizing, claims the Centre for Food Robotics and Automation (CenFRA).

Handheld gas analyser poised for market

Witt has launched the latest generation of its cordless and handheld gas analysers, version 6.0 of its Oxybaby model, which is due to hit the market in a few weeks and could help extend a product’s shelf life.

News in brief

Ireland: no need for folic acid fortification

A Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) working group has stated there would be no public health benefit from mandatory folic acid fortification, but is waiting on data due by year’s end before making a final determination.

Dispatches from Pro2Pac

New leak tester to ensure bakery shelf-life

The packaging machinery company Jenton has launched a new range of seal testers ideally suited to bakery which check packaging for leaks or faults and help guarantee freshness and shelf life.

Sesame oil mix could lead to low-fat cakes: Study

Formulating cakes with sesame oil, hydrocolloids and emulsifiers could replace fat in cakes, leading to low-fat alternatives of family favourites, suggests a new study.

Dispatches from Pro2Pac

Non-leaching bake tray helps cut down packaging

Alexir has introduced new loaf cake packaging which the company claims can help overcome the problem of stains on the casing after baking and cut down on the amount of packaging typically used.

Cinnamon oil-polypropylene combo keeps bread extra fresh

An active package based on cinnamon essential oil and micro perforated polypropylene may extend the shelf-life of bread by a week, says a new study.

Flexible case packer aimed at snack manufacturers

A case packer has been designed to pack sensitive products and can incorporate a range of case formats including hood, tray and wraparound, claims the manufacturer.

News in brief

APT fills management positions

Associated Packaging Technologies (APT) has filled several key management positions, strengthening its global marketing and equipment engineering divisions.

Online tool from Marion Mixers expedites decisions for bakery mixer buyers

US firm Marion Mixers launches an online tool that could help equipment buyers for bakers quickly identify the correct industrial mixer for their application mixing needs.

Snack makers to seize green business opportunities

Baker and snack makers should grab the opportunity to leverage their business through green credentials as demand prevails, says the UK's Carbon Trust.

Alginate may lead to low GI rice noodles: Nestle

Formulating rice noodles with alginate may enhance the structural properties of rice dough, which could lead to the development of a successful commercial rice noodle product, says a new study.

Weekly comment

Could sugar shake off its bad boy image?

Sugar could be shedding its bad boy image to take a surprise spot on the public’s list of trusted ingredients, as manufacturers look to appeal to more savvy consumers.

French cereal giant Soufflet rolls out rice snack for kids

Newly acquired packaging technology drives leading French cereal firm Soufflet to extend its Vivien Paille brand, launching a rice and milk snack targeted at 5 to 14 year olds.

Reduced snack portions cut calorie intake: study

Portion-controlled packaging for snacks could play a dual role in fighting raging obesity rates by reducing consumer calorific in-take and heightening awareness to portion size, finds new research from the US.

Dispatches from Anuga FoodTec 2009

Food and drink machinery suppliers upbeat about market

Food and beverage production machinery and packaging equipment manufacturers are modestly optimistic about the outlook for 2009, despite the current econmic slump.

New ham sandwich economic 'yardstick' mimicks Big Mac index

Inspired by The Economist's 'burgernomics' Big Mac index, French market analysts Gira Conseil have launched the 'buttered-ham sandwich' index, to compare prices of the country's enduring ham and butter sandwich, and in this challenging economic climate, to obtain a strong understanding of buying power in France.

Alliance aims to help food sector tighten its belt

Collaboration on belting technology development and installation can improve food safety, quality assurance and operational efficiency for food processors, claims one of the US companies involved in the new partnership.

News in brief

Indonesian food agency confirms melamine contamination

Indonesia's Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) confirmed last week claims that certain snack products are contaminated with melamine, reports The Jakarta Post.

Metal packaging innovation confers eco-friendly opportunities for premium biscuits

A raft of new container designs from US firm Crown speciality packaging target premium biscuit makers with an eye on eco-friendly packaging materials.

Quaker Oats repositions brand in health focus

Quaker Oats fully embraces the health and wellness message behind its hallmark ingredient - wholegrain oats - re-positioning all of its products under one umbrella for the first time in its 130 year history.

What's driving private labels?

In recent years the share of private label goods sold by retailers has been on the rise, reaching almost 50 per cent in traditional retailers. The FoodNavigator editorial team discusses what's driving the trend, and what it means for big brand manufacturers.

Baguette sandwich prevails in €6.1bn French market

The French sandwich market is in full flight, reaping €6.1bn in sales in 2008 on growth of 11 per cent, finds trend trackers Gira Conseil, with the popularity of the baguette far from unerring.

Salt replacers improve heart health: Study

The use of salt replacers in the diet, as a means of reducing sodium intake, may improve blood pressure and artery health, says a new study from China.

Weekly comment

Cargill vs Chavez: Clash of the rice titans

Clutched to the president’s chest like a medal of nationalisation, Cargill Venezuela cannot be sitting very comfortably this week as it awaits the fate of its rice plant.

New processing kit boosts formulation and cuts costs

Improved formation of meat and seafood products, greater product consistency, easier maintenance and lower costs are the benefits claimed for a new processing system from cryogenics provider Air Products and mixer and mixer-grinder specialist Weiler.

Cheese & onion flavour drives UK sales for crisp makers

Despite today's overarching trend towards new and exotic flavours, when it comes to crisps, traditional flavours like cheese & onion and ready salted are best, generating strong sales and bolstering growth for snack makers despite the challenging economic climate, finds new research from trend trackers Mintel.

Snack Size Science: Getting to the heart of acrylamide

FoodNavigator's Snack Size Science brings you the week's top science. This week, acrylamide intakes may not pose a problem for pre-menopausal breast health, but it may be dangerous for heart health, according to a couple of new studies. And Belgian researchers give a glimpse of ways to prevent formation of the compound in the first place.

Dispatches from European Sandwich and Snack show

Real crisp success underlines consumer shift to hand-cooked crisps

Spotting a market opportunity ten years ago, John Mudd set out to create an alternative to mass-produced crisps, building a business that today sees 2.5 million packs of Real hand-cooked crisps sold each week in the UK.

News in brief

UK snack firm recalls products on salmonella fears

A product recall from UK firm Bounce Snack Foods marks the latest in a string recalls connected to the salmonella outbreak from peanut products in the US.

Low maternal B12 levels may increase risk of defects in babies

Women with low blood levels of vitamin B12 are at increased risk of having a child with neural tube defects, according to the findings of a new study.

Polyols choice critical for nutritional bar acceptability

Adding the polyol glycerol to a whey protein based nutritional bar maintains the soft texture and consumer acceptability of the product during storage, says a new study.

Grain stock levels play pivotal role in food price spike

Nailing down the key factors behind the recent price spike for staple grain commodities, a new report from the US department of agriculture underlines the pivotal role of stock levels in the price equation.

Guest article

UK labelling proposal under the spotlight

Owen Warnock, partner and food law expert at international law firm Eversheds, checks the fine print on calls for legislation in the UK regarding country of origin meat labelling.

Weekly comment

Twitter could leave bitter taste in Pepsi’s mouth

“The new cartons stink.” Customer responses to new product developments seldom come clearer or more direct than that.

Bin Master sensors target high and low level detection for food

Australian firm Pacific Sensor Technologies brings to market a range of levels sensors for solid and liquid materials from US firm Bin Master.

Consumers seek value over price: Survey

Consumers’ purchasing decisions are based primarily on perception of product value rather than price alone, according to a new study from Brandweek.