Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

Cargill joins fight to improve school nutrition

Cargill has formed an educational partnership to help elementary schools boost student health.

Which? lampoons junk food ad ban

British consumer watchdog Which? has branded the new junk food advertising ban a "sham", saying broadcasting regulator Ofcom wasted its opportunity to veto food industry commercials that target young children.

Cargill focuses on health following Degussa deal

Cargill is looking forward to exhibiting a range of new health-focused ingredients at next month's Vitafoods exhibition following its successful acquisition of Degussa Food Ingredients.

Leading noodle maker to expand beverage business

Tingyi, manufacturer of China's leading instant noodle brand, MasterKong, said sales of its ready to drink beverages surged in 2005, and additional capacity being added this year will continue growth from this segment of its business.

Concerns raised about use of butter flavorings by processors

Food companies face a growing chance of litigation from employees over concerns about the industry's use of diacetyl and butter flavorings, which have been linked to lung disease in workers.

Nestlé outperforms in Q1

Swiss food giant Nestlé has announced a first-quarter sales rise of 14.1 per cent to CHF22.8bn (€14.5bn), beating analyst expectations and reconfirming its full-year target of a five to six per cent growth rate.

Enzymes can tackle trans fats, claims Novozymes

New enzyme technology offers the possibility of obtaining necessary melting properties without producing harmful trans fats, claims Novozymes.

Sudzucker faces tough 2006, say analysts

Sugar giant Sudzucker must work hard to guard against falling revenue this year despite internal restructuring programmes and expansion into other food sectors, warn analysts.

Peanut waste to rival grape seed extracts?

Peanut skin, a waste product from peanut butter manufacturers, is a rich source of extractable procyanidins and could create a cheaper source of these antioxidant compounds to rival the grape seed dominated polyphenols market.

New science could make sugar sweeter

A new study has revealed how molecular mechanisms and taste perception can be combined to make sucrose more effective, which means that products could contain less sugar but taste just as sweet.

Weekly comment

Strategic philanthropy: exploitation or key to emerging markets?

When a company 'gives back' to the world through charitable donations, should we wholeheartedly commend it for being a good egg or sniff cynically at the profit potential that underlies every business decision?

Low-carb diet may help women with ovary problems

Adopting a low-carb diet may improve fertility problems and hormone profiles of women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), says US research.

Danisco taps growing concern over trans fats

Danisco claims it has developed the ingredients to help food makers use trans-free fats without losing functionality.

Kraft's tax rebate strengthens finances

Kraft Foods has recorded stable first quarter results, masking falling operating income with a favourable tax settlement and raising prices to combat spiralling production costs.

ABF plans sugar expansion despite dent in profits

Associated British Foods (ABF), owner of British Sugar, has reported a first-half profit fall of 13 per cent and warned that earnings would likely be affected by continued difficulties in the sugar sector.

Whole grain stamps to state weight, not judge value

The Whole Grain Stamp program is evolving to give the number of grams of whole grain ingredients in a serving, an initiative that will help consumers keep track of their consumption.

Carbon infrared sterilisers designed for bakery equipment

A new series of carbon infrared emitters can help bakeries speed up the sterilisation of tins, trays and equipment, according to the manufacturer.

French scientists recognised for pioneering cocoa studies

A French chocolate industry body has recognised CIRAD for its pioneering work within the cocoa commodity chain and its groundbreaking research into cocoa.

Nestlé starts health food fund

Nestlé has finalised arrangements for a new fund that will invest in food companies producing for the health, well-being and nutrition sectors, as part of the group's drive to stay on top of consumer health trends.

Investors buy APV Baker

A pair of British investors has bought APV Baker from a plant software firm.

Cadbury sells popcorn business

Leading confectioner and drinks company Cadbury Schweppes has announced plans to sell its UK-based popcorn and toffee divisions, as the company sets about tweaking its extensive global portfolio.

Revised credit rating underlines Nestlé's strength

Standard & Poor's has revised its Nestle outlook from negative to stable though it warns that its ratings could be lowered in the future.

Insoluble fibre could protect against diabetes, more evidence

A German clinical trial has reported that eating a fibre-enriched bread for only three days improved insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese women by eight per cent, as the evidence for fibre protection against type-2 diabetes continues to grow.

Lupin sector defends safety of its ingredient

Recent research sheds new light on the allergenicity of lupin, suggesting that common assumptions about the dangers of the ingredient could be overblown.

Global concern over new EU novel food regs

Proposed revision of the EU regulation on novel foods has aroused concern among several developing countries, according to the WTO.

Dow to double production of trans fat free cooking oils

Dow AgroSciences yesterday announced that it is to increase production of its trans fat free canola and sunflower oils on the back of an increased demand as food manufacturers strive to churn out healthier products.

Companies offer cup filling and packing service for convenience market

Two companies have teamed up to provide a cup filling and packing service for processors looking to quickly cash in on the public's growing appetite for convenience foods.

Two formulations target reduced-calorie fruit dessert market

Two new formulations will allow European food processors to meet the demand for reduced-calorie fruit desserts, according to their manufacturer.

Plant sterols, glucomannan snack bars could improve cholesterol levels

Snacking on bars containing plant sterols and glucomannan could improve cholesterol levels of both diabetic and non-diabetics, but had no effect on glucose control, reports a Canadian study.

Dietary fibre could reduce inflammation, CVD

People who eat a diet high in fibre have significantly lower levels of a protein that is associated with inflammation, diabetes and heart disease, say scientists, giving yet more support for high-fibre diets.

Low GI diet could protect eyes against AMD

Eating a low glycemic index (GI) diet could reduce the risk of the incurable eye disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), by more than 60 per cent, says a new study.

CSM streamlines to achieve cost savings

CSM's decision to close a production facility in the US is the latest in a series of initiatives designed to consolidate the Dutch group's market position.

Vending industry defends its role in tackling obesity

The vending industry must stop being used as a scapegoat if answers to the obesity crisis are to be found, claims EVA.

Food Design vows to remove trans fats

A leading UK sugar confectioner has announced that the company will be removing hydrogenated fats from all its products as of 1 May 2006.

Leatherhead offers omega fatty acid analysis

Leatherhead Food International is offering a new analysis service to help food manufacturers develop products with added omega-3 and to aid quality control.

FSA recommends mandatory folic acid fortification for bread

The Food Standards Agency will tomorrow recommend mandatory folic acid fortification of bread in the UK, in an effort to reduce the incidence of pregnancies affected by neural tube defects (NTDs).

Study slams 'lukewarm' food industry attitude to health

The world's top 25 food companies are not taking the current obesity crisis seriously enough, according to a report from The City University in the UK.

United Biscuits records huge profit growth

Despite a tough trading environment and serious fire damage to a processing plant, British snack firm United Biscuits has delivered a sizeable full-year profit rise of 25 per cent.

Cargill confident after EC clears Degussa deal

Cargill has welcomed the EC's decision to approve its acquisition of Degussa's food ingredients operations, claiming that the decision will accelerate the company's focus on creating value and growth for its customers.

Frutarom launches new meat and fish fillings range

Israeli flavour firm Frutarom is looking to tap the convenience foods market with a new range of meat and fish ingredients for spreadable sandwich fillings.

USDA funds genetic mapping of barley

A $5m project aimed at identifying and improving the genetic make-up of barley could lead to higher yields and a better quality crop, said the US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns on Friday.