Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

Univar expands deal with Lithuanian starch maker

Univar has secured a new agreement with flour producer Amilina to sell its high purity starches in ten European countries.

E.coli contamination confirmed in Nestle dough

Nestle USA has expressed concern and regret after US food authorities finally confirmed the bacterium E.coli H7:157 had been detected in its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough.

News in brief

FDA announces Reportable Food Registry discussion dates

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced three public meetings to discuss the Reportable Food Registry, to explain its role and the responsibilities of those who are required to submit a report.

Red yeast rice demonstrates cholesterol-lowering potential

American researchers have found red yeast rice to be effective in treating hyperlipidemia – the elevation of potentially damaging lipids in the blood – but who cannot tolerate statin treatment.

Kingsmill first UK bread brand to use carbon label

Tapping into growing demand for foods with greener credentials, Kingsmill has become the first major bread brand to tackle lifecycle emissions by employing the Carbon Trust's carbon reduction label.

Survey shows most Canadian farmers oppose GM wheat

Most Canadian wheat farmers are opposed to the introduction of genetically modified (GM) wheat unless market conditions change, according to a Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) survey.

Xanthan gum helps cassava-wheat bread quality: Study

Researchers from Nigeria have found that xanthan gum can assist with quality and storage issues of cassava-wheat bread in a study that could help encourage use of cassava flour in products.

Weekly comment

Confusion reigns in cosmeceutical name game

The term cosmeceutical has always been controversial, but the blurring boundaries between the worlds of nutrition and cosmetics are highlighting divisions that neither industry can ignore.

Clean-label starches tackle texture for gluten-free bakery

National Starch has moved into gluten-free bakery solutions with a new range of clean-label starches for use in gluten-free products for the North American market.

Kellogg to boost bakery and snacks marketing budget

Cereal giant Kellogg has confirmed its plans to spend more than ₤80m on marketing its brands in the UK, including bakery and snacks products, throughout this year.

Senate probe finds excessive wheat market speculation

Excessive speculation on the futures market fuelled last year’s wheat price surge that led to higher prices for industry and consumers, according to the results of a year-long Senate investigation.

Consumer confidence in food manufacturers plunges, says survey

New research from the United States suggests that consumer confidence in food companies has plummeted after less than one in five said they trusted firms to develop and sell healthy products.

News in brief

Nestle joins group to sponsor bioplastics research for food packaging

Nestle has signed up to a joint venture to sponsor research into bioplastics with the aim of developing materials adapted to the food packaging segment on a large scale

Sainsbury’s to ditch cereal boxes as part of packing reduction drive

UK supermarket Sainsbury’s has unveiled plans to scrap cereal boxes in favour of plastic bags in a bid to cut down of food packaging.

Ocean Spray – Decas cranberry dispute steps up a notch

Two leading North American cranberry producers – Ocean Spray and Decas Cranberry Products – have turned to the courts in a fight to maintain competitive positions and market shares for their sweetened dried cranberry products.

Fibre-enriched pasta beats tradition in taste test

A resistant starch-rich powder from unripe banana could boost the nutritional content of pasta, report researchers from Mexico.

News in brief

Folic acid-cancer concerns rumble on

Concerns over a possible role of folic acid in development of colon cancer are continuing, as results of a rat study suggest the vitamin may promote tumour formation.

Almonds take top spot for global new product launches

Almonds have usurped peanuts as the number one nut ingredient for new product releases, according to Mintel’s Global New Products Database.

Nestle USA recalls all raw dough products on E.coli contamination fears

Nestle USA has issued a voluntary recall of its Toll House refrigerated cookie dough amid fears that it may be contaminated with the bacteria E.coli 0157:H7.

EU proposal for national opt-outs on GM crops

A proposal to allow individual countries in the European Union to opt out of growing genetically modified (GM) crops is to be tabled this week at a top-level meeting at the European Commission.

Frutarom buys Chr. Hansen savoury unit in Germany

Acquisition-hungry firm Frutarom continued its rapid growth strategy, today announcing an "extremely synergetic" €5.2m deal to buy Chr. Hansen's savoury functional systems activities in Germany.

News in brief

Oldways releases updated Med diet pyramid poster

The non-profit organization behind the Mediterranean diet pyramid has released a new display poster to illustrate its updated version, which was unveiled earlier this year.

News in brief

Commission extends deadline for organic logo entries

The European Commission has extended the deadline for its art student contest to create a new organic logo to be used on products throughout Europe to 6 July.

TasteTech develops more cost effective encapsulated sorbic acid

TasteTech has introduced a new 90 per cent version of its controlled release encapsulated sorbic acid to inhibit mould on bread, as industry seeks more ways to reduce formulation costs without impairing quality.

Iodised salt to be mandatory for Australian bakers

Australian bakers have until October 9 to replace all regular salt with iodised salt when making bread products, as the Australian government attempts address an iodine deficiency that has been noticed among sections of the country’s 22 million inhabitants.

Pecan Deluxe buys kit for chocolate beasts

Pecan Deluxe Candy has invested in new equipment for its plant in the UK that will enable it to make chocolate shapes like pigs and monkeys, and expand its fair-trade chocolate range.

Symrise gives vanilla farmers a fair trade boost

Symrise has received fair trade certification for its bourbon vanilla extracts from Madagascar, offering farmers advice and premiums that help dissuade them from switching to less labour intensive crops.

Technical challenges to reducing sugar

Tate & Lyle’s manager of sweetener technology development gives insight into the role of sugar beyond providing sweetness, and how to pick alternative sweeteners that build back the properties.

News in brief

Viterra says acquisition to strengthen food processing presence

Viterra has said its takeover of a Manitoba canola crusher will boost its position in the domestic food processing industry.

UK breakfast cereals show strong popularity abroad, FDF report

UK exports of cereals and bakery products last year rose by almost 30 per cent over the previous year, led by breakfast cereal exports, according to a recent report from the nation’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Cereal prices could rise, suggests Credit Suisse report

Costs for agri-commodities will hover high in the short term with prices "more likely to rise than fall", despite a contraction in global demand, concludes a new report from Credit Suisse.

Artificial gut cuts GI food development costs

An artificial gut that predicts the glycemic index (GI) and resistant starch in food products could bring cost-savings for formulators pushing new product development in health-positioned foods.

Dispatches from IFT

Ancient grain blend to plug gluten-free nutrition gap

ConAgra Mills has developed a gluten-free flour that claims to have superior nutritional qualities to white rice, potato and corn flours, made with a blend of ancient grains.

Weekly comment

IFT '09: In defence of trade shows

As the dust settles on another IFT the absence of several big players has left some questioning the relevance of trade shows in the 21st Century.

More support for heart healthy wholegrains

Consumption of wholemeal wheat foods may improve both total and ‘bad’ cholesterol levels, compared to refined foods, says new research from Italy.

Spanish bakery investigated after severed arm accident

A workers’ union in Spain is expected to sue an industrial bakery which has been accused of barbaric behaviour towards an illegal worker.

Learning from functional foods failures

Eighty per cent of functional food product launches fail within 18 months, according to a new report that draws lessons from 15 high-profile failures from the likes of Danone, Emmi, Pepsico, Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Unilever.

‘Credit card’ snack process combines health with shape appeal

A new process to create credit card-shaped snacks has gathered significant interest from the food industry as it provides a novel format for healthy snacks, according to its manufacturer Baker Perkins.

Dispatches from IFT

Almond's safety halo can be shared by all nuts

The almond industry has been spared the recalls experienced by other nuts, and Tim Birmingham from the Almond Board of California tells FoodNavigator-USA about the measures the almond industry has taken to deal with food safety issues.

News in brief

Explosion at ConAgra food plant kills 2, injures scores

Two workers have died and dozens were injured after an explosion at a ConAgra food processing plant in the United States.

Bunge building export terminal to meet Asian grain ambitions

Bunge has begun construction on a new grain export terminal it claims will be the first such structure to be built in North America for twenty years as part of attempts to meet strong Asian demand for its products.

News in brief

DSM gains nutrition award for NutriRice technology

Ingredients firm DSM has received the first GAIN business award for innovation in nutrition 2008, presented at a ceremony during the recent GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition) Business Alliance Global forum in Amsterdam.

Unstable food markets continue to threaten cereal prices

Price volatility in grain markets and food security took centre stage at the first World Grain forum in St. Petersburg with Russia's President Medvedev underlining the "extremely unstable situation" in global food markets.

Sudan scraps gum arabic monopoly to liberalise market

Sudan, the world's biggest producer of gum arabic, has scrapped a government monopoly on the production and export of this naturally-sourced, 'Rolls-Royce' of gums widely used in food and drink formulations.

Mixolab profiling tool raises flour performance

A quality control instrument for flour from French firm Chopin Technologies could play a key role in ensuring flour performance matches customers' expectations in a finished product, attendees heard at a recent conference in Paris.

Companies urged to do more as UK unveils new packaging strategy

A major reduction in food packaging, a rethink on how it is measured and a call for greater investment by packing companies to increase recycling are part of a strategy unveiled today by the UK government.

Weekly comment

A big day for European health claims

Next Monday, June 15, is a big day for the European healthy foods and food supplements industries. Let’s call it Big Monday. Or J15.

Russian infrastructure a barrier to grain growth

Russia has potential to increase grain production considerably, says EBRD chief, but shortfalls in infrastructure, regulation and investment pose problems.

Consumer packaged goods companies show resilience in recession

The consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry in the US has shown resilience in the current recession and significantly outperformed the rest of the market in 2008, according to a report released this week.

Cereal flaking roll upgrades claim improved operation

Cereal machinery supplier Baker Perkins has launched updated versions of its cereal flaking roll machine, which is said to reduce operating noise and maintenance.

News in brief

Kellogg makes fiber commitment

Kellogg has pledged that by next year nearly 80 percent of its cereals sold in the US will be ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ sources of fiber.

News in brief

Cargill talks texture in Spanish

Cargill has launched a Spanish version of its texturising website, so it can share application and technical tips with professionals in the Spanish and Central and Latin American markets.

Grape seed may boost health and safety profile of bread

Addition of a grape seed extract to bread may not only increase the antioxidant content of the staple, but also inhibit formation of a potential toxin, says new research.

Plant sterol crackers claim to be national first

A new sterol-containing cracker was launched across the US this week by leading nutritional snack firm Kashi, proving yet another indication that the sterol food category is slowly but surely expanding.

New tear tape promises easy opening for biscuit packs

A new tear tape launched by UK firm Payne is designed to make it easier for consumers to open packets of roll-wrap biscuits.

Nanotechnology under the microscope

Nanotechnology is opening up opportunities in food formulation, food packaging, and food safety. Stephen Daniells talked to Kathy Groves, principal microscopist from Leatherhead, on how the industry is facing up to the challenges and potential.

Danisco launches Datem bakery emulsifier for cost savings

Danish ingredients group Danisco has launched a new bakery emulsifier in its Panodan Datem line, designed to help manufacturers cut costs.

Weekly comment

Economic depression a stimulus for fresh business

The economic recession is biting across the globe, and bleeding casualties litter all industries, but now is not the time to cower. Those willing to spend may provoke a stimulation of their business that could set them up for years, if not decades, to come.

News in brief

China's new food safety law comes into force

Chinese authorities have said its new food safety law, which comes into effect today, will help prevent the food contamination incidents that have caused so much damage to the reputation of its domestic producers.

Irish bakery supplier adopts US whole grain stamp

An Irish-based bakery supplier is to start using a well known US whole grains symbol on its products, which it says will help health conscious consumers easily identify the healthy grains.

BakeryAndSnacks.com acquired by William Reed Business Media

Decision News Media, publisher of BakeryAndSnacks.com and 16 other websites serving the international food, nutrition, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, has been acquired by the leading UK business-to-business publisher William Reed Business Media.