Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

Scientists seek methods to reduce acrylamide

New studies on acrylamide indicate that dried fruits and fat may be a significant source of the potential carcinogen.

Buckwheat protein shows potential for cholesterol reduction

Proteins from tartary buckwheat and common buckwheat helped reduce cholesterol levels in rats on a high cholesterol diet by at least 25 per cent, report Japanese researchers.

Kraft reveals its four approaches to health and wellness

Kraft explains its approach to health and wellness in the second of a series of FoodNavigator-USA.com articles examining the practices of major US food firms in the face of a growing need to address human nutrition.

DSM gains application IP rights for asparaginase use

DSM Food Specialities has reached an agreement with Frito-Lay and Proctor & Gamble that gives it intellectual property rights to use asparaginase, the enzyme that underlies its acrylamide-reducing PreventASe preparation, in food products.

Donut company develops new zero trans oil

US-based Dunkin' Brands has developed a new oil in order to create trans-free fat bakery products without sacrificing quality, flavour and taste, the company said this week.

Commodity prices continue to skyrocket

Food processors can expect no relief in the near future from the sharp surge in commodity prices, pushed upward by supply shortfalls and higher global demand.

China still top for manufacturing investment, study

China remains the number one location in which manufacturers plan to expand their operations, according to a new study by service consultants, Deloitte & Touche.

Lower demand for bread forces Hovis bakery closures

Premier Foods will close two of its bakery plants in the UK following lower consumer demand for bread.

Weekly comment

Is it harsh? Is it fair? No it's a consumer watchdog

In 1993, it seemed superheroes had reached their lowest peak when Superman was slain by an unstoppable monster known as "Doomsday".

Breaded food fryer reduces oil use claims manufacturer

A new fryer can reduce the amount of oil needed to cook breaded foods, the manufacturer claims.

Costs heat up under high wheat prices

Bakeries are under further raw material cost pressures following grain prices hitting a ten-year high last week.

Kellogg strikes back over superhero battle

Cereal giant Kellogg's has released a statement in response to the Which? campaign announced earlier this week that condemned the use of superheroes in advertising to children..

Wash and go drum for conveyer systems

A new self-cleaning drum, used to drive conveyors, can improve hygiene in plants and reduce the labour required for cleaning, its manufacturer claims.

Salt per serving tricks consumers, regulator says

Some manufacturers are deliberately 'hoodwinking' consumers over salt content, claims a new report from UK regulators that says more action needs to be taken for salt reduction targets to be met by 2010.

Packaging mark to authenticate Chinese food

A new mark required on the packaging of Chinese food exports from next month will allow importers to tell certified products from fakes, according to food safety officials.

Canada Bread expands in premium UK bread market

Canada Bread has expanded its range of speciality breads within the UK, with an £18.75m (€27.7m) acquisition of premium bread La Fornaia.

Bakery segments behind sales turnaround for Sara Lee

Net sales for Sara Lee increased 7.1 per cent to $12.3bn (€9.1bn) for the fiscal year 2007 from $11.5bn (€8.5bn) the previous year, the company has said.

Taste may not be such a barrier for wholegrain acceptance - study

The taste of wholegrain breads, compared to bread made from refined grains, may not inhibit consumption amongst consumers as much as previously thought, suggests a new study.

Spiderman and The Simpsons are food baddies, says Which?

Consumer watchdog Which? has launched a new campaign to oust cartoon characters from unhealthy snack advertising, claiming that superheros are being exploited to encourage kids to clamour for foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt.

Almonds must be pasteurized as of September, says USDA

A request for a delay in the implementation of new pasteurization requirements for almonds has been rejected by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which has said that the new requirements will come into effect on September 1, 2007.

Kids advertising legislation may force Kraft to sell Post

Kraft may be selling the US based cereals business for as much as $3bn (€2.2bn), because of pressure from new legislation in regards to advertising to children, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

McCain invests in wind turbines for chip plant

In a sign that the UK's push to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions is working, McCain Foods has announced it will install wind turbines at its potato chip plant in the country.

Heinz's healthy food focus leads to fat profits

Heinz's sales grew by 9 per cent in the quarter ended 2 August, the company said today in a trading statement.

Western diet linked to greater colon cancer recurrence

The high calorie, low fibre dietary pattern associated with the Western diet are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer recurrence, says new research from the US.

New pregnancy research could cause another bump for food industry

The snacks industry has taken another hit this week after researchers suggest eating junk food during pregnancy and breastfeeding may lead to obese offspring.

High raw material prices pressures CSM margins

Netherlands-based CSM said profit margins were affected by the increase in the price of raw materials, in its first half 2007 report.

Seasoning line cuts product damage, claims manufacturer

A new seasoning line can cut product damage by up to 60 per cent compared to traditional vibratory methods, claims the manufacturer.

Mitsui acquires share in Multigrain to secure food supplies

Japanese food group Mitsui is to acquire outstanding shares of Brazil-based Mltigrain, a move the firm says will help it meet growing demand for food throughout Asia.

Economy x-ray inspects and detects

A new economy inspection system uses x-ray to check products for contaminants and other defects, its manufacturer claims.

Bread, rolls and biscuits markets set to grow by 2011

The global bread, rolls and biscuit markets are set to grow substantially by 2011, aided by demands for luxury products, according to two new reports from Datamonitor.

Good progress seen in school nutrition, says report

Significant improvements have been made in the nutritional profile of foods sold in schools, according to a new report issued by the School Nutrition Association (SNA).

Convenience top reason for snacking, new study

Consumers choose convenient "on-the-go" foods over factors such as health, price and taste, according to a new US study.

Weekly Comment

A helping hand to the confused consumer

Consumers are bombarded with an overload of nutritional advice and product marketing - be it from magazines, television shows, and product advertising - and without a degree in nutritional science, it's a wonder they can make sense of it at all.

Bakery expands healthier snacks range

Barbara's Bakery has launched the first all natural snack bars combining fruit fillings and yogurt in a whole-grain crust, the company claimed today.

Children don't want nutritional snacks, says survey

Despite parents pressuring for more nutritional snacks, 70 per cent of children throw them away, according to a new survey in the US.

OFT in UK clears ABF's acquisition

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has cleared international food company Associated British Foods' acquisition of Indian food manufacturer Patak's.

Kids' food aversion in the genes

Avoidance of new foods, a common complaint amongst children, may be influenced by genetic factors, says new research that could have implications for formulators.

New high-speed bagger can reduce waste, claims manufacturer

A new packaging machine can bag snacks and confectionery products at high speeds with minimal waste, according to the manufacturer.

New CSM acquisition in premium market segment

Dutch-based bakery supplier CSM announced today its acquisition of UK-based Kate's Cakes in a deal worth £32.5m (€48m).

Process eliminates allergens in peanuts, claims scientist

Details remain unclear about the claims by a North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University researcher that he has developed a process to make allergen-free peanuts.

Mastertaste technology enables reduced salt, sugar

Food and beverage manufacturers will now be able to cut the level of sodium by up to 50 per cent in some products thanks to new Flavor Modulation Technology developed by Mastertaste.

Chiquita operating income hit due to higher input costs

Operating income decreased for US-based Chiquita Brands International following lower results in the salads and healthy snacks segment, the company said.

Weekly Comment

Reflections from IFT

As the dust settles on this year's IFT Food Expo 2007 in Chicago, health and wellness and food safety came through as the star performers, and drivers for the future of the industry.

Bulgarian bakers hit by higher input prices

Bakers in Bulgaria are predicting a 30 to 50 per cent rise in bread prices due to increased input costs, according to a recent market update.

Gluten-free opportunities in the spotlight at IFT

With the market for gluten-free products growing rapidly around the world, many opportunities are opening for industry, but work still needs to be done on taste and texture, experts told attendees at IFT Food Expo.

Cereal prices remain high due to biofuel boom

An increase in the demand for biofuel will cause an increase in demand for cereals, maintaining the relatively high raw material prices, the European Commission said today.

Chocolate biscuit sales hit by obesity concerns

Sales of chocolate biscuits in the UK fell 17 per cent between 2001 and 2006 as consumers made the switch to healthier varieties, according to new figures.

Keep up with healthy convenience, says Datamonitor

Healthy foods in convenient packaging is a consumer need that is growing in momentum, according to Datamonitor, with 59 per cent of European and US consumers seeking a combination of the two selling points.

Kraft profit margins down due to higher input costs

Kraft's profit margins will continue to decline in the second half of the year due to increases in input costs, the company said today.