Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

EU reveals acrylamide recommendations

A three-year EU study of acrylamide has resulted in additional recommendations on how companies can change their processes to lower the formation of the chemical by up to 80 per cent when manufacturing susceptible foods.

Study uncovers 50 other acrylamide-like chemicals

Acrylamide and 50 other heat-induced compounds in foods may cause cancer, scientists have concluded in a report released yesterday of a major three-year EU study into the chemical.

Health trends drive bakery industry, report

Bakery manufacturers must be responsive to consumer demands for health and convenient products, or risk losing out in an increasingly competitive European market, according to a new report.

Premium products boost Finsbury sales

UK bakery Finsbury Foods managed to increase sales by an average of 17 per cent across all divisions, despite a ten per cent rise in ingredient costs.

Whole grains may reduce pancreatic cancer risk

A diet rich in whole grains and fibre may cut the risk of pancreatic cancer by up to 40 per cent, according to a new scientific report.

Grain prices could rise by another 40 per cent says ING

Food and beverage processors will be fighting it out for an increasingly dwindling supply of grains sourced at ever higher prices, ING Group warned in a new forecast report for the sector.

Date set for decision on suspending import duties

Cereal supply chain shortages may start to ease this winter, as the EU's agricultural ministers will decide on whether to suspend import duties at a meeting starting on 18 December.

Sustain supply or lose profit, food industry warned

The food industry must support EU farmers during the current commodity squeeze, as a sustainable supply of agricultural materials is vital for healthy profits, experts warned yesterday.

Weekly comment

Why all the fuss about stevia?

Over the past half year, stevia has been the focus of attention as the search for a perfect natural sweetener continues. But why are the birds circling when the ingredient has not been approved in the two major Western markets - the United States and Europe?

Cereal makers missing emerging market boon

A large number of global breakfast cereal manufacturers are failing to take advantage of the potential for their products in markets such as Eastern Europe and Asia, according to consumer analyst Euromonitor.

Price wars force UK ingredients sales into decline

Sales in the UK food ingredients industry are falling on average as a result of increased competition, both domestically and internationally, according to a new market report by analysts Plimsoll.

Almonds could boost smokers' antioxidant defences

A big handful of almonds every day could boost the antioxidant defences of smokers, a group at risk of low antioxidant levels due to higher oxidative stress, by up to 35 per cent, says a joint Chinese-US study.

Link Snacks invests in logistics system

US meat manufacturer Link Snacks has implemented an automated information software system as part of a drive to streamline and simplify logistics operations.

Agency sets migration limits on di-isobutylphthalate

Di-isobutylphthalate, a packaging chemical with potentially toxic health effects, is showing up at alarmingly high rates in foods such as rice and baking mixtures, according to a report issued today by Germany's risk assessment agency.

Grain news: crops, labelling and websites

The UK wheat crop declined this year; a research organisation calls for minimum whole grain requirements; and Cargill launches a website for the grain industry.

Commission sets ball rolling for CAP reforms

The European Commission yesterday outlined reforms the bloc's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), proposing further measures aimed at weaning farmers off handouts and boosting commodity supplies.

Speakers set out challenges for EFSA's future

Attracting top scientists, speed of assessment, and communication are vital in ensuring EFSA's success as Europe's food risk assessor, said speakers at the authority's fifth anniversary conference in Brussels yesterday.

UK cereals regulator outlines future challenges

UK processors must continue to work with grain farmers to ensure supply remains sustainable amidst growing demand from the feed and biofuels sector, according to the Home-Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA).

Weekly comment

Are trade shows relevant?

The new crop of business cards yielded by another trade show season have been duly filed away. But the big question remains. Were the three days at FIE followed, for many, by another three at SupplySide West, really worth the blisters, the jet lag, and the not inconsiderable expense?

News briefs: ABF, ConAgra and butter prices

Associated British Foods may sell its bread brands; the ConAgra recall makes a painful dent in profits; and butter is too expensive for some bakers in the Asia Pacific region.

Traffic light label guidance for cereals amended

The UK regulator has amended its guidance on traffic light labelling for cereal producers, allowing them to use the system to now distinguish between the different types of sugars used in their products.

National Starch brings pre-gelatinised flour to Europe

National Starch introduced an extension to its Homecraft range of functional flours to the European market at FIE this year called Express 760, aimed at building viscosity and texture in instant and ready-to-heat foods.

Banana skins could offer cheap pectin from waste

Tapping into the trend for alternative sources of pectin, researchers based in Belgium and Cameroon, have reported that pectin from banana skin could find application as a gelling agent.

Northern Foods posts profit increase

UK-based Northern Foods said that its leaner business model has paid off, as the company reported a 5.9 per cent increase in operating profits for the half year.

Kraft to sell Post Cereals to Ralcorp

Food giant Kraft Foods today announced a demerger of its Post Cereal brand to Ralcorp Holdings for $2.6bn of stock and cash, as part of the company's strategy to concentrate on core divisions.

Extrusion method developed for tasty lentil snacks

Researchers from the US Agricultural Research Service (ARS) claim to have stabilised a process of using extrusion technology to make healthy and tasty snacks out of legumes.

Kefir grain sugars eyed as healthy gelling agent

A polysaccharide from kefir grains, kefiran, is able to form gels after freeze-drying and may offer a novel gelling agent for industry, suggests new research from Argentina.

Metro Group completes Europe's largest RFID rollout

The Metro Group has upped the ante in Europe's move toward using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, completing the roll out of its use to 180 additional stores and warehouses in Germany.

Manufacturers tap trends to boost sandwich sales

UK consumers will spend a massive £4.1bn (€5.8bn) on sandwiches this year, thanks to manufacturers catching up with the health, ethnic and ethical trends dominating the market, according to Mintel.

Whole grains event highlights growing awareness

Whole grains were in the spotlight last week, as food industry executives, scientists and health professionals gathered in Kansas City to examine the growth and the potential of the healthy grains.

Kraft takes larger slice of snack pie with Danone buy

Kraft Foods is set to take an even larger share of the global snack market after receiving conditional approval by the European Commission to purchase the biscuit, cereals and snack division of Danone.

Kids ad restrictions are ineffectual, finds Which?

New UK restrictions on television 'junk' food advertising to children are ineffective, says consumer watchdog Which?, since a survey has shown that half the most popular programmes watched by the under-10s fall outside the rules.

Premier Foods defies bakery price challenge

UK-based Premier Foods had an organic sales gain of three per cent in the four months to the end of October and said its is on course to meet its market forecast for the full year.

Purac tackles acrylamide and flavour with calcium salts

New business strategy at Purac pushes preservation, fortification and flavouring.

Cereal prices set to stay high, says FAO

Production problems and low world stocks will keep global cereal prices high this year, according to a new report, suggesting that the food industry's struggle to maintain margins will not end any time soon.

Sara Lee Q1 profits plunge

Rising commodity costs and increased media and promotional spend have led to a massive 40 per cent drop in profits for US food giant Sara Lee.

Ocean Spray puts the cranberry into mooncakes

Ocean Spray's Ingredients Technology Group (ITG) claims its success in marketing cranberry-related food and drink ingredients in Asia has led to the launch of cranberry-flavoured Chinese mooncakes.

Beneo brand for Orafti, Palatinit and Remy

New Beneo group combines Orafti, Palatinit and Remy as it eyes up opportunities in the functional food market.

National Starch invests in textures

Terry Thomas, divisional vice president for National Starch, talks the language of texture and how to bring textural meaning to consumer palates.

Associated British Foods reports profit gains

UK-based Associated British Foods (ABF) today reported real operating profit increased by 11 per cent in 2007, despite EU sugar reforms and the weak US dollar's effect on margins.

Food contaminants hit snack world

Pieces of metal may have fallen into sweet treats in the UK and E. coli is suspected in pizza and beef patties in the US, reminding snack manufacturers that both physical and pathogen contaminants can lead to costly recalls.

Weekly comment

Meat, cancer and credibility

The big 'Cs' got the meat industry in trouble last week - cancer and credibility.

Folic acid linked to higher cancer rates

More warnings against fortifying flour with folic acid have emerged, following evidence that this could lead to increased cancer rates.

PepsiCo announces three-way split

PepsiCo today announced it will split its operations into three separate units in a move to better harness the growth of its snack and beverage businesses.

Liberation Foods moves into ethical nut niche

Backed by Scotland's richest man, Liberation Foods is tapping into the health and ethical trends with its fair trade nuts, which hit shelves this week, according to the Financial Times.

Less leeway in product development, says guide

A UK guide is designed to help food manufacturers develop new products, in an industry nowadays under more and more pressure from legislation, consumer demands and rising costs.

EU pollution directive sets controls for processing plants

All food and drink processers must now be in compliance with the EU-wide Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) directive, which aims to ensure plants reduce their environmental impact.

Live from FiE

Texture analyses designed to maintain consumer appeal

A manufacturer of texture analysing systems used this week's Food Ingredients Show (FiE) to launch its latest range of products designed to measure the quality and characteristics of bakery and dairy products.

Global giants dominate snack market

PepsiCo, Proctor & Gamble and United biscuits top the list of most successful snack companies, thanks to strong sales of popular favourites combined with innovation in the health and premium sectors, according to Euromonitor.