Breaking News on Industrial Baking & Snacks

Cocoa prices remain resilient despite commodity slump

Cocoa prices have proved resilient in the economic downturn, even as other commodity prices have slumped, and confectionery manufacturers are concerned that tight supply will keep prices high for some time yet.

Investigation finds oats illegally labelled organic

Batches of organic oats being sold in the UK could be flouting the law after an investigation found they contain the pesticides Chlormequat or Glyphosate, according to the Soil Association.

Clean-label, cheap fat replacers developed by TNO

Spreadable gels made from superheating starch and then cooling it may lead to inexpensive fat replacers, scientists from TNO Quality of Life tell FoodNavigator.

Campden BRI develops imaging system for detailed food analysis

Researchers at Campden BRI have developed the use of a new imaging system to better understand the distribution of particular food components, which could help manufacturers deal with problems encountered in reformulation.

Brand America boosted by Obama and melamine scare

The Obama effect and concerns about food safety could help boost US brands overseas which appear to be falling out of favor, according to a new report from Euromonitor International.

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Kellogg’s invests $35m in Michigan food research centre

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has announced that it will invest $35 million in a new development in Battle Creek, Michigan.

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Credit crisis and high input costs take their toll on Firkins bakery

A bakery in the UK’s West Midlands has closed 21 shops and shed 140 jobs, blaming crippling overheads.

Organic sales set to slip, says Mintel

A new survey from Mintel shows that seeking out organic food is slipping down consumers’ ethical agenda as the credit crunch begins to bite.

Low-protein wheat yield puts squeeze on UK bread flour supply

The price of bread flour looks set to soar after cereal quality survey results from the Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA) showed UK wheat quality to be lower than previously thought.

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Ukraine announces 10m tonnes of export grain

Ukraine’s agrarian policy minister Yurii Melnyk has announced that the Ukraine has exported approximately ten million tonnes of grain from the beginning of the financial year.

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SaraLee announces strong Q1 profits, including bakery

SaraLee has announced that its profits were up to $232m in the first quarter of the financial year, from $200m for the same period last year.

Baobab to hit the big time next year, predicts Mintel

Dried baobab pulp, which gained novel foods approval for the EU in June, could be the headline superfruit of 2009, according to Mintel.

Combining and explaining texture effects

Cargill Texturizing Solutions' regional director explains how combinations of texturisers can produce the required effect in foods, and how texture descriptions like 'velvety' and 'crunchy' now crop up in promotional materials.

Quality is key to sustaining private label growth

The economic downturn in the US is leading to strong sales increases for store brand products, but high quality standards need to be maintained to make sure they are long-lasting, experts warn.

Wheat yields will be slashed as phosphate runs out, warns scientist

Research for the EU’s Quality Low Input Food Programme has warned that wheat yields could be more than halved by the end of the century at the latest, as the world’s phosphate supplies run out.

ABF ready to buy Ebro’s sugar business – in principle

Associated British Foods has reached an agreement in principle to acquire Ebro Puleva’s sugar business for €385m – a deal that would further fortify the world’s second biggest sugar firm.

Research brings grain breeding for nutritional benefits a step closer

Researchers at Rothamsted Research in the UK have analysed 200 globally-sourced whole grains for their known health-promoting components, which they say could lead to selective grain breeding for healthier wholegrain foods.

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International Bakery and Biscuit Convention 2009 programme announced

International Bakery and Biscuit Convention organisers have announced the programme for the 2009 show, to take place in Warsaw, Poland from February 17 to 19.

Arla introduces new generation of whey permeate

Arla is raising the bar on whey permeate functionality with a new range said to have flavour profile and low hygroscopy, attributes that will make it easier to use in a range of applications.

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BakeMark and Kraft create frozen Toblerone cookie blocks

BakeMark UK has collaborated with Kraft Foods to create Toblerone cookies for the bake-off market.

Hochdorf hopes to tempt children with low-fat bakery

Hochdorf has said it hopes that its recent introduction of Lupidor, a fat-replacing lupin seed extract, in bakery items could help to make low-fat products which are still appealing to children.

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New US snack company to produce gluten-free bean-based crisps

The founder of American snacks company Guiltless Gourmet has announced the launch of a new company called Right Brothers Foods in Austin, Texas, which aims to tap into demand for healthy snack foods.

Baobab: Sustainable and in-demand

After gaining novel foods approval in the EU, baobab is tipped to become a billion dollar industry. Stephen Daniells speaks to William Smith from Afriplex to find out what foods baobab fruit pulp is turning up in, and whether supply can match the demand.

Beneo-Remy launches rice bran for added bakery fibre

Beneo-Remy has added a stabilised rice bran and germ mix to its range of rice-based ingredients, intended to improve the fibre content and nutritional profile of gluten free bakery products, extruded cereals and pastas.

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British Sugar promotes icing with decoration competition

British Sugar has found a novel way to promote its Icecraft Sugarpaste, by sponsoring a year-long search for the best amateur cake-decorator.

New Natra chocolate ingredients deliver omega-3, fibre

Spanish cocoa firm Natra is launching a line of functional chocolate ingredients, which would allow manufacturers to improve the health profile of their products though the addition of omega-3 and fibre.

Beneo-Remy pledges no rice ingredient price rise – for now

Beneo-Remy has reassured customers that prices for its rice-derived ingredients will not rise ‘for a few months at least’ after trade restrictions and volatility on world markets played havoc with raw material costs earlier this year.

Curry spice may blunt acrylamide’s harm: Study

Curcumin, the natural pigment that gives the spice turmeric its yellow colour, may reduce the potential detrimental effects of acrylamide, says a new study from China.

DSM fast-tracks yeast expansion to meet demand

 DSM Food Specialities has announced a 35 per cent increase in its yeast production capacity in The Netherlands, citing demand from processed foods, salt reduction technologies, and the natural trend.

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Farmers jump at Weetabix request for UK-grown white wheat

Wheat breeder KWS UK has seen a jump in demand from farmers for its white wheat variety Zircon, following an appeal from Weetabix for more of the grain to be sourced in the UK.

French look past food grain for biofuels: the next generation

French authorities are set to amend their reliance on food crop use for biofuel production, a new report claims, amidst industry concerns over the impact of alterative fuel on commodity prices.

New texturising system promises crispier wafers

Ingredients manufacturer National Starch Food Innovation claims that its new texturising system will enable food producers to improve the texture and crispiness of wafer-style products.

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Glisten has “reasonable start to year”

UK snacks and confectionery manufacturer Glisten has announced a “reasonable” start to the year after seeing sales rise by 15 per cent to £24.3m.

Ministers on board with ‘Southampton six’ phase-out

UK ministers have agreed with a Food Standards Agency proposal on voluntary phasing out of the ‘Southampton six’ food colours by the end of 2009, according the agency’s chief executive.

Sorbent dispenser can operate at high speeds, says developer

A new high speed sorbent dispenser is capable of speeds up of to 600 packs per minute and enhances production line efficiency, says Multisorb Technologies.

Italian biscuit maker gets first bite of Barliv

The first product using Cargill’s Barliv heart health ingredient is expected to hit shelves next month, following a long period of technical play and awareness-building on its cholesterol control effects.

New food packaging robots at Pack Expo

New robots, customized for the food industry, are being launched this week at leading industry packaging show, Pack Expo in Chicago.

Smell of food could boost perceived saltiness, says study

Enhancing food products with odours could compensate for the taste impact of reducing their salt content, according to a new study, thereby giving manufacturers another tool towards healthier formulation.

Dispatches from Health Ingredients Europe

Ocean Spray launches all-natural cranberry puree

Ocean Spray’s Ingredient Technology Group (ITG) has introduced an additive-free cranberry puree for use in both sweet and savoury applications, including fruit fillings and glazes for baked goods.

Kerry anticipates five-year growth story in Russia

Kerry Ingredients and Flavours is expecting to see considerable growth in its business in Russia over the next five years, as a result of both its global customers investing in the country and its own investment efforts.

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Whey fortification 2008 conference programme announced

The full programme has been announced for the two-day Whey Fortification 2008 conference taking place in Amsterdam from 2 to 4 December.

Vacuum technology provides cost savings, says Konig

An upgraded vacuum cooling system for baked goods eliminates the need for storage freezing and refrigerated transport, claims Konig.

EU pesticide ban would hit supply, says food industry

UK food manufacturers claim the outcome of this week’s vote supporting tighter pesticide usage by the European Parliament’s environment committee fails to fully recognise the potential gravity of the emerging situation.

Dispatches from Health Ingredients Europe

Dow launches ingredient for reduced fat absorption

Dow introduced a new weight management ingredient at Health Ingredients Europe this week, which it claims has been shown to block the absorption of saturated and trans-fats in pre-clinical trials.

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Twinkies join 100-calorie snack pack craze

Twinkies’ manufacturer Hostess has launched a 100-calorie snack pack of the popular American cake.

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C&E extends deadline for whole grain abstract submissions

Cereals and Europe has extended the deadline for receiving submissions of abstracts for the Whole Grain Global Summit meeting in Spring 2009 to November 7th.

Dispatches from Health Ingredients Europe

Peanuts provide cheaper alternative in economic downturn

The American Peanut Council is expecting that the current economic climate will prompt an increase in demand for peanuts as manufacturers look to them as a potential replacement for more expensive tree nuts.

CPI has ‘myopic vision’ over Bunge merger

CPI’s withdrawal of support for the planned merger with Bunge is a knee-jerk reaction to the current economic crisis, according to a Frost & Sullivan analyst.

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Record cereal production but uncertainty ahead, says FAO

World cereal production is expected to reach an all-time record in 2008, according to the FAO’s latest Food Outlook report.

Baked goods buoy ABF amidst price turmoil

Bakery products have underlined the overall resilience of UK-based processor and retailer Associated British Foods (ABF) despite what the company calls ‘steadily worsening economic conditions’ during the 2008 fiscal year.

Palm oil groups aim to ship sustainability to Europe

The palm oil industry is claiming a major triumph in terms of sustainability ahead of an incoming shipment of the product to Europe next week, which is seen by some as a milestone for ethical sourcing.

CSM announces 200 jobs cuts by the end of the year

Dutch bakery supplies business CSM has announced that it will cut 200 jobs from its workforce across Germany, France and the US in the next two months in response to plummeting sales and falling consumer confidence.

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Major rice trade publications to merge

The weekly trade publication for the rice industry, The Rice Trader, is to merge with Rice Today, the quarterly magazine of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).