There was a time when a widespread wheat shortage spelt inflation,
and a global shortage meant global inflation. This year, with
stocks at a 30-year low and wheat prices soaring, it is possible
consumers may never even notice. All...
Wheat has always been an integral part of Russian agriculture and
its food industry. However, a limited domestic market, reduction in
Russian livestock and a slow down in the consumption of bakery
products is forcing the industry...
Surging wheat prices are leading to some hard bargaining along the
supply chain over where the extra costs can and should be taken,
according to millers and bakers.
Higher world populations and changes in dietary patterns - notably
in emerging economies - are leading to a steady increase in food
demand which will have a positive impact on world grain prices,
says a grains analyst this week.
In today's time-pressed society, breakfast is often one of the
first things to be sacrificed. Commuters might grab a quick bite
behind the wheel of their car, or at the train station, while
office workers occasionally grab a...
Britain may not be the biggest country in Europe, but this does not
stop its denizens from being among the most mobile. UK commuters
spend more time travelling than all of their European counterparts
- and take advantage of that time...
Despite recent publicity that suggested Atkin's was modifying its
advice to recommend less meat, low-carb diets seem to be more
popular than ever with one in three Americans watching their
carbohydrate consumption.
Russia may be slowly adapting a number of western food and drink
habits - the rise of the country's beer industry is evidence of
that - but there is still plenty of life left in some of the
country's more traditional food...
Funding to bolster research into new food uses for cereals and
oilseeds is behind a fresh R&D strategy released by the UK
cereals industry this week, a move designed to open up new market
opportunities for the sector.
The rye grain, and rye bran in particular, is rich in dietary fibre
and also contains a significant fructan concentration, which may
have important prebiotic properties, suggests a new publication.
Potatoes with low levels of reducing sugars could be the answer to
fighting the formation of the potentially carcinogenic compound
acrylamide in foods.
Lawrence Equipment, a major manufacturer of flat bread machinery in
the United States and Europe, has recently released a new
innovation, the Mega Pizza System, which is capable of producing
multiple pizza bases operating at multiple...
The UK's fourth biggest supermarket may introduce special labelling
for its low-carb products, reported market research firm
Datamonitor this week, which could spark a wave of diet-related
marketing.
Whatever their stance on the debate over genetically modified
crops, bakers are now having to decide on whether to stick to
conventional wheats or the genetically engineered product- albeit
with greater social, political and economic...
Labelling issues on the cards again for manufacturers as the UK's
food safety agency this week launches a consultation on the use of
alternative phrases to 'may contain' on food labels.
The healthy components of fibres such as oats and rye can also
enhance their flavour if the correct processing techniques are
used, claims new Finnish research.
The European Commission has welcomed the agreement reached by the
European Parliament and Council conciliation committee to increase
the minimum recycling targets for packaging waste from 25 to 55 per
cent by 2008. The agreement overcomes...
Children who frequently consume cereal are less likely to be
overweight, according to the findings of a new study published in
today's Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
Whey proteins remaining after cheese-making are now being added as
a key ingredient to new nutritious snack foods in a new process
devised by the Agricultural Research Service.
Regular consumption of the sugar replacer Isomalt appears to have a
prebiotic effect on gut bacteria, according to preliminary findings
of a study being carried out in Germany.
In the wake of terrorist attacks in the US on September 11, 2001
Europe's manufacturing industries have taken a knock but figures
released this week reveal that the food industry is managing the
course, registering a 'light...
Snack and convenience food consumption plays a dominant role inthe
eating habits of almost half of British consumers, according tonew
research published by Teagasc. And Irish food companies should be
cashing in.
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are undertaking
development of an automated product-inspection prototype, working
with staff of Flowers Bakery in Villa Rica, Georgia.
Quality Assurance International, a global leader in certification
services, has launched a new Food Security Programme in response to
new requirements laid down by the FDA's bioterrorism regulations.
Jacob's has appointed Jeremy Hughes as the new commercial
development manager in a bid to strengthen Jacob's offerings to its
trade customers. As more European manufacturers turn to vegetable
fats, the challenge is on for...
The low-carbohydrate Atkins diet is stripping profits from some of
the pillars of the world's food industry, by affecting a market
shift in eating habits.
According to Mintel, a leading supplier of competitive media and
product & consumer intelligence, the snack market is becoming
increasingly varied as the industry continues to pursue innovation.
At the Food Ingredients Europe Exhibition, held in Frankfurt,
Danisco have received one of three food ingredient awards for its
'revolutionising Grindstead Barrier System', a water barrier
device that makes it possible to...
UK-based machinery provider Packaging Automation has successfully
converted heat sealing and filling equipment originally designed
for liquids into machinery capable of processing dry food products.
According to YouGov, the on-line research company, a recent survey
has revealed that 81 per cent of UK parents would like to see
Vending machines removed from schools, and replaced with healthier
alternatives as a means of helping...
A new gelatine replacer from Dutch company DMV International
carried off the gold award for the most innovative new ingredient
on the marketplace, rounding off the first day of the bustling Fi
Europe exhibition that opened its doors...
As German enzyme company AB Enzymes celebrates the 30th birthday of
its baking enzyme line xylanase, the company has marked the moment
with the launch of two new products in the Veron family.
The European Commission has put forward revised regulations on
materials that come into contact with food. Among the proposed
changes is a more modern approach to the principle that packaging
materials should not interact with the...
As a raft of new food legislation, notably the labelling of food
allergens and genetically modified organisms, enters into force in
Europe, food manufacturers cannot afford to be less than au
fait with the new rules. Under the umbrella...
With cereal growers having benefited from increased prices this
year, attention is being paid to predictions on the 2004 crop amid
fears that the world cereals stocks could suffer because of an
over-reliance on weather and conditions.
Measures to soften the impact of poor cereal harvests in Europe and
boost the grain market were introduced by Europe's agriculture
commissioner this week.
Increasing consumer awareness linking high consumption of trans
fatty acids to a rise in the risk of coronary heart disease is
driving the market for alternative ingredients.
The American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC) is accepting
nominations for a variety of awards to be presented at the group's
2004 annual meeting in San Diego next year.
The UK Food Standards Agency is to discuss a number of possible
options concerning the future regulation of promoting food products
to children in a bid to tackle the rising tide of obesity. A move
which has been cautiously welcomed...
Chips Group, the Nordic snack maker, continued its steady growth in
the first nine months of the year, helped by acquisitions in Sweden
and Russia. But while the group said it expected further gains in
most markets this year, it also...
Food and drink products targeted at children could be seriously
damaging their health, according to claims by the UK Consumers'
Association. It said that many products targeted at childen had
higher salt or sugar contents than...
The UK's Joint Health Claims Initiative has reduced the minimum
amount of soy protein required in a product for the soy health
claim, allowing a greater number of foods to display the
cholesterol-lowering message.
Growth is ahead of schedule for wheat-based ingredients supplier
MGP Ingredients with the Kansas-based company moving expansion of
its textured wheat proteins to phase two as demand for their
speciality ingredients continues to gain...
South African millers must fortify flour and maize meal with a
blend of vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, following new
legislation introduced this week to improve malnutrition in the
country.
Maximum quality and minimum acrylamide content were on the agenda
for a recent link-up between Swiss food scientists. The results of
their quest? The optimum conditions are now defined.
The president of Millers International Union has responded to
reports that rising labour costs were the root cause of Interstate
Bakeries' decision to "rationalise its operations".
Shake-up for salt use in processed food continues with UK food
agency unveiling a new salt model to investigate the effects of
reducing salt content in different food groups on consumers.