Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - North America EU edition

News in brief

Whole Grain Stamp marks milestone

07-Oct-2009 - The Whole Grain Stamp now appears on over 3000 products in 14 countries, according to the body that issues the Stamp, the Whole Grains Council.

Maple Leaf opens bakery and proteins innovation center

07-Oct-2009 - Maple Leaf Foods has opened a new C$12m (US$11.3m) innovation center in Ontario to concentrate on its bakery and protein businesses.

Latest BPA study “flawed” says American Chemistry Council

07-Oct-2009 - “Many limitations but no clear conclusions,” is the verdict of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) on the latest study claiming to link exposure to the chemical bisphenol A with risks to human health.

Recession not driving ethical spending underground

06-Oct-2009 - Tighter purses are not turning consumers away from ethical shopping with interest in all things sustainable or humane thriving despite the recession, according to market researcher, Packaged Facts.

Groups unite to fight US obesity

05-Oct-2009 - About forty companies and partner organizations have united to battle obesity in the US – especially among children.

News in brief

Cellulase enzyme gets GRAS for beverages

05-Oct-2009 - The FDA has raised no objections to Florida-based Dyadic International’s GRAS application for it cellulase enzyme derived from a GM strain of its patented and proprietary C1 organism.

Weight management shifts from ‘food minus’ to ‘food plus’: Euromonitor

02-Oct-2009 - The market for foods and beverages that claim to address weight management is set for a shift in focus – from the omission of certain ‘bad’ ingredients to the addition of other ‘good’ ones, suggests Euromonitor.

Defense plans needed to combat food terrorism

02-Oct-2009 - US food processors and manufacturers are being urged to implement defense plans to protect products from deliberate contamination by terrorists or disgruntled employees.

News in brief

Coca-Cola adopts front-of-pack energy labeling

02-Oct-2009 - Coca-Cola has said that it will add calorie counts to the front of drinks packaging in the US and Mexico, with energy information on “nearly all” its products by the end of 2011.

USDA report examines organic sector’s ‘revamped marketing’

02-Oct-2009 - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has compiled a report on the marketing of organic food, which it says aims to respond to a dearth of information on the fast-changing sector.

New ad campaign to tackle ‘viral urban myths’ about HFCS

01-Oct-2009 - The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) has launched a new advertising campaign in an effort to dispel consumer misconceptions about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Burcon receives US patent allowance for protein isolate

01-Oct-2009 - Canadian firm Burcon has received a notice of allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office for its Puratein canola protein isolate.

Nanotech research launched by US and EU

01-Oct-2009 - The US Government and the European Union have announced separate plans to launch studies into the possible health effects and business implications for nanotechnology.

Peppadew: The next big flavor, says Bell

30-Sep-2009 - Bell Flavors & Fragrances claims to have developed ‘the next big flavor’ with an exclusive license agreement for Peppadew, the sweet and spicy South African pepper.

Fruit and veg crisis calls for radical change

30-Sep-2009 - Goals for fruit and vegetable consumption set back in 2000 in Healthy People 2010 look certain to be missed prompting a US government agency to call for major changes to the way food is sold and consumed.

News in brief

FDA develops new ways to spread recall information

30-Sep-2009 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a strategic plan for risk communication that outlines ways in which it will let consumers and health professionals know about the products it regulates.

Inside-out approach to frozen food quality

30-Sep-2009 - Advanced Food Systems is to help food manufacturers overcome some of the quality problems of frozen foods, with custom-made systems to prevent freezer burn, protein damage and loss of color and flavor.

Sugar and stevia industries unite

30-Sep-2009 - The sugar industry has engaged with stevia supplier PureCircle at the World Sugar Trade Conference in Singapore this week in order to explore ways in which sugar and stevia can work together.

News in brief

Danone unit recalls infant formula after blending error

30-Sep-2009 - Medical nutrition group Nutricia is recalling a batch of specialized infant formula in the US after a manufacturing error was found to have impacted ingredient levels in the formulation.

Kraft given November deadline for Cadbury bid

30-Sep-2009 - The UK’s Takeover Panel has announced a deadline of November 9 for Kraft to make a bid for Cadbury or to say that it does not intend to make an offer.

Target women with energy drinks, says Mintel

30-Sep-2009 - UK consumers view energy drinks as value for money rather than a luxury, with sales for the products expected to soar over the next five years, according to the latest statistics from Mintel.

Morton Salt buy makes K+S biggest global salt producer

29-Sep-2009 - K+S has become the biggest salt producer in the world after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved the $1.68bn sale of Morton Salt.

Guest article

Stevia: beverages and replacing aspartame

29-Sep-2009 - Aspartame and sugar are likely to be the main substitution targets for emerging stevia sweeteners, and beverages the initial main application, writes Sneha Pasricha, a research analyst for Frost & Sullivan, in the first of two guest articles.

Taste issues remain for healthier snacks

29-Sep-2009 - Opportunities remain in the market for healthier alternatives to traditional salty snacks, as new research shows that half of consumers don’t like the taste of healthier versions.