Emerging markets are key engine for global alcohol drinks growth, analyst

The sale of global alcoholic drinks improved for all categories globally in 2010, with emerging markets reaffirming their role as the “main engine for growth”, claims industry analyst Euromonitor.

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EU food safety left rudderless by Commission move on BPA

The hand on the tiller that is food safety in Europe has been left somewhat unsteady by the recent regulatory actions taken by the European Commission on BPA and food...

FrieslandCampina to close two cheese plants

Dutch dairy giant FrieslandCampina has announced its plans to close two of its cheese plants in the Netherlands, Varsseveld and Leerbroek, and will invest €47m to improve efficiency at five...

Packaging innovation centred on convenience, analysts

Beverage packaging design will revert away from a recent shift towards cost effectiveness, and back to longer-term trends such as added value and convenience, as countries begin to emerge from...

Natural and healthy confectionery set to stay, says Kerry

Healthier and more natural confectionery is a trend that is set to continue, claims the confectionery division of leading supplier Kerry Ingredients.

Gluten-free buckwheat crackers pass taste quality test

Gluten free crackers enriched with buckwheat flour may offer functional benefits without affecting sensory properties or product quality, according to a new study.

Tate & Lyle agrees sale of molasses business

Tate & Lyle has agreed the sale of its molasses business to W&R Barnett for £67 million cash, a deal that is consistent with its strategy to dispose of its...

Danisco adds clear versions to xanthan gum line

Danisco has added to its line of high performance Grinsted xanthan gums with new transparent versions opening up its use in applications like dressings and beverages where clarity is required.

News in brief

IUFoST delegates agree food security principles

The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) has released its outline plan of work for the global food science and technology community, known as the Cape Town Declaration,...

Dispatches from HIE 2010

Physically optimised flours signal clean-label shift in convenience foods

With a clear clean-label trend affecting food formulation across Europe, one of the key sectors is core commodities such as flour, where so-called physically optimised (heat treated) flours are gaining...

News in brief

Univar to distribute Wild Flavors' stevia in Europe

Wild Flavors has appointed Univar to distribute its range of Sunwin stevia products, sweetener blends and taste modification technologies in Europe and the Middle East.

Scientists call for mycotoxin screening in infant food

Complementary food for infants in developing countries, especially where corn is a staple food, should be protected against the mycotoxin fumonisin, according to an international team of scientists.

Functional bread won’t go mainstream yet, says analyst

Functional bread has significant potential but its widespread appeal is some way off due to cost and sensory challenges, claims a Datamonitor researcher.

EC must reverse decision on out-of-quota sugar and release internally, CIUS

The CIUS is calling for the European Commission to act now to keep sugar supplies within the EU market rather than export the sweetener, with it claiming that EU based...

Travel sector showing positive sales growth for Ferrero

Chocolate giant Ferrero has recently released a string of travel snack items after analysts reported a strong growth surge in the travel confectionery category over the past two years.

European consumers deliver verdict on food risks

Chemical contamination tops European consumer fears over food related risks, closely followed by antibiotic and hormones in meat, animal cloning and pollutants, according to a new survey commissioned by the...

News in brief

Bosch conference explores coffee trends

This week Bosch held its third Coffee Symposium in Waiblingen Germany, bringing together more than 70 international customers, representatives and experts in the coffee industry.

Carbery gains consumer thumbs up for hydrolysed protein

Carbery has received positive feedback on the sensory properties of its Optipep SN hydrolysed whey protein in consumer research involving serious sports enthusiasts and users of sports nutrition products.

Beauty-enhancing ‘functional foods’ gain momentum

Anti-ageing drinks and bread promoting health and beauty are amongst products gaining pace around the globe, according to Datamonitor's Product Launch Analytics.

Protected status application for ‘Jersey Butter’ rejected

An application to register Jersey Butter with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) has been rejected.

Germany eyes processing and packaging investment in India

Germany could be the latest nation to invest in the Indian food processing and packaging industries after ministers from the nations met this week.

Emmi to further its foothold in Europe through Onken acquisition

Emmi is to gain the brand rights to Onken yoghurt as part of its wider plan to further its sales growth in the UK and Germany.

Kemin launches green & black tea extract in Europe

Kemin Health Europe is launching its green-black tea extract called Enlivitea in Europe, an ingredient said to provide synergistic antioxidant benefits that outweigh the benefits of consuming either one in...

Novel yeast acrylamide killer trialled by top EU firms

Canadian-based Functional Technologies claims there is “substantial interest” amongst EU food and food ingredient companies trialling its novel yeast to reduce acrylamide levels.

Global packaged-foods industry prepares for growth, says report

Most global packaged-foods are well-placed for earnings growth and expansion as the economy recovers from recession, predicts the latest report from Moody's Investors Service.

Bisphenol A levels in food too low to pose health problems

Food is the major source of exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) but that levels of the chemical in the human body are very low and quickly eliminated said an international...

Enzymes and sugar drive bumper year for ABF

ABF (Associated British Foods) has posted a record 2009/10 turnover driven by expansion of its enzyme and sugar divisions.

Monster energy drinks to spread deeper into Europe

Hansen Natural, the maker of Monster Energy, is embarking on a major expansion plan in Europe as back home in the US, manufacturers of alcoholic energy drinks protest against a...

GSK and Subway fall foul of tougher VAT rules

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Subway are the latest food industry victims to fall foul of VAT rules after failing tribunal appeals and must now decide whether to take their battles further.


Appearance matters more than taste for meat substitutes, says study

The appearance of meat substitutes in a meal may have more of an effect on consumer acceptance than flavour and texture, suggests a new study.

Starch, sucralose help Tate and Lyle to strong H1

Tate & Lyle has now realised the full benefits of bringing together its sucralose manufacturing activities at one site, and despite lower selling prices its specialty ingredients division has reported...

Clean label survey shows consumers prefer GM to bad breath

Some consumers perceive healthy food ingredients such as garlic more negatively than traditional poorly perceived additives such as GM, according to a top UK food research organisation.

EFSA says networking is key to emerging risk monitoring

Expert opinion and networking will remain a key element to gathering and analysing data of emerging risks in food and feed, according to a new report by the European Food...

Leaked EU dairy reform proposals divide opinion

A leak of the EU Commission proposals on the future of the dairy sector has split opinion between the processing and farming arms of the industry.

Dispel consumer myths around added sugars, IGD

Consumers do not understand the role of sugars in the diet, according to a new report from IGD that suggests food businesses can improve the information they provide to aid...

Demographic shifts to determine food trends in 2011, Mintel

An ageing workforce, men shopping for the family, and whether to cater to obesity or counter it. Just three of the food trends likely to affect decision-making in the food...