Ulrick & Short has developed an additive-free phosphate
replacer to maintain moisture in sausages in response to increasing
pressures for food manufacturers to provide clean label products.
Number one snack company PepsiCo yesterday said it has acquired
Bulgarian nuts and seeds firm Penelopa, targeting both the health
and wellness trend as well as the promising Eastern European
market.
Flavours Inc is exploring uses for its new Spun Matrix
microencapsulation technology in teas and baked goods, and expects
to launch a next generation liquid version later this year.
A US-based meat processor is the latest player in the food industry
to start recycling waste into biogas, in order to reduce fossil
fuels use and improve waste management.
The US branch of Krispy Kreme has finally decided to remove trans
fat from its products, following similar moves by the company's
divisions in the UK and Australia last year.
US industrial machinery group Illinois Tool Works is to buy
Peerless Machinery, a producer of mixers and other equipment for
the bakery sector, adding to its stable of food processing
machinery brands.
Iceland's Marel Food Systems is nearing completion of its
acquisition of Stork's food processing systems unit, clearing the
way for a firm with much bigger presence in food manufacturing.
UK retailers have reiterated their efforts to remove battery-farmed
eggs from their shelves and own-brand products on the back of new
televised animal welfare campaigns from leading chefs like Jamie
Oliver.
Volatile extracts from celery can enhance the umami and sweet
properties of chicken soup, and could offer novel flavour enhancers
for food formulations, suggests new research from Japan.
Pork belly, watermelon and goji are amongst some of the more
unusual soup flavours predicted to be popular in 2008, according to
Campbell's Kitchen and Swanson Broth.
Crispy Green develops dried fruit snacks; US scientists adapt
blueberry crops for hot weather; and legal action is looms over
bread that doubles up as crockery.
PureCircle has secured an extension to its agreement with Cargill
to supply its stevia-derived Reb-A until mid-2010, helping to
ensure availability for what is tipped to be the next big thing in
sweeteners.
A new pressure spray system, that uses precise
temperature settings, gives confectioners better control when
coating products with chocolate and other viscous liquids, the
manufacturer claims.
Although the overall US cookie market has increased 14 per cent in
value between 2002 to2007, manufacturers will have to focus on
niche trends in order to boost individual consumption, according to
a new Mintel report.
Re-usable plastic boxes could replace polystyrene boxes for
transporting fish and other foods, offering suppliers significant
environmental and product quality advantages.
Canadian packaging and label firm CCL Industries is expanding into
Russia and neighbouring markets through a new company jointly owned
by Russian entrepreneur Ilgar Mamedov.
As phase two of the UK's new rules on TV advertising of unhealthy
foods targeted at children came into effect this week, the food
industry is preparing to lock horns with campaigners over a 9pm
watershed.
Aluminium giant Alcoa has agreed to sell its packaging and consumer
businesses to New Zealand's Rank Group Limited for $2.7 billion in
cash, it announced late last month.
Chinese enzyme manufacturers need to innovate in order to stay
ahead in the competitive but high potential market place, according
to a new report from Frost and Sullivan.
UK soup company Baxters is set to roll out new microwaveable pots
for its soup brands across the country, hoping to ride the trend
for snack foods that are both convenient and healthy.
UK seafood producer Young's has begun a programme of initiatives to
reduce the carbon footprint of its business, and is emphasising
that it is acutely aware of environmental concerns besides
sustainable sourcing of fish.
The Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) hit back
against criticisms on recycling issues by UK environment secretary
Hilary Benn, saying that while it agreed improvements must be made,
some remarks were incorrect.
In an exclusive interview, Professor Niels Christian Nielsen,
winner of this year's Danisco Award, shared his thoughts with
Stephen Daniells on the rise of nanotechnology and gave insight on
this fascinating new area of the food...
The UK Gangmaster Licensing Authority (GLA) last week uncovered
inadequate safety standards and worker exploitation by three
gangmasters operating in Worcestershire, highlighting the
importance of food processors to remain vigilant...
Danisco has said it is reviewing the strategic direction and
priorities of its core ingredients business, as a result of its
decision to de-merge its sugar and ingredients operations.
'Antioxidants' crop up every where, from beverage cans to cereal
packets. But industry must wake up to over use of the antioxidant
tag before the term loses meaning for consumers.
While 85 per cent of US consumers still eat dessert once a month or
more, healthier options such as fruit and yoghurt are an
increasingly popular choice, according to a new consumer trends
report.
Irish-based Greencore has moved to strengthen its position in the
convenience food sector by purchasing a UK cake manufacturer, after
exiting the sugar business because of EU reforms.
UK independent packaging firm Benson Group said its acquisition of
printed cartons producer Integrated Packaging is set to aid
expansion, with future investments envisaged.
Cereal manufacturer Kellogg today revealed plans to invest $40m in
expanding its institute for food and nutrition research, claiming
that sales from innovation have doubled since it first opened in
1997.
Beverage innovator Wild has come up with a new concept for clear
fruit-juice drinks called Refresher, to help manufacturers tap
demand for near water, spritzer and water-plus products.
US-based snack company Lance last week announced it has bought a
stake in Late July Snacks, as part of a bid to move into the
organic and healthy market.
A new one-step-opening cap for both dairy and beverage cartons can
offer greater convenience benefits for processors and consumers
alike, according to the manufacturer.
Bodine Electric Company's claims its new additions to the
Pacesetter selection of inverter duty gearmotors aid food and
beverage processing where space is limited, or high torque
required.
A trial conducted by German salad producer Gartenfrisch pitted a
new mode Ishida R-series weigher and a 10-year-old model by the
same manufacturer, and found a considerable increase in accuracy
and speed.
Frito-lay, the snack arm of beverage group PepsiCo hopes to extend
its presence in the market for healthier snacks, announcing today a
new US-based joint venture with the Strauss Group.
'Made in Transit' is a supply chain concept in which the production
of fresh perishable food happens on the way to the supermarket,
shifting the paradigm of packaging from preserving freshness to
enabling growth, a shift...
European Muslims could be about to develop the taste for regional
cheeses like red leicester, lancashire and even the humble
cheddar following the recent entry of UK-based processor Dewlay
into the halal market.
A new packaging box for muffins and cupcakes features a unique
insert tray to hold the cakes in a secure position, and help reduce
the risk of damage during transportation, the manufacturer claims.
Cognis is extending its non-hydrogenated fat range of Lamequick
whipping agents with three new versions suited to a broader range
of technical applications that meet consumers' healthy
requirements.
The CIAA has included asparaginase in the new version of its
Acrylamide Toolbox, a move seen to validation the efforts of
companies that have developed commercial solutions using the
acrylamide-reducing enzyme.
Givaudan Flavors has extended its natural flavors range with the
introduction of a series of proprietary ingredients that provide a
variety of unique cheese characteristics to food products.