Sartorius has released a number of machines and tools in demand by
the food industry, including a metal detector for aluminium
packaging, a USB stick for collecting data on the move, a roller
conveyor and a check weigher.
A machine for applying barrier treatment to PET containers can
handle up to 40,000 bottles per hour, making it the fastest of its
kind in the world, its manufacturer claims.
Satori Stocktec has became one of the first companies to produce a
pilot machine companies can use to trial a new process for the fast
sterilisation of canned foods.
BASF's acquisition of CropDesign, a Belgian biotech company, will
help establish the German chemical giant as a leader in the
development of important crop traits in corn, soy bean and rape
seed.
US scientists report that blueberry extracts inhibited the growth
of liver cancer cells in the lab, potentially adding to the growing
list of health benefits for the 'superfood'.
Modification of whey protein concentrates with high phospholipid
proportions could turn standard emulsifiers into functional health
promoting ingredients, results that could have important
implications for the food industry.
Fat and oil manufacturer AarhusKarlshamn (AAK) yesterday announced
an increase in interim net sales, but the recently merged firm says
it is still working on streamlining its operations.
A new thermoforming, filling and sealing machine for packaging cups
and other containers can result in savings of up to 35 per cent in
material costs, its manufacturer claims.
Cognis and WILD are joining forces to form a powerhouse of food and
beverage product innovation, combining Cognis' store of ingredients
with Wild's formulation expertise.
The European Commission yesterday launched public consultation on
reforming the market for fresh and processed fruit and vegetables,
part of its attempt to wean the sector from about €860m worth of
subsidies.
The UK's Food Standards Agency is seeking views and comments on
proposed amendments to European colour regulations covering Sunset
Yellow FCF (E 110) and Titanium Dioxide (E 171).
Small and mid sized companies in Europe's food and beverage sector
are looking to use more robots in their production lines, according
to a new study by Frost & Sullivan.
The road to fortification of bakery products with folate in the UK
looks less clear as the FSA's Scientific Advisory requested more
time to review evidence on dosage, despite a positive preliminary
report last month.
Cereals and snacks are at the cutting edge of the healthy eating
debate, as highlighted by this week's European Parliament Plenary
vote and a high-level industry conference on meeting consumer
demands.
Roquette, a global leader in starches, has developed new
ingredients designed to help snack makers tap the health trend, as
FoodNavigator discovered on a visit to the group's headquarters in
Lestrem, France.
Cholesterol-lowering plant sterols look set to appear in more
product categories in Europe, since the EC Commission has given the
green-light for their use in dietary supplements and rye breads.
Legislation to harmonise vitamin and mineral fortification levels
across EU member states looks set to be adopted within weeks,
following this week's favourable vote by the European Parliament.
CSM is to invest almost €20m to expand production capacity for its
American style bakery products, as the company continues its
restructuring process after a disappointing 2005.
Crown has launched bowl-shaped cans aimed at the single-serve food
market in Europe and North America to meet the growing demand for
ready-to-eat convenience products.
With biodegradable becoming less of a buzzword and more of a
reality in the packaging business, a machine maker has adapted a
blow moulder for use with corn-based plastics.
UK processors fail to exploit automation and robotics handling,
mainly due to concerns about the costs, return on investment and a
shortage of trained engineers, according to an industry survey.
A new software suite for food and drink plants allows information
technology managers to upgrade and integrate their networks as
operations grow, its developer claims.
Healthy eating is no longer motivated simply by self-interest.
Family welfare has become the overriding concern, and children have
become the real driving force behind the health trend.
At least one UK poultry processor plans to cut capacity and farmers
are calling for higher payments as the industry is hit by bird flu
and cheaper imports.
'Mega-brands' have become so imbedded in the consciousness of
American consumers that they continue to dominate and shape the
food industry, despite often being at odds with the USDA's Dietary
Guidelines, according...
Drinking more orange or grapefruit juice may reduce bone loss and
decrease the risk of osteoporosis in later life, suggests an animal
study from Texas.
Food firms must carefully target their health food products to
specific sectors of the population if they are to succeed,
delegates at this week's Vitafoods event learned.
The evidence that green tea could benefit heart health are
"supportive" but not "conclusive", said the FDA, leaving the door
open to backing such health claims in the future.