GM starch and corn oil are cleared for use in European food
formulations after Brussels gives the green light on a genetically
modified maize line from US biotech giant Monsanto, reports
Lindsey Partos.
In line with growing consumer demand for organic products, Butter
Buds Food Ingredients has introduced a certified organic line of
natural butter, cream and cheese concentrates.
Petro-Canada has launched two new synthetic lubricants to the food
processing industry that it claims provide added protection in
extreme temperature applications.
The Danish Brewery Group, Denmark's second largest beer maker, has
strengthened its position in the Baltic markets through the
acquisition of a controlling stake in Lacplesa Alus, Latvia's
number three brewer.
Squeezed margins from 'fierce competition' have hit profits at
Swedish oils and fats firm Karlshamns, which this week announced
job cuts in the context of a cost saving programme.
Thin, flexible and easy to handle - that is the major food
packaging trend emerging on the Polish market, helped along by
rising sales of dairy products and new hygiene laws on baked goods
in shops, writes Chris Mercer.
Food makers will be encouraged to use green and black tea in their
food formulations as science builds a picture of the possible
health benefits, most recently that they could improve memory.
Scientists in Germany have applied a medical profession technique
to create bacteria-fighting packaging that can be applied to liquid
products such as milk.
Field Packaging, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chesapeake
Corporation, recently won the top award in the confectionery
category at the 2004 Pro Carton/ECMA (European Carton Manufacturers
Association) Carton Awards annual competition.
Tea rivals vodka in the affection of Russian consumers, it seems,
with a new survey showing that 98 per cent of the population drink
the beverage on a regular basis - on average, at least two cups a
day. But while consumption levels...
A unique measuring device capable of measuring how much aroma is
penetrating a material is being developed at Iggesund Paperboard's
laboratory for sensory and chemical analyses in Strömsbruk, Sweden.
Alcoa has created a new aluminium and alumina division and a new
global extruded products business in a move to better align itself
with global packaging markets.
Foods offering consumers a quick-fix way to look fit and healthy
are on the rise in the US market, with bakery and cereals set to
remain at the heart of this trend for at least the next four years,
reports Chris Mercer.
Price increases for oil and other commodities are likely to dampen
growth in trade and overall output in 2005, according to World
Trade Organisation statistics.
Del Monte is to package fresh produce in containers made from the
corn-based plastic NatureWorks PL, a move that is designed to
portray fruit as a processed product rather than just a commodity.
A recent EU survey suggests that consumers would pay more to have
higher quality meat and vegetables, and would trust them more if
the EU could guarantee the origin or the way a product is produced.
Health-promoting compounds found in honey could make this
ingredient a more attractive option for food makers currently using
bulk sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup and looking to
jump on board the growing health foods trend,...
The EU Commission's announcement this week that Germany will be
referred to the European Court of Justice unless it establishes an
effective, simple and non-discriminatory deposit system for
beverage packaging is music to the...
South Korea's maritime affairs and fisheries minister argues that
Korea has the infrastructure in place to become the key logistics
hub in the A-P region, and therefore a prime target for investment.
Novis, now with almost half a million readers, yesterday earned
broad industry recognition with two further publishing awards,
following on from its best publication prize earlier this year.
Arla Foods, the Danish-Swedish dairy co-operative, has announced an
unexpected trade alliance with a traditional Danish producer of sea
salt, in a bid to bolster flagging sales of its Lurpak butter
brand. Tom Armitage reports.
South Korea's maritime affairs and fisheries minister argues that
Korea has the infrastructure in place to become the key logistics
hub in the A-P region, and therefore a prime target for investment.
A popular food oil used extensively in food formulations is the
latest product-type to be pulled from the UK supermarket shelves as
the country's food watchdog identifies the illegal carcinogen Sudan
IV in a batch of palm oil...
The European Fluorocarbons Technical Committee (EFCTC) has welcome
last week's decision by the EU to reduce fluorinated gases, but has
sounded a note of caution.
A new bread factory, capable of increasing output by 50 per cent,
is being built by UK-based specialist bread supplier Jackson's
Bakery, giving the company an advantage as it strives to supply a
bigger portion of the foodservice...
A Californian wine producer is to package its products with labels
designed by a contemporary artist as part of its strategy to change
how the US wine industry operates.
An upmarket cafe chain devised by UK company Bakery Services to
haul the firm out of the red and take the pressure off another key
business has been scrapped after less than three months.
European bakery ingredients leader CSM will chip away at its German
subsidiary as the firm announces job cuts and restructuring efforts
to bring about savings and underline its focus on becoming an
international bakery supplies player.
The Novosibirsk dairy, part of Russia's Nidan group, is hoping to
corner the market for high quality, healthy dairy products with the
launch of a new range called Milk Time.
Women in Asian countries, where a lot of soy is consumed, have
dramatically lower rates of breast cancer than women in the United
States and Europe. A team of scientists have examined whether there
are any negaitve effects.
Brussels will fight to appeal against a new decision by the World
Trade Organisation that rules the EU illegally subsidises exports
of sugar, ruling in favour of a legal challenge by Australia,
Thailand and Brazil, the world's...
A new ice cream product enriched with iodine is to be launched in
the New Year by Russian dairy group MiasoMolTorg JSC, the first
product of its kind on the Russian market and the latest to play on
the health credentials of dairy...
Despite attempts by Kraft Foods to give the company a healthier
image, earnings fell for the fifth straight quarter as higher
commodity costs and retail price pressures took their toll.
Chr Hansen breaks into the lucrative Chinese market constructing
its first production facilities to provide more flexibility to
serve the burgeoning local food industry, reports Lindsey
Partos.
The UK's leading retailer of bakery-related products, Greggs, has
announced better-than-expected sales for the 18 weeks to 16
October, helping the company to hold off rising costs.
Superfos has developed plastic packaging with a unique closure
mechanism that it claims strengthens the competitive position of
plastic over glass packaging solutions.
AFSSA, the French food safety authority, has called for a
significant reduction of sugars added to processed foods alongside
stronger backing for foods containing wholegrains and high fibre.
Innovations from some of Russia's leading agricultural and food
processing machinery suppliers were recognised at the AgroProdMash
2004 exhibition which took place in Moscow recently, underlining
Russia's commitment to improving...
The final frontier opens up opportunities for food makers and
Europe's space agency pushes its latest technologies at the massive
food fair in Paris this week.
Shell Lubricants has developed a new food grade heat transfer fluid
- Shell FM Heat Transfer Fluid 32 - designed to help food companies
meet the extreme operating temperatures of heat transfer systems
and reduce the risk of oil contamination.
Honeywell is building a new facility in China to produce
'environmentally friendlier' HFC refrigerants, just as Europe
pledges to reduce these types of gases.
Hueck Folien, one of the largest European foil converters in the
flexible packaging sector, has introduced an aluminium lidding foil
which is sealable against Aclar, a widely used material in blister
films.
Czech shoppers are refusing to pay inflated prices for organic food
- something which may burst the bubble of the country's booming
organic farming industry, unless a sharp increase in government
subsidies can turn the situation...
Slovenia's wine makers, buoyed by the news of EU funding for their
vineyards, face a long struggle if they are to conquer foreign
markets and compete effectively against the titans of the world
wine business - but one man is...
Soy appears to deliver tangible health benefits for the heart,
brain and kidney health but more research is needed in many areas,
heard a large audience attending this year's Soy and Health
conference.
The European Council agreed last Friday to reduce emissions of
fluorinated greenhouse gases, a decision that will affect food
processors and firms involved in refrigeration.
Bread has been highlighted as the biggest single source of excess
salt intake in Ireland, according to the country's Food Safety
Authority, which is now stepping up the pressure on Irish bakers to
act, reports Chris Mercer.