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Weekly comment

The food industry after Lisbon

In the face of another rejection of a European Union treaty, the bloc's food industry has one glaring path ahead: business as normal.

One-piece closures dominating beverage market, says AMI

One-piece closures are dominating the European food and beverage closure production market fuelled by cost reduction and light weighting initiatives, according to plastic market analysts, AMI.

Codex discusses labelling and safety standards

The 31st session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Geneva this week will discuss over 30 texts concerning international food standards for subjects including the use of flavourings and product labelling.

'Natural' retains ambiguous regulatory status

Natural ingredients are undefined in almost all global jurisdictions and no resolution is in sight for a category gaining attention as consumers turn away from the synthetic production of foods and beverages and the ingredients used in them.

Nutrinova pushes up sorbates prices again

German ingredients company Nutrinova has increased the price of its sorbate products by an average of 10 per cent, effective from next week or "as contracts allow".

News briefs: InBev, Greencore and Friesland Foods

This week, InBev outlines financing plans for its Anheseur-Busch bid, Friesland Foods sells off a juice arm to focus on core brands and Greencore says it has uncovered fraud in its mineral water business.

Private label brands to offer premium consumer compromise

Private label food and drink brands will continue to grow as cash-strapped consumers' increasingly perceive the products as value for money, according to Datamonitor.

Value of sustainability to be studied as emissions cuts rewarded

As the UK's Carbon Trust initiates a scheme to reward companies for genuine carbon emission reduction, a new study will determine how influential a company's sustainability image is in terms of consumers' purchasing decisions.

Belt washer offers chemical free bacteria elimination, says Vulganus.

Finnish manufacturer Vulganus said that its Steriline Utrasonic belt washer provides processors with a new method of cleaning conveyor belts.

Wine maker eyes pack innovation amidst industry complacency

As winemakers come under greater pressure to ensure they are offsetting the environmental impacts of their operations, one global vintner believes that the humble carton may offer a productive new solution.

Weekly comment

GM: Breaking the stalemate

Food industry voices are joining those of politicians in the GM debate, hailing the controversial technology as the answer to the food supply crisis. But the hearts and minds of consumers must still be won.

Sweetener production stopped due to high costs

Danisco has stopped selling the sweetener alitame and has withdrawn its Food and Drug Administration (FDA) petition for it to be used in food in America, citing uneconomic production.

Taurine time for the French as Red Bull reformulates

French resistance to selling the Red Bull energy drink appears to be waning with the beverage soon to be reformulated in the country to include the controversial amino acid taurine for the first time.

Cranberries, probiotics may fight ulcer-causing bacteria in children

Cranberry juice or probiotics clear the stomach of children of a bacterial strain known to cause ulcers and cancer, new research reports.

Study shines light on photosensitive drink shelf life

The significance of lighting on shelf-life in photo-sensitive drinks and food products should not be underestimated by processors when considering how to store their products, says a new study.

News briefs: Diageo vs. California, exploding kegs and InBev

This week, Diageo heads to the court over new taxing measures in California, a major US roadway is closed over beer-induced chaos and InBev expresses its concerns to potential takeover target Anheuseur-Busch.

Food processors cut food miles by sharing transport

A collaboration between leading food manufacturers and retailers aims to reduce the environmental impact of transporting food and groceries in the UK, claims scheme pioneer IGD.

'Greener' sucralose processing could enter market

Lexington Pharmaceutical is seeking global manufacturing partners for its innovative sucralose process, which it claims is greener than methods used by leading competitors.

Cost hikes from BASF to impact packaging suppliers

BASF, a major supplier of polymers and other chemicals for use in a variety of industries like consumer packaging, said that it is raising the prices for its paper and card board dispersions by up to 20 per cent with immediate effect.

EU ups the ante with competitiveness group

The European Commission is focusing on competitiveness, innovation and safety in the food industry through the formation of a new high level group.

Carbohydrate testing suggests beer body boost

An ingredient manufacturer says that one of its functional carbohydrate products can offer brewers improved texture and stability retention in lower or no-alcohol beer, according to independent testing.

Scots consider new drinking age limits

Amidst a growing raft of measures designed to combat alcohol abuse, Scottish politicians are today expected to unveil new proposals to raise the legal drinking age in the country to 21 at off-trade retailers, according to press reports.

Flavonols may slash colorectal cancer risk: study

An increased intake of antioxidant flavonols from tea, onions, beans, and apples may slash the risk of colorectal cancer by a whopping 76 per cent, suggests a new US study.

Weekly comment

The value of hyperactive curiosity

For a little yellow flower, it's ignited a huge debate. Believe the headlines and St John's wort won't help hyperactive kids, but last week's study asks more questions than it answers. It's time to put funding disclosures in the dock.

Sidel initiative to help processor sustainability, says firm

French equipment and packaging supplier, Sidel, said it has created the new post of sustainable development officer within the company to help its customers reach their individual sustainability targets.

EFSA finds mineral sources safe for food use

Sources for calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc have been deemed safe for use in foods and food supplements by a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel.

News briefs: Bud deal, Fosters and energy drinks

This week, InBev confirms its interest in Budweiser brewer Anheuser Busch, Foster's plans to shake up its flagging wine division and the Dr Pepper Snapple Group targets the US energy drink market.

US alcopop tax not to UK tastes, says expert

New Californian legislation that classes flavoured malt beverage 'alcopops' as higher tax band spirit products is unlikely to be adopted in the UK or other EU markets, according to a leading alcohol charity.

Forum to tackle global drink maker concerns

A two-day conference to allow the alcoholic beverage industry to discuss the latest regulatory and sustainable challenges kicks off today, says organisers, the International Federation of Wines and Spirits (FIVS).

Hopes high that novel food revision will improve innovation

In the lead up to this week's publication of the first draft report on proposed changes to the novel foods regulation, concerns have again been raised on how the current process restricts innovation.

Belgian beverage study shows need for more benzene research

A new study into benzene levels in soft drinks sold in Belgium has found that some still have higher levels than drinking water, and more research is needed into several possible contributing factors.

Weekly comment

Food crisis: Time to stop the squabbling

Bickering gets you nowhere. It's a lesson to be learned early in life, but which seems easily forgotten when it comes to tough political issues like measures to curb the food crisis.

Novel yeast targets wine industry

Canadian supplier Functional Technologies Corporation has reinvented its wholly-owned subsidiary, Phyterra Yeast, as it moves to the brink of bringing its premium yeast offerings to market.

Coca-Cola calls on peers for cooler commitment

Coca-Cola is calling on rival food and rink manufacturers to join it in investing in carbon dioxide (CO2) refrigeration as part of its commitment to improving energy efficiency within its operations.

Soft drink makers defend school dietary focus

The global soft drinks industry says it is leading the market with measures to ensure healthy consumption as new US findings suggesting that school-based soft drinks marketing restrictions may only be having limited effect in fighting obesity.

Alcohol spending showing cost crunch immunity

US consumer spending on alcoholic beverages is proving resilient to the current economic downturn, at least at retail level, suggests new findings.

Energy drinks safety questioned by German agency

Energy drinks have the potential to cause liver damage, heart failure and even death and should carry warnings for certain population groups, according to a German body.

Study links alcohol to rheumatoid arthritis prevention

Alcohol consumption may help reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) particularly in smokers or those more genetically predisposed to the disease, though further testing is required to support such claims, says new research.

SunOpta to build new soymilk plant

SunOpta is planning to construct a new soymilk processing and packaging plant in California, which it says will enable it to meet growing demand for the beverage.

EU slaps anti-dumping duties on Chinese citric acid

The European Union has slapped anti-dumping duties on Chinese imports of citric acid after an investigation concluded two European producers have been injured by unfair competition.

Integrated packaging line cuts operating costs, says Tetra Pak

A new integrated, aseptic carton packaging line offers processors reduced costs, as well as increased equipment reliability and capacity, claims manufacturer Tetra Pak.

Frost & Sullivan rewards Indena for green tea research excellence

Italian botanical extracts leader Indena has been rewarded for more than 20 years of research in the area by winning Frost & Sullivan's 2008 European Green Tea Extracts Excellence in Research Award.

News briefs: Heineken brews changes and Lion Nathan

This week, Heineken announces a restructuring of its French operations and Australian drinks group Lion Nathan hopes to give US consumers a taste of leading wine brands.

Big brewers searching for a brand old time, says analyst

As speculation mounts over the future of US brewer Anheuser-Busch amidst rumours of a possible takeover bid from rival InBev, it is not the brewer, but the brands that are expected to drive consolidation and growth in the market.

Weekly comment

Yesterday's food complacency proves hard to swallow

For too long, the developed world has taken food for granted. For years, ample food stocks, a well-supplied export trade and rapidly rising agricultural productivity have confined food fears, in the west at least, to history and the memories of older generations.

Clinicians should employ energy drink awareness - study

Clinicians should consider screening energy drink use in their patients to ensure a greater understanding of the possible impacts of long-term exposure to the high-dose caffeinated products, new findings have suggested.