health
New ‘super prebiotic to boost gut health’ in Europe
Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOs) is a patented product which is selling exceptionally well in Asian markets, according to distributor Cornelius, which is now introducing it to the UK, Eire and Poland. “Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOs) are sugar oligomers made up of xylose units and are derived from non-genetically modified corn,” says sales director Darren Spiby. “They can be used […]
Chilled foods: a helping hand with shelf life evaluation
With the total UK chilled food sector worth over £8.7 billion (€10bn) and growing, it’s more important than ever that manufacturers accurately determine shelf life to both guarantee food safety and minimise waste. Setting shelf-life limits can be a complex process and getting it wrong can have very serious public health, economic and legal consequences. […]
CIAA spotlight on reformulation progress
The actions being taken by Europe’s food manufacturers to reformulate food and drink products in order to improve their nutritional composition were highlighted at a recent multi-stakeholder debate hosted by the CIAA (Confederation of the food and drink industries of the EU). Independent researchers, industry representatives and policymakers joined forces to discuss both the successes […]
DuPont wins fight for Danisco
DuPont has won a five-month takeover fight for Danish food ingredient maker Danisco, after more than 92% of shareholders approved its £3.8 billion (€4.4bn) tender offer. The American chemical giant said it had received 92.2% of all Danisco shares, for which it offered 700 DKK apiece. “We are delighted that the tender has been successful […]
EFSA restructure underway
EFSA has begun rolling out its reorganisation programme in a bid, it says, to ‘make best use of resources to reflect an ever increasing workload, strengthen efficiency and provide a higher quality service to its clients’. The re-structuring will take place gradually throughout 2011 and will be completed by early 2012. EFSA says the move […]
Danisco unveils new weapon in war on cholesterol
Danisco says its new brand of sterols derived from a sustainable pine source is ‘a pure and effective way to keep the heart and arteries in shape’ by lowering levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood through a reduction in cholesterol absorption. According to the firm, PinVita is easy to formulate and provides food manufacturers […]
Spotlight on food labelling plans
Food labels should include mandatory nutritional information, including on artificial trans fats and the country of provenance, Environment Committee MEPs said this week. The committee amended draft EU legislation to ensure that labels are ‘legible, do not mislead, and provide the information that consumers need to make choices’. The draft legislation, voted at the second […]
Food safety, Ingredients, Packaging, Regulatory, Sustainability
Positive outlook for Hi-maize
National Starch Food Innovation says it is delighted at at EFSA’s positive opinion on the benefits of type-2 resistant starch from high amylose maize (Hi-maize) in relation to health blood sugar levels. However, the company goes on to say that it is disappointed that a second claim for digestive health benefits was not accepted because […]
EFSA verdict on ‘general function’ health claims
EFSA’s Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) panel has published the outcome of the evaluations of a fourth series of ‘general function’ health claims proposed for use on food products. The 442 claims assessed relate to health relationships in such areas as: protection against oxidative damage to body cells, contribution to either cognitive or bowel […]
EFSA updates food irradiation advice
EFSA’s scientific experts have this week updated advice on the safety of irradiation of food – a process which can be used to destroy bacteria that cause food poisoning. Having looked at the efficacy and microbiological safety of the process, and possible risks arising from the formation of several chemical substances as a result of […]
Public health focus for BCCC annual conference
Professionals from across the biscuit, cake, chocolate and confectionery world gathered in Oxfordshire this week to discuss how the sector can deliver on public health, with a special focus on the Government’s Responsibility Deal. “A common thread that affects us all is the health and nutrition of our products, their subsequent labelling and finally their […]
Business news, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging
Sports nutrition brands ‘must widen product appeal’
Sports nutrition food and drink brands have the potential for tremendous growth if they can encourage mass consumption by widening the appeal of their products, says a new report from market analyst Datamonitor. It reveals that although sports nutrition brands have already made progress in the mainstream market, there is room for further growth as […]
Microflakes ‘designed to deliver chocolate flavour and colour’
ADM Cocoa International has launched deZaan Chocolate Microflakes, which it says will allow manufacturers ‘to capture the indulgence of real chocolate in a convenient, dispersible powder form’. The microflakes have been designed to deliver the flavour and colour of real chocolate to ice creams, dairy desserts, drinks and confiseur chocolates. “Formulated to disperse and dissolve […]
Fish and shellfish safety research plan
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Scotland is commissioning five pieces of research that it says will help gather evidence to improve the hygiene standards of fish and shellfish consumed in Scotland. The areas of research are to include a review of the processes in place throughout the processing chain that are designed to control […]