The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revised its guidance on
the use of words such as 'fresh', 'natural' and 'pure' to provide
clearer advice to manufacturers.
A manufacturer of bottle closures says its latest cooperation with
a leading German brewer reflects the growing demands within the
industry to adapt to a new lightweight standard.
Knife crime, obesity and skiffle music. Out of all the evils
currently threatening the welfare of Western teenagers, recent US
headlines finger the main culprit as the caffeinated alcoholic
beverage.
Regular consumption of green tea may improve the function of
endothelial cells - cells lining the walls of blood vessels - and
boost cardiovascular health, according to new research from Greece.
Supplements of the lycopene, the carotenoid that give tomatoes
their red colour, may be as effective as statins to reduce the
formation of plaques in the arteries that cause atherosclerosis,
says a new study with rabbits.
New guidelines concerning the recycling of plastics intended for use in the packaging of foods have been published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
The controlled release of food ingredients, like bioactive
compounds and flavours, is far behind the pharmaceutical world, but
the balance is slowly being redressed.
The Miller Brewing Company will not be following in the footsteps
of rivals by reformulating its caffeinated alcohol brands in the
US, claiming the products are fully compliant with regulatory and
labelling guidelines in the country.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Despite their dominance within the market, Bottled water
manufacturers are coming increasingly under pressure from
point-of-use (POU) water suppliers amidst recent environmental
criticism of the industry, according to a new report.
The Irish food industry and the Department of Environment have
together launched a training initiative to achieve a reduction in
packaging amid growing environmental concerns.
Food makers to see alternative supplies for sucralose as new
manufacturer for this booming sweetener hits European markets for
the first time, launching today in Amsterdam.
Ingredient group Sabinsa has adopted a new technology that allows
it to 'solubalize' a range of botanical extracts, thereby making
them easy to incorporate into beverage applications, said the firm.
Fresh evidence that supports the potential protective health
properties of wine with a US study suggesting a glass of red wine a
day could actually protect against liver disease.
Tetra Pak is stumping up €26m for an upgrade of its Italian
packaging materials plant that will significantly increase its
printing and lamination capacity, and boost the quality and speed
of its service.
Increasing consumer power in Russia is drawing food and beverage
manufacturers to set up base in the country - which, in turn, is
opening opportunities for ingredients suppliers to do more business
in the emerging market.
A recent review that casts a rosy glow on the trend for fruit
smoothies because they can help consumers meet five a day
fruit-and-veg targets has caused uproar amongst dentists, who say
the sugar and acid content can cause tooth erosion.
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) will next week launch
a new online tool is says will allow the industry to better assess
how much of environmental impact transportation has on their
operations.
A growing body of research is questioning the usefulness of
low-calorie sweeteners in stemming weight gain, according to an
editorial in JAMA, which could have an impact on diet food
development.
Post consumer recycled material (PCR) derived from recycled PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottles is fast replacing the polymer polypropylene in the rigid plastics packaging market, claims Finnish packaging firm Huhtamaki.
In the second part of our look back series on major developments at
this year's Interpack trade show in Dusseldorf, Germany,
BeverageDaily.com examines the importance of reforming labelling on
bio-packaging to the industry.
Some food and beverage manufacturers may switch from high fructose
corn syrup (HFCS) to sugar as a result of high corn prices, but
this is only likely to be the case for relatively small scale
users, according to a consultant.
Sweeteners and colourings in food aimed at children should be
banned, while additives ought to be used in other products only if
they provide an advantage to the consumer, said the EU Environment
Committee.
Ajinomoto Sweeteners Europe has launched a defamation law suit
against US supermarket Asda over labelling on own-brand products
that calls aspartame a 'nasty'.
Supplements of the green tea compound EGCG may offset the signs of
physical and mental fatigue associated with modern stressful lives,
suggests research from Japan.
EFSA has undertaken to review its previous advice on safe levels of
bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging and provide updates on its
deliberations, following new assessments from Canada and the US.
The growing prevalence of smoothies and other fruit based-beverages
in Britain's soft drinks market failed to prevent overall sales
volumes declines within the industry during 2007, according to the
British Soft Drink Association...
This week, PepsiAmericas reports profit success following
developments in emerging markets, Adnams launches a green beer in
the UK, and InnoBev US forum plans to open its doors.
The US market for soy foods and beverages is poised for strong
growth as consumer awareness of the health benefits of soy
increases, according to a new report.
Functional foods have been one of the strongest sectors within the broader food industry for more than a decade but the good times may be coming to an end - at least in the UK, according to Mintel research.
Food companies wanting to swap plastic packaging for biomass
polymer-based alternatives to stress their green credentials still
face a number of barriers, according to a new report.
Pressure is growing on the US Food and Drug Administration to set
new restrictions on the use of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in
food packaging following a new safety study.
Soft drink manufacturers have branded calls for the adoption of a
nationwide deposit scheme on bottles and beverage cans by a
UK-based environmental charity as unworkable.