Food robotics and automation centre CenFRA (Centre for Robotics and Automation) has introduced new simulation techniques that can help food manufacturers ‘virtually’ evaluate the merits of automating aspects of their processes without disrupting production (foodmanufacture.co.uk). The simulation system, which CenFRA is currently targeting at the fresh produce sector, produces interactive 3-D computer models of factory layouts, which factor in existing... read more →
Branding and labelling have the most impact on consumers’ buying decisions, followed by blind tasting, concludes a study that used wine tasting as a model to determine the relative influence of different cues on purchasing intent. (ap-foodtechnology.com) When a consumer is making up their mind whether or not to buy a product they are not guided by its taste alone. A number of extrinsic factors also vie for their attention, such as awareness of the brand,... read more →
The hydrocolloids market has seen double digit growth rates between 2005 and 2009, with their fat replacer applications being boosted by the global health and wellness trend, according to a new Leatherhead report. (confectionerynews.com) Emulsion stabilizers, suspending agents, gelling agents, thickeners, fibre sources, mouthfeel improvers, fat replacers and processing aids all come under the umbrella of hydrocolloids, with the report Key Players in the... read more →
A breakthrough process that converts waste carbon dioxide into food packaging and coatings could also be used to replace bisphenol A (BPA) in the linings of food and drink cans, said Novomer, the company developing the technology. (foodproductiondaily.com) The eco-friendly method to produce polymers and polyols has been “fully developed at pilot scale” company vice president business development Peter Shepard told FoodProductionDaily.com. The polymers... read more →
Global demand for functional additives and barrier coatings for plastic packaging is forecast to grow by 4.3 per cent in the five years from 2009 to reach US$752m by 2014, according to Pira International. (ap-foodtechnology.com) he packaging consultants said growth in barrier coatings at 4.6 per cent annually would marginally outstrip that of functional additives at 3.9 per cent. Neverthess the combined 4.3 per cent growth rate is still “much higher”... read more →
There is no “magic bullet” to tackle campylobacter, according to the UK’s the three major public funders of food safety research as they unveiled a joint initiative to battle the bug. (foodproductiondaily.com) he Food Safety agency (FSA), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have, for the first time, tabled a common strategy to investigate the foodborne... read more →
A new study has concluded that nutrition labels best attract attention if they are double-sized, monochrome, and appear in the same spot on food packaging. (foodnavigator.com) The question of how best to communicate nutritional information on foods has been a matter of hot debate as new regulation on food information is currently being debated by the European law-making institutions. A number of issues have proved divisive, including where and how mandatory... read more →
Made from canola and sunflower seeds, the oils are said to have a ‘unique’ combination of high oleic and low linolenic fatty acids that delivers the benefits without oil performance or food taste. (bakeryandsnacks.com) Improved health, performance and flavor attributes are claimed for the new Omega-9 Oils Ingredient Solutions from Dow AgroSciences designed for use in baked goods, snacks and packaged foods. Dow’s David Dzisiak, commercial leader oils,... read more →
