Health food store owners are warning they will be forced to close down after April 30 this year, when the European Union Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD) kicks in. (Nutraingredients.com) Companies have had a seven year-grace period since the THMPD entered EU law books in 2004, but EU-wide registrations under the regulation have been chronically low, meaning unless thousands of products register in the coming months, they will be... read more →
Multivac said a ‘pioneering’ system that integrates the high pressure treatment of food into a fully automatic packaging line provides the first viable option for the combination of both technologies. (APfoodtechnologies.com) The German-based company said its newly developed “concept”, for which patents have already been filed, could process both vacuum and modified atmosphere packed (MAP) products. Previously, it was necessary to carry... read more →
The UK has confirmed it is to review the way official food safety controls are carried out in a bid to simplify the system, ensure consistency across sectors and centralise responsibility under four national bodies. (Foodproductiondaily.com) The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said at its board meeting this week it is to undertake a far-reaching rethink on the system for charging for inspections at food business operations (FBO). Its recommendations are ... read more →
A host of big names in UK food and drink including Associated British Foods, Coca-Cola Enterprises and Kraft Foods have added their signatures to the second phase of the Courtauld Commitment. (Foodproductiondaily.com) Launched last spring, the voluntary agreement, run by the government-backed Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) attracted 28 companies. New signatories The number of signatories has now risen to 48 with the backing all the major... read more →
Governments should play a more active role in curbing the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages high in saturated fat, trans-fatty acids, free sugars, or salt to children, warns the World Health Organisation (WHO). (Foodnavigator.com) A WHO spokesman told FoodNavigator: “Governments should take the lead role in developing new or strengthening existing policies in this area.” They should also ensure the protection of public interest and avoid... read more →
The potential heart health benefits of polyphenol-rich cocoa powder may be related to a ‘novel mechanism’ of boosting HDL (good) cholesterol, says a new study from Japan. (Confectionerynews.com) Researchers from the Food and Health R&D Laboratories at Japanese company Meiji Seika Kaisha report that cocoa’s potential ability to boost HDL levels is related to a proteins which boost levels of a compound called apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1), which is... read more →
Leading maker of bulk chocolate, Barry Callebaut, has bought and exported the cocoa beans it needs to fulfill its processing needs, said a company spokesperson in reaction to the suspension of Ivory Coast exports. (Confectionerynews.com) Raphael Wermuth external communications manager at Barry Callebaut told ConfectioneryNews.com that the company’s two factories in Abidjan and San Pedro are still running. “For the time being our stock levels are sufficient,”... read more →
The deficit in the EU sugar supply could put production at risk for confectioners and other food and drink industry users of the commodity if market intervention does not occur, said Irish trade body FDII, who are calling on the EC to keep out-of-quota sugar within the bloc. (Confectionerynews.com) Thomas Burke, a spokesperson for Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII), told ConfectioneryNews.com that the industry group was not aware of any production... read more →
