A meeting of food scientists and dietitians has produced a paper outlining ways to tackle the challenges of food reformulation to bring the food supply more in line with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). (Foodnavigatorusa.com) The Dietary Guidelines are revised every five years in order to reflect changes in nutrition knowledge over time, including a review of contemporary US intakes of various foods and nutrients, examining those areas in... read more →
Campden BRI forecasts that 2011 will be the year of product benchmarking as food companies are trying to stay ahead with the current competitiveness in the marketplace. (Foodnavigatorusa.com) At Campden BRI, product benchmarking involves an assessment of the sensory features of a product: the flavour, the odour and the texture of a food or a drink product are evaluated and compared to other competing products. The UK food and drink research organisation... read more →
A Medical Journal of Australia study has found blood folate levels have increased in the Australian population after mandatory folic acid fortification of bread products was introduced in September, 2009. (Nutraingredients.com) They found a 77 per cent reduction in low serum folate levels after analysing more than 20,000 blood samples collected from a varied group of hospital patients between April 2007 and April 2010. The 77 per cent drop occurred between... read more →
The percentage of US consumers buying organic products has remained steady at 38-39 percent for three years running, according to research from TABS Group. (Foodnavigatorusa.com) The market research organization conducted a survey of 1,000 people aged 18-75 in its online panel in early January 2011, replicating an earlier poll conducted in November 2008. Its results show the percentage of consumers buying organic products stood at 38.4 percent in 2008,... read more →
If he does succeed in breaking up Northern Foods’ arranged marriage with Greencore, Ranjit Boparan will need to prove he can build better relationships with supermarkets than the current management to re-build the firm’s reputation, according to its former boss. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Former chairman Lord Chris Haskins (pictured) was speaking to FoodManufacture.co.uk ahead of the January 21 deadline imposed by the UK takeover panel by which... read more →
Unilever boss Paul Polman used his time on the podium at last night’s City Food Lecture in London to unveil a radical new manifesto to improve food security and launch a blistering attack on “well-meaning but ill-conceived” policies on biofuels. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Polman, who recently pledged to halve the environmental footprint of his company’s products and source 100% of its agricultural raw materials sustainably in 10 years, said... read more →
Worried staff at Longbenton Foods’ Amble factory are again fearing for their jobs, after it emerged that the site administrator is marketing the factory and its contents via an online auction. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) Acting on behalf of administrator Begbies Traynor, auctioneer Sweeney Kincaid has published an online advert for the “major sale by tender of an exceptionally modern root vegetable processing plant and equipment” in Amble, Northumberland. The... read more →
Proposals to overhaul the fee inspection regime at food and feed facilities in the UK would result in a more consistent and clearer system – but one that would cost businesses more, said the Food Standards Agency (FSA). (Bakeryandsnacks.com) The food safety watchdog appears to have anticipated industry opposition to the scheme but said the proposals are necessary to improve standards and ensure the UK has a voice in upcoming EU negotiations. In... read more →
