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Low-dose e-beam radiation under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a viable alternative to chlorine to reduce microbes or eliminate Salmonella and Listeria from baby spinach, claims US research. (foodproductiondaily.com) The authors, writing in the Journal of Food Science, said the novel treatment improves the shelf life of minimally processed fruits and vegetables and results in a high level of microorganism inactivation using lower doses than the... 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 →

The firm behind a new breed of microscopic salt crystals that is helping manufacturers slash sodium and retain their clean-labels has branched out into the retail market with the development of a consumer product called Solti. (Foodmanufacturing.co.uk) The product should launch in Tesco, Asda and Waitrose “in the next month or so”, revealed Nottingham-based firm Eminate, which has patented the technology behind it. Eminate’s chief technical... read more →

Lallemand Health Ingredients is promoting a new vegetarian form of vitamin D it says can make a considerable dent in global deficiencies in the ‘sun vitamin’ due its functional food flexibility. (Nutraingredients.com) Engevita D contains 100 IU/g, 100 per cent of the US Institute of Medicine recommended daily allowance of 2g, and is being promoted on its formulation ease across a range of applications to boost vitamin D levels and act as a flavour... read more →

The European Confederation of Food and Drink Industries (CIAA) has warned that the European food and drink industry’s competitiveness on the global market is“at risk”, but measures already in place, such as the European Technology Platform (ETP) on Food for Life, hold hope for a coordinated recovery. (Foodnavigator.com) The CIAA said that new and emerging economies such as China, India and Brazil, are seeing growth in exports of value-added... read more →

Food must be a higher priority for decision-makers around the world to ward off disaster in decades to come, concludes a major report from the UK; and new technologies like GM and cloning should not be ruled out but acceptability weighed against the costs of not using them. (Foodnavigator.com) The Foresight Food and Farming Futures report is the culmination of a major project involving 400 experts and stakeholders in 35 countries around the world. Led... read more →

The introduction of good manufacturing practices (GMPs) is a boon for contract analytical services, and those with special services to offer are standing out from the crowd. (Nutraingredientsusa.com) The final piece of the GMP jigsaw fell into place in June when the regulation was applied to small and medium-sized enterprises. And this has led to a “huge increase in testing” at contract analytical players, such as Covance, says Darryl Sullivan, the... read more →

Higher throughputs and cost savings are benefits claimed for a “genuinely innovative” offset printing method that can be used on spherical plastic packaging containers for the first time, said Gizeh. (APfoodtechnology.com) The German company said the technological advance means the high-speed method can now be employed in applications such as curved pots. “With the new method an appearance can be obtained on curved cups that is otherwise only possible... read more →