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Food and beverage makers internationally are keeping a careful watch on a natural sweetener from the Chinese monk fruit, although its uptake in the market is still several steps away, indicate analysts. (ap-foodtechnology.com) The intense sweetener from monk fruit, or luo han guo, is said to be up to 300 times sweeter than sugar and has been used for many years to sweeten products in parts of Asia. Although it has yet to be approved for use in foods and... read more →

‘Household names’ in food and drink manufacturing are conducting trials with fruit-based sweetener Sweet Freedom following its successful launch in the retail market. (foodmanufacture.co.uk) The sweetener, which is derived from naturally-occurring sugars in carob, apples and grapes, has secured listings in Tesco, Holland & Barrett, Waitrose and Ocado, where it is sold in 400ml bottles. However, it has recently increased its profile amongst food... read more →

Heinz has reduced its energy budget by more than 13% at its Kitt Green factory in Wigan over the past two years. (foodmanufacture.co.uk) The 55-acre site, which makes canned baked beans, pasta, soup and puddings, is the largest food production facility in Europe. Efficiencies have been achieved across the board through working closely with the Carbon Trust, utility manager Barry Aspey told FoodManufacture.co.uk. However, the biggest savings have come from... read more →

Pig farmers are calling for pig prices to remain firm, or risk the industry sliding back into the red. Industry leaders said farmers will be losing money on every pig unless the DAPP is maintained at current levels. (meatinfo.co.uk) Bpex made the warning following the announcement last week of the Russian ban on wheat exports. Feed represents up to 60% of the current costs of pig production of which the main ingredients are wheat, barley and soya. During... read more →

Meat from the offspring of a cloned cow was eaten in the UK last year, the Food Standards Agency has said. (bbc.co.uk) Two bulls from the embryos of a cow cloned in the US were bought by a farm near Nairn in the Highlands, and meat from one was sold to consumers. Farmer Steven Innes told the BBC he had done nothing wrong and the animal had authorisation to enter the food chain. FSA chief Tim Smith said he had no safety concerns but any suppliers would require... read more →

Dairy Crest could be the biggest loser if the UK’s biggest supermarkets decide to shake up supply contracts over the next 18 months, while rival Robert Wiseman Dairies has the most to gain, according to a new report. (foodmanufacture.co.uk) n a 52-page analysis on the two firms by investment banker Panmure Gordon, analysts Graham Jones and Damian McNeela argue that a period of relative stability in supermarket milk supply could be about to end, as Arla... read more →

British Sugar has joined forces with natural sweeteners firm PureCircle to develop new bulk sweeteners combining sugar and extracts from the stevia leaf. (foodmanufacture.co.uk) Their new joint venture The Natural Sweetness Company will operate in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, China and Africa and will develop products for food and drink manufacturers and retailers. Target customers will be those selling solid foods that require bulk as well as sweetness... read more →

Significantly reduced analysis time to aid fast and reliable throughput are benefits claimed by Thermo Fisher Scientific for two new analytical screening methods to detect oil contamination in fish and oysters. (foodproductiondaily.com) he company said the methods were developed by it recently-formed Global Food Safety Response Center in Germany in response to the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Dreieich-based center, which was unveiled just... read more →