Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

European Commission defends temporary subsidy returns

The European Commission says its decision to reinstate some dairy subsidies in the bloc does not reflect a permanent u-turn on its aims for market deregulation, as it faces international opposition to its stance.

Study finds packaging chemical may hinder fertility

A US study has found that perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which are used in areas such as food packaging, pesticides, clothing, carpets and personal care products, may be linked to infertility in women.

‘Portion size’ may not be a good way to curb obesity: Study

Nutritional labelling may mean more to consumers than portion sizes, according to a joint study from Norway and the US.

Arla propels permeate, lactose development with new business unit

Arla Food Ingredients is sharpening its focus on the potential of permeates and lactose, with the establishment of a dedicated business unit to develop more products.

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Glanbia cuts back on 50 jobs

Irish food firm Glanbia has announced that it is cutting 50 jobs from its Consumer Foods division, so as to reduce costs and cope better with the tough economic environment.

Raw milk artisans disappearing in Quebec cheese dilemma

While pushing to meet growing potential interest in North America for unpasteurised cheeses, producers from Quebec are increasingly questioning using raw milk in their goods amidst wider safety fears, says one industry expert.

Mercury tainted HFCS in produce, say researchers

A policy group is calling on the US food safety regulator and industry to make changes to practices as two studies claim the food supply is being contaminated by mercury tainted high fructose corn syrup.

Agri-Mark acts in global growth hormone debate

Opinion remains divided over the use of recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) in cows to boost milk yield, after US-based cooperative Agri-Mark said it will phase-out using the product in its herds later this year.

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Convicted Chinese dairy boss to appeal

The former head of Sanlu, the Chinese dairy at the heart of last year’s melamine scandal, has said she will appeal the lifetime of imprisonment, according to reports.

Healthy packed lunch trend drives development

New standards for food in schools is driving innovation in lunchbox-friendly products as parents heed official messages about healthy eating, according to the latest research from Mintel.

Global health fears challenge unpasteurised cheeses

From petite fromageries in France to artisan sellers in Quebec and Kansas, the sale of unpasteurised milk in cheese continues to divide opinion, with recent health scares endangering the entire sector.

Where are missing article 13 health claims? asks EHPM

A major European trade group has chimed in with criticism of the latest version of the European Union health and nutrition claims article 13 list, adding to industry concern that claims are being removed or modified without clear explanation from authorities.

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SKI is up for Fonterra ahead of schedule

New Zealand-based cooperative Fonterra says it has acquired the license to manufacture and sell the SKI brand of its yoghurts on the Australian market, ahead of its original schedule.

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Research required on food choice drivers

The UK’s Food Standards Agency and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have issued their first call for researchers under a new food policy partnership – to investigate what makes people chose the food they eat.

Weekly comment

Time to quieten the nutrition label noise

Everyone from government to grocers seems to have their own idea of how best to inform consumers about foods’ nutritional content, but a labeling free-for-all has resulted in a clamor of nutrition labels which are actually getting in the way of comprehension.

Label printer makes brands stand out, says Primera

Food and drink makers can attain branding differential through the application of gold and silver graphics to their labels, claims Primera Technology.

EU milk plans ‘doomed to fail’, says farmers’ group

New measures being taken by the EU to prop up its dairy farmers through the re-introduction of subsidies like export refunds have been derided as being ‘doomed to fail’ by one farmers’ lobby group.

Legislation urged for nano based materials

Switzerland’s Centre for Technology Assessment (TA-Swiss) has called for the existing legislation on foods and chemicals to be adapted to meet the demands of nanotechnology.

Tesco heads to university for dairy innovation drive

One of the UK’s leading retailers is teaming up with a veterinary university to target developments in both animal welfare and product innovation that it says may benefit the country’s dairy sector.

EFSA health claim opinion

EFSA approves Danone children’s bone health claim

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has affirmed the importance of calcium and vitamin D for bone health by approving an article 14 children’s health claim submitted under the EU health and nutrition regulation by Danone’s Spanish arm.

Chinese melamine defendants face death

The Chinese melamine scandal is expected to claim more lives after the country’s courts sentenced two people with alleged involvement in last year’s contamination to death and imprisoned an industry executive, say news reports.

Chinese milk safety targeted in multinational team-up

DSM has announced its intentions to work with players from throughout the Chinese dairy industry in attempts to ensure improved safety throughout the country’s milk supply chain.

Roquefort’s American dreams may be numbered, claims Lactalis

It could now be impossible for French producers to sell Roquefort cheese in the US amidst an ongoing dispute with the EU over trade policy, warns a leading supplier of the product.

Bill would ban BPA in packaging for infants

A Washington State bill aims to ban chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in food or drink containers for children three and younger, including plastic baby bottles and cans of infant formula.

Refunds return as EC reconsiders dairy intervention

The European Commission will this week reinstate and review export refunds and intervention prices on EU dairy commodities to compensate farmers for a ‘complete reverse’ that has occurred in pricing over the last twelve months.

Prebiotic may offer ray of light for IBS sufferers: Study

A novel mixture of prebiotic galactooligosaccharides may selectively boost levels of friendly bacteria in the gut, and ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, says a new study.

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Nestle launches new research web portal

Nestle has launched a new website to provide information and news about its global R&D.

Weekly comment

In praise of pesticides

Who likes pesticides? Misunderstood by consumers and misrepresented by pressure groups, pesticides are a soft target for legislators. The latest blow to that soft target could have hard consequences for the European food industry and for developing countries.

New test for yeast, moulds is sensitive and fast, says firm

A new testing method for the enumeration of yeast and mould counts in food products provides extremely accurate results within a quick turnaround time, claims bioMérieux.

EFSA publishes list of functional article 13 health claims

EFSA has published the list of functional health claims it has received from the Commission to be assessed under article 13 of the new health claims regulation; while the publication has been cautiously welcomed by industry, doubts remain about meeting the January 2010 deadline.

‘Fair Trade’ milk soon a euro reality, says farmers’ group

A ‘Fair Trade’-style certification for European milk prices, designed to cover farmer cost, will soon making its way across EU member states, according to a leading farmers association.

Manure a costly option for dairy’s uncertain green future

Manure and other waste products like leftover whey are heralding a new era for powering cheese production at one US dairy, however the jury is out on the cost and practical feasibility for wider rollouts across Europe.

Fibre-rich ice-cream gets formulation boost: Study

Dietary fibres may control crystallisation and recrystallisation in ice creams, and offer new formulation possibilities for formulators, according to new research from Greece.

News in brief

FSA discusses calorie info on menus

The UK’s Food Standards Agency is initiating a programme to increase the nutritional information available to consumers at catering outlets, and sees calorie labelling as the first step.

Probiotic 'bar-code' could boost strain identification

Identifying the bacteria in a food product – be they probiotic or pathogenic – may be as easy as reading a bar-code, according to a novel technique called optical mapping.

Dairy players look beyond ‘short-term’ private label pressures

As European consumers reportedly flock to own brand products in a bid to offset fears over the global economic downturn, dairy processors are bracing to adapt their operations to meet short-term demand challenge at the very least.

Culture supplier gets soft on global feta needs

The manufacturer of a new range of starter cultures designed to offer white brined soft cheeses such as feta with consistent texture that can meet the needs of both traditional and industrialised producers.

Publication outlines nutraceutical challenges

Amidst a shifting industry focus away making from carbonated beverages, the authors of a new publication outline the challenges facing drink manufacturers in tackling a new age of functional products.

Weekly comment

The invincibles – recession proof food and healthy eating

There are fears that in the economic crisis consumers will put on “recession pounds” by eating unhealthily. Rightly or wrongly, food manufacturers may suffer the blame but “unhealthy” and “recession proof” do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.

PC enclosure designed to meet food plant hygiene standards

A new PC enclosure has been designed to protect equipment in food processing environments, and is resistant to strict hygiene processes, says its UK developer.

News in brief

Cadbury’s labels to warn that Dairy Milk contains milk

Cadbury has announced that it will add warnings to its Dairy Milk chocolate wrappers – to inform milk-allergic potential customers that it contains milk.

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Emmi targets US with cheese buy

Switzerland-based cheese maker Emmi hopes to push itself further into the US with the acquisition of Roth Käse, reflecting a wider international focus for its products.

Fonterra supports safety of probiotic ingredients

The probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 are safe and well-tolerated, according to a new study from New Zealand.

Turkey looks to GDA-like labelling

Draft changes to Turkish food labelling regulations would put a GDA-like scheme on products, according to a GAIN report from the USDA.

Resistant starch-enriched milk puddings pass sensory tests: Study

Adding resistant starch to milk puddings produces formulations that are acceptable to consumers, particularly those interested in healthy options, says a new study.

Arla faces farmer wrath over new year price chop

A leading European dairy cooperative has announced it will return prices paid to its farmer members to rates similar to before surging values recorded in mid-2007, risking further wrath from concerned farmers in the bloc.

Whey protein promises nano-encapsulation of omega-3

The whey protein beta-lactoglobulin may spontaneously bind the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and offer nano-encapsulation potential for formulators.

TB outbreak not driving organic supply panic - cooperative

An emerging supplier of organic milk drinks faces a major setback to its operations after having to slaughter hundreds of its cattle to quell an outbreak of Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB), potentially setting back supply.

News in brief

Sanlu faces bankruptcy

Last year’s scandal involving Chinese products derived from milk tainted with the industrial chemical melamine continues to take its toll on New-Zealand-based cooperative Fonterra as its Sanlu joint venture faces bankruptcy.

Nutritionist says high calcium foods no fix-all for osteoporosis

A diet containing high calcium food products like dairy goods and certain vegetables may not alone serve as an effective means of reducing the risk of osteoporosis, say some nutritionists.

Nano sensors offer rapid detection of Salmonella, claims ARS

A nano sensor to detect Salmonella bacteria has been developed which could enhance food safety and security, claims a team of scientists.

US Congress told use of BPA in formula cans safe

New York based company Bristol-Myers Squibb spent $840,000 (€614,040) in the third quarter on lobbying the US Congress on safety and pricing issues including a bill that would ban the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in infant formula food packaging, according to media reports.

Falling pound value may aid UK-Euro dairy woes

British dairy groups are proving to be particularly sensitive to the bleak new year outlook facing European processors, though the falling value of Sterling may cushion the nation’s producers ahead of an expected long-term pickup.

News in brief

FrieslandCampina awarded royal title

The new dairy firm formed out of the merger of Friesland and Campina is to be known as Royal FrieslandCampina, following an official award of the title by Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands.