Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Scanner looks for new angle on package contamination

A new four-way x-ray detector can offer manufacturers of baby food and other high viscosity products a high probability of glass contaminant detection in their packaging, according to its manufacturer.

Danisco debuts cheese-making aid

Danisco has launched a proprietary fermentation-produced chymosin (FPC) it says is less sensitive to price fluctuations than calf-stomach derived versions.

Trans-fats harm mechanism proposed

Trans fatty acids (TFA), an enfant terrible of the food industry, may promote cardiovascular disease by triggering inflammatory processes in the cells lining blood vessels, American scientists report.

News briefs: Kraft Foods and Fonterra

This week, Kraft posts a slight rise in first quarter sales, while Fonterra gets Vatican approval to expand its presence in South America.

US politicians weigh in on biofuels vs. food debate

The debate over whether biofuels are a major factor in rising food prices lugged on this week, with the Bush administration for the first time acknowledging there may be some truth to this.

BfR expands food safety role by increasing expertise

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is tightening food safety measures by creating fourteen new committees to provide expert advice on food, feed and consumer product safety.

Weekly comment

No quick fix to the food price crisis

The food crisis is neither new nor sudden. The several underlying causes have been independently, steadily gathering speed and have collided in a perfect storm not seen for generations. It is going to take a coordinated, long-term effort to untangle them.

Arla beats Lactofree TV challenge in UK

Danish dairy and ingredients giant Arla Foods has defeated a challenge to the way it was marketing a lactose-free milk in the UK.

Cross-linked pectin to lead to better emulsions for food?

Using enzymes to cross-link pectin may produce new emulsions with enhanced functional properties, and opportunities for food formulators, American researchers report.

Texture of low-fat ice cream boosted by prebiotics

The prebiotic inulin may enhance the texture of probiotic ice-cream, resulting in a potentially health friendly summer snack, according to new research.

News briefs: Cloetta Fazer, salty ice-cream and a confectionery conference

Rising costs cause Cloetta Fazer profits to drop, Haagen-Dazs puts salt in ice-cream, and the UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF) holds a conference on the changing confectionery market.

Fat replacers to spiral in US dairy and meat sectors

Demand for fat replacers is set to increase as health trends continue, with particular growth experienced in the meat and dairy sector, according to a new report.

News briefs: Nestle results, Bel Group buy

This week, Nestle continues to profit from its nutrition focus and the Bel Group looks to expand into Czech cheese production.

Stork, Marel merger gets EU green light

The European Commission (EC) has given the go ahead to the acquisition of Stork Food Systems (SFS) by Marel after an investigation by the European competition authorities.

Satiety feeds appetite for ingredient launches

Key trends for ingredient launches in 2007, such as products for satiety and weight management, will continue this year, though world economy will affect some areas of innovation, says LFI.

Lipid Nutrition prepares for launch of PinnoThin powder

Lipid Nutrition is to launch a powder form of its PinnoThin weight loss ingredient, which the firm hopes will expand its use in a wider range of food and beverage applications.

Low-fat dairy may help reduce blood pressure

Consuming high levels of low fat dairy foods, fruits and vegetables as part of the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) may help lowed blood pressure in adolescents, says new research.

Weekly Comment

The dangers of selective science

Antioxidants are back under the microscope for all the wrong reasons. But the use of meta-analyses to pool data is controversial, and scientists need to keep perspective before publishing conclusions.

German industry seeks clarity over food labelling

The German government is keeping industry guessing about its preferred scheme for nutrition labelling, performing about turns between favouring a traffic light scheme or guidance daily amounts (GDA).

BASF to extend biodegradable focus

BASF is planning to significantly step up production of its biodegradable plastic materials amidst growing demand from various industries including packagers.

News briefs: Danone results and Tai Chi dairy

This week, Danone says it is on track for full year profitability and organic farmers get the Tai Chi bug.

Egyptian weed may offer novel hydrocolloid for foods

A hydrocolloid extracted from the leaves of Corchorus olitorius, a relative of jute, can enhance the strength of gels made with kappa-carrageenan, suggests new research from Japan.

Study asserts role for flavored milk in kids' diets

Children who include flavored milk in their diets consume more milk overall than those who just drink plain milk, says a new study that suggests such products could help boost nutrient intake.

Irish dairy facing innovation challenges, says industry

The Irish dairy industry must step up innovation if it is to remain competitive in a changing European market place, according to one of the country's leading processors and ingredient suppliers.

Irish dairy board seeking higher sales to China

The Irish Dairy Board is eyeing China's foodservice market as an opportunity to add volumes to its growing retail business.

Farmers hit out at dairy attacks

The UK National Farmer's Union (NFU) has hit out at 'fashionable' environmental criticisms of dairy and other livestock-based farming it claims are based on outdated exaggerations.

Fonterra develops online trading for dairy commodities

Fonterra is launching a new online sales channel for its dairy commodities which will allow it to respond more quickly to price changes - and may spur the development of an international dairy futures or derivatives market.

Chalk-based dairy packaging enters home market

A new packaging product produced from chalk by Swedish firm Ecolean has been launched in its home market after several successful years in China and Russia.

Cargill focuses on sustainability with wheat processing plant

Cargill's new UK wheat processing plant is aimed at ensuring market competitiveness and sustainability by localising the production of wheat glucose for sweeteners.

Dutch dairy giants agree on merger plan

Netherlands-based dairy rivals, Friesland Foods and Campina, have yesterday reached an agreement to combine their operations in a bid to maximize returns from their milk supply.

European food groups edging past US rivals in obesity focus

European-based food groups are generally ahead of their US rivals in providing health and wellness products to consumers, though they must do more to ensure the focus is a core part of their business, a new report claims.

Czech market ripe for high quality cheeses - expert

Czech demand for imported cheeses continues to grow following the country's accession to member state status within the EU, creating opportunities for exporters of the product in the bloc, according to an industry expert.

Consumers go for green products, Mintel

Research by Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) shows that an increasing number of new products boast environmentally-friendly claims.

Dairy flavourings designed for clean label sugar reduction

A new range of natural flavourings for use in dairy formulations offer a clean label alternative to existing products and reduce sugar content by as much 30 per cent, according to the manufacturer.

Report favours 'soft landing' approach to stabilising EU milk supplies

A 'soft landing solution' for the abolition of milk production quotas within the EU is expected to ensure a smoother transition for the industry than abruptly scrapping the system, according to a new report.

MAP packager used for cheese process ease

A flow wrap packaging technology can allow cheese processors to package a variety of different goods with Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) on a single line, according to its manufacturer.

Glanbia debuts omega-3 ingredient in Europe

Specialty ingredients supplier Glanbia Nutritionals has launched its first omega-3 ingredients in Europe in a move that will see it target functional foods and beverages.

EU plays down impact of New Zealand-China dairy deal

The signing of a new free trade agreement between China and New Zealand predicted to open up numerous benefits for dairy trade will not setback the interests of producers in Europe, according to a UK trade association.

Weekly comment

HFCS and the battle for natural

It is hard for food companies not to get drawn into the temptation of using attractive label claims that may be shrouded by a veil of doubt. But the real risk comes when the 'if you don't know, don't ask' question is finally answered.

Lonza to boost vitamin B3 capacity

Lonza is to expand its production of vitamin B3 in a bid to meet growing demand for the ingredient from the food industry, the company has said.

Raw milk feta may hold anti-Listeria key, say researchers

Feta cheese made from raw milk in Greece may hold secrets that could lead to new methods for battling food poisoning bacteria like Listeria, researchers at the University of Lincoln said yesterday.

Sainsbury to push one per cent milk

Sainsbury's launch of an own-brand one per cent fat milk highlights the product's move into the mainstream dairy market, just a year after the implementation of new EU rules regarding the fat content of milk.

Glanbia builds science behind whey protein for weight loss

A whey-protein-rich ingredient can reduce body fat and maintain lean muscle mass, reports a new randomised, double-blind study from Glanbia.

EFSA adapting to increasing workload, says executive director

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) expects to process applications for 1000-2000 health claims, 900 food additives and 2800 flavours in the next 12 months, according to EFSA executive director, Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle.

Dairy commodity prices climb sharply

Dairy commodity costs have surged in the space of just one month to cap off huge rises in the prices being paid out by processors over the last year, according to recently published data by DIN Consultancy.

ITW creates new EU packaging division

US-based Illinois Tool Works (ITW) has established a new division, ITW Packaging, which the company says will focus on providing multipack technologies to the European food markets.

UK scientists gather to discuss obesity

'Growing up in an obesogenic environment', 'Have we sacrificed our children on the altar of a free market?', 'Endocrine disrupters and obesity - old chemicals, new questions' and other presentations will lead a UK symposium next month.

US dairy industry to rethink export plans

The US dairy industry is having to change its attitudes towards export markets, amidst growing international demand for both finished products and ingredients, an industry organization has said.

Dairy Crest recalls spread amidst brand push

UK-based Dairy Crest has extended a product recall to another batch of its 2kg tubs of Vitalite brand due to incorrect packaging labeling claiming the product is 'soya free' and 'suitable for vegans'.