Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Japanese car philosophy inspires process efficiency model

Researchers from Sweden have developed an evaluation model for food process systems to improve production flow and minimize waste that is based on a Japanese philosophy.

Arla develops skimmed milk powder substitute for meat

Arla Foods Ingredients has introduced a new milk protein designed to replace skimmed milk powder in meat formulations, which it claims offers better texture for less cost.

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FiE to take trend approach in Frankfurt

This year’s Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) trade show in Frankfurt, Germany, will focus on key trends such as fat, sugar and salt reduction, global sourcing, and satiety.

Study favours dairy calcium over fortification for bone boost

New industry-funded research suggests that calcium from dairy products can help ensure stronger bones that when derived from fortified, non-milk based goods.

EU Novel Foods amendment proposal accepted

European Union novel foods applications will be processed more quickly and the definition of what constitutes a novel food broadened, if a proposal for a new novel foods regulation is accepted by the European Parliament (EP).

New online food risk assessment tool

Gauging food safety risks will become easier thanks to the EasyRisk Manager online assessment tool, claims its manufacturer Det Norske Veritas (DNV).

Machine range targets water use and whey for greener cheese

An ongoing focus on efficient water use by Tetra Pak has led to the development of more cost effective, environmentally friendly cheese production equipment, claims the manufacturer.

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Fonterra divests in Oz and India

Fonterra has this week confirmed that it is divesting a number of its operations in Australia and India as it focuses on what it calls core strategic objectives.

Chr Hansen launches probiotic satiety program

Danish probiotics supplier, Chr Hansen, is investigating the satiety potential of a version of the probiotic strain, Lactobacillus casei, under a new programme called ProSat.

New ultrasonic sensors clean up

New ultrasonic sensors for use in the food and beverage industry have been launched by Banner Engineering, based in Minneapolis, US.

Nestle drops national health logo for regional Milo push

Nestle says it will commit itself to less nationally focused health promotions on brands like Milo - an instant powdered chocolate milk - as part of a shake up of its New Zealand and Australian operations.

First whey form meets sports testing standards

UK whey-based performance nutrition specialist, Volac, has become the first raw ingredients supplier to meet the stringent requirements of testing programme, Informed-Sport.

Weekly comment

Supplements: Time to change the nay-saying record?

As yet another TV show concludes that supplements are unnecessary, is the ignorance of the mainstream media few putting the health of the many at risk? Isn’t it time to change the record?

New checkweighers meet HACCP requirements, says developer

Two new checkweighing scales have both been durably constructed for demanding production environments and heavy sanitary washdowns, claims their US-based manufacturer, Rice Lake Weighing Systems.

Industry involvement sought in waste targeted project

Greater clarity on which supply chains areas to prioritise for action on waste could help food and drink manufacturers as well as grocery retailers identify opportunities to make cost and environmental savings, claims a UK government funded agency.

Rachel’s says organic rebrand not symbolic for industry

The re-branding of a leading UK dairy company by dropping the word organic from its name has caused a media storm this week, though one national trade group suggests similar industry-wide action is unlikely.

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Symrise appoints new member of supervisory board

Dr Thomas Rabe is follows in the footsteps of Klaus Kühn, CFO at Bayer, who stepped down the board at the end of last year....

Diet change may be greener option than local sourcing

As consumers seek out food with a reduced carbon footprint, some experts believe a dietary shift from red meat and dairy consumption may be more effective than turning to locally sourced products, suggests new analysis.

Greener dairy cow drive going global to aid national breakthroughs

US researchers are taking an increasingly global approach in meeting national commitments to cut down on the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by dairy farming to aid an industry push for greener practices.

More accurate shelf-life with new calibration kit

Less downtime, more accurate shelf life forecasts and reduced food spoilage are promised for a new calibration package, incorporating both hardware and software, from US-based Mocon, manufacturer of headspace gas analyzers for packaging.

Consumer perception part of dairy’s cow methane battle

As stakeholders across the dairy supply chain look to put cows’ backsides at the forefront of efforts to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, researchers suggest consumer acceptance will be a major factor in any successful solution.

Arla targets supply chain balance in cost cut plans

As European farmers’ associations call for better cooperation between processors and milk suppliers over pricing, a leading cooperative groups says it is already having to tighten its budget across the supply chain.

Consumers rank glass as most eco packaging material, says FEVE

Half of those surveyed in a European wide study said that glass has a more positive impact on the environment than other packaging materials such as plastics, metal cans and cartons, according to the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE).

X-ray can alleviate portion control dairy difficulty - manufacturer

An X-ray inspection system range already used in dairy production to alert against potential contaminants can also offer manufacturers applications in portion control to cut down on waste, claims its manufacturer.

Weekly comment

Who’s hoodwinked by a healthy halo?

What does health taste like? As a kid, I was encouraged to hold my nose and swallow down broad beans and cod-liver oil. If they tasted bad, it was only ‘cos they were good for me.

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Dean Foods targets Santee Dairies buy - report

US-based processor Dean Foods is expected to purchase the Santee Dairies milk processing operations from retail group Stater Bros., according to press reports.

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Kid’s omega-3/probiotic supplement launched in Europe

Israeli firm, Anlit Ltd, has launched a children’s probiotic and omega-3 supplement in European markets after notching success with the product in Israel.

New tool may offer faster palletizing for heavy cases

A new automated palletizing system has been specifically developed to enable rapid vacuum handling of heavy cases while enhancing worker safety for a broad range of industries, including the food and beverage processing sector, claims its manufacturer.

Polysaccharides may give edible coatings for cheese

The days of cheeses coated with synthetic substances may be drawing to a close as new research suggests that natural polysaccharides may provide edible coatings for household favourites.

Danisco looking to bridge cost and quality cheese needs

While continuing to supply cultures for both bulk and more artisanal cheese products, Danisco believes bridging the needs for finished quality and production efficiency will be vital in meeting processor demands.

News in brief

FSA praised for science practice

The UK’s Food Standards Agency has been applauded by the Government Office for Science for its practice, use and management of science, and its transparency in holding meetings in public.

Danone bins EU probiotic gut health claim submissions

French dairy giant Danone has withdrawn the EU health claim applications for its market leading probiotic yoghurt products Activia and Actimel.

Dairy farmers renew processor profit assistance calls

German and Irish dairy farmers have renewed their protests this week over concerns about payments for their produce, calling on processors across the bloc to help find a solution to improve profitability.

Dairy potential remains for emerging market push - report

With a number of dairy manufacturers committing to emerging market growth, countries outside of the EU and US will continue to hold strong potential for processors, despite undergoing difficulties during 2008, says new research.

Reusable pack focus requires further supply efficiency

As UK dairy processors continue to push ahead with developments in reusable packaging schemes like bagged milk, further work is required within the supply chain for wider long-term success, claims one processor.

Italian Supreme Court issues final ruling on milk quota fraud

The Italian Supreme Court has issued a final ruling that a scheme to avoid paying extra levies under CAP milk quota rules amounts to fraud against EU financial interests.

Textured whey protein could ease use of heat-sensitive ingredients

A textured whey protein concentrate can stabilize a cold-setting gel over a wide range of temperatures, according to new research from the US.

Weekly comment

Food supplements proving recession-proof

The ongoing slide of global capitalism is decimating industries, but the food supplements industry is not one of them as fraught consumers turn to its potential low-cost, anti-medical, wellness promise.

EU election posters are irresponsible, says breastfeeding group

UK-based pro-breastfeeding group, Real Baby Milk, has criticised the European Union over the manner in which has been marketing European Parliament elections in June.

News in brief

Bosch streamlines packaging businesses

Bosch Packaging Technology has reorganised its packaging and processing businesses.

ICM set sights on dairy for anaerobic digestion potential

A processor of anaerobic digestion systems says it has developed a product that can now create energy from lactose-rich wastewater leftover from dairy production to meet global industry need for greener technology.

News in brief

Fonterra drops anchor deal in Egypt

Fonterra has reached an agreement with a leading Egypt-based dairy supplier for licensed production of its Anchor range of goods in the country.

European Commission nutrition chief to address industry

Basil Mathioudakis, the European Commission’s head of Food Law, Nutrition and Labelling, will take part in a discussion on labelling, health claims and more at Vitafoods in Geneva next month.

Probiotics may ease anxiety: Pilot study

Supplements of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota may ease symptoms of anxiety in people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), according to new research funded by Yakult.

Danisco keeps eye on mass culture developments

Danisco says it will move ahead with research into more cost effective dehydration of cultures and probiotic products as part of a new collaboration to test if commercial development of such systems may be feasible.

US research project focuses on gut health and malnutrition

The US government has launched a research initiative to investigate the link between child malnutrition and intestinal infections, with the goal of developing intervention strategies that could promote the health of children around the world.

‘Great potential’ of probiotic ice-cream

Ice-cream as a vehicle for delivering probiotic strains has ‘great potential’, giving a health boost without affecting the sensory profile of ice-cream, say Brazilian scientists.

Green goals key to euro pack development - report

Traditional packaging development drivers such as creating brand identity, high speed filling, convenience and even protection have fallen in importance compared to environmental issues, suggests new findings.

News in brief

Emmi acquires majority share of Nutrifrais

Emmi has reached an agreement with Switzerland’s LRG Group to acquire a 60 per cent share of Nutrifrais, in a bid to build its market share in yoghurts and dairy desserts in French-speaking Switzerland.

Asian melamine fears hits global dairy drink growth - report

The impact of last year’s contamination of certain Chinese dairy products with the industrial chemical melamine continues to be felt across the industry with new research suggesting global interest in milk-based drinks has slowed.

Consumers seek out cheaper organics, says Soil Association report

The UK organic sector is cheered by a 1.7 per cent increase in the market in 2008 despite the gloom of recession, as a report from the Soil Association sees consumers buying cheaper organics instead of switching back to conventional foods.

US milk pools distorting global dairy costs - EDA

As debate rages in the US over possible amendments to the funding of milk pools, the developments could have major implications for the price paid by global processors on consumption products compared to goods like powders and butter.

Weekly comment

Could clones be hiding out in ice-cream?

Ben & Jerry’s campaign to ensure produce from clones is detectable in the food chain shows that bundling biotech in with conventional produce remains unacceptable – but lessons from GM do not seem to have been learned.

Bioplastics show potential but some hurdles remain

New developments could help bioplastics emerge from its early infancy in the coming years, according to a report from Environmental Data Services, but some obstacles still remain.

‘Air filled emulsions’ could reduce fat, ease obesity: Study

Fungal proteins could produce aerated emulsions with the potential to act as fat replacers in foods, according to promising results from England.

Fonterra optimistic over milk price rises

Fonterra says it has recorded a second consecutive monthly rise in the prices being paid to its member farmers for their milk, reflecting possible stabilisation in the supply chain.

Martek joins pregnancy group to promote DHA omega-3

Omega-3 supplier Martek Biosciences has teamed up with a leading US pregnancy and infant health organization to educate consumers about the importance of DHA for infant development.

Soft drinks makers’ nutrition schemes keeps focus on kids

As European beverage makers reassess advertising and the availability of higher sugar drinks to young children, the industry says it will not extend the focus to older demographics besides already providing a wider variety of products.

Filtration group eyes European dairy potential

A US supplier of filtration equipment for processing milk or whey proteins and recovering cheese brine hopes to push further into the European market with new offices for technical support and production in the bloc.