Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Dispatches from IFT

Giving process cheese a healthy makeover

Land O’Lakes discusses the latest development in process cheese, with 50 per cent lower fat and 35 per cent lower sodium.

Tetra Pak announces global launch of chilled liquid dairy products carton

Tetra Pak has announced the global launch of a carton for chilled liquid dairy products that it says is cost effective, facilitates stackability and boasts user-friendly features for consumers.

Weekly comment

Confusion reigns in cosmeceutical name game

The term cosmeceutical has always been controversial, but the blurring boundaries between the worlds of nutrition and cosmetics are highlighting divisions that neither industry can ignore.

UK Dairy Council calls for health claims common sense

The UK Dairy Council has welcomed the European Food Safety Authority’s recent statements about greater transparency in its nutrition and health claims assessment process, but warned now-valid claims in member states were in jeopardy.

Fonterra restructures its operations unit

New Zealand dairy processor Fonterra has restructured its operations into a single strategic business unit and restructured its top management team.

Dispatches from IFT

Whey- and flax-based emulsifiers target reduced cost

Glanbia Nutritionals has developed an emulsifier line for longer shelf life and cleaner labels in a move toward ingredients targeting added productivity and profitability, rather than just added nutrition.

Dispatches from IFT

Greening dairy and the 'cow of the future'

Leaders in the quest to make the dairy industry greener discuss an ambitious new plan to reduce greenhouse gases by 25 per cent, and how the industry members should collaborate to innovate.

Americans warming to probiotics, says Datamonitor

Probiotics are picking up in the US market as consumers become more aware of their role in maintaining digestive health, says Datamonitor.

Organic shift would drive healthier diets: report

A major shift towards organic agriculture in the UK would cause a shift in the commodity mix – and subsequently be accompanied by healthier eating options, concludes a new report.

Danisco results show trickle down of consumer savings strategies

Danisco latest results bear testament to the responses of consumers to the economic crisis around the world – with very different shifts taking place in the US and Europe.

News in brief

Organic pace gains momentum in France

Clear signs that consumer demand for organic foods is gaining momentum in France, with fresh figures from the minister of agriculture's office showing that to date, conversions to organic land in 2009 are five times higher than in 2008.

Could probiotics affect behaviour?

Increasing knowledge of how the gut and brain is opening up the possibilities for probiotics. At the 5th International Yakult Symposium in Amsterdam, Stephen Daniells met Professor John Bienenstock from McMaster University to find out where the current thinking is with probiotics and brain health.

New EU regulation on authorising food from cloned animals sparks heated debate

EU chiefs have been criticised for approving a draft regulation on food from cloned animals that could “keep options open” for its eventual authorisation in the region, claimed opponents.

Organic dairy brand launches UK’s first recycled yogurt pot

The first fully recyclable dairy pots have been launched by Rachel’s, a leading UK premium organic dairy brand.

BPA causes reproductive health defects at levels currently considered safe - study

Bisphenol A (BPA) causes significant reproductive health effects at levels equivalent to or below the dose that that has been thought not to produce any adverse results, new research has said.

Plastic and paperboard big winners in China beverage packing growth

Rising income levels in China will fuel a robust growth in demand for beverage containers in the country over the next three years, a recent report has said.

Pledges sought for organic awareness campaign

The UK organic sector is seeking contributions towards a consumer-facing organic awareness campaign, in advance of applying to an EU fund that would match the total.

UK drive to recycle non-bottle household plastic packing launched

A new multi-million pound scheme to kick start the recycling of non-bottle household plastic packaging has been launched in the UK by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

Dairy growth highlights future packaging challenges: Report

Dairy product sales in the US have continued to rise during 2008, defying higher prices for consumers and creating a number of challenges and opportunities for packagers in the future, according to a new report.

Science supports dairy calcium for weight loss

Increased intakes of calcium can increase excretion of fat in the faeces, and may play a role in weight management and preventing weight gain, says a review of the science.

Attorney general slams companies over apparent plot to blur BPA dangers

A host of packaging and food giants have been condemned by a leading US law official for apparently plotting to use deceptive and illegal fear tactics to blur the truth about the dangers of bisphenol A (BPA).

France to intensify supermarket milk price scrutiny - report

As protests continue around Europe from dairy farmers concerned about covering their costs in the current market, French producers appear to have succeeded in speeding up government scrutiny of supermarket pay practices, according to reports.

News in brief

Vegemite set for cheesy overhaul

Vegemite, an Australian brand of yeast extract synonymous with the country, is reportedly to undergo a brand overhaul with the launch of a new variety of the product that will include cream cheese in its recipe.

Weekly comment

IFT '09: In defence of trade shows

As the dust settles on another IFT the absence of several big players has left some questioning the relevance of trade shows in the 21st Century.

Chavez threat to disregard 'capitalist' patents could hit Tetra Pak

Packaging companyTetra Pak could become the next corporate giant to suffer at the hands of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez after he questioned the validity of patented products.

Big hopes for EFSA’s big health claim day

Shane Starling reports from the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) much anticipated industry stakeholders’ meeting about health claims in Brussels today.

Questions and confusion as “best before” label debate intensifies

Industry experts and the UK food safety watchdog have been assessing and clarifying the implications of the government’s much-discussed announcement to overhaul the food labelling date system.

Vitamin D linked to successful weight loss with dieting

Increased intakes of vitamin D may improve weight loss while following a calorie-restricted diet, according to new findings from the US.

Compostability sought in yoghurt group’s greener pot pledge

As a major organic dairy continues with attempts to slash packaging material waste from its yoghurt pots, compostability is being seen a major area for the next stage of product development.

News in brief

UK’s dairy sector on “a knife edge”

The collapse of the Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFB) co-operative has the UK dairy industry teetering on “a knife edge”, according to the Press Association.

News in brief

Sponsors sought for new food dictionary

The authors of a new online dictionary to give the names of food ingredients and products in 34 different languages are seeking sponsors to speed up translation.

Asia and UHT milk to lead strong growth in aseptic packaging

The global market for aseptically packed products is forecast to climb steeply to 2013 both in terms of pack numbers and volume with strongest growth forecast in Asia, according to a newly published report.

Learning from functional foods failures

Eighty per cent of functional food product launches fail within 18 months, according to a new report that draws lessons from 15 high-profile failures from the likes of Danone, Emmi, Pepsico, Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Unilever.

Dispatches from IFT

Solae: Protein takes ‘evolutionary step’ with new ingredient

Solae have launched a ‘breakthrough ingredient’, combining high solubility, low viscosity, and a bland flavor profile for the beverage market.

UK plan to scrap ‘best before’ food labels dismissed by industry group

UK Government proposals to overhaul its food labelling system in a bid to help slash the ₤10bn worth of food wasted annually have been rubbished by a food industry body.

Organic milk efficiency spied after UK cooperative collapse

Dairy cooperative OMSCo has stepped in to market the organic supply of national rival Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFB) earlier then planned after the group went into receivership last week.

Burps and pack waste inform dairy giants’ eco-plans

Fonterra and Stonyfield Farm are this month outlining eco-commitments they claim can, or are already, improving their operational sustainability through focuses such a cutting packaging waste or cow burps respectively.

Weekly comment

A big day for European health claims

Next Monday, June 15, is a big day for the European healthy foods and food supplements industries. Let’s call it Big Monday. Or J15.

Call to shun degradable additives in food packaging

Food and beverage companies should avoid using degradable additives in PET packaging until four key questions can be answered, warns the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR).

News in brief

Connecticut bans BPA from 2011

The US state of Connecticut has signed into law a bill banning the use of bisphenol A (BPA) from baby bottles and infant food containers.

News in brief

DHA pregnancy sales drive Martek sales growth

DHA supplier Martek Biosciences has said growth in its product sales in the second quarter was led by the pregnancy and nursing market, whereas sales in the infant formula category were down on last year.

Consumer packaged goods companies show resilience in recession

The consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry in the US has shown resilience in the current recession and significantly outperformed the rest of the market in 2008, according to a report released this week.

Canadian cheese recall justified after listeria outbreak but inspection process criticised

A Canadian regional government acted correctly in launching a mass recall of cheese during a listeria outbreak last year but has faced stinging criticisms over its food inspection regime.

News in brief

PepsiCo steps up Middle East dairy focus

PepsiCo says it is to boost its presence in the Middle Eastern dairy market through a new acquisition in Jordan.

Dairy Farmers of Britain succumbs to price pressures

A UK cooperative representing 10 per cent of the country’s supply chain has fallen victim to wider uncertainty gripping the European market after going into receivership this week.

Processors not braced for potential raw milk benefits

As dairy farmers around the globe continue to raise concerns over the declining value of their products, unpasteurised milk is being touted as one solution to generate added value and profitability, albeit amongst staunch opposition from some manufacturers.

Organic sector increasingly dependent on imports: USDA

The US organic sector has become increasingly dependent on imported ingredients as a supply squeeze continues to limit the sector’s growth, according to a new report from the US Department of Agriculture.

Tetra Pak spies further global packaged milk potential

Despite ongoing economic and supply uncertainty, consumption of milk and liquid dairy products continues to grow in both emerging and more established markets by meeting worldwide convenience needs, according to Tetra Pak.

Retailers still under pressure over milk price-role

British retailers are facing calls to increase support for the country’s dairy farming sector amidst wider European concerns about the role of stores in maintaining a profitable milk supply.

DairyReporter.com acquired by William Reed Business Media

Decision News Media, publisher of DairyReporter.com.com and 16 other websites serving the international food, nutrition, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, has been acquired by UK business-to-business publisher William Reed Business Media.

Weekly comment

Economic depression a stimulus for fresh business

The economic recession is biting across the globe, and bleeding casualties litter all industries, but now is not the time to cower. Those willing to spend may provoke a stimulation of their business that could set them up for years, if not decades, to come.

CLA-rich cheese may boost heart health: Study

Consuming cheese from ewe’s milk, rich in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), may reduce markers linked to heart disease, suggest results from a small Italian study.

News in brief

China's new food safety law comes into force

Chinese authorities have said its new food safety law, which comes into effect today, will help prevent the food contamination incidents that have caused so much damage to the reputation of its domestic producers.

News in brief

Supermarkets slammed for Amazon destruction

Greenpeace is demanding that companies refuse to buy products from companies that have carried out deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, following a three-year survey.

Snap on sleeve design targets bulk powder benefits

A global supplier of bulk powder process systems claims to have devised a new solution to existing flexible fitting designs that it says can improve sanitation and reduce leakages during production.