Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Strategic focus directs corporate responsibility

The vast offer of aid to China following its devastating earthquake in May reflects the food industry’s increasing move towards displaying strategic corporate responsibility.

UK firm meeting growing demand for rPET packaging

Linpac Packaging has invested £3m in new equipment to enable it to manufacture recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) packaging at its UK facility in West Yorkshire.

Dairy farmers commit to greenhouse gas studies

The global dairy industry is continuing to focus on reducing its perceived impact on climate change through new UK-based research initiatives into how exactly it affects the environment.

No deal for Doha. Deja vu

Spirits are low after the Doha trade talks in Geneva collapsed yesterday following an intense nine days of negotiations and are high unlikely to be resumed before January 2009 or later.

Study plays up skimmed milk sports hydration boost

Skimmed milk may become an unlikely new secret weapon within an athlete's kit bag, with new research linking the product to a beneficial effect on preventing dehydration after a workout.

Exclusive interview

Nurturing the next generation of food scientists

The number of food science graduates is falling across the globe, but measures are in place to halt the decline. Has disaster been averted? Is the industry’s future assured?

Coagulant designed to meet clean label dairy demand

A new coagulant product can ensure a preservative-free, cost effective enzyme for use in cheese production, according to its manufacturer.

Energy savings could arise from pack pasteurisation study

The level of pasteurisation required for the packaging of hot-fill products is being evaluated by UK group CCFRA as part of its food packaging research programme.

Comment

Can we believe the Danisco-Apax rumours?

Rumour, according to the Romans, is a feathered beast with a myriad eyes and tongues. Last week she went bristling through the Danish business pages, spreading the news that Danisco could be bought by a private equity firm.

European cheese makers free of UK supply fears

European cheese makers will escape increased pricing for their goods faced their UK counterparts as a result of more secure milk supplies, says a leading industry expert.

News briefs: Danone results and National Foods

This week, Danone says it is managing to offset cost pressures across its global operations and National Foods' ambitions for Australia-based Dairy Farmers are approved by the country's financial watchdog.

New guide advises short shelf-life for vacuum and MAP foods

A new UK food regulator guide recommends a restricted shelf-life for vacuum packed (VP) and modified atmosphere packed (MAP) food products to avoid C. Botulinum growth.

Irish manufacturers pledge milk innovation commitment

Some of the leading players in the Irish dairy industry are taking part in a major investment program designed to help develop a new generation of milk-derived functional ingredients to compete with international rivals.

Prospects flourish within organic industry: expert

As the perception of health and taste benefits from organic produce drives sales across all demographics, opportunities are arising in every sector of the food industry.

Government must back rPET revolution, say drink makers

Green aspiring beverage manufacturers need greater support from governments in turning to materials like recycled Polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) in their packaging, says the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA).

Treatt launches true-to-life natural fruity flavours

Treatt has expanded its portfolio of natural flavour ingredients with flavours distilled from fresh fruit, aiming to provide tastes that match as closely as possible to the real fruit.

Danisco aims to milk probiotic immune system benefits

Danisco is launching a new protobiotic fortification for milk products in North America, which targets the market for immune-boosting children's products.

Cheese maker concerns at school expulsion

A debate over cutting a simple helping of jacket potato and cheese on some English school menus reflects the significant challenge facing the entire dairy industry over the issue of nutrition, according to an industry expert.

Muller quits '1 a Day' yoghurt range in UK

The UK arm of German dairy giant Muller has canned its '1 a Day' healthy yoghurt line after only 12 months, citing retailer disappointment with sales levels and downward pressure on its premiums as fundamental reasons.

Magnesium, calcium and zinc forms deemed safe by EFSA

EFSA scientists say there is no concern over the safety of three mineral forms commonly used in food supplements, even at doses twice that commonly found in the regular diet.

Guest article

Fresh, natural guidance gives clarity to industry

FSA guidance on terms like 'fresh', 'natural' and 'pure' helps protect responsible businesses against unscrupulous competition. But labelling that does not meet guidance in full would still be legal if it does not mislead consumers.

Comment

Budweiser to be Belgian? Big deal

The news that all-American brewer Anheuser-Busch is to be sold to Belgium’s InBev for $52bn has made sports bar patrons across the US weep into their Budweisers. But the idea that an American firm must remain American for all time runs counter to the world of global commerce.

Probiotics putsch into eastern Europe

Swedish probiotics specialist Probi has signed two deals to distribute probiotic supplements in eastern Europe, a region it believes possesses "huge potential".

Early probiotic consumption stops gut problems: study

Probiotic bacteria may reduce the occurrence of gut complications in premature infants, suggests new research with piglets.

Commission raises big doubts over Friesland-Campina merger

An initial investigation of the European Competition Commission into the proposed merger of dairy cooperatives Friesland Foods and Campina has raised serious concerns, prompting the launch of an in-depth investigation.

DMV launches topping for cold milk applications

DMV has launched its new base for toppings, Aerion DP 59, billed it as a healthy alternative for dairy cream toppings that does not come with a compromise on taste and texture compromise.

Danone and Nestle face cost challenge head on

Food makers have faced a doubling of raw material and packaging costs in five years, but a recent report reveals the manufacturers are facing the challenge head on, with underlying business remaining resilient.

Danisco gets go-ahead for emulsifier buy

Danisco has obtained European approval for its planned acquisition of ABF Ingredients' Abitec emulsifier business, which is expected to strengthen its position in some key European markets.

Encapsulation and fish dominate July's science

July started with IFT in New Orleans - always a time for innovation. The highlights of this month's science have been novel encapsulation and controlled release, and getting more from fish.

UK milk production slide expected to flow into 2009

Declining milk production in the UK will continue into next year, according to reports.

Weekly comment

Diet better than statins in kids' cholesterol control

The prescribing of statins for eight years-olds is tantamount to saying that food and diet have failed, and that children are incapable of changing their eating habits and lifestyle.

Low-fat dairy again linked to healthier hearts

A healthy lifestyle should include low-fat dairy products to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) associated with poor kidney function, suggests new research from the US.

Tetra Pak focuses on dairy solutions with acquisition

Swedish packaging firm Tetra Pak has acquired the assets of two Australian food processing companies, strengthening its portfolio of solutions for cheese and dairy powder.

Novelties grow despite lackluster ice cream performance

Frozen novelties are providing opportunities for growth in a mature ice cream market where there is little room for maneuver, according to a new report from Mintel.

Probiotics grow on innovation, Datamonitor

Probiotics are being included in increasing numbers of 'innovative' new applications, according to information released by Datamonitor.

Novel food draft report released

The European Parliament has published its draft report on amendments to the novel foods regulation, having made revisions to ensure better clarity.

Dairy supply and nutrition battles must rage on, says MP

The Dairy Industry last year outlined a 'huge fight' to promote the potential nutrition and lifestyle benefits of its products and must continue the battle in the year ahead, according to the chairman of Dairy UK.

Colourings to come with a warning

The European Parliament has adopted a legislative package that will see products containing any of six artificial colours labelled with a health warning for children.

Cheese-making tips from the experts

Land O'Lakes identifies the vital steps to making good cheddar, and the challenges of making functional and better-for-you dairy products.

Danisco extends Kefir output for global tastes

Ingredients group Danisco has announced that it has completed a major expansion of a Kefir culture plant in Poland as part of attempts to meet new global demand for the fermented product as a functional ingredient.

Recent advances pave way for fish gelatine for food

Increasing demand for gelatine, coupled with consumer concerns over the mammalian variety, may open the door for fish gelatine to fill the gap for food formulators, says a new review.

Weekly comment

A half measure of alcohol reforms

Knife crime, obesity and skiffle music. Out of all the evils currently threatening the welfare of Western teenagers, recent US headlines finger the main culprit as the caffeinated alcoholic beverage.

Protein analyzer wins IFT food science award

The Sprint Rapid Protein Analyzer from CEM Corp, North Carolina, USA, has won a 2008 IFT Food Expo Innovation Award at the IFT trade food show in New Orleans.

High agri prices needed for food sustainability, says farmers' groups

UK and Italian farmers Unions are joining forces to push their claims that higher prices for agricultural products are at the root of alleviating current concerns over supply sustainability and food security.

Radio frequency heating could remove food pathogens

New disinfection and disinfestant food technology using radio frequency (RF) heating can eliminate microbes and insects without the use of chemicals, claims US investment firm Allied Minds.

CIAA questions need for labelling law

The need for new European legislation on nutrition labelling has been called into question by the CIAA (Confederation of Food and Drink Industries in Europe), as a survey indicates that uptake of its voluntary scheme has been significant.

Raisio sells testing labs to Eurofins

Benecol-owner Raisio has signed a deal with analytical specialist and fellow Finnish company, Eurofins Scientific Finland, that will see it take over Raisio's laboratory operations in September.

EFSA issues guide on food grade plastic recycling

New guidelines concerning the recycling of plastics intended for use in the packaging of foods have been published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Fonterra eyeing further global growth

After a busy period of expansion for Fonterra, the New Zealand-based dairy cooperative says it remains far from finished with its global consolidation plans as it looks to key markets such as Asia to target growth.

News briefs: Dairy Farmers buy and Nordic cheeses

This week, producers keen to purchase Australia-based Dairy Farmers are set to receive initial regulatory guidance and Nordic cheese manufacturers attempt to fight back against demand for French and Italian products.

Options abound for controlled delivery of ingredients

The controlled release of food ingredients, like bioactive compounds and flavours, is far behind the pharmaceutical world, but the balance is slowly being redressed.