Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Chr Hansen markets new dairy antibiotic test

Chr Hansen is offering a new test for tetracycline antibiotic residues in milk that can help dairies ensure they are under EU limits and maintain quality in yoghurt and cheese-making.

Commission to be quizzed on cloning safety, ethics

The debate over products from cloned animals entering the European food chain will enter a new phase next week, as MEPs ask the Commission searching questions about the welfare of cloned animals, ethics, and consumer information.

Uncertainty remains over rejected health claims

After having two of three health claims submitted for European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessment rejected, the Irish dairy industry says it is unsure of its next move in the uncharted new EU system.

Glanbia profits up as international ingredients business surges

Irish food giant Glanbia has turned in promising half year results with net earnings rising 26 per cent and the US food ingredients and nutritional products divisions performing strongly.

MSG linked to increased body weight: study

Consumption of the flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) may increase the risk of gaining weight, regardless of energy intake, suggests a new study.

Lines drawn in growth hormone hearts and minds battle

The International Dairy Federation (IDF) says the industry should not rule out using products like recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) to help boost milk supply, but must do more to prove any potential benefits to consumers.

Aquentium deal boosts ozone sanitation technology

An ozone sanitation technology is receiving a boost in the US market, following an agreement signed between manufacturer Aquentium and Advanced Purification Systems International to market the equipment.

Dairy players sought to aid HDPE recycle potential

A new project to improve the recycling potential of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) milk bottles aims to develop more cost effective labels and adhesives that won’t compromise the reuse of the packaging.

News briefs: Kirin, Indofoods dairy and a cheese heist

This week, Kirin looks set to acquire Australia-based Dairy Farmers, Indofoods could be set to enter dairy production and UK robbers make away with a fortune in cheese.

UK government stands behind GM

The UK’s environment minister has challenged claims by Prince Charles that genetically modified (GM) crops are causing environmental damage.

Weekly comment

Omega-3 reality check

The market predictions for omega-3 products are endlessly buoyant but a closer look at the state of play reveals very few omega-3 functional foods and beverages have moved beyond niche sales levels.

Industry still wary about nano in food: Leatherhead

Nervousness about nanotechnology in food in Britain may see the UK food industry left behind, warns an expert from Leatherhead Food International.

American coop eyes global added-value ingredient shift

US dairy cooperative Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has announced the formation of a new combined ingredients division to target growing international demand for value added products.

EFSA health claim rejections 'shock' industry

The European Food Safety Authority has kicked off the eagerly awaited health claim assessment process with a slew of claim rejections signalling a hard line methodology that may see thousands of claims submissions binned.

Growth hormone buyer eyes milk supply potential

Monsanto has found a buyer for its bovine somatotropin growth hormone, despite growing concern in the US over the use of such products in dairy cattle, as manufacturers continue to face commodity price uncertainty.

Nestle enlists BioGaia for infant nutrition initiative

Swedish probiotics specialist BioGaia this morning announced a deal with Nestlé Nutrition that will see its proprietary Lactobacillus reuteri strain employed in infant nutrition products globally.

Draft US report reaffirms safety of BPA in food packaging

In a draft risk assessment, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that an adequate margin of safety exists for the chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA) at current levels of exposure from food contact uses.

Manufacturer claims yoghurt-store upgrade efficiency

A process machinery supplier claims to have reduced dairy expansion and development costs by working with a manufacturer to install custom agitators for yoghurt storage, instead of developing an entirely new system.

Organics - fad or the future? Your views

Organic food was once seen as a niche market but now major multinationals are offering organic products. In fact it has been one of the biggest trends in the food sector in recent years but do organics have staying power, or will consumers lose interest over time?

Dairy price wars kicking-off in UK and France

Price cuts by British supermarkets and French cheese makers may be driving dairy industries in their respective countries towards a milk war.

Vitamin D3 stable for fortifying cheese: study

Fortification of Cheddar cheese with vitamin D3 may be an effective means of raising vitamin D levels in the population, suggest new results from Canada.

Weekly comment

False starting in the stevia race

The Greeks have a saying that goes something like this: ‘If you’re in too much of a rush, you’ll trip up’. The food and drinks industry could well benefit from the simplistic wisdom of such traditional advice as they race to bring the natural sweetener stevia to market.

Plant and worker safety driving cleaning chemical sales - report

Rising public awareness of the risk of foodborne illnesses due to highly publicized cases concerning ground beef and other products will spur growth in cleaning chemicals, according to a new report from Freedonia.

Wild's increased aseptic ability enables preservative-free drinks

Wild has increased its volume capacity for aseptic cold filling for its beverage flavour systems, saying that it can now meet customer requirements for preservative-free mixes even in peak season.

Study links dairy to better bones in kids

Long-term dairy consumption, supplemented with other protein-rich foods such as meats can help maintain improved bone health in children, according to a new study.

EFSA confirms safety of Unilever GM ice protein

Low-fat ice cream made with GM yeast to ensure a creamy consistency may soon be possible in Europe following the European Food Standards Authority’s (EFSA) opinion on Unilever’s novel technology.

News briefs: Danisco and Dean Foods

This week, organic producer Stoneyfield Farms prepares to step up its functional focus and Dean Foods looks beyond a challenging fiscal half.

Organic group eyes ethnic team-up potential

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) says it will be sharing floor space at its next annual trade show with two of the US’ most prominent ethnic food events in reflection of their growing significance to natural goods.

Paper bottle maker targets wider dairy eco-concerns

The manufacturer of a paperboard and plastic hybrid milk bottle says it is looking to extend the use of the product to dairies across the UK, amidst growing global pressure on the industry to cut its waste and environmental impact.

Weekly comment

Why food is the new oil

“Food is a weapon – don’t waste it.” This message, which featured on a Second World War poster issued by the US Office of War Information in 1943, is a lesson from history we would do well to heed.

EFSA requests more data on certain flavourings

EFSA has identified information gaps relating to some flavouring substances as part of its ongoing evaluation of additives, and is asking industry to provide more information on their safety.

Research targets dairy autism fears

New US research hopes to determine whether anecdotal concerns over the presence of dairy and gluten-containing products on the behaviour of children with autism are justified.

Packaging testing tool can aid quality control, claims Mecmesin

Macmesin said it will be demonstrating how critical it is to test packaging and maintain quality control at the Interplas show in September.

News briefs: Nestle, Saputo and Parmalat

This week, Nestle and Saputo publish their latest financial results, with dairy playing a crucial role for both companies, while Parmalat faces a setback over its proposed plans to expand in Australia.

Retailer responds to organic slowdown with price slash

UK supermarket Tesco has announced that it is drastically reducing the price of organic produce by up to 25 per cent, in response to feedback from consumers who are feeling the effects of the credit crunch.

EFSA to judge almost 3000 health claims by 2010

Pan-European health and nutrition claims moved a step closer to reality after 2870 claims were delivered to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for assessment by January, 2010.

Monsanto plots growth hormone exit

Monsanto has announced plans to sell of its Posilac brand of bovine somatotropin growth hormone as negative consumer reaction grows around the sue of such additives in milk.

Protient expands whey protein capacity

Minnesota-based Protient has said it will expand its whey protein isolate (WPI) capacity in order to meet increased customer demand for the ingredient.

Irish dairy to follow in US hygiene footsteps

The Irish dairy industry is set to take a leaf out of the book of its US counterpart with a new research scheme that uses stakeholders from across the industry to help improve milk quality and hygiene.

UK firm puts fruit fibres to use in flavours

Ungerer has developed an innovative range of fruit flavours that uses fruit fibres as carriers in place of maltodextrose or wheatstarch, making a natural ingredient out of a by-product that can also boost food’s fibre content.

Global dairy payouts to fall to stable levels - report

The ‘exceptional prices’ being paid for dairy products on the global market are expected to continue declining from recent peak levels, though robust demand will help stabilise costs, says New Zealand’s agricultural ministry.

Low cost texture analyser can measure food and packaging, says firm

A new easy-to-operate texture tool is a cost effective way for processors to measure the texture of food products as well as their packaging, says developer Brookfield Engineering.

Weekly comment

Bringing an end to the food waste shame

Have you ever scavenged through a supermarket bin looking for your next meal? It’s a strange question to put to business readers – and most would shrink at the thought. But that’s just how the ‘freegans’ decide what’s for dinner.

Cheese maker’s milk concerns may lift despite future uncertainty

As a growing number of European dairy groups streamline their cheese operations to offset milk supply concerns, a leading manufacturer says there may be hope on the horizon for the industry regarding costs.

Omega-3 in crisis as functional foods flounder

Muller UK has sent a shot across the bows of an apparently booming sector of the fatty acids industry by removing the omega-3 component from its Vitality yoghurt range.

News briefs: Parmalat and Quebec’s cheese stand

This week, sales improvements fail to offset higher costs pressures on dairy group Parmalat, Quebec authorities allow for the production of some raw milk cheeses and two UK dairy associations join forces.