Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

New light barrier claims high protection for dairy at low usage levels

ColorMatrix is launching new light barrier colourants at Drinktec for PET dairy packaging that promises effective light protection and good visual appearance at low addition levels.

New torque tester for caps and closures boosts accuracy, cuts downtime

A new torque testing device simplifies testing on closures and caps as well as improving accuracy and minimisation of downtime, said manufacturers Plastic Technologies Inc (PTI).

Glanbia ingredients affected by higher-than-market input costs

Dairy ingredients dragged down the first half of 2009 for Glanbia’s Dairy Ireland division, as sale prices dropped but the price paid to milk suppliers was above the market low.

Martek takes on DHA distributor for west coast

A new distribution deal announced today will see ingredient firm ET Horn selling Martek Biosciences’ branded omega-3 DHA ingredient in the west of the Untied States.

European dairy industry loses market share but stays competitive, says report

The EU dairy industry is losing market share but added value gains and improvements in labour productivity are compensating for the retreat, according a new report carried out for the Commission.

New aseptic cap boosts efficiency and security

A triple seal function and new pull up controls that help maximise production efficiency and security are benefits claimed by the manufacturer of a new closure cap designed for cold and aseptic fill applications.

Greenpeace accuses Fonterra of contributing to deforestation

Greenpeace has attacked dairy giant Fonterra for using palm-based animal feed from cleared forests and for pushing an intensive farming model in New Zealand.

Consumers want more info on ethical credentials, survey

UK consumers have a great desire to learn about conditions for food producers in poor countries, a new survey indicates, which food manufacturers can satisfy by flagging up their ethical sourcing efforts.

Demand drop signals tough year for Euro flexible packing sector - Report

Demand for flexible packing in Europe will fall by between 4-5 per cent in value in 2009 as result of declining raw material prices and a drop in volumes as recession hits consumer spending on packaged foods.

We’re not planning warm ice cream, Unilever says

Unilever has denied that it is actively developing ambient ice cream, following newspaper reports that such a product is part of a programme to reduce the environmental impact of its consumer goods.

Weekly comment

Folic acid: Old women and children first!

Look at the globe and you’d be hard pressed to find two countries further apart than Ireland and New Zealand. But they stand side-by-side on the folic acid fortification issue – it is not needed.

Food industry execs optimistic about business in 2010, says KPMG

Employment prospects and revenues in the US food and beverage industry are likely to improve next year, predict most executives in the sector, according to a national survey from tax advisory firm KPMG.

French packaging law could wreck EU food marketing and logistics

A new French law threatens supply chain efficiencies in the packaged goods sector and could create new trade barriers in the EU internal market, warns the European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment (Europen).

News in brief

Martek signs omega-6 deals in Europe and Asia

Martek Biosciences has signed two new deals to supply its omega-6 ARA (arachidonic acid) ingredients to infant food makers in Australia and Spain.

Tesco sticks carbon footprint labels to milk bottles

Tesco has begun displaying carbon footprint labels on milk bottles as part of a series of measures designed to reduce the environmental impact of milk production.

Could probiotics protect us from gut parasites?

The gut health boosting effects of probiotics may also extend to preventing and eradicating parasitic infections, according to ‘early data’ from the US.

Givaudan focuses on umami for clean label taste enhancement

Givaudan has developed a new range of flavour ingredients focusing on umami in order to allow manufacturers a clean label approach to flavour enhancement, the company says.

Next generation yoghurt cultures set for global roll-out

Chr Hansen will unveil a new range of premium yoghurt cultures within weeks in response to needs identified by yoghurt producers across the globe.

Danisco boosts cultures capacity as probiotics market swells

Danisco has said that it is investing €60m ($85m) to boost capacity for its frozen and freeze dried direct vat inoculants (DVI) in Europe and the US, primarily to feed growing demand for probiotic cultures.

News in brief

Dannon’s new coupons program based on proof of purchase

Dannon has launched a coupons program which requires customers to provide proof that they have already purchased a particular quantity of its products before the money-off coupons are issued.

Review says academic research points to weight benefits of dairy

A new academic review suggests eating dairy products does not prevent weight loss and may help people shed excess pounds.

Weekly comment

Free farmers to farm and bank UK food security

How best should Britain plan to secure reliable supplies of reasonably-priced food? Should the nation put its trust in home production or food imports from the world market?

Danisco pushes probiotic straw range

Danisco is using major trade shows in Europe and Asia to boost exposure of the probiotic straws it launched last year in conjunction Australian firm, Unistraw.

High-fat diets linked to poor mental function

High consumption of fatty foods may reduce both cognitive function and physical endurance, according to results of a rat study from Oxford University.

Dannon puts more bucks behind nutrition

Dairy giant Dannon is investing in improving the nutrition of children in the United States as part of its efforts to promote healthy nutrition in the communities where it is active.

More difficulty ahead for food sector as European recession eases

France and Germany have emerged from recession but the global nature of the food industry may mean it takes longer to recover than other sectors, according to a senior economist at Wageningen University.

Nampak reviews UK blowmoulding capacity, cuts 80 jobs

Nampak Plastics Europe has announced it is to cut 80 jobs in the UK following the collapse of the huge co-operative Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFB) – one of the company’s major customers.

Childhood food sensitivity ‘normal’, says study

The occurrence of food hypersensitivity in children is common, and not necessarily linked to allergy, says a new study from Denmark.

Disagreement over why food packing additive application withdrawn

Moves to include the chemical triclosan on a European list of additives that could be authorised for use in food contact materials have been abandoned by the Swiss-based manufacturer of the substance.

News in brief

Roth Kase scoops five blue ribbons at cheese awards

Roth Kase USA won five awards for its specialty cheeses at the 2009 American Cheese Society Competition in Austin, Texas.

Regulatory approval to boost EU vitamin K2 market

The formal European Union approval of vitamin K2 as a safe food ingredient in foods and food supplements will benefit Norwegian supplier, Natto Pharma, both in Europe and abroad, the company says.

Dairy Crest delivers milk bag and jug to doorsteps

Dairy Crest has extended its milk bag and reusable jug (JUGIT) scheme to doorstep customers as part of ongoing efforts to cut packaging waste.

Labour MPs disagree on dairy industry commitment to sustainability

The UK farming minister has tipped the dairy industry to smash environmental targets just a week after a fellow Labour MP questioned its green credentials.

News in brief

Dairy UK and Carbon Trust begin work on carbon footprint guide

Trade body Dairy UK and the Carbon Trust have begun work on an industry-wide carbon footprinting guide to increase comparability between businesses.

Treatt launches top note flavours for savoury foods

Independent UK supplier Treatt has launched several new top-note flavour ingredients including a roasted meat odour, a nutty flavour and a tropical flavour.

Benecol smoothie courts younger cholesterol-lowering market

McNeil Nutritionals has launched a Benecol smoothie in the UK and Ireland in a bid to reach a younger audience with a product it will market on dual benefits – plant stanol-derived cholesterol-lowering and its fruit content.

Weekly comment

FDA’s Commissioner Hamburg: Beefing up US food safety

It looks like the FDA has finally got some muscle. Never mind new legislation – if anything can prevent America acquiring a weedy reputation for food safety, it’s the might of Dr Margaret Hamburg.

Cash boost helps electron beam company make waves in aseptic packing

A US company that uses electron beams to sterilise aseptic packaging plans to use a $14m-cash-injection to develop new technology, increase sales and boost its finances.

News in brief

Fonterra Australia pulls custard on listeria fears

Fonterra Brands Australia has pulled tubs of its vanilla custard off supermarket shelves after a product sample tested positive for listeria monocytogenes.

ASA censors ads for prebiotic-fortified infant formula

The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled that an advertisement for Aptamil Follow On infant formula may not continue to be broadcast because it implies it can stop children from catching colds.

Dairy UK head gives verdict on Commission report

Despite the widening gap between producer and supermarket prices, the director general of Dairy UK said “there is no cream to be had” in the fiercely competitive dairy market.

Trade body dismisses attack on milk packaging industry

Dairy UK has hit out against claims from a UK politician that the milk packaging industry is ‘way behind’ in its use of recycled materials.

Glanbia opens new US vitamin, mineral premix facility

Glanbia Nutritionals has opened a new vitamin and mineral premix facility in Missouri, increasing its production capacity for the US market and cutting lead times for customers, said the firm.

Weekly comment

Downsize me! FSA right to push for smaller snacks

Chocolate bar makers should embrace the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) proposals on snack portions and adapt their supersizing skills to downsizing.

Greeks call for country origin information on dairy products

Dairy manufacturers could have to provide more information about the origin of ingredients on dairy products if a Greek proposal is adopted Europe-wide.

Lactose-free dairy products need more work, says study

Manufacturers should make more effort to produce good-tasting lactose-free dairy products and to educate the public about their benefits, according to a Kansas State University study.