Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Omega-3 cheese: All the benefits of fish without the smell

Encapsulating omega-3 fatty acids in milk proteins may protect the fish-derived ingredients from oxidation, and cover the ‘fishy’ flavour in cheese, says a new study.

Dairy firm faces hefty fine over alleged processing breaches

US dairy food processor Hiland Dairy Foods Co is facing a fine of almost $125,000 over a string of alleged processing violations that could lead to the “catastrophic release” of dangerous chemicals.

Review claims rbST milk is eco-friendly and safe

Milk from cows treated with the rbST hormone is not only identical to other milk, but is also more eco-friendly, says a scientific review sponsored by Elanco, the company that bought Monsanto’s rbST business last year.

Weekly comment

The benefits of a probiotic witch hunt

Get your pitchforks ready! There are evil-doers out there! We’ve been conned: Probiotics don’t work. Dannon’s settling out of court, EFSA’s rejecting health claims, and the media is starting a witch hunt.

Kraft reportedly prepares hostile bid for Cadbury

Kraft Foods is reportedly preparing a hostile bid for Cadbury three weeks after the confectionery company rejected a £10.2bn ($16.7bn) offering.

Weekly comment

How Mugabe’s milk could sour Nestle's image

Nestle is being slammed for sourcing milk from a Mugabe-owned farm in Zimbabwe. In a world where both business and information are globalised, any big business practices deemed unacceptable – wherever they take place – are liable to unleash a furious consumer reaction.

Here’s the scoop: Ice cream is next for stevia

Stevia could soon be adopted by ice cream manufacturers, claims a partnership of ingredient developers which believes it has overcome the technical challenges of producing frozen desserts using the natural sweetener.

Exclusive interview

Inside Yakult's probiotic science culture

In HG Wells’ The War of the Worlds it is not the almighty weapons of humanity that defeated the invading Martians. It is a lack of immunity to the earth’s tiny pathogenic bacteria.

A chance to milk new developments in dairy

Advances in technologies for the extraction and modification of milk components have opened up new opportunities for the food and nutraceutical industries, say the publishers of a new book.

Danone kills beauty yoghurt but comeback likely

Danone has killed the Essensis beauty yoghurt worldwide blaming lower consumer spending but the dairy giant remains convinced of beauty food potential.

Cadbury tells Kraft to bid or back off

Cadbury has approached the UK’s Takeover Panel, asking it to impose a deadline for Kraft to make an offer.

Multicultural market for lactose-free

There is big potential for lactose-free dairy products amongst multicultural groups in the US, suggests a new survey.

Irish establish functional foods initiative

Four of Ireland’s biggest healthy ingredients companies have joined with academics to form Food for Health Ireland (FHI), a group that will bring together partners up and down the value chain to develop and market ingredients and functional foods.

Global dairy industry signs sustainability pledge

Dairy industry associations from around the world are coming together to sign a pledge to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change.

Functional system enables dairy-free pizza toppings

Cargill new functional system to replace dairy proteins in cheese analogues for pizzas, there by reducing food firms’ vulnerability to dairy price fluctuations.

Dairy launches first PET bottle for UHT milk

French dairy company LSDH is claiming a world first for the launch of the PET bottle for UHT milk using dry decontamination technology.

Weekly comment

Are health claims curbing freedom of speech?

The US FDA is being sued over its health claims regime – actions that are unlikely to succeed according to most pundits – but they raise serious questions about healthy food messaging and free speech that are being felt globally.

News in brief

FrieslandCampina denies delay in selling cheese business

Newly merged FrieslandCampina has denied reports that the sale of its cheese business in Bleskensgraaf will be handed over to the European Commission in order to meet the disposal deadline.

Milk finger-printing detects contaminants to lift safety standards

Improved safety standards plus easy and cost-effective up-take are the benefits claimed for the new “finger printing” software that allows MilkoScan analysers to detect the presence of contaminants in raw milk.

Special edition: Market insights

CPL: Deciphering the European cholesterol-lowering market

The European cholesterol-lowering market presents many opportunities for food supplements and functional foods despite threats such as statin drugs and a tough new health claims regime, says Dr Robert Harwood, principal consultant at UK-based CPL Business Consultants.

Chocolate may ease migraines: Study

Dietary supplements of cocoa may repress inflammatory responses in the brain linked to migraines, suggest results from an animal study.

Legume ‘milk’ may cut costs and dairy from chocolate

Vegetable milk made from a blend of peanuts and cowpea may offer an alternative to dairy for milk chocolate formulations, suggests a new study from Ghana.

Cadbury confident despite Kraft bid

Cadbury has given a confident presentation of its stand-alone strategy in the midst of speculation that the company is unlikely to hold onto its independence following Kraft’s failed take-over bid.

News in brief

Dieticians recommend foods for flu prevention

Registered dietitians in the US are recommending that consumers “protect” their family during the flu season with foods that can help boost immunity, including probiotics, vitamin D and garlic.

Snack Size Science: Choc cravings and low-fat treats

FoodNavigator’s Snack Size Science brings you the week's top science every two weeks. This week we look at the science behind chocolate cravings, and how to formulate a tasty, low-fat chocolate treat.

Discretionary food fortification is a no go, confirms Canada

Canadian food regulator Health Canada has said it has no plans to implement proposed legislation for the discretionary fortification of food.

Danisco develops heat-resistant probiotics

Ingredients giant, Danisco, has developed a processing technology it says “toughens up” probiotic cultures to extend high bioavailability shelf-life beyond five months.

Fat may override body’s fullness signals: Study

Over-indulgence may be all fat’s fault, according to a new study which reports that fat molecules may over-ride the body’s appetite-suppressing signals.

Cadbury slams Kraft bid and business model

Cadbury has labelled Kraft “a low growth conglomerate” in a letter restating its rejection of the food giant’s £10.2bn ($16.7bn) takeover bid.

News in brief

Danone-backed Yakult expands in India

Distribution of probiotic one-shot drinks is broadening in India, with a major push occurring in cities like Mumbai, as disposable Indian incomes rise, and more people take an interest in health benefits promised by functional foods.

Weekly comment

Bisphenol A: Hearts versus minds

Forget GMO and nanotechnology - the biggest food safety issue of our times is bisphenol A (BPA).

Challenges and benefits of gluten-free labeling laws

Allergen labeling has come a long way, but a US study of food labels last month found that ambiguities are still prevalent. FoodNavigator-USA.com examines the current position on gluten-free labeling rules.

News in brief

Conference to debate saturated fat in dairy

A one-day conference will debate the latest science on milk fat and policy options for reducing – or taxing – the levels of saturated fats on dairy.

New research promises breakthrough for recycled glass

Retailer demand for recycled glass could rocket after new UK research commissioned by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

Triple drivers behind cultures, Danisco VP

Danisco is confident in the long term strength and potential of food cultures – so much so it recently pledged €60m to expand capacity. That confidence is based on three pillars, says Danisco Cultures’ VP: convenience, health, and food safety.

Tate & Lyle cuts ribbon at Australia food systems site

Tate & Lyle is giving a boost to its Australian food systems business with the opening of a new R&D and manufacturing centre in Queensland.

Global enzyme demand predicted to slow

Growth in global demand for enzymes used in food and beverage applications will slow over the next five years as key markets reach maturity, a new report has claimed.

New DSM cultures promise to fine tune yoghurt textures

DSM has extended its yoghurt cultures range to help fine tune the texture of increasingly popular mild and drinkable products.

Paul Lippke Handels launches headspace analyser

Paul Lippke Handels has launched a fast, versatile and easy-to-use packaging headspace analyser aimed at small firms and start-up businesses on tight budgets.

Danisco launches broad range of cellulose gum products

Danisco has completed a 1,500 tonne expansion of its cellulose gum production capacity to make way for a new range of products for use in bakery, beverage and dairy, as well as oral care and pharmaceuticals.

Weekly comment

Acrylamide: The consumer health scare that isn’t

Consumers love to get their teeth into a good health scare. So how is it that acrylamide has slipped under the radar?

Tetra Pak beverage pasteurizer cuts costs and product losses

A new intelligent beverage pasteurizer will cut product losses by almost a third, slash downtime and reduce energy and water consumption significantly, said manufacturers Tetra Pak.

More vitamin D for mothers, less for infants?

A new study at the University of British Columbia will examine whether increasing the recommended dose of vitamin D for pregnant women will increase levels of the vitamin delivered to their babies in breast milk.

Health claims focus

Timeline of key EU health claim opinions

In the first of a special four-part series, NutraIngredients constructs a timeline of key opinions issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) since it got the ball rolling back in August last year.

On-line guide to food processing regs launched

Small and medium-sized food processors in the United States have been given a helping hand in complying with environmental regulations thanks to a new website launched this week.

Arla Foods reports sharp decline in sales and profits

Sales and profits at Arla Foods have fallen sharply in the first half of the year but the dairy co-op expects cost cutting measures to improve full year results.

Processed cheese growth keeps cheddar volumes steady

The volume of cheddar sold globally remains steady thanks the growing popularity of cheddar-based processed cheeses in emerging markets, according to a new market report.

Sales of one per cent fat milk rocket in the UK

Milk with a fat content of one per cent has quickly gained market share in the UK and its sales are now tipped to overtake those of both full fat and skimmed milk.

France and Germany to propose changes to dairy market rules

The French agriculture minister has revealed that France and Germany are preparing to propose changes to European dairy market rules, according to news reports.

Danone: Everyday gut problems eased by probiotics

Daily consumption of a probiotic fermented milk product may improve gut health and well-being in women with everyday digestive problems, says a new study from Danone.

Lower selling prices hit FrieslandCampina’s ingredients business

The newly merged dairy co-op Royal FrieslandCampina has reported a sharp decline in the profitability of its ingredients business, as selling prices plummet.

News in brief

Danisco pushes probiotic ice cream

Danisco Bio Actives is upping its commitment to developing probiotic ice cream products globally by developing a kit to assist dessert manufacturers.

Aurora Organic Dairy denies further allegations of malpractice

Aurora Organic Dairy has denied accusations by small-scale farm campaigning organization the Cornucopia Institute accusing it of selling milk that does not adhere to organic standards.