Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Commission may face market regulation U-turn - USDA

As dairy processors and farmer continue to fret over declining profitability in their operations, the European Commission may be forced to reconsider its position on loosening regulation of the market, says a new report.

Plastic could be ‘whey’ more recyclable

The WHEYLAYER project, set to get underway next week, is focusing on developing a whey protein coated film for use with plastics films in food packaging.

Protestor wrath halts dairy land conversion

Some New Zealand-based environmental groups are getting confrontational amidst claims that the country’s dairy industry remains ‘generally very unwilling’ to take action over its potential impacts on climate change.

Bisphenol risks highlighted by FDA subcommittee

Fresh doubts about the safety of bisphenol A, found in baby bottles and some food packaging, have been raised by the Science Board sub committee of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

News in brief

Exploding milk powder rocks California Dairies

An explosion at a California Dairies Inc plant in Visalia has caused around $200,000 in damage to equipment, according to reports.

Supplements, functional foods and the era of tighter regulations

Lorraine Heller talks to Danisco’s director of regulatory and scientific affairs in North America – Stuart Craig – who predicts an environment of increased regulation for the nutraceuticals and functional food markets.

News in brief

Fonterra cleared over Bangladesh melamine fears

New Zealand-based dairy group Fonterra says that a branded milk powder marketed in Bangladesh has been cleared for sale in the country after impendent testing found the product free from the industrial chemical melamine.

UK carbon scheme targets dairy gas solutions

Amidst calls to tighten monitoring of how dairy affects greenhouse gas emissions, a new UK-based scheme hopes to provide manufacturers with a means of tracking and controlling their carbon footprint.

Suck it and see: has the probiotic straw arrived?

The probiotic straw is a concept that has been a long time coming but one which may be about to move from its current niche status into the mainstream, according to Swedish probiotics supplier, BioGaia.

Milk price alternative sought in EU tractor protest

A barrage of tractors have descended upon the latest meeting of EU agriculture ministers to drive home dairy farmers’ calls for what they claim are the basic conditions required to ensure a ‘fair’ price for their products.

Study does not prove BPA link to disease: EFSA

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) claims a recent study did not provide sufficient proof of a causal link between Bisphenol A (BPA) and heart disease, type 2 diabetes and liver enzyme abnormalities, and, as a result, the established Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) is sufficient.

Weekly comment

The hour of stevia is nigh

The course of true love never did run smooth. The same could be said of stevia’s road to regulatory approval as a food ingredient. One final concerted effort is needed to ensure approval of this hot ingredient.

Rethink called for in dairy greenhouse gas emissions monitoring

With dairy farming now accounting for 1.2 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions, more critical research is needed by European stakeholders to improve environmental sustainability, says a new report.

News in brief

Dairy goat research herd gets funding

The Wisconsin Dairy Goat Association has been awarded $13,400 funding by the American Sheep and Goat Center towards the establishment of the first dairy goat research herd in the Upper Midwest USA, geared towards preserving the health of the state’s goat herds.

News in brief

Chinese dairies aim to restore confidence after melamine crisis

Chinese dairy companies Mengniu and Yili tried to restore faith in their products after the melamine scandal by inviting journalists to tour Yili’s processing and packaging facilities at Hohhot in central northern China, reports the news agency Xinhua.

Enzymes enable greener value-added products, review claims

Enzyme technology can be a more economical and environmentally friendly way of converting low value agricultural produce and transgenic plants into high-value industrial products like health foods and sweeteners, says a new review.

More responsive e-packaging on the horizon

Printed electronics will provide added value packaging to enable food and drink companies enhance their existing brands with multiple promotion, safety, security and entertainment features, claims a RFID and smart packaging consultant firm.

Kids want to eat healthily, says survey

Children and teenagers in the UK are becoming increasingly conscious of the importance of healthy eating, according to data from TGI Youth.

Destination Luxembourg for frustrated Euro milk-makers

Luxembourg will provide the stage for a show of growing discontent among European dairy farmers next week, over concerns about the ongoing reform to the bloc’s agricultural policy.

Terror & melamine fears spur milk transport investment

A US-based prototype scheme to improve automisation and traceability in global milk distribution has received further funding amidst fears over milk safety hazards from potential contamination and terrorism.

EFSA says yes to calcium, no to omega-3s and probiotics

The latest batch of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinions has surfaced with the assessor giving the thumbs up to three claims revolving around calcium, vitamin D and bone health.

News in brief

Parmalat’s Citigroup claim rejected

Parmalat’s claim for damages against Citigroup, regarding an alleged breach of duty of trust, has been rejected by the Superior Court of Bergen County, New Jersey, United States.

News in brief

Dairy Farmers vote on takeover bid

The future of Australian milk co-operative Dairy Farmers hangs in the balance as members decide whether to approve a take-over by National Foods; one of the country’s largest food and beverage groups.

News in brief

Boost for vitamin D fortified milk

The US National Dairy Council recommends boosting vitamin D intake for children after a new clinical report from the American Academy of Paediatrics.

Danisco spies cardiovascular potential in beta-glucan buy

Danisco, hungry to boost its presence in cardiovascular health, has taken a minority stake in a New Zealand-based manufacturer of what it claims is a high concentrate beta-glucan.

Ingredient use key to optimising whey functional potential - industry

Despite a growing focus on finished whey products, one leading representative believes future development of the protein will be predominantly driven by its use as an ingredient in functional foods.

News in brief

Chinese dairy company imports $15m of melamine testing tools

Chinese dairy company Yili said it has spent about $15m (€11.6m) on importing melamine testing equipment from the US and Japan to restore confidence after the melamine scandal, according to the state news agency Xinhua.

News in brief

Saputo acquires Ontario dairy company

Canadian dairy company Saputo has acquired Neilson Dairy; formerly a division of Weston Foods Canada.

Yoghurt can benefit bladder cancer, say researchers

Two servings of yoghurt per day can reduce the risk of developing bladder cancer by up to 40 per cent, say Swedish scientists.

Weekly comment

Banks’ rescue package points the way for food crisis remedies

Question: When is a crisis not a crisis? Answer: When it’s a food crisis. Compare the two responses to failures in the food system and financial markets.

Arla, Fonterra sticking to scandal hit Chinese dairies

Two of the world’s leading suppliers and manufacturers of dairy goods have moved to play up their commitments in China as the legacy of the ongoing melamine scandal continues to impact on their operations.

Site upgrade will improve test facilities for processors, says Tetra Pak

A larger test and assembly facility that can respond quickly to customer demands is the aim of a €15m upgrade to Tetra Pak’s research and development facility in Modena in Italy, the company claims.

Friesland Kievit launches creamers with low saturated fat

Friesland Foods Kievit is launching a new range of savoury creamers based on non-hydrogenated fat (HVO), its first to contain up to 80 per cent less saturated fatty acids than other creamers.

Scottish dairies cleared in global price fix clampdown

UK competition authority, the Office of Fair Trading, says it will not be taking action against six Scotland-based dairy companies accused of engaging in price fixing.

UK ad restrictions neglect cheese nutrients, says dairy group

The apparent vilifying of cheese products under UK-based advertising restrictions may have major repercussion on a global scale for dairy groups, claims the head of Dairy UK.

Finished product groups are next target in whey functional push

With dairy companies increasingly looking to push whey as functional ingredient, the industry says it must do more to court and target leading food manufacturers to make use of the additive’s potential benefits.

Commission tightens rules on Chinese products further

The European Commission has adopted a new decision to prohibit the import of all composite infant formula products containing milk and milk from China, and to require testing of all other Chinese milk-containing products.

Carbon footprint falls highlight greener-milk success - industry

A new US study charting a 64-year fall in the carbon footprint of producing milk in the country, reflects wider global success in adopting sustainable milk production, according to one national dairy association.

Milk farmer concerns persist over processor payouts

As a leading UK Dairy Processor prepares to increase payouts for their milk supplies from next month, the issue of sustainable pricing for supplies looks far from resolved.

Next generation caps will be lighter with pour appeal, says Tetra Pak

Tetra Pak says it has redeveloped two of its closure types in order to reduce the amount of plastic required in their manufacture, and to enhance their opening and pouring attributes.

Special edition: Gut health

Market: How global consumers view digestive health

One of the first functional foods was a digestive health product – Yakult – a probiotic drink a Japanese scientist began selling in his home country in the 1930s.

Weekly comment

Waking up to smell the caffeine

Before reading this you’re probably going to need a coffee, in fact why not have a few? After all who’s to say when enough is enough in our hunt for a caffeine kick.

DSM targets soft-cheese culture development

A manufacturer of thermaphilic cultures for cheese production has extended the range’s applications with a new product it claims can improve the cost effectiveness of manufacturing softer products such as camembert and brie.

IFOAM and UN unveil tools to smooth organic trade

A six-year effort to harmonise trade in organic produce between markets with different standards and environmental conditions has yielded fruit, with the launch of two tools to establish equivalence between standards and improve market access for farmers in developing countries.

News briefs: Fonterra in China and Friesland Foods

This week, Fonterra announces support for a Chinese charity to protect infants and mothers in rural areas and Friesland says it will not budge on its provisional 2007 milk price.

New process could deliver better milk powders for chocolate

A new treatment could be on the horizon for dairy processors as German scientists report it leads to better processing behaviour of spray-dried milk powders.

US study claims BPA induces chemotherapy resistance

A new US study shows that the exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), the chemical compound used in the linings of metal food and beverage cans and baby bottles, may reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy treatments.

Camembert purists drive Lactalis production shake-up

France–based Lactalis is shutting down production at one of its sites amidst an ongoing battle of wills in the country over the ‘traditional’ manufacture of camembert cheese.

Melamine recalls not an issue for US dairy groups

As US authorities issue further recalls for some Chinese products that may contain the chemical melamine, domestic dairy manufacturers are not concerned that their products may become contaminated.

Filling line redesign allows constant feeding, claims firm

A design enhancement to an existing filling and sealing line means it can accommodate a wider range of ice cream and frozen yoghurt tub formats and sizes, says its UK manufacturer.

Weekly comment

Bringing organic back down to earth

Organic has an image problem. As some consumers fear they are, quite literally, priced out of the farmers market, it’s time to stir up more debate about organic as a set of principals, not as a status symbol.

Calcium may be vital for CLA's bone benefits: Study

Combining conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) with calcium may enhance bone mass, and explain inconsistencies from earlier studies, says new research from the US.

Australia ponders global inspiration for dairy innovation

Australian dairy manufacturers are looking beyond their borders for new forms of innovation to shake up product manufacturing as part of an inaugural award designed to encourage global thinking amongst processors.

Dairy Crest reshuffles business in face of economic downturn

Over 200 people could lose their jobs with the major UK dairy products company Dairy Crest as it attempts to streamline its operation.

Hope among EFSA’s harsh health claim rulings

The European Food Safety Authority’s hard line stance on health claims is bewildering some, resigning others, but steeling most to meet its ‘gold standard’ scientific demands.

‘No great panic’ on organic compliance

This story has been updated from the original published at 1400 CET, which erroneously stated that compliance was needed on labelling aspects of the new regulation by January 2009. FoodNavigator.com apologises for the confusion.

News briefs: Fonterra, Saputo and ice cream voting

This week, Fonterra spies an end to rising commodity prices; Saputo reviews its operations following a fire in its US operations and ice cream gets political.

Pectin plus fish gelatin could lead to cheaper low-fat spreads: study

Pectin could be the ideal partner for gelatin in the production of low-cost, low-fat spreads, according to a new study from Malaysia.

Melamine detection service offered to EU food and drink sector

A new melamine detection and testing service is targeted at companies in the European food and drink sector including food and ingredient manufacturers and food importers, says Leatherhead Food International.

Guest article

The impact of the Chinese milk crisis on European business

As the contamination of Chinese milk sends ripples through the global food industry, Eversheds lawyers Richard Matthews and Elizabeth Hyde lay out the due diligence procedures that food companies must go through when sourcing from outside the EU.

Probiotics may reduce eczema in young children: Study

Daily supplements of a probiotic strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus may reduce the incidence of childhood eczema by about 50 per cent, according to a new study.

Campina brand claims GM free breakthrough

Campina says it has committed to a new feed scheme for one of its leading German dairy brands as part of a wider commitment to removing genetically modified (GM) organisms from across its portfolio of products.

Industry development roundups

A new resin for dairy packaging, thermophilic cultures for cheese production, new methods in microsieve technology and a pectin–based coulis are among September’s dairy developments.