Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Yakult prepares for major US probiotics education

Probiotic firm Yakult is preparing a major new education campaign in the US, which it hopes will help raise consumer awareness of the benefits of probiotics.

Organic 'shock' failing to dent liquid milk sales - producer

The UK organic dairy market remains optimistic this week following the 'shock' announcement from a leading processor that it was cutting payments to farmers, according to another supplier in the segment.

UK faces secure milk calls amidst Euro cost worries

Trade association Dairy UK claims that the government must provide security to the country's dairy farmers to ensure industry can meet consumers' cost and nutrition requirements.

Nano group focuses on Wow emulsions

Leatherhead Food International (LFI) is investigating the potential of novel and emerging technologies for emulsions which could help food manufacturers reduce fat content of products without sacrificing mouth-feel.

SMEs set to benefit from amendments to EU food labelling proposal

The draft report on the European Commission’s proposal for the provision of food information to consumers in the EU suggests substantial amendments which would offer small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) more flexibility.

Report uncovers melamine in US infant formula

Some leading brands of infant formula manufactured and sold in the US have been found to contain traces of the industrial chemical melamine, albeit it at small amounts, news reports suggest.

Australian dairy eyes functional focus funding

The Australian dairy industry continues to target product innovation with a new grant specifically designed to encourage innovative new ways of thermal and non-thermal processing and producing fermented foods and cultures.

Additive boosts green potential of PET, says BioSmart

A new additive renders polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles biodegradable over time, particularly if they are inadvertently disposed of or littered outdoors, claims the developer.

Industry response to additive, enzyme regulation adoption

Additive and enzyme associations have welcomed the adoption of the new FIAP package on additives, flavourings and enzymes – but concern remains about the Southampton colours warning.

News in brief

First Milk launches resealable packaging

UK dairy farmer co-operative First Milk has developed a resealable zip packaging for two of its brands.

Study backs dairy recommendations for weight loss

Cutting out dairy products during a weight loss programme may be misconceived, according to a new study from the US.

Comment

Conjuring with calories: Regulation and labeling changes

There was something magical about the recent news that the caloric value of both gum arabic and erythritol have been officially lowered, but whether it turns out to be a sleight of hand or a real change remains to be seen.

Yakult targets military in US expansion efforts

Leading probiotic group Yakult has pursued an original marketing strategy in an effort to establish its brand in the US by striking an agreement with the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA).

Milk quota reforms distort trade, says UK dairy industry

EU agriculture ministers yesterday agreed on further measures designed to progressively liberalise the bloc’s dairy sector, but industry associations have said these will simply lead to more market distortion.

Arla introduces new generation of whey permeate

Arla is raising the bar on whey permeate functionality with a new range said to have flavour profile and low hygroscopy, attributes that will make it easier to use in a range of applications.

New cultures eye perfect Swiss cheese

Danisco Cultures has launched a new culture for producing a “more consistent” Swiss cheese and to enable faster processing.

Mouth bacteria boost some flavours: Study

Bacteria present in the mouth may delay the flavour response for some fruit, vegetables, and wine, according to a new study from Firmenich.

Protient opens dairy ingredient technology center

US dairy ingredients firm Protient has opened a new research and applications center in Minnesota, which it says will provide key application support to customers.

Antibiotic resistant E.coli could spread, warns Soil Association

A newly discovered antibiotic resistant strain of E.coli is at risk of spreading, the Soil Association has warned, as no restrictions have been made on the herd where it was identified.

New bacteria species may spoil refrigerated raw milk

Scientists have discovered new species of bacteria that can grow at low temperatures, and may even spoil raw milk during refrigeration.

Dairy price won’t settle soon, says Fonterra

Volatile dairy prices are likely to continue in the mid term at least, New Zealand Fonterra has warned, signaling a need for on-going margin vigilance for food makers using dairy derivatives.

Chr Hansen aims for bulk efficiency in Euro cheese

Chr Hansen is set to extend a US culture system across Europe to balance demand for bulk production of more complex continental cheeses, which it says can ensure both product consistency and cost efficiency.

News in brief

Milk flavour falls in popularity

The popularity of milk as a flavour has dropped in the rankings of favourite flavours for baby beverages, according to new findings by Product Launch Analytics.

Website aims to solve food labelling confusion

A new website due to launch in the UK next year aims to reduce consumer confusion over food labelling and ingredients, and enable tailored searching for products that meet specific needs.

IDF optimistic long-term despite cost crunch

Despite ‘see-sawing’ commodity prices during a year of supply chain uncertainty, a leading dairy industry representative foresees an optimistic future ahead.

FDA gears up for food safety rule revision

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it will bring current federal food processing safety rules up to date in an effort to provide additional protection against foodborne illness.

China melamine scare may play into big dairy brands' hands

The global furore over the recent melamine contamination scandal in China appears to have driven major shifts in the country’s dairy industry, not all of them to the detriment of manufacturers, says a new report.

Certificate system enables more support for sustainable palm oil

The first shipment of sustainable palm oil is set to arrive in Europe next week; but even if manufacturers do not use the oil directly they can still buy into the movement with certificates that allow them to state their support, explained the RSPO president.

The wrong time for another healthy eating campaign?

The UK’s DoH should have waited to launch its new anti-obesity initiative until the economic situation has improved, as many small food businesses are already busy enough coping with the recession, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Chr Hansen taking control in Eastern cultures push

Chr Hansen says that inauguration of a new legal entity within Romania is far from just a cosmetic change to their expansion plans and will offer greater control in the development and sale of its dairy cultures.

Innovation strategy for next generation products

Food and beverage companies need to institutionalize innovation with a dedicated budget and executives in place to drive growth, according to a new report.

EDA suggests time is right for milk price rethink

‘Significant changes’ are required in the approach of European politicians and dairy industries to milk pricing, says the head of the European Dairy Association (EDA).

News in brief

Whey fortification 2008 conference programme announced

The full programme has been announced for the two-day Whey Fortification 2008 conference taking place in Amsterdam from 2 to 4 December.

Comment

Beijing Olympic Games clean-up a dirty business

This year’s Beijing Olympic Games may have been good for China’s public image but the smooth running of the event was built on multiple state-prompted sacrifices and the food ingredients industry was one of the lambs that copped it in the neck for ‘the greater good’.

SafePak tops pack life cycle assessment survey, says IDC

International Dispensing Corporation (IDC) said a life cycle assessment (LCA) of its large-format Multiserve SafePak showed that it expended the less energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than other packaging formats.

News in brief

Friesland to sell Kaasfabriek Eyssen

Friesland Foods has announced plans to shave off its Kaasfabriek Eyssen business to Kaptein, as it is not a core part of its cheese-making operations.

Probiotic may prevent respiratory illnesses: study

The bacterial strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299 may protect intubated, critically-ill patients from pneumonia, suggests a small Swedish study.

Chr Hansen sees results of tight focus

Chr Hansen has reported a year of strong growth in 2007/8, putting it in a strong position to expand in the life sciences arena, and in particular health and nutrition.

Milk facing soybean innovation battle

The dairy industry will have to step up to the challenge of matching ongoing developments in soybeans as a replacement for a number of milk-based products and ingredients, according to one New Zealand dairy supplier.

New cheese starter culture system cuts production time

DSM Food Specialties has launched a new starter culture system which it says will help cheese producers in the US speed up production and increase yield.

Yoghurt drink makers wary of soft drink challenge

As drink manufacturers strive to provide innovative functional products to increasingly health focused consumers, dairy goods such as yoghurt may be an emerging route able to help bridge demand.

Arla thinking functional in global reshuffle

Arla Foods says that innovation towards healthier products and ingredients combined with a major pushes for its whey protein operations will dominate the future direction of its European and global expansion strategies.

Pepsi stays dairy-free despite yoghurt drink launch

Pepsi says that the Asian launch of a yoghurt-flavoured soft drink does not reflect a wider-company focus on harnessing the potential nutrition benefits of dairy beverages, despite a growing number of product launches across Europe.

Meat and dairy miss out on low fat message

Dairy, pork and beef products have lost their appeal among a group of consumers who may have decreased consumption of these foods because they are associated with high-fat content, according to a survey.

Price volatility setting back lactose and whey value - report

While the availability of whey and lactose products continue to climb during 2008, price volatility has managed to hamper hikes in profitability of the segment as manufacturers hunt for cheaper ingredients, says a new report.

Comment

A menu for American food policy

At the time of writing, the US is poised to go to the polls. The next two days are going to be hugely exciting. And when it’s all over, after the victor gets some well-earned rest… he’ll rub his sleepy eyes and ask: ‘What’s for breakfast?'.

FDA criticised over BPA assessment

An advisory board to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that the agency ignored evidence that suggested bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and formula cans could be damaging to children.