Dispatches from FiE

DSM launches enzymatic whey whitener

DSM has developed a new fungal peroxidase that can whiten whey without the use of harsh chemicals, and avoiding off-tastes and protein irregularities.

Dairy beats soy for inflammation improvements: Study

A dairy-rich diet may reduce levels of inflammatory and oxidative markers in overweight and obese people, says a new study from the US.

UK dairies accelerate towards recycled plastic targets

Production of recycled HDPE is accelerating fast as milk processors race to meet the 2010 Milk Roadmap targets.

Oxford study links DASH diet to lower blood pressure

A diet consisting of low fat dairy foods, wholegrains, and fruit and vegetables has been linked to lower blood pressure in the first British study of the DASH diet.

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Reduce meat and dairy production to cut emissions, says study

Eating less meat and dairy products could reduce the effects of climate change and have great benefits for cardiovascular health, according to a study published in The Lancet.

Synergy sensory study tackles protein problems

Synergy Flavors has commissioned a sensory research program at North Carolina State University to examine how dairy proteins affect taste perception, with the aim of diminishing undesirable flavors.

Tetra Pak to trial green plastic for carton closures

Tetra Pak has agreed to carry out a limited trial to source green plastic from Brazil for use in its carton packaging in what the company said is a first...

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Dairy Crest renews pallet contract with CHEP

Dairy Crest has awarded a three-year contract renewal worth £5 million to Chep, a provider of pallet and consumer pooling services.

Size matters! Green potential of more milk pack sizes

Providing a variety of milk packaging sizes could be more fruitful environmentally than switching to “greener” materials.

Nampak head delivers warning as profits slump

Nampak announced a 60 per cent fall in profits in 2009 as its chief warned that 20 per cent of its operations must either turnaround or face being closed or sold off.

Chocolate flavors help cushion cocoa price impact

Synergy has released a range of chocolate flavors intended to help manufacturers sidestep the impact of volatile cocoa prices.

Locust bean gum plagued by low prices

Low prices for locust bean gum could lead to future supply issues, says a hydrocolloids expert, as present returns on pods do not make the harvest worthwhile for growers.

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Food prices face a welcome perfect storm

There’s a perfect storm building for food prices. You don’t have to scan the horizon to see the signs; the clouds are developing all around us - at a faster...

New spreadable cheese ingredient promises savings

National Starch has launched a new ingredient for spreadable processed cheese (SPC) that promises to replace expensive protein and fat without compromising texture or flavour.

EFSA expands on article 13.1 health claim methods

Health claims backed by studies carried out on non-healthy populations are capable of winning positive opinions according to an EFSA assessment of its own methods sent to the European Commission...

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Bayerische Milchindustrie installs Oystar wrapping machine

German dairy firm Bayerische Milchindustrie has installed a new Multipack 800 from Oystar to pack butter for the Paladin brand.

Fonterra drops Anchor brand share in UK

Fonterra has sold its remaining 25 per cent stake in UK joint venture Arla Foods Fonterra (AFF) to majority owner Arla Foods.

Dispatches from FiE

Food sector at the forefront of sustainability, says Oxfam

Food and beverage manufacturers are driving sustainability in the supply chain, says an Oxfam specialist, but they face more risks in catering to demand for ethically-produced products than retailers.

Solae launches new high-protein soy nuggets

Solae has launched a high protein soy nugget with 90 percent protein on a dry weight basis, said to be the highest containing soy protein nugget on the market.

US dairy industry plea to boost raw milk regulation

Raw milk products pose a “significant food safety hazard” and facilities that make them should be covered by the new food safety bill, said the two largest US dairy...

GAT Food Essentials wins functional food microencapsulation award

Microencapsulation specialist GAT Food Essentials has won the 2009 Frost & Sullivan European Functional Food & Beverage Microencapsulation Technology Innovation Award in recognition of its new water-in-oil-in-water technology.

Comment

Alleviation of hunger should top CSR agenda

Climate change dominates the CSR agenda but new USDA figures on food insecurity are a sharp reminder that alleviating poverty and hunger should always be the top priority.

Probiotics intake beneficial against infections in kids: study

Lactobacillus GG (LGG) can decrease the risk of upper respiratory tract infections including rhinitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, otitis, and the common cold in children attending day care centres, claims a new...

Arla plans billion litre milk processing plant near London

Arla Foods has unveiled plans to build a one billion litre liquid milk processing facility on the outskirts of London.

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Indiana dry milk processor gets grade A certification

 PacMoore, an Indiana-based manufacturer of dry milk products, has received grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) certification.

Report reveals green packaging progress and potential

Figures from the Dairy UK sustainability report reveal progress on green packaging but significant disparity exists across the industry.

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Milk Link opens new cheese packing unit

Milk Link has opened a £1.4 million speciality cheese packing unit at its creamery in Malpas, Cheshire, to meet the exacting standards of retailers.

Omega-3 emulsion could boost stability of functional drinks

Dairy and beverage manufacturers can incorporate long-chain omega-3 fatty acids into their products without compromising taste and stability with a new high concentration omega-3 emulsion, claims supplier Lipid Nutrition.

Opportunity remains in dairy bioactives despite departures

Some companies are abandoning research into dairy bioactive ingredients because of high costs and regulatory uncertainty but market growth is still expected to be high, according to new research.

Gut microflora and obesity: Study highlights potential for pre-, probiotics

US researchers have successfully transferred gut bacteria from obese humans to germ-free mice, a breakthrough that will allow a more detailed study of the link between gut microflora and obesity.

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Dairy UK publishes first sustainability report

Dairy UK has published its first ever Sustainability Report, ahead of the Copenhagen climate talks next month.

Sales success for new Danone bone health yoghurt

Early sales figures for Densia yoghurt suggest that Danone has found a winning niche in the bone health market.

Milk may boost iron uptake from fruit juices

Formulating iron-enriched fruit juices with milk may improve uptake of the mineral, suggests new research that offers a way of boosting iron intake for people at risk of deficiency.

New NI lycopene targets beverages and bars

BASF is building the use of its nature identical lycopene by introducing a new cold-water dispersible version for use in beverages and food applications.

Danisco’s Madison plant expansion underway

Danisco has started expansion of its cultures plant in Madison, Wisconsin, which it says responds to increased demand for direct vat inoculants (DVI) cultures in the US.

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UK farmers knock on EU policy doors

A UK education initiative aimed at farmers and food companies aims to give a better understanding of EU farming policy, with 24 farmers visiting Brussels last month.

Danisco says UHT fouling fixed with new enzyme

A new ingredient has been developed to resolve UHT milk processing fouling naturally and thereby lead to increased production capacity for processors, claims the manufacturer.

New stabiliser systems target fermented dairy

Hydrosol has developed two new series of stabiliser solution for use in fermented dairy products, as starch is falling out of favour and clean labels are the order of the...

Paper aims to debunk livestock production ‘myths’

The environmental impact of intensive modern livestock production is much lower than many people assume, according to a paper presented at the 71st Cornell Nutrition Conference in Syracuse, NY.

Gelatin plus soy protein may mask bitter taste of caseins

Bitter-tasting casein hydrolysates may find more applications if spray-dried with gelatine and soy protein isolate, suggests a new study from Brazil.

Milk and meat drive N Ireland food processing growth

Increasing sales of milk, meats and baked goods fuelled a six per cent growth in Northern Ireland’s food and drinks processing industry last year as sales reached almost £3bn, said...

Full fat milk could be linked to low BMI, study

Children who consumed full fat milk regularly had a lower body mass index (BMI) compared to those who seldom or never drank milk, claims a Swedish study.

Global food safety group meets with Chinese envoys

Chinese food safety delegates met with international food safety experts in Minnesota this week to conclude a two-week program discussing individual nations’ role in the development of global standards.

UK dairy industry signs up to carbon cutting plan

Dairy industry representatives have signed up to a £15m innovation programme in the UK designed to cut carbon, reduce costs and make manufacturing more competitive.

Dairy proteins again linked to blood pressure benefits

A combination of milk proteins may reduce salt-induced increases in blood pressure by about 10 mmHg, according to results of a rat study from Valio.

‘Lumpy micro-rods’ to enrich and structure food foams

Simple micro-rods made from food grade polymers can not only stabilise food foams, but also encapsulate bioactive ingredients for added value, suggests a new study supported by Unilever.

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Sale of Yogho! Yogho! and Choco! Choco! approved

The acquisition of the Yogho! Yogho! and Choco! Choco! brands from RoyalFrieslandCampina by Belgian Dairy Cooperative, Inza Cvba, has been approved by the European Commission.

Arla announces three-step product development programme

Arla Foods Ingredients has announced a new three-step hands-on programme for working with food manufacturers on product development, from conception to large-scale trials and commercialisation.