Biogaia writes off allergy study

Disappointing results from a two-year investigation into the effects of probiotics on allergies have forced Sweden's Biogaia to end the research.

Clover looking at microalgae as new omega-3 source

Australian omega-3 producer Clover Corporation is testing whether microalgae could offer an alternative source of health fatty acids to its current raw material supply, fish.

Charity food endorsements under debate in UK

A senior politician is pressing for clarification on how the UK's food authority will police new restrictions on charity endorsements of health foods.

Tesco to launch cholesterol-lowering range under own label

The UK's biggest supermarket, Tesco, is introducing its own plant sterol-containing dairy range next month, offering a cheaper alternative to the leading cholesterol-lowering brands.

FSA extends French cheese alert amid E-coli fears

The E-coli food alert on some French camembert brands has been extended to more products in the UK, as the country's food watchdog says batches may have found their way...

Robots raise food packing efficiency

More state-of-the-art robot arms will soon be packing cheese in Lincolnshire, the UK, providing more evidence that robots may cut costs and provide a viable alternative to outsourcing for manufacturers.

Cow's milk not to blame for gut problems

Drinking cow's milk may not be to blame for gastrointestinal disturbances amongst young adults, report researchers from Finland.

Dairy Crest denies Lactalis takeover talks

Dairy Crest, Britain's biggest dairy processor, has denied holding takeover talks with French dairy giant Lactalis, despite the emergence of Lactalis documents weighing up the pros and cons of a...

Danisco cultures keep up good growth

Danisco's cultures are seeing strong organic growth thanks to growing demand from fresh dairy for innovative products and probiotics.

UK: camembert cheese recalled in E-coli scare

A dangerous strain of E-coli is feared to have contaminated camembert cheese sold by more than a 100 British retailers, including supermarket chain Waitrose, said the country's food watchdog late Monday.

Europe's dairy sector cautious on export subsidy cuts

The last-minute deal to scrap export subsidies by 2013, agreed at last week's WTO meeting, has been greeted with a sense of inevitability and caution in Europe's dairy sector.

Emmi, Kaiku to join up in fresh dairy sales

Swiss dairy group Emmi has bought a stake in Spain's Kaiku to help it expand sales of functional food brands into new markets in Latin America.

Nestlé plans chilled dairy improvement with Lactalis venture

Nestlé will use a new European joint-venture deal with French dairy giant Lactalis to try and resurrect its "unsatisfactory" chilled dairy division.

Chocolate cheese lifts Fonterra in Asia

Early success for Fonterra's chocolate-flavoured cheese in Taiwan has the firm planning to expand the product across Asia in an attempt to "re-define cheese".

DSM sees probiotics potential in cheese

Cheese may be a better carrier of probiotic bacteria than other dairy products, suggest tests carried out by DSM Food Specialties.

Probiotics set for explosive growth in China

Probiotics, unheard of a year ago, are now being added to more and more products in China, and look set to see rapid growth in demand, according to key supplier...

Milk vending scheme for UK schools in 2006

Plans to put milk and dairy products into UK school vending machines next year, backed by the government as part of its healthy eating drive, offers new opportunities to dairy...

Tagatose approval gives Arla access to EU market

Arla Food's low calorie sweetener D-Tagatose can now be used throughout the EU following yesterday's approval from the UK's FSA.

Commodity outlook for 2005

The FAO's predictions concerning commodity costs and production show sustained high prices for milk and growing sugar consumption in the developing world.

Iodine in milk linked to teenage acne

Iodine in milk may be a main cause of teenagers' acne outbreaks, says a US dermatologist, though hard evidence of a link remains scarce and disputed.

'Be bold', urges WTO director general

WTO director general Pascal Lamy has urged ministers in Hong Kong to be 'bold and courageous', but negotations have seen little progress.

EU urges end to trade distorting subsidies

Trade-distorting farm support must end, says the EU, as world ministers finally meet in Hong Kong to try and revive the WTO Doha trade round.

'Don't panic' about safety testing law, experts advise

New regulations on microbiological safety will not result in increased testing procedures for most companies, industry experts say.

Weekly Comment

The shimmer of patent valuation

Complex webs of assumptions are spinning a lie about the real value of today's companies, lulling directors and shareholders alike into a false sense of value creation.

Food companies global R&D spending lowest among top sectors

The food industry continues to sit at the bottom of the pile when it comes to investing in research and development, an annual study shows.

Cheese unlocks your wildest dreams, says study

Eating cheese before you go to bed will not give you nightmares but different varieties could help you choose the dreams you do want to have, says a study by...

Food supplies safe in UK depot fire

As fire from one of the biggest explosions seen in peace-time Europe rages in Britain, food safety authorities seek to reassure consumers about local dairy and food supplies.

Competition pressures force Friesland to close Hungarian plant

Dairy firm Friesland Foods has announced plans to close its Békéscsaba plant in southeast Hungary in a bid to cut costs, following an increase in market competition since joining the...

Ink chemical does not pose a health risk, food regulator says

Scientific evidence indicates that the presence of the ink chemical isopropylthioxanthone (ITX) in packaged foods does not pose a health risk, an EU regulator said today.

Study backs dairy weight loss claims

Young women can burn more calories from meals if they eat three or four servings of dairy per day, suggests a new study in another twist to the dairy weight...

US law opens schools to milk processors

A new law allowing American schools to sell milk anywhere at any time instead of just at the canteen may help milk processors to fight back against soft drink dominance.

Brussels gets involved in fight on obesity

The European Commission today released a green paper outlining ways to promote healthy diets and physical activity in Europe, a further attempt to tackle rising rates of childhood obesity and...

Danone research taps new probiotics

Danone, France's iconic dairy group, is working with a prestigious French research institute to find new probiotic strains for dairy products and understand more about how the 'friendly bacteria' work.

Milk Council fears losses from levy change

Government proposals to change the way money is collected from UK dairy producers for industry-wide initiatives will cut funds and bring less efficiency, says the Milk Development Council.

Weekly Comment

The reach of lobbying

The oft-said adage that there are two things people don't want to see being made - sausage and legislation - falls apart at the doors of the EU's parliament.

Carbery corporate relaunch focuses on value added market

Carbery believes that its new corporate structure will enable the dairy ingredients giant to tap growing demand for added value products and provide a one-stop-shop for manufacturers.

Arla adapting dairy space food for earth

A supply deal with US space agency NASA has helped Scandinavian dairy firm Arla Foods to develop a raft of cutting edge products it now wants to adapt for consumers...

Iron, calcium linked to lung cancer

Iron and calcium are linked to a higher risk of lung cancer in new research from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Skimmed milk cuts hypertension risk

Drinking skimmed milk can cut the risk of high blood pressure by half, according to a large new study from Spain.

Takeover rumours boost Danone's shares

Danone is once again at the centre of takeover speculation as traders predict that American rival Kraft may make a bid for the French food company.

Fonterra buys stake in Chinese dairy race

The New Zealand dairy co-operative has bought a 43 per cent stake in one of China's biggest dairy processors, as the world's dairy giants scramble for position in one of...

Arla UK revels in branded dairy rise

Arla Foods UK has announced promising progress for the year but warned farmgate milk prices were likely to fall and consumers will have to pay more for steep input cost...