Breaking News on Dairy Processing & Markets

Nestlé closes Zimbabwe operations after government pressure

Intimidation by the Zimbabwean government has forced food giant Nestle to suspend its operations in the country.

Seasonal Video Greetings From Decision News Media

Welcome to this seasonal holiday video from Decision News Media. As we prepare to celebrate our tenth anniversary next year and first year as part of William Reed Business Media, we present 10 fun number facts about our company. And, later this week, the holidays begin.

EFSA health claim opinion

EFSA rejects kids’ probiotic gut health claim

A dossier containing 13 randomised controlled trials, 6 observational studies, and 15 non-human studies has failed to impress European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) scientists because the four strains in question were not sufficiently characterised.

News in brief

La Seda signs PET supply deal with Grupo Leche Pascu

PET packaging firm La Seda de Barcelona has announced an agreement to supply Grupo Leche Pascual with 5,000m preforms from next January.

Dairy leaders remain upbeat after Copenhagen

Dairy industry leaders remain upbeat about the role that producers and processers can play in tackling climate change, despite the failure of the Copenhagen climate summit to produce a substantive deal.

FDA raps Nestlé for unauthorized medical claims

The Food and Drug Administration has issued two warning letters to food giant Nestlé for a range of children’s dairy drinks and a functional juice drink, alleging both products are making unauthorized nutrient and ‘medical food’ claims.

Weekly comment

Time to speed sustainable palm oil supply

Global food giants have vowed to source all their palm oil sustainably by 2015 – but consumer pressure could grease the wheels for more rapid change.

Dispatches from the NI Health Claims 2010 conference

Trade groups gain long awaited EC health claims hearing

Europe's leading trade groups are set for a meeting with the European Commission to discuss their concerns over the health claims assessment, and EFSA's reluctance to engage in dialogue.

Tetra Pak CPS installs dairy for new processing course

Tetra Pak CPS has supplied a multi-million pound teaching dairy to Reaseheath College in the UK, to support a new project to provide higher level qualifications for those in the dairy processing sector.

Anti-hunger aromas have real potential in obesity fight

The concept of using aroma to produce anti-hunger feelings during chewing is “promising and appealing”, says a timely review of the science-to-date.

Breakthrough test for food poisoning bug

A new test to detect a bacteria that is a leading cause of food-poisoning is cheaper, faster and significantly more sensitive than existing assays, said the US body behind the breakthrough.

Cultures buck the downward trend at Danisco in Q2

Danisco has reported a drop in quarterly revenues but culture sales grew strongly thanks largely to continued conversion from bulk starter to Direct Vat Inoculation (DVI).

News in brief

Martek Q4 revenues drop three percent

DHA specialist Martek Biosciences Corporation fourth quarter results slipped three percent to $87.6 million from $90.4 in the corresponding 2008 quarter, but the company said net income rose 24 percent for the period.

US dairy industry commits to emissions targets

The US dairy industry has agreed to work with the USDA to cut greenhouse gas emissions 25 per cent by 2020.

Danone to take full control of South African yoghurt venture

Danone has bought out its African joint venture Danone Clover for just under €100m to focus on growth opportunities in the region.

Dairy industry attacks “sustainable diet” report

Industry representatives have criticised a high-profile sustainability report advocating reductions in dairy product consumption.

News in brief

Carbon relief cut will hurt dairy firms, says UK trade body

UK government plans to cut the rate of relief from the Climate Change Levy stand to cost dairy companies £1m per year, according to Dairy UK.

Health claims: How do we define ‘healthy’?

With ‘healthy’ populations identified as the ideal for the European Food Safety Authority’s health claims, NutraIngredients asks Yakult – what exactly is healthy?

Weekly comment

Bisphenol A becomes test of leadership for FDA

Each day the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) dithers in delivering its verdict on the safety of bisphenol A (BPA), its authority is diminished and its credibility wanes.

Dispatches from NI Health Claims Conference 2009

Danone seeks clarity on claims timetable

Danone is calling for a clear health claims regulatory timetable to be implemented over the next few weeks because the current lack of clarity is “restricting the competitiveness of businesses”, reports our sister publication Food Manufacture.

China uncovers more melamine-tainted milk powder

Employees from a Chinese dairy company have been taken into police custody on suspicion of selling tonnes of melamine-tainted milk powder.

FrieslandCampina plans 942 job losses in production shake-up

Dutch dairy co-operative FrieslandCampina has announced six site closures and 942 fresh job losses a year after its formation.

Emmi invests in French and Italian cheese markets

Swiss dairy processor Emmi is expanding its cheese business, buying stakes in packaging specialist Diprola in France and Venchiaredo, an Italian fresh cheese and mozzarella maker.

Big changes needed to make diets sustainable, report

Reducing meat and dairy consumption, eating fewer fatty and sugary foods, and wasting less food are the three changes to consumption habits that will have the biggest impact on making diets more sustainable, says a new report.

News in brief

Stanpac relocates Texas packaging operation

Dairy packaging specialist Stanpac is relocating its Dallas operation to Brenham, Texas, in a move that strengthens its partnership with Blue Bell Creameries.

Martek signs omega-3,-6 supply deal with Fonterra

Omega-3 specialist Martek has signed an agreement with Fonterra to become its sole source supplier of DHA and ARA for infant formula and milk drinks aimed at young mothers and pregnant women.

Martek signs omega-3,-6 supply deal with Fonterra

Omega-3 specialist Martek has signed an agreement with Fonterra to become its sole source supplier of DHA and ARA for infant formula and milk drinks aimed at young mothers and pregnant women.

Oystar reveals strategy for emerging dairy markets

Oystar says investment in local manufacturing and entry level machines are the keys to unlocking the growth potential of emerging dairy markets.

Dairy prices shoot up from February trough

International dairy prices are up 82 per cent from the lows of February, sparking speculation about another big price spike, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

India calls for Indian probiotic studies and strains

India is developing guidelines that may mean probiotic strains will have to be backed by clinical trials conducted on Indian populations if they are to gain market approval.

Weekly comment

Counting the human cost of recession

Return to profitability. It’s a phrase that businesses have been yearning for, but as more of them are starting to use it, it’s time to ask: At what cost?

News in brief

Dairy Management reveals dates for ingredients symposium

Dairy Management has revealed that the 12th annual Dairy Ingredients Symposium will be held on March 2-3, 2010 in San Francisco.

Lightweighting and shelf-life boost from PET colourant

Holland Colours said its new white colourant additive for monolayer PET bottles for milk and dairy products allows for greater lightweighting, extends shelf-life and increases flexibility of resin sourcing.

EU divides €300m emergency dairy aid package

EU member states have reached an agreement on the distribution of the proposed €300m aid package for dairy farmers.

Tetra Pak report reveals ambient milk opportunities

In its latest forecasting report, Tetra Pak has predicted that ambient milk will outperform the chilled sector in developed markets, and offer more opportunities for growth.

Nebraska organic farm to lose certification

A 22,000-head beef and dairy cattle farming operation based in Nebraska and Missouri, Promiseland Livestock, will lose its organic certification for four years, a Washington, DC judge has ruled.

Probiotics: From clinical trial to health claims success

As a raft of non-positive opinions on probiotics floats down the health claims river, questions have been asked of the efficacy of the beneficial bacteria. Two experts discuss where we stand and how to get the good ship Probiotic back on course.

FSA proposes promotional drive for low fat dairy

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published draft plans on fat reduction that raise the possibility of legal changes to encourage sales of low fat cheddar and ice cream.

Feature article from our sister title Food Manufacture

Health claim scepticism feeds butter spread

Spreads with added benefits continue to be negatively impacted by consumer confusion and scepticism, argues market researcher Mintel.

News in brief

FrieslandCampina fulfills last merger condition with Bleskensgraaf sale

All the conditions set by the European Commission for the merger of Friesland Foods and Campina have been approved.

Big three drink carton firms improve traceability

Tetra Pak, Elopak, and SIG Combibloc increased sharply their purchase of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified or controlled wood fibres last year, according to a new report.

Danone resubmits marquee probiotic gut health claim

Danone has resubmitted an article 13.5 gut health claim for its flagship probiotic product, Activia, to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).