Members of the European Parliament are today debating and voting on
proposals for two new controversial pieces of proposed legislation
that will affect food processors - one toput restrictions on the
health claims they make about...
The first omega-3 milks to hit the UK market will benefit from
increasing demand for healthy children's food, following a wave of
media reports on research into brain food and the poor quality of
school lunches, writes Dominique...
The message about the gut health benefit probiotics can deliver is
finally getting through to US consumers, according to a new report
on the state of the functional foods sub-category.
With the upcoming EU ban on the use of antibiotic growth promoters
in animal feed, companies such as Medipharm and Chr. Hansen are
rushing to provide farmers with natural alternatives.
A drink containing a probiotic strain isolated from infants
relieved symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome to the same extent as
pharmaceutical treatments for the condition, report Irish
researchers.
Not all strains of bacteria used in probiotic products on the UK
market survive through the entire digestive system, conclude study
results published this week by the Food Standards Agency, although
at least one strain in each of...
Danish ingredients company Chr Hansen has licensed the use of a
genomics tool to improve knowledge of how probiotic bacteria work.
It could help the firm develop new probiotic bacteria with superior
benefits over existing products.
Emerging research on lactic acid bacteria is set to offer food
companies a new method of vitamin enrichment that allows them to
get around consumer concerns over added ingredients, writes
Dominique Patton.
The US probiotic industry needs to step up a gear and finance
further research in order to win over consumer confidence by
providing scientific proof of its health benefits, according to
research published by the International Food...
Organic milk has significantly higher quantities of vitamin E - a
key component in contributing to the shelf-life of milk - than its
conventional equivalent, say Danish researchers, suggesting the
origins of the difference are rooted...
A US cancer prevention expert says that if government required
calcium and vitamin D to be added to foods, it could achieve a 20
per cent reduction in colon cancer deaths and osteoporosis-related
fractures.
Dutch ingredients firm Sensus has carried out new research to prove
the prebiotic effect of native inulin at only 5 grams, allowing
food manufacturers to make prebiotic claims on a relatively low
dose.
New gene technology could provide further evidence to support
probiotic bacteria, often criticised by the medical profession for
having insufficient science behind the claims made about their
health benefits.
The first dairy food range in Europe containing Danisco's Howaru
probiotics has been introduced in Slovenia by one of the region's
top dairy product manufacturers Ljubljanske Mlekarne.
The new cultures unit at Danisco looks set to become a powerful
force in the probiotics sector, gaining additional strains and
entrance to new markets with the acquisition of Rhodia Food,
according to new division chief Fabienne Saadane-Oaks.
Probiotics in capsule form have been around for a few years, as
dietary supplement manufacturers seek to take advantage of the
growing awareness of their beneficial effect on gut health. But
some consumers do not like taking capsules,...
Europe's first pasteurized milk enriched with omega-3 fatty acids
has launched in Ireland, thanks to new technology that allows a
fish oil emulsion to be added to milk just before it goes into
cartons, writes Dominique Patton.
Valio is to launch its probiotic cheese in Belgium, the first
country outside its home market, where cheese is a fast-growing new
application area for the health-promoting bacteria, writes
Dominique Patton.
Probiotics, the bacteria thought to help gut health disorders,
allergies and even some forms of cancer, contain immune
system-stimulating DNA, which makes them just as effective when
inactivated as when consumed as live microorganisms...
The food ingredient pectin may be more valuable than thought as it
has significant prebiotic properties, claims a US scientist.
Derived mainly from waste citrus peel, it is used to stabilise
dairy products.
French yoghurt manufacturer Danone has announced that it has raised
its stake in probiotics maker Yakult to 19 per cent, citing strong
performance of the Japanese company as the reason for its long-term
investment.
In the US, an Ohio dairy is recalling 150 half gallons of one of
its products because it contains excessive levels of vitamin A and
D that could present a health risk.
Acidophilus and other probiotic supplements may be gaining in
popularity but a report by independent testers ConsumerLab, says
live bacteria may actually be missing in many priobiotic products.
As probiotics find increasing favour with food manufacturers a new
European funded study, PROGID, is set to investigate the impact of
two probiotic strains on easing the symptoms of inflammatory bowel
diseases (IBD).
Health professionals across Europe are seeing more and more cases
of rickets and increasing the amount of vitamin D in food could be
one way to tackle this. A new European-funded research project in
Denmark entitled OPTIFORD is set...
Probiotics or 'friendly' bacteria given to babies during weaning
may help alleviate the symptoms of eczema, according to research
published in the British journal Gut.
