Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

Science builds for bilberry extracts kidney benefits

Extracts from bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) may protect the kidney from the damaging effects of potassium bromate, suggests a new study with mice.

Cyrovac maker sees volume growth in emerging markets

Sealed Air, the producer of Cryovac food packaging, yesterday reported strong growth in sales to food customers over 2007, boosted by emerging markets as well as a favourable currency rate.

Strong sales for IFF in Asia, Europe and Latin America

International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) has posted a strong sales performance across Asia, Latin America and Europe for its flavors division.

Fonterra expects full year growth ahead

New Zealand-based dairy cooperative Fonterra says it has benefited from both its raw dairy and processing businesses as revenues rose NZ$853m (€449m) to NZ$7.3bn (€3.8bn) over the first half of the year.

Indian gooseberry - the new superfruit?

A plant extract based on the Indian gooseberry has an antioxidant capacity higher than scores of other fruits, including blueberries and strawberries, the manufacturers claim.

Fruit extracts could calm you down

New Zealand based HortResearch is examining the potential fruit may have on mental performance and hopes that a fruit based product will be able to offer consumers a calming effect.

Dunkin' Donuts moves into mainland China

Only one year after moving into Taiwan, US bakery firm Dunkin' Donuts plans to open 100 new shops in Shanghai and the surrounding provinces over the next ten years, the company announced last week.

Chiquita banana prices still on the up

Banana prices in all markets continue to rise for Chiquita as the company attempts to counter increasing industry costs.

EU spirit makers question Thai import charges

The European Spirits Organisation (CEPS) yesterday welcomed moves by the EU to open talks with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over its concerns regarding Thailand's custom charges.

Weekly comment

Probiotics, friend or foe?

The headlines are sensationalist: twenty-four people have died in a probiotic trial. Therefore, probiotics may be fatal. Throw those yoghurt shots away!

Pepsi announces responsible water funding

PepsiCo is teaming up with the Earth Institute and the H2O Africa Foundation in a bid to encourage sustainable use of non-industrial water supplies in developing countries.

BASF expands GM activities in competitive Asia Pacific

European restrictions on genetically modified (GM) crops have driven BASF Plant Science to intensify biotech cooperation activities in Asia Pacific with an agreement with China's National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS).

Wal-Mart chief pledges higher prices for sustainable suppliers

The chief executive of the world's biggest retailer yesterday promised to favour suppliers providing high quality and ethically sourced products.

Danone quiet on Indian milk buy talks

Danone yesterday remained tight lipped over the possibility of making an imminent acquisition into India's high growth dairy market, as part of the company's longstanding expansion aims for the country.

Asian Xylitol production receives investment boost

Private equity fund 3i yesterday announced its purchase of a minority stake in Futaste, the leading Xylitol producer in the Asia Pacific region, as the company aims to expand its presence in the global sweetener market.

Bosch opens India packaging plant to boost sales, sourcing

Bosch Packaging has opened a new manufacturing facility in Goa, India, to cater to its growing customer base in the booming emerging market and increase sourcing for its European headquarters.

Outsourcing pushes up Barry Callebaut sales

Barry Callebaut reported increased sales volume for the first quarter of this fiscal year as a result of a mounting trend for food manufacturers to outsource their chocolate needs.

Weekly Comment

Exotic fruits or local berries? You choose

As consumer demand for exotic superfruits increases, so will the impact of transport on the environment. But as policy makers and green campaigners devise more ways of monitoring greenhouse gases, who will win the environmental tug of war?

Tetra Pak backs further Chinese dairy development

Tetra Pak hopes to encourage further growth and development in the Chinese dairy industry by overseeing the launch of a new research centre in conjunction with the People's University of China (Renda).

Cryovac launches printable top web for vacuum packaging

Global packaging brand Cryovac has introduced a co-extruded barrier top web for its Darfresh vacuum skin packaging range that allows manufacturers to use high quality printing to differentiate their products.

Supplements can help cut 3.5m infant deaths, report finds

Vitamin A supplementation, zinc fortification and improved breast feeding could help save the lives of 3.5 million children who die from undernutrition, a major study on infant nutrition has found.

Trans-fats harm may extend to prostate: study

Increased intakes of trans-fatty acids may increase the risk of non-aggressive prostate tumours by about 100 per cent, suggests new research from Harvard.

Soy's cholesterol-lowering mechanism identified

The cholesterol-lowering effects of soy protein may by located in the liver, suggests new research from Korea University and Nestlé Research Center that fills in the gaps in our understanding of the heart healthy benefits of soy.

ABF revenues increase despite sugar losses

Associated British Foods today reported 13 per cent revenue growth for the 13 weeks ending 5 January 08, however the overall results were marred by a poor performance from the sugar sector.

Novel fruit varieties can capture consumer attention, HortResearch said

New fruit varieties under development by HortResearch which can be higher in antioxidants compared to their more natural counterparts are tapping into consumer's understanding and demand for healthy products.

Vitamin D2 may cut risks of elderly falls

A daily vitamin D2 supplement of 1,000IU may cut the number of falls among elderly people by about 20 per cent, says a new study.

Chocolate linked to weaker bones

New research suggests that regular consumption of chocolate may weaken bone density and strength, which in turn could increase the risk of health problems such as osteoporosis and fracture.

Wine waste extract to be used in functional foods

Work is underway to see New Zealand Extract's Vinanza Gold added to a host of functional foods, including cereal products, health bars and even chewing gum.

Apple extracts show promise for cooked meats

Extracts from apples may reduce the formation of heterocyclic amines (HAs) in foods, especially processed meats, suggests a new joint Chinese-American study.

Asian markets accelerate Irish dairy growth

The dairy sector dominated another record year for Irish food exports in 2007, as producers and farmers exploited strong demand from Asian markets to increase their sales by 13 per cent to €2.36bn, the country's food board has said.

Danisco deal to take new calorie-free sweetener to Japan

Danisco has entered into a license agreement for its anhydrofructose technology with Japan's Nihon Starch Co, the first such deal aimed at bringing the new calorie-free sugar to market.

Raisio prepares Asian entry with Benecol trial

A trial period of Raisio's Benecol ingredient could, if successful, mark the first entry of the product onto the Asian market.

Western innovation drives ready to drink coffee growth

Rising demand for ready to drink (RTD) coffee in both Western Europe and North America is expected to drive global growth in the market as the industry meets consumer demands for taste and functionality, new research says.

Barry Callebaut completes Japanese acquisition

Swiss-based Barry Callebaut today announced the completion of a deal to acquire production facilities from Japanese company Morinaga, only one day after the inauguration of the company's manufacturing plant in China.

Briefs: Anheuser Busch, San Miguel and Rexam

In the latest briefs, Anheuser Busch continues to profit from its increasing focus on export brands; not to be outdone San Miguel also continues to enact cost savings in South China; and Rexam hits Russia.

Vietnam pepper plant opens for business

Indian spice processor Vallabhdas Kanji Limited (VKL) has started commercial shipments from its new pepper plant in Vietnam; it claims the new facility makes it the only processor in the main pepper-producing countries with steam sterilisation capabilities.

Celery extracts enhance chicken broth, study

Volatile extracts from celery can enhance the umami and sweet properties of chicken soup, and could offer novel flavour enhancers for food formulations, suggests new research from Japan.

GLG ramps up stevia production for Rebiana supply

Ingredient firm GLG Life Tech Corporation will construct two new stevia processing plants in China, in a bid to meet the supply demands of Coca-Cola and Cargill.

Weekly comment

Back to tap: bottled water's enviro-woes

It looks set to be a vintage year ahead for Chateau Eau De Source Public - or as it is more humbly known, tap water - as consumers find themselves encouraged to shun the mineral variety of the product to reduce packaging waste.

PureCircle secures sweet new deal for stevia

PureCircle has secured an extension to its agreement with Cargill to supply its stevia-derived Reb-A until mid-2010, helping to ensure availability for what is tipped to be the next big thing in sweeteners.

Barry Callebaut sets up shop in China

Swiss chocolatier Barry Callebaut will open a new Chinese manufacturing plant near Shanghai later this month, a company spokesperson today confirmed.

Plant sugar study could lead to more CO2 intake

Scientists in the US have shed light on how sugars are transferred from a plant's leaves to other parts of its structure, findings that could enable genetic engineering in the future to help plants cope with climate change.

Cognis announces natural carotenoid price increases

Cognis Nutrition & Health has announced the first price increase in three years for its Betatene natural mixed carotenoids, as the company offsets escalating production costs.

Soy ice is moving mainstream, says Danisco

Danisco is predicting that soy ice will move out of the dairy intolerance niche and into the mainstream and has developed a concept that overcomes some of the common problems in developing this kind of product.

Rank expands in food packaging with Alcoa deal

Aluminium giant Alcoa has agreed to sell its packaging and consumer businesses to New Zealand's Rank Group Limited for $2.7 billion in cash, it announced late last month.

Novel alginate-pectin beverage shines as satiety booster

A beverage containing alginate-pectin and calcium forms a stable gel in the stomach and boosts the feeling of fullness, report researchers from the University of Buffalo in collaboration with McNeil Nutritionals.

Cargill, Coca-Cola prepare to bring stevia to global markets

Coca-Cola and Cargill will move to introduce their stevia sweetener product in countries where the ingredient is already approved, the firms have confirmed.