Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

Casein could be natural antioxidant for boosting meat shelf-life: Study

Modification of the milk protein casein by enzymes could offer formulators a natural antioxidant for beef and poultry products, according to new research from Brazil.

Global knowledge strengthens flavor safety, says FEMA

The FEMA GRAS program’s status as a leading assessor of flavor safety has been strengthened by developments in other programs, say the authors of its first review since 1995.

Lipogen sees bright lipid future

Phosphatidyl Serine is the world's only brain health ingredient to have an approved US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) health claim. Israeli-based Lipogen is one of the world's leading suppliers. President David Rutenberg speaks with Shane Starling about an ingredient building both science and awareness.

Arla propels permeate, lactose development with new business unit

Arla Food Ingredients is sharpening its focus on the potential of permeates and lactose, with the establishment of a dedicated business unit to develop more products.

Agri-Mark acts in global growth hormone debate

Opinion remains divided over the use of recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) in cows to boost milk yield, after US-based cooperative Agri-Mark said it will phase-out using the product in its herds later this year.

News in brief

Convicted Chinese dairy boss to appeal

The former head of Sanlu, the Chinese dairy at the heart of last year’s melamine scandal, has said she will appeal the lifetime of imprisonment, according to reports.

Global health fears challenge unpasteurised cheeses

From petite fromageries in France to artisan sellers in Quebec and Kansas, the sale of unpasteurised milk in cheese continues to divide opinion, with recent health scares endangering the entire sector.

Heart health market big in Asia too

DSM says the buoyancy of the European heart health ingredients market is being matched by some Asian countries where western-style diets and lifestyles are taking hold and bringing concomitant health problems.

Kellogg tests compact cereal box

Cereal giant Kellogg is testing a space-saving cereal box that the firm says could “redefine” the cereal aisle.

Industrialisation of China threatens global food supply

Global grain markets are facing breaking point because of drought and mass urbanisation in China which is diverting land-use away from crops, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Leeds.

Budweiser brewer pledges Chinese commitment despite sale

Amidst ongoing restructuring of its global operations, Anheuser-Busch InBev says it has agreed to sell off its holding in Tsingtao Brewery, though remains committed to the wider Chinese beer market.

News in brief

SKI is up for Fonterra ahead of schedule

New Zealand-based cooperative Fonterra says it has acquired the license to manufacture and sell the SKI brand of its yoghurts on the Australian market, ahead of its original schedule.

Weekly comment

Time to quieten the nutrition label noise

Everyone from government to grocers seems to have their own idea of how best to inform consumers about foods’ nutritional content, but a labeling free-for-all has resulted in a clamor of nutrition labels which are actually getting in the way of comprehension.

Test for melamine in milk claimed as fastest yet

A detection method to determine levels of melamine in whole milk and milk powder is highly sensitive and the fastest technique yet, claims researchers based at Purdue University.

Recession bites into Barry Callebaut chocolate sales

There is further evidence that the market for chocolate is not as recession proof as traditionally thought as Barry Callebaut sales in Europe saw a marked drop over Q1.

Chr Hansen’s environmental performance revealed

Shifting production closer to the customer and developing products to reduce resource consumption are among the measures introduced by Chr Hansen which it says has improved its environmental record, whilst adding value to the business.

Chinese melamine defendants face death

The Chinese melamine scandal is expected to claim more lives after the country’s courts sentenced two people with alleged involvement in last year’s contamination to death and imprisoned an industry executive, say news reports.

Keys to the Russian market

As Chr Hansen marks ten years of activity in Russia, regional director Jacob Paulsen explains how the market has changed and offers some advice for anyone exploring opportunities there today.

Chinese milk safety targeted in multinational team-up

DSM has announced its intentions to work with players from throughout the Chinese dairy industry in attempts to ensure improved safety throughout the country’s milk supply chain.

New report breaks down global mood foods market

Mood foods are emerging as the latest niche in the functional foods market, and are expected to experience continued growth, according to a new market report.

Big brewers suffer post-Christmas hangover

SABMiller, Diageo and Magners cider maker C&C group have all announced hits to their operations amidst fears of weakening consumer demand for beer and alcohol in the current global economic downturn.

Japanese experts say food from clones safe

An advisory committee for Japan's food safety regulator has said that food made from cloned animals is safe to eat.

Guest article

What Obama means for functional foods and supplements: Part I

As we enter the Obama era today, NutraIngredients-USA.com examines the likely effects of the much-awaited Congressional shift on the functional foods and dietary supplements industries. According to industry veteran Loren Israelsen, the road ahead could be less than positive – especially for supplements.

Generation Y is driving food trends, says report

Youngsters brought up in the hi-tech era are driving food trends, and food marketers must be tuned into their wants and needs, according to a report from Packaged Facts.

The depression diet

Experts predict that consumers will put on recession pounds by eating more unhealthy food to save money. But Dr Adam Drewnowski, director of the Center for Public Health Nutrition at the University of Washington, says nutrient-rich foods that were typically eaten during the depression are affordable alternatives.

Coca-Cola sued over health claims

A lawsuit has been filed against The Coca-Cola Company over allegations that it made deceptive and unsubstantiated claims about its Glaceau vitaminwater beverages.

Aroma, taste and texture drive refreshing perception: Study

A consumer’s perception of a refreshing sensation in food is driven by the cold/mint flavour, the acidity of the formulation, and the thickness of the product, according to research from Nestle.

Probiotic 'bar-code' could boost strain identification

Identifying the bacteria in a food product – be they probiotic or pathogenic – may be as easy as reading a bar-code, according to a novel technique called optical mapping.

InterMed investment targets Malaysia’s functional secrets

A provider of proprietary developments for nutraceutical and cosmeceutical ingredients has extended an existing cooperation for discovering new functional materials sourced from the jungles of Malaysia.

News in brief

DSM gains Preventase approval in Singapore, Netherlands

DSM has added two new markets to the list for which it has expressed approval for its acrylamide-busting asparaginase enzyme, as it progresses towards global roll out.

News in brief

Journal of Functional Foods launched

Elsevier has published the first issue of the Journal of Functional Foods, providing a focused scientific forum for research into functional foods, nutraceuticals and natural health products.

Weekly comment

The invincibles – recession proof food and healthy eating

There are fears that in the economic crisis consumers will put on “recession pounds” by eating unhealthily. Rightly or wrongly, food manufacturers may suffer the blame but “unhealthy” and “recession proof” do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.

Credit crisis could lead to rice price rise, warns IRRI

Rice prices could rise again in the near future as farmers find it more difficult to secure credit and lower grain prices cause them to plant less, according to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Alfa Laval seeks to adjust to weaker market

Swedish engineering group Alfa Laval is set to cut jobs due to what it describes as a decline in market demand, with order bookings reduced by six per cent in the fourth quarter.

HortResearch merges with sister institute to keep 'competitive edge'

As 2008 drew to a close, New Zealand’s HortResearch and Crop & Food Research merged, as the country aims to stay competitive and innovative.

Animal study draws phosphate link to lung cancer

Careful regulation of inorganic phosphates in the diet could aid lung cancer prevention and treatment, researchers have concluded from a study in mice that could call into question the high use of phosphate additives in the diet.

Major international project to boost South Asian cereal production

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has announced a $30m collaborative project which aims to boost South Asian cereal production by five million tonnes a year.

News in brief

Melamine found in Topaz wafer rolls

National Brands Inc. has issued a nationwide recall of Topaz Wafer Rolls in the US after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said its tests showed that the product contained melamine.

Researchers propose ‘Venus flytrap’ working of umami receptors

Progress has been made in pinpointing the mechanism of that most mysterious of taste sensations, umami, with potential implications for understanding taste preferences and undercovering the workings of other proteins.

News in brief

Rice promoted as folic acid booster

The USA Rice Federation has joined with the National Council on Folic Acid to promote National Folic Acid Awareness Week which begins today.

Food terrorism tops 2009 safety scare list

Economic terrorism and deadly strains of E. coli are among the main food safety issues that manufacturers could face in the US in 2009, according to a law firm which represents victims of food-borne illness outbreaks.