Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

News in brief

DSM builds China presence

DSM has linked with the North China Pharmaceutical Group Corporation in three separate projects that will see DSM take a minority 10 per cent share in the Chinese company.

The promise of Afghan pomegranates

A scheme that aims to replace poppy plantations with pomegranate orchards in war-ravaged Afghanistan is winning support with up-market UK retailer Waitrose throwing its weight behind the project.

Focus on nanotechnology at Anuga

FoodProductionDaily.com caught up with Professor Horst-Christian Langowski, director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV), at the Anuga FoodTec show in Cologne to discuss the perceived risks and ongoing research into nanotechnology.

Weekly comment

Obama’s veg plots point the way to healthy eating and more

“If you don’t plan to plant a garden in Lake Wobegon in the spring, it means you plan to be planted yourself.”

Ocean Spray unveils cost-conscious cranberry range

Ocean Spray's Ingredient Technology Group has formulated a lower cost sweetened dried cranberry (SDC) product to meet demand for cost-effective and value-added ingredients in the face of rising commodity prices.

Rainforest chewing gum could answer sustainable needs

In a break from artificial gum formulations, a consortium of Mexican co-operatives have used an organic gum base as the key natural ingredient for a new biodegradable gum set to spear soaring natural and sustainable food trends.

New research shows how Salmonella survive

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have demonstrated how Salmonella’s ability to survive in amoeba is a huge advantage to its continued development as it may be more resistant to disinfectants and water treatment.

News in brief

China upholds death penalty for tainted dairy execs

A northern Chinese court has upheld two death sentences in the country’s tainted milk scandal, according to reports from the state news agency Xinhua.

News in brief

Australia food watchdog seeks views on new GM food

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is inviting individuals and organisations to comment on an application to seek approval for food derived from a genetically modified soybean, which must undergo a safety evaluation by FSANZ before it can be sold in Australia and New Zealand.

Snack Size Science: Squid, noodles and French baguettes

FoodNavigator's Snack Size Science brings you the week's top science. This week we look at the curious alternatives to food classics, with squid sausages, seaweed noodles, and gluten-free baguettes all on the menu.

Bloated vegetable oil market threatens Raisio production

The Finnish food group Raisio said it will come to a decision within days on whether to dramatically cut its vegetable oil production because of a glut in the market.

Fair trade certification for mint oils

The organic oil specialist, Earthoil, has achieved fair trade status for its Indian mint growing facility under an Institute for Marketecology (IMO) scheme in order to meet growing demand for ethical products.

DSM targets melamine contamination with antibody launch

A development in antibody-based food testing is the latest product launched specifically to trace contamination of the industrial chemical melamine in milk products, according to its manufacturer.

New robotic technology offers greater orientation and reach, claims TM Robotics

FoodProductionDaily.com caught up with Ryan Guthrie of TM Robotics to discuss the company's new six axis model and its particular applications for the food industry.

News in brief

Indian and Chilian suppliers sign bioactives pact

Indian supplier, Avesthagen, has teamed up with Uxmal, a Chilean biotech firm, to commercialise nutrients derived from South American plants in functional foods and other healthcare products.

Spotlight on sustainability in packaging

Bob Hogan, director of international sales and marketing at flexible packaging suppliers, Zip-Pak, spoke to FoodProductionDaily.com about some of the misperceptions surrounding the concept of sustainability and food and beverage packaging.

Weekly comment

Omega-3: Fishing for alternatives

Short of an earth-bound deity walking amongst us and miraculously multiplying our fish stocks, industry must invest more in alternative sources of omega-3 to meet nutritional needs.

Omega-3 not healthy enough to eat into fish stocks, claims study

A new research paper on the production of fish-derived fatty acids has concluded that the continued promotion of omega-3s for their health benefits is irresponsible in the face of depleting fish stocks.

Dispatches from IFE

Madagascar unrest raises interest in Indian vanilla

The political unrest in Madagascar, the world’s leading producer of vanilla, has highlighted the need for ingredients companies to diversify supply and eyes have turned to India as an alternative source.

Protein drinks expanding despite health scepticism - Zenith

Milk and fruit drinks enriched with proteins are growing beyond niche market of exercise junkies by broadening into other functional areas like satiety and clinical nutrition, according to Zenith International.

Guest article

What Obama means for functional foods and supplements: Part II

The second article in a series examining the impact of a new Congress on the functional food and supplements industries takes a close look at the new FDA Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. According to industry veteran Loren Israelsen, we should expect to see more focus on quality, efficacy – and nanotechnology.

Snack Size Science: Coffee stirs up gut health promise

NutraIngredient’s Snack Size Science brings you the week's top science. This week we spill the beans on the potential of coffee to boost levels of beneficial bacteria in our guts.

How convenient: superfruits steal fruits’ thunder

Young people are increasingly interested in getting their serve of fruit in a processed form and quickly turning away from whole fruits, according to author and editor, Julian Mellentin.

News in brief

New FAO food price database launched

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization has launched a new online tool to track food prices in 55 developing countries, as part of its food price spike response.

Asia vital to global milk ingredient stabilisation

A supply and demand imbalance within the global milk ingredient market is expected to stabilise in the next few years on the back of strengthening demand in Asia, suggests a new report.

No Innocent interest in niche US smoothie market

With the US market for fruit-based smoothie drinks expected to undergo continued growth over the coming years, the reported interest of Coca-Cola in UK-based drink group Innocent could seem timely.

Soft drink big boys driving nutraceutical interest - report

The nutraceutical soft drinks segment is expected to maintain growth through the economic downturn, with sales expected to rise at high single digit rate until 2013 due to a growing international focus by multinationals, says a new report.

News in brief

Cherry extracts seek superfruit status

Australian Functional Foods has released two cherry-based extracts for which it is promoting on high antioxidant content.

Alginate may lead to low GI rice noodles: Nestle

Formulating rice noodles with alginate may enhance the structural properties of rice dough, which could lead to the development of a successful commercial rice noodle product, says a new study.

Danone gives weight to satiety sector

Weight management is a big issue at Danone as Shane Starling found out when he spoke to the French dairy group’s manager of sensory and consumer science, Alexandra Boelrijk, after a recent conference on the subject in Amsterdam.

Weekly comment

Could sugar shake off its bad boy image?

Sugar could be shedding its bad boy image to take a surprise spot on the public’s list of trusted ingredients, as manufacturers look to appeal to more savvy consumers.

Antioxidant focus

Antioxidants: The rise of polyphenols

For many consumers, antioxidant doesn’t go beyond vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene, but as understanding of the antioxidant compounds in fruit and vegetables increases, more research is pointing towards the potential of polyphenols.

Campaign aims to stop GDA inclusion in labelling law

A campaign that strongly opposes the inclusion of GDA-type nutritional labelling in the proposed new food information legislation has been launched by a consortium of health and industry groups in Denmark.

Hershey deal frees Barry Callebaut to focus on Asia customers

Barry Callebaut has sold its Van Houten Singapore consumer chocolate business to Hershey so it can concentrate on its manufacturer and gourmet customers targeting the Asian market.

Spotlight again on cloned animals

A review of cloning is underway at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following a request from the European Commission for further advice on the implications of the technology for food safety, animal health and welfare and the environment.

Black foods inspire flavour collection at Ungerer

UK flavour maker Ungerer is introducing a new collection of flavours inspired entirely by foods and ingredients that are black in colour.

Downturn keeping consumer thoughts on brain health - Lipogen

Changing global consumer habits during the current economic downturn appear to be contributing to strong interest in products offering brain health function, says one phospholid supplier.

Study raises concerns over folic acid and prostate cancer

Daily folic acid supplements may double the risk of prostate cancer amongst men, according to a new US study that raises questions about fortification with the vitamin.

Alliance aims to help food sector tighten its belt

Collaboration on belting technology development and installation can improve food safety, quality assurance and operational efficiency for food processors, claims one of the US companies involved in the new partnership.

Aluminium drink cans: Fifty years on and still going strong?

As the aluminium beverage can reaches its fiftieth anniversary this year, brewer Molson Coors says it expects the packaging to remain central to its global operations in the future, despite growing competition in the market.

DSM-Roquette’s ‘green’ acid to compete with fossil fuel alternatives

DSM and Roquette have announced that they are to commercialize the production of bio-based succinic acid by the end of 2009 after trials have shown that producing the acid via biological means, rather than using petrochemicals, is commercially viable.

Lindt trials chocolate-powered fuel

The chocolate maker Lindt is teaming up with a power plant in the hope of using cocoa shells, which are a by-product from its processing facilities, to produce ‘green’ fuel.

Weekly comment

Cargill vs Chavez: Clash of the rice titans

Clutched to the president’s chest like a medal of nationalisation, Cargill Venezuela cannot be sitting very comfortably this week as it awaits the fate of its rice plant.

Dispatches from Expo West

GOED prepares petition for omega-3 RDA

Omega-3 trade group Global Organization for EPA and DHA (GOED) is preparing to petition the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) to establish a recommended daily allowance for the nutritional lipid. Shane Starling catches up with the organization’s executive director Adam Ismail at Expo West 2009.

Strong sales reflect non-US interest in DHA, says Martek

Omega-3 supplier Martek Biosciences has reported a strong performance in the first quarter, indicating a growing interest in DHA despite the tight economy.

Study pinpoints ‘missing link’ between fructose and insulin resistance

Yale scientists have reportedly found the ‘missing link’ to explain why high-fructose diets may boost the development of insulin resistance.

Bacteria under threat with new packaging device – study

Researchers claim to have discovered a method to eliminate bacteria in packaged foods such as spinach and tomatoes, a process that could reduce the number of food-borne outbreaks linked to the produce.

Scientists lift the lid on flavour encapsulation limitations

Encapsulating flavours in proteins in order to protect it during food formulation, may be counter-productive if the protein reacts with the flavour, says a new American study.

PureCircle reaps rewards for Reb A contracts in H1

Reb A producer PureCircle has reported a net profit increase of 75 per cent for the first half of 2009 after securing major contracts with companies including PepsiCo, Whole Earth and Cargill ahead of regulatory clearance in key markets.

Coca-Cola dismisses doubts over Huiyuan deal

Coca-Cola has reaffirmed its commitment to a $2.4bn bid to takeover China's Huiyuan Juice after the Chinese firm’s chairman reportedly cast doubt on the deal.

PepsiCo slashes costs along with carbon

PepsiCo’s energy efficiency initiatives have resulted in a massive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and slashed the firm’s costs by $90m last year alone.

New no-vote over lifting GM crop bans

Environment ministers yesterday voted against a proposal to force Hungary and Austria to lift bans on the growing of genetically modified crops, indicating that the great European rift over GM is still wide.

US glucosamine grows slow, lags global sales

Glucosamine supplements in the US have steadily grown in popularity over the past five years, although the market still lags behind overall global sales increases, reveals new data.

Weekly comment

Twitter could leave bitter taste in Pepsi’s mouth

“The new cartons stink.” Customer responses to new product developments seldom come clearer or more direct than that.

News in brief

Cargill contributes to global food banks

Cargill has donated $1m to the Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), an international organization which establishes and supports food banks in many parts of the world.