Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

Dispatches from IFT

Giving process cheese a healthy makeover

Land O’Lakes discusses the latest development in process cheese, with 50 per cent lower fat and 35 per cent lower sodium.

Univar expands deal with Lithuanian starch maker

Univar has secured a new agreement with flour producer Amilina to sell its high purity starches in ten European countries.

Australian heart health market ripe for education

The Australian market for heart-healthy foods or supplements could be a tough one to crack, but consumer signs indicate that it holds potential for manufacturers willing to make the extra awareness-raising efforts.

Review finds no effect of soy on testosterone

A review of 15 studies into the influence of soy proteins or isoflavones on male hormones has found no evidence of an estrogen-like effect.

Rat study: Krill beats fish omega-3s in battling metabolic dysfunctions

Omega-3s sourced from krill are more effective than fish oil in combating some metabolic symptoms including raised fat levels in the heart and liver and violent mood swings in obese individuals, according to Italian researchers.

Consumers want more private label products: Survey

More than 90 percent of American consumers say they are likely to continue buying store brands even after the economy improves, and nearly half would like to see more of them, according to a new survey.

Survey shows most Canadian farmers oppose GM wheat

Most Canadian wheat farmers are opposed to the introduction of genetically modified (GM) wheat unless market conditions change, according to a Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) survey.

Weekly comment

Confusion reigns in cosmeceutical name game

The term cosmeceutical has always been controversial, but the blurring boundaries between the worlds of nutrition and cosmetics are highlighting divisions that neither industry can ignore.

Dispatches from IFT

Greening dairy and the 'cow of the future'

Leaders in the quest to make the dairy industry greener discuss an ambitious new plan to reduce greenhouse gases by 25 per cent, and how the industry members should collaborate to innovate.

New UTZ certification for world’s biggest cocoa producers

Producers in the world’s largest cocoa-producing country, Côte d’Ivoire, are taking part in the first independent audits in preparation for the UTZ Certified code of conduct; a programme that sets internationally recognised standards for responsible cocoa and coffee production and sourcing.

Coke opens two plants as part of $2bn Chinese investment

Coca-Cola has opened two bottling plants in central and western China as it attempts to cope with booming demand across one of its largest and fastest growing markets.

Senate probe finds excessive wheat market speculation

Excessive speculation on the futures market fuelled last year’s wheat price surge that led to higher prices for industry and consumers, according to the results of a year-long Senate investigation.

Young nano scientist scoops €10,000 DSM award

Alexandra Teleki, PhD, yesterday won the southern section of DSM’s annual science awards for young European scientists, claiming a €10,000 prize above 11 other finalists for her nanotechnology research.

News in brief

Nestle joins group to sponsor bioplastics research for food packaging

Nestle has signed up to a joint venture to sponsor research into bioplastics with the aim of developing materials adapted to the food packaging segment on a large scale

Dispatches from IFT

Talking texture and culinology at IFT

At the IFT trade show in Anaheim, California, Caroline Scott-Thomas spoke with culinologist Agnes Jones about Natural Starch’s new range of texture systems - and asked: What is a culinologist?

Petra Foods ups cocoa game as new plant gets going

Delfi Cocoa, a division of Petra Foods, has started production at its new processing plant in Hamburg, Germany, as it positions to better serve its European customers.

Green tea’s anti-prostate cancer potential gains support

Consuming green tea may reduce levels of compounds linked to prostate cancer progression, according to findings of a small study with 26 men with prostate cancer.

News in brief

Kiwis gain US nutraceutical market insights

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) has put together a data programme to assist local companies understand the US market and how to move into it.

Credit squeeze key concern for food makers, OECD report

Prices for key commodities used by food manufacturers may have eased since their peaks last year, but the cost of cereals and vegetable oils in the near term will remain far higher than pre-2008, projects the OECD.

Open innovation speeding health and wellness transition

Opening up the innovation process to outside expertise is increaingly seen as a way to advance and cut costs.

Plastic and paperboard big winners in China beverage packing growth

Rising income levels in China will fuel a robust growth in demand for beverage containers in the country over the next three years, a recent report has said.

Iodised salt to be mandatory for Australian bakers

Australian bakers have until October 9 to replace all regular salt with iodised salt when making bread products, as the Australian government attempts address an iodine deficiency that has been noticed among sections of the country’s 22 million inhabitants.

US and Canada agree on organic equivalency

The US and Canada have come to an agreement on organic equivalency standards, expanding organic trade opportunities, US Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced on Wednesday.

Sweeteners in water supply could affect acceptance: Study

New research that shows artificial sweeteners are not removed in waste water treatment could affect consumer acceptance, according to the lead scientist.

Attorney general slams companies over apparent plot to blur BPA dangers

A host of packaging and food giants have been condemned by a leading US law official for apparently plotting to use deceptive and illegal fear tactics to blur the truth about the dangers of bisphenol A (BPA).

Study links zero tolerance alcohol stance to binge drink reductions

Parent’s adopting a zero tolerance policy on supplying alcohol to teenagers and children may cut the likelihood of college-age binge drinking later in life compared to more European attitudes on supervised access at restaurants or during family dinners, says new research.

News in brief

FDA chief prioritizes fresh produce safety

FDA head Dr Margaret Hamburg has said that stricter food safety standards are needed for fresh produce and other high-risk foods, in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Fake Red Bull under investigation

The US International Trade Commission (USITC) is investigating several companies that may be responsible for importing and distributing energy drinks into the US that breach trademarks and copyright of market leader, Red Bull.

CoQ10 may boost sperm quality: Study

Supplements of co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may improve the motility and density of sperm in infertile men, according to a new study using Kaneka’s ingredient.

News in brief

Lotte considers South Korean brewery construction

Lotte, the South Korea-based retailer, is reportedly considering brewing brands at its own brewery in the country, despite dropping out of an potential acquisition for a leading national beer maker earlier this year.

Cereal prices could rise, suggests Credit Suisse report

Costs for agri-commodities will hover high in the short term with prices "more likely to rise than fall", despite a contraction in global demand, concludes a new report from Credit Suisse.

News in brief

Food technologists and Chinese officials link up on food safety

The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) and the Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST) recently announced the formation of the first IUFoST international expert panel on food safety.

Aldi takes colours out of Australian products

Aldi is removing the Southampton Six food colours from products in its Australian supermarkets, following a campaign by consumer groups.

Weekly comment

IFT '09: In defence of trade shows

As the dust settles on another IFT the absence of several big players has left some questioning the relevance of trade shows in the 21st Century.

Cocoa-derived Cirku launched for better circulation

Mars Botanical is launching a new flavanol-rich cocoa extract called Cirku for use in products aimed at maintaining healthy circulation.

Dispatches from IFT

Super fruit expertise opens up super veggie potential

Expertise garnered from studying super fruit is opening up possibilities to make super veggies. NZ Plant & Food Research’s Karl Crawford tells Stephen Daniells how the recent merger between HortResearch and Crop & Food Research has opened up new possibilities for transferring knowledge from super fruit to vegetables and beyond.

Beauty foods and drinks: In good taste?

Chocolates, jams and juices sporting beauty claims were showcased by market researchers Mintel at the In-Cosmetics show in Munich. NutraIngredients' Cosmetics Design cousins hit the show floor to put the latest beauty foods and drinks to the taste test.

Dispatches from IFT

Niutang nears launch for new stevia sweetener

Niutang is preparing to introduce its Reb A sweetener from stevia next year and is starting discussions with existing customers and new ones that have a parallel product development timeline.

Radical proposals to overhaul India food processing sector tabled

Sweeping plans to revamp the Indian food processing industry have been put forward in a bid to boost the sector and attract foreign investment.

Asia and UHT milk to lead strong growth in aseptic packaging

The global market for aseptically packed products is forecast to climb steeply to 2013 both in terms of pack numbers and volume with strongest growth forecast in Asia, according to a newly published report.

News in brief

Singapore approves five food health claims

The Singapore Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) has approved five nutrient and product-specific health claims that can now bear a ‘Healthier Choice’ symbol.

Bunge building export terminal to meet Asian grain ambitions

Bunge has begun construction on a new grain export terminal it claims will be the first such structure to be built in North America for twenty years as part of attempts to meet strong Asian demand for its products.

Unstable food markets continue to threaten cereal prices

Price volatility in grain markets and food security took centre stage at the first World Grain forum in St. Petersburg with Russia's President Medvedev underlining the "extremely unstable situation" in global food markets.

Sudan scraps gum arabic monopoly to liberalise market

Sudan, the world's biggest producer of gum arabic, has scrapped a government monopoly on the production and export of this naturally-sourced, 'Rolls-Royce' of gums widely used in food and drink formulations.

Red Bull confirms energy drink is cocaine-free

Under-fire Red Bull has moved to clear up some of the confusion surrounding traces of cocaine being found by German authorities in one of its brands.

News in brief

XXXX brand has had its day in the UK

Australia-based brewer Lion Nathan is reportedly set to cease selling its four XXXX lager brand on the UK market ending 25 years of its presence in the country.

US extends antidumping duty on saccharin from China

The United States has extended an antidumping duty order on saccharin from China, after a review concluded that cheaper imports of the sweetener would damage the domestic market.

Weekly comment

A big day for European health claims

Next Monday, June 15, is a big day for the European healthy foods and food supplements industries. Let’s call it Big Monday. Or J15.

Dispatches from IFT

SGF doubles stevia production with new 1,000 MT plant

Sweet Green Fields (SGF) has announced the opening of a new facility in China with annual production of 1,000 MT of finished product, doubling its current capacity.

New collaboration for GM-free wheat traits

Dow AgroSciences and World Wide Wheat (W3) have teamed up to develop new wheat traits for “advancements in productivity and quality” of crops, without using genetic modification (GM).

Grape seed may boost health and safety profile of bread

Addition of a grape seed extract to bread may not only increase the antioxidant content of the staple, but also inhibit formation of a potential toxin, says new research.

Unilever exerts further pressure on Sustainable Palm Oil Roundtable

Unilever’s Chief Executive Officer Paul Polman has re-stated the importance of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) as a crucial measure in reducing deforestation.

Carlsberg drops Asian investment hint amidst Russian concerns

Eastern Europe’s potential as an antidote to declining beer demand in more mature markets has taken another blow as Carlsberg reportedly prepares to step up its focus on the emerging markets of Asia to offset concerns about regional sales.

Meet Our New Owners

Don’t miss this video interview with Robert Marr, chief operating officer of William Reed Business Media, which recently acquired Decision News Media, publisher of AP-FoodTechnology.com.

Stevia reference standards developed for Food Chemical Codex

US Pharmacopeia (USP) has developed a set of new reference standards for stevia-derived sweeteners Reb A and stevioside for inclusion in the Food Chemical Codex (FCC).

Weekly comment

Economic depression a stimulus for fresh business

The economic recession is biting across the globe, and bleeding casualties litter all industries, but now is not the time to cower. Those willing to spend may provoke a stimulation of their business that could set them up for years, if not decades, to come.

Ocean Spray shores up cranberry team in Japan

Ocean Spray has a new strategic partnership to identify new opportunities and stimulate growth for cranberries in the high potential Japanese market.

AP-FoodTechnology.com acquired by William Reed Business Media

Decision News Media, publisher of AP-FoodTechnology.com and 16 other websites serving the international food, nutrition, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, has been acquired by the leading UK business-to-business publisher William Reed Business Media.

Teen soy intake linked to lower breast cancer risk

High intakes of soy during adolescence may reduce the risk of breast cancer before the menopause by about 40 per cent, according to new data.

News in brief

China's new food safety law comes into force

Chinese authorities have said its new food safety law, which comes into effect today, will help prevent the food contamination incidents that have caused so much damage to the reputation of its domestic producers.

Niutang plans to increase sucralose capacity

Niutang Chemical has announced plans to expand its sucralose production capacity from 300 tonnes to 500 tonnes within three years.