Breaking News on Food and Beverage in Asia Pacific

News in brief

Study challenges coffee’s reported brain benefits

Increased intakes of coffee do not affect the rate of decline in mental functions as we age, nor the risk of dementia, according to new results from Finland.

BASF ups price of food preservative

Chemical giant BASF is increasing the price of its propionic acid by €100 per tonne, citing market conditions as the cause.

FAO's concern for Asia after H1N1 virus hits Chilean turkeys

The detection of a H1N1 virus in turkeys in Chile poses no threat to the food supply chain but does raise concerns that poultry farms elsewhere in the world could become infected with the pandemic, said the FAO.

Vine root extract has heart health supplement potential: Study

Extracts from the roots of a vine that has overgrown almost 10 million acres in the southeastern United States may improve heart health, says a new study from the US.

Soy protein may reduce cholesterol levels for diabetics, too

Increased intakes of soy protein may reduce cholesterol levels in people with type-2 diabetes, says a new study that expands on the heart healthy potential of soy.

New Zealand bakers agree to voluntary folic acid fortification

The New Zealand baking industry has said it will move towards a voluntary fortification of some breads with folic acid as the government is expected to delay plans for mandatory fortification.

Work needed for China fish processing to meet new EU rules, report

China’s fish processing industry has made considerable progress in boosting its traceability procedures but must improve further if it wants to meet new EU regulations due to come into force next year.

New aseptic cap boosts efficiency and security

A triple seal function and new pull up controls that help maximise production efficiency and security are benefits claimed by the manufacturer of a new closure cap designed for cold and aseptic fill applications.

Tea drinkers may have younger biological age

The cells of regular tea drinkers may have a younger biological age than cells from non-drinkers, according to new research from China.

Greenpeace accuses Fonterra of contributing to deforestation

Greenpeace has attacked dairy giant Fonterra for using palm-based animal feed from cleared forests and for pushing an intensive farming model in New Zealand.

Weekly comment

Folic acid: Old women and children first!

Look at the globe and you’d be hard pressed to find two countries further apart than Ireland and New Zealand. But they stand side-by-side on the folic acid fortification issue – it is not needed.

Australian listeria source identified

The listeria outbreak that hit five Virgin Blue airline passengers in Australia has been traced to a poultry supplier in New South Wales (NSW).

Chickpea crackers offer iron-rich gluten-free options

Crackers made from the flour of chickpeas may contain between 3 to 6 times more iron than existing products, offering nutrient-rich options to the burgeoning gluten-free market.

‘Unknown’ cholesterol in processed food poses big heart health risk

With all the focus on LDL (bad) cholesterol, a ‘virtually unknown’ form called oxycholesterol may pose the biggest heart health threat, say Chinese scientists.

News in brief

BPA leaches into oceans as plastics decompose

Plastics decompose relatively quickly in oceans to release contaminants such as bisphenol A (BPA), according to research presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Washington DC.

News in brief

Martek signs omega-6 deals in Europe and Asia

Martek Biosciences has signed two new deals to supply its omega-6 ARA (arachidonic acid) ingredients to infant food makers in Australia and Spain.

European beer sales dry up in the first half of 2009

Soft drink sales in Western Europe outshone beer in the first half of the year suggesting the recession is prompting people to turn away from the bottle.

News in brief

New Philippine FDA to have more control over foods

The world’s newest food industry regulatory body was set up in Phillipines this week, with the foundation of a new agency modeled on the US FDA.

Low-salt foods may get taste boost from Japanese fish stock

A dried stock made from the fish and seaweed may improve the palatability of reduced-salt products, suggests new research.

China launches new food safety reporting system

China’s State Food and Drug Administration has launched a new food safety reporting system which it has offered for public consultation.

Next generation yoghurt cultures set for global roll-out

Chr Hansen will unveil a new range of premium yoghurt cultures within weeks in response to needs identified by yoghurt producers across the globe.

India’s food industry held back by cold storage shortfall

A shortfall of 10m tons of cold storage facilities for agriculture produce is holding back the nation’s food industry including its rapidly developing food processing sector, according to a new report from financial specialists KPMG and Assocham; the country’s chambers of commerce.

News in brief

Vietnam to build its largest food complex

Vietnamese food company Vissan has unveiled plans to build the nation’s largest food processing complex worth $39m (700bn VND) in the southern province of Long An, according to the company’s website.

News in brief

Dannon’s new coupons program based on proof of purchase

Dannon has launched a coupons program which requires customers to provide proof that they have already purchased a particular quantity of its products before the money-off coupons are issued.

National Enzyme earns GMP thumbs up in Oz

Missouri-based National Enzyme Company (NEC) has passed an extensive Good Manufacturing Practices audit of its Australian operations by the regulator there and can continue to market its ingredients and dietary supplements.

Weekly comment

Free farmers to farm and bank UK food security

How best should Britain plan to secure reliable supplies of reasonably-priced food? Should the nation put its trust in home production or food imports from the world market?

Salmonella in ground beef less resistant to heat than whole cuts, says study

New research indicates that Salmonella in whole cuts of beef is more resistant to heat treatment than it is in ground beef.

Private label sector continues to grow, says Nielsen

Sales of private label products are still growing, having “significantly increased” over the past year, according to new research from The Nielsen Company.

Cadbury removes palm oil from Dairy Milk in New Zealand

Cadbury is removing palm oil from its Dairy Milk recipe in New Zealand following complaints from consumers concerned about its environmental impact.

Addressing health through nutrition: Top consumer priorities

Heart health, weight loss and cancer protection are the top three health concerns that Americans try to address through their diets, according to a new survey.

Court rejects carcinogen tag for food packing chemical

A California judge has blocked a move by state environment officials to add styrene to a list of hazardous chemical, citing its vital role in food packaging as one factor.

How consumers approach functional foods: Survey

Whole grains, fiber and protein are top of the list for consumers looking to improve their diets by eating more of a specific type of food, according to a new survey of Americans’ approach to functional foods.

PepsiCo Brazil acquisition to make it coconut water leader

Beverage giant PepsiCo is to acquire Brazil’s leading coconut water company, as part of a bid to transform its beverage portfolio towards more healthful products.

News in brief

Danisco extends betaine’s sport science

Supplements of betaine may increase leg muscle endurance and quality of workout, says a new study funded by Danisco using its BetaPower Natural Betaine product.

Kraft Foods buyer gets prison sentence in tomato scandal

A former Kraft Foods executive has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for accepting bribes from Californian tomato product supplier SK Foods, becoming the first to be sentenced in the case.

ABF sells Polish sugar business in advance of EU rule change

Associated British Foods (ABF) has sold its Polish sugar business to Pfeifer & Langen for an estimated £120 to £130m in preparation for the opening up of EU sugar trade.

Nano beta-carotene entrapment offers natural colour options

Nanoparticles containing beta-carotene could be used to naturally colour water-based foods, and offer an array of advantages, according to an innovation from the US.

New system halves cost of extruder barrel replacement, says company

Cost savings, a reduction in downtime and ease of fitting are the benefits claimed by a manufacturer for its new food extruder barrel liner replacement system.

New NIZO tool may quicken search for flavour enhancers, maskers

A new screening tool may slash the time required to screen for aroma-aroma and aroma-taste interactions, according to scientists at NIZO Food Research.

Weekly comment

FDA’s Commissioner Hamburg: Beefing up US food safety

It looks like the FDA has finally got some muscle. Never mind new legislation – if anything can prevent America acquiring a weedy reputation for food safety, it’s the might of Dr Margaret Hamburg.

Long-term green tea supplements do little to improve photoaged skin: study

A two year, placebo controlled trial refutes claims that taking green tea supplements can have a positive effect on photodamaged skin.

Beetroot juice may boost endurance: Study

Consuming beetroot juice may boost stamina and allow people to exercise for up to 16 per cent longer, according to a new study from the UK.

Hamburg details FDA food safety crackdown measures

FDA chief Margaret Hamburg outlined new measures on Thursday to act “swiftly and aggressively” to crack down on firms that violate safety regulations.

News in brief

Fonterra Australia pulls custard on listeria fears

Fonterra Brands Australia has pulled tubs of its vanilla custard off supermarket shelves after a product sample tested positive for listeria monocytogenes.

Processors under spotlight as food ingredient suspected in listeria outbreak

An investigation has been launched after tainted airline food was linked to a dramatic jump in listeria cases in one Australian state.

Green tea extracts linked to healthier bones: Study

Compounds from green tea may lead to stronger bones by promoting bone formation, while also inhibiting bone resorption, which leads to weakening, suggests a new cell study.

Flavours and fragrance market to shrink, says Symrise CEO

Symrise CEO predicts continued shrinkage in the fragrance and flavour market as acquisitions prop up first half sales and weigh down profits.

DSM files patent for stevia as cognitive health ingredient

Stevia extracts may boost brain function and tap growing interest in natural ingredients for cognitive health, suggests a patent application from DSM.

'Bush mango' enters weight management market

South African supplier, Afriplex, has debuted a weight management extract derived from a fruit tree native to west Africa it says has attracted the interest of at least two major US food producers.

Weekly comment

Downsize me! FSA right to push for smaller snacks

Chocolate bar makers should embrace the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) proposals on snack portions and adapt their supersizing skills to downsizing.

Stevia market needs flavor focus, says Blue California chief

Industry-wide focus on flavor issues is crucial to the long term success of stevia-derived sweeteners, says the executive vice president of Reb A supplier Blue California.

Stevia market needs flavor focus, says Blue California chief

Industry-wide focus on flavor issues is crucial to the long term success of stevia-derived sweeteners, says the executive vice president of Reb A supplier Blue California.

Scientists propose pectin gel alternatives

Strong and stable gels producedby subjecting pectin to the action of enzymes may offer alternatives to acid-sugar gels already used in foods, says new research from Korean and American scientists.

Separate policy and R&D boost for Indian food processing sector

Formulation of a separate policy for food processing and a targeted R&D programme to boost processing and packaging technologies are two of the latest proposals unveiled by the Indian government for the sector.

Industry body welcomes US and Asia-Pacific food safety measures

At the APEC meeting in Singapore, Robert Brackett of the GMA has applauded the founding of a food safety training network, just days after the organization praised the House for passing a landmark food safety bill.