Ofi Cocoa: Transparency and Traceability Driving Sustainability
Ofi (Olam Food Ingredients), a global leader in food and beverage ingredients, reports that advancements in data and technology—such as deforestation mapping, child labor monitoring, and AI-powered carbon measurement tools—are accelerating progress towards its Cocoa Compass sustainability goals. These developments also provide food and beverage companies with enhanced traceability and transparency in preparation for new European regulations.
Mondelez execs spotlight acquisition, expansion opportunities
Mondelez International sees cakes and pastries and baked snacks as key categories for growth and potential acquisitions, top executives said at the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference in Boston. Dirk Van de Put, chairman and chief executive officer, told investors in a Sept. 4 session at the event that
Nestle taps Laurent Freixe as new CEO
Nestle SA has named Laurent Freixe as chief executive officer, taking over from Ulf Mark Schneider, who is leaving the company. Plans call for Freixe, currently executive vice president and CEO for Latin America, to take the reins as global CEO on Sept. 1. He also is slated to be nominated to the board of directors at
Precision Fermentation on The Cusp of Adding Scale
The promise of precision fermentation may be seen in the growing number of partnerships tapping into the technology’s potential to produce value-added ingredients. While still in the development cycle — with many challenges still to overcome — it is clear forward-looking companies see a future where ingredients derived from the technology have a central role in food and beverage product development. Precision fermentation uses microorganisms and gives them a specific genetic code to produce a compound of interest when fermented under precise conditions. The process is perceived as environmentally sustainable because it allows for the production of ingredients, often analogs of animal-based ingredients, in a far less resource-intensive manner. Early work has focused on producing alternative
Plant-based food sales can rise again, but the barriers are big
Is the plant-based market still relevant? So, how can plant-based regain its strength? What areas of innovation should plant-based manufacturers be focusing on? And should the cost of plant-based to consumers be lowered? The good news is the plant-based market remains relevant, especially for meat alternatives. The
Desugared Sugarcane Extract Shows Promising Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties for Nutraceutical Applications
A research team reveals the nutraceutical potential of desugared sugarcane extract (DSE), a byproduct of sugar refining, as a rich source of bioactive compounds. The study evaluates the extract’s bioaccessibility and bioactivities, including antioxidant and antidiabetic properties, showcasing its potential use in the nutraceutical industry. Naturally sourced bioactive compounds are increasingly preferred in the nutraceutical industry due to their compatibility with dietary intake and low risk of adverse effects. Desugared sugarcane extract, derived through ionic exchange resin processes, is rich in phenolic acids and other bioactive components, making it a promising candidate for health-related applications. The Philippines’ sugarcane industry, valued at over PhP 70 billion, produces
Prebiotics May Improve Frailty in The Elderly: RCT
Three months of supplementation with a prebiotic blend of inulin and oligofructose may significantly improve measures of frailty in the elderly, says a new double-blind, randomized, controlled trial with 200 people. The inulin-oligofructose combination was associated with “notable increases” in a range of measures
Plant-Based Innovations: Edible Forks, Bio Cushions, Fiber Packaging
Nestlé Edible Plant-Based Fork for Noodles, Suzuki Motor Corporation Bio-Based Motor Cushioning, Kaufland Silphium Fiber Cosmetics Packaging The number of bio-based initiatives coming to ThePackHub's attention remains significant, encompassing everything from university developments to in-market launches. Nestlé has introduced a limited-edition edible plant-based fork for Maggi cup noodles in India. Developed in collaboration with a local startup, the fork is made from wheat flour and salt, ensuring functionality while maintaining the nutritional values and taste of the noodles. This initiative is part of Nestlé’s broader commitment to reducing plastic use in packaging, which includes redesigning accessories such as straws, cups, and cutlery, simplifying packaging materials, and exploring
Screw Conveyor Market Set for Significant Expansion
The global screw conveyor market is on track for substantial growth, with projections highlighting significant increases over the coming years. According to Future Market Insights, sales are predicted to hit approximately US$ 884.2 million by 2022 and surpass US$ 1.4 billion by 2032, fueled by a compound annual growth
Renewed Interest in Antimicrobial Packaging: Enhancing Food Safety and Shelf Life
Antimicrobial packaging, an innovative solution to control microbial growth in packaged food, is gaining renewed interest due to consumer demand for food with fewer preservatives. This packaging involves the deliberate incorporation of antimicrobial substances that are released into the environment surrounding the
Food Fraud: A Growing Threat to Consumer Safety and Trust
Food fraud, a deliberate deception involving food products, has become a significant concern for the global food industry. From mislabeling and adulteration to outright counterfeiting, these fraudulent practices pose serious risks to consumer health and safety, erode trust in the food supply chain, and can have substantial economic consequences.
FDA works to push down sodium levels
Sodium is not a pathogen, but it, too, kills. Just ask the World Health Organization (WHO), which reports that two million of the eight million poor diet deaths can be blamed on high sodium intake. According to WHO, excess dietary sodium intake increases blood pressure and consequently increases the risk of
Study Predicts Cultivated Meat Could Slash Social Costs of Animal Meat by Over Half
Does cultivated meat have the potential to reduce the impact of traditional meat production on the environment, workers, and animals? A recent study by the Dutch project PPP True Price: from Insight to Action reveals that by 2030, the overall social costs of cultivated meat from RESPECTfarms could be 2 to 3.5 times lower than conventional meat from dairy cows, chicken, and pork produced in the Netherlands. The research, conducted by Wageningen Economic Research and CE Delft, employed the True Cost Accounting (TCA) method to analyze how the impact of meat production relates to the production of cultured meat and express it in euros. Switching to cultivated meat According to Pelle Sinke, a researcher at CE Delft, the advantage of cultivated meat relies on its more efficient conversion of
Canada Investing USD 163 Million In Small Craft Harbors
SeafoodSource is actively tracking the latest innovations in seafood processing and equipment, providing regular updates on significant developments in the industry. Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has committed CAD 225 million (USD 163 million, EUR 150 million) to enhance small craft harbors along
Enhancing Food Safety and Efficiency: The Role of Auto-Pulse Bag Dump Stations in Modern Manufacturing
In light of numerous product recalls and reports highlighting breaches in safety, efficiency, and cleanliness within food processing environments, manufacturers are urged to adopt more proactive measures. ABM Equipment Co., based in Vancouver, Wash., emphasizes the critical need for implementing safer and more
Micro-Catering - A Revolution in the Food Industry
As the food industry continues to evolve, micro-catering has emerged as a powerful trend, reshaping how businesses and consumers approach dining experiences. Defined by its focus on small-scale, highly personalized catering services, micro-catering has gained traction, particularly in the post-pandemic era, where flexibility, customization, and sustainability are at the forefront of consumer demands.
AI’s role in innovation expanding rapidly
SAN FRANCISCO — At times attendees of the Future Food Tech conference held March 21-22 in San Francisco may have been skeptical about the futuristic discussions taking place during the program and on the exhibit floor. At other times, it all came together and made sense. And even better – it made sense for right now.
Iran's Tomato Exports Reach $207 Million In Six Months
The Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) has disclosed that Iran's tomato exports amounted to $207 million in the first six months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-September 21). This report comes alongside a broader increase in the country's agricultural product exports, which saw a 26 percent rise in value compared to the same period last year. During this timeframe, Iran exported 3.2 million tons of agricultural commodities, totaling $1.7 billion in value, marking a 20 percent increase in volume year over year. The preceding Iranian calendar year, ending March 19, witnessed a 22.5 percent increase in the export value of agricultural and foodstuff products, as stated by Ruhollah Latifi, the spokesman of the International Relations and Trade Development
The Rapid Growth of the U.S. Frozen Food Market: Why the U.S. Leads the Way!
The U.S. frozen food market, valued at USD 76 billion in 2023, is on track to grow to USD 92.94 billion by 2029, expanding at a CAGR of 3.41%. This thriving industry presents many opportunities for businesses to tap into rising consumer demands. Key drivers of this growth include a surge in plant-based and premium
Raw Milk: Regulatory Loophole Gives Swiss the Freedom to Skip Pasteurisation
Raw milk, once deemed risky, has returned to consumers' fridges. While global regulations adapt, Switzerland emphasizes labeling and personal responsibility. In Iowa, it took Republican politician Jason Schultz 16 years to pass a bill legalizing raw milk sales. Despite Iowa’s agricultural roots, Schultz faced
PACK EXPO East 2024 Draws Record Attendance, Highlights Industry Trends
PACK EXPO East, organized by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, concluded its latest event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia from March 18–20, boasting remarkable attendance figures and an expansive showcase of innovations in manufacturing solutions. With 7,977 attendees and a sprawling exhibition occupying 120,000 net square feet of floor space, the event solidified its position as a premier regional gathering for professionals in the packaging and processing industries. Jim Pittas, President and CEO of PMMI, underscored the significance of PACK EXPO East's sustained growth, emphasizing its role as a pivotal event for packaging and processing professionals in the region. He reiterated the organization's commitment to delivering
FDA Hosts Virtual Public Meeting on Data and Technology in Advancing Food Safety
On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will convene a one-day virtual public meeting focused on "Data and Technology in the New Era of Smarter Food Safety." Scheduled from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm EDT, this event aims to explore the potential for leveraging data and technology to significantly
Cibus Tec Celebrates the Success of its 2023 Edition
The 2023 edition of Cibus Tec was successfully archived, reaffirming Parma as the capital of technological innovation for the food and beverage industry. At the fair, 1,200 companies from over 30 countries have chosen this stage of excellence to present their cutting-edge solutions, and 40,000 visits from the food &
GFI Report Explores Funding Landscape for Alt Proteins, Highlighting Challenges & Solutions
A new report by the Good Food Institute (GFI) has outlined the current funding landscape for alternative protein companies looking to scale from pilot to commercial manufacturing. Called Funding the Build, the guide describes how venture capital funding came to a halt after 2022 due to the tightening of US monetary policy and slowing plant-based meat sales. This means that many alternative protein companies looking to scale will need to find other sources of growth funding to overcome this industry bottleneck. Focusing on companies in the US market, the four-part report outlines possible solutions. Part 1 discusses the advantages and challenges of contract manufacturing as an alternative to constructing a self-owned facility, providing tips for companies considering this option. It also
Is seasonal eating better for your health?
Seasonal eating is consuming food that is in harvest or in peak supply. At the height of summer in Sicily, Italy, Anna Fiannaca prefers vegetables grown at home rather than food from the supermarket. “It was just the way of life in Sicily, taking whatever the seasons will give you,” said Fiannaca, an 89-year-old who