R&D

Is macauba a rainforest-friendly alternative to palm oil? GettyImages/MEDITERRANEAN

Is macauba a rainforest-friendly alternative to palm oil?

By Donna Eastlake

Palm oil is cheap to produce in large quantities but unsustainable production methods, notably deforestation, means the bad can far outweigh the good. As a result, brands are increasingly distancing themselves from the use of irresponsible palm oil in...

Tepache - a fermented beverage made from the peel and rind of pineapples - is one of the beverages making a comeback. Pic:getty/riou

Forgotten fermentation: Uncovering Mexico’s traditional beverages

By Rachel Arthur

Could Mexico’s traditional fermented beverages offer inspiration for healthy beverages today? Researchers are calling for the recovery and conservation of ancient fermented drinks, which could offer an 'outstanding reservoir' of genetic resources...

Grupo Bimbo is upping the ante on its electrically powered delivery fleet. Pic: Grupo Bimbo

Grupo Bimbo goes electric in Mexico

By Gill Hyslop

The Mexican bakery giant has invested $146m into its initiative to grow its electrically powered fleet to make emissions-free deliveries in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Marfrig hits record-high revenue and earnings in Q4 2019

Marfrig hits record-high revenue and earnings in Q4 2019

By Asia Sherman

Marfrig Global Foods finished 2019 with record returns, posting R$14.2 billion in fourth quarter revenue, a 23.5% increase year-on-year. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was R$1.6 billion, up 70.2% from the same period last year.

© Getty Images / photographereddie

Fight against Panama disease intensifies

By Asia Sherman

German pharmaceutical giant Bayer is leading a new global strategy to combat Fusarium TR4, a strain of the Panama disease that decimated banana crops in Central America in the mid 20th century.

FoodNavigator to co-host the inaugural Global CBD Summit

Demystifying hemp and cannabidiol: Introducing the CBD Global Summit

By Katy Askew

CBD has caught the public's imagination as an ingredient offering a host of potential health benefits. But for all the hype, CBD also courts controversy. To move from a trending ingredient to an ingredient trend, the sector will need to address some...

CBD in Latin America: Which countries will embrace it?

CBD in Latin America: Which countries will embrace it?

By Mary Ellen Shoup

The path forward for the sale of CBD consumer products in Latin America may be constrained by high price points and the region's patchwork of regulations, but a few countries are setting the stage for a CBD retail market, according to Brightfield...

© GettyImages/LightFieldStudios

Costa Rica invests in food safety with US$4.55m lab

By Niamh Michail

The Costa Rican Ministry of Health has invested ₡2,600 million (US$4.55m) in food safety microbiological laboratory with next-generation equipment to prevent foodborne illnesses.