Sustainable September
Nanoplastics in vegetables threaten consumers
The dangerous, microscopic plastic particles can accumulate in the edible parts of veg, study suggests
Suppliers
Britain’s babies fed a diet of ultra-processed cereals and snacks, say researchers
A University of Leeds study found baby cereals and snacks dominated by UPFs (ultra-processed foods), with sugar-laden puffs and bars misled as ‘healthy’, leaving parents duped and kids primed for poor health
Almond yields could be lower than predicted
The USDA predicts an abundant almond crop for California. Growers say the number is too optimistic
Brazil nuts: Boosting health, forests, and livelihoods
Brazil nuts offer more than nutrition – they also protect rainforests and support local communities
Tomato leaves: The next miracle protein?
They’re protein dense, but could tomato leaves translate into a functional ingredient?
Could climate change affect the taste of gin?
It all depends how juniper berries – the key botanical which is responsible for gin’s distinctive taste – are affected by changing weather conditions
Can AI protect future food security?
Climate change is threatening the world’s food supply, but could AI be the unexpected hero?
Have cocoa prices hit chocolate?
The price of cocoa may be high, but has this hit consumers?
Social media cuts food waste but fuels impulsive buying - study
New research reveals that social media can help reduce food waste but also increases impulsive consumer food purchasing behaviour
Colgate-Palmolive poaches Danone CEO Americas Shane Grant
Grant will oversee North America and LATAM at the personal care group
Who tops the list of the world’s most valuable beer brands?
Budweiser, Corona and Michelob Ultra are all jostling for the top spot: who emerges as the world’s most valuable beer brand?
Spin, slump, SPOONS: Inside WK Kellogg’s make-or-break cereal play
Post-spin, WK Kellogg is making a bold play to redefine cereal as a health food. But can a marketing framework overcome falling sales, tariff pressures and consumer scepticism?
Future Food-Tech
3 food tech companies creating a more sustainable and healthier LATAM
Upcycling Solutions, Future Biome and Kresko RNAtech will share their stories at an upcoming Future-Food Tech and FoodNavigator event in São Paulo
Snacking on thin air: Fazer’s futuristic treats powered by protein from the sky
The Finnish food experience company has launched snacks powered by Solein - a revolutionary protein literally made from thin air. Could this be the future of sustainable snacking?
Brazzein sweetener gets FDA green light as sugar-reduction momentum grows in confectionery
Bestzyme’s next-gen sweet protein secures GRAS status, unlocking new potential for sugar-reduced chocolate and confectionery innovation as brands meet demand for healthier indulgence
Reaching Net Zero
Cocoa complicated: Luker Chocolate addresses volatility with sustainability
Disease and climate change drove cocoa volatility in 2024, as trade tensions and tariffs complicate the commodity’s price in 2025
Pricing pains: Japan government to set system for food price hikes
The Japanese government will establish a mechanism for food price hikes in an attempt to the limit the backlash when cost increases are passed on to consumers.
Corn crisis: Manufacturers prepare for price hikes as global stocks fall
Manufacturers prepare for shortages and price rises as vital grain stores in global decline
Palm oil paradox: ‘Realistic’ approaches and not silver bullets needed in global vegetable oils market
Markets worldwide need to put their faith in ‘realistic’ approaches for the vegetable oils market as opposed to seeking out silver bullets, as the stability of the global food supply hangs in the balance, according to industry experts.
CenSea’s acquisition of Ocean Garden aims to modernize the seafood industry
By acquiring Mexican and Ecuadorian shrimp specialist Ocean Garden, Asian shrimp and seafood distributor CenSea strengthens its ability to meet the rising demand for year-round, sustainable seafood
FDA calls for input on PFAS levels in seafood
FDA’s request this week for information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in seafood is part of the agency’s investigation into the potential health impact of PFAS exposures, which may be higher in seafood according to sample data.
Neohedonism: IFF pursues the pursuit of pleasure to shape food & beverage
Flavors & ingredients company IFF is using a proprietary tool to generate insights into how trends like neo-hedonism resonate with current and future consumer needs and aspirations.
Too little choline: A disadvantage in Latin America
A new study reports that “an astonishing majority” of women of childbearing age across eight countries in Latin America do not consume enough choline, a nutrient particularly important for fetal development.
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
Mars Wrigley, Chocolate Cordillera, and Godiva all set to make their mark at the Sweets & Snacks Expo
We take a look at some of the upcoming highlights from this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo.
New feed tech designed to support dairy net zero goals, higher milk yields
A novel bio-catalyst feed technology shows breakthrough results to help dairy farmers and their industry meet new net zero targets while increasing milk yields.
Measuring and communicating sustainability: ‘The biggest challenge right now is the pace of change,’ says Ingredion VP
Sustainability has rapidly evolved from a check box exercise for many food companies to something that impacts decision making throughout the supply chain. But how are firms measuring sustainability, how reliable is industry data in this respect, and if...
If biomanufacturing is the next industrial revolution, what does that mean for food ingredients?
Will a large percentage of flavors, colors and sweeteners be made in bioreactors by 2050 or are the costs and challenges associated with precision fermentation technology such that it only makes sense to produce a handful of high-value ingredients in...
European supplier CSM Ingredients eyes Latin America: ‘Our global growth strategy is centred on scaling up in other parts of the world’
CSM Ingredients is entering Latin America through a strategic partnership with Chilean player ICB. FoodNavigator catches up with CSM CEO Aldo Uva to learn more about how this expansion positions the European supplier for further growth.
Canpack to build new $140m beverage can manufacturing facility in Brazil
Canpack S.A., part of the Canpack Group, will increase its manufacturing capacity of aluminum beverage cans with a new production facility in Poços de Caldas, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Why former WWF sustainability expert joined JBS: ‘No other company has the leverage and capacity to drive sector-wide transformation’
JBS has set targets to stamp out deforestation in its supply chain and move to net zero emissions by 2040. Former World Wildlife Fund (WWF) sustainability expert Maurício S. Bauer tells us why he has decided to transition from the NGO sector and join the...
Global soy exporters adopt new measures to cut deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado region
Six of the world’s largest food and agribusiness companies have developed a new method to tackle deforestation and grassland conversion for soy crops in Brazil’s biodiversity-rich Cerrado region, which neighbours the Amazon.
Animal proteins... made by plants? 'Molecular farming’ co Moolec Science to go public via SPAC
Moolec Science – which has developed a ‘molecular farming’ platform to produce plants that express animal proteins – is going public via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC)* in a deal expected to close later this year.
Deforestation: JBS unveils forest fire taskforce to protect 2.5 million hectares in Brazil
JBS is often accused of indirectly sourcing cattle from unscrupulous Brazilian farmers who have illegally started fires in order to clear large areas of land.
Oterra is building a natural color empire with trio of acquisitions including Food Ingredient Solutions
Natural color supplier Oterra continues its shopping spree as it strives to become a leading force in the highly fragmented food color segment with the acquisitions of Food Ingredient Solutions and Diana Foods – both of which expand its global footprint.
NEWS IN BRIEF
ADM acquires Flavor Infusion International expanding reach into Latin America and the Caribbean.
ADM has acquired Flavor Infusion International, expanding its global reach and capabilities in the high-growth flavor segment.
News in brief
CP Kelco & IMCD expand distribution agreement into Mexico market
IMCD has become CP Kelco’s strategic distributor in Mexico across all market segments of food, plus consumer and industrial (C&I) applications.
Sweegen to launch high intensity sweetener brazzein in 2022
Sweegen will expand its high-intensity sweeteners portfolio early next year with the addition of brazzein, an ultra-sweet tasting protein found in small quantities in the fruit of a West African plant called oubli, that can be produced on a commercial...
Benexia launches encapsulated oil as latest move in quest to derive added value from chia seeds
Chilean firm Benexia has made big strides in moving toward becoming a supplier of chia-based ingredients as opposed to being purely a purveyor of the seed itself.
Kerry identifies structural differences between commercial beta glucans
All beta (β) glucans are not created equal, according to Kerry scientists, who reveal that structural differences in yeast β-glucans may influence health benefits associated with the fibre’s consumption.
ADM leverages scale for sustainability: ‘We see this as a unique and important opportunity’
ADM connects crops to market, processing agricultural commodities for human and animal health. We caught up with Alison Taylor, the company’s Chief Sustainability Officer, to learn how this unique position in the supply chain, coupled with ADM’s global...
McCormick & Company expands 'Grown for Good' sustainability standard
McCormick & Company is advancing its third-party verified sustainability standard, 'Grown for Good', for suppliers in the herbs and spices industry.
Survey: 1 in 4 global consumers used probiotics in last 6 months
Probiotic use on the rise as science-backed probiotic strains meet a range of market needs.
DSM expands cheese biopreservation portfolio
Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in nutrition, health and sustainable living, has announced the extension of its Dairy Safe cheese biopreservation portfolio, with a selection of new phage-robust culture rotations.
FrieslandCampina F&B tapping plant-based trend with ingredient innovation
FrieslandCampina Food & Beverages is leveraging its expertise in spray-dry powders to bring plant-based innovation to the bakery and desserts market. FoodNavigator hears how the group is building on the heritage of Kievit.
Benexia harnesses the power of chia for enviable Keto-friendly bakes
Chia seed ingredients specialist Benexia has developed a Keto Chia Cake & Muffin Baking Mix that overcomes the dry texture, short shelf life and nutritional deficits typically associated with low-carb baking flours.
Chr. Hansen launches next generation of FreshQ food cultures for fermentation-enabled bioprotection of dairy products
It has been almost a decade since global bioscience company Chr. Hansen launched its first generation of FreshQ, a range of food cultures for improving the bioprotective effects of fermentation in dairy.
Sodium reduction: When it comes to salt perception, size matters, says MicroSalt
It’s well-known that the smaller the salt crystals, the saltier they taste, which means less is more, an enticing proposition for snack makers looking to reduce sodium. However, simply finely grinding table salt and sprinkling it on potato chips won’t do...
Tate & Lyle’s digital hub gives snack producers insight into the science behind better-for-you ingredients
The global ingredients specialist has created an online platform to provide its clients with access to the authoritative science behind its ingredients, which it hopes will go a long way to address public health challenges.
Cocoa
The Dominican Republic promotes its unique fine cocoa with new festival
The Dominican Republic National Chocolate Festival has announced winners of its first chocolate competition, which attracted over 40 entries in three categories: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and experimental chocolate.
Podcast
From premium to vegan, why Luker Chocolate is made for the plant-based trend – LISTEN
With Veganuary in full swing and more popular than ever, Paul Morris, Luker Chocolate’s UK sales manager, chats to ConfectioneryNews about the 123-year-old family run company and its single origin Cacao Fino de Aroma.