FOODStuff SA Ezine 25 July 2008 | 'The main thing is to care. Care very hard, even if it is only a game you are playing.'
Billie Jean King,
American tennis player | 'I'm not a scientist, I'm not an expert, I'm not a foodie. I'm just a guy looking at our food supply, figuring out what I should feed my kid. And I looked at the science in great detail and was very disappointed to find that nutritional science remains pretty sketchy. It's really amazing actually, how little is known about what we need to be healthy.'
Michael Pollan, Knight professor of Journalism at University of California-Berkeley, commenting on his recent book, 'In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto,' that spent six weeks at No. 1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. His advice is simple: 'Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.' |
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Food Industry News
 SA: Woolworths' customers feel spending pinch
The corrosive effects of spiralling inflation and food prices have been confirmed by retail giant Woolworths who reports that middle-income earners are pushed to the wall by the rising cost of living. Read more
SA: Tiger Brands to buy Chococam from Barry Callebaut Tiger Brands, South Africa's leading branded food and healthcare company, has announced its intention to acquire 74,7% of the shares of consumer chocolate manufacturer, Chococam, in Cameroon from Barry Callebaut, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products. Read more
SA: Food crisis: Land reform blamedSouth Africa's failed land reform programme is to be blamed to some extent for the present high food prices, according to Nick Vink, professor of agricultural economics at Stellenbosch University. Read more
 SA: EU weighs ban on SA ostrich meat
The European Union (EU), the main export market for SA’s ostrich meat, is considering banning ostrich exports as the agriculture department continues to falter on the monitoring of health standards. Read more
 SA: Heineken brewery will boost Gauteng economy
The R3bn Heineken plant and depot, under construction in Sedibeng, southeast of Johannesburg, will be a catalyst for economic growth and is expected to inject about R7bn into the provincial economy. Read more
 EU: Unilever sells Bertolli oil and vinegar for £500m
Unilever, the Anglo-Dutch conglomerate, lost a touch of Italian brio yesterday after selling its Bertolli olive oil and vinegar business for €630m (£500m), as part of its drive to sell non-core businesses. Read more
 US: Subway: While competitors shut doors, Subway is still growing
While Starbucks is closing stores and McDonald's is focusing its expansion efforts abroad, Subway, by far the largest fast-food chain, with 22,000 U.S. locations, is adding 800 this year. Read more
UK: Drinks industry faces tough lawsMinisters tell the drinks industry it must act more responsibly or face new laws governing the sale of alcohol. Read More
The future of free trade faces a sticky end over bananasWorld trade talks that began seven years ago with bold promises to open up markets and help poor countries are in danger of collapse this week - and nothing illustrates why more effectively than the banana. Read More
 Budweiser to be Belgian? Big deal. . .
The news that all-American brewer Anheuser-Busch is to be sold to Belgium's InBev for $52bn has made sports bar patrons across the US weep into their Budweisers. But the idea that an American firm must remain American for all time runs counter to the world of global commerce. Read more
Ingredient Stuff Danone research takes step forward in Alzheimer’s product
Danone Research reports that it has taken an important step forward in the development programme for its Alzheimer’s product, Souvenaid, with the successful completion of a first clinical trial. Souvenaid, a multi-nutrient drink, is designed to improve cognitive function, and is the result of ten years of R&D into the potential role of nutrients in neurological diseases. Read more
 Encapsulation and fish dominate at IFT
What were the trends at the annual IFT expo and congress in New Orleans? Read novel encapsulation, controlled release and getting more from fish. Read more
Cargill's new technology captures flavourCargill has rolled out a new flavour technology, Freshzone, that is supposed to help hold flavour and extend shelf-life. Read more
New Product Stuff US: Eggology rolls out all-natural hardboiled eggs
Representing the ideal healthy snack, the new line is offered in three convenient two-pack variations: Certified Organic, Cage-Free and Original. Read more
SA: New flavour for NiknaksSnack brand Niknaks is launching a new flavour, Cheese and Sweet Chilli.
SA: Dentyne – giving South Africans new reasons to smileDentyne has undergone a brand revitalisation, including the launch of two fresh new flavours.
 US: Pork industry trying to earn consumers' trust
In a bid to build and retain consumer trust, America’s pork producers are launching 'We Care', an initiative that’s supported and encouraged by the National Pork Producers Council, National Pork Board, state pork associations, and allied industry. Read more
SA: New rosé bubbly from JC Le Roux Following the new-found popularity of pink wine, the House of JC Le Roux, South Africa’s leading sparkling wine producer, has introduced a stylish new salmon pink rosé to its sparkling wine range – the light-hearted yet naturally elegant JC Le Roux La Fleurette. Read more
 UK: Muller Vitality relaunch highlights health benefits
Muller UK has spearheaded a relaunch of its yoghurts and yoghurt drinks, following detailed consumer research into attitudes toward and usage of functional ingredients. Targeting new and existing users, Muller hopes the latest health focused message will emphasize Muller Vitality's revitalized, low fat, pre and probiotic offerings, allowing it to capitalize on the current functional foods trend. Read more
Packaging StuffEFSA reaffirms acience and safety of Bisphenol AIn response to recent controversy, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reaffirmed the safety of bisphenol A  (BPA) in common consumer products such as baby bottles, water bottles and food containers. Read more
Down-sizing trend driving US rigid food packagingThe trend towards smaller, more portable beverage and prepared food containers will play a large part in the increased use of plastics in rigid food packaging in the US market, according to a new report. Read more
 Bottle with sidewall made of film
Belgian sports drink marketer, WCUP, has introduced a new packaging concept to beverages in Europe -- a 300ml hybrid bottle made largely of flexible film. The company says the bottle structure answers sustainability demands with a carbon footprint 50% smaller than the PET container it replaces. Read more
Health & Nutrition Stuff Good news for veggies: personal values deceive taste buds
Many heavy meat eaters believe they eat a lot of meat because of the taste. But according to groundbreaking new research in the Journal of Consumer Research, the reason that a beef burger tastes better than a veggie burger to some people has more to do with values than actual taste. Read more
The dangers of too much waterAlthough doctors stress the need to avoid dehydration by drinking enough fluids, drinking more than enough is a different matter... Read more
Hot StuffEU, additives and labelling: MEPs take lead in additives debate A measure agreed in the European Parliament which will see the introduction of mandatory warning labels on foods containing colourings linked to hyperactivity in children provides a further twist in the long-running additives debate. Read more
 A look at nanotechnology and food: A cure-all? Is it safe?
Commentary on nanotechnology and its future in our food supply, particularly in light of consumers recent widespread distaste for genetically modified goods. The bottom line: the industry is outwardly hopeful about the technology's promise, but inwardly cautious about the public response. Oh, and we have no idea what it'll do to us when we eat it. Read more
 Sustainable consumption: The end of life as we know it?
The main problem with the whole discourse on sustainable production and consumption is that 90% of the debate has been about production and about 10% about consumption. The reason for this is quite straightforward. Dealing with production, which is largely controlled by private sector institutions is much easier than dealing with consumption, which is controlled by six billion individuals. A most thought-provoking article. Read more
Goodbye celebrity chefs, hello celebrity firmsThe rise of local produce means that large-scale manufacturing, celebrity chefs and functional foods are on their way out, according to an expert trend consultant. Oh really? Read more
In-depth Report: Confronting a World Freshwater CrisisAs the global population grows--and freshwater supplies dwindle--ensuring that everyone has sufficient supplies of life-giving H2O has become an enormous challenge. View this comprehensive report from Scientific American magazine. Read more
 What price water. . .
Water connoisseurs can drink it and water sommeliers can serve it—water with a little more bling and a lot more $$$. At $40 a 750 ml bottle, BlingH20 is being bought by affluent consumers from a Tennesee-based company. And a Hawaiian seawater sells for $33,50 a two-ounce bottle. Are they really worth the cost? Read more
Energy foods: do they work?It would be easy to mistake energy foods as a modern phenomenon. But the belief that consuming special foods can enhance performance can be traced throughout much of human history. And some traditions are a bit better grounded in science than others. Read more
Light ReliefMiles Kington Remembered: Is there anything left to eat that doesn't contain nuts? The late great British humourist and wickedly funny commentator on modern life, Miles Kington, died earlier this year from cancer, far too young. He wrote for The Independent newspaper for many years, and it has been publishing a Miles Kington retrospective. This one is a goody for those in the food industry.
 If it had said, 'Warning: this packet of fine sea salt may contain tiny fragments of seaweed,' I would have understood. But bits of nut in my salt?
The other day I went into our local health food shop to buy some salt. I don't suppose health food shops really enjoy selling salt, which is now known to be very bad for you as well as being very good for you, but you don't get ordinary salt in a health food shop, anyway. . . Read more
 Science was never such fun! The Periodic Table becomes an internet hit
The periodic table, bane of chemistry students' lives, has been brought to vivid life in a series of fascinating - and sometimes explosive - internet films. Read more
That's all for this week, folks! |
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