FOODStuff SA Ezine 22 August 2008 | Food for thought . . . | 'Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.'
Malcolm S. Forbes
| 'Not only are there plenty of promising innovations being tested or used already, the challenges the industry faces may lead to exciting opportunities. As the public in general becomes more health and flavour savvy, partially replacing salts with herbs and other spices may lead to wide consumer acceptance. A public concerned with their health may be more willing to accept foods that taste a little different from those they have been used to in the past.'
Steffen Weck, Food Business Resource
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Food Industry NewsUS: Cargill weathers turbulent markets to report whopping $4-bn profitAgricultural giant Cargill has announced a 55% increase in profit over the last year, despite operating in what it describes as 'the most volatile agricultural and energy markets in decades'. Read more
CHINA: Becomes a net food importer China became a net food importer in cash terms in the first half of this year, as soaring food prices ate into its traditional surplus in agricultural goods. Read more
 EU: EFSA health claim rejections 'shock' industry
The European Food Safety Authority has kicked off the eagerly awaited health claim assessment process with a slew of claim rejections signalling a hard line methodology that may see thousands of claims submissions binned. Read more
US: Organic food sales feel the bite from sluggish economy Sales of organic foods and beverages are expected to average sparkling 18% growth through 2010, despite current economic pressures. While core organic buyers remain loyal, new customers are tougher to attract. Read more
 Organics - fad or the future?
Organic food was once seen as a niche market but now major multinationals are offering organic products. In fact it has been one of the biggest trends in the food sector in recent years but do organics have staying power, or will consumers lose interest over time? Read more
Teenage DNA sleuths expose New York fish fraudUp to a quarter of fish in stores and restaurants in New York City was mislabeled as a more expensive variety, according to samples collected by two US teenagers and tested with modern genetic identification methods. Read more
 Turbulent economic times changing shopping behaviours: Unilever study
The study, Winning Shoppers in Turbulent Times - A Unilever Trip Management Report, reveals how different demographic groups will change their shopping habits as belts continue to tighten during challenging economic times. Read more
 CANADA: Parasite may be at root of bee decline
Researchers at the University of Toronto believe they have found the cause of declining bee populations, suggesting it is due to a parasite being spread from commercial bumble bees to wild bees. Read more
 US: Kellogg will feature Phelps mug on cereal boxes
No surpise, Michael Phelps is continuing his winning streak. After scoring an endorsement by Visa in a TV ad spot titled 'Congratulations Phelps' which aired last week, the eight-time gold medal Olympic champion will now be featured on the front of Kellogg's cereal boxes next month. Read more
SA: Consumers not cutting back on pleasuresConsumers might be drinking cheaper versions of their favourite tipple in these tough economic times, but they are adamant that they are not going to cut out life's little pleasures completely.
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 CHINA: Coke's Olympics marketing courts the Chinese
Coca-Cola's Olympics marketing campaign appears to be making inroads on Pepsi-Cola's domination of the China market. At a cost estimated at $400 million, Coke has worked to convince the Chinese that its brand is shuang, meaning 'cool' or 'awesome', and to drink the beverage cold rather than warm as most locals prefer it. Read more
 FRANCE: Supersize ... moi? How the French learnt to love McD's
McDonald's, or 'macdoh' as it is ubiquitously known, is France's dirty secret ... McDonald's makes more money in France than it does in Britain, and Paris has as many golden arches as London - but no self-respecting French diner will admit to eating there. Read more
 UK: Tesco to stock world’s fiercest chilli pepper
The Dorset Naga created a stir last year when it went on a week long trial at a Tesco store in Newcastle - Britain’s chilli pepper capital. Demand was so overwhelming that Tesco are its supplier to grow more. Read more
US: Chilli peppers' spice is a built-in pesticideStudy finds that the fruits developed their kick to ward off microbial invaders; the greater the danger, the more pungent the pepper. Read more
 AFRICA: Tracking a crop disease could save millions of lives
Maize streak virus (MSV) causes the main virus disease of Africa's most important food crop. By comparing the genome of the virus to those of its less harmful relatives, scientists have discovered how and why MSV became a serious pest. Read more
 US: College leaders hope to renew debate on a lower drinking age
The current limit ignores the reality of drinking on campus and pushes it underground, they say. Opponents say a rollback to age 18 would reverse declines in teen drunk driving. Read more
 UK: Industry still wary about nano in food, says Leatherhead
Nervousness about nanotechnology in food in Britain may see the UK food industry left behind, warns an expert from Leatherhead Food International. Read more
Ingredient Stuff Asparagus waste may be fibre source
Unused portions of asparagus spears may be untapped sources of nutrition - according to a new study published in Food Chemistry, nearly half of harvested asparagus goes to waste. The researchers note that the 'waste' represents 'a promising source' of phytochemicals and fibre. Read more
Stonyfield signs for Danisco probiotics
Joining the likes of SA's Woolworths, US organic yoghurt icon, Stonyfield, will use Danisco's probiotic HOWARU culture in all of its yoghurt and yoghurt beverages. Read more
 Salt reduction adds new challenges for water control
The drive to reduce salt has introduced further obstacles for the baking industry to control water activity, which is a major contributor to a product’s characteristics... Read more
EFSA confirms safety of Unilever GM ice proteinLow-fat ice cream made with GM yeast to ensure a creamy consistency may soon be possible in Europe following the European Food Standards Authority’s (EFSA) opinion on Unilever’s novel technology... Read more
 False starting in the stevia race?
The Greeks have a saying that goes something like this: ‘If you’re in too much of a rush, you’ll trip up’. The food and drinks industry could well benefit from the simplistic wisdom of such traditional advice as they race to bring the natural sweetener stevia to market. Read more
Packaging Stuff Draft US report reaffirms safety of BPA in food packaging
In a draft risk assessment, the FDA has concluded that an adequate margin of safety exists for Bisphenol A (BPA) at current levels of exposure from food contact uses. Read more
Packaging must contain, protect, preserve, inform and sellNothing new in this headline then. But according to IOP: The Packaging Society, consumer demands for innovative and environmentally responsible packaging are driving the pace of new product development throughout Europe's food packaging industry. Read more
Health & NutritionStress and hunger are obstacles to healthy dietGood intentions when it comes to a healthy food go out of the window if people are stressed or hungry, increasing demand for products that offer instant gratification, according to a new study from the US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service. Read more
 Like the taste of chalk? Most of us don't when we really should. . .
Mice, and most likely humans, have the ability to taste calcium - and most do not like it, according to new research presented at the American Chemical Society's semiannual national meeting, held this week in Philadelphia. Scientists say the findings could explain why, according to the US Department of Agriculture, 80% of Americans do not get enough calcium when it is so important for our health. Read more
Obesity: Scientists identify protein that promotes fat-burningThe discovery could lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to tackling obesity. Read more
Hot Stuff - spotlight on GM & Water & Food Waste The Prince is entitled to his views – but not his ignorance
It's shocking to hear this millionaire Gloucestershire farmer denounce the 'Green Revolution' in India. [Ed'snote: a fine piece of journalism, well worth reading!] Read more
Rebutting the above: Don't believe the GM apologists!Arguments about genetic modification, often wrongly characterised as science versus irrational nature-worshippers, have lost none of their passion. On one side are those who yearn for simple, high-tech solutions to complex problems. Against GM, there are ecological realities and scientific evidence. . . Read more
'Genetic modification is the basis of all evolution'In this recent interview, Nina V Fedoroff, science adviser to the secretary of state and administrator of the Agency for International Development, discusses how 'genetic modification is the basis of all evolution', 'if everybody switched to organic farming, we couldn’t support the earth’s current population'. Read more
 Water: The hidden cost of your food and drink
Vast amounts of water are used to produce the food and drink we eat, frequently in countries already suffering from drought. See the volumes of water needed for coffee, beef, bread and more. Read more
 Smashing the bottled water myth
Bottled water is no worse for the environment than other bottled drinks . . . There has been a dramatic and concerted media backlash against bottled mineral water, one of the fastest-growing products in the US drinks sector. Read more
Water scarcity will only be tackled if we change the way we eatFinance house, Goldman Sachs, says water is the next oil and has bullish investment trends to prove it. For the rest of us a water boom spells trouble. Read more
Urgent steps needed to combat food wastage - Report
The US and some other developed states throw away nearly a third of their food each year, according to a UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)report that says the world was producing more than enough to feed its population. Read more
That's it for this week, folks!
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