Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Carrageenan high on texture, low on cost for confectioners, study

11-Mar-2010 - Carrageenan has good textural properties and is a more cost effective hydrocolloid than dextran for use in semi liquid syrups for production of a wide range of confectionery products, claims a new study from Mexico.

Tangerine hard gums get green and clean label makeover

11-Mar-2010 - UK based Tangerine confectionery said it has switched to greener packaging and has reformulated the hard eating gums in its Lion range to meet the growing demand for clean labels and environmentally sustainable products.

Cocoa compounds may ease exercise-related heart function

10-Mar-2010 - Consumption of a beverage rich in cocoa flavanols may boost blood flow to the muscles and ease the demands on the heart during exercising, says a new study from Australia.

Weekly comment

EFSA’s antioxidant rejections could be blessing in disguise

08-Mar-2010 - Timber! The latest axe blow from EFSA has fallen, and this time it has taken one of the biggest trees in the nutrition forest: Antioxidants. But let’s not mourn the loss of the tree; let’s look forward to the new opportunities a clear view of the sky can give.

Study thickens the science of cocoa’s heart benefits

05-Mar-2010 - Regular consumption of cocoa flavanols may decrease blood pressure in people with mild hypertension, but only at high doses, says a new study from Australia.

High concentration menthol powder easy to use, says TasteTech

03-Mar-2010 - Chewing gum manufacturers can benefit from a cost effective encapsulated natural menthol powder that contains 95 per cent pure menthol and enables ease of processing, claims the UK based developer.

Nestle: Chocolate may benefit gut health and metabolism

26-Feb-2010 - A daily treat of dark chocolate for only two weeks may change metabolism in healthy, free-living people, says a new study from Nestlé scientists.

Salmonella source at Nestle plant unknown

26-Feb-2010 - Nestle said the source of the salmonella found recently in a batch of chocolate morsels at one of its US plants was unknown.

AAK's speciality strategy shows recession resilience

18-Feb-2010 - Cost savings and a strategy that fits with chocolate eating habits in the recession have meant for an acceptable full year for AAK, topped off with an especially good Q4.

Mars and Barry Callebaut team up on flavanols

16-Feb-2010 - A standard for measuring the antioxidant-rich cocoa flavanols in chocolate products, a broadening of the market for functional chocolate as well as boosting consumer awareness are the objectives of a new alliance between Mars Inc and Barry Callebaut.

Developing markets drove Givaudan ‘09 sales

16-Feb-2010 - Latin America and Asia led the way with strong sales for Givaudan’s flavour division in 2009, prodding it towards 1.9 per cent sales growth in local currencies in a tough year for industry.

Layered gels may help sugar reduction

09-Feb-2010 - By controlling the distribution of sugar in a gelled product, the overall sugar concentration may be lowered without affecting the perceived sweetness, says a new study from Sweden.

Weekly comment

US military may enlist Omega-3s to boost performance but why wait?

08-Feb-2010 - “An army marches on its stomach.” This advice, from French military adventurer Napoleon, seems to have impressed the US military which is considering fortifying troops’ rations with omega-3 fatty acids. What is it waiting for?

Weekly comment

No bitter battle over salt science

01-Feb-2010 - Excess salt can cause hypertension, heart disease, death. That’s the scientific consensus behind public health campaigns to reduce consumption of sodium chloride in the diet. But not everyone reads the science as conclusive, and when it comes to minerals that are essential to human life, the voice of caution must not be drowned out.

Sex gum is drug, says attorney

29-Jan-2010 - A chewing gum marketed for its ability to enhance the male libido is being falsely marketed as a dietary supplement when it has the characteristics of a drug, according to New York food attorney, Marc Ullman.

Natural beta-carotene gains GRAS status

29-Jan-2010 - A new range of natural carotenoids destined for human consumption moved a step closer to sale recently with GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) notification from the Food and Drug Administration for Microbia’s bio-based beta-carotene for food and beverage applications.

Cost saving gum arabic replacer strong on texture, says TIC Gums

28-Jan-2010 - A modification to a fast drying shell coating system for sugar and sugar alcohol syrups used in confectionery coating and hard panning boosts the sensory appeal of the final product, saves on processing costs and time and can replace gum arabic, says TIC Gums.

New natural chew aims to boost kids’ oral hygiene

27-Jan-2010 - Improved oral hygiene for children aged between 3 and10 is the aim of a new probiotic-based natural chew, designed to fight harmful bacteria and help to maintain tooth health, from Florida-based biopharmaceutical company Oragenics.

Industry working out details on new flavour regulation

25-Jan-2010 - The long lead time before regulatory changes become applicable means the flavour industry is prepared to support customers, says the president of the European Flavour Association (EFFA), though a few details are still being worked out.

GLG launches lower cost stevia sweeteners

20-Jan-2010 - GLG Life Tech is preparing to capitalize on the market potential of natural sweeteners with a new range of lower cost stevia-based ingredients.

Mars UK claims saturated fat reduction breakthrough

19-Jan-2010 - Mars and Snickers bars in the UK will have at least a 15 per cent reduction in saturated fats from summer 2010 following a reformulation breakthrough, claims Mars UK.

Could non-nutritive sweeteners boost energy intakes?

18-Jan-2010 - Consuming beverages sweetened with non-nutritive sweeteners may lead to an increase in food consumption, and contribute to weight gain, says a new study from Purdue University.

Tests prove removable chewing gum component safe, study

18-Jan-2010 - An assessment of Rev 7, an indigestible gum polymer that allows for the formulation of chewing gum with low adhesion enabling it to be easily removed from surfaces, claims it poses no safety risks.

Dried fruit show potential as green tea extract carriers

18-Jan-2010 - Fortifying dried fruit pieces like apple with green tea extracts may boost the antioxidant content of the finished product by four-fold, suggests a joint study from the US and Italy.