Hormel sells maker of Muscle Milk brand to PepsiCo for undisclosed sum

20 Feb 2019 --- Global food company Hormel Foods (Hormel) has sold its CytoSport business to US food and beverage giant PepsiCo for an undisclosed sum, as PepsiCo looks to expand its portfolio of healthier food and beverages. The transaction, which includes the sports and wellness brand Muscle Milk, is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to be finalized in 30-60 days.

Healthier indulgence: Beneo to showcase toffees with isomaltulose

25 Jan 2019 --- At this year’s ISM trade fair in Cologne, Beneo will showcase the first toffees made with its branded functional carbohydrate, Palatinose (isomaltulose). The new product concept has been created to offer consumers a healthier toffee alternative, as it replaces more than 30 percent of the high glycemic sugars contained in a standard toffee recipe, supporting a lower blood glucose response.

Fixing a broken food system at Davos 2019: Ellen MacArthur Foundation unveils circular approach

24 Jan 2019 --- By 2050, five million people a year could die due to factors related to the industrial production of food – twice the current number of people killed by obesity. This is according to a report, published by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, presented at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. The current food system has supported a fast-growing population and urbanization, but it’s not sustainable nor is it healthy. The harmful impact of pesticides, air and water pollution necessitate a circular economy approach to the food system, the report notes.

Solid start: Chr. Hansen Health & Nutrition growth driven by probiotics for infant formula

18 Jan 2019 --- Danish-headquartered bioscience company Chr. Hansen has reported solid organic revenue growth of 10 percent in the first three months of the financial year 2018/19. It corresponds to 6 percent reported growth due to adverse currency impacts.

Infant formula expansion: Valio receives Chinese export permit

10 Jan 2019 --- Valio’s consumer-packaged infant formulas have received an export permit from the Chinese authorities, which will allow the company to export its powdered infant formulas into China. The infant formulas are manufactured at the Lapinlahti plant in Finland, while the ready-to-feed liquid infant formulas are manufactured at the Turenki plant, in southern Finland.

“Landmark day”: GSK and Pfizer to form new Consumer Healthcare Joint Venture

19 Dec 2018 --- Pharma heavyweights GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and Pfizer Inc. have reached an agreement to combine the two companies’ consumer health businesses into a “new world-leading” Joint Venture, with combined sales of approximately £9.8 billion (US$12.7 billion). As a result of this JV, GSK intends to split into two businesses in the next three years – for prescription drugs and vaccines and for OTC products, including vitamin and mineral supplements. GSK is to hold a majority controlling equity interest of 68 percent, while Pfizer will have an equity interest of 32 percent in the Joint Venture.

Fermented horizons: NextFerm highlights yeast-derived astaxanthin

11 Dec 2018 --- NextFerm Technologies (Nextferm) is an Israeli biotech start-up company that is developing “cluster fermentation and processing technologies” and producing non-GMO fermentation-derived ingredients for the global food and feed industries. According to the company, its strategy is “comprehensive and focused on developing novel or ‘better than’ active ingredients via a heavy investment in science and technology to provide a lasting edge.”

2019 healthy NPD trends: Digestive health and personalization among Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute predictions

10 Dec 2018 --- The Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute (KHNI) has highlighted its perspective on the top ten forthcoming nutrition trends that we can expect to see in 2019, including authenticity & provenance, digestive wellness and sugar targets. The trends symbolize awareness around products, new ingredients which are backed by emerging science and public health recommendations which are driving the reduction in sugar content of foods across all categories, according to KHNI.

Vegan diet more beneficial to heart health than AHA recommended diet

10 Dec 2018 --- A comparative study by the American Heart Association (AHA) has shown that a vegan diet is more effective in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease than the AHA recommended diet.

Accelerating nutritional solutions: Nestlé Health Science launches new US R&D center

04 Dec 2018 --- Nestlé Health Science has opened a new US$70 million R&D facility in Bridgewater, New Jersey, US, in an effort to establish a global research and development hotspot to reinforce the company’s nutritional expertise.

Diana eyes synbiotic opportunities: Symrise Nutrition Division to assess polyphenol and probiotic synergies

04 Dec 2018 --- Diana, the Nutrition Division of Symrise, is eyeing the potential of fusing fruit and vegetable polyphenols with probiotic strains from the company’s Probi business for the creation of synbiotic ingredients. One of the key platforms for a new research project will be assessing the potential for optimal gut health products that combine Probi strains such as LP299V with prebiotics.

Healthy aging and bone health at HiE 2018: Calcium carbonates, vitamin K2 and resveratrol among key ingredients

30 Nov 2018 --- Due to the aging of the world’s population, there is an ongoing trend towards the enrichment of foods and beverages to avoid or prevent the health problems associated with growing older. At this year’s HiE in Frankfurt, Germany, bone health and senior nutrition were key themes and ingredient suppliers such as Omya, Faravelli and Evolva were keen to discuss their latest concepts which help target the growing trend for improving healthy aging.

Oleic acid CHD claims success: US FDA approves qualified claim petition on high level foods 

20 Nov 2018 --- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has responded positively to a petition for a new qualified health claim for edible oils containing oleic acid. As a result, products with an oleic acid content upward of 70 percent, such as certain olive, canola and sunflower oils, can be labeled as carrying cardiovascular benefits, but only when replacing heart-damaging saturated fat.

PepsiCo expands presence in plant-based space with acquisition of Health Warrior brand 

01 Nov 2018 --- PepsiCo has acquired Health Warrior, a US-based nutrition company that makes plant-based products including bars. The transaction will further expand the company's nutrition portfolio and marks the first investment led by the PepsiCo HIVE, a new entity within PepsiCo designed to grow emerging brands.

Startup Innovation Challenge 2018 nominees: Alternative proteins, upcycling side-streams

01 Nov 2018 --- The role of start-ups in shaping the future of the food and beverage industry is pronounced. Their role as thought leaders has driven multinational companies and legacy brands to invest in them – and learn from them: significant players are going small in their strategy. At HiE 2018, which will be held in Frankfurt at the end of November, a diverse range of start-ups that encompasses ingredients, technologies or services and plant-based finished products will compete for individual awards at the event. Here FoodIngredientsFirst takes a look at the technologies that are competing this year, with comments from the nominees.

Unilever enters “healthy” ice cream category with Culture Republick probiotic brand

22 Oct 2018 --- Unilever has launched its version of a better-for-you healthy ice cream with probiotics and protein. New brand Culture Republick is a low-calorie alternative in the increasingly popular healthy ice cream category which saw Halo Top scoop US grocery sales last year, taking market share away from iconic giants Ben & Jerry’s and Häagen-Dazs.

Clean label: Laboratoire PYC goes for transparency in supplements

10 Oct 2018 --- To meet the growing consumer demand for transparency in the products that they consume, Laboratoire PYC (part of the Solina group) has developed its own “clean label” range. This approach is aimed at providing products with a refined composition while using ingredients of natural origin.

Astaxanthin could help stave off sarcopenia in seniors

10 Oct 2018 --- A formulation containing AstaReal natural astaxanthin can provide a 40 percent increase in endurance and significantly improves muscle function in sarcopenia sufferers. This is according to a study by AstaMed investigating muscle loss and functional decline in older adults with the disease. Sarcopenia affects nearly a quarter of adults older than 60. Researchers published the findings in The Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle on the effectiveness of a new medical protocol to improve muscular function.

Polyol ambitions: Sunar Misir invests in sorbitol and maltitol capacity

24 Sep 2018 --- Sunar Misir plans to reach an installed capacity of 100,000 tons for its sorbitol and maltitol facility in Adana (Turkey) by the end of 2019. Sunar Mısır has over 33 years of experience with corn-based ingredients and offers sustainably-sourced, Non-GMO starches and starch derivatives for the global market.

DSM enters UK distribution partnership with Salutivia

10 Aug 2018 --- Salutivia has been appointed as the UK distributor for DSM Nutritional Products within the food, nutrition and supplement markets for customers served through the DSM distributor supply chain.