Planning law 'must stem fast food tide'

01-Jan-2012 - Shadow minister for public health Diane Abbott has called for tougher local planning controls to restrict the proliferation of fast food outlets in poor inner city areas. She says the outlets are feeding the obesity epidemic afflicting the nation.

Food guru slams government’s food policy

14-Dec-2011 - UK food policy has taken a backward step under the coalition government, according to Tim Lang, professor of food policy at City University, London.

Comment

Lobbyists, start your engines: Can a new health claims formula be won in the European Parliament?

12-Dec-2011 - Five years ago the European Union nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) became law. Around the bloc, hopeful EU healthy foods and supplements stakeholders submitted more than 44,000 health claim applications.

Hunter-gatherer diet can cut obesity and aid food security

05-Dec-2011 - Reverting to the 'snacking habits' of our hunter-gatherer ancestors will help reverse the obesity epidemic facing the developed world and address food security issues, new research has revealed.

Reduced sugar claims can mislead consumers

05-Dec-2011 - New research has revealed that British consumers feel misled by the claim ‘reduced sugar’ .

Step up to cater for our ageing population

05-Dec-2011 - Manufacturers are missing out on the commercial opportunities presented by an ageing population by not providing foods targeted at the dietary needs of the elderly, according to experts in the field.

'First' for gluten-free tortellini

05-Dec-2011 - Sainsbury is continuing to expand its free-from frozen offering with the launch of what it says is the first gluten- and wheat-free tortellini ready meal from DS-gluten free.

Coming soon: new source of essential fatty acids

05-Dec-2011 - Cargill and BASF Plant Science have agreed to co-develop a new dietary source of the essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA/DHA).

Comment

We have more than the economy to cry about

05-Dec-2011 - As 2011 draws to a close, many in the food industry can look back and say that, in some respects, there has been more than just the state of the economy to cry about.

News in brief

Whitehall denies plans to ditch salt targets

05-Dec-2011 - The government has no plans to drop salt targets, a spokesman for the Department of Health (DoH) has told FoodManufacture.co.uk.

Health tops Leatherhead 2012 food trends

02-Dec-2011 - Renewed interest in health and wellness leads the top 10 trends set to dominate the UK food and drink sector in 2012, according to Leatherhead Food Research.

Millions invested in global cranberry processing

02-Dec-2011 - Ocean Spray Cranberries is channelling millions of dollars into expanding global cranberry processing capacity, making it easier for UK concentrate manufacturers to secure supplies.

Food for seniors is one of 10 top trends for 2012

30-Nov-2011 - Food products designed for consumers over the age of 65 is one of the key food trends that will dominate 2012, according to marketing research firm Innova Market Insights.

Fruitapeel appeals to food award judges

28-Nov-2011 - Fruitapeel was awarded the Judges’ Special Award at the 2011 Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards on November 8, having caught the attention of the judging panel with its innovation strategy.

Diabetic foods need partnership to unlock potential

25-Nov-2011 - Food and drink manufacturers are showing increased interest in the market for diabetic products but need to work more closely with academics in order to unlock the sector’s potential, claims a researcher.

Government slammed for obesity group closure

18-Nov-2011 - The government’s decision to abolish the panel of experts advising ministers on tackling obesity is like “turning the policy-clock back 10 years”, according to panel member Professor Timothy Lang.

News in brief

Health firm fined after worker lost finger

16-Nov-2011 - A Yorkshire firm which manufactures health and nutrition products was fined £4,887.65 after a worker’s finger was severed by a blending machine.

Diabetic foods ‘goldmine’ could yield ‘billions’

14-Nov-2011 - Foods designed and marketed for diabetics are an undiscovered goldmine which could yield billions of pounds, experts have claimed.

Food and drink manufacturers celebrate success

08-Nov-2011 - The best of the best. Nothing less was celebrated last night at the Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards.

Food price inflation: second highest in the EU

07-Nov-2011 - UK consumer inflation on food is the second highest in the EU – up 6.4% while world commodity prices are falling.

News in brief

Public Health Responsibility Deal ‘no silver bullet’

02-Nov-2011 - The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has welcomed comments from the Health Select Committee about the government’s Public Health Responsibility Deal describing the plan as “no silver bullet” to tackle obesity.

Feature

Fruitful study

01-Nov-2011 - The term 'super fruit' is so overused it's nearly lost its meaning. The popular definition has tended to focus on nutrition and health. But some processors are using the term to highlight fruit that has strong technical uses in manufacturing.

Seeds of change

01-Nov-2011 - Here are two things that we all know about the plant compounds that crop up in everything from fruit and veg to tea, chocolate and red wine: First, there's a growing mountain of evidence that phytochemicals mainly flavonoids and polyphenols deliver a catalogue of health benefits. Second, lab experiments show that these same compounds are great at mopping up free radicals.

Alginate: the way to manage weight?

01-Nov-2011 - Scientists at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne are investigating the use of potential new weight management ingredients for foods such as bread based on alginates, which can be extracted from seaweed.