Accelerated by the health-conscious consumer and new UK rules, food and drink producers have been working hard to reformulate their recipes. But what have been the obstacles in their way, is there any benefit to these tweaks, and will it help curb obesity?
New research which compared the taste perception of less processed foods with ultra-processed foods (UPFs), found that participants viewed UPFs no more favourably.
Nidhi Jain, commodity specialist at The Smart Cube, looks at what is causing price increases in cocoa and sugar and how food producers can prevent supply chain disruptions during periods of increased input costs.
Global sugar prices increased by 41.9% in the 12 months to June 2023, with insights firm The Smart Cube projecting further rises in the second half of this year.
By Mikhail Vishnyakov, Emily Davies and Mark Tushingham
Much of the world’s oil, grains, seeds and fats are traded via FOSFA contracts, but against a backdrop of supply chain disruption and agricultural shortages, we may see a rise in disputes. Here, three legal experts outline the key features of FOSFA arbitrations...
Continued growth of food sales at Associated British Foods (ABF) have produced a strong set of results for the manufacturer in its third quarter 2023 trading update.
Switching to non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) will not help reduce weight and could lead to an increased risk of a number of non-communicable diseases, according to new guidelines from The World Health Organisation (WHO).
Food and drink firms reported sweeping reductions in sugar in the Government’s Sugar Reduction Programme: Industry progress update, but criticism was levelled against the industry for its inability to meet voluntary targets.
Food waste, sugar and animal welfare were among the top concerns for British consumers when buying food, according to a new report from the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Pressure to make products healthier for shoppers may have temporarily eased as prices have soared, but that doesn't mean processors are easing off reformulation or innovation, says Alyson Magee.
The Government must build on its Food Strategy white paper by supporting the dairy trade's expansion in the UK and export markets, according to Arla Foods UK boss Ash Amirahmadi.
Widespread confusion about important areas of nutrition exists among UK consumers of all ages, according to the findings of a new survey from the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF).
The Government Food Strategy has avoided backing 'bold, evidence-based recommendations' in Henry Dimbleby's National Food Strategy that would have significantly improved the UK food system – a 'shambolic' decision, pressure groups...
Doughnut maker Urban Legend has praised the Government for sticking to its 1 October deadline for introducing restrictions on retail promotions of food and drink high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS).
Almost half of food businesses are not prepared for high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) legislations, due to be implemented from 1 October, according to GS1 UK.
Vegan snack manufacture Pri’s Puddings has reformulated its product range to be compliant with forthcoming Government rules on high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) foods.
Some of the UK's foremost experts on food and drink reformulation will offer essential insight and guidance on vital topics at Food Manufacture's virtual conference Reformulation: What Next? from 29-30 March.
Intakes of added and free sugar should be as low as possible – in line with current recommendations – for a nutritionally adequate diet, according to a new report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Associated British Foods (ABF) claims its sugar and ingredients divisions have delivered powerful performances in the 24 weeks to 5 March 2022, while Twinings Ovaltine proved a star performer in its grocery channel.
Britvic is cutting the sugar content across the six bestselling Rockstar Energy drinks, six months before restrictions on retail promotions of high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products start in October.
Biscuit and snacks manufacturer Pladis has slashed saturated fat and sugar in its Go Ahead Fruit & Oat Bakes, so they now escape the Government's HFSS (High in Fat, Salt and Sugar) classification.
Growing sales of Premier Foods' Mr Kipling and Cadbury cakes have helped it continue to wipe out debt, while increased sugar, ingredients and grocery sales helped ABF offset rising commodity costs.
Ask The Expert, in collaboration with the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST)
Vicky Collett, (consultant) global quality manager for a joint venture between PepsiCo and Unilever, explores the challenges of sugar reduction in soft drinks.
Associated British Foods (ABF) is managing to offset what it describes as 'an escalation' in utility, supply and raw material costs through cost efficiencies and price recovery.
Action on Sugar, the campaign group, has called for the removal of misleading nutrition and health claims baby and toddler snacks after claiming that some contain an much as two teaspoons of sugar per serve.
Nestlé has boosted its vegan offering with the launch of plant-based egg and shrimp, as its reveals its latest progress toward reducing sugar in its cereal products.
Amid concerns about the urgency of tackling climate change and the environmental impact of food systems, the fundamental importance of food as a source of nutrition and a means to good health is sometimes overlooked.
Digital feature: bakery & confectionery ingredients
The advent of COVID-19 in the UK sparked a major shift in the outlook of consumers: home baking surged and issues such as health and sustainability assumed greater importance.
Part 2 of Henry Dimbleby’s recommendations to Government for a National Food Strategy, published on 15 July are ambitious and positioned to address the major challenges facing the food system: climate change, biodiversity loss, land use, diet-related...
The National Food Strategy Part 2 has provoked mixed reactions, with big grocery retailers backing calls for mandatory reporting of key information, while others have criticised sugar and salt tax proposals.
A PepsiCo and Quadram Institute-led project developing foods that slowly release energy to help battle obesity has been granted a second year of support by the European institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT).
Industrial action has been threatened across British Sugar’s factories in the east of England, after members of worker union Unite rejected a ‘not so sweet’ pay offer from the manufacturer.
Claims that excess consumption of ‘ultra-processed’ foods lead to health issues and obesity in children risk overshadowing other dietary risks and demonising some healthier food options, according to the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF).
The Queen’s Speech has been criticised by food industry representatives for its lack of focus on provision for food and drink skills, and the sweeping ban on junk food ads that it heralded.
Poorly defined restrictions on products high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) in the Government’s obesity regulation efforts could risk damaging the sport nutrition industry, the European Specialist Sport Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA) claims.
Sedamyl has announced plans to invest £80m in expanding distilling and liquid sweetener production at its Selby plant in Yorkshire - a former Tate & Lyle site - creating 75 jobs.
Out-of-home declines at Britvic offset sales growth in at-home products in its first quarter (Q1), Tate & Lyle's primary product sales rose in the three months to 31 December and Diageo reported dented interims.
A new flour made from chickpeas could help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in people eating white bread, according to researchers at the Quadram Institute.
Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) is gearing up for further growth and launches focused on ready-to-drink Costa Coffee products, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer and energy drinks among other areas in 2021.
Global food ingredients supplier Beneo discusses the launch of the first instant clean label rice starch able to withstand harsh processing conditions, which debuted at virtual trade show Fi Europe Connect 2020 earlier this month.
UK bosses of global food manufacturers, including General Mills, Associated British Foods and PepsiCo have called for the Government to extend its consultation on plans to ban online advertising for 'unhealthy foods'.
