The Indian packaged food industry is predicted to reach the average annual growth of up to a fifth that will double in value to reach US$30bn in three years’ time, says a leading trade body in the country. According to the research from The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), changing demographics, improvements in packaging and processing,...
Link between food packaging and cancer
A chemical ingredient that is used to designate oil and grease-repellent layers for food packaging could possibly be linked to kidney and testicular cancer. The chemical, known as C-8P or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), is normally emitted into the air and water supply by DuPont’s West Virginia site from the 1950s until recently when findings were published regarding a ‘probable link’....
Food safety law: Violators could suffer lengthy prison terms
Violators of Shanghai’s food safety laws will still be punished severely such as lengthy prison terms, says the city’s high court. The announcement comes after eighteen defendants were punished with jail term between six months and six-and-a-half years for getting involved in food and drug safety crimes. Ding Shouxing, the deputy director of Shanghai’s High People’s Court, said: “Shanghai courts...
Two novel peptides identified in peanut protein
Two novel peptides identified in peanut protein could make strong umami flavour and its enhancing abilities, according to a study. From the South China University of Technology, researchers claim that they have identified novel peptides in peanut protein waste that could elicit “intense umami and umami-enhancing effects”. The team has discovered and purified two novel taste peptides from peanut hydrolysate...
Chewing gum damages short-term memory
Chewing gum damages short-term memory, according to researchers. Contrary to previous studies that suggested chewing gum could improve recall, researchers at Cardiff University, UK, claim that chewing gum delivers negative consequences for short term memory (STM) in the same way as a peripheral speech impediment. Led by Michail Kozlov, the research team said: “We show for the first time that...
FSB announces to build new bakery in Poland
Fresh Start Bakeries (FSB) has announced their plan to build a new bakery in Poland to improve distribution in Central Europe. The new production plant in Strzegom will produce bread, hamburger buns and muffins on three production lines predominantly supplying the restaurant market. The 13,000 sq m bakery will be FSB’s second in Poland and the seventh in Europe. Most...
Garlic-derived compound eliminates bacteria
A garlic-derived compound could offer the food industry a quick and more effective antimicrobial tool in the fight against Campylobacter on poultry products, says a US study. Washington State University (WSU) researchers examined the ability of diallyl sulphide to kill Campylobacter bacterium protected by biofilms. The team of researchers also found that diallyl sulphide would work in a fraction of...
Bio-based plastics study inaccurate
A recent study that discovered no bio-based plastics are fully sustainable was based on out-of-date information and contained significant inaccuracies, says the leading manufacturer of one of the materials covered in research. READ WHOLE STORY: There’s no use of bio-based plastics in commercial or under development: Study US-based NatureWorks, which produces more than 90% of global polylactic acid (PLA), said...
Food and drink manufacturing degrees
A new university degree specialising in food and drink manufacturing will revolutionise the delivery of engineering into the industry, says a UK trade body. UK-based Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said it plans to launch the degree in September 2014 as it sought university partners from across the country to develop the cause. The firm said: “The new degree course...
Unilever sales growth 12% up in first quarter
Unilever had a sales growth of 8.4% with a turnover up by almost 12% 50 12.1bn euros in the first quarter of this year thanks to the Magnum Infinity range launched in Europe. Growth in developed markets had risen up to 4.2% whilst 11.9% was achieved in emerging markets. Pricing had also increased by 4.7%. Other than the ice cream,...