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Sweet regulation
Nonnutritive and low-calorie sweeteners are among the most carefully regulated ingredients in the food supply. As economies expand around the world, leading to increasing wealth and waistlines, food manufacturers will need a greater understanding of how different countries regulate alternative sweeteners. In its May issue, Food Technology examines regulations across the continents.
Also this month, Brian Wansink, director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab, discusses how food companies can help consumers eat less through portion-control packaging, labeling, and product reformulation. And in a feature on the history of canning, discover how Phillipe de Girard should receive the credit for marrying the tin can to Appert's heat preservation process.
Plus, columns this month cover formulating foods with acidulants, restructuring the food safety system, and more.
Read the May issue >>
"Agflation" pushing food prices up
Merrill Lynch Chief Investment Strategist Richard Bernstein has coined the term “agflation” to describe the phenomenon of rising food prices putting upward price pressure on producer and consumer inflation.
Given the expanding constraints on food supply, the changing demand for food, and the emergence of the energy industry as additional users of agriculture commodities such as corn, prices for various products are rising.
For consumers, this means higher food product prices, but Bernstein notes that it could be "good news" for processors, since they can pass along higher costs to the end user. According to the U.S. Department. of Agriculture, food inflation in the U.S. at the retail level is expected to reach 3.5% this year, after rising only 2.3% in 2006. The report also notes that this growth rate is not a U.S.-only story.
For more, see http://askmerrill.ml.com/res_article/1,2271,19659,00.html.
Labuza explains cotton candy crystallization
Theodore P. Labuza delivered the 45th Fred W. Tanner Lecture at the Chicago IFT Section meeting Monday, May 14. Labuza spoke on “Soft Condensed Matter: A Perspective on the Physics of Food States & Stability”. Labuza is an authority on water activity, food safety, time-temperature tags, and, the topic he covered in his lecture, phase transitions in foods.
Labuza started his lecture by mentioning that in 1991 Roos and Karel introduced the concept of applying the glass transition curve for sugar on top of the phase diagram of the sugar water mixture. They published their work in the December 1991 issue of Food Technology magazine
Labuza said that although the curve is an extremely useful tool that combines aw and Tg in one graph, it has limited applicability, likely due to a misunderstanding of the basic physics, thermodynamics, and kinetics of food systems.
He discussed using the Karel state diagram to understand the physical changes in three foods. Labuza used work done by his children in various science fairs and other venues, including IFT’s Annual Meeting, to highlight the usefulness of state diagrams. He focused on the effect of water content and temperature on the physical state changes of cotton candy, hardball candy, and crisp snacks, i.e., an amorphous glass to/from an amorphous rubber state or to a crystalline state.
Besides Roos and Karel, Labuza referenced other pioneers in the field such as Louise Slade and Harry Levine. Marcus Karel was the Tanner Lecturer in 1992, Slade and Levine were Tanner Lecturers in 2004.
Fred Tanner, the focus of this outstanding lecture series sponsored by the Chicago IFT Section, was a pioneer in applying basic biological science to the study of the microbial stability of foods.
For more, see http://www.chicagoift.org/tanner.ph.
Research Briefs
Frozen dough performance
Frozen bread doughs, dough balls, frozen rolls, and loaves have provided an easier way for food service to provide variety and fresh bread to consumers. One no longer finds trays and trays of bread in the refuse bin after a couple of slow days. That's all good, but frozen product can result in lower loaf volume, badly shaped loaves or rolls, and other woes. The problems are blamed on crystallization of free water, which among other problems, includes breakage of the gluten net and damage to the yeast cell membrane. So, what to do?
Researchers from the University of Novi Sad (Bulgaria), University of Belgrade, and the University of Tennessee decided to check the published effects of several hydrocolloids to determine which worked most effectively, and how much it took to do the job. The various hydrocolloids included xanthan 0.02%, 0.06%, and 0.1%; κ-carrageenan and carboxymethylcellulose 0.2%, 0.6%, and 1.0%. The researchers stored the doughs at −18 °C and analyzed them after 0, 7, 14, and 30 days for yeast fermentation activity and dough rising time. After each time period, bread was prepared and characterized for specific volume, crumb firmness, and crumb structure.
The gums -- all gums and all concentrations -- reduced fermentation activity of yeast and prolonged the rising time of dough, which was similar to the effects of frozen storage. However, specific volume of bread for the control sample significantly decreased on the 30th day of frozen storage. Bread made with the hydrocolloids provided greater specific volume, compared to the specific volume of control sample loaves. It required 0.1% xanthan to provide greater volume, considerably less than the addition of caatboxycellulose and kappa-carrageenan to have the same effect.
Effects of Hydrophilic Hydrocolloids on Dough and Bread Performance of Samples Made from Frozen Doughs
Journal Food Science 72 (4) Page S235 - May 2007
doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2007.00337.x
PCB risks from eating fish
When humans are exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from food, fish are often blamed. Researchers from the Medicine Veterinary Faculty, University of Bari, Italy, analyzed fish species from the Adriatic Sea for incidence of PCBs and the specific ones present in seafood flesh. Contamination levels among the different species varied from 134 to 1210 ng/g lipid weight.
Their article in the Journal of Food Science contains several tables that list the number of fish meals that can be eaten safely, and the different PCB load levels for various types of fish. This information may prove helpful in determining what kinds of fish can be included safely in meals for those consumers with particular risk factors.
Residues of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Edible Fish of the Adriatic Sea: Assessment of Human Exposure
Journal of Food Science. 72 (4), Pages C183-C187 - May 2007
doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2007.00348.x
Role of transgenic livestock in treatment of human disease
On May 14, The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) is releasing a new Issue Paper, "The Role of Transgenic Livestock in the Treatment of Human Disease". Written and reviewed by a six-member task force, this paper is Part 6 in the CAST series on “Animal Agriculture’s Future through Biotechnology.”
Transgenic livestock have the potential to play a critical role in the production of new medications for the treatment of human disease. According to Task Force Chair Carol L. Keefer, University of Maryland, “This role may consist of the actual production of recombinant proteins, including biotherapeutic proteins and antibodies, or it may involve the development of new animal models that can be used in studies relating to human diseases. Both approaches can provide significant advances in the development of new treatments.”
For more, see http://www.cast-science.org/.
Company News
McNeil and Merisant reach sweetener settlement
McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, and Merisant Company have reached a settlement agreement regarding a lawsuit between the two parties that is being heard in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. McNeil markets the no-calorie sweetener Splenda and is headquartered in Fort Washington, Penn. Merisant markets Equal and Canderel low-calorie sweeteners and is headquartered in Chicago, Ill.
Merisant had accused McNeil of confusing consumers into thinking its product was healthier and more natural than other artificial sweeteners. McNeil countered that it simply has a better product backed by superior advertising.
The advertising from McNeil, which markets Splenda on behalf of Splenda manufacturer Tate & Lyle, said, “Made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar!"
Splenda's production starts with sugar as a raw material.
The details of the settlement agreement are confidential and both parties have agreed to make no additional comment on the terms of the agreement, subject to the parties' agreement and applicable law.
Ajinomoto reports decrease in net income
Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Japanese food and flavor manufacturer, announced its results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. The company had net sales of 1,158.5 billion yen (a 5% increase from the previous fiscal year), operating income was 63.8 billion yen (a 6% increase), ordinary income was 61.5 billion yen (a 0% increase), and net income was 30.2 billion yen (a 13% decrease).
The company said that sales of sweeteners for processed food manufacturers grew substantially, centered on demand from major customers.
Cargill and Ashland join up to develop biobased chemicals
Ashland Inc. and Cargill have agreed to create a new joint venture devoted solely to the development and production of biobased chemicals. The parties intend for the new stand-alone entity to become a leading global supplier of chemicals from renewable sources.
The venture’s first product will be propylene glycol (PG). Using both licensed and proprietary technology, the joint venture will produce high-grade propylene glycol from glycerin, an abundant co-product of biodiesel production. The joint venture expects to provide global manufacturing and marketing of biobased PG, starting with a 65,000 metric ton-per-year plant at a yet-to-be-finalized location in Europe.
With a 50-50 ownership structure, Cargill and Ashland will bring to the new venture their unique technology, innovation, and expertise in bioprocessing, along with chemical formulation, supply chain management, and market analysis. The venture anticipates a combined initial capital investment in the range of $80 million to $100 million. Details on the name, leadership, and development plans are expected to be announced later in 2007.
"We believe the chemical market has reached a tipping point where biobased and petroleum-based options are both desired by the market and practical to produce. To be in a position where Ashland can offer biobased specialty chemical products in the future, we need to help foster the creation of biobased basic chemicals now," said Walter Solomon, vice president and chief growth officer, Ashland Inc. "We are creating our future and we’ve found a terrific partner in Cargill to do so."
Tate & Lyle reformulates Cacolac
French dairy specialist Cacolac has developed a new energy reduced version of its iconic cocoa drink, following a reformulation by Tate & Lyle. Launched in 1954, the brand Cacolac is a household name in France. Cacolac Infini, which is fat free and has no added sugars, is the first reformulation since 1993. The cocoa drink, which is primarily marketed towards women, also contains added fiber.
Cacolac first approached Tate & Lyle with the intention of developing a reduced sugar version of its chocolate flavored beverage sweetened with sucralose. In addition to reformulation work, Tate & Lyle also offered guidance on labeling regulations and on-packaging health claims. In order to meet the claims suggested by Tate & Lyle’s regulatory team, the new cocoa drink has been specially formulated to meet the following product claims: "Reduced sugars"; "Energy reduced"; "With no added sugars"; "Source of fiber"; and "Fat-free".
Del Monte launches energy drink for women
Del Monte Foods has jumped into the energy beverage market with Bloom Energy(TM), an energy drink formulated for women and made with antioxidants, nutrients, and a full serving of fruit.
Del Monte hopes to capitalize on the fast growing and highly profitable energy drink segment. In fact, the energy drink category has grown 60% from 2005 to 2006, to about $2.6 billion wholesale, according to Beverage Marketing. This segment has increased in popularity due to consumer’s busy personal schedules, longer work days, and commutes.
With the tagline “spread good energy,” Del Monte hopes to attract women in search of an alternative to traditional caffeinated beverages. One can of Bloom Energy has only 100 calories, and is a convenient way to get a full serving of fruit, daily essential vitamins, and nutrients. The company says that Bloom Energy is nutritionally superior to many other leading energy drinks, delivering 100% of Vitamin C and five B Vitamins, and a good source of Calcium and Vitamin D. Bloom Energy is also naturally caffeinated with antioxidant-rich white tea extract.
"As more consumers are looking for convenient ways to incorporate the FDA recommended daily serving of fruits into their diet, it is important for companies to address these needs,"said Laura Molseed, Registered Dietitian for Del Monte Foods. "Products high in antioxidants are especially important because they help protect the body’s cells from the damaging effects of 'free radicals'and are used to reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease."
The beverage, available at major retailers this month, is offered in three flavors: wild berry, cran raspberry, and mango passionfruit.
SunOpta acquires Mexican fruit processor
SunOpta, Inc., has acquired Mexican fruit processor Congeladora del Rio, S.A. de C.V. ("Del Rio") and its U.S.-based marketing agent, Global Marketing. Del Rio and Global Marketing have annualized revenues of approximately $11 million.
Del Rio operates a fruit processing facility in Irapuato, Mexico. The facility processes strawberries, peaches, mangos, bananas, pineapples, honeydew melons, and other fruits into individually quick frozen, block frozen, and purees for the food service, industrial, and retail markets. Global, located in Greenville, South Carolina, markets 100% of the fruits processed at Del Rio. Global’s offices include executive management, sales, customer service and accounting support.
Under the terms of the agreement, SunOpta purchased all of the net operating assets, including working capital, equipment, land, and buildings in Irapuato. SunOpta plans to expand Del Rio’s capacity and operations in the short term, consistent with its global supply chain expansion strategy.
The transactions further vertically integrate the SunOpta Fruit Group’s fruit supply chain and expand its core production capabilities. The Group will continue to purchase millions of pounds of various fruits from global processors to supply its private label retail, food service, and industrial customers.
Sergio Varela, president of the SunOpta Fruit Group, commented, "The acquisitions of Del Rio and Global Trading further enhance our ability to meet customer demand while maintaining control over the supply chain. These transactions reflect the execution of our global expansion strategy, which benefit our customers in ensuring consistent supply and quality, and a cost efficient supply chain."
Regulatory News
Chinese to overall country’s food safety system
According to news reports, the Chinese government made public a resolution adopted last month to overhaul the country's food-safety system.
The edict vows to "crack down on the illegal production, sale, and use" of banned pesticides, fertilizers, veterinary medicines, and feed additives, and to rein in small-scale food manufacturers that operate illegally.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D., Ill.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D., Conn.), met with FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach and Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong on May 14. The lawmakers announced they had secured a commitment that the two governments would "work toward a mutual agreement" to improve import inspections and other food-safety measures.
USDA posts list of allowed “organic” substances
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed its amended National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) regulations to enact recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) during public meetings held May 6-8, 2002, in Austin, Texas, and March 27-29, 2007, in Washington, DC. Consistent with the NOSB recommendations, this proposed rule proposes to add 38 substances, along with any restrictive annotations, to the National List regulations.
For more, see Federal Register of May 15, 2007.
UK Food Agency to consider folate intakes
At its next meeting on May 17, the UK Food Standards Agency will consider options for improving folate intakes by women of reproductive age, thereby preventing neural tube defects.
For more, see www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/fsa070504.pdf
FDA czar speaks on food safety
On May 9, the FDA Assistant Commissioner for Food Protection David Acheson spoke before the U.S. House of Representations on the importation of contaminated animal feed ingredients and the impact on food safety and animal health. For a text of the speech, see www.fda.gov/ola/2007/melamine050907.html.
IFT & Meeting News
IFT webcasts - get the facts behind the headlines
 Over one thousand products making "high antioxidant" claims -- from teas to energy drinks to candy bars -- were introduced in 2006, compared with 159 in 2004, according to Datamonitor. Are antioxidants and botanicals the next food manufacturing "must haves?"
Rely on IFT webcasts to stay current on these issues, as well as on regulations affecting you and your job. In fact, regulations have been recently proposed concerning the labeling of gluten-free products. Do you know the facts? Get the real story on the controversies making headlines! Get your questions answered at these live IFT webcasts by interacting directly with the experts.
Botanicals in Energy Fueling Foods: A View Into the Science Behind the Claims
May 23, 2007, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. CT
The Quest to Define and Develop Gluten Free
June 28, 2007, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. CT
Visit ift.org/knowledge for more information and to register. When registering, enter this market code: 0507EM1048.
Employment Bureau now accessible
That's right! Job seekers and employers can now visit the IFT Employment Bureau online and arrive at the meeting with their interview schedules set. So don't wait until the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo begins to check out the Employment Bureau. Start now to access resumes and job openings, use the private e-mail system, and set up interviews. Participate in the largest on-site recruiting event for food science professionals today!
Save $100 on IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo registration
This summer, more than 20,000 top food science and industry professionals from around the world will convene in Chicago at the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo. It’s the ONLY event that brings together professionals from all of the many disciplines involved in food science and technology for scientific education, networking, and career development.
Registration is now open! Early birds, save $100 when you register by June 29, 2007. Visit ift.org/amfe for more information and to register.
Sensory scientists to meet
The 7th Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium will be held August 12-16, 2007 in
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sensory scientists from around the world will share experiences and exchange ideas on the latest research and practice in sensory evaluation and consumer research. For more, see http://www.pangborn2007.com/
Newsletter Archive
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