Top Stories
Food products: Next big thing
New food products are introduced based on cultural and consumer participation. Going back to the late 1940s, or even earlier, we can identify successive waves of food trends in the U.S. Convenience, vitamin and mineral fortification, fat replacement, fiber and concern about carbohydrates, high protein, and so-called functional foods are prominent as well as repeating themes over the years. (See Liz Sloan’s Top Ten Functional Food Trends in the April issue of Food Technology.) Overarching on these themes are product cost and taste.
Beakers
The food products trade press and other would-be trend setters do a fair amount of prognostication in an attempt to identify these trends.
We may not be qualified to predict trends, but the next big food product trend might be what Nestle is calling Popularly Positioned Products. These locally products are aimed at consumers with reduced spending power and combine the best taste and nutrition. Maybe the next big thing is a variant of these products for all, called such as Proper Products. Food products combining understanding of local needs with excellent taste and nutrition along with attention to costs.
Also, don’t forget to take our short informal survey on cost reformulation of products.
New Food Technology posted
The April issue of Food Technology has been posted to http://www.foodtechnology.org/.
This month’s issue has reports on “The Top 10 Functional Food Trends” by Liz Sloan; “Bacteriophages — New Weapons for Food Safety” by Steven Hagens and Mark L. Offerhaus; and “Obtaining Greater Value from Food Crops” by Ernesto A. Brovelli and Rhona S. Applebaum.
IFT calls for additional farm bill funding for land-grant universities
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) today called for additional funding to support research at land-grant universities through the Farm Bill.
“Although there is compelling evidence that food and agricultural research are already chronically underfunded, the current Farm Bill under consideration by the House and Senate represent a cut in mandatory funding for research in excess of 75 percent,” according to IFT President John Floros, PhD. “At the very least, the Farm Bill should help land-grant universities retain the modest level of mandatory funding for food and agricultural research, extension and education (RE&E) in the final conference report for the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419).”
The success of every other Title in the Farm Bill is dependent in large part on the scientific outcomes and extension enabled through Research Title programs and funding. However, to meet an overall funding limit for the Farm Bill, the House and Senate are considering a cut of $1.24 billion from mandatory funding in the Research Title to help pay for other program increases.
Critical research conducted at land-grant universities has many positive effects on the food supply. This research enables scientists to:
* Determine key linkages between food and human diseases;
* Identify new ways to make our food supply safer;
* Discover ways to combat plant and animal disease in fields and ranches;
* Keep pathogens and other dangers out of our water, plants, and animals; and,
* Develop new, more sustainable techniques to provide foods with enhanced quality, nutrition, and convenience.
According to Floros: “Every day we are faced with new and emerging global challenges in food and agriculture that transcend borders. Put simply, a lack of funding will stifle scientific discovery and negatively impact how scientists confront the next generation of food challenges. The bottom line: Food and agriculture research is an affordable program with priceless results.”
Last night, a Farm Bill extension bill was introduced. It is scheduled for consideration on the House Floor this morning with a possible extension to late May.
Research Briefs
Milling on functional properties of rice flour
Researchers at the USDA’s Southern Regional Research Center looked at a commercial long-grain rice flour and the flours made by using a pin mill and the Udy mill from the same batch of broken second-head white long-grain rice. The flours were evaluated for their particle size and functional properties to compare the commercial rice flour milling method to the pin and Udy milling methods.
Their results showed that pin milled flour had more uniform particle size than the other 2 milled flours. The chalky kernels found in broken white milled rice were pulverized more into fines in both Udy milled flour and commercial rice flour than in the pin milled flour. The excessive amount of fines in flours affected their functional properties and their potential usage in the novel foods such as rice breads. The rice bread made from the commercial rice flour collapsed more than loaves made from pin milled Cypress long-grain flours.
For more, see Journal of Food Science
Potential health risks posed by benzene in beverages
A recent study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicated that some beverages contained benzene at levels above the federal drinking water standard of 5 parts per billion (ppb). In tests conducted by the FDA, Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange was reported to contain benzene levels as high as 87.9 ppb. A group of researchers from Texas wanted to characterize benzene concentrations in the Crystal Light beverage and to quantify potential human health risks.
Twenty-eight samples of CLSCO were obtained from retail stores in Houston, Tex., U.S.A. The mean benzene concentrations in 16 oz original and new formulation bottles were 90 and 0.18 ppb, respectively, while 64-oz bottles contained an average of 3.38 ppb.
A variety of exposure scenarios were evaluated to determine potential health risks using both deterministic and probabilistic techniques. In the deterministic analyses, upper bound point estimate cancer risks ranged from 5.4E-6 to 8.7E-8, while hazard indices ranged from 0.28 to 0.00104. Probabilistic analyses were conducted to develop more realistic cancer risk estimates. In these analyses, the 50th and 95th percentile cancer risk estimates were 3.7E-6 and 8.0E-6, and the 50th and 95th percentile hazard indices were 0.19 and 0.42, respectively.
The researchers conclude that all cancer risk estimates and noncancer hazards met the typical health risk benchmarks established by the U.S. regulatory agencies (1E-4 to 1E-6 for cancer and hazard indices less than 1.0).
For more, see Journal of Food Science
No benefit from antioxidant supplements
A Cochrane Database of Systematic Review looked at data from 67 randomized trials that involved almost 250,000 people that failed to demonstrate that antioxidant vitamin and selenium supplements will prolong life expectancy.
For more, see Cochrane Database of Systematic Review
And a news story here
Dark chocolate may not have proposed health benefits
A group of researchers from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute have found that consumption of dark chocolate and cocoa may not boost heart health and cognition in healthy elderly people, and may actually increase pulse rates.
The objective of the study was to examine the short-term effects of dark chocolate and cocoa on variables associated with neuropsychological functioning and cardiovascular health in healthy older adults.
The researchers found no significant interactions for the neuropsychological, hematological, or blood pressure variables examined. In contrast, the midpoint and end-of-treatment mean pulse rate assessments in the dark chocolate and cocoa group were significantly higher than those at baseline and significantly higher than the midpoint and end-of-treatment rates in the control group.
For more, see American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Aspartame safety study questioned
As a follow-up to a news item questioning the safety of aspartame published in the April 2 newsletter, we have been forwarded to a criticism of the study by John Fernstrom with the Univ. of Pittsburgh. Fernstrom identifies several issues in the study including that the study ignores a large number of studies that show aspartame is not neurotoxic.
For more, see European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Company News
Poultry processor to reduce production by 5%
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. today said it plans to reduce weekly chicken processing by approximately 5% in the second half of fiscal 2008 when compared to the same period a year ago, as part of its continuing effort to better balance supply and demand amid record-high costs for feed ingredients such as corn and soybean meal.
The reduction began with eggs set earlier this month and should take full effect with weekly processing beginning in June. The company said the reduction will remain in effect until average industry margins return to more normalized levels. The 5% reduction includes the impact of the previously announced closing of the Pilgrim’s Pride plant in Siler City, NC, which should be completed by June.
“Soaring feed-ingredient costs fueled by the federal government’s misguided ethanol policy has created a crisis in our industry, the true effects of which are only just now beginning to be felt by American consumers in the form of higher food prices,” said Clint Rivers, president and chief executive officer. “Over the past two weeks, a growing number of smaller chicken producers have announced production cutbacks in an effort to manage these unprecedented increases for corn and soybean meal, which are expected to add billions of dollars of cost to our industry this year.”
The company also said it is continuing to review its production facilities for potential mix changes, closure and/or consolidation in response to current negative industry fundamentals. Pilgrim’s Pride acknowledged that its processing complex in El Dorado, Ark., is among those being reviewed for possible closure. But the company emphasized that no decision has been made at this time.
Barry Callebaut and Biolands test smallholder cocoa program
Barry Callebaut, a manufacturer of cocoa and chocolate products, has acquired a 49% stake in Biolands, Africa’s largest exporter of certified organic cocoa based in Tanzania, after purchasing 100% of Biolands’ top-grade cocoa for the past eight years.
The Biolands enterprise is one of the largest organic smallholder cocoa programs in the world. Starting in Tanzania in 1999, Biolands has applied a bottom-up cooperation model, working directly with smallholder farmers to ensure fair prices are paid to the farmers and to improve the quality of cocoa and the farmers’ quality of life.
Through a bean collection system reaching the villages, farmers are paid directly at delivery. A second payment is made after the season. In addition to providing training in cocoa growing, technical advice and supplies, Biolands has supplied more than 600,000 cocoa seedlings to help improve farms.
Castle to restructure operations in Ireland and UK
Castle Brands Inc., a spirits company based in the U.S., announced today that it is restructuring its operations in Ireland and the U.K., which will permit a reduction in losses. The restructuring will result in a reduction of personnel in both offices, largely in office administration and sales. The company’s products will now be marketed in these countries primarily by third parties.
John Soden, the Company’s Managing Director of International Operations commented, “The objective of this reorganization is to align the company with its new business strategy, executing a clear and definitive focus in bringing the company to profitability while maintaining growth of our brands. To that end, we have determined that the increasing use of third party vendors to market our products will help Castle Brands achieve its goals for the coming year by reducing overall costs.”
Extra credit links
Some additional news and other items, extra credit is available at the end of the class:
NutraSweet introduces new Sweet’N Low competitor
We drive, they starve
Regulatory News
CDC says foodborne infections leveling off
According to its latest report, there has been little change in the incidence of some foodborne infections after a period of decline.
And that leveling off of the rate of food poisonings casts into doubt the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s goal of reducing the overall number of foodborne infections by 2010.
A 10-state report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed little change in the incidence of some foodborne infections after a period of decline.
The findings are from 2007 data reported to the CDC as part of the agencyŒs Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, FoodNet. FoodNet monitors foodborne disease and conducts related epidemiologic studies to help health officials better understand the epidemiology of foodborne diseases in the United States. Although the FoodNet population is similar to the U.S. population, the findings are used to detect trends in foodborne illness and should not be generalized for the entire U.S. population.
For more, see CDC Press Release.
Salmonella illnesses may be linked to recalled cereal
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 12 announced that at least 23 people in 14 states have been diagnosed with salmonellosis that was caused by the same strain of Salmonella that was found in the recently recalled unsweetened Puffed Rice and unsweetened Puffed Wheat Cereals produced by Malt-O-Meal.
The recalled products were distributed nationally under the Malt-O-Meal brand name as well as under private label brands including Acme, America’s Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw’s, ShopRite, Tops and Weis Quality. The cereals have “Best If Used By” dates from April 8, 2008 (coded as “APR0808″) through March 18, 2009 (coded as “MAR1809″).
For more, see FDA Press Release.
Addition of nitrites in meat products
The addition of nitrites can have an important preservative effect in some meat products, particularly by inhibiting the growth of certain pathogenic microorganisms. However, the use of nitrites in meat can lead to the formation of into carcinogenic nitrosamines. Directive 2006/52/EC sets maximum levels for nitrites added to meat products and sterilised products, and maximum residual levels for certain traditionally manufactured meat products. The legislation was informed by scientific opinions issued by the former Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) and by EFSA in 2003.
In February 2008 the European Commission asked EFSA to advise on whether the previous scientific opinions of SCF and of the Scientific Panel on Biological Hazards remain valid in the light of information submitted by Denmark, which is seeking authorization to maintain national measures on nitrites that are more stringent than the EU legislation. The Commission asked EFSA to respond rapidly due to the legal deadlines set by the Treaty on European Union. EFSA replied with scientific advice in March 2008.
For more, see
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178699923762.htm
Food agency seeks guidance on Food Safety Act
The UK’s Food Standards Agency is seeking views and comments on its draft FSA Guidance Notes on the Food Safety Act 1990.
The act sets out the legal obligations, in terms of food safety, for all businesses involved in the production, processing, storage, distribution and sale of food.
For more, see
http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/apr/fsa90guide08
IFT & Meeting News
Your opinion matters! Take our 2009 Annual Meeting theme survey!
You are invited to offer your opinion on the theme for the 2009 Annual Meeting by taking a short (3-5 minute) survey. Your feedback is important to us, and will help us finalize the theme so it can be promoted at the 2008 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo in New Orleans, June 28 – July 1. The survey closes on April 24, at 4: 00 p.m. CST, so don’t miss this opportunity to let us know what you think. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your opinion with us.
Take the survey here>>
Capitalizing on the new functional food trends
May 14, 2008
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. CST
Take a deeper dive into 2008’s Top 10 Functional Food Trends with Dr. Elizabeth Sloan. Discover the actionable and sustainable consumer and market trends that will impact new product success. Gain insight into the changing consumer knowledge, needs and desires, and technological advances that are giving rise to new opportunities in the functional foods market. Register for this webcast to interact live with industry expert Dr. Elizabeth Sloan, President of Sloan Trends, Inc. and Consumer Trends Columnist for Food Technology magazine, as she discusses these top trends:
1. Healthy Household Halo (Everyday healthier foods for the household/family)
2. Naturally Functional (Health benefits from natural nutrients and phytochemicals)
3. Balancing the Bulget (Weight management through satiety, lite foods, portion size vs. dieting)
4. Contemporary Conditions (New wrinkles on major health conditions)
5. Proactive Lifestyles (Food-based quality of life solutions)
6. Simpler and Cleaner (Closer to the farm, additive-free and environmentally friendly)
7. Smart Treats (Guilt-free delicious enjoyment)
8. Sensitivity Training (Catering to allergies, intolerances and perceived sensitivities)
9. Vitality Treadmill (Managing consumers’ energy crisis)
10. Changing Venues (Restaurants, C-Stores, Vending and more)
For more information, and to register, visit ift.org/knowledge. When registering, please enter this code: 0408EM1183
Register for a Pre-Annual Meeting short course
Need focused education on a particular topic? Taught by experts in their fields, pre-annual meeting short courses are a great way for busy professionals like yourself to gain in-depth, practical education, within an interactive format, and with a modest investment of time. Presented in an environment that fosters networking and information sharing, these courses use a variety of teaching methods and are designed to meet the needs of adult learners.
Food Science for the Non-Food Scientist
Food Safety for the Non-Food Scientist
Microencapsulation in Food Applications
Labeling Requirements and Implications for Foods Marketed in the U.S.
Ingredient Applications for Product Innovation and Consumer Health
Concept to Commercialization – Blending Culinary Arts & Food Science
Managing and Communicating Food-Related Crisis Situations
Sensory and Consumer Research in Food Product Development
For more information, and to register, visit ift.org/IFT08. When registering, please enter this market code: 0408EM1184
Tags: April 16 2008, ift newsletter
