Top Headlines

Health research

Study links red meat consumption to heightened diabetes risk

Researchers in Singapore have identified that eating high quantities of red meat over a period of time can increase the risk of type-2 diabetes mellitus.

News in brief

Halal special

Asia needs real halal standards before it can compete with the West

When you are catering to 1.8bn Muslim shoppers in a market that, according to The Economist, is likely to grow by 35% by 2030, there is bound to be a degree of fragmentation, but when it comes to halal, it is often more a case of disorganisation.

Label reform not the star for Aussie food industry

While there were celebrations in some quarters following the news last week that Australia would reform its food labelling system, some sections of the food industry have voiced their concern over the new policy.

Ayurvedic salacia herb shows pre-diabetes benefit: Study

An ayurvedic herb can manage pre-diabetes states and mild to moderate hyperlipidemia, according to Indian researchers.

Coca-Cola plans to expand soon after its victorious return to Burma

With the bunting barely cleared away following Coca-Cola’s triumphal march on Rangoon earlier this month, the company’s local partner has already indicated more celebrations are on the horizon.

Indian reforms offer a sweet outlook for sugar industry

The future looks rosy for the Indian sugar sector following recent moves by the government to chop out-dated controls and introduce greater market freedom.

Interview

‘Milk protein products offer safe haven for embattled Chinese’

John Kjær of Arla Food Ingredients talks about China's market and innovations that can sidestep the country's well-founded food concerns.

Mondelez spends $85m on Chinese biscuit plant expansion

Mondelez International has announced that it has begun expanding an Oreo and Chips Ahoy! biscuit plant based in the second largest market for both brands - China.

Global Industry News

Increased iron intake can reduce Parkinson’s risk: Meta-analysis from NutraIngredients.com

By Shane Starling+

Increasing iron intake by 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood can reduce the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease by 3%, Italian researchers have concluded after performing an extensive literature review.

Comment

Cleaner than clean: When natural is not enough from FoodNavigator.com

By Caroline Scott-Thomas+

It’s boom time for makers of natural ingredients, from colours to flavours to hydrocolloids…or is it? Despite widespread demand for all things natural, some ‘natural’ ingredients still aren’t acceptable to consumers – so when does ‘clean label’ need to go further than naturalness alone?

Gold star: Oz confectionery industry welcomes front-of-pack labeling from ConfectioneryNews.com

By Oliver Nieburg+

The Australian confectionery industry has broadly welcomed a 'star based' voluntary front-of-pack labeling system but is concerned about time frames to introduce the measures.

Pizza: The biggest single contributor of sodium to the American diet? from FoodNavigator-USA.com

By Elaine WATSON

Pizza was the single biggest contributor of sodium to the diet of young Americans in the period 2003-2008 according to a new analysis of dietary intake data from the government’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).