Top Stories: President Obama signs H.R. 2112; backs pizza as vegetable; Thanksgiving dinner to cost 13% more; The use and misuse of science: A commentary on transgenic salmon
November 18, 2011
HEADLINES
President Obama signs H.R. 2112; backs pizza as vegetable
On Nov. 18, 2011, President Barack Obama signed into law H.R. 2112, the “Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012,” which provides 2012 full-year appropriations through Sept. 30, 2012, for the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Transportation, and other small agencies. The bill also includes a continuing resolution allowing the federal government to continue operating through Dec. 16. The rule was approved by the House in a 262-156 vote.
According to Reuters, the bill contained several policy riders, which House Democrats claimed had no place in the bill. One of these riders would block funding for any rule under the Department of Agriculture (USDA) that does not allow tomato paste used on pizza to be considered a vegetable. Current rules, which likely will remain in place, require just two tablespoons of tomato paste to be counted as a serving of vegetables. The USDA proposed a rule that would require pizza to have at least a half-cup of tomato paste to qualify as a vegetable, along with others aimed at reducing starchy foods such as potatoes.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Nov. 16 that U.S. school children would still see more fruit and vegetables, more grains, more low-fat milk, and less salt and fat in meals despite the language in the spending bill.
White House statement
Reuters article
Thanksgiving dinner to cost 13% more
The retail cost of menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie, and all the basic trimmings increased about 13% this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). AFBF’s 26th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.20, a $5.73 price increase from last year’s average of $43.47.
The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10. There is also plenty for leftovers.
The big ticket item—a 16-lb turkey—came in at $21.57 this year. That was roughly $1.35 per lb, an increase of about 25 cents per lb, or a total of $3.91 per whole turkey, compared to 2010. The whole bird was the biggest contributor to the final total, showing the largest price increase compared to last year.
“Turkey prices are higher this year primarily due to strong consumer demand both here in the United States and globally,” said John Anderson, an AFBF Senior Economist. In addition, “the era of grocers holding the line on retail food cost increases is basically over. Retailers are being more aggressive about passing on higher costs for shipping, processing, and storing food to consumers, although turkeys may still be featured in special sales and promotions close to Thanksgiving.”
A gallon of whole milk increased in price by 42 cents per gal, to $3.66. Other items that showed a price increase from last year were: a 30-oz can of pumpkin pie mix, $3.03, up 41 cents; two nine-inch pie shells, $2.52, up 6 cents; a half pint of whipping cream, $1.96, up 26 cents; 1 lb of green peas, $1.68, up 24 cents; a 14-oz package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.88, up 24 cents; 12 brown-n-serve rolls, $2.30, up 18 cents; 3 lbs of sweet potatoes, $3.26, up 7 cents; and fresh cranberries, $2.48, up 7 cents.
A 1-lb relish tray of carrots and celery declined by a penny to 76 cents, while a combined group of miscellaneous items, including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (onions, eggs, sugar, flour, evaporated milk, and butter) decreased in price to $3.10.
Anderson noted that despite retail price increases during the last year or so, American consumers have enjoyed relatively stable food costs over the years, particularly when adjusted for inflation. The 13% increase in the national average cost reported this year by Farm Bureau for a classic Thanksgiving dinner is somewhat higher but still tracks closely with the organization’s 2011 quarterly marketbasket food surveys and the federal government’s Consumer Price Index for food.
Press release
The use and misuse of science: A commentary on transgenic salmon
Transgenic technology is a new high-tech tool developed by scientists to increase productivity and profitability of commercial food production, while at the same time increasing sustainability of food resources. A transgenic line of Atlantic salmon (AquAdvantage salmon) was genetically engineered (GE) to grow faster by inserting an additional salmon growth hormone gene. There has been a lot of debate around AquAdvantage’s salmon and GE food in general. In the new ePerspective post, William Muir, Professor of Animal Sciences at Purdue University, aims to put consumers’ fears aside by explaining the safety of GE salmon.
Last month, the FDA cleared the AquAdvantage salmon and the proposal is now at the White House Office of Management and Budget for consideration. Muir urges the U.S. government to approve the fish for commercial production and consumption. According to him, “the result would be a win-win-win for environmental sustainability, farmer profitability, and availability of a healthy food to consumers.” What are your thoughts on transgenic salmon? Share your thoughts at IFT’s ePerspective blog.
William Muir’s ePerspective
RESEARCH
Sugar-sweetened beverages may increase cardiovascular disease risk in women
Drinking two or more sugar-sweetened beverages a day may expand a woman’s waistline and increase her risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2011.
In this study, researchers compared middle-aged and older women who drank two or more sugar-sweetened beverages a day, such as carbonated sodas or flavored waters with added sugar, to women who drank one or less daily. Women consuming two or more beverages per day were nearly four times as likely to develop high triglycerides, and were significantly more likely to increase their waist sizes and to develop impaired fasting glucose levels. The same associations were not observed in men.
“Women who drank more than two sugar-sweetened drinks a day had increasing waist sizes, but weren’t necessarily gaining weight,” said Christina Shay, lead author of the study and Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. “These women also developed high triglycerides, and women with normal blood glucose levels more frequently went from having a low risk to a high risk of developing diabetes over time.”
The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) included food frequency surveys in 4,166 African-American, Caucasian, Chinese-Americans, and Hispanic adults, ages 45–84. At the beginning of the study, the participants didn’t have cardiovascular disease. Researchers assessed risk factors in three follow-up exams spanning five years starting in 2002. Participants were monitored for weight gain, increases in waist circumference, low levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL “good” cholesterol), high levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL “bad” cholesterol), high triglycerides, impaired fasting glucose levels, and type 2 diabetes.
Women may have a greater chance for developing cardiovascular disease risk factors from sugar-sweetened drinks because they require fewer calories than men, which makes each calorie count more towards cardiovascular risk in women, Shay said.
Researchers have yet to determine exactly how sugar-sweetened beverages influence cardiovascular risk factors such as high triglycerides in individuals who do not gain weight, Shay said, but further work is planned to try and figure that out.
In response to the study, the American Beverage Association issued the following statement: “This type of study cannot show that drinking sugar-sweetened beverages causes increased risk for cardiovascular disease. It simply looks at associations between the two, which could be the result of numerous other confounding factors. The American Heart Association states that two of the major risk factors for heart disease are increasing age and family history of cardiovascular disease. Yet this study, which looked at people ages 45–84, did not control for either factor. Furthermore, participants who consumed two or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day at the beginning of the study already had a number of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. And while overweight or obesity are known cardiovascular disease risk factors, the evidence that one type of food or beverage causes heart disease simply is not there.”
AHA press release
ABA press release
Low fat, high fiber childhood diet may lower risk chronic disease
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM) shows that lower intake of total fat and saturated fat and higher intake of fiber as a child may lower fasting plasma glucose levels and lower systolic blood pressure later in life. A Western dietary pattern high in total fat and saturated fatty acids and refined grains is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that include abdominal obesity, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sometimes considered “good cholesterol”), higher levels of triglycerides and blood glucose, and elevated blood pressure.
“This research is important because it suggests that modest reductions in total fat and saturated fat intake and increased consumption of dietary fiber during childhood and adolescence may have beneficial effects later in life by decreasing risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease,” said Joanne Dorgan of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pa. and lead author of the study.
The researchers evaluated 230 women between the ages of 25 and 29 years, who nine years before the current study participated in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children (DISC). DISC was a randomized controlled clinical trial of a reduced-fat dietary intervention that strived to limit fat intake to 28% of daily caloric intake and increase dietary fiber intake by encouraging consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The current study was conducted among females who had participated in the DISC trial to determine the longer-term effects of the DISC intervention.
Researchers measured body composition of study participants using whole body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Blood pressure was measured using automatic blood pressure monitors and blood samples were analyzed to assess levels of plasma glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
“Few participants in our follow-up study met the criteria for metabolic syndrome, however, the intervention group had statistically significant lower mean systolic blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose levels compared to the control group,” said Dorgan. “Significant differences at the follow-up visit, but not earlier, suggest that adolescent diet may have long-term effects on age-related changes in blood pressure and glycemic control that begin to become apparent in young adulthood. Longer follow-up studies of DISC participants are needed to determine if the differences found in this study persist or widen with increasing age.”
Abstract
High fiber diet may cut teens’ risk of metabolic syndrome
A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association shows that teens that eat a lot of fiber-rich foods are less likely to have risk factors for diabetes and heart disease.
The researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2,128 teenagers, ages 12–19, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2002. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (abnormal values of three or more of the following: waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose) was compared across quintiles of the dietary indexes (fiber index, saturated fat index, and cholesterol index) derived from 24-hr recalls.
Overall, about 6% of the teens had metabolic syndrome. Of those who ate the least fiber (less than 3 g per 1,000 calories), 9% had the risk factors, compared to only 3% of those who ate the most (11 g or more per 1,000 calories). There was no link between metabolic syndrome and the amount of saturated fat or cholesterol consumed.
The researchers concluded: “These findings suggest that to reduce the risks for metabolic syndrome in adolescents, it is more important to emphasize a paradigm that promotes the inclusion of fiber-rich, nutrient-dense, plant-based foods versus what foods to restrict or exclude as is commonly done when the focus is on total fat, cholesterol, or saturated fat intake.”
Abstract
Protein, dairy may improve bone health during diet, exercise
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism shows that consumption of dairy foods and higher protein may improve bone health in overweight and obese women during diet- and exercise-induced weight loss.
Previous studies have shown that higher body weight is associated with greater bone mass and that weight loss through dieting can adversely affect bone health. While the individual effects of dairy, calcium, protein, and exercise on bone during weight loss have been studied in premenopausal women, no trial until now has combined all these strategies together into one study to support bone health.
“Our findings show that a diet with a high proportion of dairy foods and higher than recommended protein intake was associated with improved markers for bone health,” said Stuart Phillips of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and senior author of the study. “Thus, to avoid deleterious consequences to their bone health, women who are attempting weight loss through dieting should practice consumption of more protein from dairy sources.”
The researchers conducted a controlled randomized weight loss intervention trial involving 90 premenopausal overweight or obese women which was designed to achieve weight loss and be supportive of bone health. Phillips and his colleagues employed modest dietary calorie restriction and daily exercise including aerobic and resistance training with varied intakes of protein and dairy foods. Researchers used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans to assess bone mineral density and content, and analyzed participants’ urine and blood samples to evaluate serum levels of several bone health biomarkers.
The researchers found that consumption of diets higher in protein with an emphasis on dairy foods during a diet and exercise period positively affected markers of bone turnover, calcium, vitamin D status, and bone metabolism in overweight and obese premenopausal women.
“Our data provide a good rationale to recommend consumption of dairy foods to aid in high quality weight loss, which we define as loss of fat as opposed to muscle, and the promotion of bone health in young women who are at the age when achieving and maintaining peak bone mass is of great importance,” said Phillips.
Abstract
Whole grains, cereal fiber may help prevent colorectal cancer
A study published in the British Medical Journal shows that consuming whole grains may help prevent colorectal cancer. To clarify the association between dietary fiber and whole grain intake and risk of colorectal cancer the researchers carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 published prospective studies. They also did meta-regression and sensitivity analyses to evaluate potential sources of heterogeneity in the analyses. The ranges of intake varied: 6.3–21.4 g/day for total dietary fiber, 1.8–15.5 g/day for fruit fiber, 1.9–16.8 g/day for vegetable fiber, and 3.0–16.9 g/day for cereal fiber.
The researchers found a 10% reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer for each 10 g daily intake of total dietary fiber and cereal fiber and about a 20% reduction for daily intake of three servings of whole grains. However, they found no significant evidence for an association between the risk of colorectal cancer and the intake of fiber from fruit, vegetables, or legumes.
The researchers noted that further studies should report more detailed results, including those for subtypes of fiber and be stratified by other risk factors to rule out residual confounding. Further assessment of the impact of measurement errors on the risk estimates is also warranted.
Study
NUTRITION
USDA delays nutrition labeling rule for meat
On Dec. 29, 2010, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) published the final rule “Nutrition Labeling of Single-Ingredient Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products.” FSIS is delaying the effective date of this final rule from Jan. 1, 2012, to March 1, 2012. The delay will ensure that industry has adequate time to comply with the requirements of the final rule.
This rule amends the federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to require nutrition labeling of the major cuts of single-ingredient, raw meat, and poultry products on labels or at point-of-purchase, unless an exemption applies. It also requires nutrition labels on all ground or chopped meat and poultry products, with or without added seasonings.
FSIS notice (pdf)
Location of nutrition labels may determine how often they are viewed
A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association shows that people report that they view nutrition labels more often than they actually do. In a simulated grocery shopping exercise, 203 participants observed 64 different grocery products displayed on a computer monitor. Each screen contained three elements, the well-known Nutrition Facts label, a picture and list of ingredients, and a description of the product with price and quantity information.
These three elements were presented so that one third of the participants each saw the Nutrition Facts label on the left, right, and center. Each subject was asked whether they would consider buying the product. Participants were aware that their eye movements would be tracked, but unaware that the study focus was nutrition information. Using a computer equipped with an eye-tracking device, University of Minnesota researchers observed that most consumers view label components at the top more than those at the bottom. Further data suggest that the average consumer reads only the top five lines on a Nutrition Facts label.
Self-reported viewing of Nutrition Facts label components was higher than objectively measured viewing. In fact, 33% of participants self-reported that they almost always look at calorie content on Nutrition Facts labels, 31% reported that they almost always look at the total fat content, 20% said the same for trans fat content, 24% for sugar content, and 26% for serving size. However, only 9% of participants actually looked at calorie count for almost all of the products in this study, and about 1% of participants looked at each of these other components (total fat, trans fat, sugar, and serving size) on almost all labels.
When the Nutrition Facts label was presented in the center column, subjects read one or more sections of 61% of the labels compared with 37% and 34% of labels among participants randomly assigned to view labels on the left- and right-hand sides of the screen, respectively. In addition, labels in the center column received more than 30% more view time than the same labels when located in a side column.
“Taken together, these results indicate that self-reported Nutrition Facts label use does not accurately represent in vivo use of labels and their components while engaging in a simulated shopping exercise,” concluded the researchers. “In addition, location of labels and of specific label components relate to viewing. Consumers are more likely to view centrally located labels and nutrients nearer the label’s top. Because knowing the amounts of key nutrients that foods contain can influence consumers to make healthier purchases, prominently positioning key nutrients, and labels themselves, could substantially impact public health.”
Press release
Abstract
Banning sweetened drinks may not cut consumption in schools
A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine shows that middle school students may buy fewer sugary drinks at school when state policies prohibit schools from selling all sugar-sweetened beverages, not just sodas. States that ban only sodas have the same effect as states that allow all sugar-sweetened beverages when it comes to limiting teens’ purchases at school.
Researchers analyzed state laws and regulations governing the sale of beverages in middle schools for the 2006–07 school year. They also tracked students from 2003–04 to 2006–07 to assess their access to sugar-sweetened beverages in school; in-school purchases of such drinks; and overall consumption, both during and outside of the school day. To examine the impact of different types of state beverage policies on U.S. middle school students, researchers used data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten Class for 2003–04 and 2006–07 to track a sample of approximately 7,000 students in 40 states from fifth to eighth grade.
In states that banned only soda and states that had no school beverage policy at all, about two-thirds of eighth-grade students had access to sugary drinks at school, and slightly fewer than 30% purchased such beverages at school during 2006–07. Even in states that banned all sugar-sweetened beverages and allowed only milk, water, and 100% juice—52% of eighth-grade students had access to sugary drinks at school, and 20% purchased such beverages at school. While in-school access to sugary beverages was significantly lower in states that banned all sugar-sweetened beverages, it is unclear why such drinks were still available on campus. According to Taber, it may be due to inaccurate student reports or schools’ lack of compliance with state laws, but more research is needed to determine the cause.
The researchers found mixed results when they examined the impact of such policies on the total amount of sugary drinks teens consumed both during and outside of school. In 2006–07, about 85% of eighth-grade students reported consuming sugary drinks at least once per week regardless of state beverage policy, but more students reported frequent consumption (at least daily) in states that banned all sugar-sweetened beverages than in states that had no school beverage policy.
For those students who reported losing access to sugar-sweetened beverages at school during the three-year study period, there was a slight decrease in the percentage who reported consuming sugary drinks infrequently (at least once weekly), but a slight increase in the percentage who reported consuming one or more drinks per day. Because the study analyzed the number of students who reported daily consumption and not the actual number of servings consumed each day, the authors cannot conclude whether students’ average daily servings increased or declined.
“This study tells us that it will take comprehensive beverage policies to create a healthier school environment and decrease the amount of sugary beverages students purchase at school,” said Frank Chaloupka, Professor of Economics and senior author of the study. “At the same time, it underscores the importance of policies that extend beyond schools to discourage consumption of sugary beverages—and encourage children to purchase and drink healthy beverages, like water, low-fat milk, and 100% juice.”
Abstract
NEW RETAIL PRODUCTS
Celestial Seasonings launches Kombucha Energy Shots
Celestial Seasonings, a brand of The Hain Celestial Group Inc., has announced the launch of Kombucha Energy Shots—an all-natural shot that combines B vitamins and energizing botanicals, like ginseng and caffeine from guarana, with kombucha, a fermented black tea.
Kombucha is a fermented black tea that contains naturally occurring enzymes, probiotic cultures, and beneficial acids. Celestial Seasonings Kombucha Energy Shots are made from the brand’s live, raw kombucha, with an added proprietary blend of energizing ingredients like caffeine from guarana, B vitamins, and ginseng.
Packaged in single-serve 2-oz bottles, Kombucha Energy Shots are available in three flavor varieties—Citrus, Berry, and Pomegranate Xtreme, which is fortified with additional caffeine from guarana and B vitamins. Kombucha Energy Shots are on shelves now in Whole Foods Market locations throughout the United States, with expansion to other natural foods stores starting in December.
Press release
Smart Balance debuts HeartRight milk containing CoroWise plant sterols
Smart Balance has introduced its HeartRight Fat Free Milk containing Cargill’s CoroWise plant sterols. The milk supplies 0.4 g of CoroWise plant sterols per serving, 25% more calcium and protein than whole milk, and also contains DHA/EPA omega-3 fatty acids and added vitamin D.
Foods containing plant sterols may be eligible for a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized health claim. There is scientific agreement that plant sterols help lower cholesterol and may reduce the risk of heart disease when consumed as part of a heart-healthy diet.
Press release
New juice to offer three daily servings of vegetables
The FaVe Juice Co. has launched a new all-natural blend of 100% fruit and vegetable juice, FaVe. Each 8-oz serving contains three servings of vegetables with only 60 calories. These all-natural juices have no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or added sweeteners. FaVe will be sold in the shelf-stable juice departments of food stores across the U.S. starting in early 2012. The juice comes in three flavors: Strawberry-Banana-Kiwi, Blueberry-Pomegranate-Goji, and Orange-Tangerine-Pineapple.
Press release
Nestlé’s launches fortified milks in Brazil
Nestlé has launched two new ready-to-drink, dairy-based beverages in Brazil to help parents increase their children’s daily consumption of iron and essential vitamins. Ninho Fruti is made with real fruit and provides 32%, 31%, and 40% of children’s recommended daily intakes of vitamins A, C, and vitamin D, respectively. It also provides 30% of the recommended daily intake of iron.
Ninho Baixa Lactose is a fortified low-lactose drink suitable for the 10% of children in Brazil who are lactose intolerant. It is enriched with iron and vitamins A, C, and D. Both new products belong to Nestlé’s Ninho brand; the fortified ready-to-drink milk introduced to Brazil by the company in 2009.
Press release
AC LaRocco introduces gluten-free pizzas
Fresh Harvest Products Inc., a natural and organic products company, announced the debut of its AC LaRocco brand of several gluten-free pizzas and pizza-related products, as well as updated packaging and new formulations. Highlights of AC LaRocco’s product offerings included a multi-pack, gluten-free crusts for the cheese and veggie blend frozen pizzas, and a new lactose-free frozen pizza formulation.
Press release
Abbott launches Glucerna Hunger Smart nutrition shakes, bars
Abbott is introducing Glucerna Hunger Smart nutrition shakes and bars for people with diabetes. Glucerna Hunger Smart products are specially designed for people with diabetes to use as a meal replacement or snack as a part of a weight management plan.
The shakes feature a proprietary carbohydrate blend called Carb Steady, which includes both low glycemic and slowly-digestible carbohydrates designed to help minimize blood sugar spikes. The shakes have 180 calories, 15 g of protein, and 6 g of sugar. They offer 25 vitamins and minerals and are available in Homemade Vanilla and Rich Chocolate flavors.
Glucerna Hunger Smart snack bars offer 140–150 calories and 10 g of protein in addition to Carb Steady; they are available in Chocolate Peanut Butter Crisp and Chocolate Chip Crisp flavors. Glucerna products can be purchased throughout the United States at pharmacies, grocery stores, drug stores, and mass merchandisers, or online at www.AbbottStore.com.
Press release
COMPANY NEWS
Ganeden Biotech, Unistraw partner to offer probiotic-enriched straw
Ganeden Biotech and Unistraw International Ltd. have announced a partnership to include the probiotic GanedenBC30 into Unistraw’s probiotic straw concept. Beverage manufacturers can now provide consumers with probiotics to benefit the immune and digestive system in their favorite beverage products, without needing a refrigerated supply chain.
Unistraw’s probiotic straw delivery system contained hundreds of UniBeads, which are housed within the straw. The probiotics in the UniBeads are dry, shelf stable, and dissolve as liquid is sipped through the straw. With this method, juice, milk, carbonated drinks, and water can all be turned into probiotic beverages that no longer need refrigeration and have a shelf life of up to 12 months. The straw is also recyclable.
“The probiotic straw is a game changer to the beverage industry because liquids that normally could not be enriched with probiotics and other nutritional ingredients now can,” said Tim York, Managing Director, Unistraw International Ltd. “GanedenBC30 is one of a very few probiotic strains capable of meeting the durability and longevity standards necessary for this concept to be fully embraced by beverage manufacturers. Milk, juice, or whatever a beverage manufacturer can dream up, we can now provide an easy, cost-effective, on-the-go delivery system to offers probiotic benefits not possible before.”
Unistraw will begin manufacturing its new probiotic straw in the second quarter of 2012 with the straw available in a stand-alone format and also as an integrated product suitable for attachment to aseptic juice and dairy cartons.
Press release
FMC Corp. to acquire South Pole Biogroup
FMC Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire South Pole Biogroup Ltda., a Chilean-based natural color and specialty nutrition ingredients manufacturer. The acquisition further expands FMC’s portfolio of naturally-sourced specialty products used in the food, beverage, personal care, nutrition, and pharmaceutical markets.
“FMC has been a global leader in food ingredient technology for more than 50 years,” said Mike Smith, Division General Manager, FMC BioPolymer. “The acquisition of South Pole Biogroup and its franchise businesses—BioColor and BioNutrition—opens exciting new platform opportunities in natural colorants and functional ingredients for FMC BioPolymer. And it’s another critical step in FMC’s Vision 2015 growth strategy.”
FMC expects to close the acquisition before year end. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Press release
Solazyme Roquette Nutritionals to open facility in France
Solazyme Roquette Nutritionals, a microalgae-derived food ingredients company, has announced the location of its Phase II manufacturing facility. The company will begin producing its lead microalgae derived food ingredient, Whole Algalin Flour, at Roquette’s commercial production plant in Lestrem, France. It is anticipated that the 300 metric ton Phase I facility will be completed on-schedule by year end 2011 and operational in early 2012. This facility will then be expanded into the 5,000 metric ton Phase II facility in 2012.
“Lestrem is the technology base for Roquette and its flagship manufacturing facility. Having our Phase I and II facilities located there will allow Solazyme Roquette Nutritionals to leverage Roquette’s world-class manufacturing capabilities and expedite large-scale commercial production,” said Jodie Morgan, President and General Manager of Solazyme Roquette Nutritionals. “Given the incredibly positive feedback from the market as it awaits the introduction of our new microalgae-based food ingredients and oils, we are excited to be taking these fundamental commercialization steps.”
“This is a significant step forward in the progress of Solazyme Roquette Nutritionals’ manufacturing timeline and we are excited about moving forward with this incredible market opportunity,” said Guy Talbourdet, CEO of Roquette. “Roquette’s state of the art location in Lestrem contains the essential infrastructure necessary to rapidly commercialize the manufacturing of this breakthrough food ingredient, Whole Algalin Flour. We are looking forward to bringing it to market in 2012.”
Last fall, Solazyme, Inc., a California-based renewable oil and bioproducts company, and Roquette Frères, a global starch and starch-derivatives company headquartered in France, formed a joint venture that combined Roquette’s history and capabilities as a global food ingredient supplier with Solazyme’s microalgae-based technology. The joint venture will soon launch a new category of natural, healthy, and functional food ingredients that enhance the nutritional properties of food applications without compromising taste or texture.
Press release
Innophos Holdings acquires Kelatron Corp.
Innophos Holdings Inc., a producer of specialty phosphate products for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, oral care, and industrial end markets, has entered into a binding agreement and completed the acquisition of Kelatron Corp. Kelatron, based in Ogden, Utah, is a manufacturer of bioactive mineral nutrients. For more than 30 years, the company has been a key supplier of specialty minerals and custom blends to manufacturers of nutritional and dietary supplements.
Recent investments by Kelatron in upgrading manufacturing facilities and introducing a new line of premium minerals have positioned the company well for future growth. The combination of Kelatron’s micronutrient range of products with the macronutrients of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus currently manufactured by Innophos is expected to significantly strengthen Innophos’ offering to its food, beverage, and dietary supplement customers.
“The acquisition of Kelatron represents a perfect fit with our strategy of targeting high quality bolt-on acquisitions that add specialty ingredient product technologies to complement our current product offering. Kelatron has a strong position in an attractive, growing, nutraceutical market and has significant manufacturing and technical capability. The combination of Innophos’ strong worldwide customer relationships within the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries and Kelatron’s expertise in the high value, high growth rate mineral fortification market is expected to bring significant benefits to both companies,” said Randy Gress, Chairman and CEO of Innophos.
Closing of the transaction occurred upon execution of the purchase agreement effective as of Oct. 31, 2011. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to results in 2012.
Press release (pdf)
Tate & Lyle signs agreement for Eminate’s salt reduction technology
Tate & Lyle has signed an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Eminate Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of The University of Nottingham, U.K., for its novel salt reduction technology. The product, currently known as SODA-LO, enables added salt levels to be reduced by up to 30% in foods such as bread, pizza bases, pastry, savory pie fillings, cheese, and baked snacks. SODA-LO is a clean label salt product that enables salt content to be reduced in food without loss of flavor or structure.
Under the license agreement, Tate & Lyle will assume responsibility for commercializing the SODA-LO salt reduction technology on a global basis, including manufacturing, product development, sales, and marketing. Several food manufacturers, primarily in the United Kingdom and United States, are already using SODA-LO. Tate & Lyle plans to commence a global rollout of the product in 2012.
“The SODA-LO salt reduction technology is an excellent addition to Tate & Lyle’s Health & Wellness offering. Salt reduction is a high-profile priority for many of our customers who are committed to formulating reduced salt products to meet growing consumer demand,” said Karl Kramer, President of Innovation and Commercial Development at Tate & Lyle.
Press release
LycoRed opens plant in China
LycoRed Ltd. has opened a new plant in Changzhou, China, which will be available for commercial production by the end of this year. The facility will produce a wide range of premixes for the food and beverage industry for nutritional fortification covering the Asian market.
“LycoRed is a well-known supplier of nutritional premixes for leading food companies especially, in Europe,” said Morris Zelkha, President and CEO of LycoRed Ltd. “Building this new plant in China, coupled with our extensive plant in the United Kingdom is in line with our goal to strengthen our position in the Asia-Pacific market and become a preferred supplier of natural functional ingredients to food and beverage companies worldwide.”
LycoRed
IFT & MEETING NEWS
Short course: Sensory Evaluation: Current Developments and Applications
Through this two-day instructor-led short course, taking place March 26–27, 2012, before Wellness 12, professionals will learn practices, methods and strategies for managing resources and information to meet product development deadlines. Participants will learn current sensory analysis procedures and practices, understand qualitative and quantitative methods, identify industry recommended practices for qualifying subjects for sensory analytical tests, learn techniques for communicating strategic sensory information to cross-functional teams, and more. Register today for greatest savings.
Wellness 12
Wellness 12, taking place March 28–29, 2012, in Rosemont, Ill., offers attendees a unique blend of unbiased perspectives, news about emerging trends, and information on how other organizations within the food industry are penetrating the health and wellness arena. Designed specifically for functions in R&D, brand management, regulatory compliance, sales, and government, the agenda is focused on helping professionals develop products that meet marketplace expectations, and stay competitive and current on consumer health trends. Multiple discounts, including group rates, are available. Register today for greatest savings.