Functional Foods Weekly Vol 4 No 36

Volume 4, Issue 36 - Monday, 07 December 2009 Web site: http://www.functionalfoods.com.au

Market intelligence and innovations in functional foods & nutraceuticals

Compiled from analysis of over 500 resources every week including media releases, Internet
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Table of Contents
Business & Market Intelligence ............................................................................................................................... 2
Consumer & Market Trends & Market Size ............................................................................................................. 6
Innovations, IP, New Products & Related News .................................................................................................... 12
Regulations, Labelling, Health Claims & Related News ........................................................................................ 14
Nutrition, Health Benefits & Related Research ...................................................................................................... 16
Reviews, Comments, Opinions and Full-text Publications .................................................................................... 18
Webinars Worldwide.............................................................................................................................................. 19
Conferences & Meetings Worldwide ..................................................................................................................... 19
Disclaimer.............................................................................................................................................................. 20
Subscription conditions.......................................................................................................................................... 20

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Business & Market Intelligence
Kraft Begins Cadbury Tender; Stock Trades Above Bid
Kraft Foods Inc., the maker of Oreo cookies, began its unsolicited tender offer for Cadbury Plc as the
U.K. candy maker traded above the 10.2 billion-pound bid ($17 billion). Holders of London-based
Cadbury have until Jan. 5 to accept the offer, which is the same as a proposal outlined on Sept. 7 and
Nov. 9, Kraft said in a statement today. Kraft, based in Northfield, Illinois, is offering 714 pence a share,
based on yesterday‘s closing stock price. Cadbury, which has 14 days to file a response arguing against
a takeover or seeking a higher price, has called the cash-and-stock offer an ―unappealing prospect‖
from a ―low- growth‖ conglomerate. The U.S. company may still raise its offer to as much as 780 pence
a share if Cadbury shareholders balk at tendering their stock, said Alexia Howard, an analyst with
Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in New York. ―It‘s going to depend on who blinks first,‖ Howard said in a
telephone interview. ―Kraft is going to have to gauge what the acceptance level is and decide.‖ A
spokesman for Cadbury in the U.S. declined to comment. Cadbury, which has traded above the offer
since it was made, fell 4.5 pence to 795.5 pence at 4:18 p.m. in London trading. Kraft rose 18 cents to
$26.60 at 11:18 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Kraft has 46 days to raise its bid
if it chooses, according to U.K. takeover law. A competing bid, which would trigger a new timetable,
hasn‘t emerged. Ferrero SpA and Hershey Co. said in November that they were evaluating
options......... Read

Arla Foods to build world‘s biggest dairy plant in UK
Arla Foods, the company behind Lurpak butter, is close to finalising a UK site for the world's largest
fresh milk processing plant after announcing that it is committed to building the facility. The Danish co-
operative said it was "finalising" its quest for a site, which will be on the outskirts of London, ahead of a
presentation of detailed plans to its board early next year. "We do now know the exact location, there
are various options," Arla communications director Astrid Gade Nielsen told Agrimoney.com. However,
the group's announcement of the plant, set to create about 500 jobs after it opens in 2012, was a signal
of its confidence in finding a suitable location, she added. The plant will have a capacity of 1bn
kilogrammes of milk, bigger than Arla's existing Stourton site, in the north of England, and the largest of
Robert Wiseman facilities, and equivalent to about 20% of Britain's annual consumption....... Read

Tesco ‗plans massive superstore surge‘ in UK
Tesco is planning scores of new supermarkets across Britain before a proposed clampdown that would
restrict its ability to expand. The country‘s largest retailer has lodged nearly double the number of
planning applications as its two largest rivals combined, according to data passed to The Times. The
intense planning activity comes as ministers discuss new rules that would limit new store openings by
locally dominant chains. One rival accused Tesco of planning a ―surge‖ in new stores before a proposed
competition test that would threaten its expansion plans. Tesco has approximately 76 outstanding
planning applications, from convenience stores to hypermarkets. Most have been lodged in the past
year. Asda and J Sainsbury have submitted only about 45 between them, excluding extensions.......
Read

Simplot joins Nestle in ready meals market (Australia)
Simplot Australia is about to enter the Australasian ready meals market through a combined license and
acquisition arrangement with Nestlé Australia that came into effect this week. Simplot Australia will
licence the leading frozen meals brand Lean Cuisine and Maggi frozen brand, acquire the Papa
Giuseppi frozen pizza brand and the manufacturing facility at Pakenham, near Melbourne. The
Pakenham factory will become the cornerstone manufacturing facility for a meals centre of excellence,
operating as Gippsland Food Company. The agreement between the two food giants became effective
on 30 November. Gippsland Food Company will operate as a stand alone business with the aim of
becoming the leading supplier to the Australasian ready meals market........ Read


General Mills to end some products
General Mills Inc. expects to post $24.1 million in restructuring expenses this quarter as it discontinues
some of its smaller, underperforming product lines. The packaged food maker is discontinuing, not
selling, the product lines, said spokeswoman Heidi Geller. The company declined to name specific
products that are being cut, but Geller said the lines that will be affected are small and that the company
is cutting some product lines within brands and not entire brands. General Mills said the changes will
allow it to focus on more profitable products. The changes made by General Mills aren't unusual. Large
branded companies have been cutting lower-performing brands and offerings, many of which are little
known and often steal shelf space from products in higher demand. Some of the nation's largest
retailers have been cutting back on their assortments in an effort to simplify their shelves and sell more
profitable offerings, putting further pressure on manufacturers to focus on their best-selling items.
General Mills expects to complete its move by the end of the second quarter, which concludes Sunday,
and the company said that no employees will be affected. The charge is consistent with its fiscal-year
earnings forecast, which includes an estimated $30 million in such costs, the company said in a filing
Tuesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. General Mills also said earnings including the
restructuring charges should be at least $1.43 a share. That is analysts' average estimate, according to
Thomson Reuters, and their figures typically exclude such charges. The products affected generated
about $35 million in net sales in the company's last fiscal year. General Mills expects an additional $2.5
million of exit costs in later periods......... Read

Fonterra Raises Earnings Forecast After Sale of Arla Venture Share Business
Cooperative Group Ltd., the world‘s largest dairy exporter, raised its forecast earnings from investments
and food processing by almost 30 percent after selling its U.K. venture with Arla Foods AmbA.
Distributable profit, which includes one-time items, will be between 35 and 45 New Zealand cents a
share in the year ending May 31, up from the 35 cents it forecast Nov. 9. As much as 15 cents of that
may be retained for reinvestment, the Auckland-based company said today. Distributable profit excludes
earnings from raw-milk processing. Fonterra, which sells about NZ$17 billion ($12 billion) of milk, butter
and cheese in 140 countries a year, owned a 25 percent share of the butter venture before selling it last
month to free up funds to invest in its New Zealand plants. The company had owned it since 2001.
Fonterra also announced its first dividend policy after last month changing the way its 10,500 New
Zealand farmer- shareholders invest in the company. It aims to pay between 65 percent and 75 percent
of distributable profit as dividends starting next harvest........ Read

Fonterra wakes up farmers to $500m revamp hit
Fonterra woke its members up to a multi-million dollar hit from its restructuring as it unveiled that their
shares were worth 13% less than fair value, and that it would hold back at least one-third of profits. The
New Zealand co-operative, the world's biggest dairy exporter, said that the value of their shares was
being kept at NZ$4.52, even though fair value had risen to NZ$5.10, as it unveiled the impact of the
first stage of its shift into a fresh capital structure. The NZ$0.58 discount, being introduced to reflect the
illiquidity of Fonterra's 1.25bn shares, equates to more than NZ$700m (US$500m). It also said while it
expected NZ$0.30-0.45 per share in distributable profit, it would pay out only NZ$0.20-0.30 per share
in dividends, with the balance – worth more than NZ$180m at NZ$0.15 a share – being retained to
strengthen the balance sheet. Fonterra last month won members' approval for its new structure, which
replaces a format which saw the co-operative paying out huge amounts from its reserves in poor years
and left the group with uncomfortable debts. The group warned member to expect a further discounting
of their shares, adding that the price was being held at NZ$4.52 from last year as part of a transitioning
process........ Read

2055 Taskforce in New Zealand slams Fonterra‘s structure
Massive changes to dairy giant Fonterra‘s capital structure has been recommended by the 2025
Taskforce led by Don Brash. The taskforce‘s report out today specifically names Fonterra and criticises
its co-operative model as under performing – likely making taskforce leader Don Brash dairy farmers‘


enemy number one. It suggested the government should take a hands on approach. ―Fonterra‘s
performance matters for New Zealand and in view of parliament‘s role in the creation of Fonterra, the
government has a legitmate strong interest in the future structure of the company in a way that it would
not if a more competitive model had been adopted earlier.‖ Outside capital should be allowed in the
door of New Zealand‘s biggest company, and the government should kept up pressure to encourage it,
the taskforce recommended. In the report, the taskforce recognised that Fonterra exists in its current
dominant position because of exceptions granted to the Commerce Act to allow it to form....... Read

Australia explores opportunities in Indian dairy market
Australia, which accounts for an estimated two per cent of the world's milk production, is looking at India
to export its premium dairy products. "In India we are exploring opportunities and bilateral ties available
in the niche segment like specialty diary cheese, cultured dairy powders and other products that are not
traditional," International Market Development Program, Victorian Department of Primary Industries
Manager, Peter Myers told PTI. The Australian delegation met several leading retail chains like
Spencers, Reliance Fresh in the country to explore the opportunities in Indian retail space. Victoria,
which accounts for 80 per cent of Australia's dairy exports, is also interested in promoting the technical
know-how to enhance domestic production, Myers said....... Read

Canadian Dairy Firm Agropur Acquires Iowa Cheese Plant Green Meadows Foods
Agropur's Board of Directors, Canada's largest dairy cooperative, is pleased to announce that it has
acquired Green Meadows Foods, a new cheese factory located in the United States, in the State of
Iowa. "This most recent acquisition represents a great fit with our current operations and will allow us to
keep building a strong foundation for continued growth", reported Agropur's CEO, Pierre Claprood. The
Iowa facility will now be part of Trega Foods' operations and will be overseen by Trega Foods'
President, Doug Simon, who reports to Agropur Cheese and Functional Products Division's President,
Louis Lefebvre.......... Read

NMR attempts to cash in on China dairy revamp
National Milk Records has expanded its global ambitions to China in an effort to exploit the restructuring
of the country's milk industry following last year's melamine scandal. The livestock technology and
tagging group said it had "embarked upon a number of projects and discussions" over helping China's
dairy farmers promote quality checks in response to the contamination crisis, which was blamed for the
deaths of at least six children and illness in thousands more. The group said its technology, which can
check for diseases such as leptospirosis and bovine viral diarrhoea and traces of chemicals such as
antibiotics, offered an "ideal solution" to China's concerns over quality. It would also help Chinese
farmers raise annual yields per cow from a current average of 2,000-3,000 litres to a target of 6,000
litres through measures such as identifying the most productive animals to breed from........ Read

United Biscuits enters Indian market with high fibre digestive biscuits
United Biscuits, the world‘s third largest biscuit maker, is planning its India foray by taking over the
manufacturing facility of a little known Himachal Pradesh firm, SS Food Industries (SSFI). The UK-
based maker of McVitie‘s, Hoola Hoops and Jacob‘s Cream Crackers brands is buying the facility of
SSFI that makes biscuits for exports to Africa and the Middle East, according to a report in The
Economic Times. The plant will begin test-manufacturing McVitie‘s in India. McVitie‘s, a digestive biscuit
made of wheat and high fibre, occupies a distinct health positioning. It is expected to compete with
Britannia‘s Marie Gold, Nutri Choice and Sunfeast Marie Lite. The $1.6 billion United Biscuits is
expected to launch its flagship brand in India in the first quarter of next year. United Biscuit has been
scouting for a possible manufacturing or distribution alliance in India for more than a year and the
acquisition of SSFI‘s plant marks its entry into the Rs 6,000-crore Indian biscuits market dominated by
Britannia and Parle and ITC. Biscuit is an intensely competitive segment in India. Apart from the three
major national players, the category has strong regional brands such as Priyagold, Cremica and
Dukes........ Read


Parmalat announces new Australian CEO
Parmalat S.p.A. has announced the appointment of Craig Garvin to the role of Chief Executive Officer of
Parmalat Australia. Mr Garvin replaces Fabio Genitrini who, in June this year, took over from David Lord
when he resigned after eight years as CEO. ―Within the Australian marketplace, Mr Garvin has a strong
FMCG background in well known branded companies and hospitality industry,‖ the Italian dairy firm said
in a statement....... Read

Barry Callebaut disposal attracts 'brisk' interest
Barry Callebaut said that a fresh attempt to dispose of its consumer division was receiving considerable
interest as it restated its determination to join in the round of chocolate sector consolidation. The world's
biggest chocolate maker said inquiries for the unit, both from private equity firms and trade buyers, had
been "brisk", raising hopes that its latest sale process would fare better than the last. "The business has
developed well recently so a transaction can be carried out on a good basis," Juergen Steinemann, the
Swiss group's chief executive, told newspaper Finanz und Wirtschaft. "We plan to settle the sale in
2010." The comments come as Cadbury, the UK chocolate giant, is being pursued by America's Kraft
and is reportedly mulling a tie-up with Hershey. Barry Callebaut attempted earlier this year to dispose of
its consumer division to Spain's Natra in exchange for a 45-49% stake in the merged business, but the
talks foundered over differences on pricing........ Read

Japan's Suntory Buys US Pepsi Bottler Conway-Myrtle Beach, May Buy More
Japanese brewer Suntory Holdings, which is in talks to merge with domestic rival Kirin Holdings, said on
Friday it will buy a U.S. Pepsi bottler and may consider more such acquisitions.
Daily News Alerts Like other Japanese beer companies, Suntory is scrambling to expand its overseas
businesses to reduce its dependence on a shrinking domestic market. A merger with Kirin would create
a global food and beverage giant with sales on par with U.S.-based Kraft. Suntory recently bought soft
drinks maker Orangina Schweppes for $3.9 billion. Kirin has aggressively acquired overseas drinks and
food businesses, including a $1.5 billion deal to buy Australia's National Foods and Dairy Farmers.
Suntory, which produces and sells Pepsi products in Japan and owns Pepsi Bottling Ventures in North
Carolina, has agreed to buy Conway-Myrtle Beach Inc, a Pepsi bottler with revenue of about $41 million
in neighbouring South Carolina............ Read

IFF Opens New Moscow Facility for Flavors and Fragrances Businesses
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. today announced the opening of a new facility in Russia, a 460-
square-meter building that provides the environment and tools to support the company's creative,
technical and customer support teams.The facility is located in the business district ‗Moscow City‘ and
will serve the needs of consumers in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Central Asia. The new building is
designed to maximize flavor and fragrance customer access and interaction. It includes a test kitchen
for IFF culinary experts, application kitchens for product application teams and a state-of-the-art
laboratory for flavorists. The facility has space for sensory and consumer insight analysis, as well as
offices for sales and marketing activities. IFF will be staffing the site with fragrance and flavors sales and
account personnel. In addition, flavor technologists, consumer insight and support personnel are in
place to interact with customers manufacturing beverages, dairy products, savory foods, sweets and
snacks, as well as fine fragrances, soap and household products........ Read

Scottish food industry sets new targets for growth
Scotland's food and drink industry has been set a new target to grow in value to £12.5bn, an increase of
£2.5bn. The industry body, Scotland Food and Drink, said it wanted exports to increase from £3.8bn to
£5bn. The organisation said growth in the food and drink industry was vital to Scotland's recovery from
recession. More than 337,000 people in Scotland, 14% of the workforce, are employed in the food
industry which is currently worth £7.57bn to the economy. The new targets for growing the value of
sales and exports should be reached by 2017. The chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, Paul


McLaughlin, said: "Despite the economic downturn, the sector has shown resilience but we must remain
adept at recognising new opportunities and innovative solutions to meet our £12.5bn target."...... Read

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Consumer & Market Trends & Market Size
Hot product predictions for 2010
What might you see in the way of finished products next year? A new report from market research firm
Mintel, offers a preview. ―We may all be tired of hearing about the economy, but you can‘t talk
predictions without talking about the economy,‖ says Mintel‘s New Product Expert Lynn Dornblaser. ―All
trends are to one degree or another influenced by them.‖ Keeping that in mind, Dornblaser says that
each year the trend areas don‘t change much (personal care, sustainability and so on), but it‘s rather
how the trends are expressed. Next year, Mintel predicts seven core trends will impact global new
product development as manufacturers try to pique interest in new launches while keeping shoppers
comfortable.
Symbol overload: Consumers are hungry for nutrition facts. However, people feel confused and
skeptical about different companies' nutrition symbols.
Sodium reduction: Poised as the next major health movement, sodium reduction is finally ready to
take hold. But keep in mind that sodium reduction is being pushed by food companies and health
organizations, not by consumers.
Local gets stretched: In today's society, for many shoppers buying only local goods is a pipe dream.
However, people still want products with recognizable origins and those that haven't been shipped too
far.
Simple made special: In 2010, chic packaging and premium positioning will turn today's grudge
purchases into enjoyable events.
Colour coding for convenience: Manufacturers will help retailers unclutter their shelves
Iconic budget brands: Private label "brands" are starting to look a lot more like real brands.
Gen Y cleans up: Generation Y (born between 1977 and 1994) consumers now make up 21 percent of
the global population.
................ Read

Consumers want consistent portion info, IGD
Nutritional info should be given per portion not just per 100g, say new IGD guidelines to help food
businesses provide consistent information on portion sizes. The IGD‘s Industry Nutrition Strategy Group
started looking at how portion sizes are determined in 2008. It has reviewed portion advice drawn up by
industry, governments and NGO, and conducted consumer research undertaken in focus groups and
through a quantitative survey of 1,067 adults. In July IGD published a report on consumer
understanding of portion size information, which showed up distrust of industry defined portion sizes.
The findings were said to highlight the need for food companies to communicate better on how they
come up with their portion sizes. The new voluntary guidelines are the next phase in the project, and
aim to point food businesses towards language and tools that are practical and relevant for consumers.
Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive of IGD, said the guidelines were developed bearing in mind what
consumers said would be helpful.


The key points for grocery products are that:
 A portion of serving size be provided;
 The label indicates how the product is intended to be used;
 Language used in the nutrition information is the same on the front and the back;
 Language used in marketing text is consistent with that on the pack;
 Language is consistent with same brand products in the category
 Additional words or descriptions be used to reinforce portion size messages;
 Multiserve packs clearly show how many servings there are in the pack.
.......................... Read

Cheese industry slashes salt content
UK Cheese processors are using 350t less salt in their cheeses every year than they did in 2007,
according to trade association Dairy UK. On cheddar and similar hard cheeses, the industry is using 5%
less salt than it did in 2007 – a reduction equivalent to 1kg of salt per tonne of cheese. Soft cheeses
have seen an even bigger average fall, down more than 0.2g to less than 0.8g of salt per 100g of
product. Dairy UK technical director Ed Komorowski said: ―Working with the Food Standards Agency‘s
salt reduction programme we have achieved major salt savings in excess of 350t per year. That equates
to a 7% reduction in salt content.......... Read

Restaurant trends: Sustainability, Local Sourcing and Nutrition
Top List of Hottest Menu Trends for 2010
The National Restaurant Association‘s annual survey of more
than 1,800 professional chefs – members of the American
Culinary Federation (ACF) – reveals that local sourcing of
ingredients, sustainability and nutrition will be the hottest trends
on restaurant menus in 2010. Locally grown produce, locally
sourced meats and seafood, sustainability, mini-desserts and
locally produced wine and beer top the list of nearly 215
culinary items in the ―What‘s Hot in 2010‖ survey. Rounding out
the top 10 trends are nutritious kids‘ meals, half-portions, farm-
branded ingredients, gluten-free/food-allergy conscious meals
and sustainable seafood. ―No one has a better view of
restaurant menu trends than the chefs of the nation‘s nearly
one million restaurants, and that is why we survey these
culinary professionals on what hot, new trends we‘ll see in the
coming year,‖ said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the
Association. ―The top trends this year – local sourcing,
sustainability and nutrition – reflect wider societal trends and
consumers‘ growing interest in these issues. Many restaurants
are sourcing some of their ingredients locally, and you often
see chefs shopping at farmer‘s markets to create a host of
better-for-you options that today‘s diners want.‖ Michael Ty,
CEC, AAC, ACF national president, agreed. ―This is retro – it‘s
what we did in the past when chefs relied on local markets
because we did not have the luxury of today‘s transportation
system. We are going back to our roots and the foundation of
our craft that made it more pleasurable.‖ The Association
surveyed 1,854 American Culinary Federation member chefs in
October 2009, asking them to rate 214 individual food/beverage items, preparation methods and
culinary themes divided into categories as a ―hot trend,‖ ―yesterday‘s news,‖ or ―perennial favorite‖ on
restaurant menus in 2010. The leading culinary theme revealed by the survey is sustainability, which is


ranked as the third hottest trend. Whether applied to produce, meat, seafood or alcoholic beverages,
the concepts of environmentally friendly practices and local sourcing – farm-to-fork – are appealing to
both restaurant operators and consumers for several reasons, including freshness, minimal
transportation, and supporting local communities and businesses. Nutrition is another culinary theme
that ranks high on the list of trends at number 15. Healthful options for children, produce, superfruits,
bite-size and half portions, and food allergy conscious and gluten-free meals all rank in the top 20,
illustrating that consumer interest in health and nutrition continues to grow and that restaurants are
responding......... pdf, 11 pages..... Read

More than eight out of ten grocery manufacturers step up investment in sustainability
New research from food and grocery expert IGD reveals that 85% of manufacturers have either stepped
up their investment in sustainability or kept it the same during the recession despite just over two-fifths
(42%) believing it is not yet high enough on the shopper agenda.Three-quarters (76%) of suppliers think
that sustainability will play a greater role in their trading relationships with retailers in the near future, but
just over 40% view increased global competition for resource (41%) and more complex legislation (40%)
as two of the biggest threats to wider business sustainability in 2010 and beyond. Joanne Denney-
Finch, chief executive, IGD, comments: "Our recent consumer research has shown that shoppers are
already concerned about the environmental impact of products and continue to seek value for their
values......... Read

Milk powder prices keep rising: NZL
Average whole milkpowder (WMP) prices rose 3.6 percent at Fonterra's GlobalDairyTrade online
auction, reaching $US3560/tonne ($NZ4840). Bidding was marked by a jump of 5.1 percent to
$US3523/tonne for WMP in short-term contracts for delivery in February. One year ago, the February
contract sold for $US2078. The average for February delivery of WMP was based on $US3515 for
"regular" powder, $US3565 for instant, and $US3590 for UHT, and the averages for March-May delivery
were the same. Further out, for June-August delivery the average was up only 0.9 percent at $US3716
(regular $US3685, instant $US3735, and UHF $US3760). The website showed an 8.6 percent drop in
price for an industrial butter product, anhydrous milkfat (AMF) -- to $US4349/tonne. AMF only began
selling on the site last month, and the price dropped 8.4 percent ($US4406) for February delivery, 8.5
percent ($US4328) for March-May, and a fall of 8.4 percent ($US4335) in July-August......... Read

Next year's 'superingredients:' immunity-boosters and brain foods
Functional foods and dietary supplements with ingredients aimed at bolstering the immune system and
optimizing brain functioning will be some of the key trends affecting the nutrition sector in 2010,
according to research to be published in Nutrition Business Journal. Immunity-support ingredients: Amid
fears of the spreading H1N1 flu virus, immune-boosting ingredients in nutritional supplements and
added to foods will become even more popular. They include: antioxidants, beta-glucans -- a fiber-type
of sugar compound present in oats, barley and yeast and that enhances the functioning of the immune
system -- and botanicals like elderberry and echinacea. Brain-boosters: Baby-boomers, children thought
to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and their stressed-out parents will all be likely marketing
targets for new cognitive health products, according to the forecast. Omega-3, long thought to be linked
to improved cerebral functioning will be a key component of cognitive-related products, whether for
mood or mental clarity. New branded ingredients will be emerging while global food giants like Nestle
will be focusing more on cognitive health research....... Read

Spreads with health claims faring poorly due consumer confusion and scepticism
Spreads with added benefits continue to be negatively impacted by consumer confusion and scepticism,
argues market researcher Mintel. New product development (NPD) in yellow fats has, therefore, shifted
from functional spreads with added benefits towards premium butters, particularly spreadable butters, it
says in its Yellow Fats Report 2009. It found that margarine-type products, with health claims are used
by only one in four over-55s, ―these consumers being the least likely to see these spreads as tasty and


the most likely to view them as processed‖, it says. ―This is the case, despite a number of products
actively targeting older users with benefits for heart health through lowered cholesterol. Price may also
be a barrier to greater take-up amongst older consumers, particularly those who are reliant on a state
pension.‖ In addition it says, over half of over-55s would pay more for foods without artificial additives.
―Consumers are moving away from active health spreads to more balanced diet management and
natural ingredients.‖ For functional spreads with added benefits to be successful, the report says, ―they
must offer benefits that are easy to understand and credible, in order to spark consumer interest and
justify the higher price.‖ Over the last year, the total functional spreads category in the UK remained flat
and was worth £65m for the 52 weeks ending October 3, 2009, says functional spreads manufacturer
Benecol. In contrast, its spreads, have been significantly outperforming the category and were up
around 9 per cent during the same period, according to IRI Grocery Outlets data. Benecol‘s branded
spreads were recently boosted by the new EU health claim ruling, which confirmed that plant stanol
esters have been shown to lower blood cholesterol, which is a risk factor in the development of coronary
heart disease. GP survey reveals....... Read

Taiwan gets most of its herbal medicine from China: report
A big chunk of Taiwan's imports of Chinese herbal and traditional medicines came from mainland China,
the non-profit Development Center for Biotechnology reported Monday. Taiwan imported US$29.66
million worth of Chinese herbal medicine from the Chinese mainland in 2008, making the island China's
fifth largest export market for this type of exports, Liu Tzu-hui, a researcher with the center, quoted a
Chinese government customs report as indicating. According to Taiwan's customs statistics, however,
the percentage of Taiwan's Chinese medicine imports from mainland China was even greater - at about
60-70 percent of its total imports of this type of product. Ginseng preparations made the bulk of these
imports, constituting about 28.5 percent of the total, Liu said, citing Taiwanese official statistics.
Taiwan's imports of Chinese herbal medicine materials from around the world, excluding prepared
herbal medicines, totaled NT$2.42 billion (US$75 million) in 2008, according to the statistics. Liu said
China is the world's major exporter of raw materials of Chinese herbal medicines and prepared herbal
medicines as its production chain in this industry is well rounded, with a huge number of suppliers and
processors. The quality of these medicines, however, was unstable and hard to control, said Liu........
Read

Australians are getting fatter and lifestyle related diseases are on the rise
Australians are fatter but are smoking less and the risky consumption of alcohol has remained stable
over the past decade. Nationwide research into what drives people to see their GP has also found high
blood pressure was the most common health woe, while check-ups relating to diabetes and cholesterol
were also on the rise. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare collects data from a new sample of
about 1,000 GPs each year, looking for differences from the 1999-2000 financial year to 2008-09.
"There were increases in patient requests for prescriptions, immunisations, blood tests, test results and
administrative actions such as medical certificates," according to the Bettering the Evaluation And Care
of Health (BEACH) 10-year review. "In 2008-09, patients also presented more often about their
diabetes, depression and hypertension." Meanwhile, rates of presentations for ear pain, throat
complaints and headaches fell about 25 per cent over the period. The research also showed the
prevalence of overweight people who went to see their GP rose from 33 per cent to 36 per cent. The
number of obese jumped from 19 per cent to 25 per cent over the 10 years. Those who smoke daily
decreased from 19 per cent to 15 per cent while "at-risk alcohol consumption" remained stable at 26 per
cent. Children got no fatter, with rates of overweight and obesity among those aged under 17 stable at
11 per cent obese and 17 per cent overweight............ pdf, 197 pages ........ Read

Global Consumer Confidence Rebounding, and Sales Start to Follow - Nilesen
Global consumers are increasingly feeling confident about the state of the economy and their own
finances, and while Asia has spearheaded that rebound, signs are pointing to improved consumer
behavior in other parts of the world. According to the latest edition of the Nielsen Economic Current,


volume and value sales reached their highest point since the monthly survey was launched in January
2009. Of the twelve countries examined, only one – Germany – showed a decline in the survey, while
France and Taiwan recorded improvement. ―While these results are encouraging, consumers in most
parts of the world remain cautious about spending their money, and are increasingly moving to value
channels. At the same time, retailers are selling more on promotion. It‘s likely these trends will continue
until economic recovery has solidly taken root,‖ said James Russo, Vice President, Global Consumer
Insight at The Nielsen Company....... Read

Diabetes to double in 25 years (US)
Between 2009 and 2034, the number of people with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes will increase
from 23.7 million to 44.1 million. The obesity distribution in the population without diabetes will remain
stable over time with ∼65% of individuals of the
population being overweight or obese. During the
same period, annual diabetes-related spending is
expected to increase from $113 billion to $336
billion (2007 dollars). For the Medicare-eligible
population, the diabetes population is expected to
rise from 8.2 million in 2009 to 14.6 million in
2034; associated spending is estimated to rise
from $45 billion to $171 billion. The diabetes
population and the related costs are expected to
at least double in the next 25 years. Without
significant changes in public or private strategies,
this population and cost growth are expected to add a significant strain to an overburdened health care
system...... pdf, 5 pages..... Read

Survey: Fewer than 10% of U.S. Consumers Dislike Grocery Shopping
Price Comparisons and Planning are also Key as Consumers Across Incomes Seek Out Deals. In
today‘s economy, U.S. consumers continue to feed on a back-to-basics and a ―more meals at home‖
mentality. With consumers across all incomes looking for grocery deals, how are they shopping? Key
findings from Nielsen‘s most recent shopping survey and behavior-tracking insights reveal:
* Only nine percent of the primary shoppers in U.S. households dislike or hate shopping; 38 percent
―get in and get out.‖...... Read

80% Canadian support biofuels
Canadian support for biofuels is quite strong according to a study released at the opening of the
Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit held Dec. 1 and 2 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Ontario-based
Praxicus Public Strategies Inc. conducted a survey from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 for the Canadian Renewable
Fuels Association. ―The poll clearly shows that Canadians want to shift from fossil fuels towards
alternatives. Eighty-four per cent of Canadians support the promotion of low-carbon, homegrown
renewable fuels as a major part of that change,‖ Praxicus president Dimitri Pantazopoulos said. ―This
support for renewable fuels is consistently strong in every region of the country. Canadians want our
energy supply to grow beyond oil.‖ Other questions found strong support for the Canadian renewable
fuels industry. The survey results have a margin of error of about 3 percent......... Read

Lower EU beef output expected in 2010
The results from the latest European beef forecast working group showed declining herds across the
majority of the key European producing states this year is putting some downward pressure on net
production of beef. This situation seems set to continue in 2010. In terms of net production, France still
remains the largest producer within the EU-27, at around 1.51 million tonnes. Looking ahead to 2010,
an anticipated rise of 6% in live exports is expected to reduce French beef production by almost 3% to
1.47 million tonnes. This is expected to boost French import levels by around 2% to just over 400,000


tonnes. German beef production seems set to fall by 7% in 2009, reflecting lower domestic supplies
especially young bull availability and increased live exports as bluetongue restrictions have eased. For
2010 German net production of beef is forecast to fall marginally with a similar decline expected in
consumption levels. UK beef production has been stable in 2009, helped by higher than anticipated
heifer disposals and increasing young bull supplies as the year progressed. Higher carcase weights and
the fall away in live exports have helped to offset the decline in the UK cow herd, which in June 2009
was 3% lower than 2008. Little change is expected in 2010 with production forecast to reach just over
855,000 tonnes....... Read

Generation Y primary contributors to forecasted double-digit growth in salty snacks, easy meals, meat
entrees, and sweet snacks consumption
Each generation will make a
distinctive mark on how and
what Americans will be eating
in 10 years, according to The
NPD Group, a leading market
research company. In its A
Look into The Future of Eating
report, NPD‘s food industry
market research finds that
eating patterns over the next
decade will be influenced by
the behaviors that occur with
aging, and the differences in
preferences from one
generation to another. A Look
into The Future of Eating
looks at how Generation Z, born 1990 to present; Y (Millennials), born 1976 to 1989; X, born 1965 to
1975; Younger Boomers, 1956 to 1964; Older Boomers, 1946 to 1955; and Generation Silent, 1930 to
1945, eat today, and how as they age they will eat 10 years from now. Based on the impact of age
dynamics, trend momentum (prior and current eating patterns), and population growth, the top five food
groups expected to increase in consumption are salty/savory snacks, easy meals, center of plate
proteins (i.e. meat entrees), sweet snacks/desserts, and heat and eat breakfasts. Based on
generational and aging influences, over the next decade, people in Generation Y are expected to be
primary contributors to the forecasted growth in consumption of all these food groups with the exception
of heat and eat breakfasts. Future kids less than 10 years of age are expected to have more influence
on consumption of this food group compared to the other foods......... Read

USFDA forges partnership with Fair Food Network
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced that USDA has signed a cooperative
agreement with the Fair Food Network, a Michigan-based organization working toward improving
consumers' access to healthy foods. The agreement lays the foundation for creating a regional food
system with a strong urban-rural link by conducting research and matching small and mid-size farms in
rural Southeast Michigan to emerging urban markets, particularly Detroit, where there is need and
unmet demand for locally-produced fresh foods. Research results will be used to develop a
comprehensive communications and social marketing plan to reach out to and inform small farmers in
Southeast Michigan about urban market opportunities. USDA Rural Development will provide $40,000
to complement private funding....... Read



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Innovations, IP, New Products & Related News
Microencapsulated Whey Protein and Omega 3 ingredient
The dual benefits of Whey protein and concentrated Omega-3 fish oils can now be enjoyed in a unique
combination product with the launch of Whey-O3, a micro-encapsulated powder aimed at sports people
and anyone with an interest in their physical health, lipid specialist Equateq announced. ‗The beauty of
Whey-O3 is its flexibility,‘ Equateq CEO Adam Kelliher said. ‗You can blend it into a breakfast shake,
sprinkle it over food, even use it in cooking, at a very low heat. So it is a very easy presentation for
anyone wanting the advantages of whey protein, with all the benefits of increased Omega-3
intake‘Equateq enhanced the stability of Whey-O3 by utilising its Crystalpure technology to deliver an
enriched triglyceride oil that is 50% omega-3, and particularly high in EPA. By using this greater level of
actives, Equateq could reduce the loading of the lipid fraction to just 30%, with the remainder of the mix
being the stabilizing Whey protein. The smaller lipid fraction means a lower presence of elements that
are prone to oxidize, directly improving the stability profile. But Whey-O3 also provides a high level of
lipid actives with 135mg of omega-3 delivered for each gram of powder........... Read

DSM launches enzymatic whey whitener
DSM has developed a new fungal peroxidase that can whiten whey without the use of harsh chemicals,
and avoiding off-tastes and protein irregularities. Whey is a by-product of cheese-making that finds uses
in a range of finished products, such as beverages, ice cream, yoghurt, bread and cookies etc, to add
texture or protein. But because of the carotenoids in it, whey is naturally a green-yellow colour; when
annatto is used to make more orange-coloured cheeses, the resulting whey has a more orange colour,
too. According to DSM, coloured is not very well received on the market, as it cannot be used for end
products that are white. Whiter whey ingredients can command a higher price than coloured variants,
with general market prices for commercial whey products varying between €75 and €125. In the past,
whey processors have tended to use hydrogenperoxide or benzylperoxide to bleach their whey, DSM
says this practice brings its own problems: It is said to create off-flavours and irregularities in the protein
levels. ―Achieving the desired white colour is a priority for manufacturers in terms of securing a price
premium, but this cannot be at the expense of taste or functionality – which is the downside of using
traditional bleaching methods,‖ said Rutger van Rooijen, new business development manager at DSM
Food Specialties. The new enzyme is a fungal peroxidase called MaxiBright. It is said to hydrolyse the
molecules that are responsible for the colouration, rendering white without the use of harsh chemicals
and preserving the whey‘s integrity. It does not produce off-flavours, but means the whey still has a
‗clean‘ taste, the company says........ Read

First Resveratrol Nutrition Bar Hits the Market with DSM ingredient


The first nutrition bar containing resveratrol, the
ingredient in grapes acclaimed for its potential to
forestall the ravages of time, is about to hit the
marketplace. The aptly-named WINETIME™
Bar, developed by ResVez, Inc. of Rancho
Santa Fe, Calif. contains as much resveratrol as
50 glasses of red wine. The bar, a rich, dark
chocolate flavor harmonized with dates and
almonds, is high in fiber and also contains
seven extra "super fruits" -- cranberry, noni,
pomegranate, goji berry, acai, mangosteen and
blueberry. "It is a true healthy indulgence," said Malcolm Nicholl, President and CEO of ResVez. "If you
love chocolate and wine and you want a nutrition bar that really tastes great, this is for you." Resveratrol
has soared in popularity after positive coverage on major TV shows such as "60 Minutes," "Oprah," and
a Barbara Walters Special. A substantial amount of research validating a remarkable range of health
benefits has been published. Though most of the trials have been conducted with animals, the results of
human clinical studies will soon begin to appear in peer-reviewed medical journals. A large number of
dietary supplements containing resveratrol have been successfully marketed -- mostly in pills and
drinks. The WINETIME bar is a breakthrough concept, putting this life-enhancing ingredient into a 190-
calorie gourmet nutrition bar. ResVez elected to use two sources of resveratrol -- resVida® trans-
resveratrol, a highly-purified compound produced by DSM Nutritional Products, and an extract derived
from premium French red grapes. "The resVida® ingredient is a 99 percent pure trans-resveratrol and
comes with the most extensive scientific and safety substantiation in the marketplace. This was
extremely important to us in selecting the kind of resveratrol that was appropriate for a luxury nutrition
bar," said Nicholl. "In addition, we chose another source of resveratrol from grapes harvested in
France's Rhone Valley, which is particularly suitable for a bar called 'WINETIME.' No other product has
such a powerful combination."......... Read

Sausages ideal carriers for eye health ingredients: Study
Sausages are a suitable carried for lutein, the carotenoid linked to eye health benefits, says a new study
which reports higher lutein uptake than from vegetables. Spanish researchers report that 30 per cent of
the lutein added to sausages was accessible to the body, and result in a significant source of the
carotenoid in the diet, according to findings published in Food Chemistry. "Our results support the
suitability of meat products as lutein carriers and as a means to increase the systematic intake of lutein,"
they wrote. Lutein, a nutrient found in various foods including green leafy vegetables and egg yolk, has
a ten-year history in the dietary supplement market as a nutrient to reduce the risk of age related
macular degeneration (ADM). The global lutein market is set to hit $124.5 million (€93 million) in 2013,
according to a 2007 report from Frost & Sullivan, with skin health offering a major new avenue for the
carotenoid. According to the report, manufacturers need to address this growing maturity in dietary
supplements by identifying new and potentially lucrative application segments that offer opportunities for
the continued growth of the lutein market.......... Read


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Regulations, Labelling, Health Claims & Related News
Unit pricing becomes mandatory in Australia
Unit pricing became mandatory in supermarkets across Australia yesterday (1 December), with the
country's competition minister suggesting the move will see the average family save at least A$96
(US$89) a year. Unit pricing, a recommendation stemming from the Australian Consumer and
Competition Commission's grocery inquiry, is where grocery items are priced by reference to common
units of measure such as per 100 grams and per 100 millilitres. For example, a 600 gram jar of jam that
costs A$4.50 would have a unit price of A$0.75 per 100 grams. "Unit pricing will allow customers to
choose the cheapest packet size for a particular brand," competition minister Dr Craig Emerson said. "It
will also allow customers to compare different brands in different package sizes by reference to their
price per unit." "Unit pricing is a valuable tool that enables consumers to seek better value for money
when shopping for groceries."........ Read

Legal changes to encourage low fat dairy products in the pipeline (UK)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published draft plans on fat reduction that raise the possibility of
legal changes to encourage sales of low fat cheddar and ice cream. To reduce the quantity of saturated
fat in the UK diet, the FSA is presenting industry with a list of recommendations to promote healthier
options and reduce the size of fatty snack. For the dairy industry, the agency is focusing on promoting
the supply and sale of low fat milk and cheddar. It has set ambitious targets for both these categories.
Lower fat milks with 1 per cent fat or less currently make up 25 per cent of the market, and the FSA
wants to increase that percentage to over 40 per cent by 2012. The FSA also wants to see an increase
in the low fat share of total cheddar market from 10 per cent today to 25 per cent by 2015. For milk the
aim is to capitalise on the historic shift towards lower fat options, and encourage the development of 1
per cent fat milk and skimmed milk. The FSA recommends that businesses should develop their own
internal targets to supply, sell and promote the uptake of lower fat milk. The same recommendation was
proposed for reduced fat versions of everyday cheddar style cheeses, but the FSA did acknowledge the
existence of a legislative barrier. The current Food Labelling Regulations 1996 (FLR) do not allow
reformulated versions of cheddar that contain less than the specified fat content to be marketed as
cheddar cheese. The FSA said: ―We are aware of the potential disincentive this is for food companies
and that this has the potential to be a source of confusion for consumers.‖ It is therefore exploring the
potential for an amendment to current legislation to enable low fat options to be marketed as cheddar
cheese. The same legislative impediment lies in the way of low fat ice cream, and so the FSA is
considering a similar legal change......... Read

Soy Peptide Lunasin Has Anti-Cancer, Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Two new University of Illinois studies report that lunasin, a soy peptide often discarded in the waste
streams of soy-processing plants, may have important health benefits that include fighting leukemia and
blocking the inflammation that accompanies such chronic health conditions as diabetes, heart disease,
and stroke. "We confirmed lunasin's bioavailability in the human body by doing a third study in which
men consumed 50 grams of soy protein--one soy milk shake and a serving of soy chili daily--for five
days. Significant levels of the peptide in the participants' blood give us confidence that lunasin-rich soy
foods can be important in providing these health benefits," said Elvira de Mejia, a U of I professor of
food science and human nutrition. In the cancer study, de Mejia's group identified a key sequence of
amino acids--arginine, glycine, and aspartic acid, (the RGD motif)--that triggered the death of leukemia
cells by activating a protein called caspase-3.......... Read

UKFSA publishes a guide to buying food when a consumer has an allergy


An advice leaflet for people who have been newly diagnosed with
a food allergy has been published by the Food Standards Agency
in collaboration with six allergy and nutrition organisations. The
leaflet, ‗Buying food when you have a food allergy or intolerance‘,
guides people with a food allergy or intolerance, including coeliac
disease, through the steps to remember when buying food and
when eating out. The topics covered include:
* checking the label on pre-packed food
* what to look out for when foods aren't pre-packed
* talking to restaurant staff about your allergy
* what to watch out for when using self-service restaurants
The Agency worked closely with Allergy UK, the Anaphylaxis
Campaign, the British Dietetic Association, the British Nutrition
Foundation, Coeliac UK and Foods Matter to produce the leaflet.
Sue Hattersley, Head of the Agency‘s Food Allergy Branch, said:
'We have worked very closely with all of the major food allergy support groups and many of our leading
allergy consultants to ensure that newly diagnosed patients receive consistent and reliable advice. We
hope that consumers diagnosed with a food allergy or intolerance will find the leaflet a useful checklist
to refer to when buying food.'........ pdf, 12 pages...... Read

Danone resubmits marquee probiotic gut health claim
Danone has resubmitted an article 13.5 gut health claim for its flagship probiotic product, Activia, to the
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The company said it had refined its approach in the wake of
meetings with EFSA and the experience of others in the process and come up with a submission it is
―fully confident‖ of. ―We have redrafted the whole dossier, including rewording of the scientific claim, to
take aboard elements coming from the June 15 stakeholder meeting [with EFSA],‖ Danone vice
president of external affairs and head of EU regulatory affairs, Patrick O‘Quin, told NutraIngredients this
morning. The reworked dossier has been bolstered by a study published in the British Journal of
Nutrition (Vol 102, pp1654-1662) this month that demonstrated use of Activia could provide digestive
health benefits in a normal population of women. ―It is one of the first clinical studies that shows the
impact of a fermented milk to improve the digest comfort within the global population,‖ O‘Quin said. The
dossier contains 11 clinical studies, ―selected for their direct relevance to the specific claim that is the
subject of the application.‖........... Read

Bioexx claims self -affirmed GRAS status for its canola protein
Canada‘s Bioexx has announced it has that it has completed the self-affirmation process to qualify its
specialty canola protein isolate Isolexx as self-affirmed GRAS (‗Generally Regarded as Safe‘) for use in
baked goods and other food products. GRAS is a food safety standard, set and administered in
accordance with the regulations of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which governs the use
of additives in foods and beverages. Self affirmed GRAS status, said the company, is a critical
requirement to be able to sell its product in the initial target market of the US, and it was obtained
through a review of both the manufacturing process and the resulting chemical profile of Isolexx by
independent and qualified experts in the fields of toxicology and allergenicity. According to the
company, its isolate compares favourably with both soy protein and whey protein isolates, and can be
used in bakery products such as bread, rolls, cakes, cake mixtures, cookies, biscuits, crackers,
pancakes, sweet pastry, snacks, doughnuts, and pasta as well as protein bars........ Read



Nutrition, Health Benefits & Related Research
Omega-3 plus glucosamine ‗superior‘ for joint health: Study
Combining omega-3 fatty acids with glucosamine achieves better improvements in joint health than
glucosamine alone, says a new study from Germany. The study, published in the journal Advances in
Therapy, is said to be the first clinical trial to employ the combination of glucosamine omega-3 fatty
acids in people suffering from osteoarthritis. UK-based Seven Seas funded the study. Approximately
seven million people in the UK alone are reported to have long-term health problems associated with
arthritis. Around 206 million working days were lost in the UK in 1999-2000, equal to £18 billion (€26
billion) of lost productivity. Talking to NutraIngredients, lead author and president of the CRO which
performed the trial, Analyze & Realize, Dr Joerg Gruenwald said: ―In a randomized controlled clinical
trial with 177 patients with osteoarthritis, we could prove that the combination of glucosamine sulfate
and omega -3-fatty acid is superior to glucosamine alone. The joint health market is dominated by
glucosamine, which is extracted from the shell of crabs, lobster and shrimps. Cargill also markets a non-
animal, non-shellfish derived product. The ingredient is often used in combination with chondroitin
sulphate, extracted from animal cartilage, such as sharks. According to the Nutrition Business Journal,
US sales for these combined supplements were $810 million (€563 million) in 2005........ Read

Dairy beats soy for inflammation improvements: Study
A dairy-rich diet may reduce levels of inflammatory and oxidative markers in overweight and obese
people, says a new study from the US. Consuming the dairy-rich diet led to significant reductions in
compounds linked to oxidative stress of over 20 per cent in some cases, and reductions in inflammatory
markers of between 10 and 15 per cent, according to findings published in the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition. The blinded, randomised, crossover study, supported by the National Dairy Council,
involved 10 overweight and 10 obese people consuming a dairy or soy-rich diet for 28 day periods. No
benefits were observed following consumption of the soy-supplemented diet........ Read

Childhood Lead Exposure Causes Permanent Damage: Study
Childhood exposure to lead can cause permanent brain damage, a new study has found."What we have
found is that no region of the brain is spared from lead exposure. Distinct areas of the brain are affected
differently," study author Kim Cecil, an imaging scientist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
and a professor of radiology, pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati College of
Medicine, said in a news release. The study included 33 adults, mean age 21, who were enrolled as
infants in the long-term Cincinnati Lead Study, which looked at prenatal and early childhood exposure in
376 infants from high-risk areas of Cincinnati between 1979 and 1987. The study participants had blood
lead levels ranging from 5 micrograms to 37 micrograms per deciliter, with a mean of 14. They had IQ
deficiencies and histories of juvenile delinquency and criminal arrests. Functional MRI was used to
monitor the participants' brains while they did two tasks that assess attention, decision making and
impulse control. The scans showed that in order to complete a task that required inhibition, participants
with elevated blood lead levels required activation from additional regions within the brain's frontal and
parietal lobes............. Read

Soy Fights Colon Cancer
A new class of therapeutic agents found naturally in soy may prevent and possibly treat colon cancer,
according to a new study conducted by Children‘s Hospital & Research Center Oakland (CHORI). Led
by Julie Saba, MD, PhD, senior scientist and director of the Cancer Center at CHORI, the researchers
made the groundbreaking discovery that Sphingadienes (SDs)—natural lipid molecules found in soy—
may underlie the benefits of soy products. Researchers first identified SDs in the fruit fly, an organism
that is sometimes used to study the genetics of human diseases. Further investigation indicated that
elevated SDs actually induced the death of mutant cells in the fly, revealing SDs to be cytotoxic
compounds. Preventative colon cancer strategies often focus on cell death—a normal process the body


uses to remove unhealthy or mutant cells, like cancer cells. Coupling this discovery with the finding that
soy is a rich source of SDs, researchers made an innovative connection........ Read

Tomato extract may cut deep vein thrombosis risk
The firm behind anti-thrombotic tomato extract Fruitflow is now exploring its potential as a dietary
solution for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is mostly associated with long haul
flights, but can affect anyone subjected to long periods of immobilisation such as hospital patients or
truck drivers, said Provexis chief executive Stephen Moon. "We are planning a human trial in 2010. We
also have patents filed in this area. We have been surprised by the interest this has generated we were
even contacted by a large global food company about it." Fruitflow has a significant advantage over
other functional ingredients in that it has secured a positive opinion from the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) for a health claim about its ability to reduce the risk of blood clots, which can trigger
heart attacks and strokes. Moon is in talks with several firms about using Fruitflow in foods, drinks and
supplements, although potential customers are waiting until the European Commission confirms a more
'consumer friendly' wording for its claim before committing, he said....... Read

Sugary Colas Tied to Gestational Diabetes
Women who drink five or more servings of sugar-sweetened cola per week before they conceive
increase their risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy, a new study indicates. "Previous studies
have shown an association with other chronic metabolic problems," said study author Dr. Liwei Chen,
an assistant professor of epidemiology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, in New
Orleans. "This is the first to show an increased risk among pregnant women." Gestational diabetes,
known as glucose intolerance during pregnancy, is one of the most common complications of
pregnancy. It increases the chances of lifelong diabetes for the woman and also can have permanent
effects on the unborn child, Chen said. The report appears in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
"Other studies suggest that babies born to women who are diabetic during pregnancy have higher
weight at birth and also higher rates of obesity and diabetes early in life," she added. Chen, working with
researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development, studied 10 years of medical records on a group of 13,475 women from the
Nurses' Health Study II. After adjusting for known risk factors for gestational diabetes, such as age,
family history and smoking, the researchers found that women who had more than five servings per
week of sugar-sweetened cola beverages had a 22 percent higher risk of gestational diabetes than
women who had less than one serving per month.......... Read

Vitamin D May Be Tied to Heart Disease Via Genes
New research points to the possibility of a genetic link between vitamin D and heart disease. People
with high blood pressure who had a gene variant that reduces vitamin D activation in the body were
found to be twice as likely as those without the variant to have congestive heart failure, the study found.
The finding may lead to a way to identify people at increased risk for heart disease, according to Robert
U. Simpson, an assistant professor of pharmacology at the University of Michigan Medical School and
his research colleagues. They analyzed the genetic profiles of 617 people. One-third had hypertension,
one-third had hypertension and congestive heart failure, and the remaining third served as healthy
controls. The researchers found that a variant in the CYP27B1 gene was associated with congestive
heart failure in people with hypertension. The study is in the November issue of Pharmacogenomics.
Previous research showed that mutations that inactivate the gene reduce the conversion of vitamin D
into an active hormone.......... Read



Reviews, Comments, Opinions and Full-text Publications
Targeting Beverages for Demographics
In today‘s beverage wars, contenders are spread across the supermarket. They fill the dairy case and
the juice aisle, the soft drink section and the beer coolers, and let‘s not forget the shelves containing
coffee, tea or water selections. While competitors try to market to niche demographic groups, it‘s
important to also remember that threads of commonality can be found among even the most-diverse
groups. Insights can be learned from all. ―Nowadays, the market for people trying to manage
cholesterol does not fall into a neat demographic age bucket,‖ says Pam Stauffer, marketing programs
manager, Cargill Health & Nutrition, Minneapolis. ―While high cholesterol continues to be an issue for
the aging population, it also strikes even young children who also suffer from obesity.‖ Consumers are
becoming increasingly aware of beverages‘ role in a healthy diet. For example, plant sterols and barley
fiber ―are clinically shown to reduce LDL cholesterol and are backed by an FDA health claim,‖ says
Stauffer, and can be used to formulate drinks that can be enjoyed by the whole family or targeted to
children, teens, parents or grandparents. Plant sterols are currently added to milk, orange juice and rice
drinks. Worldwide, moms are substituting more nutrient-dense offerings for high-caloric choices. Doug
Edmonson, director of technology, Sensient Food Colors, St. Louis, finds ―the biggest trend coming from
Europe is more naturally formulated beverages, using natural colors and flavors, replacing high-fructose
corn syrup with other ‗healthy‘ sugars, and lowering the calories per serving. The trend for health and
wellness appears to be strongest for children, and adults 35 and over.‖ Weight control crosses all
demographics. ―For men and women, this can mean fortifying products with ingredients designed to
increase satiety or boost metabolism,‖ says Donna Hansee, director of marketing, Wild Flavors, Inc.,
Erlanger, KY. ―For children, this means developing products around reduced and healthy sugars, and
paying attention to portion size for beverages. All-natural, no-calorie sweeteners like stevia are driving
many low-calorie developments targeted to all demographics.‖ Fiber in beverages enhances satiety
while contributing to digestive health.......... Read

Obesity research data may be skewed by so called ―White-Hat Bias‖
Researchers at the University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham School of Public Health say a ―white-
hat bias‖ abounds in obesity research, and may skew reported results. White-hat bias is described as
the ―tendency to distort information about products regardless of the facts, when the distortions are
perceived to serve good ends.‖ In the case of obesity research, results may be misrepresented by
scientists operating with particular biases on topics related to weight, nutrition and the food industry, as
well as biases toward products like sugar-sweetened beverages, and practices like breastfeeding,
according to the UAB study. For the study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, UAB
researchers examined ways in which scientists writing new research papers referenced two studies
reporting the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages on body weight. They found that less than one-third
of the papers that cited the beverage studies accurately reported the overall findings, and more than
two-thirds exaggerated evidence that reducing sugar-sweetened drink consumption reduced weight or
obesity. The UAB researchers also found several examples in breastfeeding studies in which the
authors selectively included some data and discarded other research to support the theory that
breastfeeding decreases the risk of obesity......... Read

Meeting Total Fat Requirements for School Lunches: Influence of School Policies and Characteristics
Concerns about child obesity have
raised questions about the quality of
meals served in the National School
Lunch Program. Local, State, and
Federal policymakers responded to
these concerns beginning in the mid-
1990s by instituting a range of policies
and standards to improve the quality of


U.S. Department of Agriculture-subsidized meals. Schools have been successful in meeting USDA
nutrient standards except those for total fat and saturated fat. This report uses school-level data from
the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment-III to calculate statistical differences between the fat content of
NSLP lunches served by schools with different policies (e.g., menu planning) and characteristics like
region and size. Positive associations are found between a meal‘s fat content and the presence of a la
carte foods and vending machines, which are thought to indirectly affect the nutrient content of USDA-
subsidized meals........ pdf, 22 pages.... Read

Please recommend the Functional Foods Weekly to your
colleagues, suppliers or customers

Webinars Worldwide
Webinars or Web seminars often provide a free or cost effect way of enhancing knowledge or help stay
on top of market trends and opportunities.

This Section is continuously updated. Why not recommend a webinar to Functional Foods Weekly?
Date What Presenter Timing* Price

Dec 7 Nanotechnology: Is Nano a No-No?......... Read Nutracon 1 PM EDT USD 169
Dec 8 Private Label 2010: Three Key Battlegrounds for Hartman Group 10 AM PST Free
Brand Loyalty......... Read
Dec 10 Food & Beverage opportunities in ASEAN........ AusTrade 3 PM Free
Read Eastern
Australian
time
* For your local time, please check the US Time Zones or US Live time (for US based seminars)
and then use the Time Zone Converter


Conferences & Meetings Worldwide
This Section is continuously updated. Please recommend a food-related conference to Functional Foods Weekly
When What Where

Dec 10 Health Claims 2010 - Developing your strategy to survive the EU shake- Brussels, Belgium
up......... Read
Dec 11-12 Functional Foods for Heart Health: Continuum Between Science and Winnipeg, Canada


Commercialization.............. Read
2010
Jan 17-20 Dairy Forum 2010......... Read Phoenix, Arizona, US
Mar 2-3 12th Annual Dairy Ingredients Symposium......... Read San Francisco, US
Mar 9-10 Grain Foods: Sustaining the Future, Sydney, Australia
the Inaugural Go Grains Health & Nutrition Industry Conference............
Read
Mar 9-11 US Ireland Functional Foods Conference 2010.............. Read Cork, Ireland
Mar 10-11 Nutracon.......... Read Anaheim, US
Mar 11-14 Natural Products Expo West........ Read Anaheim, US
Apr 16-17 IPA (International Probiotics Association) World Congress......... Read Miami, US
May 25-26 Beverage Forum 2010.......... Read New York, US
Jun 1-10 3rd International Symposium on Propionibacteria and Bifidobacteria: Oviedo, Spain
Dairy and Probiotic Applications.......... Read
Jun 11 Probiotics: From Bench to Market....... Read New York, US
Jun 15-17 International Scientific Conference on Probiotics and Prebiotics - IPC Kosice, Slovakia
2010............ Read
Jul 17-21 IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo.......... Read Chicago, US

Jul 25-27 AIFST Annual Conference – Creating the Future of Foods.......... Read Melbourne, Australia
Aug 22-26 IUFOST 2010 CONGRESS........ Read Cape Town, South Africa
Sep 12-15 ABIC 2010: Bridging Biology and Business........ Read Saskatoon, Canada
Sep 22-24 InterBev 2010............. Read Orlando, US
Oct 28-29 6th International Symposium Probiotics and Health: Key Findings and Montreal, Canada
New Directions........ Read
Nov 8-11 IDF World Dairy Summit 2010 …….. Read Auckland
Nov 16-18 Hi Europe……. Read Madrid, Spain


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Functional Foods Weekly Vol 4 No 36