There is a lot of health news right now in the snack food and bakery industries. With the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issuing its long-expected draft regulation to practically eliminating trans-fat in food to its draft guidance to help growers, manufacturers and foodservice operators take steps to reduce levels of acrylamide in certain foods and so many other health issues, we find this month that our pages are filled with health issues.
The increasing use of pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and antibiotics in food products is raising health concerns in the U.S. Estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2013 show that some 1.1 billion lb. of pesticides’ active ingredients are used each year and more than 20,000 pesticide products are marketed annually, adversely impacting the health of consumers and the environment.
Lightweighting and the trend toward shelf-ready packaging can be made more sustainable, but also exposes delicate products such as biscuits to damage, so any savings may be outweighed by extra pallet and shrink-wrapping costs.
Minneapolis-based General Mills says that, since 2005, it has improved the health profile of 73% of its U.S. Retail sales volume. The company’s Baking and Snack platforms include such brands as Betty Crocker, Fiber One, Food Should Taste Good, Lärabar and Pillsbury.
As more consumers shift their attention to the foods they eat in the morning, bakers and snack food manufacturers are redefining the breakfast foods segment by offering downsized portions that are easier to eat and are nutritious.
Twelve winners of the California Raisin Marketing Board’s 6th Annual America’s Best Raisin Bread Contest were announced Oct. 8 during a banquet at the LVH hotel in Las Vegas.
Oct. 15 marked the inauguration of the Puratos Sourdough Library, which took place at the company’s Center for Bread Flavour in Saint-Vith, Belgium. The library is believed to be the first of its kind and aims to preserve sourdough biodiversity and sourdough baking knowledge. It’s also home to a unique collection of sourdoughs from bakers across the globe.
Cargill announces the findings of its proprietary Gatekeeper Purchase Drivers Study at the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) in Las Vegas.
You might want to down that nonGMO popcorn with coconut water or kombucha this year. Based on sightings at the Natural Products Expo East tradeshow, which brings together natural, organic and healthy lifestyle products, a few specific products stood out.