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| Subject: |
FOOD BUSINESS NEWS/Market Segments/Functional Foods or FOOD BUSINESS NEWS/Market Segments/Natural and Organic
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| Period: |
April 1, 2016 to May 1, 2016
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Worldwide
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Contents
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 Ohio-based Biowish Technologies has developed a wash for fruits and vegetables that not only preserves products longer, it is biodegradable and certified organic (at least in the State of Washington). Tests conducted on bananas in India showed that the wash keeps them green nine days longer than conventional wash. That’s quite an advancement for retail grocers, but perhaps not so much for banana farmers. To remain competitive, they have to commit to buying and using the product. Though it boosts a farmer’s yield and reduces waste, “it also puts you in bed with a single vendor.”
"This Organic Fruit Wash Keeps Bananas Green For Weeks", Fast Company, April 20, 2016
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 Accelerating its program to remove unpopular additives from its foods, Nestlé announced it will remove artificial flavors and colors from ice cream products sold in the U.S., including Dreyer's, Haagen-Dazs, and Skinny Cow. In addition, the company said it will modify remove high fructose corn syrup and genetically-modified ingredients from some of ice cream products. Nestlé last year removed artificial flavors and colors in ten chocolate candy brands in the U.S., as well as from DiGiorno pizza, while also reducing salt.
"Nestle Axes GMO Ingredients and Additives in Some U.S. Ice Cream", Bloomberg, April 20, 2016
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 Spices and seasonings maker McCormick has purchased all of the shares of Australia’s Botanical Food Company, a manufacturer of packaged fresh herbs. Annual sales of the Gourmet Garden brand are about $53 million and growing at a double-digit rate. McCormick plans to drive sales of the brand by expanding global distribution and marketing. The company paid $114 million in cash for Botanical Food, which was founded in 1999 in Queensland.
"McCormick & Company Acquires Botanical Food Company, a Global Leader in Chilled Convenient Herbs", News release, McCormick & Co., April 19, 2016
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 In a corporate progress report, General Mills says it has made significant headway in its plan to sustainably source all of its 10 “priority ingredients” – about half of its yearly raw material purchases – by 2020. The company also noted progress in delivering more healthful foods. It has lowered sodium and sugar content (in cereals and yogurts) and reformulated some products in response to consumer preferences. It eliminated artificial colors and flavors in its cereals and added gluten-free products. It also said it is now “the third-largest U.S. natural and organic food producer.”
"General Mills encouraged by progress on health and wellness goals", Food Business News, April 13, 2016
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 British researchers and colleagues from around the world reviewed scientific studies on milk and meat, finding that organically grown products contained more beneficial nutrients, especially omega-3 fatty acids. The data showed that organic milk and meat have more desirable fat profiles, and could raise omega-3 fat intake by 50 percent without increasing calories and undesirable saturated fat. They also showed lower levels of myristic and palmitic acid in organic meat and a lower omega-3/omega-6 ratio in organic milk. There were also higher levels of fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin E and carotenoids, and 40 percent more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in organic milk. Organic cattle raising involves more outdoor grazing and low
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"Higher PUFA and omega-3 PUFA, CLA, a-tocopherol and iron, but lower iodine and selenium concentrations in organic bovine milk: A systematic literature review and meta- and redundancy analysis. ", British Journal of Nutrition, April 05, 2016
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 Thanks to a newly launched organic database system that tracks and reports on certified organic operations, the USDA announced continuing double-digit growth in U.S. organic farming, ranching, handling and processing. The data collected from the constantly-updated Organic Integrity Database confirm that there are now 21,781 certified organic operations in the U.S. -- up 12 percent since 2014 -- and 31,160 around the globe. The total retail market for organic foods and other products is now valued at more than $39 billion here and more than $75 billion worldwide. The agency has invested a billion dollars in more than 40,000 local and regional food businesses and infrastructure projects since between 2009.
"USDA Reports Record Growth In U.S. Organic Producers", News release, U.S. Department of Agriculture, April 04, 2016
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 Stonyfield Organic, a U.S.-based organic dairy owned by France’s Danone group, has gone on record as supporting mandatory GMO labeling of food products. Parent company Danone has not yet publicly supported GMO labeling, but has also not “donated to campaigns trying to block it,” according to a Stonyfield spokesman. The U.S. Senate on March 16 defeated legislation formally known as the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, passed by the House last summer. Opponents of the bill, however, refer to it as the “deny Americans the right to know,” or DARK, Act. It would have preempted states, including Vermont, from requiring the labeling of GMO foods, instead implementing a voluntary system.
"Danone's Stonyfield backs mandatory GMO labelling - Expo West", Just-Food, March 14, 2016
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