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Artificial additives

The Southampton study that linked certain commonly-used colours to hyperactivity in children has led to the phasing out of additives that do nothing but make food look good. Now, the hunt is on for natural alternatives that can replace synthetic additives now viewed by consumers with suspicion.

New stabiliser systems target fermented dairy

06-Nov-2009 - Hydrosol has developed two new series of stabiliser solution for use in fermented dairy products, as starch is falling out of favour and clean labels are the order of the day.

EFSA publishes draft guidance for flavours assessment

02-Nov-2009 - EFSA has given the first indication of the data it sees as necessary for approval of new flavourings, under the new regulation and common authorisation procedure that came into force this year.

Symrise revamps colour range for new EU rules

14-Oct-2009 - Symrise has reorganised its natural food colourings range and is now offering tailored advice to manufacturers that want to avoid artificial hues that will soon require off-putting warnings on labels.

Chr Hansen makes natural white for confectionery

15-Sep-2009 - Chr Hansen has developed a new natural white colour from calcium carbonate, which it claims is the first non-chemical alternative to titanium dioxide available to coated confectionery and chewing gum manufacturers.

E-numbers scrutinised via iPhone apps

03-Sep-2009 - New applications for iPhone are giving consumers instant access to information on food additives by entering the E-number – but there are questions about the science used to support the safety opinions.

EFSA view on Southampton six imminent

02-Sep-2009 - A verdict on the safety of the ‘Southampton six’ food colours is imminent after the EFSA confirmed its food additives panel is scheduled to discuss the review findings later this month.

Mane launches new flavours 'from the named veg'

02-Sep-2009 - Mane is launching a new range of vegetable flavours for culinary applications to cater to the growing trend for natural foods and the new legislation on the composition of flavours that can be called natural.

Low calorie drinks and low-fat foods effective for weight loss

25-Aug-2009 - Regular consumption of low-calorie beverages and low fat foods may help maintain weight loss and a stable body weight, suggests findings from a new study.

Givaudan focuses on umami for clean label taste enhancement

20-Aug-2009 - Givaudan has developed a new range of flavour ingredients focusing on umami in order to allow manufacturers a clean label approach to flavour enhancement, the company says.

EFSA publishes data requirements for food additive approval

04-Aug-2009 - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a list of data requirements that industry must submit for the assessment of food additives.

Post-market food review highlights EU consumer priorities

28-Jul-2009 - A review of all new food and beverage product launches in Europe over the past year has revealed an increased focus on three top-of-the-mind consumer issues: The quest for all things natural, the need for speed, and the avoidance of allergens.

Asda claims victory in aspartame ‘nasty’ case

16-Jul-2009 - A High Court judge has found in favour of Asda in its court battle with Ajinomoto over food and beverage ‘no nasties’ labelling, which listed aspartame as an ingredient not used. Ajinomoto plans to appeal.

Symrise targets authentic natural flavours with new analysis tool

02-Jul-2009 - Symrise has developed a new tool for comprehensive flavour analysis which it says will enable it to produce more authentic profiles quickly and efficiently – and develop more true to life natural flavours.

Aldi takes colours out of Australian products

15-Jun-2009 - Aldi is removing the Southampton Six food colours from products in its Australian supermarkets, following a campaign by consumer groups.

How metals in food impact children's behaviour

25-Mar-2009 - The contamination of food with certain metals needs to be urgently addressed in light of growing evidence linking trace elements to negative human behaviour, according to a lead researcher in the field.

Confectionery firms criticised for not removing colours

20-Mar-2009 - Cadbury and Mars are attracting severe criticism from food campaigners, who say they have not fulfilled promises to remove certain artificial food colours from products by the end of 2008.

FSA lists products free of Southampton colours

03-Feb-2009 - The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a list of food products that have been voluntarily reformulated to remove six food colours associated with hyperactivity in young children.

Chr Hansen unveils new colouring foodstuffs

28-Jan-2009 - Chr Hansen is extending its range of natural colouring foodstuffs with eight new additions, following two years of experimentation with fruit, vegetable and plant sources.

Flavour regulation requires calm and communication

22-Jan-2009 - The new EU flavouring regulation should cause no immediate panic amongst food manufacturers, says Synergy, but there are some aspects of the law that are left open to interpretation.

Colours pose no health risk to Australians, says FSANZ

12-Dec-2008 - A survey into the levels of colourings in food products in Australia showed usage far below the maximum permitted levels (MPL); FSANZ says this shows there is no public health risk associated with their use.

How FIAP will affect the food industry

10-Dec-2008 - Danisco's director of regulatory affairs explains what the newly adopted legislation on food additives and enzymes means for industry, and the question marks that remain.

EFSA confirms 14 flavouring substances pose no safety risk

28-Nov-2008 - 14 out of 26 assessed food flavouring substances are safe for human consumption at estimated current intake levels, according to a new scientific opinion from EFSA.

Industry response to additive, enzyme regulation adoption

26-Nov-2008 - Additive and enzyme associations have welcomed the adoption of the new FIAP package on additives, flavourings and enzymes – but concern remains about the Southampton colours warning.

Allura Red up for EFSA review in early '09

25-Nov-2008 - Allura Red is due to go up for discussion by the EFSA’s food additives panel in January, as the food safety agency fast tracks assessment of the ‘Southampton six’ in its broader review of food colourings used in the EU.

Ministers on board with ‘Southampton six’ phase-out

13-Nov-2008 - UK ministers have agreed with a Food Standards Agency proposal on voluntary phasing out of the ‘Southampton six’ food colours by the end of 2009, according the agency’s chief executive.

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