Health & functionality

Latvia becomes latest EU country to ban trans fats

Latvia becomes latest EU country to ban trans fats

By Niamh Michail

Latvia has banned the use of trans fats in domestically produced and imported food, joining ranks with Austria, Hungary and Denmark - but campaigners are pushing for an EU-wide ban.

Manufacturers need to think about fructose bad press and reformulate fast, says analyst

Will fructose follow trans fats’ fate?

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Mounting scientific evidence and a shift in public opinion could mean fructose is set to follow the same black-listed fate as trans fats, argues an analyst.

Citrus food flavouring is genotoxic, says EFSA

Citrus food flavouring is genotoxic, says EFSA

By Niamh Michail

Citrus food flavouring perilla aldehyde causes DNA damage to the liver, says EFSA – a finding that calls into question the safety of nine other chemically similar flavourings.

Private label nutrition equal to national brands

Private label nutrition equal to national brands

By Niamh Michail

There are no major differences in nutritional content between private labels, national brands and hard discount goods – although private labels come out top for nutrition labelling, according to a French government study.

Plum ingredients can improve the nutritional profile and reduce sugar in chocolate and other confectionery applications, claims Sunsweet

Could plum be the new color of confectionery?

By Lynda Searby

Supplier Sunsweet claims its plum ingredients could present a pathway to cleaner labels as safety concerns over caramel colors prompt confectionery manufacturers to look explore alternatives.

Daily Express: One of many media outlets that leapt aboard the train of misinformation

Mock choc study highlights peer review pitfalls

By Shane STARLING

It’s no secret the peer review system that is supposed to subject academic research to rigorous scrutiny before publication is not perfect, but a [mock] German professor has revealed just how much of a joke it often is.

Tablet tiredness: Probiotic chocolate could be attractive supplement alternative, claims Milsing.

Special edition: Innovations in better-for-you confectionery

Probiotics more stable in chocolate than pills, says Milsing

By Oliver Nieburg

Chocolate is a more effective delivery system than capsules and tablets for probiotics and could be an attractive alternative for consumers, according to Croatian supplement firm Milsing.