Food & Food Equipment News

Food & Drink Product Launches Decline During 2009 Recession

 

The economic slump paid its toll on US food and drink manufacturers in 2009, according to a recent review of Mintel’s Global New Product Database (GNPD). Food and drink product launches show a substantial decline of nearly 30% from 2008.

“We see that a number of small companies, which typically introduce a wide range of products, have been stopping or slowing their introductions due to the economy. Additionally, some categories have simply become so over-saturated that there is little room for new products.”

“In the last decade, Mintel GNPD has only tracked occasional, small declines in new product introductions for the US market, never a decline as strong as this,” notes Lynn Dornblaser, leading new product expert at Mintel. “We see that a number of small companies, which typically introduce a wide range of products, have been stopping or slowing their introductions due to the economy. Additionally, some categories have simply become so over-saturated that there is little room for new products.”

Despite this declining trend, there are some categories and claims that found a hidden niche in which to excel. Ethical and environmental claims increased from 9% of all product launches in 2008 to 17% in 2009. Specifically in this category, the environmentally friendly packaging claim nearly tripled, growing from 3% of all products launched in 2008 to 9% in 2009.

“The increase in ethical and environmental claims is less about companies introducing new products or changing their packaging and more about manufacturers communicating with their consumers and knowing what’s important to the people who purchase their products,” says Lynn Dornblaser.

Meanwhile, in clear correlation with the recession, products boasting an economy claim have increased by 72% from 2008 to 2009*.

In addition, side dishes was one of the few categories of food and drink that saw an increase in 2009, with 16% more launches than in 2008*. This increase is most likely due to more people eating in and the introduction of products that offer convenient solutions, such as vegetable steam bags.

Still, most categories saw decreases due to the down economy, notes Lynn Dornblaser: “Natural and organic products, which saw large increases in 2008, took a few steps back in 2009 due to their higher price points.”

Food and drink introductions with an all-natural claim decreased from 15% of all launches in 2008 to 13% in 2009. The organic claim, showed a similar decline of 12% to 10% in the same timeframe.

*These numbers are based on a percentage difference from 2008 to 2009, not based on a percentage of total launches.

About Mintel

Mintel is a leading global supplier of consumer, product and media intelligence. For more than 35 years, Mintel has provided insight into key worldwide trends, offering exclusive data and analysis that directly impacts client success. With offices in Chicago, New York, London, Sydney, Shanghai and Tokyo, Mintel has forged a unique reputation as a world-renowned business brand.

For more information, visit Mintel.

Bio-Tec Environmental LLC. Unveils EcoPure PC Additive For Transparent Biodegradable Polycarbonate

 

Bio-Tec formulates the use of EcoPure™ for transparent polycarbonate that passes visual and optical specifications for manufacturers and brands. Bio-Tec continues to expand its EcoPure™ line of biodegradable additives.

Bio-Tec Environmental, a New Mexico company known for its EcoPure™ additive that accelerates the biodegradation of plastics, announces the release of EcoPure™ biodegradable additive for polycarbonate applications requiring totally transparent materials. In preliminary testing EcoPure™ treated Polycarbonate passes visual and optical specifications for eyewear and DVD applications. Bio-Tec has begun production of the EcoPure™ PC grade of their biodegradable additive. Samuel Adams, Senior VP of Bio-Tec, states, "This is a major step forward in the environmental industry; EcoPure™ PC additive opens up a whole new collection of industries that now can be stepping forward into the green wave." Bio-Tec released its biodegradable G2 formulation for clear PET in June of last year and continues to expand the EcoPure™ product capabilities into a wide range of resins. Bio-Tec Environmental LLC. is on the brink of releasing another industry-changing additive, they plan on releasing further details by Q2 of 2010.

“This is a major step forward in the environmental industry; EcoPure™ PC additive opens up a whole new collection of industries that now can be stepping forward into the green wave.”

About Bio-Tec Environmental

Bio-Tec Environmental is the manufacturer of EcoPure™. It has been in business since 2003 and its entire focus has been on making plastics biodegradable. EcoPure™ is the newest generation of our extensive research and development. Bio-Tec Environmental, since launching the EcoPure™ additive in 2008, has formulated two other additives to work with PET and Polycarbonate. Bio-Tec plans on launching a third variation for the EPS Foam industry by 2010. In the words of Sam Adams, Senior VP, "We are more than just a collection of people running a business. Our vision is simple: to help our customers and the environment. We have combined great customer service with extensive technical and R&D expertise. We strive to 'raise the bar' for service, integrity and forthrightness when dealing with both our customers and our employees."

For more information, visit Bio-Tec Environmental.

Idaho Technology Inc. Launches High Volume Food Test Kits

 

Idaho Technology, Inc. (ITI) has launched their new high volume kits for foodborne pathogen detection. The new high volume kits feature 160 reactions per kit, a simplified protocol, and a competitive price, making them ideal for food labs with large testing capacities. The assays all use real-time PCR technology to identify the presence of Salmonella, Listeria or Escherichia coli O157:H7 in various food and environmental samples.

“We feel that our high volume kits not only accomplish this objective, but also result in more efficient operations.”

“Our goal with the high volume kits is to give high throughput labs a scientifically advanced food-testing product at the same price as less advanced technologies. This allows them to continue to be competitive in the marketplace during a time of slimming margins and increasing production costs,” states Rachel Jones, ITI vice president of Sales and Marketing. “We feel that our high volume kits not only accomplish this objective, but also result in more efficient operations.” These kits are now available for purchase and have been granted Performance Tested Methods Status by the AOAC Research Institute for use with the R.A.P.I.D.® LT Food Security System (FSS).

The validation of these high volume kits is an important development for all food manufacturers since foodborne pathogens are a major health problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are 76 million cases of foodborne illnesses each year, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths. The use of screening tools that are both rapid and accurate will permit earlier release of products without fear of potential outbreaks or possible food recalls. These assays are intended for use by trained laboratory personnel.

About the R.A.P.I.D. LT FSS

Built upon LightCycler® technology, the R.A.P.I.D. LT FSS combines rapid air thermocycling and a real-time fluorimeter to reliably test food and environmental samples. In addition to the instrument, robust freeze-dried reagents have been designed and optimized to run on this instrument and provide precise results. Because of its sensitivity, accuracy and high speed, it is the ideal instrument for rapid foodborne pathogen identification and represents a significant improvement over traditional microbiology tests that currently require five to seven days.

About Idaho Technology, Inc.

Idaho Technology, Inc., based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is the originator of rapid DNA analysis with applications including DNA amplification, real-time PCR and mutation discovery. ITI’s systems include biothreat detection systems (R.A.P.I.D.® and RAZORTM systems), a biomedical research system for gene quantification and mutation scanning (LightScanner® system), and a food protection system (R.A.P.I.D. ® LT). Founded in 1990, ITI is a privately held company focused on worldwide applications in the defense, research, industrial and food testing markets.

About AOAC International

AOAC International is a not-for-profit scientific association committed to worldwide confidence in analytical results.

For more information, visit Idaho Technology, Inc or AOAC International.

Biopack Plans 7 Continues Expansion in Rapidly Developing Asian Market

Biopack Environmental Solutions Inc. (OTCBB: BPAC), a designer, manufacturer, and supplier of 100% biodegradable packaging products, is pleased to announce it has secured follow up orders to the initial placement, first announced November 9, 2009, of its sustainable packaging products from Hong Kong based supermarket city’super.

“with high quality, internationally sourced merchandise which is ethically and environmentally responsible”

In addition to its 9 stores in Hong Kong and 3 in Taipei Taiwan, city’super recently announced it is following in the path of other international retailers, and opening its first store in China. Scheduled to be open for business May 1, 2010 in Shanghai, this "Mega Lifestyle Specialty Store" will cater to Shanghai’s growing affluent population.

As the overseas consumption environment has become more severe and exports decline, China has rendered domestic demand expansion and the stimulation of residents’ consumption as one future focus. With the continuous improvement of this consumption environment, it is believed the chain supermarkets focusing on necessities sales will enjoy broad development room in the future.

Recently, fifty thousand people turned out for the January opening of supermarket giant Tesco’s Qingdao centre, as Tesco plans to spend £500m (approximately $800m USD) in China this year (or one-quarter of their total capital expenditure outside the UK) to catch up with other rivals. Wal-Mart’s share of Chinese super market sales in 2009 was 45bn Yuan ($6.6bn USD), Carrefour's 33bn Yuan ($4.83bn USD), while Tesco accounted for just 11bn Yuan ($1.61bn USD), according to data from Euromonitor.

“As we have commented before, we are pleasantly surprised with the pace and growth of the sustainable packaging market in Asia, and especially China. Biopack has taken notice of this, and plans to devote more efforts to capturing market potential in this burgeoning sector” says Gerald Lau, CEO of Biopack. He continues “As many of the bigger international retailers move into China and Asia, they also bring with them a high level of corporate standards to be socially responsible. This coupled with increasing consumption, rising per capita income and stricter environmental policy, mean the potential for Biopack’s 100% biodegradable and compostable packaging products to become the alternative to cheaper but polluting packaging is very exciting”.

About city’super

city’super was established in Hong Kong in 1996, and now employs more than 1,200 people across four retail brands. It considers itself as a "Mega Lifestyle Specialty Store" and is focused on satisfying customer’s demands “with high quality, internationally sourced merchandise which is ethically and environmentally responsible”. city’super has 9 stores in Hong Kong, 3 in Taipei Taiwan, and has trading companies in Japan and the United States.

About Biopack

Biopack manufactures 100% biodegradable consumer packaging products from locally available sugar cane waste called Bagasse. Based in Hong Kong with manufacturing facilities in Jiangmen, China, Biopack has earned the “premium brand” label in the biodegradable packaging market in Europe. Distributed under the “Roots Biopack” trademark, Biopack’s unique line of compostable packaging is sold in 12 European countries, North America, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Africa. 

For more information, visit Biopack.

PMA Reception At 2010 Fruit Logistica Celebrates Global Produce Community

Produce Marketing Association (PMA) will reach out to international members and industry at the Fruit Logistica fresh produce trade fair, Feb. 3-5 in Berlin, Germany. The association will have an expanded presence at the international event as an exhibitor and host of a networking reception.

“PMA is continually upgrading our contacts, information, and business solutions to respond to the need of the global produce and floral industry,” said Nancy Tucker, vice president of global business development. “We have partners and members worldwide, and look forward to welcoming many of them to our reception celebrating the association’s global scope.”

PMA is sending Tucker, Director of Global Business Development Richard Owen, Director of Member Relations Paula Gonzalez and Vice President of Marketing Kelly Koczak to the show in Berlin.

PMA will exhibit in Hall 23, booth C.01. The association will host a reception, “Celebrating PMA’s Global Community,” from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, at the PMA booth. The event will bring together leaders throughout our global produce and floral community. Beer, wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

“Join us for an opportunity to meet PMA members and potential members, see old friends, forge new contacts, and learn about advancements in PMA initiatives to build and strengthen our industry,” Tucker said.

The reception is presented in conjunction with industry partners KPG Solutions, Inc., Macro Plastics, Purfresh, The Packer and Washington Apple Commission. RSVP for the reception by Feb. 1 to pma@pma.com.

About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)

Founded in 1949, the Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association representing nearly 3,000 companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. Members rely on PMA year round for the business solutions they need to increase sales and consumption, build strong professional relationships, and expand their business opportunities. 

For more information, visit PMA.

Florida’s Largest Strawberry Shipper-Grower Debuts New Brand With Humorous Online Videos

 You’ve heard of the Jolly Green Giant and Tony the Tiger. Now meet Misty the Garden Pixie.

“Strawberries are about sweetness and fun, so we created a brand that reflects those qualities. The new brand name is a natural evolution for our company. People have been referring to us as ‘Wish Farms’ for years”

Wishnatzki Farms today announced Wish Farms, a new brand for its fresh produce products. The new consumer label, featuring Misty the Wish Farms Garden Pixie, will replace the Wishnatzki Farms label on the company’s strawberries, bell peppers, squash, and cherry and grape tomatoes sold in grocery stores.

To introduce the brand to consumers, the company has launched an online campaign that includes a series of humorous videos. The videos, which are posted on www.WishFarms.com and on www.YouTube.com/WishFarms, introduce Misty the Garden Pixie through the eyes of her warehouse worker pixies.

Gary Wishnatzki, Wishnatzki Farms’ president and chief executive officer, decided to implement the new brand after extensive consumer research, which found that the label would be easy to spot on grocers’ shelves, and that the name and label were memorable and family friendly.

“It is our goal to connect with consumers in a more memorable way,” said Wishnatzki. “Strawberries are about sweetness and fun, so we created a brand that reflects those qualities. The new brand name is a natural evolution for our company. People have been referring to us as ‘Wish Farms’ for years,” said Wishnatzki. “It’s time to make it official.”

ABOUT WISHNATZKI FARMS

Wishnatzki Farms, Florida’s largest strawberry shipper-grower, is recognized nationally for quality and innovation. It represents more than 2,000 acres, and ships approximately three million flats of strawberries and two million packages of vegetables per year. The company markets produce under Wishnatzki Farms, Wish Farms, Strawberry Joe, Clear Choice Organic and other brand names. Wishnatzki Farms is proud to continue its tradition of providing high-quality produce since 1922.

For more information, visit WISHNATZKI FARMS.

Power Up Your Plate With Simple Swaps

Super Spices Add Antioxidants and Flavor to Your Favorite Foods and Save on Sugar, Sodium and Fat

Start off the New Year right – with a focus on simple ways to improve the foods you already enjoy. Adding spices and herbs is an easy way to power up your plate, boosting flavor and natural antioxidants of your favorite foods, while making it easier to replace salt, sugar and fats. Try an easy 30 day challenge to help make “super swaps” a healthful habit this year.

“Or, swapping 1 tablespoon brown sugar for 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon in your oatmeal can save 12 grams of sugar, 45 calories and add antioxidants comparable to 1/4 cup raspberries.”

“Making simple swaps in your daily routine can make a big difference,” says registered dietitian Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RD, author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet. “For example, sprinkling 1/4 teaspoon Oregano Leaves into your dishes instead of a 1/4 teaspoon of salt will save you 575 mg of sodium and add as many antioxidants as 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach,” says Dr. Bazilian. “Or, swapping 1 tablespoon brown sugar for 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon in your oatmeal can save 12 grams of sugar, 45 calories and add antioxidants comparable to 1/4 cup raspberries.” 1

The McCormick® www.spicesforhealth.com website offers a whole host of convenient, delicious ways to add natural antioxidants at every meal in an easy-to-follow calendar of super swap tips. Site visitors can start with the day’s featured tip or download a full 30 day calendar for an idea per day to last a full month.

Here are a few more super swaps to get started:

• In place of salt, wake up your taste buds with Herbed Scrambled Eggs. Beat 1/8 teaspoon thyme into 2 eggs before scrambling.
• Give your grilled cheese sandwich a super swap makeover. Instead of pan frying with 1 tablespoon butter, save 100 calories and 11 grams of fat by broiling it open-face, topped with sliced tomato and 1/4 teaspoon oregano for added flavor and antioxidants.
• Skip the mayo, and try mixing 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder into 8 ounces of plain yogurt to use as great spread on a turkey and vegetable pita sandwich.
• Instead of drizzling oil onto baked chicken breasts or roasted vegetables, shake on some herbs – thyme, rosemary and oregano are all great matches – and a squeeze of lemon juice. For every tablespoon of olive oil, you’ll save 120 calories and 14 grams of fat.

Applying the super swap approach is also cost-effective. With each pinch, dash and spoonful, spices and herbs can help boost the antioxidant power of practically everything on the plate for only pennies. In fact, a 1/4 teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon costs only $0.032 and a 1/4 teaspoon of Oregano Leaves adds up to just $0.063.

To take the 30 Day Super Swaps Challenge and find more tips and recipes, plus information about the antioxidant content of Super Spices, visit www.spicesforhealth.com.

About McCormick

With an extensive network of researchers, trend experts, chefs, home economists, food technologists, and sensory analysts, McCormick & Company, Inc. keeps its finger on the pulse of flavor. McCormick was founded in 1889 in Baltimore, Maryland. Today it is a global leader in the sale of spices, herbs and seasonings. McCormick sources high quality ingredients from far-reaching destinations to bring a world of flavors to consumers.

For more information, visit McCormick.

New Book Is Best 'How-To' Guide For Bison Production & Marketing

Bison Producers' Handbook compiled by More Than 30 Industry Experts

With the demand for bison meat at an all-time high, the National Bison Association this week has just issued a new comprehensive handbook designed to guide  newcomers through the ins-and-outs of the bison business.

The all-new Bison Producers' Handbook, released this month, represents a multi-year project of compiling the collective expertise of more than 30 long-time bison producers and marketers in the United States and Canada. The 280-page book contains chapters covering all facets of production and marketing.

"The Bison Producers' Handbook will serve as the industry standard for easy-to-understand information for newcomers and bison veterans alike," said Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association. "The handbook contains information useful to people engaged in small-scale direct marketing, and larger scale commercial enterprises."

The $40 handbook is available through the National Bison Association website's online store at www.bisoncentral.com. The handbook is free to new Active NBA members and is available at a 50 percent discount for current members of the National Bison Association.

Among the chapters included in the Bison Producers' Handbook are:

• Creating a Successful Bison Business;
• Getting Started with the Right Animal;
• Daily Bison Management;
• Low-Stress Handling;
• Bison Health;
• Grass and Grain Finishing Options;
• Marketing and Promotion; and
• Added Value Products from Bison.

Carter noted, "The experts who contributed material for this handbook have been on the front line of building the modern bison business. Their material is based upon actual experience in raising, processing and marketing buffalo during the past three decades."

For more information, visit The National Bison Association.

Chase Corporation Acquires ServiWrap Product Line

Chase Corporation, a global manufacturer of protective tapes and coatings, announces that it has acquired the full range of ServiWrap® pipeline protection products from Grace Construction Products, a unit of W.R. Grace & Co. ServiWrap high performance tapes, that have been protecting offshore and onshore pipelines from corrosion around the world for over 30 years, will be manufactured and distributed by Chase Corporation utilizing our existing, state-of-the-art, manufacturing capacity. The purchase was funded through a combination of cash and bank financing.

“This acquisition further underscores our commitment to the growing global pipeline preservation and water/wastewater markets and is consistent with our mission of being a leading provider of global infrastructure protection and refurbishment technologies”

ServiWrap/ServiShield® anti-corrosion systems have provided tough, self-adhering protection for new and refurbished oil, gas and water pipelines on thousands of miles of pipe used in prestigious projects around the world, with demonstrated performance that is equally effective on pipe lengths, bends, joints or valves.

The acquisition of ServiWrap will complement the extensive industry leading portfolio of Chase pipeline protection tapes, coatings and accessories and will substantially extend Chase Corporation’s global customer base. ServiWrap also builds upon Chase’s most recent acquisition, C.I.M. Industries, www.cimindustries.com, manufacturers of high performance immersion coatings for the water and wastewater industry. ServiWrap will continue to be available through the current network of distributors.

“This acquisition further underscores our commitment to the growing global pipeline preservation and water/wastewater markets and is consistent with our mission of being a leading provider of global infrastructure protection and refurbishment technologies”, said Peter Chase, Chase Corporation’s Chairman and CEO, “our growth via strategic acquisitions has and will remain an important component of our growth strategy.”

About Chase Corporation

Chase Corporation, founded in 1946, is a global manufacturer of tapes, laminates, sealants and coatings for high reliability applications, and provides contract assembly services for the electronics industry.

For more information, visit Chase Corporation.

CalciTech Files New Recycling Patent

CalciTech’s New Process Enables Paper to Be Completely Recycled

CalciTech announces that it has filed a new patent for a technology that enables paper producers to recycle all the minerals used in paper. This brings significant environmental and product benefits by eliminating disposal costs and replacing quarried minerals from distant sources with a recycled mineral that has better brightness, whiteness, opacity and printability than the original.

By enabling the raw material to be renewed in a closed loop, the paper industry can move closer towards the goal of zero waste, zero environmental impact and carbon footprint-free production. This will significantly reinforce their sustainability credentials.

The usage of recycled paper has reached 50 million tonnes in Europe and continues to grow as the demand for sustainable products increases. However it is not generally realised that paper contains up to 40% minerals which remain as a waste sludge after the recovery of the cellulose fibres. The elimination of this sludge is a growing problem following the new EU Waste Directive. Similar problems exist with recycled paper in North America and China.

CalciTech's new process overcomes the problem of impurities that has hitherto hindered the re-use of the minerals. The new process uses CalciTech's original technology for treating waste lime and applies it to solve a growing environmental problem. Trials have been successfully completed with waste from a range of paper mills. The Synthetic Calcium Carbonate produced from this waste is of exceptionally high brightness and low abrasivity. Extensive trials will be carried out with potential customers during 2010.

For more information, visit CalciTech.